I like "different" fragrances if they work with my body. This is a weird one, but in a good way. I can't spray too much because then it becomes quite overpowering, but if applied effectively, it lingers throughout the day and has a crisp/clean scent with a hint of something darker/musky. I can't go into the notes at all because Ive never smelled the majority of the ingredients, but I do like this perfume. I use it when Im feeling a bit more daring or if Im bored and need a bit of a wake up call. While I do like Freak, Im not sure I would repurchase unless I could find it somewhere cheaper.

FREAK applies with a crisp tang [maybe there is a hint of mint?] that has a slightly salty, almost coppery, undertone to it. I suspect that the perfumers are trying to mimic blood and I have to say the result, though it sounds iffy, is actually enjoyable. This effect lasts for about ten minutes at most, after which it sweetens up with something that I can't place, but reminds me slightly of coke.
The 'coke' leads to the floral heart of FREAK, where it fully develops into something jammy and rum-like, with a splash of burnt orange. I think this is the davana; I've never smelt davana before, but people describe it as fruity and alcoholic. Davana's main use is in higher end perfumes as it enhances the wearer's natural perfume, so the overall impression of FREAK appears to be slightly different each time that I've tried to sit down and write out a review. I'm also not overly familiar with any of the other floral notes so I'm not sure which is which, but everything gradually becomes warm, peppery and reminds me overall of white floral blends like those found in Michael Kors Very Hollywood. After the dramatic opening notes I was surprised by the sweeter warmness in the heart scent notes and was initially disappointed, but quickly came to appreciate that the softer heart does make FREAK more wearable.
After a hour or so a faint wisp of smoked woods and musky spices develop, and hides the sweeter jammy notes. The star note in the base of FREAK is rich and earthy, which I believe is the hemlock. The hemlock seems similar to patchouli, but I find patchouli too heavy and cloying, whereas I don't have this problem when wearing FREAK. The hemlock gradually overtakes the floral notes one one, so after a few hours the base notes are all I can detect.

Scent notes; Black davana, opium flower (poppy), belladonna, poison hemlock, datura (moonflower), queen of the night blossom (night-blooming cereus), frankincense, oud and myrrh.


FREAK was made for evening wear, but I did happily wear it during the day over the colder months, as although it is a noticeable fragrance I don't find it cloying or irritating. But admittedly now that it is lighter and starting to warm up, I stick to using it for special occasions because I find it a 'statement' fragrance and a bit too much for day to day wear.

Familiar with and like most of the notes, loved the concept, so I thought this fragrance was a no-brainer. The smell attracts and repulses me. When spray it, I cannot stop sniffing my wrists! Have trouble picking out individual dark notes, although I do catch whiffs of synthetic, masculine musk-cologne with an unique metallic opening. Within 30 minutes something powdery, fruity/berry, floral sets in. Initially it seems male and female fragrances have been clumsily pushed together making something….well….wearable. Great longevity and silage. The feminine essence comes out on top after dry down; too bad it settles almost generic. End result is not terribly unique, certainly not sophisticated. I do admit reaching for it when I'm in an odd sort of mood. Can only see this as a cold weather scent. Bottle is lovely, even if it takes up a bit of counter real estate. I go back and forth over whether I would have purchased if not for the bottle and fantastic marketing campaign.

Freak is a very strange perfume and does, indeed, deserve its name. It isn't heavy and stinky as Poison but it isn't light and fresh like Sunflower. All I can say is, whenever I smell it on my skin, I keep trying to want to figure it out - and I can't. Indeed, like a freak. A freak isn't necessarily something ugly or heavy, it's just something unusual and hard to classify, which is exactly what this scent is.

I can't work out if Illamasqua is a genuine makeup artistry company or the result of an entrepreneurs capitalisation on high end beauty. Evidence is pointing to a bit of both here.
Products that were made in china, although the quality of the makeup is undeniable - but don't people also say that about coastal scents? People finding half decent suppliers and making a brand stand to gain a lot of money, look at the success of Lime Crime. Illamasqua is a joint venture between theatre makeup company Kryolan, and entreprenuer Julian Kynaston.
Illamasqua's Freak perfume smells warm and floral-ly, not freakish at all - it's like Cacharel with a hint of smoke. It smells as if you would expect Lucille Ball to have done, vintage. It's longetivity isn't great 2-3 hours maybe for me.

