New Youtube Fragrance Review: Memo Paris Russian Leather (Alienor Massenet) 2016 + Frozen Fougère Draw

Clara Molloy and John Molloy of Memo Paris Fragrances

In our Creative Directors in Perfumery Series, Clara Molloy who founded Memo Paris Fragrances wrote “The name of the brand, Memo, comes from Memory. Olfaction is our most archaic sense. One of the first we explore as human beings. It’s link to our sensations of space and time and I believe, is something that has not been totally discovered by scientists. Perfumes have a strong connection to your soul, to your inner self… A fragrance can reveal you, transform you, it is far more powerful than people usually think”. Mme. Molloy works in collaboration with perfumer Alienor Massenet and has since the brand’s inception in 2006. There are five fragrances in the series Cuir Nomades, which was introduced in 2013, each evoking leathers inspired by travel and place. Irish Leather was the first, homage to Mme. Malloy’s husband and business partner John Molloy, who was born in Ireland.

Omar Sharif as Dr. Zhivago and a scene of his ice palace (1965 )

2016’s release Russian Leather is a “frozen Fougère.” Immediately upon wearing it I imagined the late Omar Sharif as Dr. Yuri Zhivago, driving a troikaas he rode through the Russian Countryside to his Ice Palace; the smell of the forest, the chill in the air as the snow falls and the scent of the horses’ leather saddles and harnesses.

Disclosure: Sebastian and I received Memo Paris Russian Leather from Europerfumes, Thank You!; opinions are our own

Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Contributor Sebastian Jara of the YouTube Channel Looking Feeling Smelling Great, and founder of a popular Facebook Group, reviews Russian Leather

Memo Paris Russian Leather Review + Full Bottle Giveaway 🎁

Photo of Russian Leather by Sebastian

Thanks to Europerfumes the US distributor of Memo Paris for a registered CafleureBon reader and Looking Feeling Smelling Great subscriber in the USA (if you are not sure if you are registered click here  (you must register on our site or your entry will be invalid). To be eligible please leave a comment ON THIS SITE with what you enjoyed specifically about Sebastian’s YouTube review, why you would love to win, if you have a favorite Memo Paris fragrance. Draw closes 1/28/ 2017. You can follow us @cafleurebon @lookfeelsmellgreat on Instagram. Check out on @Offical_ europerfumes and @memo.paris

We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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81 comments

  • Christopher Grate says:

    Hi l live in Colorado U.S. And I love term Frozen Fougère and Sabastian’s description of the fragrance really drives that home. It’s so descriptive that I can almost feel the snow flakes landing on the tip of my nose as I take in the aroma through my imagination. I have always wanted to try a fragrance from this line so it would bring great joy to my heart if I won.

  • Rafael Balarezo says:

    Always follow Sebastian’s reviews, I have almost his same taste thats what I love Leather, I have some of the most beautiful leather creations on the market but I havent tried yet MEMO PARIS, Looking forward to smell African, Russian, Itailan Leather. If it match with my skin chemistry I will definitely buy a full bottle.

  • mleckinger says:

    Hey, this is Michael in Cincinnati, OH! Sebastian is great, as always, at painting a perfect picture of what this fragrance suggests. Thinking about a frozen forest with emerging hints of leather sounds really amazing! I am already a fan of the Memo line, specifically of African Leather. I would love to add Russian Leather to my collection! Thanks for a great review on this wonderful sounding fragrance!!

  • Roy Estringel says:

    I have always wanted to try a Memo release! Saw this reviewed by Sebastian Jara on YouTube and I loved the notes on Russian Leather.. the bottle is amazing with the wolf and Moon! Wow!!!

  • Kerrie Rohrbacher says:

    This sounds amazing. I’m a fan of leather perfumes, and this one just sounds so unique!

  • Aaron Luke says:

    Aaron from New York City! Uhhh…. this scent sounds amazing! A frozen forest with hints of leather sound absolutely amazing. I can just picture myself walking through a snowy forest in Russia wearing a leather coat and the hints of pine or cedar coming through.

