1889 Moulin Rouge

My God, this is a time capsule. It's astonishing. It's like stepping into the 1800's, yet there is nothing outdated about it in the way that the old Guerlains seem outdated to me. In the beginning, the spice smelled a bit like the ash from an ash tray. No smoke, just bitter ash. It was not very nice, so I was "certain" this would not grow on me. Soon it began to vaguely remind me of Aqaba, for it had a waxy feel to it, like a red votive that is "spice" scented. I could imagine the large circular chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, illuminated by hundreds of these candles. Twenty minutes later when I sniffed again, I was both surprised and impressed to smell a hefty dose of soft, very old-fashioned powder, similar to old makeup. The wax and ash had substantially diminished. Having been to the Moulin Rouge, I think this perfume captures it perfectly. There is something naughty about this perfume, but at the exact same time there is a vulnerability to it. I can picture the young ladies, with their glowing skin dusted with powder. Some wanting to be performers, and others dreaming of a life in which they can make money pursuing their true passions. I envision the empty stage in the wee hours of the morning and the ash trays sitting atop the little round tables, cigarette smoke having dissipated hours earlier. It's as though this perfume conveys the message that when the lights are out and the makeup and wigs are off, there are real human beings with hopes, dreams, fears...just like anyone else. This constant polarity of sentiments--light/dark, spice/powder, hopefulness/longing, sex/innocence--it made me incredibly melancholy. I actually shed a tear. Before Histoires Moulin Rouge, the only perfume that ever stirred up such emotion and made me cry was CHANEL No. 5. I never thought another perfume would be able to do that to me. I'm so impressed with Histoires de Parfums for their ability to create such a deeply thought-provoking scent. To me this is art; I must own it. I will also have to give consideration to ordering more samples from this House.

I have visited the Moulin Rouge in Paris before, although I was not fortunate enough to enter or attend a show (I was too young at the time). Whilst I find that this scent does not conjure up images of the Moulin Rouge exactly, I could definitely imagine a burlesque dancer or the atmosphere in a theatre to smell like this. Moulin Rouge has an effervescent opening, followed by an old-fashioned lipstick smell, one that's a bit dry and crumbly and powdery and similar to a lipstick that your great grandmother would keep in her purse. An unusual aromatic note then peeks out above everything else (hello, wormwood), followed by something sweet that has a waxy quality to it, which I think is the iris. There are hints of something "fizzy" every now and again (this could be the combination of some of the notes on my skin), and as the scent turns into a powdery floral dry-down, some roses appear, as well. I love how this scent gives the impression of another era, but does not smell dated. I find it suggestive and seductive. There is a depth, and a "lived-in", intimate feel to it, and I really imagine this to be what a burlesque dancer's skin would smell like. Moderate sillage; lasting power is for about 8-9 hours. Moulin Rouge has exquisite blending, composition and receives top marks from me, as this scent contains one of my most loathed notes - patchouli - and so far I haven't even noticed it! However, I will see what happens over the passing of time as I get to know the scent. I will add some further notes if there is any change. By the way, this is not the same as Lipstick Rose by Frederick Malle, which reminds me of something more "1950's pin-up", whereas this is "1920's burlesque dancer". The aforementioned is sweeter, creamier and based on violets; this one has more powder, is softer and based on iris. I do love both and consider them beautiful interpretations of the “lipstick” genre for their own unique reasons :)

Mmmm, I think this Moulin Rouge is really great. It has three very distinct but somehow coherent phases - it really does succeed in making its ambitious name sound just about right, and I don't know which part I like best. First there's a shock of what I immediately thought of as "pencil shavings, but lovely", but that another reviewer has described much more accurately as "greasepaint and dust, the smell of backstage". This lasts for only a little while, and then in the heart there's that wonderfully waxy oldfashioned lipstick scent, very powdery with prominent places for the floral notes and especially the plum. But it all hangs together so well that no one particular note steals the show, and then after a while it starts to warm up and get more spicy, finally leaving the lovely cinnamon note to linger at center stage for quite a while. Like others have said, it's true there's not much subtlety here. But that doesn't matter at all, because there's a lot of interesting things going on here, a lot of edgy depth, without it being any less wearable for all that. In fact, with its long lifespan and good but not exaggerated sillage I think this could be pretty versatile, wearable on most occasions and in every season as long as it isn't suffocatingly hot. Obviously it'd do great on a night out, but it felt perfect at work today as well. As for the comparisons with Lipstick Rose, I think they're probably in the same family, evoking oldfashioned glamour through the scent of makeup as they both do, but they're not very closely related. Lipstick Rose is at the same time a lot brighter and a lot muskier, more straithforward and less dusty. They're both wonderful in their own right, and I for one wouldn't mind having both of them in my collection.

I think I fell in love with this. I've always wanted to own a perfume that would remind me of a (possibly beautiful red, as I love red) lipstick. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to find a rare gem like that (such scent is not exactly popular, or mainstream), so imagine how excited I was when I realized 1889 Moulin Rouge is finally available in the country where I live. I ordered it almost immediately and got it a day after that. It was, obviously, a blind buy, even though a sample was available for this. However, the notes and the reviews here on Fragrantica seemed really promising, so I bought a brand new bottle instead. And I have no regrets. :) I took a deep breath and sniffed the fragrance on my wrists for the first time. This is something I have never smelled before, at least not in perfumes and to my pleasant surprise, it's also very lipsticky. It's a very warm, waxy, slightly powdery scent (I love the iris note) with the hint of absinthe there. Cinnamon (my other favorite note) and plum are also quite noticeable here. Maybe it's too soon yet to comment on longevity and projection of the perfume, as I haven't worn it properly yet, but one little spritz lasted quite long on my wrists actually. Also, the scent is kind of sweet and juicy, but not in a basic, fruity way. It has its own, unique and more sophisticated sweetness to it. So, overall, I can conclude I love the scent and the person (the nose) who created this, whoever it is (I'm quite new to this house so I'm not properly informed yet). This is going to be my fall fragrance. :) Very artistic and delightful, quite noticeable, I think. Also,I forgot to add - if the color red had its scent, then this would be it. :) :)

Mon Dieu! This is such a gem! I'm in love deeply right from the first sniff. This is such a slutty, voluptuous perfume, but with all his attitude he is not vulgar at all. This is my blind buy and as this is HdP I expected something really stunning cause I'm forever fan of this brand but 1889 surprised me so much. It's so much about femininity and fragility but at the same time it's such a seductive boozy slut. I see couloirs of Paris with vicious girls putting lipstick on before going to the stage. 1889 tells you such an intriguing story, it's just like a book brings you fantasies, memories. I smell laced pantaloons, such a sweaty and boozy air in the night restaurant. I really can feel that Moulin Rouge in the past. Fragrance of sin, fragrance of freedom. There many comments below about it's lipsticky nature or old ladies or something like that. To me it's not about objects or notes, it's well balanced whole story in a bottle, pure emotion. it's bitter, it smells like the skin of a beautiful Parisienne and a sweet kiss. it's nostalgic and charming. it's so beautiful - I can't get enough of it. It's such pleasure to have you in my collection, 1899. Borscht rating for people: 5.6 out of 10 Borscht rating for herself: 11 out of 10