Lutece

Houbigant Lutece is rich, soft, woody, floral, lightly powdery and gently spicy. It's a classic beauty that seems very modern today. Lutece is a very pretty, feminine, sweet woody floral. I have both Houbigant's original Lutece and Dana's current version. They are virtually identical. If I HAD to TRY to find a difference, I would say Houbigant's Lutece has a slightly richer rosewood aspect. Dana's Lutece projects better and lasts longer. Actually, it is very hard to tell any difference between Houbigant's and Dana's Lutece. Powdery ? Spicy ? Yes, Lutece's drydown is lightly powdery and very gently spicy. It's not as powdery as Ombre Rose, which I also own. Lutece is so well blended that all the notes merge beautifully, and none of them "jump out" at you. Lutece is ultra smooth, lush, and smells expensive. I love Lutece! I'm thrilled that Dana has done such a wonderful job of preserving Houbigant's original receipe blend ! So happy to see that Dana's Lutece is still available and very affordable !

This was my signature scent my senior year of high school (85/86) and I absolutely adored it.. Orris, heliotrope & rosewood blended together to create such a unique scent. I felt it was a bit of a gypsy scent, since it was unlike anything else I had smelled up to that point in my young teenage life. (Navy by Cover Girl probably came close, and I wore that also, but it couldn't hold a candle to my beloved Lutece. It sparkled on my skin, and I wore it everyday. It mixed nicely with my high school boyfriend's Jovan Sex Appeal. Lol. I eventually left Lutece for Dior's Poison, but never forgot about her. So much that I ordered a reformulated version online (the Dana version.) God, it was awful. Not even a shadow of its former beautiful self. I think I wore it once, then used the rest of it up as a room spray. Glad to read here that Ombré Rose smells similar. I've added that to my "want" list. If it smells even close to Lutece, I'll be over the moon.

I absolutely, completely agree with joliecat about this fragrance and comparison, you took the words right out of my mouth! I have the Dana EDT version and absolutely love it! I am currently trying/wearing the Houbigant EDP right now, and I still get that same wonderful powdery floral scent, only a touch deeper and more subtle. Now this isn't by any means a bad thing, actually it's great because I can wear the EDT and get completely engulfed in the wonderful smell with its huge sillage... or now, spray the EDP and get the same beautiful fragrance with less punch, more subtle I guess. I will give an update later as to the longevity. I hope this helps with discerning between the two and the two strengths. I rate this a 10/10 for being such an amazing powdery, woody, floral fragrance! When I smell Lutece, in my mind I smell perfume, or well, what I think the word "perfume" means. I hope you will give this "classic" a shot!

Ah, an amazing and true 1980's perfume ! Amazingly in the 80's you could purchase some beautiful perfumes from the drugstore , and this was one of them . Quality ingredients -aldehydes stand out as well as powdery notes , mandarin orange, brazilian rosewood and geranium; rosemary, orris root, vetiver, and cedar; tonka bean, musk, vanilla and . These are the notes detectable to me and they really do shine. My vintage bottle in the Houbigant version , was a little off just at first spray , but wait for the drydown and you will not be disappointed . This both sparkles due to the aldehydes and calms with the powdery heliotrope . I feel Lutece is good for colder weather day or night . I picture this as my scent for winter evenings out in the village , strolling , shopping and sipping coffee . I am baack in love again.

I love Lutèce by Houbigant. It was a very luscious fragrance and a little heady for my immature nose.This is the scent that was my introduction to French perfumes. I hadn't thought of Lutèce in years; however, one day I decided to spritz myself with Katy Perry Purr. After the drydown, I kept noticing a powder/woody note that quietly reminded me of Lutèce. Ironically, I'm not a big powder fan - in fact, I think powder often overwhelms a fragrance. Nonetheless, I'm searching for today's Lutèce. I've looked high and low for a modern version of this bouquet. Not a dupe, per se, but something in the spirit of Houbigant's Lutèce with a modern feel. I may just stick with Katy Perry's Purr until I find something better. Purr, to me, is a very "quiet" Lutèce.

