Our fragrance journey today takes us to the far north. Iceland is our destination and so it is quickly clear, at least to niche fragrance connoisseurs, which brand is the focus of this review today. Andrea Maack launched two new creations not too long ago, namely Muse and Neon Veil. As I have already been very impressed by the Icelandic artist’s fragrances in the past, the two new launches were high on my to-review list. So today is the day. Off to Iceland!
Andrea Maack in the Fragrance Diary
Andrea Maack and her label of the same name are no longer an insider tip in the international niche fragrance scene, but for many – especially newcomers – they are still a discovery. The Icelandic artist has been firmly anchored in the perfume world for over a decade and is characterized by unusual, sometimes idiosyncratic and unwieldy creations. Far removed from the mainstream, she doesn’t rely on quick likes or pleasing, mass-compatible compositions, but consistently follows her own aesthetic line, which combines art, the landscape of Iceland, materiality and emotions. Anyone who loves Nordic-clear, atmospheric and artfully created fragrances should definitely take a closer look at the Andrea Maack brand. I have compiled all previous articles about the label here for you to read and find out more:
- Það er frábært! Andrea Maacks “Coal”
- The coven in the ice of the tundra by Andrea Maack
- Lightsource and Entrance by Andrea Maack – News from the land of fire and ice
- Spring fragrances: a colorful bouquet from Trudon, Andrea Maack Parfums, Pierre Guillaume and more
- Pavilion and Magma by Andrea Maack Parfums – to the land of fire and ice
- Top 5 spring fragrances – Julia’s favourite perfumes for spring
- Osmo, Zing and Jest by Andrea Maack – Iceland to the power of 3
- Flux by Andrea Maack – A fragrance like liquid moonlight
Muse – Floral anniversary fragrance
For her 10th anniversary, Andrea Maack was in the mood for a floral fragrance. As she herself writes, Muse is the “first real floral fragrance” in her portfolio. Maack commissioned perfumer Domitille Michalon Bertier, who is known for her extraordinary floral fragrances, to create the fragrance. Gardenia – the Icelandic artist’s favorite flower – was used as the central blossom and combined with mango, coconut, pink pepper, vetch, sandalwood, cedarwood and cashmere wood.
Muse by Andrea Maack put to the test
Muse by Andrea Maack radiates very lightly and lucidly from my skin. Tropical fruits meet the dry, milky-powdery notes of coconut in the opening of the extrait de parfum. Pink pepper adds tingling, spicy accents, albeit very subliminal and subtle. Are the first woody notes already appearing here? Very light, airy and minimalist, I think I can detect them in the background. And, of course, the flowers are already on the fragrance stage. The gardenia in radiant white, very restrained. Its floral creaminess is underscored by sweet vetch. The creation ends with the gentle, cozy facets of light and soft woods.
Muse is an extrait de parfum that combines clean, minimalist, tropical-summery nuances. Exotic fruity accents – I can somehow also smell pineapple – meet milky coconut, creamy flowers and cozy woods, evoking an atmosphere that is incredibly gentle, optimistic and carefree. Testing this fragrance is like a fragrant short vacation. With a rather light to medium presence, the creation is wonderfully suitable for all occasions and events in the warmer months of the year. Incidentally, the longevity is very good, which is remarkable for such a light and minimalist composition. My tip: definitely try it out!
Neon Veil – The veil of the future
Neon Veil was also created by Domitille Michalon Bertier. The latest creation by Icelandic artist Andrea Maack is dedicated to our modern world and the new, the strange: “A fragrance born from the idea of a near dystopian future in which human emotions and artificial intelligence collide. In a world increasingly characterized by artificial intelligence and digital identities, Neon Veil shows what a fragrance could be like in the future – free, unbound and full of electrifying optimism.”
When reading this text, I immediately had powerful, lush, rough, dark fragrance notes in the back of my mind, as two very contrasting worlds collide here. However, the extrait de parfum is actually composed of the notes pink pepper, ambergris, orange blossom, iris, cedarwood and musk. So it’s not a brute fragrance apocalypse, but presumably a thoroughly harmonious encounter.
In the test: Neon Veil by Andrea Maack
Neon Veil is cool, delicate, airy and musky-molecular and therefore very different from what I expected. Clean, minimalist, skin-like and clear, the fragrance reminds me of the powdery snow that is currently lying here, which is as fluffy and fine as I have never experienced before. In brilliant white, I perceive crystalline musk, powdery iris and light cedarwood, nuanced with delicate orange accents and the tingling spiciness of pepper. All of this takes place on a very transparent, very airy and very close to the skin level. The creation covers the skin like a veil, enveloping, soothing and calming.
Neon Veil by Andrea Maack is an olfactory fragrance that is clean, minimalist and understated. A fragrance that melts into the skin and remains very personal and intimate. Ideal for those who prefer soft, subtle and bright white creations with subtle fresh-underwear vibes that can be worn for every occasion and every occasion. Despite its lightness, I find the extrait de parfum to be very long-lasting. Attention fans of clean fragrances! You should definitely keep Neon Veil in mind.
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