Description
Heure Exquise (or ‘Exceptional Hour’ in English, which in this case is a reference to twilight, just like L’Heure Bleue by Guerlain) is a nostalgically beautiful and very graceful floral from Annick Goutal. It was created by Isabelle Doyenne (together with the late great Annick Goutal herself) in 1984.
Romantic as are most if not all of Goutal’s creations, Heure Exquise stands apart from the rest of the collection thanks to its truly exquisite Florentine iris heart note. The iris in the fragrance is supported but not at all overwhelmed by Turkish rose and Mysore sandalwood.
Heure Exquise smells best when worn for romantic purposes, preferably by someone with a bit of experience in the matters of the heart. Annick Goutal herself imagined its possible wearer to be ‘sublimely feminine’.
Heure Exquise come in EDT form.
dimanus81 – :
“Dave Eggers has a theory that we play songs over and over, those of us who do, because we have to ‘solve’ them, and it’s true that in our early relationship with, and courtship of, a new song, there is a stage which is akin to a sort of emotional puzzlement.” — Nick Hornby
Hornby was personally referring to his experience of Nelly Furtado’s “I’m Like a Bird”. But this “emotional puzzlement” reflects exactly what I felt about Heure Exquise the first twenty or thirty times I wore it. I couldn’t ‘solve’ it.
At the beginning of my fragrance awareness, I was in thrall to L’Heure Bleue, and then a few years later I also fell in love, from a height, with vintage Vent Vert (not ‘vintage’ at the time). My love for both stymied me, since they so clearly came from opposite sides of the fragrance tracks. Happily wearing Heure Exquise over the last year, I felt I had one foot on each side of those tracks. Mystifying. How to define it?
Eventually, the best I could come up with was: “This is a green oriental.” I don’t know if there really is any such thing to the wider, wiser scent world, but that is how I think of it now. Heure Exquise is a green oriental. Contradictory in terms, and so far the only one I know, but that’s all right; it really is in a refined class by itself. I wear it often, in all weathers and seasons, and its contradictions, intelligence, and loveliness delight me every single time.
sevasn – :
@Gyda12 i completely agree with you!
i own, love and wear both HE and the aforementioned (but wont mention) perfume, which i concur is present in 99% of HE reviews. their similarities do not warrant such rampant and relentless comparisons.
Heure Exquise is a dry, green, earthen, rosey, otherworldly, iris, vintage fragrance to my nose and it is just that – exquisite. she is more than a floral or even a floral green.
on me, i enjoy her at her best, worn during cool evenings (applied it seems, during l’heure exquise) and sprayed lightly.
in the heat, she exudes a ladylike aura of magic that cannot be missed by any passing nose i am sure.
today i ve just been mooching around the hot streets of Kendal and the wafts i received were varied and sometimes surprising. green and bright to begin, “I’m wearing proper perfume today”. she made me walk taller and breeze along like the world and me were one.
rosey in the middle, warm and cosy at the end, each stage has iris surrounded by the flowers who occasionally take main stage, rose and hyacinth (just like the hyacinth in Bas de Soie actually). 3 hours in, the rose envelops one’s aura, but the hyacinth is up close wrapped in the iris. all 3 dancing and twirling, while galbanum holds all the notes in this magical potion in her green embrace.
i have the been testing the EDP.
Franko – :
I immediately fell in love with this scent. That rarely happens meanwhile.
Let me first say that it really bothers me that most reviews here are 3/4 texts about Chanel. Heure Exquise certainly is a scent that stands for itself, why do people haggle hours about Chanel or not Chanel? This is not Chanel, end of. (sorry, but it really bugs me)
About Heure Exquise: an old-fashioned, yet not “old” scent for sure. It starts with an almost spicy freshness, clearing the mind. Shortly after I get even more spicy, but still fresh notes of garden clove (not listed but defo in there) and very light sandalwood. A soft Iris, only slightly powdery, joins in and gives a warm (but not at all stuffy!) touch to it. In the base a get a very soft, unsweet vanilla, the spicyness and the clove remain though and make this a very harmonious, soft, spicy, superfeminine scent that, for my nose, is so perfectly composed it’s comparably out of this world.
After I got my hands on a 4ml sample of the old edition (the EdT in the older, pretty bottles) I immeditaly tried to get an original bottle and was lucky to find one on ebay.
