The other day I reviewed Rouge No. 1, part of the new M. Micallef Art Collection. I loved Rouge No. 1’s floral beauty…let’s see what Rouge No. 2 has in store…
WHAT I SMELL: Rouge No. 2 opens with sweet black currant cut with bright citrus notes. It’s tangy, sparkling and zesty. You can smell a tinge of nutmeg which gives it an undercurrent of cinnamon like spice. Quickly, the florals make their way in. At first I get more violet which is then taken over by a wonderful jasmine. The base notes bring some nice depth into play with sweetened and warm vanilla and amber. After around 20 minutes, Rouge No. 2 becomes more full-bodied and begins to expand. There is almost a gourmand sugary sweetness that sits on top of the florals. It’s sweet, but not syrupy…it’s what I would call more of a sophisticated sweet. In the end, Rouge No. 2 radiates its gourmand beauty with a large projection that lasts for hours.
Rouge No. 2 Notes:
Top notes are citruses, black currant and nutmeg; middle notes are jasmine, violet and orchid; base notes are vanilla, labdanum, amber and castoreum.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Cake. Not literally; but its yummied goodness makes you want to cut off a big piece and eat it!
THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE ROUGE NO. 2: big, sugared, gourmand
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ROUGE NO. 2: Olfactoria’s Travels, Cafluerebon
BOTTOM LINE: Where Rouge No. 1 sits more on the sophisticated side, Rouge No. 2 sits more on the wild side. Its full-bodied sweetened goodness doesn’t allow for it to be shy.
- Bone Rating: 3.5 out of 5 possible bones
- Scent: Oriental Floral
- Classification: Feminine
- Expense: $245 for 100ml EdP
THE DRAW: The good folks at Hypoluxe, the U.S. distributor of M. Micallef fragrances have offered 10 5ml sets of Rouge No. 1 and Rouge No. 2 to my lucky U.S. readers. That means all winners will get one of each! Each 5ml fragrance comes in its own cute little bottle and accompanying bag! To enter, please leave a comment as to which M. Micallef Art Collection perfume, Rouge No. 1 or Rouge No. 2 , intrigues you the most and why. Also, be sure to state that you are a resident of the United States. The drawing will close at midnight Eastern Standard Time on August 31, 2013. The 10 winners will be chosen at random. Good luck with getting your rouge on!!
The Scented Hound 
August 25, 2013 at 10:47 am
I would love to try #2. Sounds absolutely delicious!
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August 25, 2013 at 11:25 am
Carla – it is so yummy!!! Good luck with the draw!
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August 25, 2013 at 11:29 am
Carla – please verify that you are in the U.S.. Once you do you’ll be set to go for the draw!
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August 25, 2013 at 1:17 pm
I am in the u.s. thanks!
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August 25, 2013 at 11:01 am
I like the sound of Rouge No.2, will try when it appears in Poland.
Great draw! Good luck to the US participants, I can’t join
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August 25, 2013 at 11:27 am
Lucas – you may just like this. So sorry that you can’t participate 😦
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August 25, 2013 at 12:13 pm
We’ll see how it goes when I sample it.
No problem, the restrictions are the understandable thing.
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August 25, 2013 at 11:13 am
With the gorgeous bottles, I hardly care about the scent inside. But, I would have to say Rouge 1 would be my first pick to try. I am always looking for a god peach note. I am in the US.
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August 25, 2013 at 11:26 am
Nancy – I have to say that Rouge 1 is my favorite of the two. The florals are just so big and embracing. Pure loveliness. Good luck with the draw!
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August 25, 2013 at 11:25 am
I would love to try the Rouge #2 because I love gourmand and I love fruity fragrances!! Pick Me!
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August 25, 2013 at 11:28 am
Charlotte – Please verify that you are in the US and once you do, you’ll be set for the draw! Best of luck!
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August 25, 2013 at 12:25 pm
I would love Rouge no 2! Balmy and creamy is right up my alley. I’m intrigued by the black current too. Im in the US. : ) Thank you!
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August 25, 2013 at 12:42 pm
Best of luck Samantha!
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August 25, 2013 at 1:04 pm
I would love to try Rouge 2, simply because gourmand-ish notes usually don’t do well on me and I am not over the moon for them; however, I’m intrigued by how the notes in this would do on my skin. Thank you so much for the draw!
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August 25, 2013 at 3:54 pm
Devon – I hope you get a chance to test them both!! Good luck!
