Mulholland

Mulholland is a fabulous aromatic that stays wonderfully close to the earth rather than being gone with the wind. The scent opens with a bright selection of citrus (maybe sweet orange and bergamot) without too much of a loud tang. The drydown delivers a feeling of subdued joy and perhaps a little bohemian spirit with its glowing amber, sandalwood and barely discernible, but complimentary patchouli. I don't however get any rebellious counterculture or psychedelia associated with historic Laurel Canyon/Mulholland Drive--this is a smooth, well behaved blend which could be dressed up or down. In any event, it's fresh, warm, radiant and modestly gratifying. I'll definitely be adding this to my collection.

I really didn’t like this one when I first smelled it. Maybe it’s because the sprayer delivered way too much, making the scent unbearably strong. In any case, it seemed sharp, loud, and full of unpleasant synthetic woody-aldehydic notes, so strong that it actually irritated my nose. It felt like I was huffing aroma chemicals straight from the bottle. I have to say that if it had been some celebrity scent instead of Keiko Mecheri I would have scrubbed immediately. However, I was curious to see how the scent developed, so I did the dog-panting-out-the-car-window breathing technique for a while, trying to put my nose in whatever position would provide as much fresh air as possible. I know a lot of people routinely spray themselves with much more than I did, and I’m probably the odd person out, but I really wish Luckyscent would put small samples like this in the regular sample vials, not sprayers. Not only do the sprayers malfunction all too often, they prevent those of us who like to err on the side of caution from dabbing unfamiliar scents in tolerable quantities. Once the initial atomic blast of top notes is over, Mulholland’s not bad at all. At some point it starts smelling like Earl Grey tea mixed with green tea and vanilla. The amber in the drydown is enjoyable, and much more in keeping with what I expect from Keiko Mecheri. I would have preferred the tea and amber straight, though, without the harsh citrus-woody beginning.

I like this precisely because it feels like a very casual and easy to wear scent. To me, it's starts out with a wonderful sparkle of citrus that has no harsh edges to it. It smells lighthanded and fresh and with a nice dash of sweetness that is not overly done at all. This then calms down to a sweeter amber and wood base. The patchouli is not strong. This is not overly complex, and it doesn't need to be. It's blended very smoothly, and the ingredients smell fresh and refined. I feel like it's a great scent to wear out for a weekend brunch or a nice afternoon trip. It reminds me of an uncomplicated sunny day, which would be great to wear in the sun... or in the cold because it reminds you of the sun! Also worth noting: the glass bottle is wonderfully elegant and feels good in the hand, like something from the golden age of Hollywood but also modern. The atomizer lets out an exceptionally fine mist.

Equal parts sweet citrus and woodsy amber, with a certain amount of warmth. Simple and no surprises. Not the picture of the landscape itself, but what you would be wearing in that landscape. Reminds me of Gypsy Water, but with more ease. More politeness and less of a statement: more happiness. One of those scents that you'll use more often than you think.

This smells like California--golden hills, dry chaparral, and tree-lined boulevards floating on a warm Southern California summer breeze...really nicely done! It starts out with a little bit of citrus, but mostly it's a medium-bodied woody amber. The sandalwood is very smooth. Mulholland really does remind me of LA--glamorous even when casual.

This is a very good transparent and crisp fragrance. It bears the KM signature sweet undertone, which to me is rather pleasant. i enjoyed the most a blast of lovely bitter-woody smell of petitgrain and zesty citruses in the beginning. It settles down to a pleasant floral. Not exceptional but very pleasant.

The opening blast of citrus was both stronger and sweeter than I expected. After about an hour the woods and amber took over, and I found them both very calming. I feel good wearing it, which makes it definitely worthy of full bottle consideration.

I can’t quite put my finger on why I dislike Mulholland. Based on the notes, I thought this would be something I'd enjoy, but there’s a heavy sweetness to it, as if the citrus was too ripe, and I don’t pick up on the sandalwood at all. It feels a little floral (although there are no floral notes) and there’s something distinctly masculine about it too. Whatever it is, it’s just not for me!