I loved Lutèce during college in the '80's. It was a beautiful, warm rose fragrance - similar to Ombre Rose, yes, but less powdery, and slightly more woody. I really think it had a hint of oakmoss as well. A couple of years ago I picked up a bottle of the new Dana version for a trip down memory lane. I was horrified at how awful this version smells. I have a nose that doesn't forget, and I KNOW the Lutèce by Dana is NOT the Lutèce I wore and loved so much. It was about as good as the "If you like Houbigant Lutèce you'll love Dana Lutèce..." Not so much. It smelled like a mixture of Chantilly and soured Mariella Burani.

Oh my, I used to love this back in the 80s. I considered this a winter/evening scent. The peony and the rosewood stood out the most for me and combined with the Aldehydes to give a scent to die for, the florals seemed to back this part up and the musk, vanilla and tonka made this have a richness on me with some faint hints at the cedar. Beyond that I didn't get much of the individual notes, but more of a great overall blending. This was heavy on me with a room filling projection and into the next day longevity. I haven't tried this one in years so this is all based on the original which I realy loved.

This is very similar to Ombre Rose but Ombre Rose has a beautiful dry down which lasts a long time whereas Lutece is only great when first sprayed.Tip: Lutece sprayed on clothes is better than when it is sprayed on skin, at least in my case. On the whole, I find Lutece more "chemical" smelling than Ombre Rose. Apparently, "Lutece" was the old name for the city of Paris.

Loved that scent when I was a teenager. Then I found Ombre rose by jean charles Brosseau that smells identical on me but more refined. A great young woman fragrance.

I used to wear this a lot back when it first came out. I remember I just loved it. Maybe I can find a small size for old times' sake!

This is one of several samples recently gifted to me, and before I looked up any information, I tried it to get a real first impression. The scent is a lovely, if not outstanding, fruitchouli. Seriously. That's what I get. I assume there's something with the vetiver, orange, and Tonka that's giving that vibe. And maybe the cedar and rosewood too. But I just don't get any of the other stuff in this one. And I've tried it several times. As it develops a bit, it does mellow and smooth out a bit, and the Tonka becomes more believable. But it remains a true fruitchouli. It's a nice scent with good performance, and I am surprised it doesn't get more mention on the forums. Certainly worth a sniff at the very least.

Lutece has been one of my favorites ever since it came out and I still get compliments when I wear it. It was different than all the Oscars', Giorgios and Obsessions of the 80's and is still a beautiful frag. To say it is a "dead" scent is just ridiculous. It's unique and can't be worn or appreciated by everyone. The fact that it's reasonably priced is my good fortune!

Used to wear it when it first came out... loved it. Also owned Ombre Rose.. still have a bottle of OR. I can still smell it in my mind.. think I might pick up a bottle.. just for the hell of it.. it's been so long!! And it's so affordable.. so why not??

Clearing out my Mother's bottom drawer recently, she handed me a pristine bottle of this, still in the box. Sprayed once. She'd worn it before, but she 'went off it' She bought the one I've been gifted in the mid 1980's. On paper, it sounded like a dream to me, powdery, vanilla, what's not to love? Lily of the valley, that's what! I'm gutted I can't wear this, because the note overrides all the others, even after dry down. So I guess it'll sit in its box in my bottom drawer now, unless I find someone who wishes to purchase it in all it's 80's glory!

Lutece is a very powdery floral. I had to have it but quickly tired of it. I did the same with Vanderbilt, from memory another powdery floral. Already 20 years ago or more! I just tried Naughty Alice by Vivienne Westwood and it took me straight back to the above two. Powdery fragrances just aren't my thing it seems.

It's two years since my last review below. I scored a small purse spray of this in a metal decanter. WHOA. I don't know if this has turned or what. I have memories of Lutece being pretty and young and feminine and powdery and warm. It was what you wore when the weather turned. This smelled like Rive Gauche when I sprayed it. Metallic, brash. It felt sticky. Not even 10 minutes in I couldn't stand it and went to the sink and wiped down my arm with a wet paper towel. That tempered it a bit. Now I'm just getting "old lady" (sorry, I know people hate that phrase) with incense and lily. The incense-ish notes are becoming louder and I'm reminded of a Caron fragrance. No cinnamon though. I'm going to try to marinate in this all day to see if I can stand it, otherwise I think I've wasted my money. It could very well be that my scent sense has been corrupted by today's sickly sweet fruity floral, and this by contrast is "staunch" and of the natural world of woods, herbs, forest-y stuff. The lot number on the back of my box here is 2565. If anyone has this and would like to compare please do. I'd hate to think my juice is bad; would also hate to know the actual smell doesn't live up to my memory of it.

