Thierry Mugler

Alien Aqua Chic by Thierry Mugler

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Beyond getting a sample of Pure Malt to review, I also picked up a fragrance for the ladies by Thierry Mugler, Alien Aqua Chic. Now, this is a flanker fragrance to the ever popular, Alien, and while they do share some similarities, Aqua Chic is quite a different perfume. In this post, I want to give my full impressions of this scent, on how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, and if it is worth a purchase.

What does Alien Aqua Chic Smell Like?

alien aqua chic

Notes include: freesia, wood, ginger, amber, lemon verbena

Click here to try: Thierry Mugler Alien Aqua Chic Light Eau de Toilette Spray for Women, 2 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Alien Aqua Chic is somewhat reminiscent of the original Alien perfume but this one is decidedly more floral/aquatic with a slight spiciness provided by that ginger note.

I actually like the way the freesia and lemon verbena blend together to create a fairly unique floral fragrance and a welcome departure from the usual rose or violet that many perfumes have.

I would say that the aqua name fits as the floral notes do seem ‘juicy’ in that watery sort of way. I like this perfume but am not overwhelmed or really wowed by it.

The ginger note does feel like the highlight of this fragrance. It is a very fresh and crisp aroma, that comes across as being confident without being gaudy.

There isn’t too much development with this one. More freesia, less spice, some amber, and light woods in the base. As it moves along, it also loses some of that initial freshness. Basically a floral/aquatic/spicy/citrus blend to one that is more floral/amber.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The projection on this one is pretty good. Aqua Chic is a moderate fragrance in my opinion and I don’t think there will be a problem with choking people out while wearing it, unless you really go overboard with the sprays.

It has a lighter and fresh tone, rather than being heavy. But, that projection does hold up, without overwhelming. I think the initial strength is above average and then gradually decays into something more middle of the road.

The longevity is very good and lasted on my skin for 6-7 hours before I washed it off…it was still going strong, so my guess is this one will hit 8+ hours pretty easily. It wouldn’t shock me if some can get to 10 hours with Aqua Chic.

Alien Aqua Chic isn’t really a nighttime or sexy kind of scent. I would say, that it is best for casual wear during the spring or summer months of the year. I think that it is an interesting contrast versus most of the summery type of perfumes out there.

Overall Impressions of Aqua Chic

Overall, I think that this Thierry Mugler perfume is pretty good. The performance is exactly what you would want from a perfume. The smell is pleasant, but it isn’t really mind blowing to me.

It’s quite similar to Alien, but with a fresh ginger note, and and aquatic aroma. Less woody, smooth, and vanilla overall. Pretty simple and linear without too much development. Basically, you like Alien but want something more wearable in the heat.

That’s not a bad thing for a spring and summer wear, because you do at least get solid performance from this one. Which, is pretty much the case with every Mugler perfume, and this doesn’t mess up the Alien namesake with poor performance.

If you need a solid casual scent, like slightly spicy florals, and can get a good price on a bottle, I’d say go for it. Update: It’s not as available as it once was, but I’ve seen bottles of Aqua Chic still floating around, just much more sparingly. I don’t think you’ll be able to get it at a cheap price any longer.

Alien Flora Futura by Mugler

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Alien has been such a popular fragrance for so long, that it will seemingly never stop spinning off new flanker options based on that original concept. One of the latest perfumes from Mugler, is Alien Flora Futura, which I recently grabbed a sample of and tried out. How does it smell? How long does it last? When should it be worn? Continue below for my full take on this perfume.

What does Flora Futura Smell Like?

Notes include: orange, jasmine, white amber

Click here to try: Thierry Mugler Alien Flora Futura for Women Eau de Toilette Spray, 2.0 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

Before I get into my thoughts about this fragrance, let’s see how Mugler describes it: Extraordinary flowers blossom at the heart of an addictive and fresh Eau de Toilette. Alien Flora Futura, a futuristic flower.

Alien Flora Futura celebrates the beauty of otherness: the beauty of being yourself, being different, being original. But also the beauty of hope. A hope and a uniqueness that are embodied in a desert flower. A flower of the future that blooms in a world of light.

Also to update this post, apparently this has two formulations with different notes. The other one sounds pretty interesting with night blooming cereus flowers and buddha wood. That’s not the sample that I got and the review is based on the notes I wrote above.