A wonderful advantage of self training in perfume-wearing is that I learned to disregard the bottle and the name of the perfume. 'It's the perfume, stupid.' As for the bottle, I quite like the Keiko Mecheri bottles. Nice blend of form and function. What might be intended to be jewel-like, reads to my mind as a simple, attractive geometry. The name: Mulholland. I live in LA, in the valley. Less than a mile from Mulholland, in fact. I can safely say that the name of the perfume has nothing to do with the place, so it must be more about aspiration. Very mid-20th century General Motors when you look at it. Impala, Bel Air, Wildcat, Firebird, Safari, Grand Prix. So, without further thought, I'll dismiss the name. There is something quietly appealing about a line that is niche not in order to be 'indie' in style or to be more hip than the mainstream will allow. There is a sense in the Mecheri line that the perfumer just wanted enough space to work with the ideas that interested her, whether this meant creating something previously unknown, or making a classic idea your own. It implies a stable ego and hard work. Mulholland fulfills an unstated goal, one that many have pursued: the long- lasting eau de cologne. Many have tried, many have died. There have been some spectacular successes in recent years. Andy Tauer ignites orange with amber in Orange Star. Francis Kurkjian throws away the book with the revolutionary Cologne pour le Soir. Mecheri goes out on a limb and attempts to keep the shape and tone of the edc while making it last. It's perfume alchemy, the magic short-cut to turn common metals into gold. Mulholland's initial wager is the eschew the 'natural'. To makes a durable musky citrus, Mecheri creates idealized woods with steely accents. From the first sniff, Mulholland forgoes the desire to appear strictly botanical. Instead, it strives to be appealing and interesting to the nose. It succeeds. Mulholland crosses tones and makes links that aren't meant to hide the artifice, but to manipulate it and make it work for you. The musk is woody, the citrus is salty-metallic and the floral elements are papery. There's nothing jarring in the perfume. You can accept it at face value. In the place of an eau de cologne's lightness there is a sense of agility, and where a cologne burns brightly but briefly, Mulholland has an inherent sparkle, a quality that doesn't burn off. Mulholland would make an ideal daily perfume. It's fetching, it's interesting and it's balanced from top to bottom. One interesting thing about enduring, mainstream constructs is that they make you consider the distinction between truism and stereotype. Mecheri posits the eau de cologne as a truism and then pokes at it. Why is an edc appealing? Why has it become a tradition? Is it strong enough to survive some bending and twisting? I suppose that Keiko Mecheri could be seen as the antithesis of Etat Libre d'Orange, but she sticks to her guns and uses tradition to great advantage.

Mulholland is reminiscent of a carefree day - wind in your hair, jangly jewelry, blue skies for miles. Freedom. The citrus opening reminds me of summer. Fresh cut lime, bergamot a hint of lemon made smooth and round by the petit grain, which kinda strings these notes together. Like an afternoon zephyr that carries the summer song of an acoustic guitar. The patchouli starts to shimmer through in the first 10 minutes, making this scent smooth, round and mellow. If Mulholland was a colour it would start as luminescent white, like sun jarring the earth below at high noon, which by mid-late afternoon dims to softer gold. Glows. I love the transition of the sun as to this perfume. This perfume is far from shy, but it is not an 'in-your-face- take no prisoner kinda of scent either". Instead it is independent and subtly striking without the need for extraversion. The drydown is soft and comforting. 3 hours on and I get a waft of incense, glowering amber coals, warmish sandalwood and strangely still some orange. I also detect some sun-dried laundry in there as well - white laundry powder to be precise - perhaps created from the marriage of the patchouli and sandalwood base notes. It is important to note that Mulholland and I were not love at first, not even friends. I am pleased to report that we are now happy companions. It did take me a while, a few curious attempts to pursue the 'getting to know you phase'. Be warned, this scent can be divisive. My recommendation - do not be too quick to judge. After a few weeks on and off again testing I would happily wear Mulholland whenever I felt like a hit of summer. It is a warm and sensual scent and smells even better when the sun is shining, especially on a day like today -24 degrees celcius, endless blue and warm breezes. Keiko Mecheri scents in general, I believe, have a high universal appeal. Blended with a deft hand, they all appear to be very wearable and PC - no Dynasty or super sized shoulder pads in sight. Mulholland is no exception.

