WHAT I SMELL:   Mixed Emotions opens with a beautiful minty fresh cassis which moves ever so slightly to the evergreen in a rapid manner.  Almost immediately, the perfume feels as if it resides on the edge of the forest where the green and the fruits seem to beckon all living things to commune with its ripened juice.  After a short while, the fruit begins to quiet and soften, but the blackcurrant sweetens with the addition of a hint of violet while a soft tea note begins to enter.  Here the perfume becomes more contemplative.  Did I say contemplative?  In a very short time, the perfume starts to move towards the semi-funky when wafts of light sweat come into play.  For non-perfumistas that may sound like a horrible thing, but for those in the know, it can be enticing; and in this case, it’s exactly that.  As the perfume continues to develop, a light violet begins to occupy the space where the blackcurrant resided along with the lightest of tea and incense.  Here, the perfume is once again contemplative, soft and engaging and to me, very, very pretty.  In the end you’re left with a quiet, lightly sweet musk of a perfume.  Mixed Emotions is pretty and rather intimate in just the right kind of way.

From the Byredo website:

Mixed Emotions, an epicene scent designed to reflect the tumultuous nature of our times.

Drawing on the Byredo philosophy of translating fragmented memories and abstract ideas into scent, Mixed Emotions presents an olfactive sketch of our current, collective state of mind. Comforting notes of maté and the sharp sweetness of cassis sit within a wooden framework; the reassuring scent of black tea disturbed by violet leaf synthetics.

Mixed Emotions Notes – 

Top: Mate, Blackcurrant

Heart: Ceylon Black Tea, Violet Leaves

Base: Birch Woods, Papyrus

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Mixed emotions?  Maybe.  But to me, it’s sweet emotions.  (And to clarify further, that means sweet related to love vs. sweet related to sugar!)

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE MIXED EMOTIONS:  soft, pretty, contemplative

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT MIXED EMOTIONS:  Perfume Posse, Editorialist, Colognoisseur

BOTTOM LINE:  There’s no confusion as far as I’m concerned.  Mixed Emotions is a beautiful perfume that is quietly pretty and a delight to wear.  Even better, it’s one of those perfumes that is perfect for any mood or occasion whatever it may be.  Wonderful.

• Bone Rating:  4 out of possible 5 bones
• Scent: Woody Aromatic
• Classification: Unisex
• Expense:  Approx $196 for 50 ml eau de parfum