Upon spraying Flora Futura, I immediately pick up on citrus, a greenish aroma, and jasmine. The citrus does have an orange note (maybe orange blossom?), but it smells like there is a bit of lemon here also. I like it, it’s a pretty aroma, that does bring on memories of the original Alien.

The main differences between them, from what I can remember are: the jasmine is toned down here and so is the general power of the fragrance. Flora Futura should be a lot more tolerable for the average person versus the original Alien.

This one does have a bright sort of disposition. Quite upbeat and pleasant. Once the initial wave of citrus passes, there is more of the greenish smell and some watery elements. Like a cut flower stem floating in a vase. Some other unlisted floral note that isn’t jasmine.

As it dries down, amber and sandalwood really start to come through.  At this point, what you smell is what you get. Jasmine, amber, sandalwood, and whatever is left over of the opening citrus notes. Mostly, a light and somewhat creamy white floral fragrance.

Not very complicated or a journey with many twists and turns, but one that is nice to go on.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage with this one is pretty light to moderate. There are a lot of super loud and powerful fragrances by Mugler, but Flora Futura isn’t one of them. Not that it is weak, but I never felt as if this perfume would take over the room. A lighter and sheer sort of floral.

The longevity is decent, but not spectacular. 6-7.5 hours it’s lasted on my skin during testing. The last few hours being a skin scent. Not great, but again, this isn’t a heavy kind of fragrance.

Seasonally, Flora Futura is a spring and summer fragrance all the way. It thrives in warmer temperatures.

This could be worn casually in the daytime, to work, or any other daytime event. It is an attractive fragrance, but not bold enough for the nightlife. As a man, I do find it to be a pretty sort of scent, but wouldn’t really call it sexy.

Overall Impressions of Alien Flora Futura

Do I like this perfume? Yes, I do. It’s not an amazing fragrance, but I actually enjoyed the scent a lot. This can be a great option for those who want a lighter warm weather version of Alien. Alternatively, those who think the original is too much, may find this more to their liking.

Mostly this version is a jasmine affair. Somewhat unique and citrusy top, but full of white flowers, amber, and wood in the base.

It’s a clean, lively, and simple fragrance. The performance isn’t going to be great, but it is certainly passable in my book. Just don’t go into this thinking that Flora Futura is going to be a powerhouse.

This is a nice addition to the Alien lineup. I’m not sure if they made a futuristic floral, whatever that was supposed to mean (must be the other formulation). I do also dig Alien Fusion and Alien Goddess to about the same degree as this one. There are many more creative Mugler perfumes beyond what this accomplishes, but still very nice.

Aura EDP by Mugler

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Aura was released by Thierry Mugler in 2017. Mugler is a fragrance house that I really enjoy, as they usually come out with something that is a bit different and also bold. Aura is definitely a prime example. In this post, I want to relay my experience with Aura, how it smells, performs, and whether or not it is worth a buy.

What does Aura by Mugler Smell Like?

Notes include: fresh leaves, rhubarb, bourbon vanilla, orange blossom, wood

Click here to try: Aura MUGLER 90 ml refillable Spray EDP

My Full Wear Review 

How Mugler describes it: Aura exudes a wild blend of botanical freshness and feline sensuality.

Wow, what an odd duck this is. The opening of aura brings me a dewy aroma of forest, a big dose of rhubarb, sort of sour, and orange blossom.  Sounds weird? It is, but I kind of like it.

Another note that Mugler lists on its website for Aura is almond, specifically a vanilla-covered almond. Personally, I don’t pick up much nuttiness, as it is subdued by that initial botanical (fresh leaves) aroma. However, it is there just a touch.

That opening act can seem somewhat medicinal (think mint), but once that initial phase passes, the vanilla and orange blossom really make this one pleasant. The phase is much more along the lines of other traditional perfumes, while still retaining a unique style.

The final stage for me, is a greenish blend of orange blossom and vanilla with a slightly woody base. I don’t get much more development beyond that. It has its sweetness, but it comes across as a denser and darker kind of perfume.

Sillage, Longevity, and When to Wear

Projection wise, Aura doesn’t require too many sprays to be effective. It’ll give you a nice radius of aroma around you. Not the strongest scent out there, but this one is plenty powerful.

For that first hour or two, I would call it strong. Aura has a great ability to project and leave a scent trail. After that, it remains above average, declining until it disappears entirely. 

Another plus for Aura is the longevity. It fell somewhere in the 9-10 hour range on my skin. This is what I’ve come to expect from most Mugler fragrances, they usually all bring great performance.