One of my favourites in my collection, and no, not comparable, no need to steadily compare this to other scents, it really stands for itself and in a very good way.
Scuscuctodo – :
If I’m Goldilocks and my three choices are No 19, Silences, and HE…. It’s HE that is my perrrrrfect fit!! Love this!
19 in my EDT bottle (pump built into “cap”) is light, airy, dry, powdery green. It’s elegant, classic, lovely but not showstopping.
Silences is louder, sharper than 19 but doesn’t last that long.
HE is right between them, and it’s perfect. The right balance of sharp green, powdery florals, lasting power, and divine sillage. I get more rose than iris, and I find no connection to Guerlain LHB.
Another wearing opened with a cold iris. Smells totally different! Deep, quality scents are so fun because they do change! In the best way, of course.
blockker – :
Not a review yet…
I blind bought Goutal’s Passion EDT for $29 (100ml! One of those 95% full Fragrancenet deals on ebay) and it blew me away. I love it. Lush, creamy, thick florals on a bed of greenery. I even popped right over to ebay and bought the EDP of Passion.
Then I saw this listing, and I love every fragrance Heure Exquise has been compared to…. so I’ve blind bought this EDP too, and I can’t wait!
rqn130JeomiWogkig – :
This is very beautiful and an easy add to the “want” list.
I agree with those who say it is similar to vintage Chanel 19. It has the same good bones and effortless chic, but where the Chanel was composed for Coco Chanel in her 80’s, this has a younger, warmer and altogether happier woman in mind.
The fragrance itself is rosier, softer and without the harsh galbanum edge. I would say the balance is tipped more to the iris than the galbanum.
I feel bad basing my review on comparisons to no. 19 because it kind of misses the point. This is a beautiful, complicated fragrance that can stand on it’s own – a soft, powdery, rose tinted iris draped over a classic, green galbanum chypre structure.
8scrapbookingh – :
This is the type of fragrance from my past where I couldn’t get a handle on what I was smelling, or why I loved it so much.
It is so sunny and aesthetic, where I feel as if I am riding on a carousel during the turn of the 20th Century, experiencing an onslaught of senses, hearing, smelling, seeing different wonderful sensations. Laughter, the sun, the smell of popcorn and donuts frying, the smell of sour lemonade, the smell of the flower gardens in the distance carried by a light breeze. The sound of cacophonic merry-go-round organs, distinctively wafting in and out of the smells, with cheerful, glossy painted animals and glistening, sparkly brass rails and mechanical arms up in the carousel rafters. The cherry on top would be the smorgasbord of colors–shiny green, glittering gold, soft pastel pink, dark blue, children in red coats, white and natural muslin cloth– and textures weaving through: a butterfly’s patches, a glittering dragonfly, crisp organza with starkly contrasting flowy taffeta, and a light hearted feeling inside where you are aware of how happy you are, and wish you could stay like that forever.
Fast forward: I still feel that sensation (though fleeting), and respectfully wish I could make out each component in Heure Exquise, but what I seem to get is a floral powdery cream drydown from a harsh green opener. The base note is supposed to be rose? Hm, I don’t think so, unless the cream is rose instead of vanilla. Still elusive but still so light and happy.
Derlunia – :
Rosy Chanel No. 19. 70’s style green fragrance; tart and strongly aldehydic with florals floating underneath. The opening is LOUD. Others have said this and I have to agree; if you like 19 but find it too cold and haughty, try this for a more comfortable and approachable green fragrance. As it dries down it softens and becomes progressively more powdery. Boss lady in a business suit, but a nice boss lady.
dfo108speagoessenda – :
Imagine the scent somwhere between N°19 and N°5 both edp. It is very serene and cosy, comforting and easy to wear. A real vintage beauty with no aldehydes I could find or sharp edges.
Think of aquarelle or a impressionist painting. Stays relatively close to skin and has nice longevity. It also evokes that cocooning effect. Velvety.
