Let’s talk Juliette Has a Gun. This is a brand that sits at the intersection of mainstream and niche, with a novel olfactory output that is luxurious yet accessible, presented at a relatively reasonable price point (in niche terms, let’s be real). The brand, which was started by Romano Ricci, Nina Ricci’s great-grandson, launched in 2006 and has since unleashed a number of rebellious perfume characters that don’t take themselves too seriously. Scents like Miss Charming, with her innocent smile of strawberries and rose, and Lady Vengeance with her velvet claws painted in a deep shade of red, each showcased Juliette as a brand with a punky attitude and a unique approach to perfume. Juliette Has a Gun is an irreverent brand that may not take itself too seriously, but certainly is serious when it comes to perfumery.
I’ll admit that some of the more recent launches from Juliette Has a Gun have been a bit lacklustre. They’re always pleasant and wearable, but scents like Vanilla Vibes, Lipstick Fever (all lippie, no ‘fever’, that one) and Not a Perfume Superdose haven’t, in my opinion, lived up to the excitement of the brand’s earlier scents. It seems like they’ve moved away from creating distinct olfactory characters to something more straightforward – the quality is still there, but the playfulness isn’t as vivid. Anyway, that said, I am always keen to see what Juliette is up to and always happy to get involved with whatever mischief she may have got herself into.
With that in mind, Juliette’s latest, the intriguingly named ‘Musc Invisible‘, caught my eye. Described as “a soft, warm and cosy composition, as comfortable and unfussy as your favourite pair of jeans”, Musc Invisible showcases Juliette at her most casual. She’s taken off her heels and replaced that killer red lip with a ballerina pink gloss, thrown on a super fashionable street look and is off to take a number of posed pictures for the gram, boyfriend in tow (someone’s gotta take the shot, right?) This is Juliette dressed down but is it interesting? You’ll have to read on to find out!
The Notes
Jasmine Absolute, Cotton Flower, White Musk
How Does it Smell?
First things first, there is nothing ‘invisible’ about this musk, and that’s a very good thing. Musc Invisible certainly has a presence and whilst it’s not a powerhouse, it is pleasantly enveloping. It opens nutty and fresh, with that instantly recognisable warmth of creamy white musk. It’s initially quite hot and steamy, with a freshly out of the shower vibe, but soon becomes cottony and plush. It has the feeling of wrapping yourself in a cashmere blanket with a fine, intricate pattern that hints at the many beautiful facet of white musk materials.
But is it animalic though? Well, a little. I’d say that overall, it feels like a more refined interpretation of The Body Shop’s White Musk (a classic, we live for it, we really do), so it’s predominately a clean musk with hints of dirt underneath. That said, there is less of an earthiness or mushroom-esque quality (which I find prominent in White Musk), replaced with a distinct sense of clean skin, of bodies and fur, but no real skank or funk. This all works rather nicely, of course, and comes together to match that affable t-shirt and jeans vibe that Musc Invisible aims to create.
Aaand that’s it. Musc Invisible is not super complex, nor is it a fragrance that develops dramatically over time. It’s simply a really nicely executed cocktail of white musks, bringing together a lovely array of white musk facets. It’s creamy, cottony, steamy, easy, warm and fresh, all at once, with longevity and projection that is above average for this style of scent. I enjoy it immensely and I think the description of it as a casual t-shirt and jeans scent is spot on. Musk Invisible is easy to wear and easy to enjoy, and whilst it may not be Juliette with full glam squad, it does have a cheeky flash of dirt, which says that you can change the girls clothes, but you can’t ever stop her from being a rebel.
Availability
Musc Invisible is available in 7.5ml (£20), 50ml (£85) and 100ml (£110) Eau de Parfum. In the UK it is currently exclusive to John Lewis for a limited time.
Disclaimer
Images are my own. Sample (full bottle) gifted by brand for review. I was not paid to feature this product.
The Candy Perfume Boy 