MATTEO PARFUMS Celadawn Review (Matthew J. Sánchez) 2020 + Cinnamon Hug Giveaway

Matteo Parfums Celadawn

MATTEO PARFUMS Celadawn bottle, official image via the brand

Celadawn is the first fragrance from MATTEO PARFUMS, born from the play on the words celadon and dawn. Celadon is a beautiful shade of pale green that mixes the serenity of blue with the sense of renewal that green brings. So renewal, a new autumn day, a new dawn, a new life, and I’m feeling (and smelling) good!

Matthew J. Sánchez created Matteo Parfums Celadawn

Matthew J. Sánchez and collage of official photos

The founder and nose of the brand is American Artisan Perfumer Matthew J. Sánchez, nicknamed “Matteo” or “Mateo, who was recently featured in our CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumer Series “… I would spend the next 3 years solely refining my perfumery skills and knowledge of the industry and ingredients, before eventually creating my inaugural scent, MATTEO PARFUMS Celadawn, in 2019 and launching the scent in August 2020″.-Matthew J. Sanchez

AI generated image of ingredients, made using DallE by Nicoleta ©

Drawing inspiration from his heritage, as the son of a Mexican-Sicilian father and a Ghanaian-American mother, in MATTEO PARFUMS Celadawn we find the fragrant embodiment of multiculturalism, as a  homage to African, Mediterranean and Latin woods, spices, herbs, fruits and flora.

The official fragrance description reads: “boy-next-door” meets “metropolitan lumberjack” “who is she?” and “I’ve never smelt something like this before!”

AI generated image of ingredients, made using DallE by Nicoleta ©

The visuals tricked my mind into thinking I was going to dive into relaxing light green waters. Quite the contrary, I  am submerged in orange light and swirled around in a circle of spicy fire. A bright orange sun turns into a blood-red orange, spiked with cinnamon rays, making it even hotter as minutes pass. The juiciness of the orange is short-lived and it rapidly dries to a clove-spiked orange peel warmed on a radiator. Not long after, the leathery saffron comes into play, the spices bloom with sharp peppery edges and all slowly melt into a sweet ambery rich wooden texture. Then hours pass and in the scent lingering on my skin, a deep, enveloping cinnamon is still the main character.

Reasonably priced ($95 USD), it’s the debut fragrance (and so far the only offering from MATTEO PARFUMS). If you want a cool – but –warm- “urban lumberjack”, to embrace you in a thick cinnamon hug, give Celadawn a try.

Top notes: Vietnamese Cinnamon, Indian Black Peppercorn, and Spanish Saffron

Heart notes: Sicilian Blood Orange and our custom Horchata Amber

Base notes: Virginia Cedar, Mexican Vanilla, and Beige Musk

Disclosure:  Sample kindly provided by 7 Scents Perfumery, opinions are my own

Nicoleta Tomsa, Senior Editor

MATTEO PARFUMS Celadawn was a finalist in the 2022 Art and Olfaction Awards,  in the “Artisan” category.

Matteo Parfums Celadawn

MATTEO Parfums Celadawn photo, via Instagram

Thanks to Matthew J. Sánchez, we have a draw for a full size (50ml) bottle of their debut fragrance MATTEO PARFUMS Celadawn (EDP) for one registered reader in the US, UK, EU, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and Latin America. To enter, you must be a registered reader. Please leave a comment with what excited you about Nicoleta’s review. If you want  your comment to count twice.. also leave a quote from the feature we did October 22, 22 here and your comment will count twice. Draw closes 11/8/2022

You can purchase MATTEO PARFUMS Celadawn on the brand’s site, where you can also donate to support MATTEO Parfums and at 7Scents in Budapest

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial  @nicoleta.tomsa  @matteoparfums @matthewjsanchez @7scents_hu

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40 comments

  • opalbear says:

