MUGLER Alien Flora Futura (Dominique Ropion & Jean Christophe Héuralt)-New Perfume Review + Good Witch Draw

Photo flickr

Maison Mugler has reinterpreted the iconic Alien for their latest release Alien Flora Futura, which under the expert guidance of  Dominque Ropion and Jean Christophe Héuralt will most likely thrill most Mugler Parfum lovers. It might even open wide the doors of the Alien intergalactic star-cruiser to an all new audience of potential budding perfumistas.

Idina Menzel as Elphaba in Wicked

I likened Mugler’s 2017 release Aura to “…the perfume that you can imagine the two misunderstood witches, green-skinned Elphaba from “Wicked“ and “Sleeping Beauty’s” dastardly villainess Maleficent wearing. Aura the perfume is something that will be relished by those who consider being an outsider or different a character trait to be cherished not punished, and all the Cruella DeVille’s of the world who secretly harbor a (however small) heart of gold.”

A photo of Oprah Winfrey in Harper's Bazaar's 2015

In Alien Flora Futura the bad witches have met their match in this new perfume that is more akin to Glinda The Good Witch floating down from the stratosphere in a pink bubble, which upon popping open releases a scent that is kindness, happiness, and sparkly magic made real. Let’s start with the bottle. Having shed her deep amethyst robes of night, Alien in her Floral Futura manifestation is now clothed in the sparkling pink of the desert-dawn shot thru with lashes of pale tangerine that feels nothing short of goodness personified and sits in the hand glimmering like a precious pink diamond.

Queen Of The Night, the one night bloom. Photos via Barbara Carter (with permission) from her annual FB live-stream viewing party.©

If you’ve struggled with any of the previous Alien releases as some might have, then Alien Flora Futura will be the quintessential entry-level Alien for you, a perfect lighter introduction to the Alien line. Retaining the Alien core DNA of over-the-top jasmine, but replaced with the spicy green notes of the “similar/not similar” Queen Of the night cactus flower, Alien Flora Futura will be the perfect dash-and-go perfume for spring and summer.

Via Flickr

Alien Flora Futura is essentially a Space Opera in three parts; “Crisp Revelation” opens with the pithy green accord of the Buddha’s Hand fruit or Asian Citron. It is at times bitter, surprisingly sweet, and above all centers around a feeling of aquatic spaciousness. Akin to biting into a soft-centered but hard-crusted pomelo with floral/green notes mingling with the fruit, the floralcy segues perfectly into part two or “Flower Of The Future Revelation” with its unusual use of an accord based on the Queen Of The Night cactus bloom. A spectacular flower that blossoms only one evening per year, it provides a scent akin to spicy and powdery jasmine often described through history as “The scent of angels”.

David Bowie Ziggy Stardust 2003

Part Three (the drydown) is called the “Creamy Revelation” and adds a cashmere soft sandalwood combined with a milky almost-lactonic white amber which, when combined with the citrus and floral notes that precede it, make for an intriguing, other-worldly Ziggy Stardust type of fragrance which will leave you sniffing the air around you for hours to come.

Photo: Nicholas Zazzera/Deco Productions

So the question remains “Are you a good witch or a bad witch?” Will you prefer the darkness and strange allure and beauty of Aura, or the lighter and easier vibe of Alien Flora Futura? You can be either or you can be both (as I am), sometimes a “Bitch”, most often “niche” but always ecstatic when an unusual and sublime fragrance comes my way.

Notes: Buddha’s Hand Flower (Citrus Medica), Cloverleaf, Queen of the Night Cactus Flower (Selenicereus Grandiflorus), White Amber, Sandalwood.

Disclosure: The sample and opinions are my own.

Robert Herrmann, Senior Editor

-Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Robert’s Bottle of Alien Flora Futura© apped by RH

Thanks to MuglerUSA, we have one 60 ml bottle of Alien Flora Futura for one registered reader in the USA ONLY so be sure to register if you have not done so. To be eligible please let us know what appeals to you about Robert review of Alien Flora Futura, if you are a fan of Mugler Alien and if you see yourself as a good or bad witch.. Aura or Alien? Draw closes 3/27/208

We announce the winners only on our website and on our Facebook page, so like Cafleurebon and use our Site feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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22 comments

  • Thanks for a great review. The dry down sounds amazing, soft, milky cashmere. I am a fan of Mugler perfumes in general so looking forward to trying this.

  • DespinaVnt says:

    The unusual Queen Of The Night cactus bloom opening intrigues me, and the dreamy-sounding drydown fascinates me!
    I’ve been a fan of Mugler perfumes for a decade now, mostly of Alien.
    Thank you and best from Paris, France,
    Despina

  • Thierry Mugler’s new fragrance sounds amazing. Anything with Queen of the Night in it has to be fabulous. I’m a bad witch…with good intentions, LOL. I’m in the USA, best of luck to all.

  • I like the sound of floral and sandalwood, and Alien is iconic, so would like to try, especially with a creamy, sandalwood-y dry down. as for me, well, trying to be a good witch, couldn’t possibly succeed as a bad witch….In the US – thank you again!

