When it comes to perfumes, I have to admit I’m often more captivated by the bottle design and packaging than the actual fragrance. It’s a bit of a sweet trap, I know - an aesthetic indulgence that’s hard to resist. 😄 I get that good wood trumps good paint, but somehow I still fall for the packaging every time. Luckily, my impulsive choices haven’t led me astray so far.
Maison Martin Margiela’s REPLICA “At the Barber’s” is a scent that takes you straight into the heart of a barbershop.
The REPLICA collection is all about recreating specific moments and places through fragrance. From “By The Fireplace” to “Jazz Club” to “Beach Walk,” and “Lazy Sunday Morning,” each scent is designed to evoke an experience. I picked “At the Barber’s” simply out of curiosity - how does MMM capture the essence of a barbershop in a bottle?
The perfume's composition includes top notes of basil and black pepper, middle notes of lavender and rosemary, and base notes of tonka bean and leather. At first glance, the combination seems a bit strange, right? 😅 My initial thought was, “What’s going on here?” But after wearing it for just a day, I realized that it was more of a journey than I expected. With perfumes, the experience is uniquely personal, and it’s up to you to become your own expert.
The packaging itself is charming, with a fabric tag and vintage typewriter font, giving it a nostalgic touch.
Let’s talk scent. The first thing that hits you is the unmistakable basil, and then, just moments later, a light citrus note appears, gently balancing things out. Basil - it’s reminding me of the scent that floats out of a Barbicide jar in a barbershop (that classic solution used to clean scissors and razors).
For barbers, the morning begins with removing tools from the Barbicide jar, the clean, shiny scissors and razors ready for the day's work. It’s a unique, almost ritualistic start to the day.
After about an hour and a half (or maybe less, since I tend to sweat a bit), the lavender note starts to come through, and it’s exactly like the fresh shave cream being whipped up with hot water by a barber - getting ready for that signature Hot Towel Shave.
The leather scent in the base notes emerges unexpectedly and irresistibly.
Then, the leather note creeps in at the base, and it’s surprisingly inviting. It’s the warm, comforting scent that reminds you of sitting back in a leather chair, eyes closed, letting the entire barbershop experience envelop you. The lingering scent of essential oils from the towel, the sound of the razor’s soft scrape, and the calming atmosphere… it all comes together perfectly.
You might expect a scent like this to be unpredictable or whimsical, but “At the Barber’s” is incredibly well-sequenced, almost to an unbelievable degree. For me, it’s a perfect homage to that classic barbershop experience.
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