A Lab on Fire Hallucinogenic Pearl (Emilie Coppermann) ~ New Fragrance Review + Time Travel Draw

Daria Hlazatova©

“In the white room with black curtains near the station

Black roof country, no gold pavements, tired starlings

Silver horses ran down moonbeams in your dark eyes

Dawnlight smiles on you leaving, my contentment…” ~ Jack Bruce

Via tumblr©

“Let us travel back in time while living in the present and winking at the world to come” murmurs the latest release from A Lab on Fire, Hallucinogenic Pearl by master perfumer Émilie Coppermann of Symrise. Mme. Coppermann has been ‘the nose behind the throne’ – composing beloved fragrances which grace many well-known houses:The Different Company, Van Cleef & Arpels, Balmain, Ferragamo, Paco Rabanne, Givenchy amongst them .Her latest endeavor, A Lab on Fire Hallucinogenic Pearl utilizes elements of classic perfumery and those aromachemical gifts to olfaction admirably in a seamless stream of fragrant consciousness. A Lab on Fire Hallucinogenic Pearl might well be felt as Holographic Pearl: a glowing orb of kaleidoscopic coloration envisioned in hues of silvery blues and mauve wreathed in gauze. It’s not LSD-hallucinogenic, nor is it peyote, either (à la Carlos Castaneda). Imagine a feverdream in which everything floats, something more akin to astral projection: you may be deep in meditation, but you hover above your physical being as if by sorcery.

Ravi Shankar via wikipedia

In 1967, Ravi Shankar played at the Monterey Pop Festival – his first performance at any rock concert. Their recording was my first formal introduction to classical Indian music, and it was then I experienced the first glimmers of what astral projection was. 

©Justin Mays

So, my friends, imagine yourselves if you will – in your most restful, gentle position of repose, eyelids heavy, body too weighty to carry with you on your journey. The intangible portion of your being insidiously departs temporarily from your earthly shell and begins to levitate slowly, delicately as it hangs suspended above your head, then travels onward. Where are you meandering? Do you have a discrete destination, a mission? Have you wings?

Janis Joplin, Monterey Pop Festival 1967

Bergamot and pink pepper are the grace notes to a diaphanous composition enshrouded in mysterious cool violaceous tones, subtle and compelling. Symrise has brought back several of the renowned de Laire bases, one of which (Iriseine) has played prominently in such moody beauties as Guerlain’s famed L’Heure Bleue and Mitsouko; in Hallucinogenic Pearl its wistful buttery melancholia couples intuitively with ionones and orris. Ambrette is one more star in the hazy diadem, crepuscular when wedded to blond woods (another manner of referring to IFF Cashmeran, a woody musky material). It may feel fragile, but in actuality is as bonded as if it were forged.

The distinctly suede reference is any fringed jacket we wore at that time: Neil Young wore one, as did many folk heroes (those that weren’t in biker jackets at the time; this isn’t biker leather). Soft, molding to one’s form, the fringes letting our freak flag fly. Musks are as beloved now as they were then (historically, when haven’t they been?) and add to the timelessness and silken skein of the perfume.

Perfume permits us the great luxury of time travel. But I suspect that I’m preaching to the choir.

Notes: ambrette, bergamot, pink pepper, violet, orris, iriseine (de Laire base), suede, blond woods (aka Cashmeran), musks

Sample kindly provided from Intertrade Europe – many thanks! My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Senior Editor

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

A Lab on Fire Hallucinogenic Pearl via Intertrade Europe

Thanks to Intertrade Europe we have of A Lab on Fire we have a 60 ml bottle of 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 Ida’s review of A Lab on Fire Hallucinogenic Pearl, if you have a favorite A Lab on Fire fragrance or if you have ever "time-traveled" via fragrance. Draw closes  6/14/2018

Available at Luckyscent.com

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

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30 comments

  • Steve A. says:

    The orris and ambrette notes appeal to me. I have never time-traveled via fragrance, other ways yes. The only LoF I have smelled is WWDIPIS so that’s my favorite. US

  • Teresa says:

    I really enjoyed this review, the musical lyrics and photography. I believe I have experienced ‘time travel’ of a sort whilst wearing Guerlain’s Encens Mythique D’Orient…the ambergris takes me back to our primordial beginnings. Violet and Orris are two of my favorite smells and this sounds lovely. I am in the US.

