My Heroine

Whilst I love, love, love brionica1013's review - and can see why some might echo those feelings, I have to say I LOVE this scent. It is dirty - primarily a heavy, smoky, cigarette ash cut with a big sweet fruity front end. As it dries it has a touch of green somewhere, a pond water kinda vibe and the smoke fades rounding out and going leathery. I never get anything animalic or pissy and as it dries into a smoky wood, I get the tickle of something like an Orange juicy vibrancy, lurking - it improves all the way through the scents life. I guess you would wonder why you would want to wait so patiently for a perfume to develop - but for me this is like the girl in the bar who's got 25 earrings, a nose ring and her tongue pierced, all about the, first impression shock of putting people off only to reveal themselves as a lovely person once you give time and get close. It's also great to layer with things. The MAC Shadescents often get referenced with Tom Ford fragrances and whilst I don't think they directly try to mimic any, they do share a sensibility. Both are often big, lush, deep fragrances - and having worn this and Velvet Teddy I get that whole Tom Ford vibe you get from Black Orchid or Tobacco Vanille. They feel lovable for the wearer even if not always for those smelling from afar. I also adore the design aesthetic of the bottles - truly modern in their colourful minimalism. They would look right at home in a minimalist home - like they have come straight from a graphic designers desk with their spare, straight lines and the fact that they resemble tear sheets from a Pantone chart. In my estimation this one is a purple close to PMS 2607 :-) . Sadly this range is discontinued and prices are spiralling upwards - if you can get your nose on them I'd say these are well worth picking up if you come across bottles at a decent price.

Found this at a vintage perfume dealer — a friend of my brother — and he instantly went, “This is a hidden gem... and yeah, it’s discontinued.” Then he added, dead serious: “No one would believe this came from MAC Cosmetics.” Now, MAC? I’m thinking makeup counters, bright lights, teenagers testing lip gloss — not... this. The vintage perfume guy even joked they discontinued it because every 15-year-old girl who sprayed it either fainted, panicked, or sprinted to the nearest sink to scrub it off. Honestly, I wouldn’t rule it out. First spray? Absolute chaos. This doesn’t greet you — it attacks you. Like getting slapped across the face with a thick, oil-soaked leather glove straight off an oil rig. It’s dark, smoky, tarry leather, drenched in petrol, grease, and some borderline suspicious chemicals. Then, just when you think you’ve recovered — nope. A sharp, almost aggressive saffron kicks the door in and takes over, backed by that same dirty leather. The smoke splits off and does its own thing too — less cozy incense, more “something is definitely burning and you should probably leave.” The note says incense, but this smells like the ashes after the fire’s already out. Drydown? Slightly calmer... slightly. It’s still dark, bitter, and dry. The tobacco smells ancient — like it’s been sitting in a forgotten drawer since 1988. Patchouli throws some dirt on everything (in a good way), keeping it grounded. Sweetness? Basically missing in action. It’s weird, intense, and kind of brilliant. If a brand like MAC releases something like this, it should come with a warning label. Honestly, if this had a fancy niche label slapped on it, people would be paying triple and calling it “challenging,” “artistic,” and “boundary-pushing.” Too bad it’s discontinued — this thing is wild.

This fragrance is pure danger. I love it! Sprayed it on my right arm as I was purchasing MAC Velvet Teddy (bought it because I had tested it the day before) and at first I was worried that I'd get a headache from the pure strength. From sniffing the bottle you know right away this is a leather perfume. Ever since I tried Cuir Fetiche I knew I was obsessed with leather. Then I got Cuir de Lancôme (my favorite) and have been curious about Bandit, Cuir de Russie, and the Tauer perfumes (Lonestar Memories, etc). But they aren't that accessible for random sniffing where I live so they are on my to-do list. But My Heroine is just so perfectly exactly what I'd like them to smell like, and for a fraction of the price tag. I never got a headache, but kept sniffing my arm all day as the scent evolved on my skin. It was fruity, almost a vanilla ice cream with strawberry sauce by the end. Yum! This fragrance ain't for everyone, that is for sure. You have to have a certain appreciation for its complexity, a willingness to go along for the ride. You don't have to be edgy to wear this completely edgy scent. You just have to be daring enough in the depths of your soul not to tame the savage beast, but to become one. Truly addictive. Not at all unlike Dior Addict (similar smoke and vanilla...I'd say Addict is the halfway point between Velvet Teddy and My Heroine). Definitely my next purchase. Probably best for cool to cold weather! Fall can't get here fast enough... I hope it's never discontinued.

I've always advocated for wearing whatever you like despite what other people may think... BUT... Wearing My Heroine to work last night alienated 99% of my coworkers and I think I'll be apologizing for a good long while. Note: I work in a WAREHOUSE, a HUGE open space! I shudder to think the effect this fragrance would have in an office environment. Let me be clear. I absolutely LOVE and ADORE My Heroine but I've concluded that it's an "at home only" fragrance. The leather, the smoke, the incense... they're delicious, "in your face!" fantastically BOLD (and super long lasting) but... this is a personal fragrance. My Heroine is something to be enjoyed at home, in private, like those marvelous expensive chocolates that you really enjoy and really, REALLY don't want to share. Or maybe it's like Bandit... one of those "Leave me alone!" fragrances. You decide. Meanwhile, at home, I'm wearing and loving My Heroine.

Oh man this is really good. I think the main issue is that this has been promoted as a scent for lipsticks. Thats the main reason why its under the radar. But that can be a good thing. Its definitely a men's fragrance. Lot of incense and leather in the opening, very harsh but give it some time and you have an unique fragrance for a great price. In my opinion, would this be released by Tom Ford with a price of 200$ it would be a great success. What i love in collecting fragrances is when i find one that not many people know, has a great price and smells unique. That does not happen very often in times where Youtube and co tells you about everything. But this one is one of these. You have an very special taste in fragrances? Please!! go and try it because i can guarantee this will not be around for very long.