New Perfume Review: Ys Uzac Dragon Tattoo (Vincent Micotti) + The Smell of Somebody Else Draw

lisbeth salander tattoo

Rooney Mara in The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo movie

Everyone has secrets. It’s just a matter of finding out what they are.” –Stieg Larson, The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo 

Vincent Micotti  perfumer   YS Uzac

Perfumer Vincent Micotti and  Ys Uzac  Dragon Tattoo Extrait

Vincent Micotti, the Basel based Swiss perfumer of the vastly underated House,  YS Uzac  is a  classical cellist, who along with his wife Vera Yeoh have created a collection of remarkable  fragrances.  Vincent has shown his great talent with the first four perfumes of YS Uzac in 2011. Music was his muse for the brilliant bruised iris/ hazy tuberose chypre that is  Satin Doll  (2014) and Immortal Beloved’s rich cognac stained plum (2013).  With the release of the limited edition extrait Dragon Tattoo, Mr. Micotti has created his most provocative perfume to date.  Before  I even sprayed  Dragon Tattoo, I knew that the decoration of the bottle had to be linked with the smell and that the metal studs on the leather band immediately suggested a statement.

The concept started with the challenge of creating a skin scent. Vincent wrote to us,   “I realised that the usual view a perfumer have about skin smell was either light woody notes like the famous Iso Gamma, or rather traditional like a tuberose-vanilla base.  Only very few perfumers would go to the extent of recreating the smell of somebody else“, he  told me.  Many ingredients have quite unpleasant notes, especially at high concentration, and at the same time, one may subconsciously link many other ingredients to junk food, cheap cosmetics or public environment.  The work with those characteristics and quite well known natural ingredients was fascinating, and the result doesn’t leave anyone indifferent“.

rooney-mara-the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo-04

                            Rooney Mara 

So what is this scent of “someone else”. His answer is both simple and fascinating: it is tattooed skin, specifically the skin of a tattooed girl. Smelling it the first time was one of the experiences I will never forget. I have never smelled anything this fascinating, that  both attracted and repelled me at the same time. When I spray it on, I envision a girl wearing latex or leather. A strong girl, androgynous, a  fighter and a passionate lover.  I smell her sweat, the dimestore face cream she uses. Hints of her chewing gum. The sunscreen she uses to keep her complexion pallid.

rooney-craig-kiss  The Dragon Tattoo

Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara  The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo

Rooney Mara as the Investigator Lisbeth Salander, in the  2011 movie “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”,  obviously comes to my mind when I wear this fragrance… like Lizbeth,  it is frightening, intelligent., vulnerable,  wary, and strangely sexy all at once. Lisbeth is a woman of incredible violence and is emotionally stranded. Unsure if you should fear or love her, yet you gravitate to her.  For me, she is the embodiment of this perfume.

rooney-mara-in-dragon-tattoo

Rooney Mara 

Urban but also dirty, a stranger in some aspects but hypnotic and so incredibly tempting.  Easily it can be worn by men; it is not feminine in the conventional sense. Longevity is all day and sillage is close, (it is an extrait) as a skin scent should be.   As it is a limited edition, I can only say get it while you can. 

Notes: Skin, Tattoo Ink, Suncream, Face Cream, Caramel, Fruits, Musc

Bettina Korp, Guest Contributor (art direction and contributions Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief)

Disclosure: I received my sample from Vincent Micotti, opinion is my own.

Dragon-Tattoo perfume YS UZAC

Thanks to the generosity of Vincent Micotti, we have draw for two  registered readers  (you must do this) as follows

 EU, USA and Canada: 50ml of  Dragon Tattoo and a sample  for  a reader elsewhere in the world.  To be eligible, please leave a comment with why you would like to win Ys Uzac Dragon Tattoo based on this review, where you live and if you ever seen the movie. If you have ever worn a YS Uzac perfume before we would love to know. Draw closes 11/19/2015

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

 

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38 comments

  • Ana Maria Andreiu says:

    Why? Because I’m intrigued. Because it sounds like an inventive and truly original idea for a change. And because I’m wearing Satin Doll on my wrists right now. And I’ve read the book and seen the original movie , the one with the Swedish actors. I’ve tested Ys Uzac perfumes on and off throughout the years. Pohadka I like quite a lot, never gotten around buying it but I thought all of them had something special. I feel like I need 5 ml of each so I can test properly and take my time with them. I live in Ireland

  • I didn’t see the movie but if this fragrance is “urban but also dirty, a stranger in some aspects but hypnotic and so incredibly tempting”, I have to put it on my to-test list!!
    I own and love Pohadka, a great mixture of leather, smoke and green notes.
    I’m in the EU.
    Thanks for the draw.

  • Ys Uzac Dragon Tattoo is a perfume that appears to have many elements that I usually shy away from which is precisely why I would like to try it. I hate to limit myself in perfumes and in everything else as well. I never did see the movie though the pre-release ads were great. I live in the US.

  • Because I felt in love with Immortal Beloved and Pohadka, never found another perfume who assume an everlasting flower like those one 🙂
    I’m looking forward to discover this new one!

