Belle Âme

Warm, round and rich. Belle Ame is a spectacularly well executed perfume which for me is based around a gorgeous but not atypical iris/orris scent with a musky, vanillic bedfellow of tonka absolute which really chimes in more in the latter stages. Initially I found it more than mildly leathery, the ginger gives a pop of freshness in the opening and again works incredibly well with orris materials. There's a huge dollop of jus ne sais quoi in this, a mysterious quality which takes it away from being just another niche brand iris/orris of which there are many, very good ones, but many which have similar tropes, tricks and material combinations, despite what the note listing here might suggest, it's not another of those. Cacao for example is one of those tropes with orris perfumes and in all fairness it's here, but it doesn't feel played out. I actually felt it was so subtle as to be more like a particularly chocolate faceted benzoin. Also, despite all my patter about originality and uniqueness, my immediate association was with Dior Homme Parfum, this is clearly different in many ways and smells like an elevated more natural version of what is a superb perfume in the Dior, so it's definitely not a diss! It has been suggested to me that this is quite a misleading comparison (by parties who shall remain nameless) but it really isn't. So fuck you Dad!!!! This is the second part in Les Abstraits inital trio of releases and represents the beginning of the healing process after La Douleur exquise and it truly is a beautiful soul, and masterfully made perfume which just like the first release, doesn't give away all it's secrets right away. It's a very mature and measured approach which is in it for the long haul and to stand the test of time, rather than the temporal, 'look at me', instant gratification culture of perfume products. Again, Bravo Eugen and crew for making the world a better place by creating art that is worthy of discussion, praise and your money.

Immediate love for this. Addictive. Resinous softly sweet iris-cacao. The description of this perfume as a comforting iris chocolate made me pay instant attention and get the sample, which I promptly finished, then the bottle. Almost gourmand as others say, full of body- not quite at the degree of sweetness of Guerlain Art et la Matiere for example and thinking of comparable quality perfumes with a sweet resin feel (eg Bois d’Armenie) but almost. I get what I think is olibanum giving a slight pickled effect at the start similar to what happens in Hiram Green Lustre as it mixes with the beautiful cacao, musk and sweeter base notes. This gets sweeter and pillowy in the dry down. Long lasting. None of the Antoine Lie’s very good Indemodables convinced me enough to get a bottle, but this one is gorgeous, grew on me and could not stop thinking about it when my sample went. Truly a cocooning comfort, I get no discernible “aromachemical” feel in this whatsoever. So well done, Eugen! Looking forward to smelling more of Antoine Lie’s work. What a great team! Edit: I watched the interview stream to the perfumer in Eugen’s channel and it was fascinating. He used “everything he likes” into the comfort/ contemplative iris brief including orange blossom. No wonder this was such an instant like for me as including favourite notes of iris, orange blossom, cacao, vanilla, resins. Could this be a ‘mass appealing’ quality perfume? Edit #2: I can’t put this bottle down. It’s become one of my top 3 fragrances.

This is my third time coming back to this perfume, and I think I’m finally starting to warm to it. I was initially unsure about the ginger which, though only there in a supporting role, definitely makes its presence known. It challenges the orris in some ways, but is that a bad thing? I’m still not sure. What I am sure of is that it adds a layer of interest that so many iris perfumes seem to lack. It takes time revealing itself, lingering in each stage of development. The initial brightness hangs on for longer than expected before giving way to the dustiness of the cacao. It doesn’t feel at all chocolatey to me; instead it offers a kind of textural nuance that’s hard to describe but easy to appreciate. In the final stages, a sweet, smooth sandalwood feels creamy, soft, and luxurious. There’s musk too, but it never threatens to turn animalic. It stays incredibly clean and slightly vanillic for hours, clinging to the skin with determine. What’s abundantly clear is that this is made from high-quality materials. I read another reviewer compare it to Frederic Malle, and I agree, it feels like the brief was simply to use the best materials without restraint. It’s undeniably a great perfume, and one that’s hard not to eventually come around to... as I indeed have.

