Cologne Pour Le Soir

It's twilight - the day and night meet in the most blinding fashion. You are called toward the empty rose garden for a walk amongst the silent beauties. You reach out and touch the delicate petals only to see them retract at the gentle gesture - am I a monster in their world? You pull away, close your eyes, and breathe deeply - their soft, delicate scent is intoxicating...like infantile angles and fiery maidens. A solemn bench nearby awaits your heavy heart. Your stillness is met by the deep ambery glow of the setting sun, the last traces of their honeyed warmth swallowed by the earth. Darkness descends and the silence is deafening - it feels inviting. Time is lost in this seemingly innocuous garden. Even the most beautiful things will tear you apart if you're not careful. A soft dew collects on the now closed roses and a chill settles in - you pull your coat in closely and notice lipstick on your collar and smell her velvety musk and sultry honey skin, lingering. You choose not to let your mind wander as nothing good will ever come of it. You smile as you walk back into the house, the coat hanging on the lip of the trash. Life is too short for the hopeless romantics - your lonely bed will suffice. Day 73 - Fallen angels Listening to: Agnes Obel - Arches Notes: I was certainly not expecting such a soft and beautiful fume to come out of the bottle. I was awaiting some wildly exotic, animalic honey and rose - maybe that's what the original form was but this is a gentle soul (maybe a little seductive though...). It is quite simple and only shifts once from intro to exit, but it would be mesmerizing on the right person! The opening is a lush garden of sweet and dewy roses with a healthy dose of a make-up powder note. This lasts around 4 hours on my skin before picking up an ever-growing note of a gently smoked honey. There is a beautiful contrast between the semi-sharp powder note and the soft, warm honey. It's elegant and playful with the perfect hint of sultry. I think this would be a perfect scent to encapsulate the wedding experience - prim and proper for the ceremony and a little sensual for a late night tussle! I really don't think this is a man's scent though...

This is amazing. To address some other reviews, I don't get much of the musk/stink/pee smell from this (maybe some from the Absolue, but even then not a ton). I suppose if I spray it on my arm, and hold it up to my nose, I can detect a slight stink for the first 5 minutes, but it isn't much... I smell beautiful powder (incense?) and honey. This cologne is a masterpiece in that it smells clean and somewhat light, while still having loads of character. I would venture to say a certain aspect of this leans barbershop-y, but I won't, CPLS is far too interesting for that. For me, CPLS shows its best in the cloud it creates around the wearer. The soft but thick honey powder just wafts beautifully, without ever being overbearing. I usually get 5-6 hours of good wear out of this, which is quite impressive for what is called an "Eau de Cologne". Side note: In my experience, MFK has shown here a textbook example of what a "Normal" and "Intense" version of a fragrance should be. CPLS and APLS are cut from the same cloth, while still being two different fragrances. APLS adds in some extra stink (still not enough imo :p), and turns everything offered in CPLS up to 10. Also lasts 12+ hours, which is amazing. In the end, CPLS is good for any situation, in any weather. Its honey and musk are not too heavy for warm weather, and of course this combo of notes excels in cool weather. I suppose if you're used solely to designer aquatics and fruits, test first. But I don't think you can go wrong with this one.

Love this stuff! It has a kind of chewy sweetness to it, and I pick up on a leather vibe. It's not a dense as the Absolue, and it has more room to breathe and show nuances. The Absolue is great, however I've owned it two or three times and sold it each time. The Absolue is just TOO much of a good thing and hard to find occasions to wear comfortably. It's dense & thick and isn't as layered/nuanced as the Cologne version. So I'm going against the grain a little and my preference is for the Cologne! I know it's hard to break the mentality of "Parfum > Cologne" where the higher concentration or more expensive one is better than the 'lesser', but that's not the case here in my opinion. I simply find the Cologne better to my nose! It's not a loud screeching scent, but the longevity I find is quite fine! You'll probably still be able to smell it where you sprayed even after a long day at work, :). Two thumbs up and my preference of the two. Plus it comes in a giant bottle, if you feel the need to apply more - simply apply an extra spray or 2 to your clothing or skin!

