The Moon's Scent: A Fragrance From Outer Space

The moon has long been a source of fascination for humanity, with its mystical allure and enigmatic qualities. This fascination extends to the realm of fragrances, with many seeking to capture the essence of a moonlit night in a bottle. The idea of lunar-inspired scents is not new, with a history that dates back to ancient times when civilisations like the Egyptians and Romans associated the moon with magic, fertility, and religious ceremonies. Today, the market offers a variety of perfumes that attempt to recreate the ambiance of a moonlit night, featuring notes such as white flowers, bergamot, and musk. One such fragrance, The Moon by Frederic Malle, blends spicy red berries, oud, musk, and violet to create an oriental scent. Another, Eau de Luna by Eau de Space, offers a smoky-earthy fragrance that evokes the mysterious allure of the moon. These perfumes, and others like them, provide an olfactory experience that captures the moon's allure, leaving a lingering trail of sophistication and mystery.

The Moon by Frederic Malle: an Oriental Floral fragrance for men and women with raspberry, saffron and rose notes

The Moon by Frederic Malle is an Oriental Floral fragrance for men and women with raspberry, saffron, and rose notes. It was launched in 2019 and is the fourth Middle Eastern-inspired fragrance in the Desert Gems collection. The perfume was created by Julien Rasquinet as a tribute to the orient.

The Moon explores a different facet of Oriental perfume with a more colorful approach to its generous opulence. It touches on the language of love, expressing both sweetness and voluptuousness. The fragrance is a sumptuous, warm, and refined blend of rose, oud, and incense, supported by a lively abundance of red berries. The top notes include raspberry, lychee, and saffron, while the middle notes are made up of olibanum, Turkish rose, and red currant. The base notes are agarwood (oud), leather, amber, patchouli, sandalwood, cypriol, and cedar.

The scent is bold, complex, and well-rounded, with a fruity and smoky character. It is long-lasting and versatile, suitable for anyone who wants to wear it. The Moon has been described as an addictive fragrance, with a delicate and subtle, yet impactful presence. It has a quiet elegance, with a luminous burst of citrus that is crisp and refreshing, settling into a deeper fragrance with a soft, powdery warmth and understated woodiness.

The Moon evokes a magical experience, with its contrasting and rich aromas of fruits, spices, and resins. It combines rose oud with frankincense and ripe red berries, creating a unique and captivating scent. The strength of the fragrance comes from the patchouli, sandalwood, and agarwood, warmed by amber aromas. The Moon is a masterpiece in the world of fragrances, offering a sensory journey that lingers just enough to make a lasting impression.

Eau de Luna by Eau de Space: a smoky-earthy fragrance, inspired by the moon's volcanic origins and lunar soil

Eau de Luna by Eau de Space is an enigmatic fragrance that captures the essence of the moon in a bottle. Inspired by the lunar landscape, this scent is a smoky-earthy fragrance with a mysterious allure. With a spritz of Eau de Luna, you are instantly transported to the moon, where early accounts from Apollo astronauts describe the unique scent as "like spent gunpowder".

The fragrance's initial notes reflect the powdery moon soil, with a distinct smoky quality that hints at the moon's volcanic origins. This earthiness is delicately balanced by subtle hints of minerals, creating an otherworldly, cosmic experience. As the scent settles, the smoky accords fade, making way for romantic, delicate floral nuances. These floral undertones add a touch of elegance, softening the ruggedness of the earthy opening notes.

The use of lunar-inspired fragrances dates back centuries, with ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Romans associating the moon with magic, fertility, and religious rituals. Lunar fragrances continued to fascinate during the Renaissance, with alchemists and perfumers exploring the connection between the moon and human emotions. It was not until the 20th century, however, that these lunar scents gained mainstream popularity in the perfume industry.

Today, Eau de Luna by Eau de Space stands as a modern interpretation of these ancient lunar fragrances. With its smoky-earthy notes, it captures the moon's volcanic history and the scent of lunar soil. This fragrance is a testament to humanity's enduring fascination with the moon and our ongoing pursuit to capture its ethereal essence in a bottle.

Lunar-inspired fragrances throughout history: ancient Egyptians and Romans used lunar scents in rituals dedicated to moon goddesses

The moon has captivated humans since ancient times, with its lunar cycles influencing ancient civilisations like the Egyptians and Romans, who incorporated moon worship into their culture. The ancient Egyptians and Romans used fragrances in rituals dedicated to moon goddesses, believing that the phases of the moon influenced growth and decline in nature.

