New Perfume Review: Maiyet X Barneys New York By Ralf Schwieger + Ultimate Skin Scent Draw

maiyet x barneys bottle cafleurebon

Maiyet is a fashion house  founded by Kristy Caylor and Paul van Zyl that has established global partnerships to create high fashion that is artisanal and made from local, sustainable materials. They also provide training for their artisans to produce the highest quality workmanship and help bring prosperity to their communities. For this opportunity to create a scent exclusive to Barneys New York, they worked with Master Perfumer Ralf Schweiger of Mane to compose a signature perfume. Maiyet X Barneys,  utilizes ingredients from their artisan partner countries, such as Indonesian patchouli, Indian saffron, jasmine and sandalwood, and Nambian Myrrh. According to Kristy Caylor, Founder, President, and Creative Director of Maiyet the perfume is "Infused with scent notes inspired by our artisan locations throughout the world… this fragrance embodies the spirit of Maiyet and the Maiyet woman.”

Maiyet fall 2014 barneys cafleurebon

Maiyet Fall 2014 Collection, from Maiyet website

Although the fragrance ingredients used in Maiyet X Barneys perfume might sound like it would be intense and enveloping, the scent is actually beautifully subtle.  It opens with bright fruity bergamot touched with saffron. The perfume at this stage is a tad sweet, but it matures away from that sweetness pretty quickly into a creamy well rounded fragrance.  Maiyet X Barneys New York will be especially appealing to women (and men) who crave a scent that whispers, rathers than shouts.  It is more unique than the typical unobstrusive fragrance that is a barely there ubiquitous floral or fresh scent.  But don't be fooled by this quiet perfume; it is exotic in its own way with understated sensuality. A good neck-snuffle would be encouraged. The ultimate skin scent at the dry down is what makes Maiyet X Barneys very sexy without trying too hard. Warm, soft, and smooth, with a delicate touch of sweet vanilla and myrrh, a sliver of warm woods, and an unexpected pinch of salt, it is soothing, blooms a bit, and has good longevity. As you would expect, sillage is minimal and intimate.  I can see this being a great perfume for the fall as well as warmer seasons.

Notes: Italian Bergamot, Indian Jasmine and Saffron, Namibian Myrrh, Indian Sandalwood and Indonesian Patchouli

My sample was graciously provided by Barneys New York in San Francisco. It is available online and in store exclusively at Barneys New York. $195 for 100 ml.

Tama Blough, Managing Editor

 

maiyet namibian landscape cafleurebon

Nabibian Landscape 8 by Frank Janssens

*Notes:

The Namibian myrrh was harvested in partnership with Mane’s Kustha Project, an organization promoting economic empowerment through fair trade and labor. (click for a PDF explanation of the project)

Ralf Schwieger is also the perfumer for the the past three X Barneys perfumes: L'Wren Scott 2012, Greg Lauren 2013, and Irene Neuwirth 2014

Thanks to Barneys NY in San Francisco we have a carded sample to give away to one US reader. To be eligible. let us know what appeals to you about Maiyet X Barneys New York.  Draw ends September 11, 2014

We announce the winners only on site and our Facebook page, so like CaFleureBon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will just be spilled perfume.

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21 comments

  • Donna Spiegel says:

    Thanks for this review. I had read about this new Barney’s scent and was curious about it. The notes sound nice and it’s surprising that it was a softer scent on you. That’s not at all what I expected this one to project. I would love to try this for myself and would welcome the sample. I’m in the US. Thanks so much.

  • Kim M. says:

    I like the fact that it’s a little sweet, even if it does settle down. That it ends with vanilla and myrrh sounds delightful! US resident. Thanks for the draw!

  • Joan Mansbach says:

    With all the dark and smoky scents stealing the spotlight of late, I”m happy Barney’s went in the direction of something a bit sweet with warm woods…besides who doesn’t love delicious vanilla. I’d love to try this. Who knows…it could be the one.6

  • Barbara B says:

    Myrrh and woods! Would love the chance to try this since I don’t live near Barney’s. I am in the Us. Thanks for the draw.

  • Maya says:

    Many skin scents seem to be about musks. That’s gotten boring. I would love to try a skin scent that is exotic and sexy and salty. Sounds delicious! I’m in the US.

  • HeatherP says:

    Bergamot, saffron, warm woods, and vanilla? I’m very eager to try this. I’m in the US; thanks for the draw!

  • Sandi L says:

    The notes in this one sound very intriguing! I’m a sucker for vanilla woody dry downs 😉 Love the fact this one was inspired by artisan locations throughout the world. Would love to sample this one.. I am in the US.

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    First of all, it is Ralph Schwieger’s creation, thus, surprise element is always there. second, this fragrance has lot of notes i enjoy such as sandalwood and Jasmine, fortunately both from India. Thanks for the lovely draw. i am in the US

  • Darilyn says:

    This sounds so good! I would wear this as my nighttime scent.
    I would love to try it! Thanks for the draw. I am in the US.

  • Lean S says:

    I’m excited to find out about the wonderful sounding dry-down of this perfume. Vanilla, myrrh, sandalwood sound wonderful for a fall scent. I am in the US. Thank you!

  • Cynthia Mc says:

    Patchouli and saffron are two of my favorite notes. I also prefer quiet perfumes but do not want to forgo the understated sensuality offered by a captivating fragrance. This sounds so elegant. I’m in the US.
    Thank you for the draw.

  • julesinrose says:

    Saffron and myrrh. This sounds lovely. I prefer skin scents and would love to try this. In the US.

  • einsof says:

    of course what appeals to me is the partnerships which give new life and financial viability to tradition, culture and general way-of-being for indigenous peoples around the globe.

    there is no other form of trade, in my mind; the kind which purchases, without purchasing the soul of a people. The kind which harvests the earth, without harvesting our future.

    and all of this results in ART, which is the nectar which transports us beyond our limitations and negative thoughts.

    thank you, once again Tama!
    (usa)

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    That Maiyet X Barneys New York utilizes ingredients from their artisan partner countries is a wonderful concept. Bringing prosperity to the community is just icing on a exotic cake.

  • Cynthia says:

    I love that this perfume draws attention to using fair trade ingredients. The list of ingredients does sound very heavy so I would be interested to see how this is made light.

  • Ginny M says:

    I love the “fair trade” aspect, and who can resist something dubbed the ultimate skin scent? Thanks for the delightful review, Tama, and I live in the U.S.