Fleurs d'Ombre/Ombre Bleue

I second HyacinthBucket and curleykitty8 reviews. The original version of this scent had nothing in common with this version. I can't believe there are 2 variations of this fragrance listed on Fragrantica, and neither are the original 1987 version created by Michael Almairac. Nor is Michael even credited on Fragrantica's Perfumer's page with creating the original version of this scent, but he is credited on Brosseau's website. It would have been helpful if Fragrantica had included that information. Trying to find out the notes of the Almairac version seems to be lost to history, but it is nothing like either version of Ombre Bleue on this site. The one listed on this page wore like a beachy aquatic floral on me. The original Michael Almairac version is not a fruity floral. Nor is it a beachy or aquatic scent. It is a heady and deep white floral on a creamy balsamic and powdery vanilla base. According to one blog post I read while searching for the notes of the original version, the author claimed (though gave no definitive proof) that the notes are jasmine, orange blossom, green notes, tiare, carnation, honey, sandalwood, vanilla, benzoin and musk. While I'm no expert, that is certainly closer to what I smell than the notes listed here, or for that matter, the notes of the other version, Ombre Bleue. It is really a headscratcher why the original Almairac formula was changed, since it is a very modern, niche level fragrance. It's not vintage or dated at all. It's a gorgeous, creamy white floral that could be mistaken for a Franchesca Bianci or Pissara Umavijan creation, or any other perfumer specializing in niche big white floral creations, if released today. From what I understand, at one-point the Brosseau perfume line was acquired by another company and that's when all the fragrances were reformulated. Supposedly, Brosseau bought the line back from the company that acquired it to return the fragrances to their original formulas because he was upset with what that company had done to them. I don't know how true that is or not, since there is not much information about it. I've read that Proctor and Gamble had acquired it and somewhere else that Dana had acquired it. Whatever the case, if Brosseau did set about returning the fragrances to their original state, then I don't understand why he didn't return Ombre Bleue back to the original Michael Almairac creation. Instead, he just copied the notes of the reformulated version and renamed the fragrance Fleurs d'Ombre Bleue. That's very odd and has me wondering if Brosseau found that doing so would be too costly. Looking at the original note profile that wouldn't be a surprise, but it is too bad because the original version really was unique, while the later reformulations are generic by comparison. Now as to other differences between this and later editions, the original 1987 formula’s liquid color, as HyacinthBucket pointed out, was gold, not blue, and as curlykitty8 pointed out, was in a rectangular bottle with an embossed design that could easily be mistaken for a Lalique bottle, though it is not. That was one of the few sure things I was able to find out when researching the original version of this perfume.

Reviewing a vintage 1990 EDT bottle from the first production(square bottle, gold liquid not blue). Ombre Bleue was originally created in 1987 as an expensive beach fragrance. The perfumers are Michel Almairac and Pierre Bourdon. In the mid 1990's it was reformulated, put into an octagonal bottle (the same style used for Ombre Rose) and artificially tinted the liquid bright blue, re-branding it as Fleurs d’Ombre Bleue. It was again reformulated and relaunched in 2022. The relaunched version bears no comparison to either of the two previous iterations. Vintage Ombre Bleue is a wonderful solar floral that is evocative of summer on the French Riviera in the 60's & 70's. It is a fairly linear scent with prominent orange blossom and a touch of clove from carnation. There is a smooth blend of florals with interesting beachy humidity ?benzyl salicylate and helional . Thankfully no / little aggressive calone. A touch of honey over ambery benzoin and soft cedarwood. It is soft and warm, not powdery at all - it actually feels dewy as if you are by the sea or in a greenhouse. Nostalgic and transportive yes, but not vintage except that you cannot find any solar floral with this depth and richness today. Quality: 4.5/5 excellent materials and blending Feminine Performance: 5/5 for an EDT it has excellent sillage and lasts 6-8 hours Vintage L'Ombre Bleue is for when you want to smell like Brigitte Bardot wearing only a bikini and the most classy french floral suntan lotion. I first came upon this rare gem as part of a box of packaged mini perfume samples from 1989. I had never heard of it before but after sampling, I definitely needed to know more. I searched and finally found a full bottle of the original on EBay from 1990. L'eau de Monteil is an alternative as it has definite similarities .Perhaps L'eau was influenced by the earlier Brosseau creation. Ombre Bleue however has more depth and complexity. *Do not buy the blue tinted newer version. Fragrantica has lumped the old and new versions together for reviews :( 9.5/10

I don’t know what everyone’s saying ... I get the sand & sea salt notes. It’s definitely truly beachy. My bottle may be well preserved, 1987 original. It’s exquisite. I get the spicy carnation, lots of sandalwood, sweet dried fruits & honey in background ... manages to actually bring on the heat, like cool waves & salt meet with hot sand, spice, almost rich humid hazy florals. I’m wearing it for fun tonight, my signature for tonight anyway. 😎 ... Just what I needed for the weekend. I live by the lake. & I’m craving the turn of the season into lake time. 🌊 This is the most artful 80s masterpiece in my little collection. It really takes me to that time & a luxury vacation somewhere in France.

I recently found at a Paris clear market a small bottle of the vintage Parfum, pale gold in color and in the old square bottle. This is in the grande dame of perfume category- balanced orange blossom, lots of carnation, and a nice spice note. Powdery and sweet, like the lilting of Hawthorn, but not overly so, and with excellent balance. The base is amber-vanillin atop a restrained wood, With no sand or sea notes, at least in the modern sense. This is an excellent interpretation of "carnation". Seek out the vintage version!

This is another treasure that was found. I do get a breezy, sand, marine feel along with the oh so familiar oomph that 80s fragrances have. It also reminds me of my really early childhood. It also has a soapy, out of the shower quality to it also that isn't overpowering. This one I wish didn't get discontinued because it is really really good. Also somewhat powdery. Its kind of like Classique by JPG and Je Reviens by Worth had a baby. This is an 80s scent that should have been given more attention.