Tubereuse Malefique
Designed for perfume lovers who crave dramatic nocturnal character, Tubereuse Malefique by I Fiori Del Male turns traditional white florals upside down. Instead of a sunny garden scent, this Eau de Parfum wraps sweet ylang-ylang and narcotic tuberose petals in a shadow of warm civet and smoky vetiver. It suits experienced collectors and adventurous dressers who want an assertive, mysterious presence for art shows, late dinners, and cold-weather cocktail parties. The interplay between bitter petitgrain and deep amber gives it a confident, gender-neutral edge that stands apart from conventional sweet designer releases. Wear this when you want to leave an unforgettable impression in crisp evening air, especially if you appreciate classic French perfumery reimagined with bold Italian craftsmanship.
Similar Suggestions
BETAFragrances with the nearest note and performance profile.
For more in-depth suggestions.
Performance Metrics
33 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
On skin, expect 9 to 11 hours of consistent longevity, with clothing retaining the smoky vetiver and musk base for over 24 hours. The projection extends 4 to 6 feet during the first three hours before tapering into a noticeable 2-foot personal scent bubble for the rest of the night.
Notes Pyramid
Search these notesChoose where each note belongs.
Tubereuse Malefique blends creamy, narcotic tuberose and sunny ylang-ylang with a dark foundation of warm civet, smoky Java vetiver, and crisp Petitgrain Paraguay. The overall feel is rich, nocturnal, and unapologetically bold, balancing tart green citrus against deep animalic woods.
Main Accords
10 MAPPEDThe tuberose accord leads with a buttery, narcotic floral punch that stays front and center for hours. As the bitter citrus opening fades, animalic civet and warm musk rise up to give the floral petals a sultry, skin-like warmth, while dry cabreuva wood keeps the dry-down grounded and smoky.
Community Data
165 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
OWNERSHIP STATS
GENDER APPEAL
REVIEW SENTIMENT
When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in spring and summer. The vote picture leans most toward night. It makes the most sense for date nights and parties.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Tremendous longevity lasting over 9 hours on skin.
Massive projection that easily cuts through chilly winter air.
High quality natural tuberose with a rich buttery texture.
Bold unisex appeal that works effortlessly on men and women.
Excellent value since two sprays provide all-night performance.
Intriguing transition from sharp citrus greens into warm animalic woods.
Perfect atmospheric scent for formal evening wear and dates.
Distinctive character that stands out from generic department store florals.
Grounding Java vetiver prevents the floral heart from turning cloying.
A rewarding pick for fans of bold vintage French perfumery.
Clings to wool coats and outerwear for multiple days.
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Far too potent and animalic for conservative office spaces.
Can easily become suffocating in hot or humid summer weather.
The prominent civet note is polarizing for perfume beginners.
Not a safe blind buy for lovers of clean modern florals.
Top citrus notes fade quickly within the first half hour.
Can trigger headaches if applied heavily beyond two sprays.
High niche retail price requires sampling before purchase.
Limited daytime versatility outside of cold outdoor weather.
Animalic musk can turn sour on overly acidic skin.
Bottle availability can be difficult to find at local retailers.
Lacks the mass-pleasing sugary sweetness of mainstream releases.
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“I Fiori Del Male Tubereuse Malefique Review: A Dark Nocturnal Floral”
Tubereuse Malefique opens with an immediate contrast of bright citrus and earthy green foliage. A quick burst of Italian bergamot pairs with the dry, bitter crunch of Petitgrain Paraguay, cutting through any initial floral sweetness. Instead of an airy, soapy garden opening, this entrance feels crisp, tart, and distinctly green, like snapping a leafy branch straight off an orange tree on a cool morning.
Within fifteen minutes, the heart takes complete control of the scent bubble. The star is a dense, creamy tuberose that smells opulent and fleshy rather than sugary or candied. Lush ylang-ylang adds a hint of banana-like tropical warmth, while smooth golden amber softens the floral edges. The floral profile feels heavy and nocturnal, projecting a rich velvet texture that immediately separates it from conventional department store perfumes.
As the fragrance settles into the skin over the second and third hours, the darker base accords wake up. Unapologetic civet and warm musk wrap around the white floral core, imparting an authentic animalic hum that feels intimate and lived-in. Beneath that warmth, earthy Java vetiver oil and balsamic cabreuva wood provide a dry, grounding spine that keeps the composition structured, preventing the tuberose from collapsing into pure cloying cream.
Performance is formidable in all realistic wear contexts. Two sprays onto clean skin easily project for three to four hours before settling into an arm-length scent cloud, lasting ten full hours without reapplication. Because of its dense tuberose core and heavy woody base, it performs best in crisp autumn and winter temperatures. Spraying this on a cold evening date or a formal nighttime event feels completely natural, whereas wearing it into a small, enclosed office or on a humid summer afternoon would quickly overwhelm everyone nearby.