And absolutely lovely.
val52013048 – :
How anyone can say this smells like chanel 19 is beyond me. They are a soapy charatoristic and an iris note but even in that respect its didferent its a totally different kind if soap. 19 is soapy clean goutal is luxury creamy sandalwood soap. And i think they are different irises used and/or very different amounts of iris which can totally change perfume. The truth of the matter is they smell almost nothing alike! Silences also smells nothing like heure exquise. And l’heure blue is quite a bit of a stretch as well. Dont believe the hype. It annoys me to see so many people misdirect others. I would say the strongest notes in heure are the iris and the sandslwood. To my nose sandalwood isnt even detectable in 19 or silences. Now CHamade is a little more similar but even that is prety different from heure
raffar2004 – :
I love Annick Goutal fragrances, and this is no exception. I can see the similarity to Chanel 19 and L’Heure Bleu, it starts off quite strongly with a floral blast, next comes iris, and finally it dries down to the most ethereal powder.
It’s such a soft, angelic feeling lady like fragrance, lasts a good 6-8 hours.
jokerrif – :
I can see the comparisons of Heure Exquise to Chanel No. 19, but to me, Ralph Lauren’s Safari with its generous notes of galbanum and hyacinth, comes to mind. But where Safari comes off slightly sweeter and more polite, Heure Exquise is saying the same thing Safari is saying, only it is saying it more confidently and forcefully. Ultimately and Ironically, Heure Exquise is more animalic deep and mysterious than Safari. This review was for the EDP.
igor1407 – :
Usually I’m not a fan of vintage perfumes, but this one wins me over, it’s different. I love the combination of Iris and Galbanum in the opening, which immediately invokes some of my childhood good memories.This is a classic perfume without being of the granny smell. It’s quite elegant and beautiful. My personal experience shows that the projection is good but honestly the longevity is moderate, it evaporates faster on my skin , the only slight imperfect aspect of this perfume. Worth trying for vintage lovers.
goldgiant – :
This is utterly exquisite in the top. It is all iris and hyacinth with a rich texture. It is like an aldehyde with that crispness. Yes, the rose and sandalwood play a supporting role. No noticeable vanilla, thank god. As it dries down it gets a bit drier (sandalwood sucking the moisture out of the flower) and bit harsher/brassyer. I still love it but wish it stayed the powdery sweet perfect iris/hyacinth combo. I have the EDP. Projects and lasts.
bugguellunk – :
I have just finished a sample of this and it is beautiful! It’s starts off green then softens to the scent of iris interplayed with rose. Very spring like perfect for grim January days. I find it reminiscent of Chanel 19 (which I also love) but this is softer, due to the rose I think. I find it delicate but with a presence. I want them both basically!
Hemaplausalgen872833 – :
The name may nod to Guerlain’s classic L’Heure Bleue, but the true inspiration behind Heure Exquise is Chanel’s No 19. Annick Goutal’s scent reprises the galbanum and iris accord of No 19, but divorces it from Chanel’s key conceit – that powdery, resinous notes can be rendered icy and aloof with judicious use of aldehydes, moss and woods. The result is a warm green scent, rendered even richer by the creamy sandalwood and vanilla base.
Heure Exquise certainly is exquisite – it is verdant and enveloping. The concept worked so well that Chanel even launched their own take – No 19 Poudre, which plays up the powdery iris of the original while downplaying the crisp coldness.
If you’ve already found your favourite among the No 19 line, you can safely skip Heure Exquise. But if you’re after a green, powdery iris scent for considerably less expense than No 19 Poudre, it’s a sure contender.
day746speagoessenda – :
I bought this because of the reviews. I really enjoy this fragrance. It does smell a little vintage, but it also has a very classy lady smell to it. At first sniff, I get a lot of Hermes 24 Faubourg to it. Does anyone else? All in all, it is quite unique…..in a good way!
jotysehyry – :
Fragrance Review For Heure Exquise Annick Goutal
Notes: Rose Iris Hyacinth Galbanum Sandalwood Vanilla
This fragrance has been called a watered down L’Heure Bleu by Guerlain. I don’t see the connection. This is a lovely iris fragrance which has the same kind of powder effect as L’Heure Bleu but it’s greener. The galbanum gives it a chypre quality but it’s not as intense as other chypres. This is mostly flowers. I can smell each floral note which has time to reach your nose because this fragrance doesn’t follow the top middle and base note formula. It opens with a rose, very perfumy and not at all a realistic rose, just powdery rose. Then there’s iris and a distinct hyacinth. These flowers are beautiful when paired together. The galbanum begins to release it’s nocturnal mossy type of scent and it’s my favorite part of the performance of this perfume. The dry down becomes softer after the heavy flowers subside. It’s a lovely sandalwood and vanilla. A lovely perfume but it has a simplicity and brevity that I don’t care for. If you want a L’Heure Bleu Light this is it but it’s nothing to go nuts about. I find it easy to wear, it’s inoffensive and perfect for spring and summer as a casual floral, maybe something for church maybe something for a meeting. Very nice.
