Malmaison Floris for women

This was gifted to me on my first trip to England. My mom-in-law loves Floris and it was a must see shop whilst there. I have to say I do understand the draw to this parfumer. All the scents were high quality and very well done.

On to this fragrance. I picked this one out of the myriad in that shop due to it's warmth and uniqueness. It doesn't smell like every other concotion out there. It is spicy and floral without being too sweet or dry/earthy. Just an amazing blend that stays true to the lovely and humble carnation.

Opening notes are very spicy, almost masculine in nature, but as it melds into the heart the rose and carnation really come to the forefront and sweeten things up. As it developes further into the final drydown the cedar and musk become key players, but it maintains the carnation accord throughout the entire experience. It is slighty softened with a hint of vanilla and I do mean a hint, nothing sweet or gourmand, but just enough to round it out. Sillage is average and longevity is nothing remarkable, but an amazing fragrance while it lasts.

I could definitely see either sex wearing this as it's not overly sweet or overly spicy. I treasure my bottle both for the memories of that trip to London and because it is no longer available!

I wear this perfume when I want to feel bold, when I need a little secret encouragement. It's partly the wonderful association with Oscar Wilde, and partly the smell of the perfume itself. It is very spicy while at the same time very floral. The floral elements are somehow not at all sweet. It's beautifully composed but I admit that I did not like it at first -- usually I go for soft, airy and floral -- this is is strong and unusual. And sometimes strong and unusual is just the pick-me-up we all need. I love this perfume and I'm sad that it's no longer available. It is old-school in the gumption way, not in the stuffy way. I feel lucky to wear it!

I was eager to try this one after reading about it on Now Smell This's 100 Must-Try list. Of course, being discontinued, it's almost impossible to find. The Perfumed Court currently has affordable vintage samples. After reading all the pomp-and-circumstance, though, I can't say I was very impressed. The humble carnation is actually my favorite flower, but Malmaison just does not capture that sprightly green undertone of fresh ones. In fact, what comes out on me is a kind of dead carnation funk. The flower-vase-bong-water-effect. Hey--doesn't "malmaison" mean "sick house"? Hmm... Seeing how rare and regaled it is, I am glad I tried it and urge anyone to at least give it that shot. It might work for someone else.

where can i find malmaison its not available i thought

comment commander malmaison de floris j hacite en francemerci

kind of spicy, intensified carnation. Not a fan of the strong clove note- it is different from the usual though, this is the vintage formulation and has a lot of depth. Not sweet at all!
I will say that every representation of carnation is an ideal..just got a bunch of large, fragrant carnations and they have a sulphurous note which reminds me of bad breath- i much prefer malmaison!

I cherish the last few drops of the old formulation. It was dense and multi layered with a hit of spice, complexity built. It was a stayer.
The new formulation is pleasant.

(This review is for the reformulated Malmaison; I once had occasion to sniff the older version, and I found it darker and more complex than the current version.) Floris' recent version of Malmaison is an effervescent carnation syrup on a foundation of cinnamon and saccharine. This is fine perfume repurposed as diet soda. After the first few sips you realize that no matter how good the beverage tastes, it still has no substance.