Best Max Richter 01 by Comme des Garcons Alternatives & Similar Perfumes

This extrait is named for the archipelagic country in the South Pacific Ocean, source of the sandalwood in the base. Vanuatu is a lively, confident blend of spices (black pepper, cardamom, cumin) dappled across characterful woody materials (sandalwood, patchouli, cedar and papyrus). Putting meat on the bones is fig milk, with violet leaves adding sharp sparkle. A fragrance for unexpected adventures.

The fusion of the Taj Mahal's cold marble and its surrounding garden. Marbre Rouge brings the flowers inside the palace walls.  Initially spicy, the fragrance warms up around cardamom before revealing its ylang-ylang heart. The amber notes of benzoin and Tolu balsam leave intensely sensual scents on the skin.

Perfumer: Sidonie Lancesseur

The Orange Extraordinaire collection.

An homage to the role of spices in Western perfumery, history and culture. Naturally it’s a majestic aromatic flow of cinnamon and ginger, with numerous sparks of pepper and a rich incense background.

An electric collision of molecules: the effervescence of spicy pepper seeds suspended within darkness. Dry, fizzing Madagascan pepper cracks open against fiery cedarwood. Rich Akigalawood (upcycled patchouli with a peppery/woody profile) blends in blazing harmony with the caramel powderiness of tonka bean. A musky accord softens any sharp edges.

Perfumer: Antoine Maisondieu 

Sileno or Silenus in Greek  (or faun in Roman) mythology would be a creature of the wild forest – part man part beast. Silenus would accompany and entertain Dionysus in his god’s routines and parties.

The perfume is a sensual but fresh ylang-ylang with a generous crisp spices layer. 

A fragrant and floral dedication to emotions and the intricate patterns that shape and run through the structure of our brains. Liquid joy prepared with balsamic labdanum, leathery orange blossom and violet leaf absolutes and a drop of fruity coffee nuance.

Perfumer: Luca Maffei

Strength: 35% extrait de parfum

The origin of some materials in the formula:

pink pepper -> South America

arabica coffee -> South America

cinnamon -> Sri Lanka

galbanum -> Iran

jasmine sambac -> India

violet leaf absolute -> Egypt

orange blossom absolute -> Tunisia

Ylang Ylang -> Madagascar

guaiac -> Paraguay

Vetiver -> Haiti

Labdanum -> Spain

Leaning against the rooftop railing of your walk-up, the timid light of the studio opposite lit up our faces. Your coat draped over my shoulders, your floriental fragrance enveloping my thoughts, together we watched them – the young artist and his colorful canvas.

A fragrance of unwavering sensuality. The sensuality of the petals of hawthorn flowers, the very generous tuberose absolute and ylang ylang are illuminated by peppers. The powerful presence of sandalwood, benzoin laos, opoponax and venezuelan tonka bean root the ethereal petals in the earth.

Aragon is an olfactory tribute to the Aragon region of Spain, the birthplace of Mallo. A unique aromatic fougere, the scent showcases local aromatic plant extracts from cypress, basil, thyme, rosemary and artemisia. Added to this busy mix is the pipirigallo flower, exclusive to the region. The scent is rounded off by mossy, resinous elements for a warm, enveloping feel.

Rien ('nothing' in French) is a beautiful animalic chypre, with an aldehydic (rather than classic citrus) opening and seriously naughty leathery vibes provided by the cumin and labdanum duo.  Also check this perfume out if you like frankincense in bold oriental interpretation. 

Santal takes its inspiration from a Sandalwood fragrance originally created in the 1800s which has then been given a distinctive contemporary edge.