Madeleine

I was reading in lot of comments, that the cumin is too lot & too bitter. I think it's not! This fragrance is Art. The Cumin is the note which transforms the chesnut+ whipped cream accord to the most photorealistic slightly smoky baked chesnut on a very smooth and mellow silky lactonic bed. Without the coumin, it might be only a cloying, sugary chestnut-puree with whipped cream dessert. To be honest i don't detect any geranium, only a bit of the sweet, lush & delightfull tuberose. Which is perfectly melting in to the whipped cream and gives a nuance of white floral vibe to it, when the middle notes starts to blooming. The vanillary silky milk note with the musk just make a gorgeous & ethereal creamy-powdery drydown, combinated with the still presense whipped-cream and chestnut. In my opinion this one is the most beautiful chestnut gourmand, and one of the most loveliest lactonic scent on my list ( Yes I'm in Love with milky-lactonic fragrances) Just for my synaesthesia : This scent has a palette from smoky muted browns,light browns, lattes & off whites: Beige, Ivory, Ecru,.etc. It's one of my fav cozy, warm, light colored autumn fragrance for nude cashmere/ knitted wear. If u like fall fragrances with light colored vibe (mostly : nutty/woody/lactonic/soft spicy notes) Then, i think it's worth a try ( but sample first! don't blind buy )

Masque Milano Madeleine is a 2020 release that I just had the pleasure of smelling for the first time last week with Nir Guy at Perfumology, which carries the full Masque line. The name of the perfume conjures the cake of the same name, and I believe is the perfume’s inspiration, as almond features significantly in both. The perfume does have a baked goods quality to it along the lines of Hilde Soliani Buonissimo, but instead of smelling like buttery, cocoa-dusted croissants, Madeleine has a prominent nutty quality of almond, chestnut, and coffee in concert with a cookie/cake vibe, without the lemon of the inspiration and without the cocoa of Buonissimo. It’s slightly sharp (probably due to the combination of almond and tonka) but in general sweeter and breadier with light spicy touches. Madeleine is dense, rich, delicious, and a very satisfying nod to gourmand lovers like me, and is different enough from other perfumes I’ve tried to be worth looking into and (if you’re as much as a fan of it as I am) buying a bottle. Overall, I’m quite smitten with this. Madeleine is sold at Perfumology and other boutiques like Indigo Perfumery and Luckyscent and is priced at $160 for 35ml, on par with most of the line. 8 out of 10

I agree that this one is hard to wear. It is not a typical likeable gourmand and yet it is much more gourmand to non-gourmand lovers. Knowing Angelina in Rue de Rivoli, I can definitely smell "the vibe" and roasted (chest)nutty, whipped cream sugary (burnt sugar, I agree with that one) notes (after you survive first few seconds with cumin which gives it medicinal, herby and a bit of artificial smell). This perfume sells more memory than a sexy, sweet fragrance to wear during autumn/winter period. I would suggest to go light when spraying, as this can be a toothache fragrance and overpowering but if taken with caution, and looking to smell like roasted sugary chestnut, then you will probably love it and appreciate it. It takes a patience to go through head phase, then it settles down more hugging you than choking you (less chestnutty, more milky coffee, vanillic vibe...and that slightly odd burnt sugar note). It's not sexy, it's comforting and taking you to Paris on a cold day for something very sweet both to drink and eat, in a place where you will feel instantly warmed.

Oh wow, what a sweet, delicate, patisserie gourmand. The two fragrances this reminds me of personally are L'Artisan's Bois Farine (but this one is sweeter) and Sucre D'Ebene by PG. Sometimes gourmands are too thick in their middle notes - you just can't smell through them - they are a wall of dense sugar. This isn't like that - it's an airy cloud of a gourmand, with a delicious chestnut pastry base. Not cooked pastry - more like the paste that is about to be put in the oven. I would also say it's light enough to be worn in Spring as well as Autumn and Winter, though it may become cloying in summer heat. So, in that way it's versatile. Beneath everything is a light, face-cream aspect that gives the fragrance an evocative artistry. I would say it's a fairly safe blind-buy for anyone who likes nutty gourmands, and that you might find it quite surprising the more you think about it. At first it feels simple; but it has beguiling facets.

