Invasion Barbare

I bought a huge sample pack in January 2020 (about 30 samples) and Invasion Barbare was one of those. At the time I would take the samples, dab them on a piece of paper, and smell them. The ones I enjoyed immediately I would set aside and label it. The ones that I was on the fence about I would keep the sample on the table and the ones I just didn't like I would set off to another side. Invasion Barbare was immediately put into the "liked" category. After smelling all 30 samples (my nose was absolutely shot after this), I had 6 that were in the "liked" pile. I won't reveal what the others were since I eventually went on to buy them as well. Invasion Barbare was the first one that I bought a full bottle of and I do not regret that decision. I've owned it for almost 2 years and here are the notes that I have from my testing. Smell: First sniff is a huge blast of Violet leaf, Lavendar, and the slightest touch of Bergamot to keep it bright. The cardamom then comes into play as the bergamot quickly dissipates, leaving me with the impression of being in the barber shop with my dad while I was a kid. Invasion Barbare reminds me of that smell of shaving cream that I could still smell as my dad carried me out of the barber shop. It does try to go powdery on me quickly (especially on clothes) but that doesn't ruin the experience. I have researched this scent a long time before deciding to sample and, ultimately, purchase it. I've heard the comparisons to Rive Gauche by YSL and Le Male by JPG on YouTube when Invasion Barbare was being hyped up by the big name reviewers. I've never smelled Rive Gauche so I can't comment on that but I have smelled Le Male (used to own it actually). Maybe for an instance, if you are grasping at straws, you can make that connection. I've put them side by side and I got that vibe for maybe a split second and then Invasion Barbare evolved while Le Male stayed the same. If you enjoy your Fougeres, then I think this is right up your alley. Rating: 10/10 Projection: Invasion Barbare is no slouch. It's got some push to it. It fills the room quickly and I can wave my arm several feet away, still able to smell it easily. After the 6 hour mark, it starts to subside very slowly but it never became a skin scent on me. I've awakened the next morning on multiple occasions to find that I can still smell it by barely putting my arm in front of my nose. I've had to shower this one off every time so I can wear something else. It just sticks. With the next section, Price, you'll be glad this performs so well. I'd say easily 6 hours with EXCELLENT projection and the remaining 6+ hours, it becomes a 3 foot scent bubble. Rating: 10/10 Price: It only comes in one size at 75 mL. $250 for 75 mL ($3.33 per mL). There is also an option for $375 for 75 mL ($5 per mL). The price difference is if you want the decorative "bust" on top of the bottle or if you're content with just a cap. The bust will cost you an extra $125 so that's up to you. With all of this being said, it's not on the super high end ($4 + per mL) but it's not the best value for money either at roughly $3 per mL so I'd say it's middle of the road. What should matter is if you enjoy the smell. You will get your money's worth definitely with the performance. I own the version without the bust because I wasn't going to justify spending an extra $125 for a decorative piece. Maybe if you're a collector? Rating: 7/10 Versatility: I've worn this in heat, cold, rain, windy, snow, you name it. It performs exceptionally well during cold months (seasonally appropriate at this time). It does very well in the warmer months but you have to back off on the number of sprays. I only go 2 sprays with this one regardless so going 1 spray in the warmer months is fine for me. I've worn it on a date and was told I smelled "mature." At work, I was told that they could definitely smell me but it did get me a few dirty looks because apparently, not everybody loves the smell of Lavender. I highly recommend this be limited to special occasions or a date (if you're willing to risk it). With the price point, I wouldn't wear it casually. This is definitely signature scent worthy. I have considered making this my signature scent on multiple occasions but I don't wear it that often so I couldn't justify it. Rating: 6/10 Final Rating: 8.3/10. I highly recommend you to try it. If you don't like "barbershop" fragrances (I say that loosely), then I would steer clear of this one. If you are Fougere lover and you haven't smelled this, I highly recommend you to pick it up and give it a try. For me, it was a buy at first sniff.

