I love scents, but like with wine, I feel that I lack the vocabulary and nuance to adequately describe them to others. And it seems even more of an issue for a fragrance or a wine that I really love. And I really love Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle.
The members of the beauty blogger collaborative I belong to decided that we should all blog about our favorite fragrance, and I knew I would have to rise to the occasion and come up with words to describe it.
After you read about my favorite, check out the other gals’ perfume choices, since we all have different preferences when it comes to scents. Here’s my story.
My colorist at Vidal Sassoon in Boston has the most stunning wardrobe, accessories, makeup, you name it. And she always smells great. One day when she was re-redding my hair, I had to ask her which scent she was wearing. She had been wearing Tom Ford’s Black Orchid for quite a while, but this was different. Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle, she said. Where do I find it, I asked. Barney’s. So after my hair was returned to its brilliant self, I went off to Barney’s to seek out Musc Ravageur.
At the fragrance counter, I discovered that Frederic Malle works with different perfume designers or “noses” to create his fragrances. Different from other brands, Malle acts as the producer, while the noses act as the directors. There were more than 20 different scents in his lineup. All are in gender-neutral – masculine actually – bottles.
The nose who designed Musc Ravageur is Maurice Roucel who has created many scents for lots of different brands including L’Instant de Guerlain, Iris Silver Mist by Serge Lutens, Nautica Blue and even Harajuku Lovers Wicked Style Love. Musc Ravageur was launched in 2000, making it one of Frederic Malle’s first fragrances.
Although I was curious about all of the Malle scents, I went right for the Musc Ravageur and applied some to my pulse points. I told the saleswoman that I would walk around Copley Place Mall for about a half hour and see how the scent wore on me. After 15 minutes, I knew this was a keeper, but I hung on for another few minutes. I stopped in at Sur La Table and killed some time looking at pots and pans.
I went back to Barney’s and purchased a small bottle (50 ml). It comes in a tiny 3 ml sample size and also in a large size (100 ml). Unfortunately, this fragrance is expensive, but it is something I splurge on. Rounding out the Musc Ravageur collection, there is a set of 3 bar soaps and a bottle of body lotion. I stayed strong and just bought the eau de parfum.
And I’ve been back since to repurchase what is my signature scent. I do wear other fragrances, but I keep coming back to this one.
So how to describe this fabulous scent. It is an amber Oriental fragrance. Here’s how it is characterized on the Frederic Malle website:
“A sensual perfume, powerful yet perfectly controlled, dramatic and mysterious. Composed by Maurice Roucel as an “act of seduction and generosity”, Musc Ravageur is an uncompromising Oriental, which trumps current fads. Its explosive departure of bergamot, tangerine and cinnamon is set against a backdrop of vanilla, musk and amber. A sexy, turbulent perfume, in one word: ravager.”
Yes, it is!
Musc Ravageur is a gender-neutral scent, and Roucel does not believe in gender-specific fragrances really. He thinks of scents like paintings — neither masculine nor feminine. Though there are men who wear Musc Ravageur, I think it is distinctly feminine.
Some might say it’s a scent for autumn, winter and night time. I say I wear it all the time because I adore it. I love that my clothes, especially scarves and coats, smell like it now.
To be honest, I had to look up the notes possessed by this brilliant and complex perfume. Here are the notes in this composition:
- Top notes: lavender and bergamot
- Middle notes: cinnamon and cloves
- Base notes: sandalwood, tonka bean, vanilla, guaiac wood and cedar.
Seeing what goes into this fragrance, I can understand why it’s considered gender-neutral. I’d be curious to smell it on a man, but alas Jeff doesn’t do fragrance.
When first sprayed, Musc Ravageur has a bright scent that can be described as “animalic”, but the dry down is rich and intense, almost gourmand. Most find it to be a long-lasting scent. When I first started wearing it, I didn’t think it lasted very long on me, but the more I wore it, the more it seemed to mix with my body chemistry. Now it definitely lingers for hours. And I love the fact that I always get compliments and questions whenever I wear this scent.
I like fragrances that are unique, that almost no one wears. If you like a big complex scent that you won’t smell when walking down the street, check out Musc Ravageur next time you’re at Barney’s. In addition to Barney’s, it’s available on the Frederic Malle website or in their stores in Paris, or you can order it below. And if you’re curious about the Frederic Malle line of fragrances, stop by the fragrance department at Barney’s in Boston or call Leo Magri, the Brand Ambassador for Frederic Malle Fragrances. He’s a fount of knowledge and a really nice guy.
