Reve En Cuir

This is fantastic!!! Seriously, it was love from the first sniff :) I fully agree with alfarom who wrote that this scent definitely does not have the popularity it deserves. It's a gourmand oriental and extremely sexy fragrance-masterpiece. First of all it's not just a masculine fragrance, it can be easily worn by a woman. This fragrance has a strong character which is rare to find, it has a mood, an atmosphere. There is also some kind of rebellious spirit in it. it is warm, sexy and mysterious at the same time and yet it's a subtle warm scent, not overwhelming or dirty at all. Pure luxury. The spicy cardamom is very seductive here while vanilla adds some romance into the mix. It's a scent for wanderers and idealists. Those who think and analyse but are not afraid to act and go conquer the world! Huge pluses: moderate projection (warm suede scent, rather close to skin and very wearable), and good longevity of 6-8 hours on me (the dry-down will not disappoint you! spicy notes are still in there) Now Reve en Cuir is in my TOP 3 list!

A friend and I split the purchase on some sample packages from Luckyscent, they included a sample of Reve En Cuir, presumably because it is exclusively sold on their site. After reviewing all the samples, my friend and I agreed Reve En Cuir and Invasion Barbare were head and shoulders above the other offerings. I lucked my way into a used bottle about a year later on ebay. (ahem, brag) Reve En Cuir is typical of Francis Kurkdjian's work; full of distinct notes blended with such expertise it's difficult to tell where one note and ends and another begins. The quality of the ingredients is astonishing. It is the most authentic clove and the softest brown leather notes I have ever come across. It's about as gourmand as I'm willing to get. Unisex, mature, delicious.

Reminds me ever so slightly of Jicky (2021) edp. It's beautiful. I really love it, and when that clove note kicks in it is particularly stunning and I don't even like cloves! But that's how good this is. I think its definitely unisex, but leans masculine. That however will not deter me from wearing it. Longevity and silage are moderate. I don't find it weak, but it is not as long lasting as Isvaraya or Manakara. I get about 5 hours wear from two sprays.

This is a very nice scent. However, performance is seriously lacking. It is a masculine scent, but as a woman I would wear this. Do I think it warrants the hefty price tag? No, especially considering the poor performance.

This smells exactly like Chanel Pour Monsieur to me. The illusion of leather is a thin one.

hmm, i think i am mostly smelling the cardamom, cedar and lemon, and mostly cedar, with hints of patchouli, oakmoss, bergamot and vanilla, but it's very cedar-y on me. pretty much cedar with something slightly sweet which i am thinking must be vanilla. i like this but i really want to smell it on my boyfriend! after an hour or two on the skin, i like this scent the most. just a warm beautiful vetiver-cedar. very close to the skin and comforting in a way.

Blind bought this and sold it immediately. Disappointed because I believe Francis Kurkdjian is a very talented perfumer, although I don't love all of his output. Too meek, too refined, too stuffy and way too expensive. The cloves really kill the vibe as well. Reve en Cuir is to scent what La Croix sparkling water is to taste. It's like someone said "leather" almost imperceptibly in the next room and that's what it smells like.

Some notes are easier than others. Not to create, but to accept at face value. Vanilla is one. People recognize 'vanilla', whether it's a vanilla bean or ethyl vanillin. Synthetic vanilla aromachemicals are used because they smell ‘like’ vanilla. Leather requires a little more imagination. There are more links in the chain of associations that lead to the scent of leather. It’s not even strictly leather that we smell, it’s the combination of the hides and the chemicals of the tanning process. The scent of leather is not one particular thing, but a range of tones in the spectrum of leather. However a material is derived, if it smells ‘like’ vanilla, it can be considered vanilla. Perfume composition relies on an olfactory algebra: let x = vanilla. Leather presents a more interesting premise to the perfumer. After a connection from A through Z is made, our neurology doesn’t perceive the steps in a chain of associations, just the connection of A and Z. Whether we see the links or not, they are there for the perfumer to play with, making leather a playground of abstraction. Witness the birch tar leathers from early in the early 20th century, the inky synthetic leathers that followed and the range of floral and plastic leathers that came along as compositional rules loosened. The goal of creating a leather perfume isn’t emulation of leather, though perfume marketing has historically spun piles of bullshit about leather opera gloves, black leather corsets and the innards of Birkin bags. Leather is the inspiration, not the goal. There are as many strategies to composing a leather perfume as there are sub-genres. See: Vierges et Toreros’s lucite leather. S-Ex’s subliminal musky leather. Azurée’s sizzling citrus leather. Bel Ami’s gasoline leather. Cuir de Russie’s iris leather. Cuir d’Ange’s herbal-soapy leather. Reve en Cuir’s approach isn’t novel but it is effective. It creates a hissy topnote similar to the violet-leaf gasoline of Dior Fahrenheit and its predecessor, Bel Ami. The topnotes sharpen, coalescing into a cool, sweet, clove-like heart. Reve en Cuir’s richness comes from intricacy and what it lacks in projection it makes up for in evolution and duration. It balances richness with precision editing and, though it smells like no particular leather object, it is perfectly coherent. Exemplary of Kurkdjian’s best work, it isn’t radical but it is inventive and intelligible. from scenthurdle.com

