Just as everyone's clothing wardrobe benefits from a few low-key, comfortable items to pull on without thinking, perfume wardrobes need the same. Can you imagine how it would be to open the closet and find a row of late-1950s silk brocade Scaasi cocktail dresses? A dream come true! But what if they were all you had to wear? Before long you'd be desperate for a pair of well worn Levis and a cashmere sweater. I can easily see Parfums DelRae Mythique becoming my daily comfort wear.
Perfumer Yann Vasnier worked with DelRae Roth to create Mythique in 2009. Roth's vision of Mythique was inspired by a painting of Diane de Poitiers, French king Henri II's mistress and one-time owner of Chenonceau, a Loire Valley chateau with a dramatic, two-story gallery on stone arches extending over the Cher river (click here for a virtual tour). Roth mentions Diane de Poitier's beauty, horsemanship, and habit of wearing only black and white as part of her fascination.
Others might find more interest in the fact that Diane was 19 years older than Henri II. Diane started her career in the royal household as Henri's governess. When Henri turned 19, their relationship changed. Diane took on a number of royal responsibilities and often signed papers "HenriDiane", and in return Henri gave her Chenonceau and custody of the crown jewels. Diane swung some canny deals to buy the chateau outright, then grew mulberry trees to feed silkworms, bred a special apricot-peach hybrid, and planted gorgeously elaborate gardens. When Henri died after a jousting accident, his wife, Catherine de Medici, kicked Diane out of Chenonceau and took back the crown jewels. Seven years later, at age 66, Diane died. Scientists who have tested her bones speculate she died from years of drinking gold, thought to maintain youth.
Mythique has notes of mandarin, Italian bergamot, ivy, peony, jasmine concrete Sambac, Florentine orris butter, sandalwood, Indonesian patchouli, and ambrette musk. On skin it smells like buttery iris and fresh, green suede with a breath of salt. The fragrance is delicate, skin-like, and elegant. Its texture is fine and velvety, like the surface of an apricot.
But it's not so much how Mythique smells that draws me to it — it's how it wears. Mythique is light and unobtrusive, like leather chiffon underwear, if there were such a thing. It is present, yet close to the skin — me, but better. I almost feel it rather than smell it. Right now I have on three sprays from a sample vial of Mythique, yet if I walked into a nursery of babies I wouldn't smell out of place. Someone who hugged me might register a clean, vaguely sexy air, but I don't think it would read as "perfume". The Parfums DelRae website quotes French Vogue, which called Mythique a "halo of chic". That's a good description.
Mythique would be the bottle to grab if you could only take one perfume to Paris. It would go with just about any wardrobe and suit any function or season, from the crowded, warm intermission at the opera to lunch in the Jardins du Luxembourg on a summer day. Or, if like me you're stuck closer to home, Mythique is great for everything from walking the dog to meeting friends after work for a drink to raiding vintage clothing stores for the perfect rhinestone brooch.
Despite its versatility, Mythique won't please everyone. If you want to balance a heavy alpaca coat and boots with a smoky, exotic fragrance, Mythique won't do it. If you're heading out to a club and want a scent full of seductive fruit and musk, try something else. If your skin swallows fragrance whole, it might be too subtle. But if you want a perfume to rest lightly around you, like a second skin of sheer suede and afternoon garden air, you could do a lot worse.
Parfums DelRae Mythique comes as a 50 ml bottle of Eau de Parfum. For information on where to buy Mythique, see Parfums DelRae under Perfume Houses.
Note: top image is the painting that inspired the perfume: Diane Chasseresse (Diane the Huntress; School of Fontainebleau) from the Louvre. We have most ignominiously cropped it, you can find the original at Wikimedia.
This sounds like it could be something I’ve been looking for — also, anything inspired by Diane De Poitiers makes it all the better. I have so many lovely perfumes but they’re clearly perfumes, something I wear to make a statement, to convey a mood, a feeling. And so very few of them work when I don’t care to make a statement. Imagine my dismay while snowed in & no where to go & a collection of classic florientals & floral aldehydes. I couldn’t find a single perfume that was unobtrusive enough to simply wear around the house so I settled for my Tocca perfumes and as the days wore on Bvlgari pour Femme.
I’ve been looking for a perfume that just works for any occasion. Something I can spray on when going to the gym, or sailing, or barbecuing with friends. Something that just smells good, but doesn’t seem like I’m wearing perfume.