проспектор – :
Heure Exquise EDP, Revisited 5 years later
In 2010 I had already bought “Petite Cherie” from the mall, and I liked it. I was also reading “Perfumes: The Guide” at the same time. I compiled a list of perfumes that I wanted to try, based on my reading, and this was one of them. Fragrancenet had a 50 ml bottle of this in EDP for like $45 or something, and only now do I realize how lucky I was to snap this up at that time. First off, it is in Eau de Parfum concentration. Secondly, it was old. The ingredients list is only Water, Perfume, Alcohol. I have already had 3 AG bottles turn on me, and truthfully I would not seek out “Vintage” Annick Goutal because their perfumes have such a short shelf life. Shockingly, this, for some reason, still smells great (my bottle of Petite Cherie from the mall went bad in a year.) Maybe there really is Mysore Sandalwood in my bottle–the sandalwood in here smells awesome, and we all know that no one puts that kind of sandalwood in there perfumes anymore. So I’m lucky.
When I reviewed this over 5 years ago, I had no idea what I was smelling, I only knew what I felt. Now, with my ‘trained’ nose, I still feel the same overwhelming emotions–a weird mixture of sadness and hope, wistful? when I wear this, but I can better appreciate what is going on.
The overriding notes in here are dry, dusty, and antique. The galbanum is not so much green as aged, like greenery in the woods that have ripened all summer, and now it is fall, and they are becoming concentrated and dried up. That and the powder–the iris in here is SUPER rooty, SUPER dry, and SUPER powdery. The galbanum may be the earth, but the iris is not earthy at all, it is rather ghostly. The other floral are muted and hard to smell unless you are looking for them (but this may be because my bottle is getting old.) As HE wears down it becomes almost skanky and dirty, dark notes that creep in, and the sandalwood base helps it along–woody and a bit creamy underneath those dark notes. The intense iris powder never goes away, it is evident through out the entire wear. Vanilla? Not on my skin.
I totally love HE. I have still have never smelled another perfume that makes me feel the way HE does. I love iris, and the combination of slightly scary dark notes along with the sandalwood is just golden. Unlike most AG’s this does have good tenacity, just don’t expect too much silage.
So now that I realize that I have a super old bottle of AG that hasn’t gone bad yet, I am in a hurry to wear it as much as possible–until now I only wore it a few times a year (and I wore it when I got married!) but now I’m terrified that it’s going to turn. I’ve never smelled the EDT, and at least they didn’t discontinue this when the company got bought out. Still I am a little afraid of what it smells like now, it has to have been reformulated.
SCIF – :
This is very striking. It’s a beautifully formulated modern version of an ‘older style’ fume. I think it might be perfect for those who crave traditional fragrances more than modern sweet ones, but don’t want to contend with the harsher notes sometimes found in true vintage fragrances that are past their best.
This to me smells clean, fresh, bright, a little soapy and cologne-like, as well as very settled, feminine and classy in that traditional way. It has the charm of a young modern woman with the graces of ladies past – the best of both worlds. I agree with Sandra below that it sits right in the pocket of a 19th century romance novel.
Personally, it’s not right for me, because nothing with both ‘green’ and ‘woody’ in the accords list suits my personality, but I am very impressed with the quality of it. On the right person it will be great.
1975mark – :
HEURE EXQUISE is evocative of the innocent, budding romance of 19th century romance novels. A respectful, anticipatory courtship where the lady eagerly awaits her would-be-suitor under a weeping willow in her parent’s estate garden, sitting on a bench, holding her parasol with white lace, gloved hands.
This EDT is a powdery iris and yellow rose that is warmed by a whisper of sweet vanilla and freshened by a drop of citrus. Albeit a warm, close to the skin scent which invites approach, the sandlewood and galbanum add a very pleasant greenness. Unfortunately, this fragrance only lingers on my skin for around 5 hours.
