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ivansh – :
The current formulation is a total leather bomb on my skin. Highly recommended for leather lovers, or if you are looking for a slightly softer version of Estee Lauder’s Azuree. I think it’s being discontinued, and there are some pretty great deals online now.
Lasts forever with just a few sprays.
beon13 – :
I can not believe the comments I read on this perfume! It is totally the worst perfume I have tried and it has no class whatsoever. If you want to smell like a lady in an elderly home maybe. Don’t know. How one can like this…My only suggestion do not blind-buy this!
Ponki – :
I was really looking forward to tryibg this as I previously blind bought the Courreges in Blue and I loved it. But to my utter disappointment this is pure cat’s wee on me..
I can detect the metallic vibe and so I get the nod to Calandre but this is just weird…Theres absolutely no florals or anything detected in it. Which is so strange and it sits on my warm skin funny.
So its sell or swap for me.
alex979 – :
Ive never smelt the original perfume, however I do really love this. does it have oak moss in? it reminds on first spray of Aromatics Elixir
WECETREAMEDAM – :
The new release isn’t 100 ml (3.3) just to make sure it’s 90ml the larger bottle ( 3oz). Comes in a gorgeous orange box.
huhIlleleTews – :
“Close to Calandre” this must be a joke. Reviews are getting really awful here, unfortunately. This perfume has it own “vibe” and it is extremely close to the original formula. Very happy, wonderful packing ( very good taste ) . Thumbs up
cnfhjcnf – :
Probably closest to Calandre, as others have reviewed, a fragrance of the 60s& 70s. I prefer this to floral/fruity and celebrity offerings but I am of that age group where I recall this type of scent mingling with cigarette smoke and walnut car interiors, snow on the hills and coal tar billowing from chimneys.
dimkalol – :
This was the first perfume I bought for myself in my teens in the seventies. My friend had it, and I loved it soooo much. So I have refilled my perfume shelf with it until it disappeared from the market. I have some drops in a couple of old bottles and I have just smelled it now and then just to remind me of all youth memories connected to the scent. I just bought the new edition and it is okay! I really do miss the ooompf I got from the old one, but it is still a favorite. One of my top 5 in my collection of almost 400 scents! So I am quite happy! So nice to read other reviews here, similar memories to mine.
grom09 – :
I had the original back in the early 80’s and recently purchased the reformulated version. It has some elements of the original, however, I find the opening to be much harsher than I remembered. It’s spicy, and improves dramatically in the dry down. It does sit close to the skin as so many other reviewers have noted.
It’s an elegant aldehyde fragrance which remains timeless.
dimka82 – :
Si cette version se rapproche de l’originale, il me labfaut. Un parfum pour les femmes affranchies qui désirent cependant garder une grande part de féminité. Un beau Chypre, fin, élégant avec toujours cette pointe de détermination.
vldnklmn – :
The concrete and hot metal description is amazing and evocative. It actually smells like ‘The Cement Garden’ Ian McEwan.
The feeling of that era is spot on. I really like it.
artsiom666 – :
Empreinte de Courrèges (new) is an extremely dry, sour, chypre-like fragance that today feels extremely vintage, but which must have been very modern in its day. When I say modern, I say modern of the seventies (and even so it is much more daring and bold that the 80 per cent of the fragances released today by great brands). Think about the greenish, crunchy, even bitter fragances of the seventies: Aromatic Elixir, Fidji, Chanel nº 19, Silences, Private Collection, Eau de Lancôme, Eau de Rochas, Eau de Lancaster…Empreinte is one of them.
Picture this: modern women of the seventies. Minis matching high boots. Hairdoes in the shape of helmets. Pale faces with heavily made-up, in Cleopatra style, eyes. Bold, free, nothing squeamish women. Put in the background some sort of Le Corbusier building, sniff a bit of Empreinte and the portrait of the period is complete.
I remmember the original Empreinte sweeter and more full- bodied. Indeed, the restrictions in the use of certain ingredients have been harmful for it. The lasting power and sillage are not as good as they should be, too.
Empreinte is like some sort of little, modern sister of Aromatics Elixir which nodes to Guy Laroche’s Fidji and Paco Rabanne’s Calandre (think about a Frankenstein Monster who lives in Paris in the 1970’s). It opens with a strong cloud of aldehydes, very bright, but without shine, like light passing through a machine-rolled glass, dry, almost crunchy green notes. Then, it comes the heart. There are, indeed, flowers and botanicals in it, but they are in its lest flowery shape. They are more like green plants that have became dry. And the base notes: over-loaded with moss, with almost urinary hints, very bitter and with a subtle metallic note.
Think about concrete buildings with decorative patterns engraved in the facade, dry grass, cats, clear plastic, gasoline, hot metal.
Empreinte is not a beautiful perfume: it is strong and bold, rather than pretty, and chic rather than elegant. It is not for shy or conformist people.
