House of Matriarch Forbidden is a perfume potion created from “historically powerful, feared and even outlawed aromatics“. If you read the note list, you can see that theme.
Forbidden opens as a ripe “juicy” floral. It’s fruity yet green, reminding me of tomato leaves and wild berries. The heart of Forbidden is a woodsy tuberose and nag champa. It dries down to woods – slightly smoky woods.
Fobridden reminds me of what one of my friend’s house smelled like back in the day – stale marijuana smoke, indoor herb garden and nag champa. And for some reason, I like Forbidden because of this.
Forbidden is a challenging perfume. It’s unusual yet familiar. I can also imagine that it wears very differently depending on the wearer, making it a difficult one to discuss. On me, it’s like a “green” nag champa that reminds me of “hippie houses”.
Contains absinthe, damiana (a prohibited plant in Louisiana), tuberose, lantana, cannabis, wild mushroom, cypriol (nagarmotha), pepper blend, precious woods, snake leather (for realz snake skin, ya’ll) and baked earth. Launched 2012. PERFUMER – Christi Meshell
Give Forbidden a try if you are looking for a woodsy floral. Or if you like perfumes like Aftelier Cepes et Tuberose,nag champa, Aedes de Venustas EDP and/or Annick Goutal Passion. Forbidden is unisex.
Projection is average. Longevity is above average.
The 1.7 oz EDP retails for $330 at Nordstrom. Other sizes and samples are also available for purchase.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – An unusual fruity nag champa. It’s challenging but I like it for nostalgic reasons.
*Note – Packaging/bottles have been updated.
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snake skin tincture? i’m at a loss… still, that’s part of the magic of natural perfumery.
Yep, shed rattlesnake skin from Texas 😉 I’m pretty sure it doesn’t add any scent but it’s an interesting concept. House of Matriarch does some really interesting tinctures.
I’ll have to try this. It will bring back memories of my wonderful aunt’s house.
Gotta love a hippie auntie.
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