If "cuir" wasn't in the name of this there's no way my brain would even begin to try and find a leather connotation. It's definitely a stretch, but who am I to question M Kurkdjian's inspiration? What he has created here, however, is a beautifully crafted, layered oriental. He's also managed to blow a couple of my fragrance snobberies out of the water, as I'm generally not a fan of vanilla... or clove. The opening features the candied citrus, and I think I detect the oregano here, although it's more akin to a Cuban oregano (sweeter and smoother), and not the Mediterranean varietals. Next the spices. it seems like there is more than clove and cardamom here, but gently so. The clove seems to dissipate after about an hour on my skin, and shockingly I wanted more. The warmth that remains sits very close to the skin. At no point is this a beast of sillage, but it becomes very intimate. Those who lean in for a hug will be rewarded. This is perfect for autumn and winter on the basis of the scent profile, yet appropriate for warmer weather too due to its humble projection. All in all it's a thumbs up, but the cost definitely puts the "do I need it?" question into my mind.

Here's anther one who doesn't have the popularity it should deserve. Reve En Cuir is one of the most original interpretation of leather in years. A gourmandic oriental leather. Yes, it has some sweetness and an edible feel to it but at the same time it's "dangerous" and "mysterious", somehow "dusty". Kurkdjian has been able to successfully juxtapose to the classic french perfumery chrisms (luxury, refinement, elegance) a rebellious / unconventional vibe. Cuir En Reve smells exactly like a bearded biker having a coffee break in a cakeshop specialized in high confectionery and Kurkdjian's mastery made it looks (smell) so natural. Don't get me wrong, CER is far from being overly sweet or cloying or even dirty, it is more of a subtle scent, rich but not overpowering. Its perfect balance between spices, patchouli and vanilla juxtaposed to a gentle leather note, woods and vetiver makes of it an incredibly satisfying compositions that's also very wearable. Downside: extremely pricey. Rating: 8.5/10 Note: thanks Michelernst to gave me the opportunity to smell this.

I am sorry, but this one lingers for ages on me. The quality of the ingredients is what sets it apart from more affordable alternatives. Three minutes after application I also thought to myself "well.....I can't smell anything". However, as the skin warms up, leather, vetiver and spices start this wonderful .... ballet ? Never gets boring or dull. The notes are constantly spinning and complementing each other. Slightly overpriced though. Incredibly unique and luxurious nevertheless.

At first it is VERY strong with the cloves and caradmom. (mostly the cloves) As it dries down, it also disappears-quickly! At 2 hours in, I have to really smell my arm close to get anything. What I get then is mostly vanilla and a little patchouli, but they are very soft! This is absolutely not worth the money for this when it doesn't last, and I have to get through the strong dose of cloves first to even enjoy anything before it's gone. Poof!

Reve En Cuir to me fits in spicy-oriental, leather category. Lots of cardamom and cloves on the beginning (not my favorite part). Later it settles down to beautiful suede leather smell. Dry down feels transparent, and I would only catch the whiffs of leather smell, as I walked or moved my arm. This feels refined and elegant but diluted, background fragrance. I am not too sure if it worth the price.

Just a few words about this fragrance: ....Aristocratic, mature, soft and quiet; I get a hint of cloves and leather. A hint of sweetness but not much.... (IMO) very gentlemen-like (reason I suggested mature). I can see this being worn by an older gentlemen as it sits in that style. It's not barbership-ish, just a mature type of fragrance.... Glad to have sampled.

michelle is right A simple, calming aromatic with a little sweetness and is a bit cheerfull Not bad, but projection is poor and longevity 5 hours Not remarkable or special in my opinion If you want a great library scent or a tea time kind of scent this is nice unisex, but I think women will like it more

It seemed too much like Old Spice or some boring barbershop scent for my liking. It would rank as one of the weakest scents I've tried also. Just a sample so I am glad I didn't buy it.

This is a nice leather scent I normally can't stand leather but this wears quietly and softly, still not full bottle worthy for me.

Not getting any leather either. I definitely think this is a bunch of hype. The scent dissipates in minutes. Not a fan.

...and I do feel very gentle leather with cardamom above and a light vanilla in bottom. High aristocratic balance!

Sweet, gentle cloves and cardamom. And vanilla.