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August 25, 2013 at 5:06 pm
Of course I can’t enter but congratulations on the draw Steve that’s awesome 😀 !!!
Your blog gets better post to post.
I haven’t tried much of MIcallef – I hate the bottles 😦 but this does sound good and I always hear great things about the line. I’ll have to get my nose on them seriously soon. Lovely write up
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August 25, 2013 at 5:26 pm
You don’t like the bottles? Actually, I really like them alot. Put some bling on anything and I’m happy. I do have to say that I prefer Rouge 1…Rouge 2 was a bit too sweet for my taste. I hate saying that because sweet to me always makes me think that it’s meant for someone young. Maybe it’s more that this is really suited for cooler weather and right now it’s hot and humid which makes this a bit too thick for the time being.
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August 25, 2013 at 6:49 pm
I live in the U.S. (yey for me! 🙂 )
I want to try both since all reviews I read were quite positive, but especially I’m curious about No 2 because I’m currently in the search for a purfect black currant (for my post and for me).
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August 25, 2013 at 6:53 pm
U – the black current is fleeting at the beginning…but you never know it might stick by you longer than for me. Best of luck!!! 🙂
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August 25, 2013 at 7:31 pm
Ooh, tough choice, as they both sound great. The peach and ylang-ylang of No. 1 will, I think, be narrowly edged out by No. 2, as something a bit big, a bit loud, and a bit spicy sounds more me. They do have gorgeous bottles–have you seen the ones for Ananda and black? (I am in the US.)
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August 25, 2013 at 7:56 pm
Laurels, I love that bottle style. I have to admit that I am a packaging snob. M. Micallef always does their packaging right. Who doesn’t like Swarovski crystals???!! Best of luck with the draw!!
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August 25, 2013 at 7:40 pm
I live in the US. I love bling so I these bottles are right up my alley. I’d probably like 1 better than 2 but I’ve been wrong before.
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August 25, 2013 at 7:57 pm
I love the bling too.. and of course the juice is mighty fine too 🙂 Good luck Poodle!
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August 25, 2013 at 9:52 pm
Hi, and thank you! I’m in the US. I have such a hard time predicting. So I’ll go for 2, since I might get to find out!
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August 26, 2013 at 5:28 am
LM – I hope you get the chance to check both of them out!!! Good Luck!
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August 26, 2013 at 8:46 pm
This is embarrassing. I misunderstood the draw and thought you were only offering Rouge #2. I would expect to prefer Rouge #1, as I am not (so far) much of a gourmand perfume gourmand, if you know what I mean. On the other hand, I do like to explore new territory. Meanwhile, elegant + warm sounds just right to me!
(I’m rarely proper, but for that reason it might be a good idea to wear a proper fragrance. I remember that Miss Manners counseled her readers to challenge only one social convention at a time. So, for example, if you don’t believe in a dress code and want to wear your jeans to a formal wedding, well you’d better RSVP promptly, show up on time, and behave impeccably throughout the event. Good advice. Difficult to follow.)
Back to the point: thank you for the draw.
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August 26, 2013 at 8:49 pm
Well LM…here’s the good part. Actually, the winners will receive 1 5ml of No. 1 AND 1 5ml of No. 2… so it’s a win win all around. Because as it usually happens for me, I think that I’ll like one fragrance, and I typically find that I fall for the one that I thought I wouldn’t!! Good Luck
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August 31, 2013 at 8:03 am
Yes, that happens to me all the time, too! Thank you.
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August 25, 2013 at 11:55 pm
I would love to try number 2. I am a sucker for orientals with a plush and resinous base. Denis Durant was great. I think their packaging is quite special. I am in the US. Thanks!
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August 26, 2013 at 5:29 am
Brooke, I really don’t even speak to the bottles, but they are incredible aren’t they. How can you not love a bottle covered in Swarovski crystals???!! Good luck with the draw.
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August 26, 2013 at 1:04 pm
Hey Buddy, I can’t enter but I’m totally excited about these two. You make me lemm even more.
Portia xx
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August 26, 2013 at 7:25 pm
Thanks P – I wish you could enter as they are some beauties!
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August 26, 2013 at 4:45 pm
I like them both, but No. 2 really hits my gourmand sweet tooth. 🙂 I have a US address (I’m a snowbird, part time in Canada.)
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August 26, 2013 at 6:54 pm
Tara – you are officially entered. Good luck!!!
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August 27, 2013 at 7:57 am
I have not tried either, so this would be a first for me. And, yes, I live in the US. Thanks for the draw!
