After our first look at the Origine Collection by Maison Matine, in which we introduced the brand’s unique features and the first three fragrances – click here for the review – today we continue our journey. Maison Matine was founded by Marie Kellou and Arthur Ponroy and represents a new, fresh generation of French perfumery: creatively illustrated, sustainably produced, and deliberately free from rigid luxury conventions. Instead of opulence and bling, the label focuses on simplicity, diversity, and responsibility—with vegan formulas, recyclable materials, and artfully designed bottles that visually bring each fragrance story to life.
The Origine Collection by Maison Matine takes a look at our lives, at a world that is open, multifaceted, and full of new experiences. It is not a look back, but a look at the here and now. The fragrances tell stories that reflect our present, not nostalgically, but in a contemporary way. Warni Warni, Esprit de Contradiction, and Bain de Midi are the protagonists of this second part, inviting you to get to know the French niche fragrance label from new perspectives.
Warni Warni – come to me, come to me!
The name Warni Warni may initially remind English speakers of “to warn” or ‘warning’, and thus cause a momentary confusion. In fact, however, it is an exclamation commonly used in Arabic-speaking countries, especially in Morocco, which means “come, come” or “come with me.” In keeping with this invitation to share and encounter, perfumer Elise Benat combined the ingredients tea, cardamom, freesia, orange blossom, cedarwood, coumarin, and musk. The illustration on the bottle is once again by Mathilde Purseigle.
Warni Warni reminds me of creamy tea – greenish, flowing, oscillating between black tea tartness and green tea meditation. Milky and powdery, the fragrance unfolds through the fruity-soft orange blossom, which combines with the subtle aquatic sweetness of freesia. Cardamom brings freshness and clarity, coumarin a gentle, hay-like sweetness. Cedarwood adds subtle, cool accents that interweave harmoniously with the floral facets. The fragrance notes interlock like gears, supporting each other and forming a harmonious, elegant whole.
As a fan of tea scents, Warni Warni is naturally right up my alley. This creamy, milky, and spicy-green eau de parfum with delicate fruit and floral notes is summery, transparent, radiant, minimalist, clean, and simply beautiful. Perfect for anyone who likes uncomplicated and relaxed creations for every occasion and every opportunity. A contemplative, calm, and gentle fragrance that is moving right to the top of my must-have list. I absolutely recommend trying it!
Esprit de Contradiction – Spirit of Contradiction
Esprit de Contradiction is a fragrance that embodies the spirit of contradiction. It is not gentle and subtle, but rather a clear call to take a stand. It embodies the energy to question things, to be uncomfortable at times, and to give weight to one’s own voice. It is about courage and idealism, about expressing convictions clearly and uncompromisingly.
Perfumer Christian Vermorel combined the ingredients mandarin, lemon, black pepper, coriander, ginger, ylang-ylang, iris, clove, musk, vetiver, sage, and cedarwood for Esprit de Contradiction, while the illustration is again by Mathilde Purseigle.
Sparkling citrus notes open Esprit de Contradiction, very sunny and refreshing, accompanied by a dry sharpness evoked by pepper and ginger. Spicy nuances bring excitement to the creation, while milky, powdery, and fluffy-soft facets calm and soothe the energetic citrus fruits. The eau de parfum remains transparent, airy, and light as it develops. Cedarwood and vetiver provide clean and creamy accents that round off the composition very harmoniously.
Even though Esprit de Contradiction revolves around contradiction and uncompromisingness, the creation reveals itself to be surprisingly accessible in testing. Sparkling citrus, spiced accents, and pleasantly clean, it acts like a modern cologne in the guise of an eau de parfum. No striking provocation, but a fragrance that playfully balances opposites – fresh and spicy, transparent and soft, light yet present. This makes it the perfect companion for any occasion – uncomplicated, unisex, and wonderfully summery. You can find more exciting citrus fruit fragrances here.
Bain de Midi – Olfactory flower bath
Bain de Midi evokes feelings of lightheartedness, freedom, and joie de vivre that instantly transport us back to summer. The name plays on several levels: it can refer to a refreshing midday dip, a nighttime adventure in the sea, or geographically to the Midi, the sun-drenched south of France with Grasse as the capital of perfumery. Bain de Midi is like an olfactory souvenir of the perfect wave, the sun on your skin, and moments that pass far too quickly—and are therefore all the more precious. For this creation from Maison Matine’s Origine Collection, decorated by Mathilde Purseigle, perfumer Philippine Courtière combined the ingredients bergamot, coconut, tiare flower, ylang-ylang, gardenia, vanilla, and musk.
Bain de Midi opens with a lush floral bouquet of exotic tiare, milky ylang-ylang, and creamy gardenia. The trio is in full bloom, dense, present, and immediately makes a clear statement. I only perceive the coconut subtly; its tropical, creamy nuances blend with powdery, crystalline musk and, together with the tangy freshness of bergamot, bring a touch of lightness into play. But the other notes have little effect against the power of the flowers – they blend in, get carried away by the floral dance and revel in its opulence.
Those who love opulent floral fragrances, especially tiare and gardenia, are likely to enjoy Bain de Midi. A tropical eau de parfum that smells of summer, holidays, and sweet idleness. In my Maison Matine tests so far, it stands out clearly for its presence – and its longevity is also impressive. Perhaps a little too opulent for the office, but a charming companion for leisure time or evenings. A floral statement for all those who love tropical, opulent fragrances.
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