Etat Libre d’Orange Secretions Magnifiques : Perfume Review

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Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.

Whether you love or hate Etat Libre d’Orange Sécrétions Magnifiques, one thing is true—it cannot leave you indifferent. A composition that blends the accords of milk and blood, it is certainly not a crowd pleaser, nor a fragrance you would wear on a first date (unless your intentions do not go beyond that one night.) This is not because Sécrétions Magnifiques is a repellent scent, but because the message it sends forth is one of raw power. Its potent sensuality makes it both fascinating and challenging. …

Created by perfumer Antoine Lie, Sécrétions Magnifiques may appear quite innocuous—transparent, marine and delicately floral. It presents a subtle, almost soothing first impression. Yet, give it a few moments, and the character becomes rather surprising—metallic and creamy, salty and astringent.

It never ventures into an unsavory realm, never hints too much at unpleasant bodily emissions, yet one cannot help but draw associations. It may remind one of the scent of kisses on warm skin, or of something else far more risqué. That is besides the point. The most important thing is that among the entire Etat Libre d’Orange line, Sécrétions Magnifiques strikes me as one of the most creative compositions. One can forget about the entire concept of the line, and the fragrance still manages to spark the imagination and to make one think about scent in a new way. So, what of its unconventionality? I, for one, do not mind that at all. I would rather be challenged than be bored.

Sécrétions Magnifiques features iodized accord (includes Azurone), adrenaline accord, blood accord, milk accord, iris, coconut, sandalwood and opoponax. For additional information on availability, please see my overview of Etat Libre d’Orange line.

Next: review of Putain des Palaces.

Photo: L’Amour des Trois by Stefa Zozokovich.

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42 Comments

  • Leopoldo: It’s actually making me feel a little queasy thinking about it… more the iodised accord than the blood or milk (blilk?).

    But try it I have to! January 8, 2007 at 12:26pm Reply

  • violetnoir: Fascinating…scintillating…almost scandalous!

    I hope a US etailer picks up this line soon, because I want to test it!

    Hugs! January 8, 2007 at 12:27pm Reply

  • Robin: A tantalizing review, am so curious to try this one. I’d rather be challenged than bored too! January 8, 2007 at 4:03pm Reply

  • Martika: The prices are VERY reasonable:

    27 EUR for 30 ml (1 oz)
    29 EUR for 50 ml (1.7 oz)
    49 EUR (if my memory is good) for 100 ml (3.4 oz)

    I did not like Secretions Magnifiques, found it too weird. I look forward to your Putain des Palaces review, it is one of my favourites from Etat Libre d’Orange. January 8, 2007 at 4:45pm Reply

  • Martika: oops… I mistyped the price of the 50 ml, it is actually 39 EUR (NOT 29!) January 8, 2007 at 4:46pm Reply

  • carmencanada: I wonder how this would smell layered with something more classic?
    For prices, here’s a link to an article in French (http://www.femmesplus.fr/mag-femme.6.13758.html) stating that the starting price is 27 euros, which is indeed very reasonable.
    I’ll be going there with Cait (Legerdenez) as soon as she gets to Paris… January 8, 2007 at 4:49pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: I have my own associations of milk and iodine (not such good ones–I have to drink iodized milk in the aftermath of Chernobyl accident in Ukraine, as it was believed that this helped body to get rid of ionizing radiation), but suprisingly, none of this prevented me from being fascinated with this fragrance. I really was prepared for the worse. January 8, 2007 at 12:35pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: R, it will be coming to the US soon, from what I have read, so I think that within the next month you will be able to find it here. January 8, 2007 at 12:36pm Reply

  • Tigs: V, I can’t seem to find out from the website how expensive these are? January 8, 2007 at 1:50pm Reply

  • Judith: “‘Tis not your whore’s milk that shall quench my wildfire / but your whore’s blood,” Ferdinand in John Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi.

    Sorry, I couldn’t help it; this line kept running through my head as I read your review. Clearly, I need to taste, um, smell, this–it sounds fascinating–and perhaps bring it to class for a sniff and tell (or perhaps not)! January 8, 2007 at 6:52pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: Tigs, I do not think that there is a shopping portion there. I do not recall the prices when I went to the boutique in Paris, but I remember that they were not outrageous. I hope that one of our Parisians can fill us in.

    Of course, I would imagine that there will be a mark-up by the time the line gets to the US. January 8, 2007 at 2:04pm Reply

  • March: I find myself wanting to smell this immediately.

    When you refer to metallic and creamy, salty and astringent … in feel, is it anything at all like, say, Eau de Merveilles, which I find to be alluringly salty/fishy/risque after a more subtle start? January 8, 2007 at 8:16pm Reply

  • March: I find myself wanting to smell this immediately.

