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Portia
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Hey there Niche Nerds,
A while back my mate Sonya was having a clear out. One of the fragrances that I loved when I first smelled it but never came back to again is today’s scent. You know how that happens yeah? You’re MADLY in love with it when you spritz it in store, you buy a 2ml decant and use it up but before you pull the trigger on your credit card something else gets you excited and you move on. TBH I wish that would play out a bit more often for me, HA! I’d have 1/3 the collection currently in this house.
1889 Moulin Rouge by Histoires de Parfums 2010
1889 Moulin Rouge by Gérald Ghislain, Sylvie Jourdet
Parfumo gives these featured accords:
Top: Mandarin, Plum, Cinnamon
Heart: Absinth, Damascus rose
Base: Iris, Patchouli, Musk, Fur
Plum and cardboardy iris are my first whiff, it’s VERY stage make up smelling. We used to use pots of carmine lipstick and they smelled remarkably like this. The rose waltzes in underneath the radar and gradually makes itself known. Personally I think of absinth as far more herbal and astringent than the soft focus booziness in Moulin Rouge, it feels more creamy cocktail-ish or even that drink that you have at Harry’s bar in Venice; the Bellini. Sweet and lightly sparkling.
Iris though is king in Moulin Rouge, from top to bottom it dominates, quietly but insistent. One of the things I really love about Moulin Rouge is its understated smellability. Though you are fragrant and people can smell you it does not feel intrusive or overpowering, somehow it manages that fine line of smelling fabulous but not intrusive.
Skewed towards what we think of as a feminine fragrance I think it an excellent choice for the guys as well. I can easily imagine it being a signature scented point of difference for a man in an office.
Further reading: Olfactoria’s Travels and Non Blonde
ParfuMaria has €95/60ml
What is your favourite olde world makeup scent?
Portia xx
Australian Perfume Junkies 
I recently went through the sample set of HdP. This one was not among them. I have wanted to sniff this one. I love iris. But, to me, iris or powdery scents do not smell like makeup. Maybe since I don’t wear enough makeup! LOL. HdP, in general, has the powdery base. It’s own signature Guerlinade. I find 1725 Casanova a makeup vibe that reminds me of the drydown of Jul et Mad’s Amour de Palazzo. Sometimes, ambers that aren’t spicy can head toward that makeup zone on my skin.
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Hey Gina,
Interesting. I wear a LOT of make up, stage make up, so it’s painted on thickly and the scent probably hasn’t changed since the 1800s.
I’m going to watch those non spicy amber bases to see if I get a similar feel. Is it like a powdery smell? I think they might have some sandalwood in them too.
Portia xx
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Chanel Misia EdP although I also love ELDO’S Putains et Palaces.
Lil xx
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Yeah, the Misia EdT was all about make up to me Lillibet. Gorgeous. They’ve toned that vibe down in the EdP a bit.
Putains et Palaces is great, yumO
Portia xx
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