Think of it as Glade air freshener for billionaires.

Ralph Gardner Jr. – The Wall Street Journal

After writing a review for the new release from Fūm Fragrances titled “Jurassic Flower,” it was brought to my attention that Frédéric Malle has had a scent for many years called Jurassic Flower, and it’s based on a very similar concept — the ancient magnolia tree.

The magnolia tree is millions of years old. Every year since the Jurassic age, its broad white petals have blossomed against a clear blue sky. Unlike other white flowers that exude opulence, magnolia’s scent is bright and citrus-fresh with hints of peach and apricot, heralding the return of summer.

Frédéric Malle – Jurassic Flower

Since I love magnolia scents, I decided to check it out, and it turns out that the original Jurassic Flower is not only beautiful, but it has an interesting story as well.

The First Jurassic Flower

Jurassic Flower is an ambient scent that was originally created to be the signature scent of The Mark Hotel, which opened in 2009. The Mark is a lavish, 5-star luxury hotel on New York’s Upper East Side, “a beacon of high French style, immaculate service, and American technology and comfort” (from the brand’s fact sheet).

Jurassic Flower was composed by Carlos Benaïm, who also created the Malle perfume Eau de Magnolia. Although it was originally created to be the scent of The Mark Hotel, Jurassic Flower is also sold for private home use, as both a room spray (“Perfume Gun”) and scented candle, as well as rubber incense. It is available in Frédéric Malle boutiques and department stores that sell the Malle line of fragrances, as well as online.

The Mark Hotel, NYC

The Mark Hotel is in one of the U.S.’s most exclusive neighborhoods, located at the corner of Madison Ave. and 77th St. It’s just steps away from Central Park, and a very short walk to New York’s finest art museums and galleries, as well as designer boutiques and upscale restaurants.

The hotel’s interior was decorated by legendary French interior designer Jacques Grange. It features a restaurant run by Michelin-star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Frédéric Fekkai’s own flagship salon, huge suites with views of Central Park, twice-daily maid service, macarons from Laudrée, bespoke bath and body products from Italian perfumer La Bottega, a fleet of custom bicycles, chauffeured pedicabs, 24-hour personal shopping service at Bergdorf-Goodman, and a whole host of other luxurious amenities — including its own sailboat for guests to enjoy. And, all of the hallways and common areas smell like Jurassic Flower, the hotel’s official bespoke ambient scent from Frédéric Malle.

The Story Behind the Scent

I reached out to the press department at The Mark Hotel to see if they had any information to share about the scent. They were not able to accommodate my request. I’m sure they’re very busy with the whole Covid-19 thing…. The information about the hotel and the photos that I used came from their digital press information.

I did find a wonderful article about the scent in The Wall Street Journal, and that is where I got the information that I’m using here. I’m not linking to it directly because it’s behind a paywall, but the article is “On the Scent of Luxury With an Upper East Side Perfumer” by Ralph Gardner Jr., and it was published on May 8, 2013.

Mr. Gardner had first visited The Mark in 2011 to write a column and noticed that the hallways smelled “luxurious.” He says, “They reeked of wealth. Not in a garish, but in a discreet, sophisticated way.” So, in 2013, he returned to The Mark just to write an entire article about the scent of the hallways. First of all, thank you Mr. Gardner for getting the scoop for all of us perfume enthusiasts. (Also, are you on 23&Me? Because it seems like we might be related).

Mr. Gardner went to the hotel and found out that the scent of the hallways is Malle’s scent, Jurassic Flower. He visited the Malle boutique on Madison Avenue to try the scent in its “Perfume Gun” form, which involved the scent being sprayed into a futuristic 7-foot high “smelling column” which circulates the fragrance — you then stick your head inside to smell it.

Mr. Gardner also interviewed Frédéric Malle at the boutique. Mr. Malle said that Jurassic Flower is “a reproduction of a magnolia tree scent.” (Mr. Gardner still contends that it smells like money to him). He explained that the owner of The Mark hotel chose not to introduce Jurassic Flower into the hotel’s ventilation system (and therefore the guests’ rooms) because he wanted people to have a choice. Therefore, the Perfume Gun is used to mist the fragrance in the hallways.

The rest of Mr. Gardner’s interview is not about Jurassic Flower, but it is delightful to read. Some highlights are Frédéric Malle explaining that he doesn’t smell better than other people, he just has a more educated nose than other people. He says that he approaches fragrance like an art historian. And he says that he’s only known one man who he considered to have a supernatural sense of smell — Edouard Flechier.

