Thierry Mugler Innocent

I catch whiffs of Thierry Mugler's original Angel here and there. At the mall, while standing in line to enter the theater, coming and going randomly in NYC, at the Paris Metro. I have yet to enjoy smelling Angel, not to mention how lengthy exposure to it makes me want to grab the wearer by the neck and tell her she doesn't smell half as good as she imagines. I can't help it. There's something about this fruit-caramel-chocolate-patchouli that turns my stomach.

Innocent by Mugler is sometimes called Angel Innocent. It's definitely related to the original and not just because of the star emblem on the cap, but I wouldn't call it a flanker, either. Innocent has enough life and character on its own, without the circus freak that is Angel. The fruit notes that are so dominant in Angel are much more subdued and fleeting here. It also lacks the infamous chocolate-covered dirt of the patchouli (I usually enjoy choco-chouli, just not in the presence of fruit on steroids). Instead, my skin brings out the almond-meringue-honey-vanilla facet, making it a very smooth and milky gourmand. The almond here isn't sharp and marzipan-like. Instead it reminds me of my mother's butter and almond cookies (I really should dig out the recipe). It's on the sexy-but-comforting side, probably because of the abundance of sweet musk in the base.

I surprise myself with how much I enjoy Innocent. It's not an interesting scent and it usually feels like a guilty pleasure more than a sophisticated choice. Yet somehow I nearly panicked when I realized that the mini bottle I bought seven or eight years ago was getting dangerously low. Feeling only a small pang of guilt, I ordered a full sized bottle. It would last me for my next two or three lives, but at least I know I'll always have some for those winter days spent between the couch and a blanket.

Innocent by Thierry Mugler ($66, 1.7 oz) is available from Nordstrom, Sephora and many other conventional stores. A little googling reveals that many online discounters sell it for less than half the retail price.

Innocent 2004 perfume ad: paperpursuits.com