    I love Nicoleta’s quote from a Nina Simone song, great opener on this article but as for the last article in October this quote struck me “On those pages I also couldn’t help but notice that all of the perfumers featured were older, white males, and from Europe. There was no one like me in the field or represented; a rhetorical question “is fragrance yet another industry that also has a diversity problem?”” and his courage, his choice of notes (horchata amber!) and his following his passion. Celadon is one of my favorite colors – CelaDawn sounds gorgeous!!! Incredibly curious to try it. Thank you for the opportunity. Opalbear California

  • John Michael Jones says:

    What exited me about this release is the fact it’s the very first & nobody can deny being the very first, nothing but love, dedication and attention to detail comes first! A quote from the last post that stood out to me was, “maybe I could do this? Why not me? If not me then who?” I can relate to this feeling on so many levels! In life we’ve got to BELIEVE IN OURSELVES! I wish this brand nothing but the best!

  • drjedi says:

    Love the notes of and beautiful bottle MATTEO PARFUMS Celadawn comes in. Nicoleta created some lovely, colorful imagery while describing this perfume. I have not tried anything by this brand, yet, but am impressed by the high standards the perfumer holds himself to. From the previous article, I like this quote -“What both sides of my family emphasized is the value of higher education and the concept of “work smarter, not harder,” which made me feel as if I can do anything.” Thanks for the review and draw. I’m from the USA.

  • Giorgia295 says:

    Love cinnamon in parfum and currently I’m looking for the best one and I need to explore more!
    Regards from Italy

  • Jeremi says:

    How beautiful and informative the review was excited me. Also the notes of this fragrance are really unique and sound phenomenal and excite me. A quote that I chose: “Escape the struggle”. I live in Trzebnica, Poland, EU.

  • Matthew J. Sánchez says:

    Wow! One of the most vivid and magnetic reviews for Celadawn I’ve read to date. So honored even read this and to have been reviewed. I am filled with joy to release our next 2 scents…coming soon. Thank you Nicoleta and ÇaFleureBon. — Matt

  • moshe says:

    It sounds great, As an horchata lover, I’m very curious about the horchata amber, I am sure it has a great smell.
    Love the bottle and the cursive. Saludos desde México !

  • ianbradleyandrews says:

    “work smarter, not harder,” Is a phrase I try to live by. It stuck out to me from the first article. I like how his heritage informs the perfume. I’d love to win this. I live in Indiana.

  • Starlit12 says:

    I was looking forward to read about this fragrance, as the first creation by an up and coming perfumer and already a prize winner, already from the article released a couple of weeks ago. And now I am even more fascinated by the sound of it. The blend of orange and cinnamon painted in golden colors, with its enveloping amber drydown, truly does sound marvelous. And even though I am a woman, I would
    love to smell like an urban lumberjack!
    The phrase that spoke to me the most in the previous article is: “ What both sides of my family emphasized is the value of higher education and the concept of “work smarter, not harder,” which made me feel as if I can do anything”. Very true and I hope I can myself internalize that one day. Oftentimes, we forget about working resourcefully and in a spontaneous and creative way and end up burying ourselves in mountains of work governed by routine, with half the success. So thanks Matthew for reminding us there is another way!
    Writing from the EU.

  • k says:

    I was interested to hear about how the green bottle tricked you- and sent you on an orange trip instead! I do also enjoy lumberjack autumn scents 🙂

    To quote from the feature article: “it was one day while at a dentist appointment that would change my life”.

    Thank you for the review, writing from the EU.

  • Amaziz89 says:

    The visuals tricked my mind into thinking I was going to dive into relaxing light green waters. Quite the contrary, I am submerged in orange light and swirled around in a circle of spicy fire. A bright orange sun turns into a blood-red orange, spiked with cinnamon rays, making it even hotter as minutes pass. The juiciness of the orange is short-lived and it rapidly dries to a clove-spiked orange peel warmed on a radiator. Not long after, the leathery saffron comes into play, the spices bloom with sharp peppery edges and all slowly melt into a sweet ambery rich wooden texture. Then hours pass and in the scent lingering on my skin, a deep, enveloping cinnamon is still the main character. you want a cool – but –warm- “urban lumberjack”, to embrace you in a thick cinnamon hug, give Celadawn a try.

