Iris de Nuit

There was a man I once knew from my profession whose presence in my life was all at once delightful and slightly jarring. I couldn't spy him without my eyes growing wide and thinking, "------.-----." (His name). He was only six foot two, but he carried himself like he was six foot eight, ducking under doors and stooping while talking to others. He was bald on the top of his head but the rest of his auburn hair was carefully coiffed, and he had a kind, expressive sounding voice - but he *affected* a stutter sometimes... just reveling in his own quirkiness? He always used a person's name repeatedly in conversations, and wore black turtlenecks pretty much exclusively. He was a professional violist, belonging to an orchestra and various chamber ensembles. Last month I went to a concert held in a beautiful church, of Italian Baroque and American 20th Century music (a terrific combination). I wore Iris de Nuit by James Heeley, and I did not skimp. This perfume clouded around me like a special effect at the climax of a movie in the fantasy genre. The weather had been hot (for a Canadian spring) and humid all day; the air had accumulated inside the church and it felt so stuffy the maestro untucked his shirt. Iris de Nuit is an adaptive and malleable perfume - it managed to remain beautiful despite, and even provide relief from, the stale and sticky environment. At intermission, hundreds of people hurdled out into the courtyard for the cooler evening air, not bothering with refreshments. My partner and I went to our car to drop off his jacket and find some change for a couple of coffees. The wind had picked up and it was threatening rain. As we returned to the church through the throng of concert-goers, I spotted a bald head, surrounded by little old ladies to whom he spoke, stooping. "-----.-----." I hadn't seen him in 5 years since I left my position. He was slightly ahead of me but to my left. Suddenly, a big gust of wind came from the right, sending my jacket flapping and hair flying, and when it was gone there he was turned right around and staring into my face. As I passed, smiling at him, he stood to his full height, and exclaimed, boldly without a trace of stutter, "you do not age." His eyes and the corners of his mouth appeared to say something additional. I like to think they were saying, "your presence in my life is all at once delightful and slightly jarring. And I think you're beautiful." 'I will never age wearing Iris de Nuit,' I thought. It is magic, flying on the wind, delightful, slightly jarring.

You know how some scents, you smell them, think about the notes, what it opens with, how it develops etc etc, and others, you apply and are just instantly transported to another time and place, notes, sillage, longevity etc are all totally irrelevant because the memory or image or emotion evoked by the scent are all that matters? Well, for me this is one of those scents. I have a sample of this. It was one I had been wanting to try, on my recent/current iris binge. I read the notes, read the reviews, ok well lets have a dab then, pull the little cap from the sample tube, apply to arm, wait a moment, lift arm: BAM! I am in Cyprus. High summer, up in a village in the mountains. I walking up the path through the uninhabited village, flowers overgrowing and cascading onto the path, dabbled shade of the trees, up past the vineyards, past the church, up to my great grandmothers grave. It was so powerful and so unexpected! One minute I am sat in my bedroom, deciding what to sample, the next I am back in Cyprus! So wonderful, so unexpected, so delightful! I must have sat for ages with my arm to my face, inhaling, eyes closed, not wanting to break the spell. I have no consideration to the notes, just the feeling...and the feeling that this is how it should be! Second time I sampled, slightly nervous...would the spell be broken, or would I once again be transported? Generous dabs applied, wait, close eyes, inhale... BAM I am at Auntie's house, in Larnaca, more specifically I am taking a shower in the bathroom she has built behind the kitchen, in the yard. A somewhat amateur effort, the window not quite fitting the frame, and as I wash in sunwarmed water a little lizard skitters in through the gap and observes me laughing. I don't know what it is about this perfume, whether a particular note, or the blend altogether but on every wear it has transported me to Cyprus. Why question it? All I know is that I love this scent - it would be enough if it "merely" was a magic portal to long forgotten memories, that it also smells amazing is an added bonus! And it does smell amazing, to me, on me. Some days it seems to come over warm, slightly powdery, floral, others cool, ore herbal, always beautiful. Alas, not so cheap, so I have some saving to do, but this is going right to the top of the need list! My only worry, would everyday wear diminish the memories?

