Oud & Pink

Oud & Pink by Cartier (Les Heures Voyageuses collection) is a fragrance that plays beautifully on contrast, almost like a haute couture dress with an impeccable cut but rebellious fabric. Signed by Mathilde Laurent, the nose of the Maison, this perfume does not follow the usual trail of the sweet and opulent "rose-ouds" we are used to. An "Androgynous" Elegance. Forget the classic dewy or sugared rose. Here the rose is abstract, proud and almost pungent. Cartier's idea was to dress a woman in a tuxedo or a man in a pink silk shirt: a reversal of gender codes that makes the fragrance perfectly unisex. The composition is minimalist but has an extreme impact. Despite being part of the Floral Woody Musk group, the structure is dominated by two absolute protagonists: The Oud: It is a "Cartier style" oud. It's not dirty, manure or medicinal in the strictest sense, but it is woody, deep and slightly smoky. It gives a solid and almost severe structure. La Rosa: Don't expect a flower garden. It is a "pink" rose in name only; to the nose it appears metallic, fresh and bold. It is the spark that illuminates the darkness of the wood. The Drydown: As the hours pass, the musky part emerges which softens the edges, making the perfume a sort of luxurious, warm and persistent "second skin". Oud & Pink is a fragrance for those seeking exclusivity and wanting to stand out from the crowd of commercial perfumes bordering on gourmand. He is serious, sophisticated and a little aloof. If you love perfumes that communicate effortless authority and sophistication, this is a masterpiece to have in your collection.

A close approximation of the scent of the human soul. I could swear there was pink pepper in this but its just the power of suggestion...Probably my favorite oud fragrance, including everything about it including the name. Mathilde Laurent is hands down my favorite independent perfumer.

While listening to a recent TPN episode I ordered Oud & Pink AS it was being discussed! Jack needs to get more credit and $$$ for the influence he has on perfume sales. This is indeed a fabulous 80’s rehash- the leather rose chypre Montana vibes are strong. I love it.

Oud & Pink is a lovely, nicely balanced rose-oud scent, featuring a dark, slightly jammy rose note and a nuanced, likeable oud note - just the right amount of animalic leather but not too skanky. O&P opens with rich rose, slightly jammy initially but mostly reminiscent of pressed rose petals. Leathery oud follows, providing a nice counterpoint to the rose. It is musky and animalic, reasonably soft and slightly woody. The classic rose-oud accord is nicely rendered here, palatable and wearable, but still authentic. It is a simple composition, becoming increasingly musky as it fades, with the rose-oud accord remaining throughout. Sillage and longevity are moderate. A simple, wearable version of a classic, this is a beautiful rose-oud perfume, if nothing groundbreaking. My only gripe is the performance, especially considering the price - it is somewhat lacking. Still, a good quality and utterly elegant unisex scent. 3.5/5.

I have long since been a lover of Cartier’s Oud Vanille, and so it’s high time I explore more from this line. Continuing with the theme of simplicity, Oud & Pink is all about oud and rose. I find it’s more focused on the rose aspect, with the oud being more of a whisper in the background. This rose note is surprisingly bright and pulpy, with a sharp, almost salty nuance as though there were a presence of geranium. It has the effect of a gentle, sweet rose-water; is unknowingly easy to wear, with only a touch of bitterness to suggest the subtle presence of an oud accord. Whilst I do enjoy this scent, I do wish the oud was more present. I don’t love it the way I do Oud Vanille, for the simple reason this is not the sort of rose I tend to gravitate to, as it is a note I’m rather picky about. Smells great though.