Cheers for the people of Courregès, who have had the guts in relaunching such perfume in this infortunate age of fruitchoulis, beautiful life (Ironic Mode ON) and strawberry lollipops. Other fashion houses could take an example from them (I am not pointing to you, Balenciaga).
ventel123 – :
La dernière acquisition à ma collection de chyprés chéris. Un parfum fidéle à la famille des chyprés. Sec et abstrait comme je les préfère. De plus cette version plus récente est très fidèle à l’originale. Un digne descendant de Cabochard!
anuhaler – :
Love this one! It’s really a French classic. It’s defenitely not for the young ones, it’s too classic. At first you think o no an old lady fragrance but if you give it time it becomes very rich and warm. it smells expensive and do remind me of the ladies of the rich old money families. Fortunately i have purchased mine very cheap from strawberry.com. I paid only 15 euro for 50 ml. It was a blind buy but a very good one for me.
acidburn88 – :
Empreinte (new) has a mixture of my absolute favorite notes. Roses and aldehydes (strong), patchouli and sandalwood (background), moss, jasmine, and mandarin (blended). It is a gorgeous French perfume. Can’t stop sniffing my arm for the pleasure of this smell. The initial application reminds me of being in a hedonistic rose garden surrounded by sandalwood covered in jasmine vines. You sit in the middle of the roses and feel the comforting bliss of well being. All the flowers are in full bloom and the heat makes the smell mingle with the surrounds and rise towards you in waves. The drydown is lovely and lasts all day.
I adore this fragrance thanks to a mentor from Fragrantica who gave me a sample to help me learn about aldehydes. This is my initial introduction to Enpreinte (new) Courreges. I have not smelled it before, and don’t know anything about the original. but it stays close to the skin. I wish it was stronger. I will be purchasing a full bottle soon though, and will be able to drench myself with it!
21033218 – :
Yeaaaaahhhhh
I have a 100 ml bottle EDP and it is absolutely identical as I remenber and love so much!
Ordered not from the Courrèges site but from a top perfum seller here in the Netherlands.
Edit: I am very said but I am afraid that I have to admit after using a couple of times……this scent is not the way it was. It has a very disturbing artificial feel to it…..what a waste!!
sharkules – :
I love it!!! It has been my favorite for years and years and I was soooooooo sad that is wasn’t available anymore. Empreinte and I belong together. I am always trying to find sents that are similar.
And now I read it can be ordered again from the Courrèges site. Are there other ways to order too?
It isn’t cheap and Courrèges applies another € 20,– postal fee to the Netherlands.
I found some items on Amazon, but they do not deliver outside the UK.
If not…..so be it…. I must have it! I want it! I need it! Do I sound obsessive? 🙂
Sai – :
I had not tried this in the original version, so I can’t compare. I can say, however, that I enjoy Empreinte, and it lives up to being a classic chypre with a bit of a vintage feel. The opening is truly aldehydes and citrus, and the patchouli accord quickly makes itself known, but does not overshadow the composition. An easy, pleasant fragrance, that can be worn anytime and anywhere.
kaply – :
I have not reviewed a fragrance before but feel strongly enough about this one to sound off over the net!!!
I totally agree with Cassandra’s comments…but must add a few of my own.
I first bought Empreinte in the early 80s and fell in love. It was so different to anything that I had worn before. It was full of citrus and florals all mixed up to produce a young, light but very sophisticated fragrance. I had lots of compliments about it. It felt right for me!!!
Sadly it disappeared from the market…goodness only knows why. So I was very excited when I saw if for sale online and quickly made a purchase.
When I opened the package I thought the box looked different…similar to the original box but made from thin cheap card and the lettering was not properly embossed. It didn’t look luxurious at all. Well, times are hard maybe the box shouldn’t matter so much as long as the smell is the same. The bottle looked okay, despite the top being very hard to pull off, however on spraying the fragrance my first thought was YUCK…CHEMICAL!!! It didn’t bear any relation to that heady moment when you first inhale a fine fragrance. As it settled down a few familiar notes came through but not enough to resemble the Empreinte I bought in my twenties. It also has very little staying power.
I feel cheated and sad.
svfrik – :
As a 20-year old student in the late seventies I was absolutely addicted to this perfume and would not hesitate to spend my hard earned cash on regular bottles of this nectar. The scent was unusual and way ahead of its time and I would get non-stop positive comments and questions about the perfume I was wearing. In the 80’s I moved abroad and was no longer able to buy Empreinte. I made do with other brands but always remained nostalgic about this Courreges classic. On my return to Europe I looked for it everywhere but it had disappeared off the market. I was surprised to learn recently it had been been reintroduced late 2012 and, full of anticipation, immediately bought a bottle of EDP on line. Smell is the most reliable sense and can last a life time, I was therefore sure I would recognize it straight away. Alas…at the first spritz I knew the ‘new’ Empreinte was different. As with so many perfumes these days, it seems less natural and there is something disturbing in the top note, almost like a smell of naphtalene which certainly wasn’t there in the old days. Fortunately this settles down quickly and one then has a whiff of the original Empreinte but not as enchanting or long-lasting as before. A real shame and an opportunity missed in my opinion!