  • therealgally says:

    Greetings from Texas! The best part of Sebastian’s video review is his signature black hat! But seriously, I enjoy the production value of all of Sebastian’s videos. In this review, Sebastian’s visualized depiction of the settings in which he envisions himself when wearing the fragrance. I received a sample size of Russian Leather in my latest Olfactif delivery. Needless to say, I have already burned through the ~2.5ml that was in the sample vial, so I am looking to get a larger amount — specifically the full bottle! This would be the first addition of MEMO to my collection if I am lucky enough to be chosen as the winner. Here’s to hoping! Cheers!

  • Su says:

    Sounds really good. I love the wolf design.
    Hope to win this giveaway so I can try one from this house as I have heard a lot about this house. In US.

  • Gabriel says:

    Hi
    Im from las Vegas, Nevada.
    I would like to try and or win the bottle.
    Sebastian is great and mesmerizing review!
    Wish you all the best.

  • restringel says:

    Hello!! I’ve always have wanted to try a Memo fragrance… Looks like Russian Leather is my favorite so far with those amazing notes.. Wow!! The bottle is fantastic with the moon and wolf!!!!

  • allaces says:

    I love Sebastians description of how the fragrance notes and package design really do reflect the fragrance…how it really ‘puts him there’ in a moonlit Russian forest.
    Im intrigued since, as Sebastian mentioned, the same nose behind Marfa is behind this fragrance as well. I got interested in Memo fragrances after seeing Sebastians review on Marfa. Ive tried African and Italian Leather and they are among my favorite leather fragrances.
    Would love to win this soooo much:)
    Im in the USA.
    Thanks for such a generous giveaway chance!!!

  • karo says:

    I would love to win because I love the sound of the green, foresty, cold, herbal notes mixed with a leather. It sounds very unique. What I like most about Sebastian’s review is his overall take on the fragrance and how he describes the transition from one style of fragrance to another style. The green, fugeure, aromatic style transitioning to a leather. The environment that this fragrance creates does sound like it could be in Russia. My favorite and the only Memo i’ve smelled is Irish Leather. Thank you so much for the draw and I’m in the US..

  • yogamarc says:

    Always love Sebastian’s description of the place this scent conjures. I love the other Leathers and find all the Memos to be very nice – bottles are beautiful too!

  • Steve A says:

    I am not familiar with this house. I would love the aromatic fougere aspect of this as described in the video and the icy cold feel of the opening. I’m sure this could be a winter fragrance I could love. USA

  • Patrick Echevarria says:

    Sebastion was spot on in his review. It is indeed one of the best leather frag out there right now. A full bottle worthy. I have a carded sample of this and I enjoyed it immensely when I did priper testing. Crossing my fingers on the giveaway raffle. San Diego

  • yogamarc says:

    Hit submit too soon 🙂 this would also be a great fragrance for the winter. Here in Boston, we can always use these little pleasures to get through the season.

  • Charles Warren says:

    Always good information in Sebastian’s videos he describes things to the “T”. I sure want to experience this fragrance to see if I get the same vibe as he described.

  • fragranceman2000 says:

    Yo, I just wanna say that it would my day if I won this fragrance and the part I loved about the video was the note breakdown. It sounds really nice

  • Jason says:

    I’M IN SAN ANTONIO, TX. SEBASTIAN’S CHANNEL IS GREAT. I TRUST HIS NOSE. RECENTLY I BOUGHT MARFA BY MEMO PARIS BASED ON HIS RECOMMENDATION, COULDN’T BE HAPPIER IT’S MY FAVORITE MEMO. I ENJOYED THE REVIEW OF RUSSIAN LEATHER AND THE FACT THAT HE IS FAMILIAR WITH MEMO PARIS. I WOULD LIVE TO WIN BECAUSE LEATHER IS MY FAVORITE ACCORD BY FAR.

  • Wisehope44 says:

    I love this house, from the descriptions of Sebastian. I think this is a good fragrance. Russian Leather smells really nice. That why I would like to have a bottle of it. BOSTON. USA.

  • Gerald Moore says:

    I love winter and the smell of it in the air, and curious to find a leather scent that is not overpowering. I love Sebastian’s reviews because he always gives a great description and particularly love the fact he can describe a scent well even if iys not to his particular taste, which is an important skill in a reviewer

  • Ellen M says:

    Sebastian’s review really gives a feeling of what the fragrance is about. I’ve never tried anything from the Memo house, but I would love to start. Thanks for the draw. I live in the USA.