I was bought this as a present by my partner, who loves the scent - and luckily it stays fairly true on me. We both like it, but there is absolutely NOTHING freakish about it.
(On me) it is a softish, slightly sweet, slightly woodsy floral. Nothing dark, purplish, goth or dangerous about it at all. I am spraying it on at breakfast time and use about 6 squirts, 2 to wrists, 1 to hair and the rest aimed randomly at my clothing. That is about twice as much perfume as I would use if I were spraying another scent. Freak just about lasts the day but it is never strong enough for even the most strenuous perfume hater to take objection.
The bottle is gorgeous, the snail sooooo sweet, and it lives on my dressing table in the base of its original box. But (scents always have colour in my mind) it is a lilac or light mauve coloured fragrance, nowhere near the dark aubergine or blood red that it (and the advertising campaign) would like it to be!
So, while I like it as a light day fragrance, there is nothing about the smell which justifies the advertising visuals.
A bit disappointing, really, considering the Illamasqua brand image. Up until now I have always been impressed with the quality of their product, but since the named notes that are supposedly used in the fragrance are rank, toxic and frankly not something I want to put on my skin, I can only assume that either they have substituted synthetic and innaccurate smellalikes, or they have used such miniscule amounts that the smell is lost under the lighter sweeter notes. Obviously, that doesn't impress me with the 'authenticity' of its 'freakishness'.
The bottle is 75mls, which is huge, and the price/ml is fairly standard, but since it is twice the size of an average bottle, it is also nearly twice the price. I was actually shocked that my partner had spent so much! It is a good thing I (quite) like it, and I will wear it regularly (for him), but won't repurchase - it simply isn't an interesting enough scent.

I wasn't expecting this to be too 'freaky,' as it's still a pretty mainstream perfume, but I actually do think that it's quirky enough to be interesting. It really does smell like a dark floral on me, and the frankincense, myrrh and oud give it this sexy, incensey-woodsy undertone. I could see this being a floral disaster on some people, but it works really well with my skin chemistry (which is a surprise, because florals are usually overwhelming on me). It smells dry and incensey with dark, sexy florals <3. The staying power is great and, of course, the packaging is gorgeous. I'm really happy with Freak :) continued >>

at last a name I can pronounce, interesting fragrance I love it and gorgeous black bottle, others may have put the notes,waiting to buy anther one,Love it and it is different from other fragrances.

Hmm!!! This perfume does not live up to its name... at all!!
I was bought this perfume by my husband for Christmas; an expensive present and one I was very excited about. However, I have to say that there is not an ounce of 'freak' about it!!! Yes, it smells very nice - but I didn't really want 'nice', I wanted something so different as to turn heads!! I adore the bottle, so full marks for that (the silver (plastic) snail is cute!). I like the juice and how it develops over time, but, I need to spray quite a lot of it to feel that it can be smelt at all - what I want is for people to stop me and ask what I'm wearing (sad, I know!!!), but I honestly don't think that will be happening!!
Oh yes, I'm a little perturbed that it is made in China, too!!! developed in the UK but made in China, therefore, I assume, made cheaply?!!
To sum, this is a nice perfume - different, but not different enough to warrant its name. I expected potency, drama and a little dirtiness, but it was not to be.

