Description
The first offering from Carta, Moena 12|69, is the first ever fragrance to feature Moena Alcanfor, a rare essential oil steam-distilled from the lateral branches and leaves of Moena trees. The numbers in the fragrance name correspond to the geographical coordinates where the oil is sourced: the Tambopata Province of the Peruvian Amazon at 12.58° South, 69.19° West.
A close botanical relative to the highly endangered rosewood (another Amazonian tree popular for fragrance), Moena Alcanfor is a new sustainable alternative and it ushers in a promising future for the region’s delicate ecosystem. Its woodsy aroma ignites emotions, purifies and uplifts the spirit, and eases anxiety.
Moena 12|69 features notes of wild Peruvian moena, soaked moss, golden ginger, brewed tea, tobacco leaves and redolent woods.
A portion of the proceeds from Moena 12|69 sales are returned to Camino Verde, the only organization in the world distilling Moena Alcanfor. Moena 12|69 is available as a 50 ml extrait de parfum made in small batches and bottled to order. The fragrance was first released in 2017 in a limited edition of 300 bottles.
The nose behind this fragrance is Heather D’Angelo.
wheedocogue – :
Moena is a really lovely, peaceful, earthy and spicy scent on me. I’ve tested it twice (from a dabber).
The top notes, to me, smell like a warm tobacco and rooibus tea. I *love* the initial notes – I get a calm stillness, like the feeling of getting up before sunrise, breathing in the cool fall air, and having the world to yourself, before anyone else is up and moving. My first test was on the outside of my wrist, and I wanted to just put my head down on my arm, and breathe… deeply… and take it all in. Gorgeous.
The dry-down is really nice too, but it reminds me a little of SJP Stash. I like Stash (I have a bottle!), and I like this. I found it lighter, a bit more gentle than Stash. On me, Stash can start to feel a little overwhelming in small spaces or when I’m too warm, but Moena remained peaceful, gentle, warm, and comforting as I ran around like a crazy person trying to do batch cooking, laundry, and other Sunday night cleaning.
The only downsides are that it doesn’t last very long on my skin at all (maybe 4 hours?) and I don’t get much projection. I like low-key fragrances, but I wouldn’t have minded a tiny bit more projection, to avoid having to sniff myself to enjoy the perfume ;).
Unfortunately, for me the cost, combined with the fact that it doesn’t last on my skin, means I’m not going to get a full bottle. But, I’ll enjoy every last drop of my sample! Definitely worth sampling.
gzs841intitytek – :
I can appreciate the story,time and creativity that went into making this fragrance. It’s a beautiful thing heather has done.
Moena is what i would consider Peru’s version of Oud. At least in this blend it reminds me of that. If you want to try and enjoy Moena you have to give it time to develop. It starts out pungent and unapologetic. Quite camphorous and fairly medicinal an in your face type of aroma
This is a very strong fragrance and should be treated with respect. Deep resinous woods that lasts 24hrs! Dank and dark in an unusually delectable way,very heady.
What i mostly get is dark wood and moss. Maybe a very slight touch of tobacco. But that is what dominated this perfume to my nose.
Like i said. Peru’s oud.
If you’re looking for a simple safe and easy to wear fragrance. This is not for you.
This is more of a bold statement! If you like wood heavy aromas and are into the artistic aspects of perfumes you may just find this interesting.
I personally would find this difficult to wear daily.
Just sharing my thoughts and opinions on this creation.
As with all fragrances. Try it out for yourself. You might find you love Moena.
killerok09 – :
The story behind this perfume is a wonderful journey. Not only about sustainable sourcing but also how Heather D’Angelo meandered into perfumery. Love the possibility of finding a signature that only a handful of people will ever have the opportunity to wear. The quality present in this perfume is apparent. I had such high hopes…and it doesn’t work with my chemistry.
taftAcavict – :
The emotions I feel while wearing Moena 12
BOSS(BOT) – :
69 echo the depth and complexity of the fragrance itself — Moena is a fragrance unlike no other. With a flowery feminine top layer that mimics a tropical breeze and exotic flora. The base note is unmistakably woodsy, mossy, with endless depth like the earth that it came from. While wearing Moena, I am light and free and lilting with breezy flora while simultaneously grounded by the deep dank Peruvian jungle. My heart sours knowing the Moena fragrance is derived from sustainable sources and this exclusive and indulgent scent is actually making a difference — opening a door for the future of fragrances to follow — a unique, one of a kind exquisite perfume that has the potential to change the world for the better. And make both men and women smell FANTASTIC.
АндрейК – :
I love, love, love this perfume. It’s incredibly unique, deep, woodsy, but sexy at the same time. I wear it almost every day and invariably I get multiple comments on how good it smells. I love the sustainable sourcing aspect and the bottle is so sophisticated on my dresser. It makes me happy every time I wear it.
q.artur – :
Where do I begin? Not only do I absolutely love this fragrance but the journey that Heather takes you on through her wonderful essay and photos on her website allow you to be in Peru with her creating Moena.
When Moena arrived in it’s beautiful bottle with a hand written thank you note I knew it was special. I wanted to just place it on the shelf and enjoy it as an object but how could I ? The curiosity was overwhelming and the fragrance did not disappoint. I dabb some on in the morning and enjoy the scent throughout the day, as well as all the compliments that I receive.
jack12 – :
I hedged my bet at first with this product and bought the little Carta tester tube, unsure of whether it would be too much of a knockout punch for my liking. Within hours of it arriving and me dabbing it on my wrists and then pathologically smelling them, I’d ordered a full bottle for myself. The fragrance is completely addictive — it somehow straddles the divide between familiar and innovative, fresh and deep. It’s incredibly rare to smell “placeness” in a perfume… But after reading the story of how it was born out of the Peruvian jungle, it all snapped together for me. There’s soil and leaf and tea and clear wet sky. It’s just a beautiful, romantic product. I love it.
Dimer – :
This is an exquisite perfume. I used to use Frederick Malle for years, but finally found a scent that feels beautifully me. I have been stopped by strangers who want to know what I am wearing. They tell me I smell divine which is what all women want to hear. My boyfriend finds it so sensual and alluring and he has a very discriminating nose! If the reviewer above doesn’t like it, so be it, but I love it and believe that Heather is an artist. I find the reviwer’s snide comments say more about her than the perfume.
registrator – :
I cannot say enough good things about this perfume. My fellow yogis, you know that feeling you get after savasana and all in the world is calm and right? This perfume brings me to that place every time and I absolutely love it. The scent is earthy, spicy and just right. A little goes a long way, usually lasting for about 24 hours – which speaks to the quality of the perfume. Cheers to the perfumer, I can’t wait to smell your next creation!
alekseikis1 – :
This is a beautiful perfume. I switched from my usual rotation of Le Labo scents, as Moena is like the best of Le Labo x 100. It is musky and woody with just the right amount of sweetness. I am amazed by how it balances elegance with earthiness – people ask me all day long what I’m wearing. It is so elegant, in fact, that it should not be worn by someone who stoops so low as to personally attack its maker…shocked by the trolling in the last review. There is a perfume for everyone – choose your poison.
tuman723 – :
This smells truly horrible. I think that we should all leave Moena in the rainforest where it belongs. Some things are not meant to be perfumes.
Sometimes artists should be told when their art is unappealing on a basic level.
Hey, I’ve made bad art. Someone should have told Heather D’Angelo that this is not something to be worn on skin.
Ever.