I've always wanted to own a Maison Francis Kurkjian. From all the reviews of his different fragrance, I finally acquired this juice as blind purchase knowing that I wouldn't be disappointed...and most definitely not!!! When I first sprayed this juice on my wrist, a creamy warm sweet blast of honey and benzion. After this juice settles, there's a hint of insence-smokey aroma combined with honey makes this juice ABOUSOTLEY SEXY. To complete this juice there's a hint of rose tucked, after several whiffs it would make your partner hormones go crazy. Longevity and Silage is sufficient after I sprayed it 3x on my skin. Finally thoughts, Not everyone will enjoy this fragrance, so let be. Considering there's only four notes, the aroma has a real complex sweet blend perfect during the fall and winter months! Thou it's a cologne, it as good as most edt fragrance. If I wanted wear something classy/sophisticated aroma, this juice is perfect when your wearing a tuxedo. Anything less than 9/10 is an insult to the quality of this nieche fragrance as far as I'm concerned.

Amazing! Like many F. Kurkdjian's creations, it is very concise, so to speak. Few notes, but the right ones, in the right proportion, and straight to the point. This perfume is simple, but so beautiful, to the point of being aristocratic. The longevity is amazing on me - 10+h on my skin and 24+h on my hair. And it is a cologne! I can't stop sniffing myself. Soft, tender, powdery feel. I don't get much rose, the honey is very delicate and velvety, as is the incense. I think there is some iris, too. I cannot even imagine what I would feel if I notice it on a man ;) Addictive!

an update to my review in 2022: i have since acquired absolue pour le soir (APLS) and i see how it’s a beautiful duet between the concentrations. CPLS purrs meditatively with soft, powdery, honeyed amber, rose and incense. APLS bombards the immediate surrounding around you with musky incense that is discernible meters away. it’s certainly one of the best comfort scents i own now, amongst my roses and ouds.

it is a huge musk! a sweet syrupy cumin rosy honey furry musk. in the absolue it's too much for me (I am obviously anosmic to some musks and I am not often attracted by the ones I can smell) but this one is really good! and the attractiveness lies in the fact that it is so gentle and transparent which is unusual for a musky/sweet scent (as far as I can tell). I didn't expect to enjoy this one so much...

Two great combos here, lovely benzoin and honey combo, and rose and animalic vibe combo. Quite different but somehow worked together here. The benzoin reminds me of Grand Soir. The animalic rose reminds me of Oudh Infini, one can take this as a beginner Oudh Infini. Haven’t tried Bal à Versailles yet but I heard it’s animalic too. Lingers close to my skin for well over twelve hours.

This fragrance has the potential to make me feel joyful, lustful and rejoice. It induces your innocent and non-innocent desires, making it a perfect unisex. Let it react with your body chemistry, apply it when you are in a good mood, when your mind is ready to do nothing but enjoying. I won’t go through notes and how beautifully it’s crafted, go through the adventure yourself!

I just have tried CPLS and it has struck me how almost identical it is to Miller Harris L'air de Rien, with an exception of final leathery accord so subtly present in CPLS. Amazing how the similar result achieved using completely different notes/ingredients/accords. Two awesome fragrances from two top houses. Bravo! I am torn between the two.

this is a very nice cologne, good quality for a cologne, if you want the fragrance to last long just get the EDP version. This is great for al ight touch and off you go. Wore it work and got 2 compliments from various peoples...very nice overall. I like the cologe as it is lighter and I can reapply as often as I need too !

Finally got a sample of this, so interesting and an appealing scent,need to spend some more time with it but i really am enjoying this one.. i like it.."a night on the town" type of fragrance.. very nice , reminds me of a musky type of fragrance..with some zip.. liking it..

This is really good. I have APLS, and it's not that wearable for me *too animalic*, but this is about perfect. Soft, clean, honeyed rose with a very faint hint of velvety leather... mmmmmm...!

