Lost Alice by Masque Milano

What a beautiful thing! It’s a stroll through a tea-drinking bohemian gathering who, however bohemian they may be, still follow strict etiquette rules. It’s a softer, dustier, and more delicate version of Wonderland, where English Victorian civilization prevails over chaos. The perfume is as beautiful as few gourmands I’ve ever smelled. It’s black tea with milk, accompanied by cake and small sandwiches. The guests aren’t wearing perfume, but baby powder. The longevity is good, but the sillage is minimal; in my opinion, this makes it even more special. I bought a 5ml decant, but I’m tempted to buy the 30ml or 100ml. Every time I wear it, I feel like a character from a book, whether a lady in an Empire dress or a woman who wore trousers before they were accepted, discussing philosophy over black tea.

This house is an absolute wonder. I bought the discovery set (which is a steal) and I was dying to try them all. WOW, my head was blown away by almost all of them. Lost Alice delivers exactly what it promises: a fantasy made into perfume, a childhood delirium of colors and shapes. It’s sweet and salty, a milky cake of pepper and orris. An olfactory madness that transports you to a parallel world of nonsensical but very pleasant contrasts. You have to try it; it’s extremely complex, nothing traditional. It’s novel and groundbreaking, yet not challenging, so I doubt many would dislike it. Like a Disney movie, it might not be your genre, but you can’t deny it’s beautiful. Unisex, though I feel the feminine side is more drawn to it. The development is intimate, long-lasting but close, like a caress.

My first blind buy from Masque Milano. I was choosing between this and Madeleine, and I went with this because the notes suggested something new for my collection and the Alice theme was too attractive. The packaging is a matte black cylinder with gold lettering and story details in glossy black. The notes are labeled ‘eat me’, ‘drink me’, and ‘smell me’—nothing cuter! The scent is very niche and challenging: lots of pepper, ambrette musk with a sweaty touch, carrot, and something I imagine is angelica. At first, it reminded me a lot of Baruti’s Dama Koupa; in its mid-drydown, Lost Alice is how I wish Dama Koupa sounded on my skin, without that sharp fir phase. At half an hour, a creamy orris appears, giving a sweet powdery accord, soft as a veil, alongside the black tea. It’s like having a table with carrot cake and freshly brewed milk tea. Finally, the sandalwood is the cherry on top, like smelling sweet carrot cream. Sillage and longevity are moderate, but I don’t need more; these scents are better when intimate. Wow, fascinated by the tour Lost Alice took me on. Successful blind buy.

I received a decant of this wonder yesterday. Delicious, enigmatic, and unisex. That milky touch mixed with sandalwood and white rose gives it a distinguished performance, ideal to wear with a glass of wine. Perfect for night and cold weather. Excellent longevity, though with moderate projection. If you’re looking for something eccentric, this isn’t it. It’s the epitome of niche perfume. Rating: 9.5/10.