Secretions Magnifiques by Etat Libre d'Orange : Perfume Review

Whether you love or hate 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 Givaudan 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 unsavoury 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.

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!

[violetnoir]

Fascinating...scintillating...almost scandalous!

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

Hugs!

[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.

[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.

[Tigs]

V, I can't seem to find out from the website how expensive these are?

[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.

[Robin]

A tantalizing review, am so curious to try this one. I'd rather be challenged than bored too!

[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.

[Martika]

oops... I mistyped the price of the 50 ml, it is actually 39 EUR (NOT 29!)

[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...

[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.

[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)!

[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 :-)

[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?

[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?

[March]

whoops -- sorry for the double post!

[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!

[Gaia, the non-blonde]

My vegetarian heart is scared, but the mind wants to be challenged. I will sniff it as soon as possible.

[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

[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.

[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.

[BoisdeJasmin]

R, that is my credo. ;)

[BoisdeJasmin]

Martika, thank you very much! These prices are indeed very reasonable.

[BoisdeJasmin]

Martika, thank you for clarifying. It is still a great price!

[BoisdeJasmin]

D, I cannot wait to hear your thoughts!

[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.

[BoisdeJasmin]

Judith, how I love the fact that you are quoting The Duchess of Malfi. Thank you for making my day! :)

[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.

[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.

[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.

[BoisdeJasmin]

Gaia, would you be more scared if I say that it is meant to be human blood? :)

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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 ;)

[BoisdeJasmin]

C, I cannot wait to hear your thoughts on SM! It is definitely for someone who appreciates the unusual.

[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.

[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. :-)

[BoisdeJasmin]

Donald, thank you! I am looking forward to your comments on other fragrances.

[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.

[moon_fish]

I`d rather say that it`s the smell of Mermaid from Andersen tale. Fishy, metallic and milky :)

[BoisdeJasmin]

Great way to describe it! I love this metaphor.