A Lab on Fire classifies Hallucinogenic Pearl as a "floriental violet leather fragrance" and informs us that it was developed by perfumer Émilie Coppermann. Its notes include ambrette seed, bergamot, pink pepper, violet, Iriseine De Laire,* orris, suede, blond woods, and musks. On my skin, Hallucinogenic Pearl leads with leather — a lot of it, as well as a very sharp smoke note. Singed leather? Not the kind of fragrance I typically enjoy wearing, but if I wait a bit, I'm able to enjoy Hallucinogenic Pearl's evolution into a minimalist woody floral. If its floral notes could be seen as colors, they'd be a range of grays and faded purples. The violet is dusty, not sweet; thanks to the supporting woods, the iris feels quietly warm and "matte" rather than green or metallic. Despite being constructed around that classical iris theme, Hallucinogenic Pearl has a very contemporary sensibility.