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" -Leonardo da Vinci Invasion Barbare definitely does not reinvent the wheel or break new ground in the fragrance world. That being said what IB does is just represent a high quality fragrance to the fullest. The opening is a rich powdery bomb of herbs, spices, sweetness and a bit of citrus. For me the powdery element of this scent is beautifully executed (accentuated by a lovely cardamom note), this powdery aura lingers and blends with every passing note all the way to the dry down. Sweetness is a strong dimension to this scent and it is held up perfectly with a good dose of vanilla. The vanilla note of IB is so rich and strong but not at all cloying. This vanilla note also forms the backbone of this fragrance, it's sweetness remains throughout a wearing. Another key note is the lavender. Now this isn't Caron Pour Un Homme's lavender. IB's lavender feels drier but earthy and very medicinal. The lavender note in IB is ramped up a bit with the presence of the thyme and ginger. I always feel like this fragrance is a real tribute to something that was made in an apothecary (rough, raw and slightly medicinal). These rough edges are all eventually smoothed out by the iris, which gives a nice floral green feel. At the heart of this scent is a strong base of musk, patchouli and grapefruit. This trio forms a rich slightly earthy, sweet, woody freshness as well as gives off a (slightly ever so slightly) animalic finish. This scent projects very well for me and has great longevity I get 8-10 hours sometimes longer. Invasion Barbare is perfect for fall and spring where temperatures stay relatively cool. This fragrance is the perfect day fragrance and can be used in any setting. I prefer wearing this when I can start my day a bit later and take my time. This scent invites you to slow down and take in your surroundings with calm and patience. A nice polo and slacks with a light blazer works perfectly with this scent. Invasion Barbare is class and french style in a bottle. IB is an homage to a retro style given a slight high quality modern twist. Think barbershop scent ramped up to the utmost quality and sophistication. Now, I know IB is greatly overpriced and doesn't create anything new, but for me it is simple; I love fougeres and after smelling Invasion Barbare for the first time I was smitten and it became a must have (sans bust for me). I liken purchasing this perfume to one who is making a purchase to add to their record collection. Yes you may have all of your favorite band's studio albums but if you're a fanatic like I am/was you would also pursue all the B-sides and out of print singles, even if it is packaged with some songs you may already have (fully ignoring the price). It basically comes down to pure indulgence and a real appreciation of what you like or love. I love this scent and its' contribution to the fougere genre. Yes I may have picked up the greatest hits vol. 3, but I love every track on it!

When Gaius Julius Caesar crossed the rubicon in 49BCE he was sporting a new hairdo, clean-shaved and his S.O.T.D was none other than M.D.C.I’s Invasion Barbare! I’ve heard some fellow frag reviewers rank this in the top 2 or 3 in the citrus DNA type and I couldn’t agree more!!! Monsieur Claude Marchal has quite the dynamic little shoppe here: Simple, Classic, elegant French perfumery. Back to the basics in “Perfumery 101”! MDCI’s I.B is a dominant, barbershop-style Fragrance, something really strong & masculine, while at the same time being very elegant & sensual- something an iconic man like Caesar would be sporting. For me, it’s more of an Orientale Fougère counterpointed with that beautiful lavender note in the mid. The Grapefruit and bergamot off the top is not in the way of a burst or that freshly squeezed blast, but it’s more in the way of the actual fruit being peeled back and allowed to dry after about 30 minutes. The white thyme thereafter is a very nice complement & balance as it gives it that herbaceous, hot & penetrating vibe, almost aroma therapeutical..... I do get a powdery vibe as well and I’m tempted to say this is the result of the violet note.... The base consists of a warm vanilla with facets of leather.... In doing my research, I’ve learned that Vanilla is a note Monsieur Marchal truly loves and I am very impressed by the way it’s utilized here and how it rounds-out the composition....... CONCLUSION: This masterpiece is brilliantly created, classy and elegant! The notes are seamlessly woven together: Top quality ingredients and superb quality of raw materials with no compromise despite the costs involved... Lastly, renowned perfume critic Mr. Turin once gave this fragrance a PERFECT 5/5.... Hmmmmmm..., uuuuhhhmmmm......?!?! I wouldn’t go THAT FAR despite giving it such a stellar review. I’d actually give it a 4.5-4.7/5.... The only thing that holds it back, causing the overall fragrance to fall just short of that Nadia Elena Comăneci standard is the usage of spices in the concoction. The spices needed to jump and spring off the skin.... Stephanie Bakouche, as fabulous as her work was here in this creation, she could have taken a page out of the DNA of Eau De Sauvage Extreme [the 1984 O.G Classic], by implementing basil, rosemary, coriander & bay leaf to the extent that parfumeur did making them much more prominent and amped-up in the blending with that Bergamot/Lemon opening...... Nevertheless, MDCI’s Invasion Barbare still belongs in that “MASTERPIECE” category! It’s that holy grail [Haute] Niche Citrus that every elegant gent just has to has to splurge on to incorporate in their collection. In my case, I threw on the Bust and opted for the Silk Road Presentation to add luxury.... In the ENTIRE M.D.C.I portfolio, as elegant and as supreme as Invasion Barbare might be, there’s actually one other fragrance that I think is even more superlative.... That fragrance...?!?!?