    When you refer to metallic and creamy, salty and astringent … in feel, is it anything at all like, say, Eau de Merveilles, which I find to be alluringly salty/fishy/risque after a more subtle start? January 8, 2007 at 9:26pm Reply

  • March: whoops — sorry for the double post! January 8, 2007 at 9:26pm Reply

  • Tigs: Well, thanks, Parisian friend (and V!) Yay, thse are very reasonable prices and I love to see smaller bottles available as well. I will have to grab one or two when I am in Paris next month. January 8, 2007 at 5:16pm Reply

  • Odorifera: Both Masai and early Irish culture have a practice of mixing blood and milk and consuming it. That’s what reading this made me think of! January 8, 2007 at 10:40pm Reply

  • Marina: Marine? Milk? I am scared now. More so than when I thought it would be fecal anf indolic and god knows what else 🙂 But I am very intrigued. I can’t believe how reasonable the prices are. Hopefully they will be sold here soon and the prices would stay just as reasonable 🙂 January 8, 2007 at 6:55pm Reply

  • Gaia, the non-blonde: My vegetarian heart is scared, but the mind wants to be challenged. I will sniff it as soon as possible. January 8, 2007 at 11:13pm Reply

  • aryse: Hi Victoria,
    Your description of “Secretions magnifiques” is so perfect that one has the impression of humer this fragrance. It is not my preferred at Etat libre d’Orange (I prefer “Putain des palaces” or “vraie blonde”) but it should be recognized that its composition is really innovative January 9, 2007 at 4:20am Reply

  • Sisonne: Dear V,
    I just read your review & feel strangely impressed ;). I don´t know if I like the scent, but it seems to be very sniff-worthy!!! I´m a big fan of MKK which lots of people find too weird to wear, so I think SM – what an abbreviation…:D – could please me, too. January 9, 2007 at 7:30am Reply

  • Donald: I have Jasmin and cigarette on one hand and Sécrétion magnifique on the other. If J&C starts like a jasmine, I like how it finished. It is very edible! But not the usual candy. Original.
    For SM, I find it very acid very metal. For me, it is very far from the odor of the skin or male or female secretions. This perfume is very cold! “Fresh” milk is not very present for me. This perfume, makes me thought of Dry cleaning or, I believe rather, of the Soda of Comme des Garçons. This same synthetic and frozen side. Very difficult to wear, more one intellectual interest that a physical pleasure. January 9, 2007 at 12:50pm Reply

  • Sisonne: Yeas, I do believe that they aren´t similar at all, I just ment that I appreciate unusual fragrances, that´s why I really want to test this one 😉 January 9, 2007 at 2:42pm Reply

  • Donald: Yes, the jasmine goes away and there remains a perfume very “savory” banana but really not sweetened. Near to the paste of muffins with banana but more complex. I like the heart and the end more than the head. January 9, 2007 at 3:25pm Reply

  • Elle: This is w/out doubt a scent I must try, but I have doubts about whether or not I shall need to own it, since I’ve never done well w/ iodized accords in scents (one of the Montales springs to mind). Still, I can’t wait to try it after your review. 🙂 January 9, 2007 at 7:01pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: R, that is my credo. 😉 January 9, 2007 at 2:09pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: Martika, thank you very much! These prices are indeed very reasonable. January 9, 2007 at 2:09pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: Martika, thank you for clarifying. It is still a great price! January 9, 2007 at 2:10pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: D, I cannot wait to hear your thoughts! January 9, 2007 at 2:10pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: Tigs, I know, now I wish I acquired a couple of extra bottles. I know a few people who might love Jasmin et Cigarette. January 9, 2007 at 2:11pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: Judith, how I love the fact that you are quoting The Duchess of Malfi. Thank you for making my day! 🙂 January 9, 2007 at 2:12pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: Marina, yes, I can imagine why. However, this is a fascinating combination. I agree with Donald below that it is not easy to wear, but it is fascinating. January 9, 2007 at 2:13pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: March, it has a tinge of saltiness, but it seems to be of rather different character than that of Eau des Merveilles. I would not compare them. January 9, 2007 at 2:14pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: Odorifera, there is a Russian expression “krov’ s molokom,” meaning “blood with milk.” It is used to describe someone’s radiant and healthy complexion. January 9, 2007 at 2:15pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: Gaia, would you be more scared if I say that it is meant to be human blood? 🙂 January 9, 2007 at 2:16pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: Aryse, I completely agree. My favourite fragrance from the line to wear is Putain des Palaces. Vrai Blonde is another beautiful one. Secretions Magnifiques strikes me as the most original one, however. January 9, 2007 at 2:17pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: Dear C, I do not think that they are similar at all. They are both unusual, but that is where the similarity ends for me. January 9, 2007 at 2:18pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: Donald, that is a great way to describe it. It is cold and damp to me. I find it fascinating, but not exactly easy to wear.

    Did the savoury-musky aspect appear to you in Jasmin et Cigarette? I have it on my wrist right now, and once the jasmine is gone, that is the only thing I notice. January 9, 2007 at 2:20pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: C, I cannot wait to hear your thoughts on SM! It is definitely for someone who appreciates the unusual. January 9, 2007 at 2:46pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: Donald, thank you! I am looking forward to your comments on other fragrances. January 12, 2007 at 12:54pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: Elle, I would be curious how it works on you. I do find it difficult to wear, although it intrigues me enough to try. January 12, 2007 at 12:55pm Reply

  • moon_fish: I`d rather say that it`s the smell of Mermaid from Andersen tale. Fishy, metallic and milky 🙂 January 28, 2007 at 3:20am Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: Great way to describe it! I love this metaphor. January 29, 2007 at 12:29pm Reply

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