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In this post, I wanted to talk to you about the Discovery Set by Escentric Molecule I’ve bought from Liberty.
The Set is composed of Iso E Super mixed with different notes: Molecule 01 + Patchouli, Molecule 01 + Iris, and finally Molecule 01 + Mandarin. The size of these Eau de Toilette is 8.5 ml.
Molecule 01 + Iris
This is my favorite. The Iris used is a natural extract from various varieties of Iris roots. The main one is the “Pallida Absolute” variety. It is one of the rarest and most expensive Iris extracts used in perfumery. You can smell it, but not in an overly sweet or nauseating way. Instead, it has a slight creamy and powdery note that I would like to describe as vintage, perhaps thanks to the woody or maybe more earthy note. The latter might be enhanced by Iso E Super, which is known for its olfactory characteristics reminiscent of cedarwood.
Unfortunately, while trying to take photos, I dropped and broke my Molecule 01 + Iris, so I couldn’t extensively test it. Regarding longevity and sillage, I have to say that despite being a very minimalistic perfume, it’s fantastic. I continue to smell it for several hours, both when I move and on my clothes. It’s a unisex perfume, and I think it’s one of the best you can try because it allows your skin and “personality” to shine, elevating and making it more intriguing, if possible.
From the box description: This is a luxury Iris, used here in a very subtle way. It’s one of the most expensive ingredients in perfumery, so it’s quite radical to use so much of it in a perfume. The sillage is fantastic, it’s a bomb, but a “subtle” bomb.
I absolutely agree with this description. It’s delicate but at the same time distinctive and unique. It’s one of those perfumes that will be noticed by the people around you in an elegant way and that you’ll continue to feel on yourself without being “overbearing.”
I always let my boyfriend smell the perfumes I’m studying. His usual verdict is, “It seems like an ordinary perfume.” With Molecule 01 + Iris, was the only one who appreciated it, judging it as “Very unique and good.”
Molecule 01 + Mandarin
Moving on to Molecule 01 + Mandarin. The extract is that of mandarins. If you really like citrusy perfumes and adore (like me) Molecule 01, then this one is for you. I don’t find it as persistent and long-lasting as Molecule 01 + Iris. Right after spraying, the mandarin peel is very strong, but it dissipates to leave room for a very subtle hint of citrus combined with Iso E Super. It’s the ideal perfume for people whose skin turns perfumes too sweet. I have a friend who has this “issue,” and she would love this perfume. A minimalist and citrusy perfume.
Molecule 01 + Patchouli
Here I would say that enthusiasts of minimalist and woody perfumes might fall in love. It’s composed of Iso E Super and the extract of two varieties of Patchouli plant leaves Patchouli Coeur and Indonesian Patchouli.
The first one is what gives a clean and soft note to the perfume. I didn’t fall in love, but it’s simply because I’m getting used to this new variant of Patchouli for now. Perhaps one of the best I’ve smelled because it’s not too camphorous, maybe one of the cleanest and lightest versions I’ve ever smelled.
Conclusions
As you may have gathered, my heart was taken by Molecule 01 + Iris. In any case, the Discovery Set in general as an idea should be a must for all brands. 8.5ml is a reasonable and affordable quantity to fully understand and test if a perfume is right for you.
An important factor to remember is that these perfumes are primarily composed of a single molecule plus a natural ingredient. Your skin will be an immensely determining factor in the final result of what you’ll smell.
In conclusion, Escentic Molecule as a perfumery house is, for me, the most exciting discovery of recent years, and with these new additions, it confirms the genius of the perfumer Geza Schoen.