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artmilan – :
This is a “different” type scent. I cannot really “compare” this to anything…yet. I finally got this brand new on eBay auction for a steal…!!..
It goes on fruity..raspberry/resiny..then the rose vibe enters…sweet rose/violet with a tad of smokiness thrown in. The resin/balsamic vibe sits underneath…but rises up and blends…giving you a non-linear effect. It is not a powerhouse,but does project. The final dry-down to MY nose, on MY skin…is powdery sweet rose/violet..but not sweet in a truly “gourmand” way,if that makes sense..???…Glad to own this finally..and further wears will determine the final judgement. But for now,I am impressed so far.I also find this sort of vintage-y and “old school” classic.
experpity – :
I bought this perfume three days ago after reading all the positive reviews and I like it and l can tell its a rich warm oriental perfume l think l need another week at least to understand it more and l think l will fall in love with it soon!
evoc – :
I was rash and blind bought this but its ok as its lovely. This is a wonderfully chic floral, fruit and resins fragrance. Its the first fragrance I have come across to cross such a bridge. I dont find this particularly girly as its too sophisticated. You definitely get fruitiness first then the rose and oppopanax. I feel there is equal strength from the raspberry, rose and oppopanax. There is some sweetness but not too much. I like how the lighter violet and freesia notes open up the fragrance so it is never heavy and cloying. The oppopanax and myrhh are the longest lasting notes becoming most apparent after 30 minutes and remaining to the end (usually 3 hrs max.!). The amber and the musk are very low key on me.
I imagine Mome for all age groups so not particularly girly. La Mome is a fragrance to wear when dressed smart casual and perhaps meeting your in laws. Mome says Im feminine but Im also smart and chic. Its a shame the longevity and sillage are poor.
дракон – :
As I am a Francophile, it is no surprise that this beautiful scent has found a place in my heart. I would not hesitate to make La Mome my signature if it wasn’t long discontinued and ridiculously difficult to find.
Other reviewers have mentioned that La Mome is a scent that has been caught between two worlds, and I definitely agree, as it dances between both a classic floral and a modern, fruity floral at the same time. This juxtaposition is, for me, what makes this fragrance so unique and intriguing, as it is unlike anything I have ever smelt before. On my skin, the scent opens with sweet roses and violets, that remind me of something a bit lipsticky, which is paired with a syrupy, natural-smelling raspberry. This combination of florals is what has the old-world, French perfumery kind of feel, whilst the raspberries add a modern kind of freshness to the scent. Afterwards, a trail of myrrh and oppopanax is apparent, a sticky balsamic trail that is peppered with a little spice and enhanced by some warm amber, followed the freesia that brightens and cleans the scent, and finally a soft musky-iris dry-down. I smelt hints of vanilla throughout, as well, which I think must be a facet of one of the other notes in the scent; I don’t think there is any actual vanilla in this at all.
The sillage on this perfume is beautiful – sweet, billowing clouds of violets and roses, with deep myrrh undercurrents and a warm amber halo, the overall feel of which is a silken smell, smooth and sensual, elegant and warm. This gives me the impression of a dark, heavy and dusty burgundy curtain, falling upon a dimly-lit theatre, the echo of applause and the trail of this magnificent scent left behind in its wake.
Sillage was soft to moderate on my skin; longevity was for about 6-7 hours. La Mome is definitely worth seeking out a bottle of (if you’re lucky enough to find one!) and is one of the gems of my collection 🙂
Sakura311 – :
Dim light of beaded silk lamp shade, pouring golden light at wooden table (myrrh and amber) with sweet Port wine (raspberry and opoponax), powder puff (violet and iris) and a bouquet of may roses.
pisarew – :
Normally I do not favour raspberry notes, but the raspberry in La Mome is warm and syrupy-sweet instead of tart and juicy. Pair the raspberry drizzle with candy-like violet and soft rose, and you have a delectable treat! La Mome is much more than a sweetie-berry-floral, though. Opoponax and “amber” (vanillin and labdanum, presumably) make this composition stand apart as the warmest violet/iris I’ve ever encountered! That honeyed, resinous sweetness steps forward as the fragrance settles and iris appears, enhancing the compositions powdery qualities without adding the chill-factor that iris is known for. La Mome is coquettish and festive, but also knows when to straighten up, smooth out her skirts and act gracefully.
That being said, I can understand how consumers might not have been able to find a place for it in their fragrance wardrobe. My beloved mentor/employer touched on why Balmain might have discontinued it, saying, “I can see where they were trying to bring it into the fruity future but still hold on to their signature dusty violet, but it’s a perfume caught between two worlds.” I agree with her, yet the fact that La Mome is immersed in two worlds makes it so interesting and beautiful! I hope to wear this often in the winter, as it is perfect for the holiday season.
