L'Air du Temps Eau de Parfum

L'air du Temps, in its beautiful egg-shaped glass bottle with kissing doves atop, was my very first perfume. It was gifted to me as a preteen by my Grandmother in the 1980s, and all these years later, I still cherish it completely. From the artistry of the bottle, to the dreamy scent and enchanting legacy, L'air du Temps has earned its place among history's most iconic fragrances as one of the best-selling perfumes at its time. In 1999 the L'Air du Temps flacon was named "perfume bottle of the century". Launched in 1948 after global depression and the ravages of World War II, L'Air du Temps was conceived to represent peace, hope, restoration, and a return to femininity. This powerful yet romantic floral became the favorite scent of actress Ingrid Bergman who portrayed steadfast beauty during the French Resistance in the 1942 movie Casablanca. L'Air du Temps proved the perfect embodiment of its name, which refers to a French expression meaning “the spirit of the times.” The perfumer stated, “When I create a fragrance, I begin by ‘sensing’ it in my mind. I have a very clear sense of the fragrance I want to smell on the shoulders of the woman I love. I created L’Air du Temps for a very feminine woman, perhaps for somebody just seen or met, but certainly dreamed of and idealised. For me, a fragrance is an act of love, whether experienced or imaginary. I am a romantic, and I cannot conceive of life without dreams.” With its sparkling burst of aldehydes and rich bouquet of florals including powdery iris and violet, rose, jasmine, spicy carnation and cloves, L'air du Temps is masterfully constructed and smells just as lovely today as I remember from childhood. (I do recommend the EDP for ideal longevity and silage.) This is a true classic. A work of art. A piece of history. In its original production, the perfume was contained in a bottle designed by René Lalique. Current bottles retain the style of this exceptional artistry, making an exquisite addition to any dressing table. Today, for just around $55 you can purchase a 3.4 oz EDP and experience the continued promise of sunny optimism and feminine elegance L'air du Temps timelessly represents.

L'air Du Temps - A long term relationship 💜 The first adult perfume I ever owned. The scent trail of my wedding day. A beautiful scent which to me, really does evoke feelings of hope, joy and happiness. Yes, it was indeed created decades ago - a symbol of peace and of women's hopes for a better future. Still relevant today? I certainly think so! Opens with a gorgeous spicy hit of carnation, warms into a gorgeous, rich bouquet which is wonderfully balanced by the deep, lasting sandalwood base. Smells clean and unique. Never over powering - you cannot 'taste' this perfume - but it's there - all day, developing and changing. Becomes a glorious, clean, skin scent after around 6.5 hours on skin, lingers for days on fabric. Subtle wafts when moving around to remind you that it's still there, enveloping you in its' warm bubble of eternal hope and sunshine. I've had the vintage and the current formula - yes... There's very subtle differences but I'd say that the latest Edp version is still beautiful and very, very close to the OG that I remember my mum wearing when I was a child and which I myself have chosen to wear at pivitol points on my life journey. Light and breezy on the top, floating on an air of hope but solidly grounded underneath it all with the strength of the gentle but resilient sandalwood. Given IFRA's decimation of many of the classics - this one, in my humble opinion has fayred remarkably well. I really enjoy this perfume and will never be without a bottle. It's just perfect 💜.

This perfume is hard for me to define. At first, it is fresh, floral and powdery. Then after 15-30 minutes it becomes spicy and dirty. Then it becomes floral, mossy and slightly musky. Then it becomes spicy and dirty again. That's how it is on my skin. Frequently changing. On clothing however, it is mostly floral and green with little notes of spice. The notes I got at the first 15-30 minutes were Iris, Lily, Bergamot and maybe Moss. After this, Lily, Carnation, Moss, Vetiver and maybe Musk and bit of Ylang-Ylang. Then the 'spicy and dirty' scent comes which I mostly detect the Spicy Notes, Vetiver, Moss and something indolic or fecal. I'm guessing that's the Ambergris. I am not familiar with Ambergris so I don't know what it smells like. I really love the Lily note. It makes the scent relaxing. When the dirty spicy scent comes, I become a bit confused by how different it is. I don't hate it but it's different from the earlier scent so I become confused. This perfume made me confuse as to how I should react. This is my first time coming across a perfume like this. I do find myself loving the scent. And I did enjoy wearing it. But I am having a hard time figuring out what occasion this scent is suitable to wear. I don't think this perfume is ideal for the office. I can see myself wearing this as a daily wear if I am wearing a dress that is elegant and classy or at a wedding or an event. Anyway, longevity is 4 hours on my skin, on clothing it lasted over 7 hours.