So much vitriol @mignique for your first ever opinion on Fragrantica!😳 Maybe you are the one who knows Eugen? I for one watched a couple of his videos (the ones relative to Belle Ame) after falling in love with the scent. If he likes Guerlain’s perfumery style though, it would make sense that something he commissions would appeal to guerlanophiles (Guerlain is my favourite brand). It makes sense that people who tried Les Indemodables tried Belle Ame and compared them, as they’re both made by Antoine Lie and use the same lab source for fragrant materials. It also makes sense that people who follow his channel both love Guerlain and tried his scents, if he loves and reviews Guerlain. I personally learned about him, the perfumer and the perfume via the YouTube fragrance community (people I follow reviewing this scent)- same as many other fragrances I have tried. And I am so glad I did, it’s really awesome and one of my best recent discoveries. Also, Les Indemodables is not an ‘obscure’ brand but pretty well known. I have known about it for 4 years, when I ordered a sample pack and reviewed several of them. I think most people here just care about scents, and not personality cult or hate.

@mignique: just for the record.......I happen to know both Les Indemodables and Les Abstraits. Because 'obscure' perfume brands fascinate me. That's why I browse this website, why I check YouTube for fragrance reviews and why I visit niche perfumeries. And why I order samples. Loads of samples! I genuinely think Belle Âme has very much in common with Musc des Sables (which is not surprising as it is made by the same perfumer) and I genuinely think Belle Âme is more complex. I have never met Eugen, I never spoke to him, I never interacted with him online. I have watched some of his content on Youtube and admire him for setting up a Indie perfume brand in this over saturated market and for teaming up with Antoine Lie, who I think is a very talented perfumer. I wish him all the succes in the world. And no brand or store will refund an opened bottle of perfume.

Antoine Lie created a masterpiece for this little Canadian brand. (While I’m Canadian, I don’t know the brand owner and have never watched his chanel.) Belle Âme begins with a strong—and probably very expensive—overdose of iris. Here it is very pretty and clean. But within 30 minutes, cocoa and vanilla come forward to join the iris and it begins to smell a little bit like Musc Ravageur except with more chocolate—a delightful twist on musc. I adore this perfume. It’s vintage but modern. Longevity and sillage are good: it’s a compliment getter. My only gripe is that it doesn’t come in 50ml or travel sizes. But it’s so good, I plan to invest in a full bottle. Definitely worth a sniff, especially for iris lovers! Edit: when I’m feeling cheeky, I layer this with Al-Rehab’s Choco Musk oil. The combination is sacrilegious, yes, but absolutely intoxicating.

First word that comes to mind when smelling this is ethereal. Eugen explained in one of his videos that he wanted this fragrance to represent meditation and healing. Antoine Lie nailed the brief. The most surprising thing about the fragrance is how airy it is considering the notes. It's not particularly sweet either. It's primarily orris with touches of spice from the ginger and cardamon, and lots of musk. The orris is multifaceted. Mostly buttery and powdery, but it's also floral and a bit earthy. I've seen comparisons to Dior Homme Intense and Reflection to name a couple. It doesn't really smell like either. It does not smell as dense, sweet, or powdery as DHI or Reflection. It's versatile. Suitable for any occasion or season. Could easily be a signature scent. This fragrance is evidence that not all niche has to be challenging to evoke emotion.

Les Abstraits Belle Ame (2022) -iris cocoa - As a collector of Iris perfumes and as my Instagram account name indicates, I love this perfume note. Yet, it also becomes a challenge in finding Iris perfumes that excite me. #antoinelie together with creative director Eugen creates one of the most beautiful Iris perfumes. The accord is powdery and soft Iris combined with a gourmand Cocoa note. This isn’t chocolate candy bar, but roasted and almond like. I also sense a smoky Incense intertwined with Tonka bean that resembles Guerlain Art and Material exclusives, akin to Tonka Imperiale or Iris Torrifie mixed with Blvgari Black. Drydown has a well-made Sandalwood, Tonka and white musk accord that proudly carries itself through a prominent sillage. Calm, meditative and comforting.

Wow, very good stuff! I abhor, abhor (!) sweet perfumes in general and anything remotely gourmand makes me cringe. This beautiful perfume however is the exception that confirms my otherwise very set tastes. I agree with the other commenters that it's roccoco iris-opening easily rivals any Guerlain. But the real perk of this perfume is it's plush, velvety, huggable, extremely comforting drydown with pillowy muscs, soft sandelwood and the most delicious tonka bean I've ever smelled. Great performance and yet discreet. Lingers forever.... Belle Âme reminds me a lot of Musc des Sables by the same perfumer, but I must admit that this is more complex and even better.