Got a bottle of CPLS (b/n: 10034A) from a fellow collector in Singapore. This scent gives off a meditative, powdery vibe. I wear it in the late evenings for a cozy experience.

Mmmm! I really enjoyed Aroma M's Geisha Amber Rouge but found it too heavy and langorous, it brought to mind a giant sized sultry cartoon of Jessica Rabbit in red velvet smoking a hookah. Cologne Pour le Soir is liked a dialed down version of that, more wearable, to me anyway. The general impression is a perfectly blended honeyed blonde tobacco with slightly sweet smoky amber, and in fact it also vaguely reminds me of Havana Vanille by L'Artisan, but I prefer this, it's less in your face or rich.(I can't always enjoy the rich, sultana-like dried fruit notes in HV) And (apologies if comparisons annoy you!) I'm getting a hint of FM's Musc Ravaguer, but this is less skanky or obvious, not as powdery as MR In short, yes I can see this as a gently purring, warm and intriguing cologne pour le soir, it stays the right side of sensual, and retains its elegance. Definitely unisex, if I smelled it on a man I'd want to get closer, on a woman the effect would be warm and classy Very nice!

In Mark's review on the home page he compares this to Bois D'armenie. Since this sits on a pedastal next to my bed, I had to compare the two for myself. One could make a case that the drydown is similar, but imo this is not as strong and does not have the oomph that BDA has (but it is also a different strength) When I first applied this I thougt of wet hair. In general, the two samples I have from Maison FK remind me of body smells; I don't know if this was intentional or not, but if it was then FK is pretty darn brilliant. This is a scent that slips right off me after about an hour and a half. Overall it is not meshing with my body chemistry, and after 30-40 minutes turns into wet body smell that never had a chance to dry. This is really unfortunate, but since I have a full bottle of Bois d'Armenie I don't care much. I should also add that it is hard for me to wear leather in general, and I suspect other fragrances from this line will be a better fit.

Sexy, warm, transparent scent that melds well with the skin and seems like a part of the wearer. Light spices, an initial furry beast in the beginning that reminds me of an orange tabby cat, and airy incense. It's just a tiny bit too light for my tastes, but I have tried the Absolue and found it a little bit too much. I wonder if an EDT would be perfect. Somehow I don't think the marketers would ever allow an EDT. The name: "Toilet Water for the Evening" just doesn't have much appeal, does it?

This is the educated sister Absolue Pour Le Soir. This fragrance is a skinscent, soft, powdery, warm, subtle. It has a fair longevity, about 6 to 8 hours, but the sillage is minimal. I see a little more feminine side in the unisex scale. Basically it is a incense based on benzoin and honey soft, slightly sweet. It is very nice, very wearable (I need to try it in warm climates to see how it behaves). It's pretty simple, not much progress, but no longer enjoyable. My rating is 6.50 / 10

This is very similar to her sister: Absolue pour le Soir, but qualifies least animalic, much more dusty and musky cloud making that second skin effect so typical of Kurkdjian. Soft, wearable and bearable, it becomes easy and salable compared to its sister who is much darker and complex option. Rating: 6

With first spray on my skin I get "Flower" by Kenzo then immediately follows smoky note and in the end it stays as a smoky rose. Can't stand the smell on clothes. More suitable for colder weather. Stays close to skin.

My first house was sold to me by a family member and had been my beloved great aunt's, a place where I had played as a boy- she took the place of my grandmother when she passed suddenly at 50 and lived to a ripe old age, sharing her taste in jazz and some great family recipes with me. And there were a lot of things left behind for me in the house: a fantastic bebop/post-bop record collection, gorgeous bottles of scotch and charteuse, and this great wooden bread box. Unfortunately, my great aunt had instead used it to house her perfumes and sachets for years, and the smell sank so deeply into the wood that I never was able to get it out to house fresh bread in. This smells like that bread box, a faint suggestion of a wide blend of different flowers, powder and with the mildest undercurrent of a sweet smelling and concentrated pool of urine. Honestly, it is way too close a match for the smell that greets your nose when you hug great grandma in the nursing home. Not just unpleasant, but unsettling as well. I'll give it a "Please God No"