    Top notes: Vietnamese Cinnamon, Indian Black Peppercorn, and Spanish Saffron

    Heart notes: Sicilian Blood Orange and our custom Horchata Amber

    Base notes: Virginia Cedar, Mexican Vanilla, and Beige Musk. A beautiful description by Nicoleta really intrigued by notes especially Cinnamon being my favourite notes. This quote really struck a chord with me that all of the perfumers featured were older, white males, and from Europe. There was no one like me in the field or represented; a rhetorical question “is fragrance yet another industry that also has a diversity problem? I love Matthew’s determintion, hard work and desire to create his own brand definitely takes guts. Thanks a million from the UK

  • Ozzyaziz says:

    that all of the perfumers featured were older, white males, and from Europe. There was no one like me in the field or represented; a rhetorical question “is fragrance yet another industry that also has a diversity problem? This quote was quite disturbing to hear but it is a truth that needs to be challenged. I sincerely hope more people from diverse cultures get the chance to make perfume because it just makes the landscape more fuller and brighter. I am fascinated by the notes especially spices, cinnamon and amber in particular. Thanks a lot from the UK

  • Alexa94 says:

    What a beautiful bottle, and the juice seems to be lovely as well. It’s always nice with new brands and up-and-coming perfumers. Matteo’s story and the idea behind the fragrance really fascinates me. Good luck everyone. Sweden, EU.

  • Ken White says:

    The notes of this fragrance sound like a fantastic, spicy winter scent. I don’t know about “urban lumberjack,” but cinnamon for a win! New Jersey, USA

    “escape the struggle”

  • olgAPOISON says:

    I loved when Matteo Said “It piqued my interest, after all I love fragrance and have a strong personal connection to scent. Some of my fondest memories revolve around scents, like going to church on Sundays and smelling my mom’s Bijan perfume and my dad’s Calvin Klein CK One, or early morning drives in my hometown and smelling fresh oranges permeate the crisp air, or family trips to San Diego and Mexico with the smell of the ocean forever present.” The Orange vibe of the perfume excites me and the AI photos of notes. Im from EU

  • Laurentiu says:

    I love cinnamon and and ‘urban, metropolitan lumberjack’ sounds good enough for me to make me curious about this fragrance.
    I am in Europe. Thank you!

  • INYA says:

    The Sicilian Blood Orange note, along with peppered saffron sounds appealing to me. I loved the description of green waters and fire. This quote moved me: “I saw how much my parents often sacrificed, especially in my earlier years, in order to give me and my brothers some semblance of normalcy.” Thanks for the opportunity to sniff. Mich USA

  • sbinkowitz says:

    I love spicy amber fragrances. Nicoleta did a fantastic job describing the beauty of this fragrance. I live in Houston Texas and would like to enter the giveaway. Thanks

  • BigMickyD says:

    “Work smarter, not harder” is a great life-advice to live by, and absolutely needed in an industry with diversity problems, which Matthew himself points puts a light on. So grateful for the chance to try this fragrance, and brand, for the first time. Good luck everyone!

    Kind regards from Sweden.

  • Taleofarose says:

    I love the idea of a perfume as an homage to homage to woods, spices, herbs, fruits and flora from three continents.

    From the previous article on Matteo, I liked “ Celadawn is written in cursive on the bottles and it’s my handwriting”

    Greetings from Portugal/EU

  • skye says:

    Gorgeous bottle! I love the warmth of the notes, The spices: pepper, cinnamon and saffron have some heat. The blood orange and horchata amber in addition to the vanilla and cedar all give me the impression of a sun drenched day. My favorite quote from the Oct 22 interview is: “What both sides of my family emphasized is the value of higher education and the concept of “work smarter, not harder,” which made me feel as if I can do anything.” Working smarter entails knowing what you want and it sounds like Matthew has a clear vision. MD,USA.