Dastr – :
I really enjoy this scent, and am planning on acquiring a full bottle ASAP! It’s warm and creamy, dominated by rose and peaches and spicy, smooth musk. I do get a powdery iris tone from it, but it’s nicely balanced by the smooth vanilla, creamy peach, and rose. I think even if you don’t love iris, this may be worth a sniff. I enjoy iris, but feel it can come off a bit cold in certain compositions; not so in La Mome, it’s nicely sensual and inviting here. Musky, woody, resinous scents are also sometimes a miss for me, but here I find those notes adding depth to the fruit and floral notes, instead of dominating. All of the components come together in a really lovely, intentional way. I get a bit of the raspberry (I can swear I smell cherry, too) and the violet at the heart, but those don’t stick around for too long; they end up just lending a cheery sweetness to the other notes. It’s not what I was expecting it to be, but I am happily surprised by this scent.
Edited 5.6.2016 : I’ve had my bottle for months now and still love this fragrance. It’s endlessly interesting and smells like nothing else I own. The notes aren’t things you’d necessarily imagine pairing with one another, but it keeps the combination interesting and complex throughout multiple wears. Very much worth seeking out.
evg-lenskaya – :
The rose is at the fore, but I get massive violet that is nicely balanced by an array of resins. This is soapy and musky, without overpowering.
ZZ6558YT – :
As soon as I bought it and sprayed on myself, I knew it will be long-term relationship.
Apart that its soaked in sweet berries and buttery opoponax dark rose, its beautifully layered – top with heart and base notes,- they all are visible and all are very well pointed, yet they all have ability to work together very well, so as a result you have truly unique rose-blend, delicious and feminine, enchanting and entertaining. You enjoy smoothness, yet your brain admits – it always changing ever slightly, – from berries to balsamic rose and aromatic woods, – it does takes time, at least over the month of regular date/use to understand this perfume for its not flat-each-time-the-same rose. La Mome seemingly easy to wear, but its definitely complicated fragrance, that you find yourself craving more and more as time goes by, like in a beautiful woman – some pieces are always missing and you determined to solve the task and find out her secret, with hope that you will never succeed to do so.
расим – :
I love this perfume because it is unique. I first tried it on my skin; it was like a raspberry, chocolate, magnolia/rose and spicy, musky and incense cocktail. Interestingly Chocolate, Magnolia are not listed as one of the ingredients. If I could describe this perfume, it is similiar to Rumba in its lingering power. While, the perfume did last on my skin for over 5 hours, it softened a fair bit, lingering close to the skin. This perfume lasts very well on clothes, it fact for over 12 hours. In fact, I recently bought a 50mls and then 100mls EDP bottle in St Kilda Melbourne. I loved it that much.
For me, this perfume, actually makes a statement of a mature, confident, creative woman, which has style and class. This would be a special occassion perfume.One would use it sparingly, because, I think they have discontinued this perfume.
However, if you see it, try it and you should buy it, just for the experience. Perfumistas who do not mind Must be Cartier or Cartier’s Du Dragon, Obsession, Original Opium, Rumba, fragrances may enjoy this. There is a field grass like smell similar to Bazaar from Lacroix in the early stages of this perfume.
It is not for the soft-hearted unless you spray extremely lightly. Perfume collectors would appreciate this well-blended and unique masterpiece of perfumery skill at its best.
tigr1987 – :
This was a raspberry-rose whisp of a perfume, sweet and a tad powdery. It was like the final half of Ciara, after the incense and spice dies down. I got no incense nor spice from La Mome, which is surprising based on the notes and reviews. Only lasted about 4 hours for me, fair to low sillage. I applied Ciara on top after La Mome was gone; I’d suggest just starting with Ciara, save some money.
rikooo_007 – :
IF you took one of these narcotic white floral perfumes, and toned it down, or rather ”classed it up”, by adding rose and iris and my favorite AMMMMber 🙂 and a delicioius raspberry, and you have lamome
Whenever I wear Lamome my sister constantly mistakes it for several different big white florals (when they dry down)
One of my favorites. Just beautiful
Actually it also slightly resembles Alien amber flakers. I received a test perfume sample in the mail from Mugler and it had a sample of Alien taste of caramel, and also one with violette added to it… and yes, it does remind me of lamome. La mome is classier , but both are wonderful
naxalovez – :
At first when I read the reviews I was a bit scared. I thought it was a weird and ‘a-sexual’ perfume (non flattering for a woman), for a somewhat ‘lost’ and decayed’diva’ that traveled through time.