Mythique might be a good one to try, then. I have a feeling a lot of people have been disappointed by Mythique, or just found it so-so, because they were looking for a big, beautiful scent. But instead this one is really subtle and more like adding a dash of salt to a dish rather than a whole new seasoning.
I will definitely see if I can get at least a sample of this.
I have so many big beautiful scents, I need something I can ‘knock around’ in.
That’s how I feel, too. I have a lot of way big perfumes in my collection.
Angela,
What a great review of Mythique! You describe exactly how I feel about it. I had at least two little sample vials of it but couldn’t make up my mind if I really wanted to buy a FB. It took a lot of dabbing to get a good idea of how it would smell if sprayed. I finally succumbed and ordered a bottle and it is just so beautiful when sprayed on your skin. It is a quiet scent–enfolding you rather than having a bold personality. But I have loved it since the first spray.
Thanks for yet another terriic piece of writing.
I’ve only tried this one sprayed, and I can see where it would be hard to get its full character dabbed from a vial.
It’s funny how I feel about it, because although I love it and I know I will finish the bottle relatively quickly (I caved and ordered a bottle), I can’t say it’s my favorite fragrance. But it’s so nice to wear! I can’t get enough of it.
Beautiful review, Angela…. for a beautiful, exquisite perfume. How I long for a decant so that I can spray this instead of dabbing from my vial. Really, Mythique is so special.
I loved looking at the site for Chenonceau a few months back. Now I feel guilty for having a swap on the way of a decant of IPdF Caterina di Medici (that witch!). Haha.
I find the buttery iris quality in this to be exquisite. Really, an amazingly well-composed fragrance, and I’m sure you’re right about its versatility. Thanks for the review, and for encouraging readers to hopefully check out this gem.
(And my goodness, the image of Diana above is so masculine-buff that for awhile I would have mistaken her for her brother, Apollo! 😉 )
Sadly, di Medici crimes far outweigh her redeeming qualities — the least of which would be throwing out her husband’s mistress — however we must remember that she is according to legend the Queen we have to thank for Santa Maria Novella.
She is also the queen that brought perfumes to France. She is the one responsible for French perfumery, so I will close my eyes shut in front of her (many) terrible crimes! 😉
She’s sort of like Coco Chanel. So many lovely contributions to the perfume world, but a person who did many terrible things.
And how about those poisoned, perfumed gloves?
I’m really going to have to give this another try – I wasn’t that impressed on first sniff, but that was probably because I was busy falling in love with Debut at the time. I do love a good comfort scent and I’m dangerously close to running out of 31 Rue Cambon, so I’ll have to decide if I want to replace that one or move on to something else.
I think it’s definitely worth another try, especially if you go into it knowing it’s not a showstopper type of fragrance, but rather an almost unconscious enhancing of the way you are (or at least that’s how I feel about it!).
I’m so glad you liked the review! Plus, I’m glad to have a man weigh on its wearability for men. Once it settles, Mythique feels unisex to me. But initially I can imagine some people thinking it feels too delicate to wear well on men. Maybe the painting of Diana is a good match for the scent!
According to a lecturer of mine, women didn’t often sit for paintings in those days; to pose half nude was the domain of prostitutes only, and not every painter wanted to go there. Chances are the painter used a boy to model Diana, adding on breasts later on – hence the odd-looking anatomy.
Fascinating! Well, that certainly explain the physique, then.
I was thinking about that too; looks like a male model. I wish my back was as buff as the huntress’s!
Yet with such a delicate face!
I absolutely love this perfume. I am wearing it today. Buttery iris is exactly right. It’s not a pushy perfume but it is undeniably sexy.
I’m waiting impatiently for my bottle to arrive….
So glad you reviewed this — I’ve been wanting to try it since it came out but haven’t gotten around to it. Lately I’ve been feeling, like klytaemnestra said above, that many of my perfumes make so much of a statement I’ve been having a hard time finding a quieter, more subtle and versatile one that doesn’t scream “perfume!” Can’t wait to try this now. Thanks for the lovely review!
It’s the sort of fragrance you can spray all over and not worry about being overwhelming. Classic colognes are supposed to do the same thing, but I often find them too “clean” and citrusy to feel like a second skin.
Yep, I know what you mean. Second-skin perfumes are hard to find, for me anyway.
I agree.