Had the chance to try this creation yesterday and I was left stunned by how delicious this perfume is. I'm not typically a gourmand lover but this one is perfectly balanced, just the right amount of sweetness, but not overpowering. Inspired by a chic Parisian lady enjoying a hot chocolate in the Rue de Rivoli alongside a Mont Blanc dessert, the perfume perfectly transmits the delicious chestnut puree and whipped cream that makes up the treat. Underscored by a decadent dark chocolate note that serves to bring out the chestnut, Fanny Bal uses creamy tuberose and white floral accord to make this creation translucent. Even though it smells so rich, it is, at the same time, light and wearable, the musk serves as a beautiful go between the two contrasting materials to create a liquid sensation: wearing this I am reminded of enjoying a warm nutty beverage as it passes between your lips and warms your chest with its opulent taste.

In the opening I smell an airy cherry/almond duo anchored by a strong coffee note and what must be the cumin, it smells slightly stale or body odor-ish. It's not repulsive in the least. That opening quickly transitions about 30 to 45mins later and the vanilla starts to emerge along with the white musk. Now there's a slight nuttiness and some sweetness, probably the tonka. It gets creamy and soft, it's very pretty but I'm disappointed by sillage and longevity. It retreats to a skin scent fairly quickly, longevity is only average maybe 4-6 hours. Maybe it would perform better on textiles which they usually do. This is my third wearing from a 2ml dabber and the performance has been consistent. I personally wouldn't buy a fb at retail price but discounted without question. It isn't a foodie gourmand scent but really a nice "gourmand" for those that love the category.

This right here. Off the bat I will say that it’s definitely not for everyone or a good “blind buy”. With that being said, I DID blind buy a full bottle of this one and am in love! If you are a gourmand lover and you like smelling like a straight up snack this is one for you. Like a warm, nutty, spiced fresh from the oven pastry. And not just any average, Starbucks brand baked good, one that has been passed down 3 generations and isn’t written in any recipe book. Special, unique, beautiful, literally chef’s kiss. I personally don’t get the “urine” scent that is so off putting to others; am so glad with my body chemistry I do not! It is definitely more of a cold weather scent. It is not a heavy projector, more of a skin scent-but so, so good!

Before I bought this - the "Con" list above scared the crap outta me!!! I am so glad I gave it a shot and just bought a 35ml bottle because WOW - this is an instant favorite and exactly the type of fragrance I've been loving atm. This is a gourmand-leaning perfume, but also has a light musky-woody-ish base to it too and that is what is making this so magical to me! And the cumin is perfectly done here too - such a well-balanced fragrance. Definitely not too sweet. This is a grown-up gourmand. Nothing juvenile at all. It's beautiful! If you tend to enjoy some lighter-woody fragrances and gourmands that aren't too sweet or "photorealistic" then give this a try!!

This is a skinscent on me pretty quickly, but I still love it. It's beautiful with its intro of strong smelling coffee (that goes away quickly) and warm chestnut. I'm so very glad I did not get the cumin note at all. It must be minimal because any amount of cumin usually explodes on my skin. The drydown is my favorite and so I wish it were stronger and lasted longer. It's a warm, sweet and vanilla milk. A very comforting scent. Edit: 11/17/21 I bought the entire bottle and have no regrets. It's more beautiful than I remember, but my remarks about wishing it were stronger and lasted longer will sadly have to remain.

I read that it wasn't a safe blind buy but this is the first blind buy I ever do that is such a SUCCESS. If this perfume had bigger sillage and a decent longevity, it would be the PERFECT perfume–for me at least. Is a creamy, true symphony of coziness. I'm so happy I got it. As soon as I sprayed it I could sense the different notes trying to run in the air, it's pretty unbelievable, have never had any perfume with such complexity in the opening. It's almost magic. It lasts around 1 hour and then is just a skin scent, that's a shame. But I love it.

ngl... i really hated this at first, mainly because it wasn't what i was expecting at all, but it has grown on me so much that i completely adore it now. it is a rich, spicy chestnut coffee (yep, i smell coffee despite that not being a note... possibly from how roasted the chestnut smells), and it settles into this beautiful chestnut cake. extremely cosy and warm. the initial spray is intense AF, but i even love that about it now. it's beautiful ❤️ ...to think i was about to sell this D:

Perfectly roasted coffee beans, wrapped in a comforting, creamy, nutty gourmand accord. I would have never guessed the note was actually chestnut—it blends in beautifully. The only downside is the projection. I wish it could fill a room, but instead it stays very close to the skin. On the bright side, the longevity is excellent, so I can enjoy its scent throughout the entire day. These are perfumes that bring pleasure to the wearer above all else.