There is something quietly appealing about a line that is 'niche' not in order simply to appear indie or hip. There is a sense in the Mecheri line that the artistic director (Mecheri) and perfumer (Vasnier) wanted enough space to work with the ideas that interested them, whether this meant creating something previously unknown, or making a classic idea your own. It implies stable egos and hard work. With Mulholland, Mecheri fulfills a goal that many have pursued: the alchemy of the long- lasting eau de cologne. Her initial wager in creating the Mulholland is to the eschew the 'natural.' To makes a durable cologne, Mecheri fabricates musky, metallic citrus notes and idealized woods. In the place of an eau de cologne's lightness there is a sense of agility, and where a cologne burns brightly but briefly, Mulholland instead has an inherent sparkle that doesn't burn off. If my description is confusing, the perfume is not. It just works. Mulholland has a methodically artificial tone with beautiful counterbalances and interesting juxtapositions. And here is where we get to the perfect choice of name: Mulholland. I live in LA, in the Valley. Less than a mile from Mulholland Drive, in fact. Mulholland is the winding road at the top of the hill that separates the Hollywood/Beverly Hills/Bel Air/Brentwood from the San Fernando Valley. It has a heavy mid-century vibe and is surrounded by the mass-produced mid-century modernist houses that have a particular place in sunny southern Cali mythology. These houses along Mulholland are decked out in a Plastic Modern/Hollywood Regency style that make a nice fit to the modern, plastic mood of Mecheri's Mulholland. From the first sniff, Mulholland forgoes the desire to appear strictly botanical. Instead, it strives to be appealing and interesting to the nose. It succeeds. from scenthurdle.com

As I slowly make my way through testing (& happily buying) some of Keiko Mecheri's collection, it has become clear that there is something very special about this house. Aside from the obvious beautiful presentation in crystal-like clear & dark glass bottles, each and every fragrance I have tested has been carefully thought out, constructed, and is a joy to wear and experience. Mulholland is no different and I truly relish the experience when I wear it. While Mecheri describes Mulholland as an olfactive immersion into the era of psychedelia and the hipness of Hollywood, I really struggle to get that association. It's primarily a fresh citrus opening with only the very vaguest hint of patchouli, then a lovely sandalwood/amber style drydown. To me, Mulholland is very much in the same style as Armani Prive's Vetiver Babylone/D'Hiver. That is to say that although they don't smell very similar they do evoke the same sort of feeling. A bright, natural and lovely citrus followed by a slightly spicy, dry and warm base. Mulholland is not as dry as the Armani and has a noticeable sweetness. Truthfully I would have preferred a bit more patchouli to give Mulholland a touch more earthiness, but this is still very nice as it is. I agree with others that this is truly unisex and probably very nearly appropriate for most occasions. I get good longevity at about 6 - 7 hours maximum, but sillage is quiet. At retail prices, this may be a bit expensive, but if you can get it on sale like I did, it's worth every cent.

This is going to sound very weird, but upon donning Keiko Mecheri MULHOLLAND, my very first reaction was, "Hmmm... smells like something by Bond no 9." I don't even know which perfume in the Bond no 9 line this was reminding me of--maybe a cross between ANDY WARHOL (the one with his picture on the front) and CONEY ISLAND? Very unclear. But what is interesting is that this perfume somehow captures the essence of the Bond no 9 line: it's flashy and in your face, but nonetheless well-made. MULHOLLAND smells at once niche and contrived. The obligatory trendy notes are present, including patchouli, sandalwood, musk, and what to my nose is an incense-like scent (hence, my comparison to ANDY WARHOL). The citrus must be what reminded me of CONEY ISLAND. I'm not sure what the name MULHOLLAND is supposed to connote. I lived in Los Angeles for a few years, and certainly I was not that thrilled with the plastic culture and superficiality, with a big emphasis on packaging and image rather than content. Maybe that's what MULHOLLAND is intended to capture? It smells good in a "let's go party at a yuppy wine bar" kind of way. As this perfume dries down, it begins to seem more artificial than whatever Bond no 9 creations I was reminded of in the opening. In the end, I'd say that MULHOLLAND is a success, because it really stretches the boundaries of the Keiko Mecheri line in an artful way.

