A Lab On Fire's new fragrance, Mon Musc à Moi, sounded reasonably tempting. It was developed by perfumer Dominique Ropion, and it's from a brand that's done more than one fun gourmand (What We Do In Paris Is Secret, Paris*LA). The ad copy was a little silly, but it usually is, and while I couldn't say exactly what they mean by "contemporary retro", it sounds like it can't hurt, right?
As it turns out, Mon Musc à Moi smells entirely contemporary to me, and I probably would have liked it better with another dash of retro.1 I would call it a fruity vanilla musk. The opening smells like fruit candy, or maybe a brightly-colored Popsicle. The heart notes smell like marshmallow florals and the dry down adds sheer vanilla and the tiniest sliver of toffee. It's not really foody, nor is it a vanilla bomb: think Eau d'Italie Morn to Dusk or Diptyque Eau Duelle or the like. The whole thing is wrapped in gauzy — but persistent — clean musk. It probably leans a little feminine, but mostly it leans sweet: anyone could wear it. The lasting power is excellent; I could still smell it on my Fitbit days later.
Verdict: I'm up for a sweet gourmand every so often, especially at this time of year, but Mon Musc à Moi doesn't really fit into the gourmand category, and I'm sorry to say it mostly annoyed me. I didn't care for the sweet synthetic fruit in the opening, and while some may appreciate the light hand on the toffee and vanilla, the result is that you're left with a very sweet, very clean musk and not much else. It reminded me vaguely of my son's favorite hand wash, Method Sweet Water, which I dislike enough that we keep separate hand wash containers (one for each of us) in the bathroom and kitchen.
While it's decidedly not my thing, I do think many people will like Mon Musc à Moi, and I've seen nice reports elsewhere. It's worth trying if you're looking for a vanilla musk that isn't too heavy for everyday wear.
A Lab On Fire Mon Musc à Moi is $110 for 60 ml Eau de Parfum. The notes include bergamot, peach blossom, rose, heliotrope, musks, toffee, amber, blond woods, vanilla and tonka bean. For buying information, see the listing for A Lab On Fire under Perfume Houses.
1. Later I realized maybe not: Love's Baby Soft never appealed to me, and this could be the contemporary version.
Persistent clean musk doesn’t sound appealing. But what do I know, I like Sweet Water soap 😉 It’s seems so inoffensive, I’m surprised by your strong dislike. I have a separate soap in the kitchen now – Mrs. Meyers Rhubarb. My husband dislikes anything scented (due to migraines) and I had to get rid of a B&BW soap because it left so much scent in the bathroom and one me. No complaints so far on the rhubarb, which is good because I love that one.
I am surprised by my strong dislike too, LOL…once in awhile I use Sweet Water by accident and it annoys me so much I have to go wash it off with something else 🙂
But I will try the rhubarb!
Sweet Water is what sits on the sink in my sons’ bathroom upstairs… They like it because it looks vaguely like a light bulb. I’ll have to give it a sniff!
Random comment Robin, but I really enjoyed Nest’s Orange Blossom hand soap…..
Oh good to know, I am always looking for new hand soaps!