Did Lady Diane leave written remarks of any kind? Gardening and possible perfume formulas would be a HUGE find!! There`s probably an entire novella on seduction hidden somewhere… 🙂
I wish I knew more about her! I don’t know if she was a big letter writer or not. I did read on wikipedia that Henri used to like to sit in her lap at the dinner table and play with her breasts. They may have had kind of a mommy thing going on–not terribly seductive.
Ohhhhhhhh dear!
No kidding.
Ewww. TMI 😀
I know. Kind of gross.
Of course, history may have been written by a someone hired by Catherine 😉
Hmm. Very sly.
Love this review! Diane sounds like quite a woman – diverse interests, chic dress sense, regal young lover.
I’m yet to try any of the DelRae fragrances. There aren’t ant brick & mortar stockists in the area and whenever I’m ordering samples online I always end up going for something else. I’m definitely keen to test them now, though.
DelRae has a great sample program – you can get samples of everything in the line for the price of shipping. When I got mine it was only $6.95 and the samples are generous.
Thanks CynthiaW it’s good to know where to get samples of this, even if I might just order it without smelling it first, but what if I end up liking not just one.
It’s an expensive one to order unsniffed! The sample program sounds really good.
Thanks, and what a great review.
That is a danger – I like all but one of them, but have only fallen prey to purchasing Debut so far. And, yes, Emotionelle is the one that’s a hot mess on me.
You’ve really got to like melon to go for that one.
It’s $20 now (free shipping) for the sample set. They are generously sized.
Not too bad, especially since with most of the DelRae scents, just the tiniest bit is all you need.
They also offer a sample of all 6 of their perfumes for $20 incl shipping. Sadly, they don’t ship to Canada or I’d get them. I’ve only tried Bois de Paradis but it was so good I want to sniff them all.
It’s such a drag when it’s hard to sample perfume because it’s not in stores. That’s why it’s taken me so long to try Mythique–I got lucky a few weeks ago and got a sample of it in a swap with someone with terrific taste.
Thanks, Cynthia! I’m in UK an I’m not sure if they ship here but I’m going to email them and see what they say.
The rest of the DelRaes are beautiful, but gigantic. More than a few drops of Amoureuse will clear a bus (but those first few drops are gorgeous!). Bois de Paradis I love on others, but it turns sour on me, unfortunately. Mythique stands apart from the others for how close it wears.
I love Debut – but it definitely radiates for miles.
I can see that!
Yup, I gathered that about some of them being quite hefty which is one of the reasons why I haven’t tried them yet but anything described as a “leather chiffon underwear” is must try! 😀
Mythique definitely has a different character than the others!
I love Amoureuse–it’s one of my favorites, and my favorite DelRae with Mythique close behind. I like Bois de Paradis as well (it was the first DelRae I ever bought), but on me, BdP is much stronger than Amoureuse.
I tried Bois de Paradis on skin at Aedes a few years ago, and the guy who was helping me sniffed my arm, pushed it away, and said, “No”. He was right. It turned hinky on me (so sad).
BdP is just *horrid* on me as well. I nearly fried my brain circuits trying to figure out whether the topnotes were “turpentine” or “some weird kind of mint,” when it’s actually just citrus. The rest of it isn’t good either, but boy, that opening…
I’m glad I’m not the only one! It smells so good on others.
Lovely review! Thank you! I thought Mythique was lovely, but I’m seesawing about buying a bottle; it is quite a lot for something I haven’t fallen really, really hard for.
I’m another one whose skin does weird things to Bois de Paradis; I tried hard to like it, but the fruity edge killed it for me.
You’re so smart to wait for true love to buy a bottle of anything!
Hi Angela,
Funny you should mention BdP – most reviewers seem to go gaga for it, and I think it IS lovely. But since my memory still covers the ’70s, the one thing it reminds me most is the scent of the original Claire Burke potpourri. I think it would be a gorgeous candle.
Love, love, love Mythique. It’s like wearing a virtual scented veil!
Well, it sounds like there are at least of few of us who don’t get along with Bois de Paradis–for various reasons. I can definitely see it making a fabulous candle.
Mythique doesn’t work for me – particularly the buttery iris & apricot. All I get from this is cheap drug store lipstick LOL. I much prefer the dry-woody iris of 28 La Pausa. For a close-to-skin everyday scent, I much prefer another fragrance featured in Angela’s recent reviews: Bill Blass Nude.
