Perfume houses M

MAC
Color cosmetics brand established in 1985. Fragrances include MV1, MV2, MV3, Hue: Turquatic, Hue: Greenify, Hue: Pinkaura, Violetrix, DejaRose and C-Squeeze. The fragrances are reasonably priced (under $25).

It is hard to tell when MAC has discontinued a fragrance as they remove fragrances from their website when they are out of stock, but might reintroduce them later. To see the current lineup, check the website.

Recent releases include Tarnished Love & Emeraldaire (2006), Air of Style (2007), Hue: Turquatic Heat (2008).

Where to buy: at MAC boutiques, macys, nordstrom department stores.


Maître Parfumeur et Gantier
Maître Parfumeur et Gantier was established in Paris in 1988 by Jean Laporte, the founder and former owner of L'Artisan Parfumeur. For his new perfume house, LaPorte was inspired by the French tradition of master glove-makers, who became perfumers by necessity to supply the perfumed gloves that were all the rage in 17th century Paris: "I wanted to do something different and my concept is tied to the past. I was seduced by the tradition of the parfumeur-gantiers, who were located mostly in Paris and served the king and, later, the emperor." (Women's Wear Daily, 9/6/1991) Jean Paul Millet Lage, who apprenticed with Laporte, is the current house nose.

Recent releases include La Reine Margot (2007), Bois de Turquie (2008).

Where to buy: at aedes, beautycafe, beautyhabit, luckyscent in the US. In Canada, at theperfumeshoppe.

Majenty
Small perfume house established in 2006 by Jennifer Auspitz. The line debuted with 3 fragrances: Embrace The Day, After Hours and Hidden Cove. Secret Meadow launched in 2007.

Where to buy: at lacremebeauty, beautycafe.

Malie Kauai
Hawaiian line of fragrances, home fragrances, bath & body items. See review for Plumeria Room Spray.

Where to buy: beautyhabit, your-cosmetics.

Malin + Goetz
New York-based apothecary line established in 2004 by Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz, both formerly of Kiehls.

Fragrances include Synthesized Musk, Lime Tonic, Synthesized Lotus Root and Rum Tonic. There is also a range of perfume oils.

Where to buy: through the website, kitson or shopmiomia in the US; hqhair in the UK

Website: Malin + Goetz


Mandarina Duck
Italian leather goods & accessories company established in 1997 by design team Paolo Trento and Piero Mannato. Fragrances were introduced in 2004 with Mandarina Duck for women, followed by Mandarina Duck Man in 2006.

Recent releases include Mandarina Duck Rouge Intense (2007), Cute Pink (2007), Scarlet Rain (2008).

Mango
Spanish fashion retailer; fragrances are created under arrangements with Puig. Scents include Mango Adorably (2004) and Mango Delirium (2006).

Where to buy: at Mango boutiques; at escentual in the UK.

Manuel Canovas
French textiles company founded by fabric designer Manuel Canovas in 1963, and purchased by British firm Colefax & Fowler in the late 1990s. The firm currently produces bedding, swimwear, accessories, fashion and home fragrance items.

Personal fragrances were introduced in 2007 with Les Fantaisies Parfumees, including Pink Riviera, Anse Turquoise, L'ile Bleue, Ballade Verte, Route Mandarine.

Where to buy: in the US, at Bergdorf Goodman, or through the website (see below).

Marc Jacobs
American fashion designer whose first collection under his own label appeared in 1986. Fragrances were introduced in 2001 with Marc Jacobs for women, followed by Marc Jacobs for men in 2002. Other fragrances include Blush (2004). Fragrances are produced under arrangements with Coty.

In 2006, Marc Jacobs introduced the first Splash Collection (Summer Splash: Rain, Grass & Cotton). These are limited edition, light Eaux de Toilette in 300 ml splash bottles, with an optional atomizer included. He followed with Autumn Splash: Ivy, Violet & Amber (2006), Cucumber Splash & Orange Splash (2007, Rain re-released at the same time), Splash Sorbet: Pear, Basil & Grapefruit (2008), Fig Splash & Gardenia Splash (2008).

Other recent releases include Blush Intense (2006), I Love Marc (limited edition, 2007), Marc Jacobs Daisy (2007), Daisy Eau de Parfum (2008).

Where to buy: at major department stores and online discounters.

Mariah Carey
American pop singer. Fragrances were introduced in 2007 with M by Mariah Carey, followed by a collector version, M Gold by Mariah Carey, and a new fragrance, Luscious Pink, in 2008

Fragrances are produced under arrangements with Elizabeth Arden.

Where to buy: at department stores and online discounters.

Marilyn Miglin
Chicago-based cosmetics, skincare and fragrance company founded by former dancer and model Marilyn Miglin. Best known for their Pheromone fragrance (1978), other scents in the line include Mystic, Goddess and Destiny.

