Lost Alice by Masque Milano

My first blind buy from Masque Milano. I chose this over Madeleine because the notes promised something new and the Alice theme had me hooked. The box is matte black with gold letters and story details in glossy black; the notes are labeled ‘eat me’, ‘drink me’, and ‘smell me’, so cute! The scent is very niche and challenging for someone who’s been at this for months: lots of pepper, ambrette musk with a sweaty touch, carrot, and something that kicks me at the start, I think it’s angelica. The first few minutes reminded me of Baruti’s Dama Koupa; in its mid-drydown, Lost Alice is how I wished Dama Koupa sounded on my skin, without that sharp and metallic fir phase. Then, at half an hour, a creamy orris appears with a perfectly balanced sweet powdery accord, soft, like a caress, alongside the black tea, giving it an incredible characteristic. It’s like sitting at a table with a piece of carrot cake and a cup of tea with a splash of freshly boiled milk. The sandalwood is the cherry on top, like smelling sweet and tender carrot cream. Sillage and longevity are moderate, but I don’t need more; this type of scent is better when intimate. Wow, fascinated by the tour Lost Alice took me on. Successful blind buy.

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 amazing) eager to try them all, and 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 pleasant contrasts. You have to try it; it’s complex, nothing classic, novel and groundbreaking, yet not challenging, so I doubt anyone 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.

I received a decant of this wonder yesterday. Delicious, enigmatic, and unisex. That milky touch mixed with sandalwood and white rose gives it an ideal distinguished performance 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.