Thanks to a kind member here I had the chance to smell it and I like it very much.
It’s intense in a way that might become annoying for the nose if applied generously. It is also sweet enough and ‘dark’, yes, and is smells like a liquer.
I was afraid that the resins will be ‘stinking’ on my skin (it happens to me with resins sometimes).
I find no similarity with Yvress, which is a rather oldfashioned and smelling more like a marmelade rather than a liquer.
It’s a very nice, non common perfume, but one should try it before purchasing.
chimboksa – :
Wow its very strong indeed! I get mainly – Rose, Violet, Raspberry & Freesia combo, a little synthetic, making it slightly sour, sharp but its also sweet. What I really don’t pick up on is the pepper & musk, thank goodness. I think the resins make this slightly warm – so its sweet,very juicy and warm, but its a HUGE floral! Along the lines of Chloe Narsciss, can be headache inducing, spray with a gentle hand to begin, otherwise she is very loud, but if you like it that way than go ahead!
I would recommend to those who like “Big Florals” with a little edge.
Melxy220Unlogrere – :
I was first introduced to Balmain’s La Môme during a blind sniffing competition earlier this year. When I initially applied it to my wrists and inhaled, I was quite struck by its sweetness, with the juicy raspberry accord radiating strongly on my skin. I had assumed it was either a celebrity fragrance or a release from a well-known brand, marketed towards younger women.
You can imagine my surprise when it was revealed that the mystery scent was actually Balmain’s La Môme. Needless to say, I would never have guessed it. I had imagined this fragrance to smell like an intense oriental, laden with spices and resins.
To my nose, La Môme is sweet, mysterious and in some ways, flirtatious. It’s a scent that grows on you over time, but may greet you as a shock initially. Although the opening is quite sweet with candied raspberry, pink pepper and oily rose, what follows tends to show more depth and complexity in terms of composition.
The heart introduces some of my favourite oriental accords; opoponax, myrrh and amber. These combine to create a warm and enticing scent, that actually blends perfectly with the sweet raspberry and rose. It was during this phase that I found myself growing fond of La Môme.
Pardon my naïvety, but seeming that Edith Piaf was before my time, I don’t know much about her, nor have I watched the movie which is said to have inspired this fragrance. I am however familiar with her famous and incredibly moving song, ‘La Vie en Rose’, so I agree that the rose note was a perfect addition to La Môme’s scent pyramid.
La Môme is incredibly lasting on my skin, so I applaud the longevity. The sillage is not bad either, but I can’t say that it’s particularly strong. I would consider this fragrance a sure crowd-pleaser, however it may disappoint some, especially if they’re expecting to smell a heavy oriental. I would advise against blind buying La Môme due to its fruity yet ambery nature.
e_v_g – :
Tested La Môme yesterday, it’s rather a subtle fragrance, like a watered down version of Yvresse YSL, especially the top notes. Doesn’t last long and has average sillage.
utl016bedyWelty – :
Imagine a mountain lodge, or wooded castle filled with roses, from the floor to the rafters. As for the longevity, on my dry, arid, alpine skin the edp lasts more than 12 hrs. It’s a strong start that morphs into a rounder, oakier version. Think “Lion In The Winter”, romantacism. The name means “the kid”, which to me is a total oxymoron. This perfume speaks of heavy velvets, tapestries, vintage wines, multi-strands of pearls and roaring fires. It’s anything but a teen scent. La Mome seduces your nostrils and takes over your body.
Данил – :
Muy suave y discreto,me ha encantado!!!!
Uner – :
This could have been perfect – classy rose, vintage vibe and a drydown to die for – if it wouldn’t have been for the raspberry. I find the pairing rose and raspberry unbearable, sweet and immature. There is not much on earth which could destroy the perfect smell of rose, but raspberry for sure spoils it for me.
Such a shame, as it has great potential. Especially the myrrh and opoponax are beautiful and in this perfume totally feminine, whereas I often find both tending to be masculine.
Serge2007 – :
At first, it’s a strong violet and raspberry scent. Then it smells of berry and vanilla/amber with some myrrh mixed in. The staying power is medium and I got a hint of mint in the fragrance.