جیمز هیلی در گروه معدود برندایی هست که علاوه بر تلاش به منظور ارائه ی روایح متفاوت، آثاری با کیفیت و درخور خلق میکنه که به شخصه احترام بالایی قائلم براش. آیریس دو نویت هم یکی از همین عطر هاست که همه چیز در اون نمره ی بالایی به خودش اختصاص خواهد داد. عطری کامل از همراهی زنبق و بنفشه که با همین دو نت در فضاهای مختلفی سِیر میکنه. این عطر، زنبق رو از وجه پودری تلخ و شیرین نشون نمیده؛ بلکه در کنار اون بُعد ویژه، حالتی خامه ای و تازه هم با خودش داره که باعث میشه تا زنبق هیلی از ارزش بالایی برخوردار بشه. شروع گیاهی و تند و گوشه دار عطر با روی کار اومدن زنبق حاشیه نشین، به آرامش میرسه و زنبق در کنار لمسی از مشک با بنفشه همراه میشه. حالت دلچسب پودری-خامه ای تازه و پر لطافت با اضافه شدن بوی شیرین و خاکی-چوبی بذر هویج، به اوج تأثیر گذاری میرسه. با حفظ محور با شکوه زنبق-بنفشه، مشک تمیز و درخشان به حاشیه میره و سدر دودی به این حاشیه اضافه میشه تا در کنار دانه های هویج با تأکید بر وجه چوبی و خاکی-دودی، چهره ای مستحکم و رسمی به کار بدن. زنبق پودری و خامه ای، بنفشه ی تازه و لطیف، مشک درخشان، در بستری دودی-چوبی و خاکی- نشاسته ای، فضای غالب آیریس دو نویت خواهد بود که هرچه به سمت پایان میره وجه دودی-چوبی کار کمرنگ میشه؛ اما اثر خودش رو در قالب پس زمینه ی چوبی لوکسی بجا میذاره و شیرینی پودری تمیز و کمی سبز، فضای غالب کار میشه. آیریس دو نویت یه کار مفرح، موقر، لوکس، خوش ساخت و نافذ و گیراست که از اوپنینگ سبز و گوشه دار به قلبی درخشان و شهوانی میرسه تا در پایه ای چوبی- خاکی، دودی و در نهایت، تمیز فرود بیاد که تمام این مراحل به مثابه سفری هست که زنبق و بنفشه در کنار هم اونو به پایان میرسونن. پخش خوب و ماندگاری فوق العاده ای که داره اونو به یه انتخاب درجه یک برای پوشیدن در هر زمان سال تبدیل میکنن... کامنت: م.ع (سایت لوکس بایر (با امکان تست سمپل

This is simply lovely. By the name this perfume was given, I firstly must say that it isn't the type of night scent that you would go clubbing in and meet someone and sparks fly, no. This is the type of scent that you wear with everything colored in twilight, maybe an evening stroll in a horse-drawn carriage through the park, mist surrounding the streetlamps. And the sound of someone playing 'Stardust' on a piano in the distance. It is so romantic and lovely, a simple and fresh iris, and nostalgic. It's earthy, herbal, and velvety. A bit misty. It is not a scent that is going to turn heads, it's up-close and personal. And while it is not as complex as L' heure Bleue or Infusion D Iris, it has an aura of utter beauty all of it's own. I have never seen a perfume that invoked such a sense of twilight, I just love the combination of powdery iris, violets and angelica. Beautiful. There is just something so magical about this... Just a little update...I just have to say after wearing this for the first time FB, I love this so much and for what the angelica does for the iris...so unique and so nostalgically romantic! And the violet...when it does make it's appearance, it is so lovely and wild and pure...what a delight! All day long I got marvelous whiffs of this beauty. And I think it has plenty of femininity. This is perfume is pure poetry!

