Naughty or Nice? Agent Provocateur Maitresse

Notes: lotus, ylang ylang, osmanthus, jasmine sambac, velvet white suede

When I think "Maitresse," I don't think of the literal translation of "mistress" meaning "hostess" as in party hostess or lady of the house.  Nor the dubiously-moraled type that sleeps with your husband, either.  What comes to my mind is the naughty type of mistress, the type that you say, "yes, ma'am" to as she shackles you to the ceiling and prepares the ball gag.  The Maitress of the 1976 movie by the same name, she who works as a professional dominatrix and is the object of obsession for one Gerard Depardieu.  A Maitresse who smells of leather or latex and sex.

Alas, Agent Provocateur's Maitresse is Martha Stewart in Manolo Blahniks.  Far more the hostess than the dominatrix (although known to crack the whip when warranted.  Or not.) A rather unextraordinary white floral, a little sweet, a little powdery, but with an undertone of something akin to the scent of a brand new leather purse, or pair of shoes.  That "suede" note doesn't last long, however, and the drydown of Maitresse is merely a pleasant white floral.  Not entirely innocent, yet not a bad girl in the least.  A pretty scent.

I am a little disappointed, especially after the company's somewhat raunchy and definitely sexy Agent Provocateur Parfum.  Not to say that I don't like Maitresse - I do.  I like it better than the original fragrance (that patchouli thing, you know?) but I can't help but expect more naughtiness from a lingerie company.  It's not Victoria's Secret, after all.