Molinard de Molinard

This perfume is overlooked for no good reason. It has equal parts "big 80s" and "interesting niche" qualities. Except that it's good that it's overlooked - because now it *is* niche or at least underrated and vintage. I received a vintage bottle from ebay (the blind buy I was worried about most has turned out to be my favourite surprise!), and the Lalique design is spectacular. "Molinard de Molinard" is such a *French* name. . . oooo lala! Today is Easter Sunday and I wore Molinard for the first time in public: to a church service, then to brunch with the family. I dressed in a mint green eyelet shift dress, off-white jewelneck cardigan, white tights, and off-white suede flats. I wore my hair down in waves, berry lipstain, with soft glow makeup mostly from the Naked Basics by Urban Decay palette. I just wanted to be fresh, fresh, fresh, a little bit pretty ;) and a little bit demure but fun! I think I pulled it off entirely since this is how I would describe Molinard! In keeping with the French theme, I wore an oversized flower brooch, a copy of one made in France in 1810 that now resides in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Ooooo lala! Molinard has the potential to be called an "old lady" perfume because of its 80s yellow floral vibe, but it's all in how you wear it. I'm 30, and it suits me just fine for a daytime event in the spring, especially because the fruity notes really work well on my skin. I say "event", because I don't find it to be all that casual. And it's pretty, but not girly; it's womanly, but not sexy... therefore perfect for a lunch with family, church, afternoon tea with friends, or even a wedding. It's classy enough to go into the evening... but it is an original - you won't blend in although you won't offend - make sense? I've been able to smell myself all day and it's so pleasing! Even more pleasing is that my boyfriend was sitting right next to me and I asked him if he liked my perfume - but he couldn't smell it. I was relieved because although the scent gives a big impression, the sillage isn't all that crazy. It does have character; it's a bit demure, but no doormat! Crisp, yes, but not a refresher like another reviewer mentioned. I think of a refresher as a cologne, eau de toilette, or a soliflore Yardley water. The flowers and fruit have been going strong on me all day and I only applied 2 small dabs! It's certainly complex enough. This is real perfume. And it's really lovely. Happy Easter!

I've worn Molinard de Molinard as my signature scent almost since it was introduced. It was actually a replacement scent for me after Rafale, my very first perfume as a young woman, was discontinued. I occasionally alternated with the original Cristalle, but that's another story. The post-IFRA reformulation is weaker. Not doubt because the jasmine, among other ingredients, has been reduced/changed. That said, there is still a bit of that *special something* from the incense, lily of the valley (very strong on me) and green notes. It dries down a lot quicker than before and fades faster. It used to be that it left scent on my clothing and now it's nearly gone by the end of a workday. My comments apply to both the EDP and EDT, by the way. All that said, it's such a classic that I am having a difficult time replacing it with anything else. It's inoffensive and distinct and I have gotten away with wearing it around people who are allergic to scent with no comments whatsoever. How often can we find a perfume that achieves all of that and is so appealing? The fruit blends with the base notes under the florals in one of the most delicious formulations I have ever experienced. *** Update: I purchased two vintage Lalique bottles of the EDT via eBay. They smelled somewhat faded, one more than the other. The less faded one was certainly missing something when I dabbed it on so I thought I'd try layering with the reformulated EDT. First I got the stronger assertion of the floral notes - lily of the valley still the most noticeable on my skin. And 20 minutes in it has gone through a sharper phase and a quick turn of soap. It's starting to settle into some of the familiar softness of the heart and base notes. Editing what I said above, I think there are a few notes sorely lacking in the reformulation but the most noticeable to me may actually be in the base that had such a long life in the original. I will experiment a bit more to see what I can get out of these vintage bottles.

Habanita is so in your face that it is difficult to imagine this house being capable of producing anything soft or fresh. Molinard de Molinard is that freshness I was looking for. This really is a fragrance that deserves far more accolade than is given. I find this fragrance more green rather than fruity. It opens with crisp, sparkling citrus and soapy, green accords. It's a very classic smelling fragrance, like the reviewers have already noted. At first I thought that Molinard de Molinard may be a little one-dimensional, however I was wrong. The floral heart is quite pretty and feminine, though perhaps not feminine in the way you would expect. Lily of the valley, jasmine and narcissus tend to stand out to my nose the most, presented in a rather refreshing and green manner. The most intriguing aspect of the composition are the vetiver and incense notes, which create an earthy and smokey finish, which I personally adore. I love how Fragrance-Magic (on Fragrantica) described it as, "grassy incense", because that's exactly how I see it. It's refreshing enough for Spring and Summer, however the 'incensey vibe' makes me long to wear this in the Winter months too. I find it similar to Chanel No.19, just perhaps not as sharp. It's quite bittersweet in some ways, but lovely nonetheless. Molinard de Molinard captivates me in a way that is difficult to put into words. I don't usually like green scents, but with all that delicious ambery and incensey goodness, I cannot resist.

Molinard is a young, free spirited parisian « bourgeoise » from the seventies who has just come back from a week-end in the country and overslept. Her usually impeccable up do is askew and underneath her string of pearls and silk scarf, her skin is slightly sunburnt from enjoying the outdoors . She is not averse to frolicking in the hay barn when the opportunity arises and who cares if it leaves a few scratches on her arms and legs... If you shy away from wearing classics like Chanel 19 or Hermes Caleche because you find them too serious and sophisticated to be worn on a daily basis in 2015, yet would still love to own a fragrance with that silky vintage touch (and which is wearable in warm weather !), then Molinard is a must try. The green, humid and somewhat bitter( asa foetida ?) notes are what makes Molinard really stand out in my opinion. It smells like nothing else. Hermes Amazone could be a more assertive and formal distant cousin of hers though. Good lasting power, moderate sillage.

“People where you live," the Little Prince said, "grow five thousand roses in one garden... yet they don't find what they're looking for... They don't find it," I answered. And yet what they're looking for could be found in a single rose, or a little water..." I've found mine like a Narcissus finding its reflection in a little water falling in love with its image....Molinard is me in a bottle. Narcissus is quite symbolic here as a main accord note enchanting you with its green, floral voice permeated with deep, woody, earth-invoking vetyver dance. This one is my Rose. Molinard de Molinard is as beautiful as Aphrodite and as wise as Athena, she fills those empty places in your dreams making them breathtakingly ravishing and flawless. A highly sophisticated perfume, the essence of elegance....it's all there, just bask in all that Beauty that glows from one of the most beautifully created bottles. Molinard de Molinard is as sublime and ethereal as a highly lyrical poem.....walking in Beauty...