Frederic Malle Synthetic Jungle is the latest release from Malle. I can’t even remember what was the last release they had, seems like it was two years ago? Can that be right? Rose & Cuir in 2019, I looked it up.
Was super-stoked for this new one, though the name gave me a lot of pause. The story behind this goes that Malle wanted a tribute to the big, green glorious perfumes of the 70s, but modern, so he told Anne Flipo to take the things she loved from things like Estee Laude Private Collection (I have loved this one forever!), keep those, and then toss the things that didn’t work.
Okay! Notes of galbanum, basil, black currant, jasmine, hyacinth, lily of the valley, almond, ylang, oakmoss and patchouli. It opens like you just jumped in a vat of Private Collection, all green and bits of tart, and you think, oh, retro! And then, poof, it shifts. The rough edges that used to make me crazy about those big green perfumes (just too pointy!) get all bendy and softer, and it stays all big, in the way Carnal Flower and Portrait of a Lady are big, but green lily of the valley softened by a little bit indolic jasmine and a velvety almond.
It has the most beautiful waft – one of those that make you smile as you walk through the room with it on, surrounded by trails of soft, lush green florals. It’s what I always wanted those big green monsters to turn into. This was a Malle that was worth the two years wait to get. Just a lovely addition to the line.
Winners of the Pineward Velveteen and Stora Skuggan Mispouffer sample – Caroline. Click on Drop Us a Note up at the top, send me your name, address, remind me what you won. I’ll send you a quick “got it” return email so you know it didn’t get lost in a spam filter!
I’ll give away two samples of the Malle Synthetic Jungle. The hummingbirds have intensified. They are fighting the bees and killing about four feeders every two days. Sugar drunks! I went from like 8 to probably a couple dozen. The good news, they are still squabbling, but much less because nobody can hold a feeder except the early morning, so they all dive in and fight the bees instead. When their little feeders got low this weekend, I came outside, and they were getting a little close trying to let me know I needed to freshen their bar.
We had a hummingbird follow our oscillating sprinkler. As the water went from side to side, it stayed with it. Had never seen that before and it wasn’t the least bit bothered that I was so close. Malle perfumes are either love or hate with me, no in between. This one at least sounds like it could be a love.
Sounds like it’s up my alley. Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for the drawing.
I wore Private Collection for years and received so many compliments. I probably will love Synthetic Jungle. Thank you for the sample draw!
omgosh. I loved the living daylights out of Private Collection – this sounds even more divine, if that’s possible! DNEM but omg. Definitely gonna get a sample of this.
Bees and feeders – an ugly but extremely effective solution: take some petroleum jelly and smear it on all but the actual feeder holes – the bees will largely disappear. I’m jealous of your horde – I’m lucky if I see 2 or 3 a day!
Glad Malle is back – the past few offerings have not made my perfume weenie wiggle! I wonder if this nod to Private Collection is in response to Lauder’s having purchased the line. If so, bravo!
xoxoxo
Yeah, I really think you would like this! Oh, great idea on the petroleum. Never even thought of that, I’ll fix that up tomorrow! They are a horde. They cleared out two feeders near their favorite Red Bud tree in a day!
This new Malle sounds utterly lovely though the name threw me a bit too and if you hadn’t described it I probably would not have given it a second look because of it! One of my feeders is entirely given over to the bees because the other two have bee guards on them but I’m expecting every day now to wake up to find the hummingbirds have left for the season. Not today though!
The name made me puzzled too. Once you smell it, you get it, and it makes perfect sense then! I know one morning I’ll wake up and they will have vamoosed. I have a feeling we may have peaked and some of them are gone. Though we have a few days of 90 plus days ahead of us, so maybe it will be another week before the little aggressive darlings take off!
Synthetic Jungle sounds like it is totally in my green-lovin’ wheelhouse!! Is STC carrying it yet? Gotts get my nose on this one. I sound like a greedy hummingbird! So happy the hummers are enjoying your bar. That’s awesome.
Yeah, we snagged it. I really love it. It is not what I expected, but better. It’s like some great middle ground between those big green monsters and the Malle modern feel.
This really intrigues me. But the name really confuses me. It doesn’t draw me in like the other FM scents do. Would love to try this so I can say to myself “ can’t judge a book by its cover “ !
I know, that name! I thought it was so dumb, until I smelled it, and then I thought, well, yeah! Like Portrait of a lady as a guy’s rose perfume? No one will ever understand that and no guy will want to tell you what he’s wearing. Welp, I was wrong about that!
Ahhh the greens of the 70s….Aromatics and Aliage!!! Sounds divine. Thanks for the lovely review!
You green lovers. I admire those guys, but they are tough for me to wear. This is the perfect big green one for me.
Really looking forward to trying this one, hoping I get a lot of the jasmine. 🙂
I think that is possible! It’s there, but not as prominent on me distinctly. If that makes sense?
I’ve ordered a sample from STC, even more excited to smell this after your review! Sounds like it might be perfect for me!
EL Private Collection is Gorgeous!
We have two hummingbirds still visiting the feeder daily. Love them!
I wore EL Private Collection for years, and I still love it, especially the parfum, if you can find it. I love what they did with this. I hope you love it!
I have fallen in love with Frederic Malle perfumes, so would love to try this. I also saw the name and went, “say what!?”
The hummingbirds sound marvelous. I have only ever seen a few and they are amazing to me.
I think the name will grow on all of us and make sense. It is that – a big green jungle that is a modern synthetic to take the scary out of it, and it just beautiful.
NOT LISTENING! NOT LISTENING!
(prying hands off Portia’s ears)
HA!
Thank you for this review, I would love to try SJ! I loved Greens and I love many Malles?
There is almost nothing in the Malle line that I don’t love or at least admire. There’s a couple of nice but not spectacularly original ones, and there are a couple of spectacularly originals that I can’t wear, but overall, it’s been great. I’m more worried about Serge. I know there is a new one out now, but I haven’t even looked at it or for it yet.
Big Green 70’s but Modern sounds like my perfect scent!
Soooo excited to try this. Thanks for your review. Whoo-hoo!
I know! For me, too. I’m so glad someone did it, and I never would have thought someone should until, well, here it is… and perfect!
Whoa this sounds awesome! I miss the heady days of walking around NYC, on the hunt for the latest! Sigh. I hope we return to those days at some point. Xo
You said it March.
I know, One day, I hope, I hope, I hope!
No need to enter me, I had a sample made at NM. I love it, but only because I already have it in the form of Sisley’s Eau de Campagne. I love it!
I’ve never smelled that one
Tina, you just saved me from sending for samples. I have masses of Campagne which is a summer staple of mine.
Side by side what are the differences & similarities?
Hello! Fully agree with the name comment and excited that something special and wearable is here again. Would love to try! Thanks- Judy
Yeah, that name. I did think they should change it at first, but it made so much more sense once I smelled it.