I love honey scents. I also love rose. And incense. So, I blind bought a bottle of Cologne Pour Le Soir. Unfortunately, I was kind of disappointed: this one has a prominent powdery, almost chalky undertone that reminds me of an aged grandma's perfume. Or dusty theater curtains, which could be nostalgic and romantic but also dated. I was getting a hint of pee sometime, like others have mentioned, which added even more to the old-person impression. I gave it many chances and even tried layering with other perfumes but ended up reselling for the same price I got it for, so no hard feelings.

No, no, no!!! Old man scent, old man that just peed in his pants... I am sorry, Francis and everyone who likes it,I just can’t stand it... what a waste of money! Youtube reviewers might call it ’seductive’ but I have no idea what their referencws are. Maybe it works best on men, but sorry... not recommended at all!

I really hate this...very very boozy and awful strong beeswax aroma...and the intense is even worse...which I didn't think was possible! Don't understand why you'd want to smell like this? Each to their own I suppose but this is the sort of scent that repels me in the extreme. No disrespect to Kurkdjian.

Too rosy and too soapy (sadly, in a bad way...) for me. But really soft and feminine. Maybe I didn't enjoy it that much, because I didn't get any hint of balmy or leathery notes on me..? I would imagine this on a really calm, gentle woman. That would truly be a good match, I think.

Honnestly, this is one of the very few frag that made me REALLY sick, I found it disgusting. I love Amyris & Masculin pluriel but this one is just really bad :( It might come from the rose note that I usually don't like in any fragrance (except for Noir de Noir).

Again like the Absolue version of this cologne, I am not a fan. Balmy, incense and beeswax is all I take away from this scent. Evokes an old monastery with smoking incense filled censers and multiple burning beeswax candles lit at the altar. (21)

Traditional Eaux de Cologne are designed to take advantage of the volitile qualities of citrus materials. The basic structure of composition is concise and most Colognes smell alike. Cologne is associated with its characteristic smells: hesperidic notes (citrus fruit, leaves, woods) herbs, florals, musk. Kurkdijan reinvents the Cologne by throwing away the recipe and looking more closely at the dynamics. He reconstructs the Eau de Cologne not on hesperidic notes, but on benzoin and rose, materials you might expect to find weighing down the classic oriental. He pares down rose and benzoin, making them lighter than air yet true to character. By focusing on the qualities and timeframe of the experience, Kurkdijan remains true to the sensibility of the Cologne, but gives us something new. In traditional Cologne the topnotes have a half life measured in minutes. Kurkdijan extends the topnotes of Cologne pour le Soir, giving them a less rushed pace and fragrance unfolds with a confident stride. The spiced resinous drydown is a logical conclusion to the fragrance yet feels as novel as the topnotes. At the start of the fragrance Kurkdijan reconsiders the Cologne but in the end, Cologne pour le Soir reinvents the Oriental. It has a subtle intensity and sidesteps both the weight of the traditional oriental and the ringing 'radiance' of the modern woody amber. Cologne pour le Soir highlights Kurkdijan's talent for incorporating new olfactory configurations into his fragrances without fanfare. He avoids gimmickry, instead focussing on the overall integrity of his fragrances. Despite its conceptual basis, Cologne pour le Soir feels effortless. Kurkdijan done the heavy lifting and we can kick back and enjoy the ride. from scenthurdle.com

