Madurai

I was wearing this perfume many times before I wrote my statement and every time I experienced this scent in the same kind of way. Luckily after a couple of days a sample was still on the table and I was thinking "now I try it one more time because I can't understand my opinion which differs so much from other people's opinions". And I'm so happy I gave it one more chance. This was originally my short statement: "Sadly on my skin Clary Sage, Marigold and Curcuma dominate so it’s herbal, spicy, aromatic, a tad bitter instead of fruity, white floral beauty." I rated the scent as 5 instead of the current 9. I described the scent with the following words: sharp, spicy, herbal, aromatic, unpleasant and now it's totally opposite so please give it another chance, or even the 3rd, 4th or 5th. Suddenly subtle sophisticated Peach emerged from the scent, as did beautiful white florals on a creamy base. Peach is very realistic and juicy first but but it fades away quite quickly and stays in the background the rest of the time. Jasmine is gorgeous, it's so pretty and I like that it's prominent instead of Tuberose. This scent is primarily a velvety soft Jasmine scent. There is a little bit of same kind of vibe here than in "Tamarindo | Memo Paris" but Tamarindo is distinctly tropical because of Pineapple and it's sweeter because of Vanilla and Benzoin in the base. Madurai never gets too sweet since the base is woody with a delicate hint of Suede. In Madurai Peach is barely there after the opening whereas in Tamarindo Peach is in the middle notes and it's detectable until the dry down. This is very elegant and attractive scent, suitable for office work since it's hard to imagine it would bother anyone. About the connection between the scent itself and the place: Madurai is one of the many temple towns in India. Madurai offers a captivating blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Beyond the magnificent temples and bustling streets, this region is blessed with picturesque waterfalls, lush forests, majestic hills, and charming hill stations, beckoning nature enthusiasts from all corners of the globe. Now I absolutely love this beauty and I need a bottle of it. I will get my bottle of "Flåm | Memo Paris" tomorrow so I think I will compare that one as well with Tamarindo and Madurai later. They are definitely the different kind of scents but the vibe in them is somewhat same Flåm being the most intimate one. Thank you for reading, I hope my review was helpful. I would appreciate a lot if you want to follow me on IG and/or YouTube (English subtitles): @ninamariahperfumes It gives me a lot of motivation to write more. 🤗

First impression after spraying my branded sample on skin: very fruity peach, light and effervescent not punchy/juicy. Made me think of both Parle Moi de Parfum Chypre Mojo (for the almost fizzy vibe) and Sunset Hour by Goldfield and Banks (the opening fruity bubbliness and perhaps a soft sandalwood crossover). Once dried down reminds me of Fleur Narcotique, which makes sense looking at similarities in the notes of the two. No notable spice to me (the turmeric equally intrigued and concerned me, as I'm not usually a fan of overtly spicy frags, however I was also interested to see if subtle spiciness with many notes I love would help put a twist on a more run of the mill fruity floral). There also isn't any discernible strong base to this either in that the scent feels quite light throughout. UPDATE 09/05/2023: This wasn't love at first sniff for me, I liked it but was slightly underwhelmed. However, when I found myself pulling apart my sample to get the tiniest drop left out, I knew I'd been slowly charmed by this one. I bought a bottle and it's now a love for me after having worn it quite a few times. I definitely pick up on the earthy turmeric, sandalwood and suede which give this a comforting vibe which goes really well with the freshness of the peach. I don't get any noticeable florals still which is odd - I'm a big fan of both jasmine and tuberose yet can't pick them out here at all. I usually don't like suede but this is the first scent I find it not only palatable, but positively pleasant in. This lasts a long time on my skin and clothes, currently I've been wearing it for 12 hours and I can smell it around me easily so sillage is moderate to strong too. I'm going through a big peach love at the moment and definitely think this really does the note well without it being juvenile or sweet, it's an adult peach with a restraint and sophistication that I think can be quite rare.