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August 27, 2013 at 6:47 pm
I hope you get an opportunity to check them out Cyn. Best of luck with the draw!
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August 27, 2013 at 1:25 pm
I do live in the US. I think, from your description, that No 2 would appeal more to me due to the particular floral notes. Thanks for this opportunity!
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August 27, 2013 at 6:48 pm
G – No. 2 is sweet and lovely, I think you’ll like it if not love it! Best of luck with the draw!
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August 27, 2013 at 6:49 pm
btw…from one hound to another… I love your Gravatar pic!
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August 27, 2013 at 4:12 pm
I live in the United States. I have never tried M. Micallef, but would love to! thanks!
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August 27, 2013 at 6:50 pm
Cynthia – I hope this is your lucky chance to check out your first M. Micallefs! Good luck!
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August 28, 2013 at 3:13 am
It would be nice to have something sweet without calories ;-). Micaleffs have in their collection many good perfumes I wouldn’t mind to have. I love their bottle art. And the family Micaleff is so kind and simple. Very nice people indeed. Of course I’m not writing this to enter the draw.
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August 28, 2013 at 6:02 am
I love their creative approach to their bottles too. I can’t speak for knowing them, but I like how they support the fragrance blogging community!
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August 28, 2013 at 8:53 am
No1 sounds so pretty-i love fruity florals-they are heaven to me! Fingers are crossed on this drawing (toes too) I live in the US-thanks so much
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August 28, 2013 at 5:43 pm
Patricia – you are officially entered. I can hear those fruity florals calling your name. Best of luck with the draw!
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August 30, 2013 at 10:38 am
Wow these both sound great. I love peach-based perfumes, but the picture of that cake got me. I think now I might prefer No. 2! I am in the US. Thanks for the draw.
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August 30, 2013 at 5:22 pm
cynthia – I think I was really hungry when I wrote the piece…thus the cake. It does look awfully delicious doesn’t it! Best of luck with the draw!
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August 30, 2013 at 1:15 pm
Damn, one look at that cake, and I knew I wanted to try this. Pictures truly say a thousand words!
Not living in the U.S., but I have an address there 🙂 Thanks a lot for the draw!
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August 30, 2013 at 5:23 pm
Belle – you sound so international… I love that! Good luck with the draw!
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August 31, 2013 at 9:49 am
They both sound intriguing and I have not yet tried any M. Micallef. Thank you for the draw! (I am in the US.)
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August 31, 2013 at 9:57 am
Nancy, they are both wonderful…I lean a little to No. 1 but the great thing about the draw is that you get both!! BTW, congrats on joining the Cafleurebon team! And good luck with the draw!
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August 31, 2013 at 9:57 am
Rouge No. 2 appeals to me the most, because I like to take a walk on the wild side with fragrance. I like the idea of a big, sugared gourmand, especially with cool weather on the horizon. I am located in the U.S. Thank you so much!
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August 31, 2013 at 9:58 am
No. 2 is perfect for the cooler weather! Best of luck with the draw Holly!
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August 31, 2013 at 10:19 am
I live in the United States. Rouge #2 sounds right up my alley, WILD!!! Thanks for the draw!!
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August 31, 2013 at 11:14 am
Oooh, I love a wild girl. Good luck with the draw Tami!
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August 31, 2013 at 10:38 am
You make #2 sound so crave-able, especially the note progression. I really like black currants… I am in Maine, US.
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August 31, 2013 at 11:15 am
Lisa – the black current doesn’t last all that long, but while it does it pure yummy! Best of luck with the draw!
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August 31, 2013 at 11:06 am
I think I would be happy with either one. #2 sounds like a FLORIENTAL, my kind of fragrance, yet #1 has been compared to YSATIS which I still love & wear.
For me, either one would be an absolute WIN / WIN. And if you get both as mentioned above, you just cannot go wrong!
I live in the US!
Thanks to all involved in this giveaway!
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August 31, 2013 at 11:16 am
Ginny, you’re so right it’s a win / win on all accounts. Even better if you’re one of the winners! Best of luck!
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August 31, 2013 at 11:31 am
What a generous draw! I live in the U.S. and would love to be entered in the draw. Rouge No. 2 sounds more intriguing as I am more of a gourmand than a floral perfume-lover. I am salivating over that red velvet cake!
Thanks for the draw.
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August 31, 2013 at 11:38 am
Haja – I hope you are well. And that cake does look awfully delish!!! Best of luck on the draw my dear!
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