First long-overdue try of Maison Francis Kurkdjian Cologne Pour Le Soir, a honey/resinous 2009 release that’s powdery and semi-sweet with just a slight animalic bit. Its note listing (per some sources) seems apt as simply a blend of benzoin and honey, and it just feels well-put-together, not excessively sweet or dark or sharp or animalic. It’s a bit bright and invigorating while being somewhat seductive and potentially nocturnal. The 2010 release that followed, Absolue Pour Le Soir, by contrast, is denser and more animalic, but, as many have said, CPLS is an easier wear, and though I would gravitate toward wearing it in the cooler weather and evenings primarily, it’s still a mostly-year-round-friendly option, something less likely to scare people away than APLS. And, as some have noted, despite the similar name, amber centricity, and juice color, CPLS is quite different from the sweeter cinnamon Grand Soir, recently more recently in 2016. CPLS performs reasonably well, and though it’s not nearly as strong as APLS, it creates a good scent bubble and has good lasting power. It looks like CPLS, like APLS, is discontinued, though, which is a shame, as it’s a very nice fragrance. 8 out of 10

I understand what the review below mine, by Intheflow, is saying. This has a dry, chalky/powdery texture that many may not enjoy. I like it but also as this person said, I am not getting much in the way of honey, rose, or incense. So, while I actually like the smell, it's rather basic/simple and possibly more useful for layering purposes. At current prices, I would not consider it, though if it were in the "cheapo" price range I think I'd buy a bottle. UPDATE: After an hour or so it loses some of that dry, chalky/powdery quality and I can get a sense of the notes a little better. I like it better and would spend a bit more on it now, but I tend to avoid spending much these days because there are so many excellent clone-ish scents and I've already got so much I doubt it's going to make any kind of major difference if I had a bottle or not of this or that particular scent. This is an "oh, that's nice scent" to me, as it just doesn't do enough to justify the "big money." UPDATE #2: The far drydown reminds me a bit of my vintage Tabu, though that one is more floral.

"Your cologne is a total mindf*ck* one of the many responses I have received when I wear CPLS. My signature night time scent. Francis Kurkdjian has this phenomenal, unique way in mastering the scent of rose, and my god does he sexify it in CPLS. This is a sultry, seductive, extremely mysterious explosion of rose drizzled with honey with an airy backdrop of frankincense and benzoin (vanilla-ish). Take Back to Black by Kilian, take out that nasty ass rancid tobacco note, and give it a mind-blowing aura of arabic and french mysticism and you have Cologne Pour Le Soir. It really is nighttime scent, but to me is extremely versatile - for any weather, any occassion. I have never smelt a fragrance that is as comforting and inviting as it is ravaging. No, not even a Frederic Malle can do that. Only downfall, may need to reapply this badboy...but its worth it!

Cologne Pour Le Soir doesn't give me any leather smell at all, thank goodness! On paper, it smells sweet, subtle and reminds me a lot of Sage's Amythest in the begining. Then it smells of ink in a good way, with a little bit floral hint. It gives me the impression of cleanness. Then the dry down is a little bit muskier than before. All in really good harmony. I just loved it on paper. However, on my skin, it smells sweeter and even closer to Sage's Amythest, and the dry down has some weird sweet notes comes and goes, which smell a little bit like Play-Doh to me.

Found a bottle: this is very much a Cologne version of absolue pour le soir. Absolue is dense, sweet and dusty honey and labdanum masterpiece. Cologne-pls is very easy to wear - It’s a sheer stony rose with dusty labdanum and authentic syrupy raw unfiltered honey and vanilla like Benzoin. The Benzoin is star in the composition. It’s extremely long lasting and while you can pick up the scent when you move around, I sold my bottle because I didn’t love having to look for my fragrance but it’s a cologne with Edt performance.

So, to address some of the reviews referencing that this has a bit of a stinky/pee smell in the opening. I get what you are saying, but it's not like full on urinal stink. I would better liken it to "dining at the Y"...which isn't such a bad thing:) The pervs out there will understand what I mean. After that phase passes, it is pretty much just Johnson's baby powder city. I am a huuuuge fan of MFK Grand Soir, which is the best Amber frag in the world IMO. To my disappointment, this has no relation to Grand Soir.

this is very quiet scent of roses and leather, its like rose covered in mud....something like that, the opening was fekal to me :) i thought oh nooo.....but after 5 mins that was gone...the drydown is rosy and balmy and more of honey, i like the drydown, the top and middle reminded me of cuir de russia...but no iris here and a ted more animalic leather here, but i think if i tried EDP i would be sick of the smell..very interesting one!and yes this is evening scent and ideal for men!