As a lover of the brutally in your face Iris of Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist, I was initially disappointed by this offering by Heeley. There is so much to like on paper, such as angelica and wild ambrette, cedar and amber. But on initial spritz I was instantly choking on a big fluffy violet stuffed up both nostrils! Not one for loud violets, I came fairly close to scrubbing this one off, but I'm glad I persevered. As Iris tends to do, it lurked in the background until those lascivious violets got a bit tired, before taking its friend carrot tops by the hand and springing more to the forefront. The middle stage is pretty much how this scent stays for the rest of it's life, which is rather short for the price tag it must be said. This is a slightly carrot laden iris, but not overtly so. It's not a waxy (lipstick) type of note either. It's kind of dusty and more subtle than many iris notes, which makes this eminently more wearable for most people who might otherwise struggle with iris, especially males. This lacks that powder and lipstick floral vibe, and is much more unisex as a result. That and the cedar and amber in the base make this a genuine all rounder. But once again, as has been my general experience of Heeley scents, I have quite a problem with its staying power. Other than that, this is lovely!

Lovely Green Perfection. This opens with Angelica, similar to Guerlain's Angelique Noir which I recently sampled. But Guerlain's version was quite heavy and sharp to me, whereas this one is light, almost too light, as it seems to disappear for a while then come back to hang out. But this is the type of green opening I look for, so my first impression was very positive. This has carrot in it, which I recently sniffed in pure oil form at Wholefoods. Carrot is sweet, actually, and quite a bit earthy. It's a note that I like, where as violet and iris (orris root) are notes that I love. When the middle act begins I'm all a flutter with giddiness. Because of the carrot this sweetens up a bit, which may appeal to the floral/fruity fans, but doesn't become so sweet that a chypre fan like me would want to wash off. This is one I like well enough to hold onto my sample so I can return to it. The flag I've raised is longevity, which is why I want to try it on various days to get a better feel. Love it.

I didn't like Iris de Nuit when I tested it one and a half years ago. I kept the decant and revisited it several times and recently I seem to be head over heels in love with it. As for the scent profile, at first when you spray it on the skin it comes across medicinal (a tad oily herbal and woodsy). But then you can definitely feel the smooth, fluid and powdery presence of Iris and violet along with soft cedar wood which is poised, pretty and with an air of control. carrot seeds contribute to both powderiness and woodsiness and I think they generate a bit of spicy heat. The muskiness increases as the scent dries down. What appeals to me the most in Iris de Nuit is its "intrinsic authority" despite its powdery levity. I understand the folks who have found it cold and detached, but the more Iris de Nuit disengages, the more one falls under its spell. Its aloofness can uncannily swoop down on you and you can easily be swallowed by its aura. A very charismatic scent indeed

To my nose the top notes are leaning more toward a unisex Iris, it isn't your smooth velvety Iris, the cedar gives it a smoky undertone, I imagine it is more wearable in cold weather, but that phase is short lived, it is a quality perfume, no doubt, it opens up in the heart, and then the scent becomes more voluptuous, and it becomes rounded and a bit sweet, like a sweet violet vibe, very nice !! I like that part., not I love it, definitely a great Iris scent...the drydown is to me the best part, soft, sensuous, with a velvety floral aura, it lingers in a pretty way...still remains a hint of spicy wood...giving it an underlying subtle dry edge..very interesting creation . I bought a bottle, it isnt cheap, but it smells great! Update: cancelled my order, it has no projection, and for the price, not willing to spend that much, if i see it cheaper i will jump on it !!

So, I've read some of the reviews below, and I'm here to give Iris de Nuit some love. First, it's 145€ for 100ml, which is nice because everyone is selling perfume at 250€ for 50ml these days. It's a pale mauve scent, and you have to love violets to get behind it. As you can imagine with the carrot seed, it's not a powdery iris, it's not rooty either; it's somewhere in between, cold but also pretty floral. It has the feeling of an "eau de rose"; it's delicate, but the performance is ok for that kind of scent. It's melancholic, introverted, and comforting in a way. The cedar in the dry down is nicely counterbalanced by the amber, making the scent never dry or sharp. Really beautiful; if you love iris, it's a really good everyday scent or bedtime perfume.

Very special, very unique. Opens with the lovely carroty note I love in my iris. Violet lightens it a touch. Angelica and musk mallow bring a sweet herbaceous warmth. Not nearly as soapy-fresh as Prada Infusion d'Iris starts out. Dior Homme is more floral. Hermes Hiris is gentler and much more powdery. This is vegetal, cool, and earthy. There is a magical flower in A Midsummer Night's Dream that causes people to fall in love with the first person they see. This is what I imagine that flower smells like. It is a pretty little thing lit by moonlight, but it grows wild under thorny brambles and mushrooms, not in anyone's garden. It's a little sinister, carrying a hint of chaos in the sweet angelica.