Well, with Nude you definitely save yourself some major $$. (La Pausa, not so much with the savings.)
So true!
Hmm… wondering if I could get away with this at my no-scent workplace…. I may have to break down and order that sample set.
I bet you could. I’ll set you up with a sample.
No, don’t do that Miss Kitty. One is coming your way!
Gosh, we sure take care of each other on this site!
This is by far the greatest group of perfumistas on the internet! 🙂
I know! If only others in my life were so charitable. 🙂
Hey, I’ll take samples from whoever wants to give them.
This is the nicest group ever! I do have a package almost ready for you Miss Kitty. I am waiting at the window for the FedEx guy to show up with my bottle of Sous le Vent so I can include some for you.
It’s true–including you, J! I’m settling down to attack that practice sock knitting pattern tonight.
I ordered the Parfums DelRae sampler set as soon as we heard about it and waited impatiently for them. And… I liked none of them. I was probably most excited for Mythique and for some reason, it repels me. It’s just so cold and dead; I just didn’t like it at all. And on my way to a party, I accidentally poured half the vial down my shirt and… 30 minutes later, gone. It feels very freeing to be able to not feel compelled by an entire line, though. =P
How disappointing—and yet, how liberating! There are a few lines I feel like that about, too. In a way it’s a relief, I can ignore their new releases unless I stumble right on them.
“Cold and dead”… that is interesting. You know, a lot of iris-centered fragrances feel a bit that way to me. Hiris and Mythique are good examples. I’ve come to realize that I have to have warmth to balance iris, the way the spices and honey do for Iris Taizo and wood and other florals do for my beloved Bois d’Iris.
It’s weird because I LOVE Iris Silver Mist which is so overcast and sad. Mythique…. I don’t know. It’s just… lifeless. Like a marble statue.
You know what warm iris makes me just crazy with want? Parfumerie Generale’s Cuir d’Iris. It’s so warm and lived-in, like a brown leather jacket that’s still a little warm from its owner’s body heat. Mmm.
I thought I would love Cuir d’Iris, but it was so sweet! I’m going to try it again, though, after your description.
I don’t have any on hand but I do remember it being a little sweet. Most of my perfumes of choice have an innate sweetness. And man, Cuir d’Iris could be one of my Ones. x3
Interesting reactions to Cuir d’Iris. For me it’s all Cuir and maybe if I strain and use my imagination, I detect the Iris. And Angela, really, it’s super sweet on you? Now that I would never say.
I don’t know where that darn sample is so my verdict is not final but I would say the iris was more textural support than anything. But still, yum.
superlong: I may be off base with this comparison, but if you love Cuir d’Iris, it won’t hurt to try Etat Libre’s “Vierges et Toreros.” It’s more animalic and the floral understructure is supposedly tuberose, but it’s another leather stunner in that vein (and much less expensive than the MPG). It turned me on to leather big time.
Wow, at half the price of the PG I’ll definitely have to look into that!
I have a sample of Cuir d’Iris somewhere, and I’ll definitely try it tonight. Then I can really say if I’m remembering–or just hallucinating–sweetness.
Iris Silver Mist is amazing. I suppose we could classify it as “cold and alive”. 🙂 But it still wasn’t right for me. However, I don’t know how I’ve missed Cuir d’Iris, as I’m a big PG fan. If it’s mostly leather, I won’t like it, but still – I wil try it. Thanks for the comments.
Well, if you don’t like Cuir d’Iris, I’m sure I have something I can trade you for it. ;3
Also, have you tried Paprika Brasil? That’s another spicy iris. It’s got this warm metallic scent; I personally liken it to the smell of bronze. It’s a must for the summer. =P
Iris can definitely be tricky. It has so many facets, depending on how it’s played. I’m not a fan of Hiris, either, but (obviously) I do like Mythique.
NIce review! I’m having fun imagining leather chiffon underwear! 🙂 I tried Mythique just the other day – it was one of my selected free samples with a candle purchase from Luscious Cargo. It is a smooth and buttery iris, for sure. Just lovely! However, it didn’t capture my heart. The only one from DelRae that has done that is the frighteningly BIG-but-glorious Amoureuse.
Amoureuse is something else, that’s for sure! Kind of a secret weapon.
Ha! Yes, I’m scared to buy a bottle. But I crave it, too.
Maybe a decant is what you need….
You know, I’m sort of a bottle person, but in this case I think you’re right!
