Madini perfume essences aren't very famous outside the perfume-nut circles, but have quite a following among those who tried them. The oils are made in Morocco, supposedly by using traditional methods. The ones I've tried definitely have a different, faraway feel to them. They are exotic, vibrant and rich. Wearing them takes you places and makes you wonder what's wrong with most of today's perfumes that don't smell like this.
Ambargris can be a shock to one's system. The first impression is of something very strong, sweet and somewhat smoky. It feels more like an amber accord on steroids, very different than many wimpy mainstream ambers that are mostly sweet nothings. You realize this is what amber is supposed to be like, even if it doesn't actually smell like natural ambergris (the stuff that comes out of whales and is no longer allowed in perfumery). I was lucky enough to smell a piece of the real thing last year and it's otherworldly. Neither Madini Ambargris nor any other scent I've tried come close, but there are aspects of the natural gray amber that appear here and there.
In Madini's Ambargris there is a salty, briny stage that tampers the thick molasses-like syrup. I find that high quality ambers that have this facet can sometimes smell like olives, in a nice way. It usually leads to a subtle animalic base, which I adore. Ambargris does exactly that, and the divine drydown lasts forever, even when using the tiniest drop, which is usually all that's needed. I might have mentioned above that this is very strong stuff...
Madini oils are available online from madini.com, which is how I purchased my bottles. They ship worldwide, including Australia. The prices would make one weep with joy. A 3 ml bottle costs $15, and a 6 ml (which only sounds tiny. With these oils this is a lifetime supply) for $25. There are also sample packs (5 samples, $10).
Photo of a Lebanese belly dancer by James Burke, 1959 from LIFE.com
Ambargris can be a shock to one's system. The first impression is of something very strong, sweet and somewhat smoky. It feels more like an amber accord on steroids, very different than many wimpy mainstream ambers that are mostly sweet nothings. You realize this is what amber is supposed to be like, even if it doesn't actually smell like natural ambergris (the stuff that comes out of whales and is no longer allowed in perfumery). I was lucky enough to smell a piece of the real thing last year and it's otherworldly. Neither Madini Ambargris nor any other scent I've tried come close, but there are aspects of the natural gray amber that appear here and there.
In Madini's Ambargris there is a salty, briny stage that tampers the thick molasses-like syrup. I find that high quality ambers that have this facet can sometimes smell like olives, in a nice way. It usually leads to a subtle animalic base, which I adore. Ambargris does exactly that, and the divine drydown lasts forever, even when using the tiniest drop, which is usually all that's needed. I might have mentioned above that this is very strong stuff...
Madini oils are available online from madini.com, which is how I purchased my bottles. They ship worldwide, including Australia. The prices would make one weep with joy. A 3 ml bottle costs $15, and a 6 ml (which only sounds tiny. With these oils this is a lifetime supply) for $25. There are also sample packs (5 samples, $10).
Photo of a Lebanese belly dancer by James Burke, 1959 from LIFE.com
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