Marie Antoinette is the first creation by House of Lilith, an independent fragrance line based in Pennsylvania and owned by Amanda Sinisi, art nerd and gourmand perfume lover. She studied fashion design and always thought she’d end up working in that industry. However, life had other plans, so she launched her first small business, a bakery. After 10 years, she opened Eclectic Fox Shop, an online store that sells candles, clothing, and, more recently, her own fragrances.
Amanda created her first fragrance, Marie Antoinette, with the idea of transporting us to a beautiful garden during springtime, the rose-scented breeze drifting by as you enjoy macarons by Maison Ladurée patisserie.
The lovely Marie Antoinette immediately caught my attention in the prettiest box wrapped in layers of retro-inspired paper and dried rose petals, reminding me of luxurious coffrets that contain high end bonbons. These touches beautifully foreshadow the idea behind the creation, which gives off lavish, romantic, and delicious vibes by combining a nostalgia for bygone times with a modern patisserie twist.
We begin with the unmistakable scent of almonds in pastries such as marzipan, macarons, or amaretto cookies. There is a touch of powdered spices although cardamom might be mistaken for cinnamon (my friend said I smelled a little like cinnamon rolls). I wasn’t entirely convinced by this sweet and powerful opening, but I was pleasantly surprised by the evolution. Over time, the fragrance becomes fluffier, even airier. We go from almond amaretto cookies to almonds crisps wrapped in candied rose petals with hints of lemon. We’re still in confection territory, but a refreshing element of cherry-infused lemonade keeps the composition well balanced, preventing it from becoming too thick and cloying. A poudrée nuance lingers throughout the perfume’s evolution and conveys the same familiarity we might get from sniffing a new doll’s head.
I recommend this to any gourmand lover who enjoys an almond note from top to base.
The fragrance notes are listed below:
Top notes: Cardamom, Rose
Heart notes: Almond, Caramel
Base notes: Vanilla, Sugar
Marie Antoinette is available in 50 ml bottles and sample vials on the Eclectic Fox store.
I reviewed the fragrance from a 30 ml bottle I won thanks to Amanda’s generous giveaway.
Photos are my own.
Interview
Amanda and I talked about her experience as a self-taught perfumer, her fragrance line, favorite scents, and upcoming plans. Read her interview below.
Hi Amanda, tell us a little about your path to perfumery. My path started with scented candles. I have always loved them, but because I found most to be overpowering, I began making and selling my own. During this time, I realized how much I loved scent mixing and how I’d like to make perfume one day. At that time, I wasn’t confident enough to do so but one day I decided to make my dream come true. I spent about a year learning and researching everything I could about making perfumes. I experimented with different ingredients and methods until I found what worked for me.
How did you choose the name and concepts of your line, The House of Lilith? I named the line The House of Lilith because I plan on changing my name to Lilith after I get married. I’ve always wanted to change my name!
Can you tell us more about Marie Antoinette? Marie Antoinette is inspired by two things. One is my obsession with the homonymous movie by Sofia Coppola, while the other is the Ladurée patisserie, which I discovered on my first trip to London. (I even organized my bridal shower at their New York location). With this fragrance, I wanted to capture the scent memory of the first time I walked into Ladurée mixed with the feeling the movie gave me. I wanted my line to be luxurious, so the packaging reflects these themes and concepts.
What inspires you to make fragrances? My love for fragrances started after I discovered that my signature scent had been discontinued. Finding a new one proved to be difficult because so many fragrances caused me to have headaches. When I discovered niche and indie fragrances, an entirely new world opened for me. I am inspired by scent memories and try to capture those memories in my fragrances.
What are your favorite smells, scents, and aromas? I am a gourmand girl, first and foremost! However, I also I love earthy and spicy scents. On this this journey, I also discovered I don’t love florals as much as I thought I did.
Can you provide a sneak peek into your plans for new perfumes or other scented items? I am launching a Halloween-inspired scent at the end of the month, but keep in mind this is something you can enjoy all year round!
What are your hopes for the future? After dabbling in candles and body products I plan on focusing on creating perfumes. I hope to become well known in the perfume community and amongst collectors and enthusiasts. I want to grow exponentially but I also want people to be aware of all the love and care I put into each scent and package.