Highly recommended; I will never be without the fragrance.
rozickkaaaiii – :
If you love Chanel No 19 the titillating comparisons between 19 and Heure Exquise might sway you to buying blind. Don’t. HE owes more to Madame Rochas than it does to 19 and whilst it has undeniable loveliness to it, if it’s Chanel for you then stick with it. Annick Goutal is represented in my perfume wardrobe by many stunning perfumes. Nuit Etoilee in the EDP is my favourite but I own Grand Amour, Mon Parfum Cherie, Eau du Sud, Quel Amour! Musc Nomade, Passion and others.
I have the EDP version of Heure Exquise and even as a woman of a certain age I acknowledge the powdery rose galbanum can be a bit ‘olde world’ Try before you buy.
ArmenBalu – :
This is an incredibly dry, green galbanum. I certainly has hyacinth and a dose of iris, but is predominantly a galbanum scent. Briefly at the outset, I smelled a hint of sandalwood winding through, but that faded. Jacamo Silences is a classic green galbanum, and this is a very similar fragrances. But while Silences was cool, green and damp, HE is quite dry. Still green, but almost parched. It carries that powdery note of galbanum, which may feel dated to some; and I think it has an aldehydic quality making it tight and transparent, the gauziness that comes from aldehydes.
Sillage was modest to strong, and sillage fading very slowly to last about 8 hours. I recommend to galbanum and hyacinth lovers.
andrianbihor – :
This fragrance stands between Chanel No.19 and Chamade Guerlain….. Int the same vibe somewhere in the middle of the two, in the lines of Silences Jacomo but softer powder edges……
ramzai59 – :
I was uncertain about this perfume; I had heard fabulous things about it, but I have a sensitivity to sandalwood (makes me sneeze if there’s too much). Like most of my current collection, I scored a bottle on eBay, with the understanding that it may end up being an expensice mistake.
The initial spritz was worrisome; I found it to be a bit powdery (transl: “mature”) for my tastes. I was not effected by the sandalwood. The dry down, however, is something else. Somehow Heure Exquise ends up as this delicately floral scent that is just soooo romantic. The sandalwood is noticiable only in so much as it lends a lovely warmth to the complamentary blend of iris and rose. I have found that if I can get through the initial phase of smelling like my grandmother–not bad, mind, just “fussy”–(which on me thankfully didn’t last very long), the dry down makes the wait totally worth it.
The more AG perfumes I smell, the more this House appeals to me.
Revanus – :
This was my signature scent for about a decade. To me, it’s a cool late spring evening, weather for a jacket and high-heeled boots. It’s distant and clean and despite being romantic, it can take care of itself.
Trianon – :
Absolutely beautiful. I love Annick Goutal perfumes, and I ordered a bottle blind-a serious gamble at these prices. After my first sprays, my immediate impression was of classic perfumes from the 1940’s….when perfume was womanly and much more intricate than the “fruity sweet fresh floral” fragrances everywhere today. I was hesitant; what if it turned out to be a dated, old lady fragrance after the topnotes faded? Did I make a very expensive mistake? I went about my day, and several hours later I caught wafts of a breathtakingly beautiful scent……notes of powdery dusky iris and rose, with delicious smoky,warm notes …and I smelled my wrists and fell completely in love with L’Heure Exquise. It’s totally different from my other perfumes; I can’t always wear iris scents, and powdery scents can be tricky; if done badly they smell cheap and dated to me. This is in a whole different league; it’s a masterpiece. Heartbreakingly lovely; this is honestly the first fragrance I have ever worn that truly feels romantic to me. It conjures an image for me of a classic old movie, a gorgeous Gene Tierney or Lauren Becall , in a ladylike, but sexy dress, on a date with a handsome stranger. I love it.
Blacr – :
This perfume is like a lighter version of L’Heure Blue from Guerlain. It has less nostalgia and a bit more sensuality. It’s not headache inducing like HB. A true masterpiece! For those who like HB but can’t stand it’s power this is your solution. It is so romantic, deep and conjures old hollywood!
alenapikharyova – :
I am a few hours into testing HE against No19. Results are as follows: Nearly identical with the first spray; As their respective notes develop; NO19 persists with a sweet green phase for a good hour or so. No19 is the epitome of freshness and It will continue to be my favorite Chanel. The sandalwood and Iris dominate in HE in a very feminine almost nostalgic way, same “vibe” as H’Leure Bleue , only in that it evokes nostalgia in me. It does not smell at all like HB. When I was a young girl I used to ride my horse through this meadow that was laden with new spring grasses and purple crocus to get to my gran’s house. Before lunch I’d wash up with this wonderful powdery purple flower soap that my grandmother actually made herself. Heure Exquise is a snapshot into the past of my horse “Blossom”, Gran’s beautiful soap, and scents and sounds of that spring meadow.
