Cornubia

My review is for the vintage formulation from the late 80s/early 90s. This formulation has ZERO synthetics. (Tested a small amount and it has a high content of absolutes and resins.) This version just sings you guys! If you're a fan of Caron Nuit de Noel, you will also enjoy this. It has a lot of the same notes, similar structure, but is more linear and less dry. This has quickly become one of my favorite perfumes and it's a shame that it has been discontinued. The comparisons with soap or generic white flowers makes sense, especially for the new formula. However, this is a lot more natural and classical smelling. Not necessarily classy or chic, but gives the impression of someone who is very confident and knows what they like. It has an effervescent quality and I swear there is frangipani absolute in here somewhere. In addition there is a note of sweet vernal grass in the base, but it's a mere whisper compared to the vanilla/musk/blonde woods. The orange blossom is the star here and remains LONG into the dry down. (The neroli keep the honeyed facet from moving into cloying territory). The heart note's longevity has surprised me greatly. I'm at hour 10ish and it is only now starting to fade into the vanilla/amber sweet skin scent. The musk is the generic white musk you used to get at Body Shop in the early 90s. It reminds me a lot of that and a mix of Vanilla Soft Musk by Avon (early 90s version). Except it smells much more high-quality and luxurious. It smells natural in that it has notes that smell true to nature, but you're aware it's perfume - if that makes sense - due to the other notes and structure. It's strong, has potent sillage, and seems to last an eternity so a small bottle would probably last you quite a long time. If you enjoy orange blossom and are looking for something slightly old-fashioned,but not outdated, this is worth trying. Ive now tried the updated version as well and it's extremely similar, but not as rich or long-lasting as the original. It's also slightly less soapy and heavy on the white flowers. The heliotrope is more noticeable and the musk is a little more subdued. But still sweet, still rich.

This fragrance packs alot of punch and I like that. ALOT. With its Initial Power walking in the same territory as other powerful scents like Angel and Black Orchid this scent is intense but also for my nose incredibly sweet at first which is what i need in order to draw in my interest for a fragrance. Like Dawnlady3 i too get a beautiful and very creamy vanilla base and it smells quite intoxicating, almost to the point where i wanted to lick my wrists and have the taste of the scent all over my tongue. It reminds me of growing up in the Country. Where my home was filled with wamrth and love and happiness. Although there is an incredible sexiness and suggestiveness about this fragrance the sentimentallity and the memories of home-cooked dinners and a house full of people and friends who would come and stay for the weekends and enjoy the estate are always fixated into my mind. THe lasting power is phenomenal although i find that when sprayed on fabric, it lasts months and i love the faint smell its left on my pillows. I think this is what love smells like. I cant wait to fall in love.

Cornubia is dry and effervescent like ginger ale, but replaces the ginger with heliotrope. This big, neon heliotrope, an oversized bouquet, flanked with talc-soft orange blossom and jasmine. It's showy, verging on strident, but what keeps it in check is a warm amber and lubricious musk. Somewhere in the heart I get something that reminds me of creamy, peachy plumeria blossoms, and there are definitely phrases in the development that echo L'Heure Bleue and Cacharel LouLou. However, Cornubia is more gregarious than the former and a bit more polished and perhaps more unisex than the latter, but like both, it has a strong personality, and would likely require a strong personality to wear it with panache. This can conjure up all sorts of old world tropes like boudoirs, ornate vanities, viewing the opera through lorgnettes, penny arcades and croquet. It is sepia toned photographs on purple velvet, gothic arches at sunset, and a potent potion of devotion, sitting on a shiny, cold pew and asking for forgiveness the following morning.

Cornubia is a beautiful retro Neroli Heliotrope blend with an alluring helping of skanky Musk. It's like if Espirit d Oscar contained civet instead of ambergris. It's brighter and more opulent than L'heure Bleue, and deeper and more arresting than Espirit d Oscar. I am in love with this and while I think it could stand to be less sweet, the sweet does offset the skank. Were the sweetness absent from the composition, men would probably be staggering after me like zombies. You must love a little raunchy with your retro powder and some floral sweetness to love this. Longevity is 12+ hours. I wish I could trade in my L'heure Bleue and Espirit d Oscar for Cornubia. I'm also really reminded of Habanita edp (the modern version) plus big orange blossom. I could see Ms. Fischer from Ms. Fischer's Murder Mysteries wearing this. Drop dead sexy flapper material. Alternatively, if you’ve ever seen David Lynch’s movie Eraserhead, I think the woman who sings the song “In heaven, everything is fine” would wear Cornubia. Haunted happiness.