Mind Games Opera Mate just came out recently and it smells just like this fragrance except MGOM has an added seude note that elevates the fragrance. I love Masque Milano Madeleine, it is a more linear sweet, cozy, creamy, chestnut scent. The cumin adds a bit of earthiness and keeps the fragrance from going over the "too sweet" cliff.

Absolutely gorgeous. There are no coffee or chocolate notes listed but there is a sense of both in this beautiful concoction. The chestnut accord is the star, making it warm and toasty. Madeleine is gourmand but not sugary. The milkiness stands out without being overly lactonic. Delectable and cozy, this is one to swoon after.

To my nose, this fragrance smells exactly like a box of Boston baked beans( a.k.a. candy coated peanuts), that I used to eat as a child. I don't get the skanky, armpit, cumin smell, that I've seen others down below, describe. Thank goodness! A very unique, nostalgic fragrance that I'm very happy to have in my collection. ☺️

creamy warm hazelnut with bitter vanilla and just a hint of surprisingly harmonious tuberose! not too sweet or cloying... slightly bittersweet warm... just nice... i can imagine having the mont blanc after an afternoon stroll now... hmmm yum! this is how i like my gourmands to be! love

Nutty vanilla opening. Not sweet. Reminds me of the smell of Divinity fudge. Very unisex. My nose could not find the florals. I get more of a roasted nut finish. Prefect for cooler days and hanging around the house all nice and cozy. Worth trying, I did go a full bottle. 👍🏻

After searching for a nutty gourmand, found Madeleine on sale. A great lactonic, nutty vanilla. It’s not too too sweet. The cumin balances it out a bit and adds some depth. I get no woods or florals in this one. Smells of a chestnut pastry with a vanilla sauce!

Madeleine smells lactonic, creamy, nutty, woody with a spicy twist. I detect vanilla ice cream too even though it's not mentioned in the notes list. It's delicious, enchanting. The best gourmand I know. Longevity 4-6 h, projects just a little.

LOVE!!! this was a blind buy which I was anxious about, but she outdid herself! It's a dessert inspired perfume that's not too sweet, and the chestnut note is definitely there! it's subtly warm making it perfect for autumn and winter.

As a Madeleine, I'm on the search for a namesake perfume. Have I found her?! Perfectly nutty, a little sweet, sumptuously milky. The composition of unexpected notes keeps it balanced at the very edge of gourmand territory.

Madeleine smells first, nutty then creamy and a little waxy, then at the end, it smells slightly and softly spicy with Tonka, musks and vanilla. It smells a little play dough-y too, in the background. I do not get any florals at all. My nose did not detect any tuberose whatsoever... I do smell the chestnut and cumin with the milky/creamy accord and somehow, it works... However...It quickly turns into a lotion like or even a waxy cheap candle like scent on my skin. Nothing wrong with the smell itself as it is quite lovely but it’s more the quality or the texture of the smell that reminds me of something waxy (hence the candle reference)... In the dry down, the waxy-ness disappears and I get a faint whiff of Tonka and vanilla with musks. It’s very soft and it feels peaceful and quiet like an Autumn evening...That play dough-y aspect I mentioned earlier is there at the end and personally, it doesn’t bother me. But I know it is not necessarily something everyone likes... I like this fragrance but I am not quite sure I’d go for a full bottle... The nuttiness of it is very well done though it reminds me a bit of The Embrace by Navitus. The Embrace has sesame seeds and that accord smells exactly the same (to me) compared to Madeleine. Longevity: mediocre 2-3 hours Sillage/Projection: poor/shy but I do prefer my perfumes that way, actually. Season: this would definitely be a Fall season perfume because of the nutty/creamy accords. Price: I’ll have to check it out as I am basing this review on a sample I received for free with another purchase. All in all, if you are into nutty, creamy, waxy/dough-y and slightly spicy accords in your fragrances, I’d say go for a sample. This is NOT BLIND BUY SAFE! 🌰🌰🍦🍦🔥🔥