Recent releases include Seven Sacred Oils (2006).

Marjorie Midgarden
Niche line with one fragrance, Summersent, launched in 2006.

Where to buy: in the US at Von Maur department stores or Takashimaya in New York; in London at Liberty of London.

Mark
Mark was established in 2003 as Avon's direct sales label for younger consumers.

Recent releases under the Mark label include Sassy Mark (2007), Instant Vacation Greek Isles (2007), Jewel (2007), Instant Vacation Caribbean, Pure Mark (2008), Earth (2008).

Where to buy: from Mark consultants or the website (see below).

Mary-Kate and Ashley
The beauty line of fraternal twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who achieved stardom after a long-running role on the sitcom Full House, followed by the book and video series The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley.

Fragrances were introduced in 2003 with Mary-Kate and Ashley One & Mary-Kate and Ashley Two, produced under arrangements with Coty.

Subsequent fragrances include L.A. Style (2005, aka coast to coast LA), N.Y. Chic (2005, aka coast to coast NY), London Beat, Tokyo Fusion, South Beach Chic & Hamptons Style (2007).

Where to buy: Drugstores, discount stores, Claires.

Mary Kay
Direct sales of cosmetics, skincare and fragrance; company founded in 1963 by Mary Kay Ash.

Recent releases include Affection (2006), Bella Belara (2007), Simply Cotton, Exotic Passionfruit, Sparkling Honeysuckle & Warm Amber (2008).

Where to buy: from Mary Kay consultants; see website.

Masaki Matsushima
Japanese fashion designer who introduced his line in Paris in 1992. Fragrances include mat; (2000), mat; Le Parfum (2003), mat; Le Rouge (2003) and mat; Le Vert (2003). Fragrances are created under arrangements with Panouge (see).

See review for mat; Very Male (2005). Other recent releases include mat; M (2005), mat; Yellow (2005) and Mintea (2006), M; Men (2006), mat; Cherry (2007), Masaki Masaki (2007), Aqua Mat Homme, Masaki SUu (2008).

Where to buy: sephora.

Matthew Williamson
British fashion designer who launched his own label in 1996. His first foray into fragrance was Incense, a much-loved limited edition (now discontinued) created by Miller Harris (see below). His first mainstream offering was Matthew Williamson (2005).

2007 introductions include The Matthew Williamson Collection (Incense, Lotus, Jasmin Sambac & Warm Sand) and Matthew Williamson Sheer.

Where to buy: at department stores and online fragrance discounters.

Mauboussin
French high-end jeweller founded in 1827. Fragrance launches include Mauboussin (2000), Histoire d'Eau (Topaze, 2000), Histoire d'Eau Amethyste (2003) and Mauboussin Homme (2003).

Recent fragrance launches include M Moi (2007), Emotion Divine (2007).

Mäurer & Wirtz
German company best known for their 1955 men's fragrance Tabac Original. They also own the licenses or marketing rights to the brands 4711, Betty Barclay, Carlo Colucci, s. Oliver, among others.

Recent releases include Gin Tonic (men's & women's versions, 2008).

Max Mara
Italian fashion house established by Achille Maramotti (d. 2005) in 1951. The first fragrance, Max Mara, launched in 2004.

Recent releases include Max Mara Silk Touch (2007), Max Mara Gold Touch (2007), Max Mara Le Parfum (2008), Kashmina Touch (2008).

Where to buy: at department stores and online fragrance discounters.

Mazzolari
Milan-based Italian perfumery chain founded in 1967 by Augusto Mazzolari. In 1993, Mazzolari introduced a house brand with three perfumes named after Mr. Mazzolari's children (Carolina, Alessandro & Marina), and other scents followed.

Recent releases include Fleurs d'Oranger (2007).

Where to buy: in the US, at luckyscent; in Germany try first-in-fragrance.

Memento
Italian niche line established in 2007 by beauty company/distributor Eurocosmesi, a division of Burani Holdings.

The Italian Olfactive Landscapes series includes 22 Settembre 2007, ore 8 Vaporetto per il Lido, Venezia (2007) and 6 Marzo 2008, ore 11 - Piazza Duomo, Ortigia, Siracusa – Sicilia (2008).


Memo
Niche line established in 2007 with four fragrances under the name Les Echappées: Lalibela, Siwa, Sundance and Inlé.

Where to buy: at Harvey Nichols in the UK, at the Memo boutique in Paris.

Memoire Liquide
Custom perfume line that launched in 2006. You can read a description of Memoire Liquide's initial offerings here, or a review of the custom perfume process at the Memoire Liquide counter at Henri Bendel.

Where to buy: Studio at Fred Segal in Santa Monica or Henri Bendel in New York City.