I'm sure we all know this right now, those of us in the community. You have to match your fragrance to your personality. And this fragrance fits me perfectly during my melancholy evenings. You almost sit with it like a companion. Soft. Doesn't talk much. But it doesn't need to nor is it supposed to. Sometimes you need a fragrance like this. Imagine that. Midnight. Dim lights on. Listening to Cigarettes After Sex. That's the image I get when I smell this. It's beautiful both in the opening and when the violet comes in. Nothing is overpowering. A very gentle fragrance. Most of us has gone through Van Gogh blues haven't we? This is what the van Gogh blues smell like.

I'm wearing this today and I have to say that it is as gorgeous in winter as it is in summer, if not better. I wouldn't say that now it smells so detailed, like iris and violets and cedar and so on, as it does in summer. Today all the notes are blended together seamlessly, it is rather "your natural scent but better" smelling: clean velvety skin and new clothes made of silk and linen, - this is how it smells. It is not skin-like in its bodily sense, in fact it smells like someone you feel infatuated with but whom you will never be able to touch. It's very romantic. Or, rather, Petrarchan :) The longevity is great, 12 hours and still going on.

Clean, soft, powdery-woody loveliness. In the beginning hour, I get the whole 'scratch the back of your throat' thing that another reviewer mentioned but that goes away. It's like the effect wasabi has.. weird right? It's really nice though, and then as it dried down I realized I already own this- White Musk for Men by The Body Shop. I know, don't shoot me, just check it out for yourself if you really want this but don't want to spend the cash. On ME when Iris de Nuit dries down, it smells almost identical to White Musk for Men. This differs from person to person, so check it out first if you're curious.

Aaaaah, I knew I would like this. It's very romantic and brings twilit gardens and mandolins to mind. It has a very delicate, green violet/iris opening but its not powdery, more green/moist with a warmth that's probably due to carrot, angelica and ambergris It smells very elegant and refined, I can't imagine anything more suited to poetry and music recitals I'm noticing the slight touch of cedar wood - it's not pencil shaving-strong, just adds a touch of firm structure to this very ethereal twilit perfume

Thanks to the lovely Vie Cafe for a chance to sample this. I smell a makeup compact discovered in a bale of sweet hay. This is how a made-up woman's skin would smell if she was in a hay field all afternoon. Very intimate, but also naturally fresh and delicate. Since I already own Balenciaga Paris which I feel generates a similar violet powder aura around the wearer (though it does not smell the same), I don't need this in addition.

yes it's the powder of iris with a lot of violet and a really nice interplay with the other notes that keep appearing in the scent and preventing this from being an overly light single note floral with no depth...green is there but love how the orris , cedar and amber bring it down a little giving a hint of incense...lovely and quite elegant. I picture lush ancient gardens lit by candlelight at dusk...

Elegant, lovely scent. Reminds me of cool, starlit nights, but can just as easily be worn during the day. I've heard on some people the longevity is good, but unfortunately it stays on my skin for an hour at most, which is really sad. If the staying power was better, I'd be willing to get a bottle right away. I will cherish every drop of the decant I have.

This is so unexpectedly rooty to me! Like a genuine taproot vegetable torn from the earth. Not too powdery to my nose, nor is it dry. The air of this vegetable is cool, moist and rich. But in lieu of overt freshness, there’s a softer, dewy (airy but somewhat dense? fog-like), melancholic mistiness present. Pensive, subdued, ruminating. Gorgeous.

A very nice Iris, a little bit too masculine I think. The violette is so nice also. I am little bit too picky whet it comes to violettes but this one I like the most by far. Heeley has a really nice fragrances, I think this is one very succesfull niche brand! Iris de Nuit is longlasting with middle sillage and masculine character.

Sometimes I just want nothing but this classic iris with violets. No white flowers, no fruitiness, no harsh or distracting notes. This is a remarkably focused yet soft and gentle perfume that pairs especially well with quiet, snowy weather and twilight in pretty much any season. Lingers beautifully on scarves and in hair.