The Verdict

Scent Profile: Juicy fruits and smoky rose layered over deep oud and leather.
Seasonality: Ideal for cooler nights, special moments, and intimate settings.
Sillage: Strong, projecting up to 10 feet.
Longevity: 12+ hours.

Introduction

Launched under the visionary direction of Frédéric Malle and composed by master perfumer Julien Rasquinet, The Moon is a bold and dramatic entry in the brand’s luxurious “Desert Gems” collection. Frederic Malle is known for giving perfumers complete creative freedom, and this fragrance clearly benefits from that philosophy—intense, daring, and unapologetically Middle Eastern in spirit. The Moon is not built for mass appeal; it is made to command a room, to seduce, to tell stories through smoke, leather, and shadowed rose.

Fragrance Notes

Top Notes: Raspberry, Lychee, Saffron
Middle Notes: Turkish Rose, Olibanum (Frankincense)
Base Notes: Oud, Leather

Fragrance Profile

The Moon opens with an explosion of lush fruit—raspberry and lychee—ripe to the point of decadence, instantly pulling the wearer into a moment of sweetness, but one that never veers into playful. The saffron comes in fast, grounding the fruit with its leathery warmth and preparing the senses for what’s to come.

The heart is opulent. A heady Turkish rose blooms through thick clouds of olibanum, which adds a spiritual, resinous smokiness. This stage is rich, almost ceremonial—like walking through incense-filled halls with velvet drapery and candle wax on stone floors. The rose isn’t powdery or light; it’s meaty, syrupy, touched by smoke and saffron.

The base is where The Moon cements its identity. A deep, animalic oud intertwines with worn leather, giving the dry down an undeniably primal depth. It doesn’t fade quietly—it simmers. The oud here is medicinal yet refined, never barnyard, and works in harmony with the earlier fruity-floral swirl. As hours pass, the fragrance becomes darker, smoother, and more sensual, settling into the skin like a second, more mysterious self.

Occasion

This is not an everyday fragrance. The Moon thrives in settings that are dimly lit and emotionally charged—luxury dinners, private events, late-night conversations, or ceremonial affairs. It's seductive and commanding, best worn when you want to be remembered.

Season

The richness and density of this scent make it perfect for fall and winter. It can also work on cooler spring nights, but summer heat might overwhelm its finer elements. Best worn after sundown, when shadows are long and attention is sharp.

Performance

The performance is beastly. From the very first spray, The Moon fills a room and refuses to be ignored. One spray is often enough; two might be excessive unless outdoors. It transforms on skin over time, from juicy to smoky to leathery, never collapsing under its own weight. Every layer feels intentional.

Longevity

12+ hours.

Sillage

Strong, projecting up to 10 feet.

Conclusion

The Moon by Frederic Malle is not built for subtlety. It’s a narrative of contrasts—fruit and smoke, rose and oud, beauty and darkness. The composition is masterfully done, feeling both ancient and modern, romantic and dangerous. It’s an unapologetic statement fragrance that leaves behind a memory long after the wearer is gone. A true standout for those who seek power, elegance, and mystery in a bottle.