In ancient Egypt, the god Nefertem, associated with the moon, was also regarded as the god of fragrances. Archaeological evidence suggests that the ancient Egyptians used perfumes from as early as 4000 BCE. They had a variety of rituals and ceremonies surrounding perfume-making, believing that the gods were the source of their knowledge in this art. "Scent Makers" were highly respected in Egyptian society and played a significant role in cultural, religious, and social life. They created perfumes for religious ceremonies, funerary and burial rituals, and beauty and grooming routines. The ancient Egyptians also believed that perfumes had healing and protective properties, anointing their bodies with fragrances to shield themselves from the elements.

The ancient Romans, similarly, had a passion for perfumes, with fragrances playing a role in their religious and medical fields, as well as in beauty and status. The most expensive perfume in ancient Rome was likely "Regale Unguentum". The Romans used ointments with various raw materials, and the type of oil and its refinement varied according to social class. Perfumes were also used to adorn hair, a tradition that seems to have originated in Egypt and Greece, where women kneaded fragrant herbs and flowers with fat or beeswax to create cones that, when exposed to the sun, melted and released an intense fragrance.

While the specific fragrances used in ancient moon rituals are unknown, modern perfumers have attempted to capture the essence of the moon in their creations. For instance, "The Moon" by Frederic Malle, launched in 2019, is an oriental floral fragrance with notes of raspberry, saffron, rose, oud, and leather, meant to evoke a delicate brushstroke of the night. Another modern fragrance, "Eau de Luna", is based on early accounts from Apollo astronauts, who described the moon's scent as "like spent gunpowder".

Suggested fragrances to capture the essence of the moon: Starck Peau de Pierre, Mugler's Alien Goddess, Olfactive Studio Lumière Blanche

The moon has been a source of inspiration for many artists, poets, and even perfumers. While there is no definitive answer to the question of what the moon smells like, here are some fragrances that could capture its essence:

Starck Peau de Pierre

This cologne, launched in 2016, is a warm, woody, and slightly smoky fragrance with hints of lavender and mahogany. It has a synthetic molecule that gives it an almost smoky intensity, exploring the ambiguity between a man's masculine and feminine sides. The scent is long-lasting, with moderate projection for the first hour, making it perfect for those who want to leave a subtle impression.

Mugler's Alien Goddess

Alien Goddess, launched in 2021, is a unique fragrance that combines aquatic saltiness with fig-like notes, creating an ethereal experience. The official notes include bergamot, coconut water, heliotrope, jasmine grandiflorum, bourbon vanilla, and cashmeran. The vanilla and bergamot create a soft, feminine cloud, while the cashmeran adds a subtle musky, woody undertone.

Olfactive Studio Lumière Blanche

Olfactive Studio's Lumière Blanche is an eau de parfum that is applied to the pulse points in 2-3 sprays. While the exact scent is hard to describe, it is said to be a delicate and refined fragrance, much like the moon itself.

These fragrances, with their mysterious and ethereal qualities, capture the essence of the moon, evoking its subtle beauty and captivating allure.

The Moon's price: some commenters balk at the price, but others say it's worth it for a masterpiece

The Moon, a unisex fragrance by Frederic Malle, has sparked mixed reactions among consumers regarding its price. While some commenters express hesitation at the cost, others defend it as a masterpiece worth the investment.

The Moon, launched in 2019, is an Oriental Floral fragrance with a rich blend of scents, including raspberry, saffron, rose, oud, and leather. Its unique aroma has been described as "a work of art," offering a fresh, elegant, and subtle yet impactful experience. However, the fragrance's price tag has sparked a range of responses.

Some commenters balk at the price, finding it challenging to justify the expense. They express a desire for a more affordable option or a reduction in price, even if it means compromising on the presentation or bottle design. The high cost has led to comparisons with other fragrances of similar quality at lower price points.

On the other hand, some enthusiasts praise The Moon as a masterpiece worth the investment. They view the fragrance as an exceptional creation, justifying the price for the sensory journey it offers. The Moon's intricate layers of scents, from its luminous citrus opening to its soft, woody undertones, create a captivating olfactory experience that lingers just enough to make an impression.

While the price of The Moon may be a point of contention for some, it's important to consider the craftsmanship and sensory experience it delivers. The fragrance's ability to evoke a sense of mystery, elegance, and refinement aligns with its premium positioning. Ultimately, the decision to invest in The Moon depends on individual preferences, as some may find it a worthwhile indulgence for a masterpiece fragrance.

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