I am a big fan of a nutty accord in fragrance - familiar notes like hazelnut, almond and pistachio are gourmand favorites. Chestnut, on the other hand, is its own thing. If you've ever had a roasted chestnut, you know they have a dense, meaty texture that is more akin to potato than peanut. The aroma is also not as familiar in much of the US (winters living in Japan is where I gained my appreciation) so its perhaps an acquired taste. Equally so with Masque Milano's Madeleine. This is a chestnut perfume and the aroma has that same roasted, dense feeling. But, unlike the sweeter leaning and much quieter This Is Her, Madeleine is a more flavorful and savory composition that provides a subtle lactonic sweetness only deep in the base. I like this perfume - it's a bit weird, surely original and not for everyone. Certain days that's exactly what I'm looking for.

I always try to guess the notes before I see what they are and what I got from this was the smell of of a delicious warm hazelnut latte (happy to see I was not far off). So here are my thoughts - is it a nice smell? Of course! But do I actually want my skin to smell like that? No. It opens a little too nutty and a little too sugary for anything I'd ever wear (even with the fact that I'm on a serious milk/nut/wheaty kick right now). WITH THAT SAID, wow that dry down is GORGEOUS. Almost wrote this one off because I was pretty put off by the opening. Came back to it a little more than an hour later and it is just this sexy, milky, vanilla tonka scent. If it opened like it dried down, SHEESH.

Cypress and geranium really did a number on this one. I mean I understand that if you don't add anything brooding and harsh to a sweet gourmand it will be written off as immature. But this is entirely too 'bitter' for my taste. I was looking for something light hearted. My bf loved it, he doesn't detect anything except yummy notes. I like to ask his opinion because we never perceive scents in a similar way. So there you go, there's a chance you'll love this scent. Oh, and it starts off very medicinal but it subsides in like 5min. If you try this one and you want something softer and more gourmand, give Lost Alice a go.

Nutty, boozy, sour-lactonic, gourmand vanilla with burnt sugar vibes; that’s the clearest summary. And it’s decidedly cumin-heavy. If you’re sensitive to cumin, you’ll likely want to chuck the bottle across the room. I could also call it the most prominent chestnut note I’ve smelled, but this isn’t a crowd-pleaser. For anyone hunting a true chai tea latte vibe, though, it’s tailor-made: the cumin + milk accord nails that effect. Interesting. I love this house; this particular scent isn’t for me, but I do appreciate how distinctive it is. Tag(s): chai tea latte, cumin, chesnutty

extremely nutty, powdery, in an almost dusty way, and very sweet. The chestnut here almostttt reads like a peanut butter sort of accord, as its overtly nutty in an uncanny sort of way. I do find the sweetness a bit overwhelming the heavy hand of powder here. The scent reminds me of Mazapan de la Rosa, a powdered peanut candy funny enough. You do get a milky vanilla with rich tonka in the dry down, that is undeniably enjoyable, with remnants of nutty accords, but I do find the ultra powdery opening and heavy hand of nuttiness a bit much to get to the tamer end result.

A lactonic chestnut. I go through phases of absolutely loving this and then disliking it. It’s very strong, so it almost makes me feel self conscious wearing it. I love the creaminess, but the nuttiness is what makes it less likable for me. When I’m in an enjoying it phase, I wear it around the house. It reminds me of having a creamy cup of hazelnut coffee. Both perfumes I have from Masque are truly niche experiences and not at all safe blind buys. Not for niche beginners

A very boozy sweet chestnut with tonka; the other notes are not there, not milky, not BO or cumin; a sweet chestnut puree like in dessert; definitely gourmand and unisex but very sweet; in the final drydown, the teeth curdling sweetness burns off a bit and the milkiness asserts itself in combo with the chestnut but still a bit boozy but with a little turn of sharpness like vanilla orchid or freesia lurking in the background, a hint of something floral

Jennamarie81 said it best, Boston Baked Beans! The first thing I thought of when I sprayed it on my wrist was, "Wth... candied peanuts?" It reminds me of the fair when you smell sugar in the air (not cotton candy) and peanuts. It's fun, it's youthful, it's nostalgic. Think carnival. It's not a bad scent, but it's just not one that I need in my collection. I think I'll be returning it.