Somehow I was not expecting Mulholland to smell the way it did. No one below mentioned that there was a sort of overly fresh but not quite aquatic edge to this. There is certainly some sort of calone related material in Mulholland that puts it squarely in the olfactory territory of typical fresh masculines of the 90's like Cool Water. In retrospect, I suppose this is what people are describing as metallic. I would call it almost briney musky, ozonic or green tea. Intensely, bracingly fresh with prominent citrus and soap notes. Where are the patchouli, amber and spices? I smell a bit of sandalwood but this is in no way oriental. Despite this, I think it smells like that sort of generic looking but well dressed guy who smells 'nice' standing in the elevator next to you. His scent could be anything, but you don't think its remarkable enough to ask the name of the fragrance. Not what I was hoping for... moving on. ETA: It smells almost exactly like Chez Bond by Bond No. 9.

I got a sample of Mulholland selected for me through Lucky Scent Fragrance Fitting! Unfortunately it's too masculine for me. I used to wear men's colognes all the time, like, guerlain Vetiver, Hermes voyage, carrier declaration... and I just don't like them anymore - but my husband does! So he can wear them. I don't know why I'm done with citrus and wood and other classic men's smells. So I am searching for a new (feminine!) signature scent. And I am really looking forward to the rest of my lucky scent samples... a couple more of them are for men and woman (for whatever those designations are worth) but most sound like they are going to be way on the femme side. So with Mulholland I get too much orange citrus and wood - and because I'm seeking something completely different than this - because I'm having a fragrance gender transition of some kind! - it's not for me. But it does seem very nice.

Another Bravo for Keiko M! This opens with a strong orange note, orange flowers specifically, and this remains throughout the life of this fragrance. I know this is an aromatic but it came off as 'warm' and soft. While not loud it does have impressive projection, and wears like Apres L'ondee on me, (as far as sillage and longevity) Of Keiko's line in general I think this is one of her best, and I like that it is not sweet but tart and earthy. What a heavenly combination of top and base notes! You'll pick up on the sensuous amber around the 2 hour mark. A big recommend! (Note: I"m not happy with my Lucky Scent sample, which came in a spray vile. It didn't 'spray' at all but 'fell' out and ran down the bottle and my fingers, which i had to rub on my decollete. Boo!)

A fresh, masculine cologne. Too masculine for me, unfortunately, but still very nice. This doesn't smell anything like the list of notes suggest it should. To me, it's a very crisp, fresh, lemony kind of a scent with woody undertones. It's a driving in a convertible along the coastline on a hot summer's day. I don't get any patchouli at all, or amber. This doesn't strike me as "warm" in any way. It's all summer freshness. I'd love to smell this on a guy because I think it would be really nice on masculine skin. A very nice summer scent for men (or women who like more masculine frags) to wear when feeling carefree and happy.

I am excited to be the first to review this one. I was one of the lucky winners of the contest and I got the larger sample of Mulholland. I think first off that this is a true unisex scent. I think it would smell great on a guy or on a gal. Notes of citrus, petit grain, hint of patchouli, sandalwood, amber. the patchouli is warm and not too strong. It blends well with the amber and sandalwood. The citrus is very faint and I think that this scent would work well in all season, but best for fall. Very earthy and hippie without being too much so. Great perfume.

Being a Californian living in the Bay Area, we wake up to a fog every morning in August. Mulholland's combination of notes places me in a dream like state as the patchouli, sandalwood and amber notes come to life. Each time i have worn this, I feel like I am in a David Lynch film, not knowing if the fog would envelope me, leading me in the wrong direction or lift, letting me know it was all a dream.

This is the scent that I would imagine was in the air when William Holden is driving his convertible up Sunset off Mulholland and drives into Gloria Swanson's driveway in "Sunset Boulevard." This is not a creepy David Lynch fragrance. This is a classic Southern California dry and sunny convertible weather scent. Nicely done with the warm basenotes.