Matière Première is a Parisian house founded by the perfumer Aurélien Guichard, built around one idea: each fragrance puts a single raw material at its centre and shows it at its best. It is niche in the true sense — rarely stocked in Egypt, and priced accordingly — which is why its own 1.5 ML samples are the way most people meet it.
Every sample here is the house's own vial, exactly as Matière Première makes it.
Vanilla Powder
A vanilla that is not a dessert. Coconut powder and heliotrope open it, Madagascar vanilla fills the heart, and vanilla absolute, white musk and palo santo carry the base. The effect is soft and powdery, like warm skin rather than cake — a vanilla people who dislike sweet fragrances often end up loving.
Radical Rose
Rose made bold. Rose and saffron at the top, then a dark base of patchouli, labdanum and pepper. It is a rose for people who think they do not wear rose: dry, spicy and confident, and entirely unisex.
The Extrait de Parfum edition is richer still, and worth trying if you already know you love the original:
The rest of the house
Matière Première also makes Santal Austral (sandalwood), Crystal Saffron, Encens Suave (incense) and Falcon Leather. All of them are on the Matière Première page.
Questions
What does Vanilla Powder smell like?
Soft, powdery vanilla with coconut and heliotrope, over white musk and palo santo. Warm and skin-like rather than sugary.
Is Radical Rose for men or women?
Both. Saffron, patchouli, labdanum and pepper make it dry and spicy rather than sweetly floral.
How many wears is a 1.5 ML sample?
About four to five days, enough to wear it through a working week.