  • Taj Porter says:

    I would love to try out the house. It’s not available in San Antonio to sample and I hear great things about the line. Thanks for the great giveaway.

  • Lasnoches says:

    I REALLY ENJOY SEBASTIAN CHANNEL, one of the few channels that review alot of indie and niche fragrances. I going to be honest I would never be able to afford a full bottle of Russian leather but I do appreciate and respect the ART and DEDICATION behind it. I can Only wish I can get my nose on a high end fragrance. THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE GIVEAWAY.

  • Romany Gerges says:

    I would love to try this one, i have been trying to get my hands on it forever actually, it sounds amazing, I Live in Boston, Ma 02118

  • Paulie says:

    I enjoyed his review because of the descriptions and analogies he used to help describe the scent. It was obvious that the scent took him to a different place and brought images into his mind. That is what artistic fragrances do. Its beyond just a smell or an appealing smell but it tells a story. A very interesting concept. Thanks for the giveaway ! I am in NYC.

    regards

  • JBS1 says:

    LuckyScent had this one and Irish Leather as Gifts With $150.00 purchase.
    I fiddled around and looked at some things, looked at other things. Ordered
    samples from Twisted Lilly , then when I came back, GONE. Soooo pissed. The gifts were 10 mls. 20 mils for free . Mad oh so mad. Well, I won’t miss this one. Thank you Sebastian for another chance.

  • jacobsjl7 says:

    I enjoyed the fact that he said it’s cold and piney. I bought a bath soap like that which is awesome. I want to win because this sound like it could be a winter signature scent. I’ve never smelled any of their offerings so I can’t comment on which is my favorite.

  • coconyc205 says:

    I would love to win this fragrance.. Sebastian’s description sounds amazing, it’s a gorgeous bottle too!

  • Patrick Echevarria says:

    I have a carded sample of Memo Paris Russian Leather and I enjoyed it immensely when I did a formal testing. Great fresh scent. Becomes more leather as it dries down…it’s so fresh, green, and breezy! Sebastian was spot on in his review about the pine forest,leather pops out as it dries down.Totally a full bottle worthy! Crossing finger to win a giveaway on this. San Diego here.

  • zamar mofti says:

    Creative! I would love to try it, Combination of my favorite green notes pine and cypress with leather. Houston, TX

  • PareMe says:

    Sebastian details a great description on Russian Leather. I am now very intrigued to smell and have a bottle! Thanks for the great opportunity.

  • nsquared says:

    I enjoyed hearing in Sebastian’s review that this contains notes of guaiac and tonka bean: 2 of my favorite notes. Combined with leather and pine… it sounds amazing. I would love to win to experience this unique take on these notes – as mentioned, a unique “cooling effect.”

    Also, Siwa is my favorite Memo scent – I live cinnamon and vanilla.

    Thanks for the fun draw… I live in the USA.

  • Eric meyers says:

    Russian leather sounds very animalistic and almost wintery. The coldness sounds the most appealing in Sebastians review. Nevwr tried this brand.

  • conundric says:

    I live in california USA. great review and fragrance. Reminds me a bit of invasion barbare, which is a masterpiece. Would love to add this to my collection. Sounds like a great release!

  • Dirk says:

    Great video love frozen fougere and the feeling of being in a winter forest
    Also liked the intro with Omar sharif
    Cool
    I like Shams of the memo I have tried enough to buy a bottle
    I am in USA

  • YAYA DAGNOKO says:

    Sebastian’s review is really informative. I had a 1ml decant of African leather from the Memo house, I would love to be the lucky winner. Thanks for the draw. I live in the USA.

  • Rob B says:

    Great video from Sebastian as always. He’s always a reviewer I enjoy watching when I want an unbiased viewpoint on a scent. Unfortunately I haven’t tried any fragrances from this company but I’m hoping this will be my first. I live in Ohio.

  • Drew says:

    Another awesome review. I’ve had the opportunity to smell RL. Sebastian was spot on with his review. I own African Leather and it looks lonely sitting on my shelf.