Aura EDP hits that rather high level, but doesn’t venture very far into the double digit hour territory like some of the other Mugler fragrances, though.

 

Seasonally, I could see this being worn anytime, except maybe the hottest days. However, a moderate spring day, maybe a little rainy out would be perfect. In the extreme heat, I think this one would be tested to still continue to hold up. Not ideal.

Casual or romantic wear. Doesn’t strike me as anything formal. It is sexy, in its own unique way. Aura is one that is going to depend greatly on your body chemistry, as to how it presents itself. On the right person, this could be captivating.

Overall Impressions of Aura

Do I like this perfume? I do enjoy it a lot. Obviously, as a man, this isn’t going to be one I’m going to wearing around. But, there is plenty here to enjoy. I’m a big fan or orange blossom and vanilla. Here, they are wrapped up in that green botanical aroma, and it is very interesting.

Aura isn’t a fragrance for everyone. This is one you’ll want to test out beforehand and give it multiple tries. That initial ‘weirdness’ may throw you off, but you could end up really liking it with another chance.

The performance is great, it gives you something unique, and is attractive. If you can vibe with it, Aura is well worth a shot. Personally, this is one of my favorite women’s Mugler releases over the past handful of years. Yes, it might not get the same level of attention in the sea of Alien and Angel flankers, but this one is across the board wonderful.

Alien Fusion by Mugler

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Alien Fusion is yet another flanker version from the best selling Alien series by Thierry Mugler. This perfume was released in 2019 and has enjoyed some success since then. In this post, I am going to share my experience with Fusion. How does it smell, how long does it lasts, and is it actually worth a try.

What does Alien Fusion Smell Like?

Notes include: ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, orange blossom, tuberose, and amber

Click here to try: Thierry Mugler Alien Fusion Women 2 oz EDP Spray

Full Wear Review

Here’s what Mugler says about Alien Fusion: At the heart of the desert an eclipse is revealed. Alien Fusion, a flamboyant Eau de Parfum that unveils a sensual trail with a vibrant depth.

Fusion opens up with a fresh spice combination and the citrus hints of the orange blossom. It’s warm with the early stages of amber and vanilla. 

After a few minutes, it begins to shift and the tuberose takes hold as the main note within the composition. Tuberose, cinnamon, and orange blossom. I’d say it becomes a 70/30 split between the tuberose and orange blossom. 

It’s got that nice bubblegum type smell from that tuberose note, similar to what you find in L’Interdit by Givenchy. Different fragrances, but that strikes me as a close comparison. Funny enough, this has ginger too, like L’Interdit Rouge. Except it’s pretty weak in Alien Fusion.

It stays pretty much the same until the final dry down, where there is more amber and vanilla. So, it’s a white floral with amber, vanilla, and some remaining light spices. The cinnamon hangs around longer than does the ginger note, which is usually short-lived in many perfumes.

Fusion has plenty of overlap with the original Alien, just more spice and a lighter aroma overall.

 

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Alien Fusion is very strong, not elite but it’s got plenty of power behind it. You don’t need to go crazy with the sprays to make it noticeable. If you’re familiar with the original Alien, this isn’t as powerful nor is it as heavy. 

Still, it does rise above most of the mainstream offerings out there, and will leave a distinct scent trail behind. 

The longevity is also good. Enough for a full workday, though, not really a double digit wear. 7-9 hours is about what it would last during testing. 

It has that strong start, is moderate by the third or forth hour, and then slowly fades away until you get to that eighth or ninth. 

Seasonally, this would be a good bet for the spring and summer months. While it has plenty of notes that work well in the colder weather, also. Honestly, could be fine almost year round.

I’d probably avoid the hottest days of summer. But, I have to say that I didn’t hate it when it was warm. It wasn’t too cloying or overwhelming. Ideally, a more moderate day in spring or even autumn would be a nice time to apply Fusion. 

 

Fusion has plenty of versatility for wear. Casual, semi-formal, work, and has enough attractiveness for dates or nightlife. It’s not the most formal or completely ‘serious’ scent, but it doesn’t strike me as being too immature. 

Overall Impressions of Alien Fusion

Overall, do I like Alien Fusion? I do. This is a great flanker scent. It smells great, you get plenty of overlap with the original, and it has solid performance.

