Marem

Sometimes I want to smell like a silent film star, but not that often, which is why I ordered the travel-sprayer instead of a full bottle. It's a lovely scent but similar enough to others that I already own that it would be hard to justify a larger bottle. It reminds me a bit of Portrait of a Lady once it dries down and the ambers, spices, and woods take over. I don't know a lot about the original formula, but I'm guessing that it was probably full of many things that are illegal now, whether for health reasons or ethical reasons (cruelty, sustainability, etc.) or some other reason that may be valid but is a stone cold drag for a frag hag like myself, who luxuriates in allergenic vintage oakmosses whenever she gets a chance. I do quite like Marem, and I don't regret the purchase--I bought it on sale, and have a special weakness for vintage or vintage-inspired scents--but I would mostly recommend it to someone who is looking for a rich, luxurious-smelling, dark and complicated rose-amber fragrance but who either can't afford, say, PoaL or one of its many dupes, or just doesn't want to smell exactly the same as her boss (for instance). In that case, Marem is a great choice because it contains the good ingredients characteristic of Caswell-Massey (whose soaps are my very favorite-favorites among luxury soaps) but it isn't as expensive as many other perfumes in this general scent category. At the same time, it's more costly than, say, Perles de Lalique or Agent Provocateur Miss AP or (to stretch the category a bit) Nirvana Rose by Elizabeth and James. I have yet to decide whether it is is superior to those now deeply discounted brands. Update September 6 2024: Put on a spray after my MG Bloom of Rose EDP wore off, and wondered again why I don't wear this more often, especially since I also own the soap, which is lovely. I think it's growing on me, or I'm developing a wider and more comprehensive frame of reference. It's a bit tart for my tastes, but I do think I like it better than PoaL, and it's infinitely less expensive. There is definitely something slightly antiquated about this, but in a good way, like potpourri frin a haunted Victorian bookstore. Update: Very affordable alternative to Marem (or PoaL, for that matter): Maison Alhambra The Myth (the one in the blue bottle, not Chant for the Nymphs, in the pink bottle, also good but very different). It's not quite as complex or potent, but it's extremely close on the drydown.

Marem was a surprising find. I picked up the little 15ml bottle and it sure packs a punch. Marem is a lush red rose, heavy with crushed red berries, and a hint of bitter neroli, all on a distinct woody base that adds to the heft of this floral fragrance. There is meant to be eucalyptus in this as well and while I can't say I feel it very strongly when I wear this scent, there is a bit of interest here. Marem blooms most effusively, and tends a little darker and richer than many roses that are not accented with oud, especially at this price point. It lasts too. It is fairly linear, just getting a little lighter as it wears, with the berries receding and the woody note, cedar maybe, getting cleaner. It did very much remind me of Byredo's Rose of No Man's Land, which I also enjoy a lot, though Rose of No Man's Land is more sheer. My bottle of Marem is the older version, with the gold cap and off-white label with blue print.

The opening makes me think of orange hard candies in a tin, slightly sour and covered in powdered sugar. This mixes with rose, which becomes the more dominant scent as it settles. The woody, spicy notes add a nice depth to the brightness. I love the story behind this fragrance, and smelling it elicits images of an earlier time, the beginning ages of the film industry, seductive stardom, and classic femininity. It's becoming an everyday perfume for me.

A feminine and warm pink rose fragrance with a light fruity tang of red currant. It mellows down to something like a vintage face cream. Marem reminds me of something I smelled long ago. Rose candy? Cartier Delices? Both? At any rate, I can’t imagine anyone hating this.

This is a lovely true rose scent. It’s very beautiful but it only lasted on my skin 1 hour. I for sure would use this as a signature rose scent, it’s got just the right amount of spiciness to it, if only the longevity were better.