What is your favorite scent?
Orientals are my favorite. I have read the raves about this one before but have yet to try it. You made it sound wonderful. When I had a signature scent it was the Anne Klein brand. I wore Anne Klein ll the most….discontinued for quite some time now. I still miss it. Presently I favor Chanel and Thierry Mugler scents but I am by no means loyal to them.
Laura, I have never tried the Anne Klein scents. But sorry to hear they are discontinued. That happened to a scent I wore a long time ago, Royal Secret by Lancaster. It got sold and then repurchased by a company that cheapened the scent and now I think it’s gone. I like Chanel, but for some reason, they don’t smell great on me. I was dying to buy the Thierry Mugler (I think it was TM) scent that came in the blue star bottle, but it didn’t suit me either. Fragrance is so individualized, and often a scent I’m dying to wear just doesn’t work for me. It’s great when you find some perfumes that work! Which Chanel and TM work best on you?
This sounds gorgeous. I love complex scents and tonka bean is a favorite note.
Erika recently posted…My Favorite Fragrances… At the Moment
This one is complex. And I am so impressed that you know what tonka bean smells like!
So am I! I am not a nose. I know a few notes but shove most fragrances under my beak and I’ll be hard pressed to name many. lol
Erika recently posted…My Favorite Fragrances… At the Moment
I’m still impressed 😉
I’ve never tried anything by Frederic Malle, but I keep reading about their fragrances in fancy magazines. This one sounds very intriguing!
Intriguing is a great word to describe it, Anastasia!
This sounds like a really interesting scent!
Cosmetics Aficionado recently posted…Favorite Spring Fragrance
It is very complex. I adore it
Ooh this sounds so lovely – perfect for a Mother’s Day gift. x
Amy recently posted…Makeup Revolution Baked Eyeshadow
It’s an incredible gift for a person who loves big, complex scents in the oriental category. I just love it. Thanks for visiting and commenting, Amy!
Oriental fragrance is exquisite. It’s like an acquired taste, not for everyone but if it’s your jam, you will like it to death.
Kath TheFabZilla recently posted…My Favorite Fragrances Feat. Bvlgari
You got it. That’s me, I love it to death 😉
I’ve never heard of this before but it does sound so nice!
Eugenia recently posted…Glo Minerals Pressed Base Review
It’s only carried in Barney’s in the US so it is somewhat obscure, but those are the scents that appeal to me 😉
Ohhh this sounds good! Never sniffed, but I need to!
Brooke @ Blushing Noir recently posted…Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipsticks Swatches + Review // Spring 2015
It really is a lovely scent!
This sounds lovely! My favorite scent of all time is Stella McCartney Stella. I also love Tom Ford Eau de Rose.
Jamie recently posted…Throwback Thursday: Chanel Gold Fiction Nail Polish
I will have to seek them out for a sniff!
To be honest it sounds like I would love this fragrance. And it’s a little harder to find, so no one else will have it. Kind of like Pink Sugar until it got popular.
Ashley recently posted…My Favorite Chanel Fragrance
After the babies are born and things don’t smell as weird as they probably do now, you should check it out. I think there is a Barney’s in Chicago 🙂 But I do love it when not everyone else wears the scent that I do.
This sound so intriguing! You described it so well
Jess Scull recently posted…Be Confident With Cottonelle! | #GoCommando
Thank you, Jess, and thank you for reading the post!
Yes! I love this, too! I steal some of my husbands; it works well as a unisex scent. And yeah, it’s pricey, but the large bottle lasts a long time.
Kim recently posted…7 Ways to Use Your Tax Refund to Invest in and Improve Your Blog
I remember you said your husband has Musc Ravageur. Does it smell different on him than it does on you?
You said it! I can’t describe a fragrance to save my life either LOL. But I do love reading other people’s descriptions. I don’t have a signature fragrance. I oscillate between Lancome Tresor Midnight Rose, Dior J’Adore and Midnight Poison for nights and Estee Lauder Tuberose Gardenia and Benefit Carmella for the day at the moment – changes every now and then.
Renu recently posted…Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick swatches: Intense Nude, Tumultous Pink
Oh wow, Renu, you’ve got quite a repertoire to choose from. I need to sniff Midnight Poison and Tresor Midnight Rose.
I think I would like this one… I am not one for musk or chinese like scents but everytime I smell one that a friend recommends, I wind up enjoying it. This one intrigues me… I think I’ll check it out.