I had a sample and tried it last night and I loved it, but also it kept driving me crazy because I thought I had smelled it before but could not figure out why. This morning when I woke up I put a little more from my sample and the first fragrance that came to mind was Black Pearls and than browsing through ebay I saw a bottle of Jivago 7 notes and immediately thought...that's it! I believe this fragrance has a resemblance with those 2 fragrances, not 100% but maybe 80%.

Good Fragrance, but i reluctantly kind of chose this over APLS thinking that no one in the right mind will invest in APLS given the animalic splurge - got home tried it,when back to the store and returned Cologne Pour Le Soir for Absolute Pour Le Soir (APLS) This cologne version is sweeter, probably best for autumn and such; its tame and if you just want to be careful this is for you, but i'd go for Absolute Pour Le Soir! Like A Roaring Lion!

Stupid question, but does anyone know if there's a way to try a sample of this?! I don't see anything other than the giant bottle listed on the MFK site. Any recommendations for sites you use that would have samples? Thanks for any insight! :) [I think this sounds great, but I don't overly love "Grand Soir", so I really don't want to blind buy this in case I don't like it either.]

A valid option for anyone who's into softer, lighter, close to the skin fragrances but got sick and tired of "unscented", detergent-like smelling perfumes. A sophisticated and elegant blend of honeyed rose on a slight smoky frankincense base. Masterfully balanced, consistent but discreet and with a remarkable personality. Good work. Rating: 7-7.5/10

hahaha @latelittlesleeper! I believe she means it smells of urine to her. I could be wrong but, considering lots of people have said that I don't think it's too much of a leap. I haven't tried this one but Absolue Pour Le Soir definitely did not smell of urine to/on me. It smelled rather of powdery honey and a medicinal benzoin. Still not for me.

Not mentioned in the notes but I get a lot of musk out of this one. It really reminds me of Guerlain L'Instant Magic. They are both these musky perfumes just spiced up with something different. I really like CPLS and if it came in smaller more affordable bottles I would possibly buy.

I ordered a decant of Absolue Pour le soir and I’m pretty certain they send me this tame little animal with oil added to it. I told them they are 2 different scents. Don’t order anything G from Scents Event. Anyway, this is nice, warm Honey with musk. Lingers. Low sillage.

Very subtle leather; rich and powdery but dries down very close to the skin. I'm getting the honey and incense as well though they are not cloying or too powerful..there may be a gentle patchouli at the base. Very nicely done but would probably be more suitable for a man.

Metalman, your reviews are amazing i think i am gonna spend a day reading all the reviews you have written. Would love it if you smell MFK Absolue Pour Le Soir and state your thoughts. I love it more than cologne pour le soir

A wet vanilla similar to Vanille Absolument. It doesn't wear well on me. I sprayed liberally from my sample vial before going out but it just did nothing for me. A peculiar egg nog kind of scent.

Me, sniffing arm: Why does this smell like the boys from my old grade school? Me, after a few minutes: Oh! Ohhhhhhhhh. :( Ohhhhhhhhh. Learning uncomfortable new truths today about my childhood.

I have grand soir and wanted to get a bottle but unfortunately it's gone from the website and I contacted them and a new production run isnt planned at this time a real shame.

You have to get past the pissy opening. After 20 minutes it becomes beautiful, warm, honeyed musk and it's absolutely addictive. Mr. Kurkdjian is a genius.

Un profumo che resiste sui polsi anche dopo una lunga nuotata al largo ha una potenza incredibile... Semplicemente sublime...Profumo tatuaggio splendido

Honey and burning pine incense dries to a sweet smokey vanilla with hints of incense. Lovely and gentle and a must-try for incense or vanilla lovers.