Mind Games Castling Extrait

Description

Castling Extrait takes its name from chess's defensive masterstroke, the single move that swaps king and rook to trade vulnerability for protected strength, and channels that idea into a green floral woody composition built around fig. Perfumer Christelle Laprade opens with fig leaves, bergamot, and a mineral dash of sea salt (fleur de sel), unfolds into a luminous heart of iris, freesia, and lotus, then settles onto a creamy base of vanilla-inflected woods, skin musk, Madagascar vetiver, and East Indian sandalwood. Launched in 2022, it reads as clean and powerful rather than shy. The house calls it an ode to the South of France, with fig's green facets doing most of the talking against a backdrop of soft white woods.

Scent Character

• Woody: 32% (sandalwood, vetiver, woody musk)
• Floral: 28% (iris, freesia, lotus)
• Fresh: 18% (fig leaf, bergamot)
• Sweet: 13% (vanilla woods)
• Marine: 9% (sea salt)

Translation: a luminous, fig-forward floral wrapped in warm woods and musk, with a touch of salt-air freshness up top.

Fragrance Pyramid

Top: Fig Leaves, Sea Salt (Fleur de Sel), Bergamot

Heart: Iris, Freesia, Lotus Flower

Base: Vanilla Woods, Skin Musk, Madagascar Vetiver, East Indian Sandalwood

Performance

Longevity: Long-lasting, typically 6–8 hours given the extrait concentration.

Sillage: Moderate, close and personal rather than room-filling, well suited to office-to-evening wear.

Projection: Soft opening that builds gently over the first 30 minutes before settling.

Best Occasions & Season

A genuinely transitional scent: the sea-salt-and-fig opening keeps it fresh enough for spring and summer, while the vetiver-sandalwood-vanilla base gives it enough warmth to carry into fall. Works equally well at the office and in the evening.

Concentration & Provenance

Concentration: Extrait de Parfum

Perfumer: Christelle Laprade

House: Mind Games (est. 2022, USA)

Year: 2022

Try Before You Commit

Not ready to commit to a full bottle? Castling is available as a 1 mL sample starting at $6.99: an easy, low-risk way to live with the fig-and-iris combination before sizing up.

100% Authentic

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FAQ

Is Castling unisex?
Yes. It's formulated and marketed as a genderless extrait de parfum.

How long does it last?
Typically 6–8 hours with moderate, skin-close sillage.

What does the “Castling” name mean?
Castling is a real chess move that repositions the king to safety, part of Mind Games' chess-inspired naming across the collection.

Can I try a smaller size first?
Yes. A 1 mL sample is available starting at $6.99.