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Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Annick Goutal- Mandragore


I almost forgot just how much I love Annick Goutal's Mandragore. I adore it, really, so the comments from readers talking about its awesomeness for weird weather and/or bad mood were right on target. I played with it again today and once again questioned myself about not having a full bottle. Was it longevity issues? No, not really. It requires serious sprayage but when I do it's there for four hours in full force, and a few more as a quiet woody wrap. The thing about Mandragore and my skin is that unlike just about any other perfume I can name, my favorite part of this Isabelle Doyen for Annick Goutal creation is the opening. I can't get enough of the spicy anisy citrus from the top notes. It's peppery, ginger-like and very rooty. Mandragore is so full of life and enthusiasm for adventure I'd think it's a wonderful perfume to wear when embarking on a road-trip scent.

The thing is that once the mayhem subsides,things get really confusing. I smell iris- both the powdery and the earthy kind. I love iris, of course, but somehow find its presence here distracting and out of place- when wearing Mandragore I don't necessarily want to feel introspective and serene. The iris goes away eventually, but the powder remains, this time as a dusty coat over bleached wood. There's some cedar, I think, an incensy resin and a thin slice of lemon. Mandragore is lovely, wearable and like all Annick Goutal perfumes, very well-made. It's a can't go wrong with it, wear anywhere without being boring scent. My friends here are right- it works well in the heat. Mandragore also smells a lot more natural than most perfumes you can get at a department store. I know absolutely nothing about the mandrake root that supposedly inspired this fragrance. I don't think I ever gave the plant a second thought before reading Harry Potter for the first time and seeing the somewhat disturbing illustration in the book. I kind of like the idea of wearing a perfume made with something that grows in Professor Sprout's greenhouse.

Mandragore by Annick Goutal ($99, 50ml EDP) is available from Luckyscent, most decent department stores and other authorized Goutal sellers.

Image: illustration of a pulled mandrake root by Mary Grandpre from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, 1999 (scanned by me).

5 comments:

  1. I have a sample of this on the way and am looking forward to trying it. I recently reviewed Mandragore Pourpre, with a mixed verdict. The anise was ultimately overpowering.

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  2. Mandragore is a long time stalwart for me. Eau du Sud in the Spring/Summer and Mandragore in Fall/Winter... lately I've found Mandragore usage seeping into Spring. I recently discovered Pourpre, and really love it.

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  3. Have you ever tried Eau de Campagne (Sisley)?
    Best Regards from Spain!

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  4. This sounds like it has a development similar to Un Matin d'Orage, which I love. The dark violet color of the liquid is also intriguing. Goutal makes many things that send me, so now this description has opened an inviting door. So nice to see you last week!

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  5. I love this Goutal - and have a bottle of it! Thanks for the lovely review!

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