UPDATE: HE is the bouquet the bridesmaid’s will carry. Subtle, yet charming, doesn’t cause a stir in a crowd, but will charm those close by. NO19 is the Bride’s Bouquet, it will be noticed and will command center stage as it should.
veja – :
Melancholic and hauntingly beautiful fragrance which is soft, quiet and gentle.
This fragrance most certainly is the epitome of that quiet time just before dark as the sun goes down and we head into that dusky red hue. Alone with our thoughts, the sun slowly sets into evening and we turn to go home.
A truly stunning scent by a genius perfumer, this reminds me of L’Heure Bleue but is less musky, less sad.
It took me years to appreciate AG perfume, but finally I am there thank goodness I have lived to appreciate this house.
Silage; hugs the skin tightly, this fragrance is very private.
Longevitity; average
BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Kotofff – :
Very classic, grown up and not too powdery. I like it but wish it lasts longer radiates stronger
viktoriya_samchina – :
Annick Goutal perfumes aren’t what you wear if your’e the HEY LOOK AT ME! type of person… Although I do love that type of perfume. They are beautiful little treasures best enjoyed worn on those special little “moments” to yourself. That’s how I see Annick Goutal perfumes. Beautiful treasures. Bond_girl 1979 describes Heure Exquise perfectly.It is an enchanting fairytale fragrance that is best enjoyed when you want that ‘me time” moment. For me it’s watching one of my old black and white romance movies and one of my favorite cups of tea.
Heure Exquise rides on a powdery cloud of enchanting irises, soft and velvety, rose petals that seem to be falling from the sky. It is exactly what it’s name implies…exquisite.
Aerohoplenerigxt – :
A cool, green opening of iris and delicate rose. Galbanum gives it a lovely green quality that tempers the sweetness from the violet. Sandalwood provides a creamy softness that becomes more dominating along with the iris as the fragrance develops on my skin. It stays on the cool side for me, but pleasantly so, the fragrance brings out the cooling quality of sandalwood (it is often commonly used for its “cooling properties” in India)
It remains sheer on me, though as I find this quality in Annick Goutal’s scents is what makes them so addictive. They don’t smother you and I can’t get enough of this one.
It does indeed share similarities with Chanel No.19 as other reviewers have noted.
wraitmaster – :
This is a delicate, dusky, almost ?smokey rose. On it’s own it sits very close to the skin and is a whispering scent rather than a noticeable, outstanding one. It is the kind of scent which would mix well with other scents to create something a little more dramatic. On it’s own, it is a subtle, thin to the touch, endearing skin scent. Delicate and feminine. It reminds me of a dusky black silk veil doused in rose and gently wafted through woodsy smoke. She is elegant and graceful, but fleeting. Blink – and she has left you with a soft caress on your cheek as day enters dusk.
grifon – :
I love this scent it is my signature aroma! I hated it at first, I thought it was awful. You have to give this scent time. Once you get to know it you’ll love it too. The sharp green bitter dryness softens into a mysterious, powdery dream. I find this scent highly original which adds to the mystery. My favorite aspect is the softness that soon follows the somewhat chocking dryness. It is such a pronounced softness.that is hard to do. But there is no other scent like it.
It fits my personality so well I feel like myself with it on more than any other scent. So dreamy and floaty and whispery. Gently coaxing you into it’s depths, feeling no need to shout or demand and asking you to accompany it to ethereal regions.