  • Why do I want this? Notes I never heard of before. Never seen anything like this. Scents that can invoke attraction and repulsion are never boring. US

  • Love the concept of Mr Vincent Micotti, it is very innovative n I like the idea of recreating the smell of somebody else.
    I didn’t watch the movie yet but I will soon. I am new to the house of Vincent Micotti. 🙂

    I live in Malaysia and I would like to win the sample.
    Thank you for the draw.

  • Wow the notes in this sound so interesting! I didn’t think you could make a fragrance using them. I haven’t watched the movie or even heard of this house, but they sound like they make very high quality stuff. I live in Canada and thank you for the draw!

  • I’ve not seen the movie, but any perfume with crazy notes like that is a must try for me. U.S.

  • Wow. I am fascinated! As a former tattoo artist and a fairly heavily tattooed woman, it never occurred to me that tattooed skin has a particular smell!! And then I wonder why it hasn’t as I’m always smelling everything. But to the tattooist, the dominant smells of tattooing are Vaseline, sweat, and blood.

    Thanks for letting us know about this house. Never heard of them and will now go look at their website. Saw the movie and read the book, too. And in the US. Thank you, Vincent Miscotti, for your generosity, and Bettina for your review. And CaFleurBon, of course!

  • BostonScentGuy says:

    Totally intrigued by this review! The combination of human skin and man-made elements (skin cream, caramel) sounds delightful. I definitely saw and enjoyed the American remake of DRAGON TATTOO, esp Mara’s dynamic performance. I’ve tried and enjoyed many Ys Uzac fragrances, especially Pohadka with its grassy green sweetness. I’m in the US!

  • I would like to try this perfume because it is a scent inspired by secrets and mysteries like the main character in the Girl with the Dragon tattoo..the fragrance also seems challenging and unique which makes me even more curious. My fav. from YsUzac is Pohadka. thanks so much for the draw. I have seen both American and original foreign version of the movie. I am in the US

  • What an interesting array of notes in this one. I’d love to smell what the skin of a tattooed girl smells like. I have not watched the movie but have heard a lot of good things about it. Must remedy it soon.

    Thanks for the draw. I’m in Canada

  • I would love to try it because it appears to be an extraordinary perfume not a mainstream smell and because I have seen the motion picture, the Swedish version and liked it a lot!
    I am a registered reader living in EU and I thank you for this lovely review and draw.

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    Right from the start I am a real fan of Vincent Micotti and YS Uzac and I love Lale. I have read all the Stig Larsons when they were launched and it was all fascinating and thrilling. The new fragrance sounds very Special and I would like to have it. I live in the EU, Austria.

  • Wow! An exciting review for sure! From the description Bulgari Black came to mind. Perhaps a variant with a more prominent and lasting rubber note. Sounds great to me. I have never tried an Ys Uzac fragrance but I have seen the movie and Lisbeth Salander is surely an interesting (or rather provocative) character to base a perfume on. Very much interested in the results.

    EU resident here

  • Nice review! Tatoo ink and caramel../ Wow! I was tempted by the notes of this one. I have only seen the Swedish version. Fantastic movies! Noomi Rapace was great. I will be seeing the American verision soon.
    In the U.S. Thank you!

  • This sounds like one that I really want to try because i can’t imagine that combination of scents.
    I have read all three books and seen the movie which I really enjoyed.
    Thanks for the draw! US resident

  • What an amazing draw…..I know I would love to win it for the amazing bottle and the many wonderful notes in there that I love. The moment I saw this bottle and the name it reminded me of a show I watch and love called Blindspot with the actress Jaimie Alexander that is tattooed all over her body in the show. I could see her wearing this. I have not watched the movie, but may just have to. I have also worn Lale by Ys Uzac and love it. I am in the US, this is an amazing draw. Thank you so much.

  • Thank you so much for this generous giveaway. I’ve seen the amazing movie. This fragrance sounds absolutely divine. I love absolutely strange concoctions. Podhaka was one of my favorite scents three years ago. He is an excellent perfumier.

  • I would be interested in smelling this based on the peculiar set of accords and notes that compose it. I am quite curious to experience tattooed skin and face cream abstractions in perfumery.

    I have not seen the movie but am a fan of the book series. I have noticed the Ys Uzac name several times in my fragrance journey but have yet to smeel any of the house’s creations.

    I am in the US. Thanks for the draw.

  • I saw both versions of the movie. One of the more intriguing creations (to read) in quite some time. I envision everyone around me asking what it is I’m wearing. 🙂 USA

  • We need more Vincent Micettis in the world and less soulless chemists churning out flankers. Saw the movie didn’t read the book and love the bottle. Really good review and would love to smell like someone’s tattoos
    I have smelt Satin Doll and have been wanting a bottle
    Btw amazing website for YS UZAC

  • This one has some really strange notes. My only experience with an ink perfume was M/Mink and while I can appreciate the art part I could not wear it. I think it was too much for somebody around me. I wonder how Dragon Tattoo will perform, knowing that it has some sweet things going on like caramel and the note of musk, but then again suncream, face cream and skin… really, really intriguing!