A holy obelisque dedicated to white flowers. Even for people who love flower scents. This can be a bit too much. NEVER blind buy this. This is a smell that leans heavily towards feminine side. Though, I use it as a man. It opens up incredibly fresh with THREE different kinds of jasmine. Then, a symphony of flowers is now accompanied by some fruitiness and a relatively minor fresh spice with turmeric. Though this scent is also marketed as a suede fragrance it comes in very late +3-4 hr mark and even then is not overly present. As a feminine scent, this feels like the perfume to be worn by social bloomers. It represents a very vivid character. Women who are themselves cheerful and give people around them joy and plenty of laughter. Hence, this perfume is the embodiment of spring as the season of blossom and livelihood. When used by a man, It is not a question of "What sort of man would wear this perfume?". It is more of a "What statement does a man make when wearing this scent?". For me, that remark is "Hope". This smells like it signals new beginnings. A new job, a new business venture, a new love, and a new life. It is still very much the same perfume, and it feels still in theme. After all what more signals a new life, than the season the earth once back revives. For the entirety of spring, you can wear this in confidence at all times. For early/late summer this still stands a very good option. However, this perfume is LOUD. So I do not recommend it to be worn on very hot summer days. It still remains an incredibly good option for early autumn. Though I believe the intensity is sufficient to be worn in winter, the smell feels so out of reality that I do not recommend this in winter at all. But, If you feel like you have an occasion for this go for it I don't think it will disappoint you. For example, an 18th birthday.

Otherwise, Fragrantica is a great predictor of whether I will like a perfume or not. The law of large numbers makes sense - what's bad for most people will very likely be bad for me, and vice versa. That's why I was surprised by the comments about this perfume. Madurai is a really beautiful perfume that doesn't compete or aggressively try to prove it. Personally, I avoid jasmine big time, but here - I can't get enough of it. Proof that notes that normally do not suit you in some perfumes can be beautifully combined and attractive. I wore it yesterday, today I can still feel it on my clothes. And even though it's mostly reduced to suede and sandalwood, it still has a sparkling lightness that I feel, which I attribute to jasmine and fruity notes. Maybe marigold, that humble but oh-so-beautiful flower, gives some pastel balance to jasmin? Don't know. But this fragrance works perfectly for me. I don't sense any synthetic or screechy tones. Is it a perfume that will dominate the room? Probably not. (I'm not an oversprayer.) Is it a perfume that will subtly, discreetly and elegantly remind you that it is there, all day long - certainly. For me, Madurai is the perfect fragrance that proves that a perfume can always dissuade and disarm you - even if you approach it with a firmly defined attitude that you don't like certain notes. This is probably the charm of trying new perfumes... Unisex fragrance, my husband likes it. My guess is that everyone who likes decent, balanced and elegant fragrances will like it. Those looking for the weird, the loud, the different and the extravagant are likely to keep looking further. #nostrilsfullworthy

Bahrain Airport 26.06.2024 While this is definitely a spring and summer fragrance, I can see this being used in the first week or two of Autumn. The stall stated the notes are “Indian Turmeric Essence, Sambac Jasmine Absolute, and Peach”. I think Gaël Montero has wonderfully struck a balance between the light sweetness of the jasmine and peach and the heavier spices. The turmeric and sandalwood are not overwhelming at all, but it’s evident that both the jasmine and peach are working to counteract it. In my opinion the fragrance leans more towards the sweet side, thus making it a nice daytime summer fragrance. This is all in the few seconds after spraying it on paper though; as for how it changes over time and how it will smell on my skin, I have no clue. I didn't make a note of the exact price either, but I am familiar with the Memo price range, so I will definitely have to experience this fragrance thoroughly before considering buying it. A note on the bottle too; while the print itself is pretty, the bottle itself does not feel very nice. I would be lying if I said that I don't care about the bottles perfumes come in, and while in this case I'm not deterred from the fragrance itself because of the bottle, I do wish the bottle was a bit better for the price it is at.

