Cuir InfraRouge by Maison Crivelli

At first, it’s an incredible raspberry syrup that then yields to leather and oud, although the leather lingers while the oud fades and the raspberry returns with the less coarse leather thanks to the cinnamon. That’s the best phase. It’s more wearable than Oud Maracuyà; anything that isn’t pure oud is more ‘light’. Both share those raw, strong ingredients from Crivelli, but here there’s a unique veil. It’s not groundbreaking, it’s a quality leather with a raspberry twist that everyone will like. Safe blind buy if you like leather. It’s beast mode, lasts long, and projects strongly. Be careful with the sprays, it sticks to clothes and hands, and you have to shower to remove it. Don’t use it in summer 🙂

Rich. Although it resembles Oud Maracuyà, this smells richer and is more wearable, meaning more mass-appealing. It’s super potent but spectacular, 10/10

The first 5 seconds are sweet raspberry syrup with a fresh citrus touch and subtle cinnamon in the background. Then the leather comes up, but it stays soft and elegant, clean. Afterwards, vanilla and iris emerge, lowering the leather and blending everything perfectly. It smells like soft, fruity, and sweet leather with an iris touch. I don’t really detect the oud. It’s a very pleasant scent, but I think the French brand didn’t take enough risks and it came out simple and for everyone, less complex than it could be. Compared to Oud Maracuyà, this doesn’t resemble it as much; the other has more nuances, an acidic passion fruit, more present leather, and a notable oud. Still, I like it a lot and give it a 9. I’m not sure if I should buy the full bottle, for now I’m sticking with a 10ml vial.

Marvelous. My head exploded when I tried it, and the next day I ordered the bottle. It’s an elegant, refined leather softened with raspberry and a slight cinnamon at the start. Longevity and projection are extremely high, ideal for this autumn season with fresh air and rain. Magnificent creation by Jordi Fernández for Crivelli. As an aside, it was created last year exclusively for Selfridges in London, but due to its success, the Maison relaunched it internationally since September. For me, it’s superior to Oud Maracuyà, Oud Stallion, and Oud Cadenza from the same house and perfumer. Addictive and your surroundings will love it.

A month ago, Cuir Infrarouge was only available at Selfridges for 205 pounds—a fortune. I was tempted, but reviews comparing it to Oud Maracuja stopped me. Buying expensive and risking it being identical to another pricey scent wasn’t something I could afford. I passed. When it launched globally on September 4th, I had no excuse left. It was a Thursday, so I waited until Saturday to avoid being the first in line. I headed to Rinascente, did the ritual of smelling it with the sales assistant, and the decision was made. Yes, it smelled like Oud Maracuja. Call me crazy, but I bought it. Wearing it, I felt a sweet-and-sour, enveloping sensation. It smelled like a rainbow, yes, but very similar to OM. Like dipping my head into a basin of Eden’s red fruits. I thought I’d made an impulse buy. I wore it on weekends hoping for a miracle. Not at work, because I like to go unnoticed; wearing it feels like carrying a real-life Las Vegas neon light. My girlfriend said they didn’t resemble each other at all. I wish she’d smoked so I could blame her nose, but neither of us smokes. A few days later, the miracle happened. I normally use 4 sprays, but CI is so potent that just 2 on the neck were enough. I was annoyed I couldn’t bring my wrist close to my nose. So I took a gamble: one on each side of the neck and one on the wrist. Boom! A wonderful leather explosion. Leather, leather, and more leather. Maybe it’s biochemistry, but suddenly it was a different perfume, nothing like OM, perhaps more like Oud Stallion. The red fruits were in the background, harmonized with the leather—a perfect composition that makes me want to wear nothing else. Poor other perfumes. I don’t regret buying it, only not buying it sooner. Plus, it gave me a perfect excuse to fly to London. Ains.

Upon trying Cuir InfraRouge, I found a spectacular blend of sweet and juicy raspberry with elegant and deep leather, accompanied by a dark oud and a touch of iris that softens everything. For me, it creates a fruity-dark, sophisticated, and balanced aroma, nothing rough, rather enveloping and luxurious. On my skin, it lasts 12 hours and projects intensely for the first 4 to 6 hours, leaving an interesting smoky halo. Due to its sweet, woody, and spicy character, I enjoy it more in cool climates, although I have also used it in heat and was surprised by how well it works. What I highlight most is the quality of the raspberry-leather-oud-iris blend, its sexy and elegant character, and the potency. The only negative is its exclusivity and price, which make it less accessible, plus not everyone enjoys the subsequent smoky touch. For me, it’s a huge perfume hit: intense, refined, and with personality. If you have the chance to try it, I believe it can become one of the greats in your collection.

Extraordinary! A fruity opening that is not cloying. Refreshing. Red fruit plus bergamot which adds a lot. Then the Oud and leather in the MC style appear to close a work of art. For me, 10/10 on scent and longevity. There is no bad Maison Crivelli!