Esprit de Contradiction
Esprit de Contradiction by Maison Matine is an unisex eau de parfum in the niche price tier. It opens with mandarin, black pepper and coriander, moves into ginger, ylang-ylang, orris root and clove and dries down to musk, vetiver, sage and cedarwood. Expect around 7 hours of wear, and it projects at a moderate level.
Notes, explained
Opening
- Mandarin Soft, sweet, almost powdery citrus. Gentler than orange.
- Black Pepper Dry and prickly. Gives a fragrance grip and a bit of bite.
- Coriander Warm seed spice, slightly citrusy. A quiet workhorse.
Heart
- Ginger Warm, zesty and slightly soapy. Bridges citrus and spice.
- Ylang-Ylang Banana-custard floral. Rich, tropical and slightly rubbery.
- Orris Root Iris root aged for years. Buttery, powdery, unmistakably refined.
- Clove Hot, dry and dental. Powerful — a little goes a long way.
Dry-down
- Musk Warm, skin-like and slightly sweet. Makes a fragrance feel like you.
- Vetiver Dry, earthy, smoky grass root. Smells like soil and citrus peel.
- Sage Dry, herbal and slightly bitter. Adds a grown-up, aromatic edge.
- Cedarwood Dry, pencil-shaving woodiness. Clean and structural.
Smells like this
- Diptyque Eau Mohéli
- House of Sillage HOS N.001
- House of Sillage The Formal
- Floris No. 89
- Tom Ford Grey Vetiver
- Hermès Un Jardin après la Mousson
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