This is unapologetically unisex, though it leans toward experienced fragrance lovers who enjoy vintage-style drama. The main caveat lies in skin chemistry: on warmer or oilier skin, the civet and musk bloom aggressively, amplifying the animalic growl to center stage. On cooler or drier skin, the floral sweetness of ylang-ylang and woody notes remain dominant for much longer. If your skin tends to pull animalic notes forward, applying lightly is essential.
Ultimately, Tubereuse Malefique succeeds by turning a notoriously polarizing flower into a daring, shadowy statement. Luca Maffei has balanced the intoxicating power of tuberose with the rugged grit of cabreuva and vetiver. While it is definitely not a safe blind buy for beginners expecting a gentle white floral, it is a thrilling, deeply satisfying addition to any cool-weather rotation for those who appreciate old-school boldness.
FAQs
What does the opening of Tubereuse Malefique smell like?+
The fragrance opens with an invigorating, tart burst of Italian bergamot alongside bitter Petitgrain Paraguay. This creates a crisp, green citrus aura that cuts through the incoming floral richness. Within twenty minutes, the bright leafy bite softens as the lush, creamy white flower petals begin to push forward onto the skin.
How does the fragrance transition into its heart and dry-down?+
After the brisk citrus opening, narcotic tuberose takes center stage accompanied by sweet ylang-ylang and warm amber. Over several hours, the scent transitions into a darker, intimate dry-down where earthy Java vetiver oil, cabreuva wood, and animalic civet musk anchor the remaining floral petals with a rich, smoky warmth.
How many hours does Tubereuse Malefique last on skin and clothes?+
You can expect an impressive 9 to 11 hours of noticeable longevity on bare skin from just two sprays. On clothing, heavy outerwear, and scarves, the base notes of Java vetiver, musk, and cabreuva wood cling stubbornly, often remaining easily detectable for well over 24 to 48 hours.
How far does the sillage and scent bubble project?+
For the first three hours, the projection pushes strongly outward, creating an arm-length scent bubble of roughly four to six feet. It leaves an unmistakable, rich floral trail in cool air. After about six hours, it gradually draws inward, maintaining an intimate two-foot scent halo around the body.
Which seasons and weather conditions suit this fragrance best?+
Tubereuse Malefique performs at its absolute best in cool autumn and winter temperatures between 35 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Crisp air helps cut through the heavy animalic musk and creamy tuberose, whereas high summer heat and humidity can make the composition feel suffocating and overly dense.
What occasions and settings are appropriate for Tubereuse Malefique?+
This perfume is ideally tailored for evening events, romantic dinner dates, cocktail lounges, and late-night social gatherings. Its bold animalic civet and heavy floral projection make it inappropriate for enclosed offices, gyms, or casual morning errands where subtle, clean fragrances are normally preferred.
Is Tubereuse Malefique truly unisex or does it lean feminine?+
Although tuberose is historically associated with feminine perfumery, Tubereuse Malefique is genuinely unisex. Luca Maffei balances the creamy white florals with bitter petitgrain, smoky Java vetiver, and earthy animalic civet, giving the scent a rugged, woody spine that smells exceptionally sophisticated on men and women alike.
How does Tubereuse Malefique compare to Frederic Malle Carnal Flower?+
While Carnal Flower focuses on a realistic, lush green garden with crisp eucalyptus and sunny coconut facets, Tubereuse Malefique takes a much darker path. It swaps fresh greenery for bitter petitgrain and introduces a heavy base of civet, musk, and smoky woods that feels far more nocturnal.
What is the concentration and is Tubereuse Malefique good value?+
Tubereuse Malefique is bottled as an Eau de Parfum, but its performance rivals many pure extraits. Because the formulation contains potent fixatives like civet, amber, and cabreuva, you only need two sprays per application. This high concentration gives the 100ml bottle remarkable mileage and strong cost-per-wear value.
Can Tubereuse Malefique be layered with other fragrances?+
Yes, it layers exceptionally well with dry cedarwood, straightforward black pepper, or citrus colognes. Applying a brisk bergamot or neroli splash on top extends the green opening, while layering it over a pure sandalwood base softens the punch of the civet musk for a creamier, more understated finish.
Rankings
Full rankingsWear Diary
0 COMMUNITY WEAR LOGSKeep sprays, longevity, weather, and compliments in one practical log.
Sign in to keep private wear notes.
Compliment Signal
FROM WEAR LOGSReviews
No owner review yet. You can be the first.
Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCOREWhile Frederic Malle Carnal Flower offers a much greener, eucalyptus-tinged take on tuberose and Serge Lutens Tubereuse Criminelle leans into medicinal camphor, Tubereuse Malefique is distinct for its warm civet and smoky vetiver base. Robert Piguet Fracas shares the creamy diva volume but lacks the shadowy animalic underbelly found here.
No User submitted dupes yet. The first useful DupeScore can come from your community.
Live questions about Tubereuse Malefique
Ask one quick question and let the community weigh in while it is live.
No live pulse yet.
Trusted Sellers
Community-submitted stores that regular buyers trust, by country.
No trusted sellers added for this fragrance yet.
Where to Sample
Discovery sets, official samples, and trusted decants.
No sample or decant options shared for this fragrance yet.