Shocked to see so many negative reviews of this fragrance. I by no means claim to be a fragrance expert but I've been a collector for a few years now & have always been a fragrance lover. All that said I really love this fragrance, though I'm admittedly a lover of fruity florals with jasmine being my favorite among the white flowers. For me, on skin, this opens as a sparkling citrus peachy jasmine & dries down within 30 minutes to a more subdued musky jasmine & sandalwood forward fragrance. The tumeric & clary sage are there but not in a super aromatic way, they blend in well imho. This isn't too sweet as I don't prefer sweet fragances nor is it too indolic, I also don't really get suede from this. Definitely a spring/summer fragrance imho. It is my #2 most complimented fragrance by both men & women, especially women though & it lasts about 6 hours on my skin with decent sillage esp in the first few hours, then it becomes more of a skin scent. Things do tend to smell super different on me, I guess my skin pulls things in interesting ways. I'll also say though fruity white florals are obviously common I've not smelled anything quite like this, especially on my skin.

Opens with an explosion of peach and bergamot. A few minutes in - a hint of jasmine and tuberose. Then to be grounded by a discreet suede and sandalwood. This was instant love for me. I went to the perfumery to buy Flåm but after smelling this latest release by Memo Paris I was sold. So light, so elegant, such a sophisticated slightly fruity bouquet of white flowers. A signature scent without a doubt. Suitable for any season, day or night. If I have to label it, it is purhaps a little more spring/summer than autumn/winter. Leans feminine but a man will also smell heavenly delicious wearing this. Lasts for about 6-8 hours on my skin. Leaves a beautiful scent trail. Do I recommend you to get your nose on this one - YES! ABSOLUTELY!

Peach suede skin is my impression of this, and I really like it alot. The opening is such a vivid photorealistic interpretation of a ripe peach hanging on a tree along with bright lemon zest. This youthful opening is accompanied by a gorgeous waxy jasmine and bubblegum tuberose. Sandalwood/akigalawood + suede in the base is elegant and creamy, while the subtle sage and tumeric adds a slight spicy/sundried texture. The scent trail is so smooth, feminine and sensual. Suitable for spring and summer nights. Projects the first 5hrs before turning into a skinscent. Full list of notes: Lemon, bergamot, tumeric, clary sage, peach, jasmin (all listed), tuberose, tagete, sandalwood, akigalawood, ambrofix and suede.

I was genuinely surprised by how much I love this perfume. There’s something so subtle and beautiful about the jasmine. It lingers on the skin and leaves behind a soft, sensual trail that feels effortless. It’s the kind of scent that quietly captivates. Never loud, never overpowering, just... present in the most elegant way. It’s absolutely work-friendly, light, and playful, yet still refined. This is the fragrance that makes someone lean in and say, “You smell really good,” without quite being able to explain why. I usually gravitate toward more intense, beast mode scents, so this completely caught me off guard. But it was undeniable. This one earned its place in my collection.

I absolutely adore this fragrance and it's my favorite from this house, and possibly one of my top 5 fruity floral scents of all time. If you are into fruity florals and love white flowers, especially jasmine, I don't see why you won't love this. Wearing this immediately transports me to European summer vacation days. It makes me want to wear a cute mini floral dress (even though I barely wear those dresses these days) and wander on cobblestone streets. It's sweet but definitely not too sweet, and just overall very uplifting. Longevity is also the best out of all the scents I've tested from this house, a solid 6 hours or more, with great projection throughout.

This is the fragrance I am currently OBSESSED with . I've received compliments and been asked what perfume I'm wearing each time I've worn it. Every. Single. Time! Hubby loves it too (it's unisex), and he's also been complimented on it every time he's worn it. It is subtle yet leaves a delightful trail when you pass by wearing it...it's quite intoxicating too, in the best way possible. Love how beautifully the jasmine and peach notes are blended into an elegant cocktail with the sandalwood and marigold giving it a creamy complexity. I'm truly addicted to this fragrance. The longevity is great too - it lingers on the skin till you shower it off the next day.

