MAC MV3

Notes: bergamot, jasmine, vetiver, vanilla, leather, amber crystals, tolu balsam wood

If MAC had given actual names to their first three fragrances, rather than a letter/number combination, MV3 would be called "Bondage," or something equally kinky.

A somewhat unusual and definitely unisex primarily vanilla fragrance, the opening notes are a bit of vetiver, followed immediately by a leathery vanilla with a rubbery quality. That's not to say rubber as in "bouncy," but more like black latex, like a catsuit, or a mask. Or maybe it's not leather but "pleather."

There's an overall sweet tone to this fragrance, and a bit of woodsiness. Bergamot is usually a top note, and I didn't catch that at all. However, in the drydown, there is a bit of a tang; perhaps it is citrus, as it does not smell like jasmine to me. Eventually, the pleather note fades and leaves behind a lightly woodsy vanilla.

MV3 is a quite aromatic and interesting scent that's quite reasonably priced - $22.50 for 20 ml - and available in MAC boutiques and at maccosmetics.com.