I like the opening act especially. The freshness and orange blossom smells wonderful. It’s not that complex of a perfume, it just does everything very well.

The cinnamon, amber, and tuberose middle act is still quite attractive and I was never bored with this Mugler perfume. It’s got a good mix of spiciness, sweetness, warmth, and floral notes.

It’s pretty and gives you plenty of opportunity to wear it in a variety of climates or outings. If you didn’t like Alien, this one might be more tolerable for you, so it’s worth a try. It’s not as in your face or harsh as the original can be sometimes. 

If you liked Alien and want something slightly different and not as heavy, this is a great option, that you’ll probably enjoy.

Angel Muse EDP by Thierry Mugler

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Moving right along through these ladies perfume reviews, I have one today for another Thierry Mugler perfume: Angel Muse. Obviously, this is a flanker to the original Angel that was released back in the early 1990s, and has been a best seller ever since. Is this one worth it? How does it smell? Does it actually perform well?

What does Angel Muse Smell Like?

Notes include: patchouli, vetiver, hazelnut cream, pink pepper, wood

Click here to try: Thierry Mugler Angel Muse Eau de Parfum spray, 1.0 oz

My Full Muse Review

Angel Muse is a very interesting scent for me, as patchouli usually represents a wildcard for my nose, as to whether or not I’ll enjoy a fragrance. The opening is a blast of patchouli with sugary sweetness of the hazelnut cream and a fruit note in there as well.

Grapefruit is the citrus fruit note and has that sparkling sharp brightness to it. Mixed with the patchouli and pink pepper note up top, this one can start out pretty earthy, with a level of dirtiness to it. The opening isn’t all that fantastic, but this gets way better to my nose.

It reminds me of  I Love NY for Holidays by Bond No. 9, as it has that same sweet baked goods feeling mixed with patchouli. Of course, it also shares so much DNA with the original Angel, too.

However, I will say that Angel Muse does it better and ultimately differentiates itself from the Bond No. 9 fragrance. I think the inclusion of the vetiver note was a great choice, as it adds an earthy/woodsy aroma, for depth.

Angel Muse is so smooth while maintaining that unique earthy smell and it’s quite fantastic.

During the dry down, I get more of the vetiver and hazelnut. There is of course a creamy quality to the fragrance from the hazelnut cream, but I also think there might be some tonka bean in there. I

t’s warm and enveloping with a bit of spice from pink pepper and the dominant patchouli.

The dry down is really where it’s at with Angel Muse. Once the grapefruit has faded away, the whole composition fits together better. The hazelnut cream note, is the absolute highlight of the fragrance for me.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Angel Muse never strikes me as too loud or heavy, and I’d call the sillage moderate. Maybe, upper end of that rang. You won’t have to spray a lot and you won’t choke out the room. Mugler did a great job of balancing both the notes and the performance.

The projection itself will at least be a few feet from the skin for a vast majority of the wear before it finally tapers off.

Longevity is also awesome, it will last all day no problem. I’d say at its max, it hung around for 10 hours. Usually, falling into that 8-10 hour range, closer to the lower numbers most of the time. Yet, it still delivers plenty.

Climate wise, this one is for the autumn/winter, and probably won’t be great in the high heat of summer. One could wear Angel Muse casually, romantically, or even out in a night club scenario. It’s a very versatile fragrance.

Though, it’s not really a formal kind of wear. But, with some lighter application, it would be just fine at work or something along those lines.

Muse is warm, inviting, and has a certain sexiness to it. It is kept from being too sweet and overwhelming by the vetiver and patchouli, which makes this much more appealing and mature.

Overall Impressions of Angel Muse

Overall, would I recommend Angel Muse by Thierry Mugler? Yes. I like it a whole lot. I actually just now figured out what I like about the dry down and that hazelnut/cocoa aroma. It’s because of its resemblance to the opening of Dior Homme Intense, due to the shared vetiver note.

Angel Muse is much more feminine and sweeter, but there is a similarity there and I dig it. Ultimately, Angel Muse is dry and warm and sweet and great.

Some may not care for the opening act (I don’t really either). Also, patchouli and vetiver can be a turn off for other folks. That woody/earthiness works well, in my view. Others, may find it to be too much.

The good news is, that this perfume gets better as the wear moves along. It’s got solid strength and staying power. The creaminess is fantastic and this one gives you a crowd pleasing yet pretty unique experience. This is one of the better Angel perfumes and an awesome gourmand.