  • OTA Mom says:

    I often rely on scent while meditating to temporarily leave mental stresses behind, as humans have probably done since the beginning of time. I would not consider it time travel for me, more like a dissociation from the present. It is a source of peace in my life. “What We Do In Paris Is Secret” is my favorite from this house, which I purchased from Luckyscent. I live in the US and thank you for this chance.

  • perfumelover67 says:

    I love the idea of a perfume that could get me detached, at least for few seconds from the rutine and noise of life and transport me to a  place of peace and beauty. The notes in Hallucinogenic Pearl sound soft, delicate and transparent, ideal to achieve comfort, relaxation and make anyone dream of distant places.
    L’Artisan Un Air de Bretagne makes me travel to the coast of Newport, Rhode Island. Long walks by the ocean in Fall and Winter when the breezes smell more metalic and saltier than usual and the sunsets are brighter and deeper. Absolute love! 
    My favorite A Lab on Fire perfume is What we do in Paris is secret.  I am in the USA. Thanks for the draw.

  • BostonScentGuy says:

    What a beautiful review with gorgeous wording! “Violaceous tones” is such a wonderful way to capture a scent with violet…and I had no idea that was even a word. The “buttery melancholia” of the Iriseine sounds great. Also love the bit of history of a revived aromachemical making its way into a scent! I’m not super familiar with ALOF, but have tried many of them quickly in passing. I remember enjoying What We Do In Paris Is Secret and Sweet Dreams. I time travel all the time with perfume having a good number of vintages in my collection. 80’s masculines definitely give that time traveling vibe (Patou Pour Homme, Kouros, Macassar…all different but very evocative) as do breezy but substantial 60’s-70’s green chypres (Coriandre and YSL Rive Gauche original). Jicky feels timeless but, at the same time classic and austere. Thanks for this draw! I’m in the US.

  • Southernboy says:

    First time hearing about this house, after reading this article. I want to start looking more in to this house. From this article this house was trying create a fragrance to capture essence of music from the 1960s. The notes sound like something you would find during that time and wonderful fragrance. Live in the US

  • Jake smith says:

    Great review! I love the way the notes are described and the basis of this fragrance it just sounds real intriguing. I think fragrances or just scent in general can be used to make a picture or conjure a place or time in your mind and I think it is a part of the artistry and i love when a fragrance tries to replicate a place, time, or image it’s just beautiful. I haven’t tried anything from a lab on fire but I have read about there house and they sound really interesting. I would love to get my nose on this fragrance. Keep up the good work! I am in the USA.

  • MrCologne says:

    Loved the review! No, I don’t think my experience with scent has produced any time travel but it does take me temporarily to other ‘places’, I suppose. I’ve never tried anything from this house but have read a lot about it and would love the chance. Thanks! I am in the US.

  • INYA says:

    Yes, I wear fragrance to escape to a more peaceful state of mind. Thanks for the opportunity to sniff, I’m in the USA.

  • roxhas1cat says:

    Nice review. I love pearls and all their glow, this fragrance sounds like it was appropriately named!! I’d love a chance to win. My favorites of this line is Made in Heaven and Paris/LA. When I smell Jean Nate I go back about 40 years. I’m in the U.S.

  • fazalcheema says:

    It looks like the perfume strives to create nostalgia of old times. I was surprised by the suede note, given the early development of the perfume. thanks for the draw. I am in US

  • TaffyJ says:

    Oh, to have a scent that takes me back to my fringed, suede jacket and the music of the times! Beautifully written and the artwork captures the feel of the fragrance perfectly.

    I do love A Lab on Fire and have a few from this house. Probably my favorite at the moment is Paris*L.A.

    Thank you for the opportunity!
    I am in the U.S.

  • Catanosmia says:

    The notes sound beautiful and I love time-travel through scent when a smell evokes a memory of a specific time in my life. Thanks for the draw, I’m in the US and I’ve never had the opportunity to try this house.

