Message in a Bottle

This fragrance needs a lot more recognition. I haven't smelt anything else from Mark's brand, but I think I really need to. For a relatively simple composition, there's quite a bit of development and change right through. I think a traditional note pyramid would paint a better picture. I would like to add that I'm quite possibly going insane or high from the fumes, but this is how Message in a Bottle played out on my skin: Phase 1 - first spray. Magnolia! Jasmine! Ylang Ylang! Neroli! Powdery, sweet, warm weather friendly flowers dominate right out the gate. This feels like a classic cologne with the florals dialed up to 11. The ambergris is a brilliant substitute for egyptian musks typically found in these kind of fragrances, however it may be just a little too feminine for me to wear. Phase 2 - dry down. Well that settled quickly. It now feels like it's in a similar ballpark to Francis Kurkdjian's Petit Matin which is a personal favourite of mine. A lush neroli and ambroxan bomb. I can easily pull this off. Phase 3 - several hours later. Comme des Garcons 2 Man's deep dry down... Is that you??? What a wonderful fragrance with an unexpected twist. I don't understand how I'm smelling any resemblance to 2 Man here based purely on reading the notes. Perhaps the musky combination of ambroxan and civet, along with the leathery labdanum and sandalwood are recreating that sweet incense accord I get from 2 Man right in the very base. It is another Mark Buxton creation afterall.

Notes from card inside box are: Top: Ylang-ylang, Magnolia flower, Neroli oil Core: Jasmine Sambac, Rose oil, Orange flower concrete Base: Grey Amber, Sandalwood, Cistus oil (aka Labdanum), Civet absolute Will update with once I've had more time to test but I can say the opening is fantastic

I really love this. It's flowery, true. But the neroli, that 'cologne' base, keeps the magnolia and jasmin gender neutral. The sturdy amber and civet keep it earthy. So I, a man, love to wear this. It's the most flowery I have ever smelled, but it works. Such a great smell. Got compliments.

I used to recieve a sample box every month in 2019 and 2020. I have decided to start going through these scents. This scent was worn to the gym. In spring semi warm day in australia... yeah big mistake. Civet, ambergris and ylang ylang hit me in the face with force as I started to heat up. The magnolia gives it a musk stick vibe and the civet must be the ammonia vibe when my heart rate hit 167. Do not wear this exercising you will gas out people within a 5m radius. It's a pleasant scent now i have cooled down and enjoying deep Saddleworth and ylang ylang. Civet seems to have worn down now

A airy ambergris, with powdery magnolia, with a dry softened sandalwood at the base. If you’re a man, you won’t smell like one. If you’re a woman it’ll make you say “ooh la la”. I think this is definitely more on feminine side. The message in the bottle reads - “I’m a naked woman on a deserted island, full of magnolia. I’m ok, no need to come find me”.