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Post by Michael
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It’s with mixed feelings that I first picked up the sample vial of Micallef’s relatively new Rouge No2. I’ve been circling the liturgical Shanaan for a while. Should I get a full bottle? I just can’t decide. In any case it’s one of the finest frankincense fragrances I’ve tried, but then, how often am I really going to wear incense? Then there’s Vanille Aoud – so wonderfully intimate and snugly. It’s one of the few fragrances I’d love to be around someone else wearing. Then there’s been misses like Le Seducteur (too pungent) and the Les 4 Saisons that somehow felt unfinished. So with a little trepidation I gave Rouge No2 a sniff.
Collection Rouge No2 by Jean Claude Astier for M. Micallef 2013
Photo Stolen Fragrantica
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Citruses, black currant, nutmeg
Heart: Jasmine, violet, orchid
Base: Vanilla, labdanum, amber, castoreum
Rouge No2 opens fruity, resinous and animalic. The fruit is miscellaneous red candied fruit, the resins ultimately a vanillic amber and some animalic tendencies courtesy of some nutty castoreum. This fragrance is SWEET, literally. I can’t remember a fragrance I’ve tried that’s sweeter. As it dries down the vanillic amber becomes more prominent supported by the labdanum. A leatherish note comes through a bit later but ultimately this is a sweet fruity fragrance over a sweet vanillic amber base.
Photo Stolen Flickr (couldn’t find attribution)
For my taste this is just far too sweet but for those that like sweet fruity vanilla fragrances this is a must try, especially if you’re comfortable with animalic notes. Rouge No2 is miles ahead of the sweet fruity fragrances you’ll find in your typical department store.
Sillage is average on my skin and longevity is excellent.
Further reading: Perfume Shrine and Olfactoria’s Travels
LuckyScent has $245/100ml + Samples
First In Fragrance has €185/100ml+ Samples
M x
Australian Perfume Junkies 
This is sweet but I think its pretty good for what it is. have you tried Rouge No1? It’s not as sweet and you might like it better.
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I’ve only tried 1 in passing and remember it being kind of sharp? Definately need to test it properly.
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I’ve tried Rouge 1 and 2 and don’t remember either one. Maybe it’s time to find those samples and give both another try. I may have shelved No.2 because, like, you I found it too sweet.
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Do report back if you try it again 🙂
Curious to know if your experience is anything like mine.
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Hey Michael,
I knew Rouge 2 would be unusual enough to tickle your fancy though so far from your normal wear habits as to be polar opposites. Thanks for being totally fair and writing a great review.
I love that you can enjoy the quality and distinctiveness without really loving the frag for you.
Portia xx
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Thanks Portia. Look at that bottle though – wowee!
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He he he he! Yes, that bottle is EXTREMELY WOWEEEEEEE!
Did you go to the SALE in town?
Portia xx
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Rouge No. 2 was way too sweet for me the first time I tried it, but on retrying I liked it much better. I do prefer No. 1, though. I thought it wasn’t my kind of thing at first, but found myself thinking about it more, and loving it when I caught a whiff on a sweater. It’s very perfume-y, in a good way. It smells the way Portia described another Micallef, like a lost classic.
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