With a name like “Coco Blanc” and a note list that reads like a dessert menu, one would expect for House of Matriarch Coco Blanc to smell like any typical gourmand, right? Well, it isn’t. This is an all-natural gourmand. And since so many gourmands rely on aromachemicals that smell like cotton candy, Coco Blanc isn’t going to come across like any of those gourmands you know. I’d actually argue that Coco Blanc isn’t a gourmand at all, but I don’t want to exert the energy arguing. I’d rather review this perfume!
Coco Blanc opens as dry spices and sandalwood. The spices really do come across like masala chai – a warm blend of ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove and pepper. As it wears, it becomes creamier. Yet, not in that typical vanilla custard way. This is like a creamy sandalwood and palo santo with a milky massoia. It’s woods and not a dessert. It eventually dries down to that same woodsy theme of the heart except the massoia wears more like a dry coconut shell than milk. There’s also an addition of a soft musk. For most of the wear, Coco Bland is a balsamic sandalwood on me.
Coco Blanc is my favorite from the House of Matriarch line. It’s creamy woods and warm spices. It’s as luxurious as a pair of cashmere socks. Let me run with this cashmere sock analogy. Cashmere socks are luxurious but they aren’t a statement piece. People looking at your outfit have no clue you’re wearing them. Coco Blanc is cozy and comforting but it’s not a powerhouse scent nor is it complex. It’s rather linear. But, the notes are intuitive and work so well together, even if the combination isn’t “daring”. It’s one of those luxuries that no one else will notice, but that doesn’t matter. You wear this for you. Oh, and like cashmere socks, this perfume is really expensive.
Notes listed include white chocolate, Hawaiian vanilla, massoia, sandalwood, ambrette and chai spices. Launched in 2013. PERFUMER – Christi Meshell
Give Coco Blanc a try if you like sandalwood or chai perfumes. Or perfumes like Baruti Chai, Fleurage Vanilla Chai, Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black, Diptyque Tam Dao and/or Malle par Dries van Noten.
Projection and longevity are below average. This perfume wears very closely to the skin.
The 1.7 oz retails for $330 at House of Matriarch. Other sizes and samples are available for purchase.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Creamy chai masala and sandalwood. It’s a spicy, milky, woodsy comfort scent. It’s like wearing a cozy sweater or a pair socks you have to hand wash.
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*Disclaimer – Sample provided by the brand. I am not financially compensated for my reviews. My opinions are my own. Product pic from Fragrantica. Priscilla Presley pic from crazyshenanigans.com. Nordstrom contains an affiliate link. Thanks!
Sounds really wonderful – and the bottle is gorgeous. But, ouch – any smaller sizes? And my daughter’s doggie chewed holes in my cashmere socks when he was a puppy. But I kept them anyway. So now I have cashmere socks with holes…
They do have smaller sizes! And they’re also expensive, lol. BUT there are smaller sizes. So, that’s great because most of these sort of brands do not give us options.
The same thing happened to a pair of mine. I was in one of those down-and-out moods and picked up a pair on my way home. I was so excited that I put them on as soon as I got home. Then walked around, etc. I took them off and Frink managed to get them and chewed on the seems. I literally didn’t even own the things for 5 hours before they ruined. I repaired them and handwash, but geez, this is why I can’t have nice things.
Oh no! Too funny, the allure of cashmere socks is even for cats and dogs. I’m wearing mine now, holes and all. Did think maybe I could try repairing them.
It will have to be a while before another perfume purchase – just bought NR Fleur Musc, so so pretty – great everyday fragrance for me. And there was also that Natori buy. But this does sound really pretty – just got our FM Dries van Noten, I wear it some but it can have a weird note at times.
Frink can’t resist textiles. That lil punk has left me with vet bills because of his inability to resist socks.
That DvN is terrible on me. BUT other people can wear it and it smells good. I have yet to figure out why my skin makes it smell literally rotten.
Ouch indeed. I failed to try this one back when it wasn’t so expensive, and now it’s just a bit much… I draw my limit somewhere around 250 for a bottle… and that has to be a damn fine perfume. Ahhh, but you make it sound so lovely! There are several others from HoM that also look so intriguing… maybe I’ll just have to shell out the money for some samples and see what happens.
I, too, have personal price restrictions. I’m fortunate enough that brands send me samples and stuff. But, it’s also unfortunate in that it lets me try things that I’ll never buy because of my own set limits!
Always start with samples 😉 I noticed that I’m on their mailing list and HoM does seem to offer coupons/sales every now and then. That’s worth paying attention to if you ever think about making a purchase.