For the 60-90 minutes that Madeleine is alive on my skin it’s a yummy stunner. I find it similar to Noir Exquis, with a dominant chestnut note and similar in that both are short lived at 2 hours on a good day. Madeleine is creamier and softer, with the just the right amount of sweetness that never turns suffocating. I enjoyed wearing Madeleine both times my 2ml decant would allow.

I didn't like this at first, but now that it's at the drydown phase, it smells really good. The drydown is a very sweet honey-smelling gourmand on me. It reminds me of the smell of a dessert like baklava or something along those lines. With that being said, it's not a safe blind buy. It's a gourmand, but not a typical gourmand and I can see why some people don't like it.

This is a stunning lactonic composition and truly appreciate the unique twist in this with the hint of spice - the cumin is not off-putting or sweaty at all, rather lending a wonderful point of difference. The problem with this stunning scent is its performance. It is very close wearing and not long lasting at all which makes me sad.

Im sorry but I have to say it They absolutely ruined this fragrance by putting cumin in it. It had so much potential to be great. The cypress with the gourmand notes gives me enchanted forrest full of fairies but then the cumin just overpowers that and gives stinky armpit.

There is an instantaneous sweetness upon application that at once disappears, leaving a flat, toasted nutty impression. Not cake-like at all, and no coffee or cocoa either. I am a gourmand fiend but this to me feels aimless. Longevity is poor.

This smells like rye bread to me with a spinkling of sugar, I guess the chestnut note is giving that rye feel. It isn't sickly sweet and the milkiness comes along more as it dries. Very interesting gourmand.

Chestnut, milk, and sweet tuberose. Very light. Sits pretty close to the skin. Not worth the price tag, honestly, but it is unique and comforting.

I’ve been craving a good creamy fragrance lately. “Lactonic” is the keyword: perfumes that feel milky, cozy, cuddly, and opaque white or pastel in “color”, ranging anywhere from lightly sweetened to full-on dessert. Etat Libre d'Orange Fat Electrician is a great lactonic vetiver-cream, except that for a weird half-hour the “electrician” part is literal and it smells of burning wires. Kerosene Unforsaken is pretty much the ideal orange-and-cream scent, Tauer L'Eau is a glorious lemon-cream scent, Guerlain Vol de Nuit is spring-flowers-and-cream, and there are many more I haven’t tried (Kenzo Amour is famously supposed to be a rice pudding scent). So, how does Madeleine stack up? The opening is aggressively bready, almost yeasty, with an unconvincing (and loud) fake butter flavor note. Later on it settles into more what I was hoping for: a light, fluffy vanilla chestnut cream with subtle floralcy and a light-brown butter-cookie backdrop. It’s on the sheer side and not overly sweet, eminently wearable. It’s actually a lot like Fat Electrician after the “sparks” settle; I’m not sure if I would be able to distinguish the drydowns of the two scents blindfolded. Is there a nutty-creamy scent out there that doesn’t have an off-putting phase? The search continues...

I am in love with the opening. Beautiful whipped cream with chestnut. Reminds me of a Hungarian dessert made out of these two ingredients, gesztenyepüré. There is a slight tuberose in the background which enriches the whole experience. Dry down is a gorgeous whipped vanilla ice cream. Beautiful for fall and winter! But..... I can't have it. The projection and longevity are awful. After an hour or two I have to put my nose to my wrist to get anything. On clothes, I have to bury my face in my scarf to smell it. With a 35ml bottle and the pricetag, I can't afford to overspray.

Sorry, but Madeleine is the ugly sister of Zadig & Voltaire's This Is Her. They have almost the same notes, but Madeleine just isn't coming together beautifully. The opening is a shock--too much all at once! But the top notes burn off after only a few minutes, and I'm left with a tolerable skin scent of milk, vanilla, tonka bean, and musk. I'm the number 1 fan of gourmands, and I'm trying to like this. Maybe it will grow on me, but right now it's a no.

