Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Thierry Mugler Angel Eau de Parfum review

          Today's the day I face my fears and finally write about Thierry Mugler Angel Eau de Parfum. As someone who typically enjoys light florals,  the oriental gourmand fragrance's expansive list of notes and patchouli-heavy character was certainly intimidating. However, Angel is one of those fragrances one should really experience at some point in life; after all, the perfume (created in 1992), was inducted into the FiFi Awards Hall of Fame in 2007.

             Thierry Mugler is known for crafting fragrances inspired by fantasy. Eva Mendes (seen in the photos) is the current face of the Thierry Mugler Angel campaigns, after replacing Naomi Watts in 2011. The multicolor sequined dress, the cosmic flashes of light in the shape of wings, and the sultry look of Eva herself all combine to create a sense of sensory overload that is not unlike the fragrance itself. Thierry Mugle Angel Eau de Parfum is packaged in a beautiful asymmetric star that appears stretched out, as if it's getting ready to warp into space. The star can be refilled with decants of Theirry Mugler Angel, which is eco-friendly and adds to the fancy of having a personal shooting star.

Notes: melon, coconut, mandarin orange, cassia, jasmine, bergamot, cotton candy, honey, apricot, blackberry, plum, orchid, peach, jasmine, lily-of-the-valley, red berries, rose, tonka bean, amber, patchouli, musk, vanilla, dark chocolate, caramel.
         The Thierry Mugler Angel experience has a dreamlike character, where childhood memories are drawn out through the litany of notes. Overall, I would describe Angel as a voluptuous scent with fleshy fruits and vanilla caramel sweetness, underscored by generous helpings of dry cocoa powder and patchouli. Thierry Mugler Angel Eau de Parfum opens with dewy fruits enmeshed with a sticky candy sweetness. The fruity burst is an unusual combination of melon and tropical fruits; I get a good helping of honeydew, citrus, and coconut. Likewise, the sweetness is a full combination of the gourmand greats : vanilla, caramel, and tonka; the lot is more delectable than the sum of its parts. Over time, the fruits transition into their more dark fleshed varieties, namely plums and blackberries. As the fragrance draws out further, I get a distinct nectarine and hints of apricot. The base of the fragrance is dominated by a dry cocoa scent and patchouli that run throughout. (Angel does have a reputation of being a patchouli bomb). There are honeyed aspects as well, and a spritz of amber spice. I'm too distracted by the other scents to piece apart the floral notes, which quietly fill in the seams and add to the background ambiance. However, if I had to guess, soft jasmine, orchid, and rose are likely candidates.


         Thierry Mugler Angel Eau de Parfum is a sweet and voluptuous scent filled with a cornucopia of fruits and flowers to add intrigue. Smoky patchouli wafts up old memories, while chocolate adds comfort. I tend to prefer more straightforward scents and find Angel a bit overwhelming, but I can respect its creation; it's impressive that a fragrance can hold together so many individual scents without devolving into a stew. With so many component scents, I think each individual will experience a different emphasis dependent upon unconscious proclivities molded by memory. Though Thierry Mugler Angel is resplendent with fruits and sweet smells, I wouldn't call it childish; though it's weighty and complex, I wouldn't call it elegant. Angel is in a category of its own, and is certainly worth a sniff. Thanks for reading! Have you tried Thierry Mugler Angel? What are your thoughts? Are you a patchouli person?

Love, Dovey.

P.S.  It is worth noting that Thierry Mugler Angel Eau de Parfum should be differentiated from the Eau de Toilette version. The Eau de Toilette was launched in 2011; while it has similar notes, it is not the exact same scent!

12 comments:

  1. I don't remember sniffing this one, but I do remember Womanity. It is probably the strangest perfume I've ever smelled, but I certainly don't dislike it! From your descriptions I suspect Angel is also just as unique!

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    1. Hi Sunny, thanks for refreshing my memory--- I'd forgotten about Womanity!

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  2. I love this scent (EdP), I would call it one of my signature scents :) I find it quite unique and just adorable! I am on my second bottle and would buy it again of course :) / Claire

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    1. Hi Claire, that's awesome! I'm glad I managed to write a bout one of your favorites--- it's definitely unique :)

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  3. I really loved this scent and it still brings up some serious nostalgia, but I once sat on an 8-hour flight next to a woman who had showered in this and I think it sort of ruined it for me. I can see myself keeping a rollerball handy for a whiff every now and then though.

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    1. Hi Procrastinator- that does seem like serious overexposure! Hopefully you'll be able to enjoy it again!

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  4. I use to think I hated patchouli until I smelled it used correctly. Angel is a bit much for me and Alien surprisingly softer, have you smelled it?

    Great review. I need to face my fears and do more fragrance reviews - it's challenging, no? It's just so subjective and our noses detect scents others don't or we just define it differently than what others may think.

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  5. I used to love it very much. Very French and young. Now I grow older, I don't feel that attached to it but it's still a fabulous scent.

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  6. Dovey, I have to tell you that you do some of the most impressive and detailed perfume reviews I've ever seen on a (primarily) makeup blog! Angel is waaay too much for me, but I LOVED the Angel A Taste of Fragrance flanker which came out last year. It really enhanced the cocoa note- smelled just like baking chocolate! Thank you for a great review.

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  7. LOL I feel exactly the same, Dovey! I am VERY much a floral person but the thought of Thierry Mugler's Angel has always scared me :P Patchouli, amber, and musk heavy scents have never been my bag, so this one does not appeal to me in the slightest. I AM curious to smell it in person now, though, after reading your review :P

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  8. Angel is (or was) a strong scent for my taste, but I do remember it was my mom's favorite and it really suited her well. I did however used its younger sister, angel innocent, oh and I still love that smell. I am gonna grab a nice valentine's day pack if I can get a chance :)

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  9. You know what? I had no idea that this smells sweet. The packaging looks nothing like how it sounds. I always thought it'd be heavy on musk and spicy for some reason. Odd, eh?

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