  • I love Roberts description of the bottle and feel of the fragrance. What a perfect comparison. My wife loves Alien and I love it in her. She would definitely consider herself a good witch but wouldn’t mind smelling like a bad one, let’s say Aura though.

  • Dominique Ropion is one of my favourites perfumeur so pretty much this is a great fragrance. Also the bottle looks awesome and the note of cactus intrigues me for sure 🙂 Thanks for the draw, i live in the EU.

  • A perfume with Alien as part of its name, about good witches, with the main note being Queen of the Night, in a pretty pink bottle, created by Dominque Ropion. That’s a definite “yes”. I have not gotten around to trying Alien or Aura, but I fell in love with Angel when it first came out. I am and have been both witches. In the USA.

  • Gabriel Garcia says:

    Beautiful release, and I must say that I live in the Mojave part of the desert and the cactus flower are very nice and goes well with tge harsh landscape, and I rather have a good gentle witch. Lol

  • This sounds gorgeous! I’m definitely on the Alien side, it’s a favorite of mine, most particularly Essence Absolue. So I guess I’m a good witch? LOL, When I tested Aura it just didn’t work on me. Queen of the Night is beautiful, and the drydown of this sounds amazing.

  • I really loved the space opera theme and the photos of Oprah and Bowie. I haven’t found an alien to love so maybe this will be the one for me
    Queen of the night cactus flowr is intriguing and I am a good witch with a bad side

  • Just Add Light says:

    Witches get a bad rap. There’s a great deal of misconception surrounding the practice, especially in the modern age. Fortunately, I don’t see myself as either good or bad, but occupying that middle ground that is moderation. Personally, I’ve always adored the strong jasmine in Alien, and I think Robert’s interpretation of Aura manifested as Maleficent captures the essence precisely. Add to that Cate Blanchett’s character “Hela” in Thor Ragnarok with her overtones of black and green and you’ve got it nailed.

    As for Flora Futura, I applaud Mugler for using compounds and notes that are rarely seen in designer releases. However, with the variety available today coupled with a less discerning youth market, I can understand the trend of attempting to appeal to the common nose. And in addition to agreeing with Robert that this is an excellent entry-level Alien, I think the “Flower of the Future Revelation” could be just the spell that overcomes the jaded female consumer and turns them back to the light.

  • The bottles are so beautiful and I just love the notes. I am definitely a “good witch”
    I live in the US.

  • I’m probably more of a bad witch, although the original Alien isn’t my cup of tea and I haven’t yet tried Aura. I like the thought of a cactus flower smelling like spicy, powdery jasmine, and a creamy revelation in the drydown, so Flora Futura sounds nice. I’m in the US. Thanks!

  • Leslie Fears says:

    Robert’s reviews are always wonderful; I love reading them.

    I love many Mugler, including Alien and Aura. I haven’t tried this one yet, but his description of the creaminess and other-worldly trail made my heart melt.

    I think I’m probably a good Witch… 🙂

    Thank you so much for this opportunity!!!

  • I am definitely a Maleficent, and I think I would lean toward Aura.

    But I would love to try Alien Flora Futura because ever since I reviewed Proenza Schouler’s Arizona, I’ve been slightly obsessed with finding the “real” night-blooming cactus scent. (My favorite so far is Grandiflora Queen of the Night, which you’ve also reviewed on your site!)

    It’s been a while since I’ve smelled Alien, but it was definitely my favorite Mugler fragrance. I think it’s time to revisit the line. 🙂

    Enchanté

  • Robert and Michelyn! Wow! This whole piece is stunning, the review as well as the artwork. Love your bottle too, Robert. DNEM. Just wanted to comment. ❤️

  • I love the original Alien but sometimes too much for my workday. This new one sounds perfect- I am definitely team Glinda. A lovely review, I love the comparison to a space opera. I am in the US.

  • I am glad Robert called this a good entry level Alien because I cannot wear Alien even though I love it on others. I haven’t tried Aura yet, but I think I would enjoy it and I am most definitely a good witch :). I am in the U.S., thank you for the draw!

  • Catanosmia says:

    I love Alien, bu haven’t smelled Aura yet. the drydown on this sounds fantastic and I love that new bottle! I don’t know which witch I’d be…I don’t think I’m sweet enough to be a good witch type.
    I’m in the US, thanks for the draw!

  • An entry level Alien might be just what I need. The creamy revolution in the dry down sounds the best! I love lactonic notes. I must be the good witch because I was not a fan of the green Aura. I did pass that sample onto to a perfume friend. The bottle is beautiful. Thanks for the chance! US.

  • Loved the review. As soon as I read it I knew that Robert had written it. He has such a distinctive style of writing. I’ve not tried Alien, but this sound very intriguing. I don’t think of myself as any kind of witch, good or bad. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA.

  • Anna Egeria says:

    I’m a fan of Alien and Alien Flora Futura sounds gorgeous!My favorite fragrances, now discontinued, are from Mugler. I’ve never tried Aura but I think of myself as a witch who could go either way. Thanks for this draw! I’m in the US.