  • cwerge says:

    I am intrigued by the pine note he mentions in his review. Sort of minty pine note he talks about. I would love to win because I love Memo Paris perfumes and the bottles are gorgeous. My favorite is Marfa and Shams Oud. I live in Seattle. WA. Thanks

  • Sean R says:

    I would love to win the bottle because is always something I wanted to try and see how they work with my skin but I love the notes in this particular fragrance.

  • Devicemanager says:

    I love Memo Paris I had the chance to smell this at a newly opened store here in Miami called Osme perfumury and first blast was Basil and Pine it’s a awesome scent , but the best one I love is African Leather it’s just very deep and very aromatic and all of the line has good performance and projection.
    Sebastian really nailed it with his description of the snow falling from the pine trees as it is what I also sensed when I also smelled this one super piny woodsy leather and guys yes it’s awesome I almost bought it but then I realized I had spent way too much money the day before at Neiman Marcus ouuh the sweet addiction.
    Thanks Cafleurebon for the chance to be able to take this amazing scent into my collection just the fact of participating just makes me feel like I am wining because it just once step closer to smelling this wonderful fragrance thank you.

  • mpcoke says:

    Mints, Leather, Wolves in the forest at night. right on. Memo Paris is fantastic. Love the concept behind the Leathers. Pick Me!

  • cardinalmind says:

    Hi I currently live in Hayward,California. What I like from Sebastian’s review was his concise and direct to the point approach of reviewing it. Not too long and not too short, just right without dragging on and on.

    I haven’t had any Cuir de Russie type of fragrance nor do I have any Memo Paris fragrance so it might become my favorite frag from the line.

  • Christopher Stein says:

    I’m from Arizona and this fragrance sounds wonderful. Always wanted to try a Memo fragrance. One of my favorite notes is leather so this would be wonderful.

  • Grant doling says:

    The changes in the fragrance and description sound incredibly interesting. Have been interested in this scent since it’s release.
    Would love to have a full bottle.

  • Grant doling says:

    The changes is this fragrance sound amazing. I have been very interested in this scent since it’s release. The review was great in description as always.

  • malakay_21 says:

    Baltimore, Maryland. I will probably love this one, as I love forest like an forestry engineer should..unfortunately I can’t afford any of these scents so I’ll have to take my chance. Many thanks.

  • fazalcheema says:

    Russian Leather Accord is one of the most popular accords and Sebastian’s review indicates this Russian Leather from Memo is a Russian leather fragrance with a twist. It has aromatic elements but like the picture on the bottle implies, it also has icy cold elements as well as conjures images of forest in mind. My Favorite from Memo is African Leather. Thanks a lot for the draw. I am in the US.

  • Richard Potter says:

    What a great list of notes. I love pine and leather notes and I love Sebastian’s reviews.

  • concertslover says:

    Honestly, Sebastian had me at chewing minter wintergreen gum while strolling through a pine woods forest. Considering my Ukrainian heritage, seems like a perfect fit. I also like the leather on dry down with an opening of pine and varies green notes.
    From USA

  • Freddiefragz says:

    I loved Sabastian described how the scent took him to a certain place. I enjoyed the fragrances that I’ve tested from Memo, my favorite probably being Italian leather

  • Thomas says:

    Sebastian always gives detailed and very unique descriptions of fragrance reviews. The review for Russian Leather is no exception. I really enjoy leather fragrances and find coniferous and woody scents to be an excellent mix with leather accords.

  • Juan Rojas says:

    Wow I would love ato win a bottle of this fragrance..I have never tried anything from this house but I have heard alor about it please enter me in the giveaway thanks.

  • Norman Lee says:

    Wow,I heard about Russian Leather from Sebastian and would love to win a bottle. ..I don’t have any fragrances from this house and would to get my nose on this. .

  • deekuz says:

    Hello there. I recently saw the video of Sebastian and wanted to submit a chance to win this amazing cologne I have been hearing about. I have not tried any of the frags from this line but I want to as soon as possible. Thanks,Dev

  • Jennifer Jamerson says:

    This sounds wonderful….loving the notes. I’m not familiar with this line but of course I would love to get my hands on it. Sebastian is the best! Thanks! Houston, TX.