Nose Note #385 It may not be a longevity beast, but damn it's strong the first minutes. Massive chestnut vibe. Very sweet fried chestnut bathed in milk. Such cool olfactive experience! But as for wearing it... That's difficult. Very tiring. And there's also something very sharp about it, maybe cumin. It's not a cozy scent like By the Fireplace. This one here is rather obnoxious. As an experience - 7/10 Overall - 5.5/10

Honestly, A Lab on Fire’s “Made in Heaven” is this perfume but much more elevated and delicate. I’d highly recommend it. Madeleine smells more “stale” in a sense, likely due to the heavy muskiness. Since I have Made in Heaven, I have no need for this.

Impressive, especially the chestnut note. I find it skillfully made and easy to like, but it's not love so I won't be buying a full bottle.

Although it is a quite pleasurable scent, I find it more suitable for a body lotion than a perfume.

I guess I’m one of the lucky ones who just gets the edible notes. This is light in overall performance but starts dense with a very milky, nutty opening with a tiny nuance of chocolate that draws you in. The cumin disappears in the first few minutes thank goodness. I hardly get the florals. It eventually dries down to a lotion like scent. Do not expect much sweetness from this. The first chesnut fragrance I can deal with but NOT a safe blind purchase. It’s still a very WEIRD scent, but this would be for my own pleasure. Also the perfect simple fragrance to layer with, if I want to add dense milkiness and nuttiness without extra notes interfering. Update: This fragrance easily annoys me, can’t wear it for long without getting tired of it. I still agree it’s a good one to layer with, but not worth just having that role.

Since I absolutely LOVE Tango by this house I really wanted to love Madeleine as well. Sadly, I do not. I admit it has good longevity and the very, at the end, last, last dry down was warm and a bit lactonic (which I like). But what is going on in the beginning??? Some have mentioned it smelled like urine. I could not imagine that would be possible!! Well... it IS! I get a very heavy dose of nuttiness in the beginning and it stays pretty much to the end. But this extremely unpleasant urine smell rendered this fragrance an absolute No Go for me. I’m still in the search of a nice, well blended, warm, hugging, patisserie type fragrance. One that has great longevity and good silage. Sadly, this is not it for me.

I get the concept, but it just does not work. Way too sweet and there is an annoying note in there that does not disappear. Also, you can't layer it with anything else except vanilla and that makes it sweeter. Smells like a dessert but that one dessert that is not your favorite, so even though it is sweet and a dessert and it is there- you don't even reach for it. This is what remains in the pan dulce bag after everyone has gotten their share. A piece of almond cookie, some coconut shavings from the red cupcakes, some powder from the conchas and a little bit of the cochito cookie. Too much and not great.

HUGE chestnut forwardness right off the bat. And a bit of cumin and musk. It's definitely unisex...kind of high end brothel vibes; like an old hunting lodge run by a rich, elegant, mysterious lady. Not sweet to my nose, interesting in that it doesn’t feel like a typical/basic gourmand. On the dry-down, it's more marshmallow-y with a hint of the rose. I think this would be amazing on someone with a slightly different vibe than me. Update: I've tried it so many times and can't make myself get into it. It just smells burnt / boozy on me. I'm sure this would be great on someone else, just not for me.

I almost like this but a hint of cumin pulls instantly skanky on my skin. However I can fully appreciate the creativity of the composition. It is authentically nutty in a way I have not smelled before. It smells like caramelised nuts with cracked sea salt on top. Madeleine has something alluring about it and I might enjoy smelling this on someone else. But I would find this too sickly and lactonic on myself and the cumin turns it instantly wrong.

Today is the day for eh reviews, but honesty is always the best policy. WE all smell things differently and this one smells like a creamy, sweaty chestnut - lotion. Not sweet, which would have been worse, imo. The cumin goes very savory, pulling the chestnut that way too - then the creamy aspects come in and bam....you want to get away from it but it somehow keeps reminding you it's there but soap and water aren't getting it off.