I bought a 10ml African Leather from Memo and they had put a small extra sample of this in there as well. I had never heard of Madurai and it was just one of those times when the first sniff gets a hold of you and starts taking you to places. It was not anything I haven ́t smelled before, quite the opposite actually. There was something so familiar and comforting about the scent, felt like something I had smelled often as a child. So beautiful, gentle, soft and feminine. The next day I had to buy a small bottle of Madurai. Too feminine for me to wear, but the wife will surely like it and then I can enjoy it as well. And what a beautiful bottle as well!

The formula changed. I bought a 100 ml bottle 3 years ago from Memo. It was a light white floral scent with warm spices floating through. Jasmine was definitely star of the show. It was my favorite for all year around. I still have a little left of the blue label bottle. I bought a new one from Memo with the gold label a few weeks ago and it’s not the same perfume. It’s not as airy and the jasmine is much heavier. I can’t smell any spices, not even the turmeric. No smooth suede or sandalwood. I can’t find anywhere that the formula has changed, but it’s just not the same perfume at all. I’m super disappointed.

BEAUTIFUL BOTTLE LOVERS UNITE!!! Ok, seriously..I've been testing this fragrance for months, and I finally purchased a full bottle. (see previous review below). I totally get the similarity to fleur narcotique, but since I don't get on well with FN, Madurai was my best bet. Creamy jasmine beautifully blended with fruity peach. This can be worn all-year round if you choose to, but I'm particularly enjoying it in the Spring. Longevity is around 6 hours, but can be extended if sprayed on clothes. Looks so pretty on my perfume tray.

I tried Madurai over a couple of days and fell in love. I agree with Sophie who wrote in her recent article on this site that each time you wear it different facets emerge. For me it’s often the spicy note I get first, followed by creamy jasmine and sandalwood. It’s not peach-forward for me, though every now and then a juicy note appears. I really enjoy it in all its stages. I don’t often get compliments in public on my fragrances but today I had someone in a shop stop to ask me what fragrance I was wearing as she loved it.

A wonderful summer perfume, although honestly, it would work beautifully in any season. I am not a big jasmine fan, but on my skin it fades into the background almost immediately after the opening. What I actually get most is the marigold, peach, tuberose and the suede giving it a slightly more interesting, edgy character. But to be frank, it is so well blended that I don’t really find myself separating every note. It simply comes together as a very good fragrance: polished, elegant and quietly distinctive.

Lovely lovely aromatic jasmine scent with the calming humming of peach. Not cloyingly sweet, in fact refreshing enough to be a spring garden in heaven. This is what it reminds me of, a breezy but warm spring day in the garden of an Indian palace. The suede and sandalwood complement the aromatic jasmine and saves it from being boring and basic. This is a must smell! Even if you do not like it enough to buy a bottle smelling it is an experience on its own. Easily my favorite purchase of the year.

I’m actually obsessed with the jasmine in this... it’s insane This is all about jasmine and white florals, It’s rich, creamy, and slightly sweet, almost intoxicating in the best way. The jasmine here is very strong and expressive, mixed with a bit of fruity sweetness and warm spice that makes it feel more luxurious and bold, not just pretty. As it settles, it becomes a smooth, slightly powdery floral with warmth, but the jasmine always stays the star.

I was looking for this. This is a floral powerhouse. Tons of soft jasmine along a fruity support note, with excellent projection and good longevity. I have bought this the same day I've given it a first test. Well made florals are one of my weaknesses in terms of perfumery (not very typical for me, but I indulge myself) and this represents the style well. I would however change some things if it would be up to me. Overall I rate this 8/10

Ok first let me set the tone that I am not a floral perfume lover. Listen to me right now-- this is the smoothest, creamiest, dreamiest jasmine based scent. It is intoxicating and makes me want to book a flight to India tomorrow. I get jasmine, peach and marigold from start to finish with some sandalwood at the end. This is linear in the absolute best way meaning the delicious opening stays for the duration. This is amazing!