Sergeyk2005 – :
I so wanted to leave a bad review for this one… So less of you girls would buy it and I would have this beauty all for myself!!! I LOVE it so much.. It’s pure elegance and sophistication in a bottle for me.
anyuta91 – :
I find myself quite smitten with this golden, retro beauty. Empreinte is fresh and substantial at once, with light-hearted, elegant aldehydes swirling over oakmoss, classically blended florals and spicy woods. I don’t have a history with this fragrance — it was a blind buy — but I’m willing to believe the new edition/reformulation is a great one, because this smells of ageless charm and elegance to me. It smells like nothing I’ve bought new for the past decade! (And that’s in fact a heartfelt compliment.)
I’m not usually a patchouli fan, but I like how delicately it weaves into the green chypre whole here. I also enjoy the patchouli note in the new Eau de Courrèges, which I received along with this one and also like a lot, although that’s definitely one for summer. And they’re a steal online. It’s strong incentive to search out the other new releases from this house.
Vandalist 69 – :
I never really got to know this in the 1970’s when I was young(-er), but I remember having it on my wish list. It has everything I wanted from a scent, then and now: refinement, individuality and freshness. Bring on more of the the classy “oldies”!
kolshik – :
just the same i remembered!!!!sensual,sophistycate,wonderfu,ELEGANT!!!!
THANKS FOR TO DO IT AGAINNNNNNNNNN
porwawMup – :
Recently , i have tested this re-launch at the perfume shop ( don’t know about the original one , however)i liked it , but felt i was probably too young for it .
Then plumblossom sent me a sample of it ( thank you plumblossom !!! ) and i’m wearing it today .
After all , it not that “old” smelling and i’m starting to REALLY like it . ( or i’m just getting mature enough to enjoy it 😛 )
There’s a note in the top ones which is very unpleasant ( really don’t know what was that) but it lasts only a few minutes , so it’s ok … then come the Aldehydes , quite intensive , better love them , because they last !
Despite it’s an EDP , it doesn’t last that long , it’s not sillage monster either ( it is a bit heavy , but only at the begining) .
It’s really an old school fragrance ( the original is from 1970 , duh) , with the combo : aldehydes / oakmoss / animalic contens , same spirit as Magie Noire , Knowing , Pafum de Peau …
Most of the young people would call it “granny” , i’d rather say , old school or classical , at the time when the Aldehydes were queen and synonym of good taste and real lady perfume . For the nostalgic .
Really try it before buying , because really not sweety/trendy !
asduk – :
I totally agree with Sheridan and I too have had Empreinte under my skin for years and I have it ordered and I will splatter it on myself every day it has been too long.
вадик – :
@t chuaalba, you can order it on courrèges website !
immofteta – :
Now, we don’t have to worry….Wonders still live in our times.
Псих – :
Thomas Wolfe was wrong: You CAN go home again, if Empreinte has lived in your heart as it has mine for so many years. This outstanding fragrance is one of two I once wore all the time, one that has haunted me since it disappeared from the shelves and obtaining it was usually simply out of my reach or opportunity. Some perfumes we like, some we love, and some get “under our skin”, just like the old song goes. Empreinte was definitely under my skin.
Completely by accident, I recently spied this new version at an online retailer. I remembered Weegee had this on her top favorites shelf, but I also know she has a lot of vintages in her collection, so I asked her in a PM which one she was referring to. Her response was music to my ears, “Order it now”! The rest of what she told me she’s written in her review.
Weegee tells no lies! This IS truly as FABULOUS as it EVER was! My nose remembers this new release to be exactly the same as it was before. Yes, I *am* shouting, I’m that thrilled!
This is one of the truly great ones in my book and I’m so glad it’s been brought back to life. My heart sings!
rysya833 – :
Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! im 20 years waitig for it!!!!!!
Where i can bay???????
v1967v – :
A woody, leathery chypre that’s been a favorite of mine since the late 1970’s. Yes, it’s back and it’s FABULOUS! I have a couple of vintage bottles and can say that Courreges has been faithful to the original formula. In a wrist-to-wrist comparison I can barely tell the difference – due to regulations the castoreum is now absent but somehow this re-release manages to smell nearly as animalic. Longevity is the same, about 6 hours and it does stay close to the skin; but since this is a fragrance that’s unique in my collection, that’s OK with me.
If you loved the original don’t hesitate to buy a bottle of the re-release – it’s a bargain!
chuk4a – :
I haven’t smelled the vintage version, but what i am smelling right now is excellent. It starts with a sharp burst of greens and citruses, which is quickly softened by the creamy peach. Later the flower heart arises, toned a shade darker with patchouli and mosses on one hand and a tone lighter with melon (ylang-ylang?) on the other hand. This perfume manages to hold a very fine balance between night and day, it is both spicy fresh and yet very sensual. I can definitely smell a faint saddle leather note, like in Gucci 3, i would say this is a floral green chypre cuir. This is the perfume of a woman, that surely knows that a tightly shut jacket creates questions, rather than a decolte, which creates answers. The lasting power could be better, but still, for $35 it is a major steal.