Menard
Japanese cosmetics company founded in 1959. Fragrances include L'Eau de Ryokuei (2003) and L'Eau de Kasaneka (2004).

Recent releases include Menard For Men (2008).

Where to buy: at beautyhabit or luckyscent in the US; in France, try sephora.fr.

Mexx
Netherlands-based clothing and design chain founded in 1980 and now owned by Liz Claiborne. An eponymous fragrance launched in 1996; subsequent releases include Mexx Diversity (2002), Waterlove Woman and Waterlove Man (2004), Ice Touch Man (2005).

Recent releases include Ice Touch (2006), Amsterdam Spring Edition (2007), Fly High (2007), XX by Mexx (2008), Berlin Summer Edition (2008).

Mi Angelic
Niche line established by Danielle Igbanugo and Ashleigh Moss, the founders of Cameo Beauty Lounge in Minneapolis. There are two fragrances, Siren & Gypsy.

Where to buy: at luckyscent.

Michael Kors
American fashion designer who launched his own line in 1981. Michael (sometimes listed as Michael Kors) was introduced in 2000, followed by Michael for Men in 2001. Other fragrances include Kors (2003) and Island (2005).

Recent fragrance introductions include Island Fiji (2006), Island Hawaii (2007), Island Capri (2007), Very Michael Kors (2007).

Fragrances are produced under licensing arrangements with Estee Lauder.

Where to buy: department stores and online fragrance discounters.

Michael Storer
Los Angeles-based niche line which debuted in 2006 with three fragrances for men: Monk, Djin and il Giardino.

Recent releases include Yvette, Stephanie & Genvieve (2007). In late 2007, Michael Storer repackaged and relaunched all six fragrances.

Michel Germain
Niche house of Canadian Michel Germain, a former electrical engineer who launched his first fragrance, Sexual for women, in 1994. There are three versions of Sexual (Sexual Femme, Sexual Classique and Sexual for men) and two of Deauville (for women & for men).

Recent releases include Sexual Secret (2007), Sexual Fresh Pour Homme (2007).

Where to buy: at hamptonct and selected Bloomingdales stores.

Miller et Bertaux
Parisian design house established in 1985. Fragrances include no. 1 Parfum Trouve, no. 2 Spiritus/Land, no 3 Green, green, green and green (2006), and Close Your Eyes And... aka Bois de Gaiac et Poire (2006), A Quiet Morning & Shanti Shanti (2008).

Where to buy: at aedes, fourseasonsproducts and your-cosmetics, or at selected Barneys stores.

Miller Harris
Miller Harris was founded in the UK in 2000 by Lyn Harris, who named the line after her father’s middle and last names. Ms. Harris studied perfumery in Paris and Grasse. There are two ranges: the Classic range, available at all Miller Harris retailers, and the Nouvelle Edition line, which is exclusive to the Miller Harris boutiques (including the one in Saks NY).

Recent releases include Coeur d’Été (2006, limited edition), L'Air de Rien (2006), Rose en Noir (exclusive to Liberty of London, 2006), Fleurs de Sel (2007), Le Petit Grain (2008).

Lyn Harris also creates fragrances for other brands, see Solange Azagury-Partridge Stoned and Cosmic, and Mungo & Maud Petite Amande for dogs.

Where to buy: online in the US at fourseasons, beautyhabit, luckyscent, at the Miller Harris boutique in Saks in NY, or at musthave in the UK, or at Miller Harris boutiques in London.

Miriam Mirani
Niche line. Miriam Mirani launched Aqaba, a fragrance inspired by "the legendary love of King Solomon for the Queen of Sheba", in 1998. She followed with Aqaba Spring, a lighter version of the original Aqaba, then a trio, Jewels of Aqaba (2005).

Where to buy: in the US at luckyscent, in Canada at theperfumeshoppe.

Missoni
Italian fashion house best known for their knitwear designs. Three fragrances were introduced starting in the 1980s under arrangements with Max Factor; those are all now discontinued.

Their first fragrance under new arrangements with Estee Lauder, Missoni, was launched in 2006. It was followed by Acqua in 2007.

Recent releases include Missoni Colori Collection (2008).

Where to buy: at department stores and online fragrance discounters.

Miss Sixty
Italian jeanswear and fashion line. The first fragrance, Miss Sixty, launched in 2005, and was followed by Miss Sixty Elixir (2006). Recent releases include Miss Sixty Flower Power (2007), Miss Sixty Rock Muse (2007), Miss Sixty Summer Collection 2008 (2008), Miss by Miss Sixty (2008).

Fragrances are created under licensing arrangements with Coty.

Mistral
California-based line of soaps and fragrance products established by Matthew Tilker in 1994. As of early 2008, there were five Eaux de Parfum: Lychee Rose, Grapefruit Red Currant, Verbena Flower, Wild Blackberry and Balinese Vanilla.