And it has depths, trust me. As a person who may seem shy at first has depths, so does this scent.
serrlokkins – :
Lady like perfume, very proper with something mystic in it. It summarizes lots of other perfumes from the 70s and 60s. And it is a masterpiece. You can feel some Chanel 19 some Chamade, even some Madame Rochas. Wear it to a brunch with friends , to a meeting in your childrens school, to the opera, to church and everybody will be sniffing around wondering who the hell smells so good!
veseloff – :
I’ve had this waltzing on my wrist for about 3 hours now. I’m so totally in love! Heure Exquise is warm, spicy, gentle, powdery floral magnificense. I can’t even pick apart what it is I’m loving so much but it’s like everything beautiful in the world has been captured inside this bottle. Elegant, sexy, sparkling. Everything I ever dreamed of in a perfume! ♥♥♥♥♥
mongolkil – :
The powder on butterfly wings. Angelic.
sqwo – :
Nice enough. Rose and iris with something green and brown(I’m not the best with specific notes, although I like to think I’m getting better as I sniff more and more). Starts off kind of cool and then warms up. On occasion I get a almost sourdough smell from this. This was the sample that finally convinced me to purchase a full sized bottle of no 19. I much prefer it and given my small collection, I see no need to own both.
bookservweb – :
The following review is related to the E.d.P.
Although I cannot find many similarities with Guerlain’s l’Heure Bleu (perhaps both the names refer to the same time in the day so it can be misleading), whereas I think it vaguely reminds me Chanel 19…. I believe that this is (for me) probably the best created by the same Annick G. together with Isa. Doy. L’H.E. is a rather simple frag almost ‘minimal’ but pretty remarkable! It’s a flourish frag, but it doesn’t speak the language of ‘flowers’ – in a strict way – as I also find something ‘animal’ in it, though I cannot say why. It shows the typical balance and elegance which is a landmark in A.G.’s creations, it makes me think at the old fragrances, being it a little retrò, but despite old perfumes tradition, it doesn’t have any particularly evolution and the classical 3-phases here are missing . Beautiful sillage and better longevity compared to that of the other ‘brothers’ of the same Maison.
I normally use it in winter.
Myn9I – :
I don’t get it! How is it possible to compare such a wonderful fragrance as Chanel 19, with that harsh synthetic smell? On my skin, is awful! It reminded me once more, of hairspray as Caleche and Rive Gauche have done recently. Fierce sharp galbanum, bitter and annoying with a twist of roast orientally spiced meet! My husband smelled my wrist saying Ugh!! it smells urine.
stafei – :
Well, Divinity has arrived in the building.
Everything else, previously called divine, is looking a bit faint and dusty.
Being not too much in the habit of idolising flowers in a perfume, let alone idolise a ‘flowers-only’ scent (I’m an overall ‘woody oriental’ (Lutens!!) worshipper), I am confused by the fact that this perfume compels me to “throw heaps of praise upon it”..
So I question myself:
Would I want to smell like a goddess?
Would I want to own the stature of an empress?
Would I want heads to bow in awe and recognition?
Hm.
Do I bow for Heure Exquise?
Yes.
JelenaKre – :
I have loved this for years .its smells divine and is I think my favourite however my husband tells me it smells like baby powder which is not quite the effect I am after! I love soft powdery scents No 19 smells synthetic to me or rather on me so any suggestions?
Oleksandr – :
For wearing on a summer’s evening, as twilight falls. This used to be my “reading historical novels” perfume, and I associate it with some kind of courtly elegance. I am not usually a fan of heavy powder in fragrances, but this one somehow transcends the note. If you love Guerlain’s L’Heure Bleue, you will probably love this one too.
kapterka – :
Sophisticated… this perfume screams Belle Epoque;
Powdery sensuality that comes from afar, elegant sensuality and not primitive, ethereal, mystical… And expensive Iris. Not for the amateurish and lighthearted. It’s hazy deep purple… You are caught in the twilight zone, but you are confident enough to delight, and not get scared. Don’t judge it from the first few seconds… Let it rest on you, and envelop you in its magic. I love it. I possess it, and I’m possessed by it…
(EDP)
dke450Diobtetty – :
I have tried this in a series of “If you like Chanel No. 19, the you’ll like….”
Well, I like very much, but it should not to be mistaken for a No 19 doppelganger!
Yes, the opening is sharp,green and shimmery like 19. But whereas 19 rings out with the clarity of a note from a crystal gong, Heure Exquise soon resolves into a warm flourish of harp strings.
I think it must be the soft rose note that gentles the galbanum.
I have been learning that when the adjective “interesting” comes up for me in relation to perfume that it is probably an indication of an iris presence–and following the rose I detect “interesting.”
This is a subtle, graceful scent: a sharp, sophisticated start (kterhark said “wealthy”), but a s