You know, I think this may be signature scent worthy for me. I am kind of in love. It's powdery but not too powdery. I love the ginger-cacao notes. It's just beautiful from start to finish. I'm usually into more animalic or stinky-oud-patchouli forward fragrances, but this hits a place that I just love. It's easy to wear and delicious. I admit I am a big fan of Antoine Lie, especially his work with Eris (Mxxx?!?), and this totally met those expectations. Well done! The price is high, but it's 100ml and long lasting. I'm going to wear a bit more before pulling the plug, but I think I'm sold.

One of the best iris fragrances I’ve ever worn. Sometimes iris can be one dimensional and scratchy, leaving it smelling of urinal cake or cleaning products. This iris has multiple dimensions that feel alive and fluid; being spicy, floral and raw. I agree with others, there seems to be some rose hiding in the mid notes. On first wearing my wife said, “whatever you’re wearing smells expensive.” This is not a blind buy scent and will not be for the average savage joe. But if you enjoy a unisex fragrance that speaks to you in an artistic voice for most of the day than I’d jump at this one.

Well! This is a beauty. Iris with a hint of milk chocolate and spice. Cold to the touch, soft as suede, luxuriously thick orris root. Very well-made, neither too sweet, powdery nor carroty. Perfectly pitched. A little cardamom bringing some airy dryness, unobtrusive sandalwood and some tonka bean supporting in the base. An iris god/goddess. Ironically, given my username, I've never been much of a fan of iris or purple florals in general — too powdery, too many associations with vintage — but this is stunningly beautiful and I'm teetering over the buy button. The best in its class

This fragrance is lovely. The Iris is perfectly sweetened. This is a comforting and easy to wear scent with a tiny bit of a vintage flair. Don’t let that scare you. What I mean by that is that it is so well constructed that it reminds me of classics such as Shalimar . It does not smell like it but it has the class of Shalimar. My favorite Iris fragrance is Dior Homme Parfum (and I’m a woman) but this is giving DHP a run for its money. I will probably be wearing this in the daytime and DHP or others at night.

100ml? I’ll never use all of that. How wrong I was. An alarming dent in my bottle after only a few months. The intrusive backup thoughts have already started. Christ. This is as good as any Guerlain, even better than some. 2025 Update: I'm over half a bottle in and this is still on my favourites shelf, if anything I love it more now than I did in my initial review. Still not affiliated with either the creator or the perfumer btw.

I smell sweet gourmand iris in the opening and I don't really see the connection to the name 'Beautiful Soul'. Fortunately, this scent becomes less edible and more textured afterwards with its smokiness and spiciness being quite tender. I was sure this wasn't going to be the one for me but it has really been growing on me. The scent of finding inner peace/ self-love. A good one for colder days, a comforting one.

I really love this, but why is nobody talking about the ginger? This is such a ginger bomb on me! Same ginger he used in Mx for Eris, just amped up to the extreme! I don’t sense cacao/chocolate at all, just a big bold bright ginger, a cloud of iris and a musky sandalwood drydown. Weird and wonderful and not blind buy safe in the slightest - it almost reminds me of dog shampoo.

This is very reminiscent of Musc Des Sables by the same perfumer. So if you love that one, you'll most likely love this one. This is a brighter version of Musc Des Sables without the patchouli. I adore them both. There's something so cozy and comforting about them both. This is def on my wish list! Most likely my next full bottle purchase. Performance is great on me!

I'm impressed by the complexity. Upon application, you get an earthy, rich iris up close, but the sillage goes warm and pillowy with a blend of sweet and savory notes. There's a very subtle toasted rice note as Belle Âme dries down that I find completely intoxicating. Belle Âme isnt cloying, but I doubt I'd reach for it on a hot day; seems fairly versatile otherwise.

Over time this has become my signature scent. I am a lover of Iris scents and this is the best one that I have in my collection. I was lucky that my friend Fliss sold her back up bottle ;) It is perfectly unisex and could be worn in any season tbh. Presentation is lovely. Atomiser is great and projects a great mist. Projection 9/10 Longevity 9/10 Sillage 9/10 Enjoy

Beguiling. This stunning Iris reads like a parfum extrait. This creation of Antione Lie and Eugen Nazic would be worthy of inclusion in Frédéric Malle's fragrances. I am simply moved by the profound beauty. I will review more technically later. I am a puddle of emotions at my first sniff...its profound beauty has made me a bit teary here.