This women’s fragrance promises irreverent femininity with strawberry and brown sugar – but does it deliver sophistication or disappointment?
When Miu Miu Miutine launched in August 2025 as the fashion house’s first fragrance under their new L’Oréal partnership, it sparked immediate curiosity. Created by master perfumer Dominique Ropion and fronted by Emma Corrin, this women’s fragrance promised to capture Miu Miu’s “irreverent, unconventional spirit” with notes of wild strawberry, gardenia, brown sugar, vanilla, and patchouli. After extensive testing and reading countless reviews, here’s the complete story.
Opening: Jammy Strawberry Meets Fresh Florals
Miutine opens with what most describe as authentic strawberry – not candy-sweet, but genuinely fruity. One reviewer noted it smells like “warm strawberry jam made from scratch” thanks to Ropion’s addition of blackcurrant extract to enhance the strawberry’s realism. The gardenia provides immediate floral sophistication, preventing the opening from feeling juvenile.
However, opinions diverge dramatically here. While some find it “deliciously mouth-watering,” others describe it as having “menthol cough drop” qualities that catch them off guard.
The Heart: Where Controversy Begins
As Miutine develops, the gardenia is reinforced by jasmine absolute and Turkish rose oil, creating what should be a luxurious floral bouquet. The brown sugar and vanilla promise gourmand sweetness, but here’s where reviews become polarizing.
One frustrated reviewer wrote: “Anyone who describes this scent as sweet likely also believes that adding three blueberries to a cup of cottage cheese transforms it into blueberry cheesecake.” They found the sweetness disappointingly subtle compared to expectations.
Others appreciate this restraint, with one noting: “I love how the patchouli and oak moss ground the juicier notes in the scent, making it feel just that little bit more grown-up.”
The Dry Down: Chypre Structure Revealed
The base reveals Ropion’s chypre foundation with oakmoss and patchouli providing depth and sophistication. This classic structure is what elevates Miutine from simple gourmand to something more complex. The amber notes add warmth while maintaining the fragrance’s feminine character.
As one reviewer perfectly captured: “It’s this chypre structure that takes Miutine from being your run-of-the-mill gourmand to a perfume worthy of the Miu Miu universe.”
Performance: Solid but Not Spectacular
Most wearers report 6-8 hours longevity with moderate projection for the first 2-3 hours. The performance is respectable for a designer fragrance, though not exceptional. Several reviewers noted it “remains sweet and musky through the drying process” before settling into a “moss/musk dry down.”
The Great Divide: Sweet vs. Sophisticated
Reviews reveal two distinct camps:
Camp 1 – “Deceptive Disappointment”:
- Expected gourmand sweetness, got floral complexity
- Found it “misrepresenting itself as gourmand-inspired”
- Described it as “patchouli in a strawberry trench coat”
Camp 2 – “Sophisticated Surprise”:
- Appreciated the “grown-up” treatment of sweet notes
- Loved the “confident” and “empowering” feeling it provides
- Found it perfect for “date night” and special occasions
Who Should Try This?
Perfect for:
- Women who love sophisticated fruity florals
- Those wanting designer luxury with personality
- Fans of chypre structure with modern twists
- Anyone seeking a signature scent that’s conversation-starting
Skip if:
- You want traditional gourmand sweetness
- You prefer simple, straightforward compositions
- The premium pricing feels unjustified
- You’re sensitive to patchouli or moss notes
Price and Value
UK Pricing:
- 30ml: £72
- 50ml: £104
- 100ml: £145
The pricing sits in the competitive designer range, and the matelassé glass bottle (inspired by Miu Miu’s signature quilted leather) adds genuine luxury appeal.
Miutine Succeeds as Sophisticated Rebellion
Despite polarizing reviews, Miutine achieves its goal of subverting expectations. Ropion’s masterful use of chypre structure to ground the fruity elements creates something genuinely sophisticated rather than typically sweet.
The name “Miutine” (a play on the French “mutine” meaning rebel) perfectly captures its spirit – this is rebellion through sophistication rather than shock. It’s “cheeky but sophisticated, youthful yet assertive.”
Rating: 4/5
If you’re seeking a women’s fragrance that challenges expectations and delivers genuine sophistication, Miutine succeeds brilliantly. Just don’t expect traditional gourmand sweetness – this rebel prefers elegant complexity over obvious charm.
Available now at Miu Miu boutiques, department stores, and major fragrance retailers worldwide.
