Those of us in Seattle are really fortunate to have a little perfume shop located on 1st Avenue in the lobby of the Alexis Hotel owned by a true perfume lover that’s been in business for almost 30 years. You’ll often find the owner, Nasreen Rehmat, in the shop doing what she does best – pairing people with their “perfect” perfumes. For example, I was in there one day when an attractive woman in her 50’s (best guess) walked in, casually looking at perfumes. Nasreen starting talking to her, asked her about her life and the sort of things she likes. Ends up this woman wears Marc Jacobs Daisy and I remember thinking to myself, “Gurl, that is not your perfume!” Well, Nasreen handled this much better than I ever could and after a nice consultation, the woman left completely delighted with her “new signature”, Amouage Honour Woman. And don’t take my story like I’m being snobby. I’m just saying this perfume, even with my brief encounter with this woman, was not her perfume! She is too sophisticated for Daisy, I mean she is an Amouage woman! I thought that when she was speaking and even Nasreen thought that as her perfume suggestions where proof. I’m happy that Nasreen is introducing folks to fine fragrances.
If you ever have the chance to visit the store in person (they sell online as well), you’ll see many luxury brands. If you happen to be visiting when Nasreen is in, you’ll notice she does have some favorites. One of the lines that you can tell she really loves is M.Micallef. After many years of introducing M.Micallef to the West Coast, there is now an exclusive perfume to the boutique, Nasreen; The Perfume.
Nasreen opens with glimmering citrus and honey followed by a metallic saffron and sharp oud. The rose in this fruity, jammy and luxurious. This is this the sort of rose that makes me love roses. The heart wears as this velvety rose with musk. Nasreen dries down to smoky woods with gourmand gingerbread spices.
I haven’t sampled all of the M.Micallef perfumes but out of the ones that I’ve sampled, Nasreen is one my favorites from the line. It’s radiant, gilded yet has this velvety texture. And when I start throwing around adjectives like “gilded” and “velvety”, I’m saying it’s luxurious. And Nasreen is.
Notes listed include rose, saffron, honey, gingerbread, patchouli, suyufi oud and white musk. Launched in 2012. PERFUMER – Martine Micallef
Give Nasreen a try if you like warm, spicy perfumes. Or if you like perfumes like Viktoria Minya Hedonist, Juliette Has a Gun Midnight Oud, M. Micallef Denis Durand Couture, By Kilian Rose Oud and/or Bond No. 9 New York Oud. Being a rose/oud, I find it unisex.
Projection and longevity are above average.
The 3.3 oz EDP retails for $265 at Nasreen Parfumerie. Samples are also available for purchase.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Luxurious rose/oud with a radiant opening. It’s one of my favorites that I’ve sampled from the M.Micallef line.
Want more reviews? Try…
Fragrantica – Ida’s review