Lutece is a luxurious floral musky fragrance an evening cologne for the elegant sophisticated woman who prizes her perfume as she would diamond jewelry. This starts off with those classic aldehydes similar to Chanel aldehydes, sparkling and fresh. Some citric scents of mandarin follow and then an unusual wood note the rosewood. The spiciness of vetiver and orris root comes out rather early on and it's also rather powdery because of the heliotrope. Heliotrope is my favorite flower and it's a gorgeous heliotrope that dominates this scent. The other flowers I can detect are peony and geranium, lily of the valley. The floral scent is nice but this is more a chypre than a floral. The woods take over at the end. Lots of cedar wood and unlisted sandalwood. The last part of the fragrance is a warm musk. Smells very old fashioned very much like a vintage Chanel (Coco Eau de Parfum). However because it is so powdery as well it has something in common with the powdery aspects of Ombre Rose. Lovely. This is really beautiful and strong. Lasts all day and all night but it's totally a night perfume to wear to formal events. Love it.

I have been watching ebay and elsewhere for original Houbigant fragrances, and scored a vial of this in pure perfume form. It is not like I remember it being, probably because it is so concentrated. But I will tell you that it is unique, and super "perfumey," but not as loud as I remember the 80s vibe of it being. Quite snuggly and amber-ish actually, if Amber were a powder. Not sure that makes sense? I will also tell you that I had tested Cachet a few times this week and still had the vile stench of oakmoss/green/aldehyde/hairspray that would not leave me and I was counting the minutes to be done working so I could go wash it off. The Cachet was getting worse by the hour. But I got my Lutece in the mail and could not wait to open it, so I dabbed, and suddenly the oakmoss of the Cachet was serving as a lovely base for the Lutece. Contextually that oakmoss was different. It took on a brighter demeanor, not as bitter and masculine. The Lutece rounded it out and is at least keeping things interesting enough to where I don't feel compelled to shower to get the Cachet off. So happy to be reunited.

I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH FORUM MESSAGER TOVAH. LUTECE BY DANA AND IS ONLY IN EAU DE TOILETTE IS HORRIBLE COMPARED TO THE ORIGINAL. PRODUCERS PARFUM PARQUET IN LONG ISLAND AND HOUBIGANT FRANCE WERE THE MASTERS. IF ONLY DANA WOULD PRODUCE LUTECE IN EAU DE PARFUM IN THE ORIGINAL FORMULA. WHEN DANA BOUGHT OUT THE RIGHTS TO LUTECE IN 1984 SURELY THE ORIGINAL FORMULA MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE PURCHASE. DANAS VERSION IS INCIPID AND THE EAU DE TOILETTE DOES NOT LAST AS LONG. THOSE THAT THINK THAT DANAS VERSION IS STRONGER NEED TO CHECK THE HOUBIGANT VERSION AGAIN. LUTECE EAU DE PARFUM BY HOUBIGANT CAN STILL BE FOUND. NOT SO AVAILABLE IN THE UK AND UNFORTUNATELY TO PURCHASE FROM THE STATES IS EXPENSIVE DUE TO CUSTOM CHARGES BEING ADDED AS AN IMPORT EVEN THO DESCRIBED AS USED SO BEWARE BUYERS IN THE UK

Ahhhh Lutece! My first "real" perfume when I was in high school in the 80's. My dear aunt recently passed and she was the first to have this fragrance, and of course, her death made me reminisce about it. Yes, you could buy this from the drugstore believe it or not! I can still see it on the shelf at Hock's Pharmacy. The deep woodiness of it was extremely grounding, but the aldehydes and floral notes take it to a new high. Yes, it is a bit powdery but like so many of the 80's perfumes, it denoted elegance and refinement. On my skin, the powder took a back seat to the spiciness...I truly felt like a young lady instead of an insecure teenager. I might have to seek this out in vintage form just so I can relive that time period. Lovely Lutece...thanks for the memories!