  • Tyran says:

    I always enjoy Sebastian’s reviews, but particularly the evocativeness of his winter forest description of this fragrance. I would love to win this, because I have yet to put my nose on any Memo fragrance, and this sounds like a perfect way to start!

  • bjargj says:

    I bought the discovery set from Memo and loved it. Unfortunately, Russian leather was not in the set so would be lovely to get a bottle of it.

    I watch every review from Sebastian because I love how he manages to “paint a picture” of how the fragrance smells like . TX

  • asim taha says:

    I like Sebastian’s reviews because it is informative and my favorite from this house is African leather , I want to win because I like leather fragrances

  • atil says:

    I own both African and Italian Leathers from the brand and this Russian Leather sounds so amazing. I would love to try this one. I live in WA State US.

  • Wolfman427 says:

    Hey there. Sebastian has some grant reviews and top tens. I purchased honey oud from floris due to Sebastian. I’m interested in Russian leather, due to fact I like leather based scents and wolves hence my name. I would also me to sample italian and African leather. I would to be entered into the waffle. Thanks and much success.

  • Cynthia says:

    I like the idea of a “cold fougere”. His description of the pine forest notes are very appealing. I like Russian influenced colognes, so I think I would like Russian leather. I am just really beginning to find leather scents I like. My favorite of the line is Marfa. It’s on my to-buy list!Thanks for the draw and I enjoyed Sebastian’s review. USA

  • ChristianChris says:

    Fougere’s might be my favorite “genre” and with it being oriented towards the cold russian forests I am very interested to try this.
    I have been very interested in this house for a while and this one seems to be directed at me!
    Thank you so much for the opportunity!

  • Carlo sas says:

    Greeting from Boston mass, honestly I heard a lot about memo paris but I have never tried anything, this one sounds interesting and I would love to try it, so let’s cross fingers xoxoxo , thank you Sebastian for the great review, and thank you guys for the giveaway.

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    As always superb review again. The description of the scenario, thinking of such icy environment & breath-mint is great. Happy that Leather is Sebastian Jara’s favorite note in perfumery like I do. Never tried any Memo’s ‘Leather’ series & would love to win the full bottle of MEMO Russian Leather. My favorite so far from MEMO is Shams Oud.
    Thanks to Europerfumes the US distributor of Memo Paris, Sebastian Jara and Cafleurebon for the generosity & opportunity by letting me relative address in NY to participate in the draw.

  • doveskylark says:

    I’m very curious how this icy leather scent would work in Brazil where I spend a big part of the year. Pine fragrances seem to work in São Paulo where it is often drizzly and grey.
    My favorite Memo fragrance is Irish Leather.
    I live in the USA.

  • Chose says:

    Hello from Union City, Ca. Sebastian’s reviews are always informative. My purchases are greatly influenced by him. I’ve always pleasantly associated leathers with hunting lodges and my grandfather so I very interested in the “icy leather” feel that Sebastion speaks. I will have to give my hands on the African and Italian Leathers.

  • Mustafa says:

    Good job Sebastian,
    I would love to try or own a bottle of this brand as i didn’t try anything from this brand,
    TX, US.

  • Xavier Reynolds says:

    I would like to win a full bottle of Russian Leather because I loved Sebastian’s description of an icy pine forest. I am very intrigued upon getting my nose on this and smelling how they do pine with this scent.

  • Jonathan Gozdziewski says:

    I would like to be entered in the giveaway. What i enjoyed most about Sebastians review is the description. It sounds like where i want to be… dark moonlit night, icy, forest wolvessss! That sounds amazing. Please sign me up.

  • Bill Wehner says:

    Thank you for the fantastic giveaway. I have been watching Sebastian’s reviews for years and I trust his nose. He painted a wonderful picture of the overall effect of this fragrance and it sounds like it suits my personality and taste is fragrances perfectly.

  • Chad Pentecost says:

    I received a sample of Russian Leather, and Sebastian hits it right on the nose. This stuff IS the essence of winter. I love wearing it, as a matter of fact I’m actually wearing it now. Great review on a great fragrance, would love a bottle.