The Scent of Jurassic Flower

Jurassic Flower is a gorgeous, realistic magnolia scent. It smells like resplendent white blossoms, kissed with the vibrant, cheerful scent of yellow-green lemon zest. Just the barest hint of bitter grapefruit pith peeks through. The smell is decidedly floral, but also sunny and warm, and has a mid-tone of lactonic, fuzzy peach. At the base of the scent are woody and mossy notes which suggest the rest of the tree.

The scent of Jurassic Flower is heavenly. In my house, it does not smell so much like money though. Perhaps it’s because my home lacks the ambiance of a space designed by Jacques Grange? However, it does smell exquisite, and very luxe. Like perfect magnolia trees covered in blooms. The scent is fresh and uplifting, but in a classy, dignified way.

The Jurassic Flower Candle

I’ve owned Malle candles before, and they are amazing. Even my husband, who never pays attention to such things, remarked about our Joyeux Noel by Dominique Ropion candle last Christmas. (We’ve been married for just under three years. He said that I have remarkably good taste. I beamed. He said, “you can totally tell that this candle is so much nicer than those cheap candles from Ikea.” I agreed. He said, “I never used to believe things like this, but I bet this candle was $25, and it was totally worth it because you can really smell the difference.” I laughed and laughed. (Malle candles are $95 USD.) I did make a full “confession.”

The candles come in hand-blown red glass jars and are 100% handmade from vegetal and tallow waxes. They are 7.5 ounces with a burn time of 60 hours. The Jurassic Flower candle has the lovely, realistic magnolia smell, burns cleanly and evenly, and has an impressive throw. It is lightly fragrant even when not lit.

I purchased my candle from Le Shop at The Mark Hotel.

The Jurassic Flower Perfume Gun

The perfume gun is a product that I hadn’t owned before. It’s a spray bottle full of scent for your home. The retail price is $195, so it is definitely a splurge.

The perfume gun is a strange mix of utilitarianism and luxury. The bottle looks like it might be plastic in photos, but it’s actually heavy frosted glass. It does have a plastic sprayer on top, but it still feels substantial. Overall it is not the prettiest presentation but it works very well to deliver the scent.

I can spray the Jurassic Flower perfume gun twice in a room and it fills the space nicely with scent (only one spray is necessary for my smaller bedrooms and office). The length of time that the scent lingers is truly impressive — if I spray it in the morning, I can still detect it well into the afternoon.

So, the perfume gun was expensive, but it contains 450mL, and I use very little to get a pleasing scent effect that lasts for a long time. I’m pleased and surprised by the value that of this product actually — I’m not saying that it’s “a bargain” by any means, but I think that even with regular use, one perfume gun will scent a few rooms for many months. It only requires a few quick sprays a day for long-lasting scent, and the scent itself is far superior to most other spray “air freshener” products.

I could do without it being called “a gun,” though. It seems like a small point but also, why even go there? The brand calls it humor, but to me it just falls flat. I find it a bit silly, but I can see how other people might find it to be actually off-putting. (A friend of mine commented, “being American I’m a little sensitive to using the word “gun” when it’s not really a gun” which I think is a fair point). Here’s what the brand says about it:

A love gun, for one’s home. Instant perfume gratification, in a utilitarian, innovative and humorous packaging. Like playing a different music, or changing the wall paper (which is proven to be more difficult), it will transform the atmosphere of one’s space after a few trigger pressures. Transported elsewhere in a flash, or a spray! The perfume gun is the only weapon that spreads love.

Frédéric Malle website

I purchased my perfume gun from the Frédéric Malle US website.

Jurassic Flower Final Thoughts

I’m so pleased that I found this scent. I love the smell of magnolias, and Jurassic Flower has become my new favorite home scent. Especially right now, when we are all forced to spend more time in our homes because of the pandemic, little things like a good home scent can make a big difference.

Magnolias remind me of wonderful times we’ve spent in Louisiana and Mississippi, and coming home to the gorgeous aroma of Jurassic Flower slightly blunts the sting of not being able to travel there at all this year. (I would do anything for a big platter of chargrilled oysters from Felix’s right now, there’s no perfume substitute for that).

Jurassic Flower will probably always have a place in my home in some form, like a signature scent. It’s fun knowing that my home can have something in common with a chic, five-star hotel. I love the option to use the perfume gun, or the candles, or the rubber incense (which I didn’t buy — yet).

This review is unsolicited and unsponsored. I have no relationship with any of the brands or companies mentioned. The products reviewed were purchased at full price. I did not receive any compensation or other considerations for reviews or mentions. This website is not monetized and does not host ads or affiliate links.