I finally got my mitts on a bottle of "Freak". Sephora.com sold out in a blink of an eye on the first posting. It finally came back into stock, catch it fast as it's limited edition & online only. The pricepoint is a little unnerving, pretty much cost about 100.00 with taxes included.
It is made in China, which for the price tag I thought for sure would be produced in France. Let me start off with saying the presentation of the perfume is stunning, from the packaging to the bottle it is truly unique and beautiful. This would make an excellent gift, provided that the recipient enjoys the "juice". The presentation makes the box and bottle a true vanity showpiece.
I am not a whiz at describing fragrances,however I have to say I am let down on this one.I shall elaborate, I was expecting something different, something more edgey and alluring. It's heavy and wintery that is for sure. Far too heavy for day time and for spring/summer. This is a winter fragrance in my opinion. This could get very cloying and overpowering in warm temperatures. I am getting a bit of "aftershave-ness" and a dark floral quality, with burnt bitter powdered oranges. This is a little "grand-ma-ish". Smells a bit like an old rotten perfume that has turned that expired shade of antique yellow. It has a slight acrid property to it. Not a repurchase or signature scent. I really wanted to love this. =( continued >>

I received this as a gift from a dear friend in the UK weeks before the US release. The bottle itself is unique…toppled at an angle with a silver snail sneaking it’s way up......combines timeless classic design with unexpected features.
I’ve been wearing it for a few weeks now-- it’s somewhat of a sweet floral fragrance. Not what I was expecting at all with a name like "Freak"! All the hype that preceded it's debut would lead one to believe this would be a dark, mysterious, sensuous "witches" brew with notes of black davana, opium flowers, belladonna, datura and poison hemlock.
A powdery orange flower and firewood note ia at the opening. which quickly morphs into a very enjoyable floral blend of poppies, rose. jasmine and a honey accord-- there is definitely a sweetness here!!! Maybe a hint of a lily note coming in and out. The flowers develop, expand, but they don't turn into a cute fruity floral. The incense peeks through at the end on me and it doesn't over power the floral background.

Does Freak live up to my (and probably countless avid perfume fiends) expectations? Sadly, no.It's marketed as unisex but it was much too floral on my BF and my son. But it's still a very likeable, floral fragrance for women. Sillage and longevity are great!

I don't often post on fragrances, but I had to make an exception for this wonderful new perfume that has just arrived for me... I bought the fragrance and the gift set [Datura lipgloss, queen of the night pigment and hemlock nail varnish - new reviews of them to come!!] and I'm addicted already.
The bottle is gorgeous - an art deco with a twist. Love that it sits on it's side... and I've noticed it balances perfectly. The silver snail sliding up the side is a lovely little addition... Really remind you that it's a Freak of Nature!
The scent is deep, floral on first application and then smoothly transcends to something warmer, less distinguishable... and it's definitely unisex, my husband translates the scent completely differently. The oud is a great base note, really helps to give the scent a wear time of 8-10 hours which is great. I was on Prada original before after 3 hours it fades completely.
Price point? Perfect - 75ml is very generous and the £59 price tag makes it a perfect gift price too I think. But it's all the imagery that really had me sold, harking to Illamasqua's roots of dark, heady night-time makeup.
And you have to watch the promo video on Youtube.com/illamasqua. Love it!

'FREAKAS?'
I know, I know, this review will get me shot down as many people will buy into the extensive hype of this fragrance. But, I want to be as honest as I can and just review the juice if I possibly can. Here goes:
What you have got here is a floral folks.
First a word about the bottle. it is a beautiful dark coloured 'squarish' bottle with a small silver snail atop. The edge of the bottle is cut off which while it looks edgy and pretty, will not stand up on your dressing table/vanity very well. The juice is said to be a mix of poisoned flowers and supposed to be very dark and gothic - hm well, if you find tuberose gothic and strange well fine, but I don't. There is not even that rubbery note that you find in AG for instance, which is quite strange. But I digress. I do not get belladona and such, but there is some lily and as it dries down I can smell the black hemlock found in OJ Woman. There is also myrrhe and the kind of amber base found in Light Blue. That said it is interesting, as it starts out really fresh and goes much darker on my skin. It kind of reminds me of the new Piguet/DH in that it has a Fracas edge but imo, if you divorce Freak from the hype and this is hard to do, given that it comes at you from every angle, artwork, box, bottle ad etc, whatya got is a pretty tube floral, not very original and not as freaky as Fracas edp. Should have been called 'Freakass'. if you want gothic go for OJ Woman. Sorry for long post.