Meyeg147InsuffBooni – :
“‘Tis the last rose of summer left blooming alone
All her lovely companions are faded and gone
No flower of her kindred, no rosebud is nigh
To reflect back her blushes and give sigh for sigh”
The song “Last Rose of Summer” always comes to my mind when I’m wearing this fragrance. Roses here are definitely the red ones. The roses that are thickened by the intense, bright summer sun light. Then they are sweetened by myrrh & opoponax. So the roses here are very opulent, sweet and powdery ones. In the summer heat & sweats, it can become overwhelmingly sweet but in the winter it might become very warm and cozy. The longevity of this fragrance on my skin is rather poor, about 3-4 hours. However, it’s in the hottest days of summer. I hope that it will last longer in winter.
chembers – :
This is absolutely stunning!Violets and roses with ambery base are just gorgeous. I am also getting some spiciness. To my nose it’s slightly reminiscent of Immense by Scherrer, but La Mome is deeper and more complex. La Mome and Ambre Gris are my favourite Balmain fragrances.
2-3 hours I can barely detect it without sniffing my wrists.
If it’s a limited edition, i am definitely getting a back up!
Artist67 – :
Oh, how I love deep red roses and violets! Add the smoothness of suede, the thick syrupy tang of honey and the old-church smoke of incense (myrrh) and you have that “soft, old purse and lipstick” fragrance that captures the sweetest memories of a long hug from a much-loved & stylish auntie.
La Mome smells “French” in the classic sense – not trendy and neither flowery nor overly sweet but languid and complex. Even the color of the juice, a deep amber, suggests the mellow smoothness of fine whisky aged in oak barrels.
As scarce as this limited edition has become I’ve hesitated to review until I’d acquired my lifetime supply. Now I’ll shout from the rooftops: “Get this while you still can!” My collection is large and I say without hesitation that La Mome is unique. 12 hours on skin and days on clothing – that’s amazing longevity and the sillage is equally impressive.
Warm comfort in a bottle. Try La Mome on a cool, damp & rainy day or on a gray, snowy day in winter and I promise it will warm your heart.
I just noticed that Guillaume Flavigny nosed this! He also created another favorite of mine: Balmain’s Ambre Gris. They share the same mood of luxury and comfort.
shehman2010 – :
Pierre Balmain LA MOME is a different sort of oriental: the musk and the myrrh somehow combine to produce a leather facsimile note. I do not have a lot of experience with myrrh, so perhaps this is how it always smells, but I must say that based on several wearings, I find this much closer to a leather fragrance than to most oriental florals.
Dark, slightly animalic and, for lack of a better word, dirty, LA MOME is a heavy perfume appropriate for the winter months. I find that the florals are much less dominant in this composition than the opoponax-myrrh-musk complex, which confers outstanding longevity and depth.
Although this is my least favorite of the Balmain line, LA MOME does indeed, as do all Balmain creations, carve out its own distinctive niche. Those who like dark muskiness may take an immediate liking to this perfume; others will want to try before they buy.
As for me, I’ll probably be mixing this with rose perfumes come wintertime–to lighten it up a bit.
denismay2010 – :
Mmm! It’s a fruity-oriental on me! And it stays close to the skin. The myrrh and raspberry notes balance each other. Honestly, I can’t detect raspberry as much as I detect “fruitiness”. The violet and amber are both quite tame, and I am getting a subdued resinous note from the opoponax, which I find very sexy.
Overall, it’s a sweet and feminine skin scent on me. And yes, a bit retro too.
maks123 – :
The rose, myrrh and amber notes dominate on my skin. I bought La Mome blind as I have had good luck with the Balmain frags- I did not find out about the Edith Piaf connection until later. This one is very different from the green and clean scents in the Balmain line, but is equally well crafted for a reasonable price.
La Mome is an oriental that doesn’t shout, is womanly without dowdiness and has a retro feel without drying down to powder. It’s grand scent in the cold- I don’t think it will do so well in the heat of summer but right now, I find myself reaching for it frequently.
Uli4ka – :
I would consider La Mome to be a warm oriental, with a strong musky (never my fave) note that drowns out the flowers for quite a long time.
This intense muskiness takes a few hours into the drydown to dissipate, and then the flowers and myrrh tiptoe in.
At that point, it wears extremely close to the skin and is very feminine and soft, with but an utra discreet whisper of musk.
I don’t know that Edith Piaf would not have worn a scent like this, it is after all, intense, sensual and different.
And I do think La Mome is a special scent, especially if you are very fond of musk, which I, alas, am not.
DIMMON63 – :
I like it!
Not sure whether Piaf would have chosen a perfume for a message, but I can see her wearing something full of Myrrh and roses.
The fragrance is warm and musky and I plan on wearing it a lot this fall and winter. It’s mt SoTD!