Recent releases include South Seas (2008).

Where to buy: online at anthropologie, b-glowing, hamptonct.

Miya Shinma
Japanese perfumer who studied in Tokyo and Paris, and now teaches perfumery in Japan. See review for Sakura.

Where to buy: at luckyscent in the US, hqhair in the UK.

Molinard
Molinard was established in Grasse in 1849, and is best known for the iconic Habanita (1924). The company is still family-owned, and popular lines in modern times include the Autour de La Vanille collection.

In 2005, Molinard launched the Molinard 1849 collection, re-issues of seven of their classics: Habanita, Gardenia, Verveine de Molinard (1948), Iles d' Or (1929), Un Air de Molinard, M de Molinard, and Nirmala (1955) in liquid and in perfume solid form. These can be found at aedes, beautyhabit and selected Barneys department stores. In 2008, Molinard created Histoire de Chypre as an exclusive for Aedes.

Where to buy: in the US, check hamptonct.

Molton Brown
UK-based skin & bath care company established in 1971 by Caroline & Harvey Collis. There are over 20 boutiques in the UK; the first free-standing stores in the US opened in 2004. The line is also carried by specialty and department stores.

Molton Brown makes a plethora of scented bath & body products, and home fragrance items. See review for Naran Ji Air room spray.

There are currently 2 Eaux de Toilette for Men: Cool and Black Pepper.

Recent releases include Intoxicating Davana Blossom (2007).

Where to buy: bathandbodyworks, beautyhabit, eluxury, Molton Brown boutiques or department stores.

Mona di Orio
Mona di Orio worked in Edmond Roudnitska's factory in the south of France, then launched her own line in 2006 with Lux, Carnation and Nuit Noire.

Recent fragrances include Oiro (2007), Amyitis (2008).

Where to buy: at aedes in the US, in Canada at theperfumeshoppe, in London at lessenteurs, or in Germany at first-in-fragrance.

Montale
Paris-based niche perfumery of Pierre Montale. There are two lines: an oudh line based on the precious oudh (or agar) wood frequently used in Middle Eastern fragrances, and a regular perfume line.

Where to buy: at aedes, fourseasons, luckyscent or parfumsraffy in the US, in Canada at theperfumeshoppe, in Germany at first-in-fragrance.

Montana
French fashion house of designer Claude Montana, established in 1979. Montana was known first for his designs in leather, later for his big-shouldered designs for women. He was the couture designer for Lanvin for several years in the early 1990s.

Fragrances were introduced in 1986 with Parfum de Peau; subsequent launches include Parfum d'Elle (1990), Just Me (1997).

Recent launches include the Mood trio (2006), Parfum de Femme (2007), Montana en Turquoise (2008).

Montblanc
German line of watches, pens & accessories, established in 1906. Fragrances were introduced in 2001 with Presence for men. Subsequent releases include Presence d'Une Femme and Femme Individuelle.

Recent releases include Starwalker (2005), Femme de Montblanc (2006), Femme Individuelle Soul & Senses (2007), Homme Exceptionnel (2008).

Fragrances are produced under arrangements with Proctor & Gamble.

Where to buy: Montblanc boutiques and online fragrance discounters.

Montgomery Taylor
New York based fragrance company. Scents include Ambra di Venezia for women and Paratus for men.

Where to buy: online at aedes or at Takashimaya in NYC.

Monyette Paris
California-based independent perfume house of Tristan Brando. Two fragrances, Monyette Paris and Coquette Tropique.

Where to buy: b-glowing, beautyhabit, lacremebeauty, luckyscent, your-cosmetics.

Morgane Le Fay
New York-based fashion house established by Liliana and Carlos Casabal in 1982. Fragrances include Morgane Le Fay Classic and Morgane Le Fay Blue.

Recent releases include Morgane Le Fay Collection 2008 (Pink, Green, Yellow, Blue).

Where to buy: in the US at Morgane Le Fay boutiques or at luckyscent, in Germany at first-in-fragrance.

Moschino
Fashion house established by Franco Moschino (d. 1994) in 1983, and currently under the design leadership of Rosella Jardini.

The first fragrance, Moschino, appeared in 1987; subsequent releases include Cheap and Chic (1995), L'Eau Cheap and Chic (2001), Couture! (2004) and I Love Love (2005).

Recent releases include Moschino Friends Men (2005), Moschino Funny! (2007), Cheap and Chic Hippy Fizz (2008).

Where to buy: department stores and online fragrance discounters.

Mustang
Fragrances for the Mustang car line, produced by Estee Lauder's Aramis division in collaboration with Ford Motor Cars and the Sarantis Group.

Fragrances were introduced in 2007 with Mustang for men, followed by Mustang Blue in 2008.