I don’t know what it says about me that I think Amoreuse is delicate and dainty. Oh… no, actually I know exactly what that says about me. But I don’t care. I love it. It goes well with the days I have Dolly Parton hair.
Oh yeah, Dolly plus Amoureuse equals show stopping.
You’re so funny! And our skins must be QUITE different!
I love Amoureuse!
I used to dab it out of the sample vial, and I always underapplied it (which I always do, BTW) – so I didn’t think of it as particularly overwhelming!
Then of course one day I had a perfume cabinet mishap, many sample vials falling on the floor. Two broke.
One was l’amoureuse (and the other CC10). Of course, the samples I didn’t like were all integer….
Dabbing from a sample vial is the ideal way to apply it, if you ask me. Too bad about losing your sample! I bet your room smelled good for a long time.
As always, a wonderful review Angela. This sounds like a pretty special fragrance. As an aside, I had the pleasure to visit Paris this past September – and our hotel was across the street from the Jardin du Luxembourg. I could only sigh when I came across your reference, as it’s truly one of the most beautiful places in the entire city.
Wonderful! I’m feeling desperately painful urges to go to Paris, but I just don’t have the money right now. I’m telling you, I want to go so bad it hurts.
I second that about Jardin du Luxembourg – what a haven for families and individuals looking for a relaxing stroll in Paris! I just loved watching the mini sailboats the kids set afloat in the ponds.
Ouch! Another painful throb of yearning to go to Paris! You guys are killing me.
Like superlongusername, I was…underwhelmed with my DelRae samples. They are well-done scents, and I am partial to Debut (in small doses). They are not, however, Me – although this review makes me want to go back and give Mythique another try!
If you do try Mythique again, apply liberally, then let it rest for ten minutes, then see if you get an extra bounce to your step. If not, it’s not for you.
There are other fragrances I like the smell of better (Le Temps d’Une Fete is one I have a sample of that I love, for instance), but still I was compelled to order Mythique. It’s just so easy to wear.
Hi Angela,
I have a sample of Mythique and I’ll resniff it as soon as I can. I remember liking it very much and then thinking it was a LOT similar to Santa Maria Novella Città di Kyoto, which in Italy, until last year at least, was a LOT cheaper than Delrae. At least, if I recall correctly, it smelled like a more refined and maybe higher quality version of CdK.
Speaking of Delrae, I have always (well, always in my perfumista life, that today in my mind seems like forever) been attracted to Amoureuse and have come twice near to buying it, but something kept me from splurging, and most certainly it was not wisdom. It has a weird, wonderful top note and it is gorgeous and smells like nothing else, but every time I wore it, I don’t know how, it seemed to set me in a bad mood. Do you like it?
The last time I wore Amoureuse, it was to the doctor for my annual exam. I had only put on a drop, but it was a warm exam room and I practically asphyxiated both of us! My sample tube of it is all I need.
I can see Mythique maybe not grabbing someone right away because it’s not particularly dramatic, but it sure is lovely–at least, I think it is.
Thanks for such a compelling review Angela. You know how I feel about Mythique! It really does wear beautifully. Oddly, although my skin tends to eat fragrance, this one lasts for hours on me. It stays close, but it’s definitely there.
And yes, I am struck by the soft sense of texture. I find it to be like a finer, more floral version of Daim Blond, which is all apricots and rough-hewn suede. Mythique is a softer, buttery, toned down version, with more of an emphasis on the florals. I still get a hint of apricot, although I’m not sure whether I’m imagining it!
I know what you mean about the apricot–Mythique isn’t fruity at all, but the feeling of it, the fine, fine, soft texture of it is like a barely ripe apricot. Or a baby’s bottom. Thanks so much for sending me the sample!
So naturally I ran to the perfume cabinet and rummaged around until I came up with that Mythique decant —spritzed down my arm which I only then realized was already doused with vintage Chamade …..and the oddest thing happened: that apricotty note that is so subdued normally? yeah, well, it’s a big honkin hairy apricot right now!! So take note if you want to smell like a big squished APRICOT—layer Mythique on some Chamade…….back to the review at hand…..
Your writing always gets me Angela….I already have a decant, and I want to go order a FB….your fault….clearly.
