The Wake

Opening the “M”-emblazoned light silver box of Mariah Carey’s new perfume, M, one encounters something entirely predictable–a stylish purple bottle adorned with a platinum necklace and a butterfly cap.

The packaging is relatively tawdry, like stepping into a Claire’s Accessories store in the mall. But from Mariah, what else would we expect? She has built a career on showing just a little too much chest and back. But also like Mariah, M is wrought with complexity and contradiction.

The bottle is intended to be flashy and visually appetizing, but in its execution it looks overstated and unimaginative. The royalty of the color purple and the natural beauty of the butterfly are cheapened. The same goes for Mariah’s façade. Naturally stunning, her gorgeous natural appearance becomes degraded with low-cut tops and booty shorts.

With a spritz of the bottle, Mariah’s contradiction is exposed. Despite the faux-class of the exterior, the inside is mature. The scent is rich, floral and spicy–fitting for a sophisticated woman. M’s aroma hints at a pop star looking to grow into her age, but who is unable to because of her preconceived public persona. The perfume’s entire structure screams insecurity.

In comparison to Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B., M looks like a dinosaur. Gwen’s fragrance and packaging reflect the confidence apparent in her celebrity. L.A.M.B.’s scent is light, airy and youthful, like a pop star in the spring of her career, while M beckons the bittersweet decay of a long autumn.

M is available at Macy’s for $52.50.