When I first smelled this fragrance I thought to myself I have smelled this before but like a long time ago. Back in the 70s. On a teacher, or someone in church. I was a child back then and I usually didn't go around asking adults what perfume they were wearing. Back then children were expected to be seen and not heard. Anyway, I am a sucker for carnation much to my husband frustration lol. I just love it as a note and I'm surprised at myself for not testing this perfume sooner. L'air du Temps is the smell of the best carnation soap. It reminds me a bit of Worths Dans la Nuit which I own but that has quite a lot of vanilla sweetness in the base L'AIR du Temps doesn't. This is sharp old fashioned carnation but not the masculine type. This carnation is supported by powdery iris and tropical yellow floral ylang. The more I smell this the more I know it is FB worthy. I know it is dated but I have lots of dated perfumes that I absolutely love. This one is no exception. If you love vintage and carnations like I do this one is a beauty.

For several weeks I sampled the current EDP and EDT in department stores. The EDT doesn't interest me. It's certainly doesn't cut through the distractions of being out and about in town. The EDP is great so I bought a new tester bottle and was delighted it shipped as a complete new bottle with cap and no tester markings. So, the current formation of EDP that anyone can buy in a shop today smells like this: The New England Confectionery Company - (Necco) - after World War II, decides to celebrate the French liberation and world peace by contracting the best nose in Paris to construct a lovely French perfume inspired by the combined fruity, SPICY, dry and POWDERY aroma of a very fresh pack of NECCO candy wafers. The flowers, and the good taste of the French soupçon of skank, are something extra blended to NECCO aromas. It's a delicious perfume. Then it all dries down to leave a permanent soap smell on clothes. That is L'Air du Temps Eau de Parfum in 2021.

Finally found a vintage version of this, a miniature bottle. Upon comparing the vintage to the modern, wow. When you first apply the modern one, its a wave of carnation, filled with the smell of clean soap. As it settles, it smells soapy, a little sweet, and a twinge powdery. To me, I find it a little repulsive as it makes my head turn. I find the modern perfume can only be worn during the day, and not to very special events. Maybe to shop around. When I applied the vintage one, the smell was almost the same. However, there was a deeper note. More spice, so much stronger. This perfume can be worn during the evening. It is so much... sexier. More alluring. As it settles onto your skin, it smells floral with the subtle scent of soap, but so much more sensual. The mossy and woody notes truly stand out with the florals, creating such a good perfume. Overall, try to find a vintage bottle. It is so sexy without being vulgar. I love it

I have a miniature bottle of this, purchased from an antique shop via eBay. It's very clean, soapy, and almost aldehydic (even though aldehydes aren't listed). Similar to Chanel no. 5, but softer. As others have mentioned, it really does smell like high-end bath products, in the best way! On me, the peach only comes through hours into the wear; when I say hours, I mean 7 or 8. Basically, after everything else fades away I get peach, and it's a beautiful, pristine, sparkling peach. This is one of my favorite perfumes; it makes me feel so classy and put-together. And, as a history buff, I of course love the symbolism of the bottle. My fiance, however, isn't a fan - I think he's smelled it before on old people, so in his opinion it doesn't suit me. All the same, I'm going to keep it around just for myself. Such a gorgeous, classy scent for all seasons!