I really do like Mythique, it’s my favorite of the Delrae line without question. But when it came down to which Iris got the nod from my credit card—VC&A Bois d’Iris won. However, knowing how I am, and many of you do, as my decant level gets low; I’ll conveniently forget that I already have a number of Iris scents. 😉
Well, the VC&A Bois d’Iris is a whole different thing! So elegant and rich, so nice. Mythique is something entirely different, I think, even though they both have iris. I think I enjoy the smell of Bois d’Iris better, but there’s something so alluring about the ease of Mythique.
Oh, I’d love to have some Chamade and Mythique to try that out, like a little scientific experiment.
I can help you out with the Chamade….I have loads of that. drop me a quick email at Daisyloo82 at gmail dot com
Oy! I’m a total dork —-in my excitement over the huge apricot on my arm I overlooked Bois de Paradis, which I love (and have a bottle–how’s that for dorkishness?) So Mythique is my 2nd fave.
I wish Bois de Paradis smelled better on me! Enjoy an extra spritz of it for me next time you wear it.
Hairy apricot!!! Gosh. Must. Try.
“Hairy apricot” sounds scary!
Yeah, I just want to see *how* scary it is! I’ve got some Chamade… and have been planning to sample more DelRaes, so now I just need a bit of Mythique.
You’re a daredevil….
that’s “big honkin hairy” apricot…..and it was kind of scary. I almost had to wash it off….and I had some Fifi Chachnil on the other arm…I was a smelly girl yesterday. 😉 Today I shall try to be reasonable and only apply ONE fragrance .
Wishing you the best of luck today Daisy! 🙂
Good luck with that!
Daisy – If your credit card should decide to cast a nod towards Mythique in the future, I’d be happy to sign up for a split…
Beautiful review as always Angela. Sadly, none of the Delrae’s worked for me, but it’s not like there is a paucity of perfume out there!
I know! Sometimes it’s a blessing when you don’t like something.
Ain’t it the truth!
Loved this review Angela! I’ve just ordered the Parfums DelRae sample pack. Squeee! I’ve been wanting to try the line, so thanks for the reminder. 🙂
Have fun with it!
I’m testing Mythique and Bois de Paradise today. It seems to me that Mythique is the more challenging of the two. I get a strong powdery violet note on my skin which must be the orris butter. Mind you, I like it very much, but I would have to be in a certain mood for it to be my SOTD. The Bois de Paradise is pure enjoyment – the predominant notes being rose, woods and balsam on my skin. My only complaint is that I was hoping for the fig note to be more up front. Both are incredibly well crafted perfumes. Can’t wait to try more!
Isn’t the BdP nice? I wish it smelled better on me.
I get a salty note in Mythique that along with the leather might make it a little odd. But when I wear it, I keep going back to smell my arm, always a sign it’s a good one for me.
…and so a powerful lemming was born. That sampler will be mine! :p Thanks for the review, fluently written as always.
It’s a good line to sample, L. Enjoy them!
I hate it when I do that…..after reading your review, I want to try Mythique again but I swapped it away cuz it didn’t wow me. Such a shame….I do, however, adooooooore Debut by DelRae, probably my favorite from this range.
You’ve got me thinking about a fun poll: what are your favorite ‘quiet’ fragrances?
I can completely imagine smelling Mythique and thinking “meh” and moving on to the next sample. But, given time and space on skin, Mythique does have its own subtle voice, and I like it!
Great idea for a poll!
Nice review! I always like it when you are reviewing something I have a sample of so I can put some one while I read.
Suede iris is a good description. It is a lovely, quiet scent, but I am not yet taken with iris. I dutifully try it, like bleu cheeses, but just can’t quite get there. But, I have gotten to where I can tolerate a low-level gorgonzola, so I think my iris is out there.
Like cheese, there are easy irises and hard ones. Good luck finding your perfect gorgonzola and iris (not at the same time!).
I was revisiting some Mythique reviews and I so had to chime in to say that I’ve been wearing Mythique since this morning AND I’ve just had gorgonzola for lunch… lol
Sounds like a good day to me! I wouldn’t mind a little of both.
Nice review! Somehow, Delrae always flies under my radar. When it does surface, it’s always related to that-universally-hated-melon-thing whose name I can never remember.
Emotionelle. Total garbage on me.
I think you’re not alone.
I appreciate DelRae because they don’t have six releases a year, but they are hard to keep up with because where I live I have to order or swap for samples to try them.
Yep, you must be thinking of Emotionelle.