  • Teresa C says:

    The review was excellent, but honestly the notes alone are so intriguing! I did read the article and put Celadawn on my Want To Try list because of it. The bit that stuck out was the quote about the perfumery world having a diversity problem. When you look at all the European white dudes who seem to have the bulk of it, yeah, it does kind of look that way.

  • DuftHochZwei says:

    So is that DallE piece by you, Nicoleta, or by the brand? Anyway, this approach has the potential to illustrate ingredients really well, if evaluated by someone who is able to chose according to their knowledge. Cool thing.
    I love a good dose of cinnamon in my perfume and am eager to smell this. I’d love to win this to Germany, thank you for the draw!

  • MissT says:

    I was eager to try Celadawn when it was announced as one of the finalists of the Art and Olfaction awards. The notes seem really wonderful, warm, and cozy. Many thanks for this draw. I live in France, E.U.

  • Boris H says:

    “homage to African, Mediterranean and Latin woods, spices, herbs, fruits and flora’s”
    As Latino, growing up in Latin America, I am intrigued to know more and try this fragrance.
    I would like to be part of this giveaway.
    The alchemy of cultures and ingredients, makes Celadawn, a fragrance you want to try.
    Buena suerte, Mateo.
    From Massachusetts.

  • PetaloDiCera says:

    I love Nicoleta’s description of the fragrance..i almost feel the warm and orange sense of this perfume! I’m always curious about cinnamon..and also the “horchata amber” tickles my nose =)
    From the october 22 feature I was impressed by this thought: “I continued reading that feature and a lightbulb inside me turned on! On those pages I also couldn’t help but notice that all of the perfumers featured were older, white males, and from Europe. There was no one like me in the field or represented; a rhetorical question “is fragrance yet another industry that also has a diversity problem?””…I’m very sensitive about this kind of argument, I deeply believe in the richness of diversity and now curious about the creation of Mateo!
    Greetings from EU, Italy.

  • Southirina says:

    Nicoleta, thank you for this beautiful review!
    Celadawn took me directly into Dune universe (F Herbert). Celadawn remind me of Atreides home planet, the wet fresh green made me think of oceans and watery skies.
    And the cinnamon! Oh! The cinnamon is the spice that transforms everything, that creates addiction and push limits way far than even imagined.
    “maybe I could do this? Why not me? If not me then who?” – this is great mentality!❤️
    I would love to smell Celadawn.
    Hugs from Romania

  • aud604 says:

    What a sexy bottle!
    Nicoleta’s evocative fiery description of the spices in this fragrance has me hooked! A quote from the previous article: “There was no one like me in the field or represented; a rhetorical question “is fragrance yet another industry that also has a diversity problem?””.
    It’s great to see Matteo become the change he wanted to see. Truly inspiring!
    Thank you for the draw, I am from Canada.

  • Torax says:

    Nicoleta always amazes me with her reviews, I just love them. Celadawn is just an amazing fragrance I really want to try. The spices, herbs, fruits and woody notes makes it for me.
    This would be the perfect fragrance for the fall nights and special ocassions.
    USA here.

  • rachelng says:

    Nicoleta! ❤️❤️ Fascinating & lovely review!!! Can’t wait to check out Matteo Parfums! 7 Scents is the Best! If they like Celadawn and you like Celadawn, then it Must be Fantastic!!! Thank you for this wonderful opportunity! USA ❤️

  • mmerline says:

    I appreciate that Matthew Sanchez’s first fragrance is a direct reference to a nostalgic memory. In his Profiles in American Perfumery post, he said:

    “Some of my fondest memories revolve around scents, like going to church on Sundays and smelling my mom’s Bijan perfume and my dad’s Calvin Klein CK One, or early morning drives in my hometown and smelling fresh oranges permeate the crisp air, or family trips to San Diego and Mexico with the smell of the ocean forever present.”