    I have never worn any YS Uzac perfumes before and Dragon Tattoo can be a really good start!

    I am from EU. Thanks for the draw!

  • Never tried anything of Ys Uzac range, and this one sounds intriguing! Moreover, ‘human’ smell in perfume is always appealing to me, and my skin loves this kind of smells – it turns them into softness and prettiness, and leaves out the skank.
    I only know the European movie version of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and I love it. The photos I see in the review from the newer movie are also appealing, I should take time to watch, as well.
    Thank you for the chance!
    I am in Bulgaria (EU).

  • I love the idea of capturing the scent of someone in a fragrance, versus creating a fragrance to make someone smell a particular way. I’ve read the books and seen all three of the Swedish movies and the first American one. Thanks! I’m in the US.

  • Mrs. MacDonald says:

    this sounds really, really interesting and reading this actually gave me a bit of an emotional charge…i’ve worn the scent of someone else, but not from a bottle 😉 i’d love to try this perfume, i have seen the movie and loved it, it was so raw. i live in Canada and only have one tattoo and one nose ring 🙂

  • I’m just here to say how much I adore YS-UZAC and how happy I am to see them getting some love. If you have never ordered from this Swiss-based parfum house, please do yourself a favor and visit their website; it’s absolutely gorgeous. At least start with ordering their samples; such beautiful presentation, so much luxury, shipped so quickly, low-cost shipping and the samples are wonderful sprays (gotta love the sprays!!!) and they are so super-reasonably-priced! You will feel so special to receive their package in the mail; it is THAT extraordinary. Here is the link to the samples but do take the time to explore their whole website. Oh my goodness, such an incredible, delicious delight. http://www.blendofmarvels.com/samples/173/samples?c=38

  • I’m from Texas, have never seen the movie, and would love to win a bottle of Dragon Tattoo because its description here makes me think of my best girlfriends and how delicious they smell when we’re all out clubbing, dancing, drinking, and partying. It feels like I know this scent, Dragon Tattoo, intimately and now YS-UZAC has somehow captured it in a bottle. It’s got to be the most amazing and majorly get-your-freak-on scent EVER!!! Yes, I want it and I never want the party to end. Is that so bad? Other scents of YS-UZAC that I love are Lale, Metaboles, Satin Doll, and Immortal Beloved.

  • I’m in the US and did see the movie. Thought it very edgy and my expectation would be this fragrance might be the same. Very different but definitely outside the comfort zone.

  • I found Lisbeth Salander to be one of the most intriguing characters I ever had the pleasure to read. I absolutely vacuumed up all three books and have so far not felt the need to see any of the movies, I have my own movie in my head. She is vulnerable, smart, spiky and complex. A perfume of that sounds utterly fascinating. I’ve never smelt any Ys Uzac though it’s been on the edge of my radar for a while. I’m in Australia.

  • Interesting review. I suppose that it is a very strange perfume.
    I saw that movie, a few years ago. Not the whole movie, but the half of it. I have never tried any of YS Uzac perfume. I live in Europe.

  • This sounds truly fascinating. For it to be the most provocative Ys Uzac yet, as well as smelling like “skin of a tattooed girl,” piques my interest. I have had the chance to try Satin Doll, and I would love to explore more Ys Uzac scents. I am in the US, I have not seen the movie. Thanks for the draw!

  • Just reading about the combo of YS Uzac & The girl with the Dragon Tatoo is enough to set my pulse racing. I am from London UK in the EU. Yes i have seen the film and LOVE it. I own Pohadka, Immortal Beloved & Sacre du Printemps which i stumbled upon in the 6th floor of Harrods. Sacre du Printemps must be one of the best releases of the decade. Such a shame that this amazing scent is under-the-radar.

  • Very nice review and what a unique fragrance! I want to smell it so bad! I haven’t seen the film but I’ve read the book. I usually enjoy the books more than the movies.

    I’ve never tried a fragrance from this house yet.

    Canada

  • Nowadays tattoos are no longer synonymous of rebellion and has become synonymous of fashion. Many tattoos no longer have the philosophical sense and now have aesthetic sense. Nothing better to mark this new era fashion as a perfume that is the tattoo interpretation.
    I would love to win this fragrance because this review made me very curious about the notes. It must be very different from anything I’ve ever experienced in my life and this note ink with musk should transform the fragrance into something flashy. The bottle is fantastic, the dream of any collector.

    USA

  • I have never seen the movie but this scent sounds amazing:
    Skin, Tattoo Ink, Suncream, Face Cream, Caramel, Fruits, Musc
    WOW!!! I love love love unusual notes!
    I haven’t seen the movie but would love to get my hands on this! I live in NYC in the USA.

  • As many others have said, the notes sound very interesting. I’m a fan of unique fragrances, and it doesn’t get much more unique than this. I haven’t watched the movie yet but its on my to watch list for sure. I also haven’t tried anything from this house. I’m a Canadian reader and thanks for the draw!