Invasion Barbare is not an invasion; it is a slow, aristocratic possession. This fragrance is like the shadow of an 18th-century nobleman in a candlelit hall, announcing its presence with a ribbon of scent long before it is ever seen. Imagine this scent as athree-act trance: · Act I: The Morning Mist of Secret Gardens The lavender and spices do not arrive like an army, but rather like a silver-toned mist creeping through the cypress trees of a formal European garden. This mist is cool, yet carries a whisper of hidden warmth. · Act II: The Dance of the Flower-Spirit Phantoms The jasmine and floral notes emerge like ethereal maidens dancing in the moonlight. Their dance is not heavy or tangible, but leaves behind a trail of silken grandeur and a delicate, haunting allure that is impossible to shake. · Act III: The Haunting on Skin The base of woods and musk does not simply "settle"; it becomes a passage through time on your skin. Here, time seems to stall, and the fragrance transforms into a part of your very essence, as if it had always been there—a benevolent, elegant ghost in your personal atmosphere. Performance: Its sillage is not a declaration,but a "ripple of subtle seduction." An invisible circle of influence that gently expands, captivating anyone within its sphere without ever revealing its source. Verdict: Invasion Barbare is an Impressionist painting,rendered not with brushstrokes, but with molecules. It is for the individual who prefers to be a lingering legend, rather than a mere witness. A masterpiece of haunting sophistication ####################### "Invasion Barbare" یک حمله نیست؛ یک تسلط خزنده‌ی اشرافی است. این عطر، همچون سایه‌ی یک شبح نجیب‌زاده در تالارهای قرن هجدهم است که پیش از آن که دیده شود، حضور خود را با نواری از رایحه اعلام می‌کند. این عطر را یک خلسه‌ی سه‌پرده‌ای در نظر بگیرید: · پرده‌ی اول: مه صبحگاهی باغ‌های اسرارآمیز اسطوخودوس و ادویه‌ها، نه چون سپاه، بلکه همانند مهی نقره‌فام از میان درختان سرو یک باغ فرمال اروپایی می‌خزند. این مه، هم خنک است و هم حامل زمزمه‌ای از گرمای پنهان. · پرده‌ی دوم: رقص اشباح گل‌سرده یاس و یاسمن، همچون دوشیزگان ارواح در مهتاب، شروع به رقص می‌کنند. رقص آن‌ها سنگین و ملموس نیست، بلکه ردپایی از شکوه ابریشمین و وسوسه‌ای لطیف بر جا می‌گذارد که محو کردنش غیرممکن است. · پرده‌ی سوم: تونل زمان پوست‌دی پایه‌ی چوب و مشک، یک گذرگاه فرازمینی می‌سازد. اینجا، زمان متوقف می‌شود و رایحه به بخشی از وجود شما تبدیل می‌گردد، گویی همیشه آنجا بوده است. عملکرد پخش این عطر را می‌توان به"حلقه‌ی نامرئی اغوا" تشبیه کرد. حلقه‌ای که به آرامی گسترش می‌یابد و هر کس را در دایره‌ی نفوذ خود اسیر می‌کند، بدون آن که منبعش آشکار گردد. جمع‌بندی "Invasion Barbare" یک تابلوی امپرسیونیستی است که با مولکول‌ها کشیده شده است. این عطر برای کسی است که ترجیح می‌دهد یک افسانه باشد، نه یک شاهد.

MDCI takes artisan, small batch perfume to the highest level. Their consistently excellent creations are masterfully-composed, creative yet wearable, and made with materials of the highest quality. The bottles too are beautiful, simple and Greek bust versions alike. This house is the epitome of classic, French haute parfumerie. I first came across Invasion Barbare (and MDCI as a house) in Luca Turin's original perfume guide where it received a five-star review - the introduction to my education on (and obsession with) the world of perfume. As a woman, feminine and unisex scents are naturally of more interest to me than masculines, but I have a healthy appreciation for good perfume in general, and of course like to research for gifting and recommendation purposes. IB is a top-notch fougère, well-rounded and high-quality throughout. Fougères can be prone to harshness, but IB is somehow velvety, while retaining the freshness and aromatic spiciness that comes with this territory. It has predictable citric freshness up top, closely followed by a bold, aromatic lavender note. The spices develop, with cardamom becoming most prominent on my skin - a note I am growing to love, thanks to its bittersweet peppery aroma. I'm not sure that I get thyme in particular, but there is a savoury herbal-spicy accord that brings the aromatic side of IB to life. As it develops, it softens, with violet coming to the fore, presenting more as a beautiful, smooth green note than a powdery floral. The spices become more sweet as it progresses, with soft ginger becoming evident here. The vanilla follows, becoming quite dominant, briefly reminding me of Guerlain's legendary Jicky alongside the lavender. It is dry yet smooth, adding a balsamic quality to the base that ties it all together. It becomes musky as it fades, with a pinch of patchouli punctuating the base with its earthiness. The soft spices linger. Another point to note is its performance - sillage is strong and longevity is long-lasting - it lingers for hours on my skin, unlike any other fougère I can think of. It is versatile - it is a year-round daytime scent in my opinion. A beautifully-balanced, deeply satisfying masculine scent, IB is a modern fougère with a nod to the classics. With no oakmoss, woody notes or tonka bean, not to mention its relative sweetness for a masculine, IB is a slightly unusual riff on a classic without sacrificing its wearability or masculinity. It is utterly addictive throughout. Truly one of the best masculines I have ever tried, IB is worth its expensive price point. IB is in a league of its own - sheer elegance and class. 5/5.