Great review, Angela. I love close to the skin scents – they fit my life and lifestyle. I like Mythique, but I don’t think it’s a must-have for me (yet :D). I just want to add to this wonderful string of comments that the body creams by DelRae are faaaabulous. They are well-scented, yet a bit softer than the liquid perfume. In fact, I prefer both BdP and Amoureuse in body cream. I don’t know if Mythique is available in that format or ever will be, but might be a must-buy if so.
I’ve never tried the body cremes! Thanks for adding your experience with them. The air is so dry and cold right now, a nice body creme would be tremendous.
Interestingly, I put some on last night and it had a totally different feel than when I first tried it in the heat of summer. Much more sedate and closer to the skin. In warm weather, the orris root bloomed more. Both nice impressions, but it’s funny how fragrances change with the seasons.
I haven’t tried Mythique yet in weather warmer than the mid-50s. It will be interesting to see how it feels–how the orris fares on me, too–in June.
Alas – i retried this scent and on me, it’s an acrid, chemicall-ly sort of smell. However, in my search I unearthed a sample of alahine, which is doing nicely for me on this sunny, chilly day… Maybe I’m not an iris person?
It sounds like you gave Mythique a fair shot, and it just isn’t for you. But Alahine is nice! Iris comes in so many different moods: intellectual, luxurious, juicy, earthy. Maybe Mythique’s brand of iris isn’t the right one for you. But it sure is fun trying to find the one that is!
Well, I’ve finally managed to get my paws on some Mythique, and it’s as fabulous as you promised, Angela. It’s been sticky-hot here in London for the last little while, and I came home from work and immediately plunged into the shower to cool off yesterday. As I was drying off, I dabbed on the Mythique, thinking it was going to be entirely the wrong thing but just needing something, anything new and fresh to smell.
It was perfect. I lay on my bed in my PJs, in front of the fan, reading peacefully with a glass of wine, and watched the sky turn from peachy-pink to dusky blue. And just quietly marvelled at the scent coming off my skin. Amazing! Just amazing! Soft apricots galore!
I wore it all day today too, and it stood up beautifully to scorching heat and city rush. Beautiful Mythique. How I love you. Thank you SO much for introducing us, Angela. You’re one hell of a fabulous matchmaker. 😉
I’m so glad you like it! I’ve been loving Mythique more and more as time goes on. I only wish there was a more potent parfum version to complement the EdP. I really do love it.
I have just “discoverd” Mythique. Oh my! This is so different from what I have been trying lately and I am falling in love with the concept of wearing an aura rather than scent. I just love the soft background of attitude, so nicely comforting and warm. This is not to say I am switching concepts, just appreciating others in addition (don’t worry, my little beauties, you won’t be forgotten) to my much loved regular scents. I am buying a bottle of this, as I like it THAT much. All this is due to your review which prompted me to get a sample. Thank you, thank you and THANK YOU!
I’m so glad you like it! I was surprised by Mythique when I first tried it–I didn’t expect it to be what it was, and I fell in love right away. I wear it a lot.
I just moved from NYC (aka perfumista heaven!) to a small town in New England, and decided to treat myself to two FBs (after many years of being quite happy with samples – so easy to get in the city!) before I left. After A LOT of thought and spritzing, I decided to go with fragrances that I could wear every day, fragrances that just sink into my skin and become a part of me. When it comes down to it, whether I live in a big city or a small town, or somethiing in between, honestly, I really just want to enjoy a beautifully made fragrance on a daily basis. And my choices were….. Mythique and Bel Respiro. LOVE them both, and couldn’t be happier! I got a sample of Mythique earlier this summer, and gave it a try a couple of days later and was absolutely blown away, if that’s possible, by this subtle and understated work of art that simply became…me. So lovely and so wearable, it immediately pushed all other contenders aside. Except for Bel Respiro, of course! Interestingly, the sales rep at Barney’s, where I bought Mythique, told me how great she thougt Bel Respiro was on my skin, which I was already thinking, and which I appreciated, because I hadn’t yet commited to Mythique, and Barney’s doesn’t carry Chanel’s Les Exclusifs), and that sealed the deal – my next stop was Bergdorf’s for Bel Respiro! A very fun and memorable day!
That truly was a terrific day! I haven’t tried Bel Respiro in way too long, but you’ve convinced me to rectify that.
I felt the same way about Mythique. It’s subtle but addicting. I really, really like it.