[unpaid/sample] I have wanted for a long time to try Carine Roitfeld fragrance. I don’t know if you remember, but I think it was Vogue who coined the ‘tired all the time’ make up look that Carine made her signature (where she was previous editor-in-chief). It’s basically a bit of wandering kohl and late-night-mascara-smudging against a pale skin backdrop which sounds awful but I’m quite envious of a look that says you’ve been in a night club til the small hours and have work tomorrow so might as well not go to bed at all. I like it anyway just for the carelessness of it – the inattention to detail that takes some confidence and too-busyness.
I think Aurelien is the fragrant embodiment of that easy preoccupation – it’s a bit sexy, a bit much and a lot heady. The collection of seven fragrances is not called 7 Lovers for nothing.
Aurelien has a strong amber lead – I find it quite strong so a little will go a very long way. It’s warm and spicy with – I think some jasmine bottom notes that wind their way into the first spritz – and there’s a lot of sweetness that dissipates quite quickly. It’s described as having balsamic notes – a sharp-sweet element that becomes sharper after the syrupy aspect fades and it’s certainly resinous.
This is described as a unisex fragrance which at first I couldn’t understand but after wearing for a while, it settles down to something more cologne like and masculine. But, the strange thing is, after what I would describe as a distinctly feminine opener turning into a distinctly masculine middle, it then turns ‘feminine’ again with jasmine and orange blossom fronting the whole show. Aurelien is intriguing, powerful and somehow rather undone – I mean, just maybe add mascara and smudge it a bit :-). I’d take the 10ml option available from Net A Porter for £48 HERE and supersize if you love it. I can imagine it being somewhat addictive but I also think it will divide opinion. Non-affiliate is HERE.
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