Honeygirlk recently posted…Honey’s Favorite Spring Fragrances 2015
It is an intriguing and complex scent. I don’t usually try scents that I can’t smell and try on first, but oddly enough, Jen Matthews reviewed one on her blog this past fall, and it sounded like something that would suit me called Kiori, and I bought a sample from the website since it’s not sold in stores, and luckily it worked! You never know, but when they’re pricey, sampling is a must.
This sounds really nice!
Phyrra recently posted…Teal Thursday Teal Nail Polish
It is very nice. But most likely not CF.
I can’t wear oriental fragrances so I never go near them but I can appreciate ANY good, well formulated scent!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…Hubalou Hair Wrap Towel A Must Have!
That’s right, I remember you said that you dislike oriental scents. The Frederic Malle line has about 20 different fragrances of all kinds. They’re worth a look if you shop or browse at Barney’s (if there’s on near you). Their scent, Lipstick Rose, is quite amazing. It’s similar to the scent of Chanel cosmetics.
I’m not much of a fragrance girl, really! I like light, fresh, and airy scents but I have yet to find the perfect one for me, since I’m pretty sensitive to fragrances in general. I’ve never heard of this line before, I’ll have to check it out and see if they have anything that would work for me!
Brianna recently posted…Choose Friendly With Hello Toothpaste
Then Musc Ravageur definitely is not for you, Brianna 😉 But there are so many light and fresh scents out there especially as we head into spring. Have you tried Pure Natural Divas organic scents? They are wonderful for people who are sensitive to scents and especially synthetic ingredients.
I bet I’d like this one. Now I’m super curious and will have to go try it out.
Kimberly recently posted…January’s Toss or Trash Segment
For me, it’s a keeper, Kimberly. If you find it, I hope it suits you 🙂
I definitely need to try this!! It sounds right up my alley.
Amber recently posted…Mini Perfume – Unguent, Unguentarium, and U
I think it’s divine, Amber!
I like all the notes in this, so I’d definitely give it a sniff if I should ever find myself near Barneys. And I can’t describe fragrances either. It’s bad enough just trying to figure out what it is that I like anymore- I’ve all but given up on trying to describe any of it using comprehensible language! My usual go-to (and looooooong time fave) is still Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, but lately I’m also really liking TF Black Orchid, Violet Blonde, and even Tobacco Oud. I need to seek out Tobacco Vanille too, because I think that’s probably right up my street at the moment. I’m not sure exactly how I amassed this nice little sample stash I’ve got, but I’m sure glad that I did! However it’s going to be rather tough deciding which one to splurge on when they finally run dry. 😛
Tom Ford fragrances are wonderful. I have to sniff the Tobacco Oud and Tobacco Vanille, they sound like they’d appeal to me too. I love Black Orchid but it doesn’t smell as good on me as on others. Scent is such a personal chemistry thing. I wish I could wear florals but they don’t click with me. I wish more stores have out fragrance samples these days!
What a great story about this fragrance. I’ve never heard of it before, and now I want to smell all of his stuff. I wish we had Barney’s around here!
Nidia – Lit From Within recently posted…Swan Song
Thank you! Yes, Barney’s are few and far between!
Yeah, it sounds kind of gender neutral indeed. I definitely like the notes in this fragrance, sounds very warm!
Kiss & Make-up recently posted…Review | Kérastase Chronologiste Revitalizing Shampoo & Essential Revitalizing Balm
Yes, warm is a good way to describe it! I absolutely adore this scent, but I have to check out the other fragrances in the line. Lipstick Rose smells like Chanel 🙂
What a divine review, Allison! This fragrance sound delectable! I will have to smell it next time I go to BNY!
Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog recently posted…Beautybox 5 February 2015 | Unveiling and Review
I think it’s divine, Helen! You should check out the entire Frederic Malle line at Barney’s. I’m sure you’ll find something you like!
The packaging looks quite sleek!
Stephanie Louise (@StephLouiseATB) recently posted…Gorgeous Dresses with a Bit of Risk!
Could be. It’s kind of a chunky bottle. Frankly, I love it despite the bottle! 😉
I’ve heard a lot about this scent and it sounds incredibly sexy. So need to get my hands on a sample!
Bailey recently posted…SST Cosmetics
It’s divine, Bailey!
I love scent that are gender neutral and it looks like this would be right up my alley.
If you’re a fan of gender-neutral scents, I think you will like it. Hope you get to check it out one day, Tiki 🙂
this sounds amazing !
Betzy recently posted…What I Got For My Birthday 2015
I love it!!