  • NiceVULady says:

    “Imagine a feverdream in which everything floats, something more akin to astral projection: you may be deep in meditation, but you hover above your physical being as if by sorcery.” For brief periods of time, I have felt released to go elsewhere by a fragrance, but I’m not sure where elsewhere was. This perfume sounds awesome and Ida’s review is beautiful and lyrical as always. I have what We Do In Paris Is Secret. Love it. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • Vahagn says:

    Ida’s reviews are always beautiful and rich. I like first part of review, about inmagination of relaxation etc..
    It was interesting to me using in this perfume Laire base- iriseine.
    Unfortunatly I have never tasted any Lab on Fire perfumes.
    US

  • doveskylark says:

    Ida’s review made me think of my relationship with doing drugs and wearing perfume. When I did drugs, I used to always try to sample a new perfume or cologne. I quit drugs, but I have to admit it was fun to feel the perfume and all the notes it contained. Everything would be heightened, especially with X. Now I meditate quite a bit, and I really like the peace L”Heure Bleue brings me.
    I haven’t tried anything from this house.
    I live in the USA.

  • Parvine says:

    Just loved the retro vibe and description. I have wanted to learn more about this house and love the idea of the de Laire base iriseine

  • Lori Laws says:

    Another great review by Ida and her incredible writing! This sounds like a wonderful fragrance and an opportunity to be taken to another realm. I have never tried anything from this house and I am antsy to try this one. Thanks for the draw and I live in the US!

  • Wood4Ever says:

    I’m enchanted by the analogy to experiencing a fever dream and the description of it as “hues of silvery blues and mauve wreathed in gauze.” I find iris to be centering and comforting and am deeply curious about the base. Every time I get a strong whiff of sandalwood, I time travel back to every curio shop I’ve ever visited in India, back when sandalwood was abundant and cheap. I’m in the US – thanks for the draw!

  • James2473 says:

    Very nice review, Ida! Bergamot, pink pepper, astral projection!? Sign me up, please! Whenever I smell vintage Polo Green, it takes me back to when I was around 15-16 years old and brings back many special memories from those years. I don’t have a favorite A Lab on Fire fragrance because I’m pretty new to this hobby/obsession and this was my first time to hear about this house, but I’ll definitely be trying them out in the near future!

  • Chayaruchama says:

    It’s lovely to feel your curiosity!
    This is a pretty timeless scent and so very wearable.
    Someone is going to enjoy this one, for certain >3

  • YVONNE says:

    I am really digging the vibes this fragrance is giving!! I would love to be teleported to another time via scent!! I’ve been really enjoying musky fragrances lately & I hope to try this one soon! sounds beautiful!! THANK YOU!! USA BASED

  • tooka81 says:

    This was a great review that described very well the time travel feelings this fragrance can invoke, I never time travel through fragrance but I have used it to transport me to different places I would much rather be! The violet, suede and blonde woods appeal to me within this fragrance! I live in USA and I have never sampled a fragrance by Lab on Fire!

  • Diana D says:

    Really enjoyed this article. It brought back memories of when I was a child and my aunt (who was only a teenager) used to take me out with her friends when my family would visit. She was a bit of a hippie and had lots of suede jackets. The article brought back memories of the aroma of those jackets. I have several vintage fragrances from my youth, so any time I open one of those bottles, it immediately transports me back in time. I’ve never smelled anything from this perfume house. I’d love to try them out!
    I live in the US.

  • Dosva says:

    Very interestibg review with fantastic photo!!!
    I was intrigued with only two words” astral projection”.
    Unfortunstly I have never tested any perfume from this brand.
    US

  • jeremyn87 says:

    Sounds like it has some fresh notes, while the suede and musk give it some old-school character. Curious to try it.
    I havent tried others from this house.
    Smelling traditional eau de colognes feels like going backwards in time, since those formulas are so old.
    Im in the us

  • Mim says:

    Oh, I definitely love that synaesthetic, transcendent kind of experience!
    I will be a backup singer in that choir.
    Also love the word crepuscular as well.

    Would love to try this pearl and see if it glows with the same colors for me!

    Thank you for writing and sharing
    USA

  • StaceyW says:

    My favorite ALOF fragrance is My Own Private Teahupo’o. I’m definitely intrigued by the suede and musk notes in this one, thank you Ida for the lovely review! I’m in the U.S.