    I love the smell of fresh oranges. Also, orange and spice are a tried and timeless pairing—”a clove-spiked orange peel warmed on a radiator” makes me think of yuletide dried pomanders—as is vanilla and cinnamon. In fact, I assumed from the scent notes that Celadawn would be a sweet-and-spicy gourmand, but Nicoleta pointed out that it settles into a woody amber (especially with the inclusion of leathery saffron). I’d love to try this one. Thanks for the review, Nicoleta.

    I’m in the midwest, USA.

  • wandering_nose says:

    So happy and grateful to learn about Matthew J. Sanchez, his complex and multi-faceted background, and his inaugural creation! Thank you Nicoleta, for the fantastic review. The AI generated imagery of ingredients made me think of travelling to the future somehow, and I really enjoy the journey! I have always adored cinnamon, so I can only crave it as the main character in a fragrance creation. The accompanying notes make for the best Christmas scent ever, but also for an amazing signature (IMHO). From the 22.10 I most loved the candid words by Matthew “I desire excellence and have faithfully found myself trying to always maximize my whole brain—I’m always seeking out ways to make use of my left-brain and right-brain; having a balanced life full of the arts and creativity and the sciences and logic.”
    Thank you from the EU

  • Regis Monkton says:

    I’m interested in trying this fragrance from Matteo Parfums. Its list of notes is appealing to me, and it has certain notes which I’m interested to try, e.g. Matteo Parfums custom Horchata Amber, Mexican Vanilla, and Beige Musk. I’m intrigued to try this fragrance because Nicoleta described an aspect of it as “The juiciness of the orange is short-lived and it rapidly dries to a clove-spiked orange peel” and when she mentions the leathery saffron. I live in the U.S.A.

    Here’s a quote from the 10/22/22 article: “we have received an Art and Olfaction award nomination in the Artisan Category for Celadawn”.

  • wallygator88 says:

    Super nice review! Iloved CFB’s interview with this perfumer – it was great to read about their background.

    This fragrance is so interesting because of the Horchata amber accord in the base. I haven’t seen that one before.

    Cheers frim WI, USA

  • sephrenia300 says:

    Lovely review Nicoleta! What excited me about Nicoleta’s review is her description of Celadawn as both cool and warm juxtaposed, with the warm orange light of blood orange and cinnamon mixed in with the cooler sweet woods. It sounds very intriguing and unusual.

    A quote that particularly struck me from the feature on October 22 with Mateo was “What both sides of my family emphasized is the value of higher education and the concept of “work smarter, not harder,” which made me feel as if I can do anything. Growing up as the middle child myself and in a working-class family, I saw how much my parents often sacrificed, especially in my earlier years, in order to give me and my brothers some semblance of normalcy.” As a first generation immigrant from a family that really intensely prized education, it really resonated with me. I live in the US.

  • Michael Prince says:

    I loved Nicoleta’s review of MATTEO Parfums Celadawn because she describes Matthew Sanchez and how is unique and diverse upbringing influenced his style in perfumery. Celadawn sounds amazing with it’s aromatic spicy orange and resinous nature. I found a great quote from his Profiles In American Perfumery Article on October 22, 2022 is “I placed a lot of pressure on myself, and still do most of the time, to hold myself to a high standard. I think it comes from my childhood and wanting to not only make myself and my family proud, but also as a way to “escape the struggle” and achieve an elevated life I always imagined.” I am from the USA.

  • danniella says:

    Nicoleta made me curious about the cinnamon, in all orange hues. The perfume could me my own little autograph from Matthew :” Celadawn is written in cursive on the bottles and it’s my handwriting.”
    I live in the EU.

  • Ron Marshall says:

    Congratulations Matthew and thank you so much for your perseverance, hard work, and representation. Keep up the good work and never give up. XO