A very powdery, clean yet spicy fragrance. It does smell like a fancy soap, but with an ethereal feel to it that makes you feel very put together as well as comforted. On myself the carnation is really strong, and a few hours later I can definitely smell a woody kind of note lingering. I love it! EDIT: after a few months of wearing it, I can definitely say that this is best worn in spring or summer. It's quite sharp and nauseating during the winter days, however it turns into a beautiful powdery cloud of carnation when spring comes around. This is sooo soft and pretty, very cosmetic like to me! LOVE.

Vintage bottle review: A complex, smooth fragrance with a classic character and a certain ethereality. There’s a lightness, a fleeting quality to it, perhaps due to its long-lasting yet intimate projection. Recently, I compared the vintage Amarige to a woman you wish to be embraced by, to feel at ease. L'Air du Temps, on the other hand, is the impression left by a woman who held you moments ago and has now departed, leaving behind a melancholic trace.

Timeless, solid yet transparent, rich yet light, so approachable and comforting. It's a time machine, one of those fragrances that will take you to the past immediately after the first sniff. An old-fangled gem. It smells soapy, spicy, supported by diverse floral notes, and warmed by amber and benzoin. The drydown is woody, peachy, a bit powdery, and still soapy.

Spicy aldehydic carnation opening veers into a warm ylang-forward floral bouquet. Sandalwood with soapy affects mark the base. Perfect for transitioning weather, I think the temps are the perfect balance to maximize enjoyment. Feels very nostalgic too, like a warm hug from a cherished maternal figure. Medium projection, no more than arms length.

A true masterpiece of perfumery. Powdery clean soapiness that lingers beautifully. I feel it’s totally unisex and gives the wearer an aura of smelling interesting and unique with a historical pedigree. Elegant, nostalgic, one of the greatest perfumes ever created. ❤️

I just tried the latest version at the store. Mmm... there is something captivating in it! A very creamy floral - lily and spices stood out to me the most. It has that pleasantly bitter note from cloves and carnation, as well as the greenness as if you were cutting the stems of the lilies. Just one spray wrapped me in a dreamy scent bubble.. It's nice & uplifting & gives a feeling of being "well put together". Very fitting fragrance during these times... Edit: One spray is enough + better worn outdoors, as it needs air & wind & preferably worn in cooler weather.

Current version is not what it was. The spicy notes and clear florals are lacking. The soapy woody base remains and while that is pleasant it saddens me that this great fragrance has been gutted. I must search out near vintage and young vintage bottles. This was beautiful up to the very early 2000s. That version was perhaps the most beautiful scent ever imo.

smells like something in between a handcrafted soap bar and a mix of aromatherapy oils in a very fancy spa. a bit spicy and bitter, but also kinda milky. sweeter once dried

Soapy well-blended goodness. Smells clean, a little soapy. Powdery florals and almost etheral aldehydes. Natural smelling boquet, giving off a 90’s vibe. Yum!

Got complimented wearing this perfume by a random man in a Walmart, said I smelled nice and laughed at me. I'll take that as it is 1/10.

My fave during the 90’s kept a bottle for memories

I’m not sure if this has been reformulated, but I really can’t smell a vast majority of the notes described on here. Woody? Spicy? All I get with L’air du Temps are white floral, soapy, aldehydic notes. They’re very sharp upon first spray, but settle down. Admittedly, this perfume does have a good longevity, and once it’s been on the skin for quite a few hours a pleasant musk emerges. However, considering I purchased this because it was mentioned in a Joan Didion essay, I was expecting something a little more revolutionary. It’s pleasant, and would be an appropriate springtime perfume. However, the modern iteration is far too generic, and I can’t see myself using it too often. Worth by Je Reviens is similar, and does it far better.

I bought this solely because my mother used to wear it years ago and I just wanted it in my collection. It's not something that I will reach for on a regular basis. It's a little sharp for my tastes. Perhaps that's the carnation? Even though it won't get regular wear, I'm happy to own it and I love the bottle. Those caps were made of frosted glass back in the day. Now, of course, they're plastic. But if I just look at it and don't touch it...