Question:
I've tried both, and am fascinated with both, but at the same time, don't like them as much as I thought I would or should. What's up with that? Passage smelled really good at first, then dried down to be soapy on me. MdM smelled a little "musty" & didn't love it as much as most of the good reviews it got. What do you think of these two? Love it or hate it, or just okay? Still have some sort of lingering interest & don't know why, will try again. (my chemistry changes like the weather)

Answer:
Prefer PdE to MdM hands down. PdE is far more "wearable" as a fragrance though it is not what I think of as a strictly "incense" fragrance, but I don't see MdM as incense at all except for perhaps a vague trace of incensey soot on cold stone pillars of a romanesque church. A couple of co-workers who've commented when I wore PdE got a definite clean musk in the drydown whilst it must be just a case of musk anosmia for me with whatever musk molecule l'Artisan is using in the composition. That my well be where your "soapy" finish is coming from, the musk in the base.
Now if you really want a "present moment" incense experience rather than the trace remains of MdM, I would suggest the CdG Incense series or Donna Karan's Black Cashmere. The latter is officially "discontinued" but can be gotten on line and at plenty of those perfume shoppes in "outlet centers".

Answer:
I prefer PdE over MdM for, I think, the latter is quite harsh. Moreover I would recommend Avignon as a much more refined alternative to MdM or once could try Encense et Lavande instead if you can get your hands on a sample.

Answer:
I prefer MdM and I own both.
Passage is quite cold and stark even with the lilies.
I get amber in MdM which I always think of as a warm note.

Answer:
Passage D'Enfer - but I do not regard this to be an incense fragrance. It's delightful floral aura makes it a bit difficult to wear myself.
This is as much the Firenze Flora for me as it is an afternoon walk on the Boulevard des Capucines.

Answer:
I have both but Messe de Minuit is my soulmate scent

Answer:
I fell in love with the top notes of Messe de Minuit. Those orangey, lemony, dusty particles smelled like high-quality frankincense resin. However, I have to watch out for over-spraying. Because I love the topnotes, it is easy for me to re-apply it, and the basenotes are lethal in high doses. There is an ashen base, completely devoid of sweetness. I heard it described as a "sage" note, or a "mineral," something bitter. And it does last--for months on clothing. When I over-apply, I have to shower, and it calms down to a nice woody resin then.
Passage D'Enfer, is tamer, more open and airy. It is easier to wear, with less danger of "smoke inhalation damage."

Answer:
Like both, have a small bottle of Passage d'Enfer. Messe de Minuit is an aquired taste, if you would, but them musty cold stones can be incredibly comforting if I am in the right mood. Passage d'Enfer is easier to wear because of its floral predictability, and I would say it is a floral fragrance with incensy undertones (like Dzongka is a woody scent with incense).
On the other hand, I agree that in search for the insence one MUST try Comme des Garcons Ensence series 3: Kyoto, Avignon, Ouarzazate, Zagorsk and Jaisalmer.

Answer:
Originally Posted by jaelynn Prefer PdE to MdM hands down. PdE is far more "wearable" as a fragrance though it is not what I think of as a strictly "incense" fragrance, but I don't see MdM as incense at all except for perhaps a vague trace of incensey soot on cold stone pillars of a romanesque church. A couple of co-workers who've commented when I wore PdE got a definite clean musk in the drydown whilst it must be just a case of musk anosmia for me with whatever musk molecule l'Artisan is using in the composition. That my well be where your "soapy" finish is coming from, the musk in the base.
Now if you really want a "present moment" incense experience rather than the trace remains of MdM, I would suggest the CdG Incense series or Donna Karan's Black Cashmere. The latter is officially "discontinued" but can be gotten on line and at plenty of those perfume shoppes in "outlet centers". Thanks for your reply, I had bought Black Cashmere at a perfume outlet & on Ebay, I liked it at first, but then it made me nauseous. I like that it is totally different than any of the other stuff they put out lately, so that makes it good in my book, even if I can't wear it presently. I don't know if I would like to have a "church incense" scent either. Some are too potent & obvious for me, I like a more subtle kind of incense smell. Flower Oriental, is a softer incense scent, I find some too harsh & sharp smelling for my tastes.
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Originally Posted by Twolf Like both, have a small bottle of Passage d'Enfer. Messe de Minuit is an aquired taste, if you would, but them musty cold stones can be incredibly comforting if I am in the right mood. Passage d'Enfer is easier to wear because of its floral predictability, and I would say it is a floral fragrance with incensy undertones (like Dzongka is a woody scent with incense).
On the other hand, I agree that in search for the insence one MUST try Comme des Garcons Ensence series 3: Kyoto, Avignon, Ouarzazate, Zagorsk and Jaisalmer. Thank you for your reply, I haven't smelled too many "incense scents" like those mentioned above, but I did smell Avignon & one other one (that I can't remember the name to) and I guess I don't like the real heavy hitters, but the more incense-like kind of scents. Like I've stated to someone else, I like a more subtle, softer type incense scent, that doesn't smell like church incense. I guess I just don't like Frankincense & Myhrr being the dominate notes.

Answer:
Another milder incense you might like is 10 Corso Como (Lucky Scent). It's a little easier to wear but still an incense. Quite enjoyable until you're ready for the hard stuff. I just discovered Messe Di Minuit courtesy of Purplebird. It is very smokey and woodsy; like a campfire of expensive wood with amber at the heart...yum! Passage D'Enfer is ok but not an incense IMO. Very tame & doesn't last long on me. I get a bigger bang for the buck elsewhere.