I'm testing this from a little spray sample gifted to me from one of you lovely Fragranticans! This is very interesting. It's stunning. Powdery, rich, sweet, sophisticated, mature, but then there's a strange note to me. It might be the white florals messing with me, but I actually get a distinct note of smelly feet for the first several minutes. I've tried it a couple of times and still the same result. But strangely, the note isn't off-putting directly, it's just weird and not attractive either. Fortunately, that note is not present in the silage, just in the close sniff from the point of application. And after a few minutes it goes away, leaving just a lovely cloud. I would say those who say this is similar to Habanita EDP are correct, only I like this one better. BUT, since I have Habanita already and do love that one, I would not add this to my wardrobe because I just don't have that much need for such category of scents. If I was in a cooler climate, I'm fairly certain this would immediately go on my want list!

Cornubia is not an original fragrance, but it is a beautiful one. It is like the love child of Christian Lacroix C'est La Vie and Guerlain L'Heure Bleue. It combines the sweetness of C'est La Vie with the powdery richness of L'Heure Bleue. The overall effect is a plush, velvety floriental, rich on iris, heliotrope and amber, with a soft, smooth drydown. It's not terribly floral, so if you tend to avoid sharp or overpowering florals, this is a safe fragrance to wear. Wearing this fragrance is like draping yourself in a fur coat or a shawl of the deepest shade of indigo or violet -- it's the perfect fragrance for winter. It has a vintage feel, but does not smell old-fashioned, although it's not light or playful. The only negative thing I can say about Cornubia is the lasting power isn't great. I have to reapply it a few times throughout the day. Still, that's not enough of a negative to turn me off from purchasing a bottle, which I plan to do soon.

This was a blind buy since I love white florals and amber and it was a good buy. Not my favorite in the penhaligons line but it is beautiful soft and warm nonetheless. It's powdery in a way that I like with soft waves of neroli, orange blossom and hints of jasmin, sitting on a soft bed of albert and a hint of wood. I don't get anything that even resembles oranges unless I sniff really hard and long. Overall it is smooth and warm like a nice cashmere sweater. Not heavy enough for winter but not a spring summer scent either. I haven't gotten to the dry down yet but if I remember it correctly, almost becomes a powdery skin scent. Not exactly me but still a nice addition to my collection.

It starts with helitrope and ends with vanilla. And I must agree that it does remind me a bit of Guerlain's L'Heure Bleu. Actually, they are very simillar. Yesterday I was trying the sample of it and was thinking that it reminds me of something and then I got it. I think that it is lighter version of L'Heure Bleu, as I wear it to work and this is may be even easier to wear for me. Really beautiful fragrance, maybe another piece in my collection. I must agree with Elisabeth M. it really evokes romantic English ladies of old times, but on the other hand I think it can be perfectly worn by nowadays ladies as well. Some scents are simply timeless.

Rich opening, rich middle, rich drydown. I love every moment of Cornubia. Sweet, powdery, heavy and intoxicating. Much so that I'd describe this as a boozy scent, but surprisingly smooth. I could drink a case of this and still be on my feet. On a good day, I can smell pine and a tinge of spices. Very powdery. This is the most powerful EdT I have ever smelled. Lasts a good 10 hours. No other perfume makes me feel so enriched and nobody can pull this off like I can. Pardon my overconfidence but that's how good I feel when I wear this. This one just makes me dauntless. *Edit* I just realised the opening smells like Coca Cola. Still lovely tho.

Dark, gothic, 1910's Italian opera about Victorian England. Moth ball floral bouquet, similar to L'Heure but the weird aunt. Widow mourning? Occasional flashes of dangerous white floral (fleshy, sexy) in a dusty attic. Sometimes smells just like L'Heure Bleue, other times you get distinct queer additions. Be wary of prices. $300 and below alright in this perfume economy, anything above is too risky as Cornubia isn't THAT unique. However I appreciate Penhaligon's discontinued vintage florals and chypres, they are so odd.

Sometimes this happens, when first sniffing a scent You haven`t ever before sniffed, it brings You some distant memories. This happend today morning to me when I was sniffing Cornubia. What a emotional scent! Gives feels of safety and warmth, like laying in arms of Your Loved one feeling that deep safety. This scent represents that feel. What a beauty! Definitely will go to top of my purchase list. Without daniela3 ́s generous sample I would not have possible to experience this beauty. Thank You Dear ***<3<3<3***

I was gifted a big bottle of cornubia. I adore this perfume. It smells best worn in the fall And winter. The beautiful sweet , warm powder carries through the cold air wrapping around me like a cozy blanket. It smells alot like L'Heure Bleue. I can smell the difference. Cornubia is missing the carroty purple smelling iris. It has the same cherry almond Heliotrope. Its ambery and has a great soft woody dry down. It's very powdery and boozy. Cornubia is strong, thick, and long lasting. Absolutely stunning perfume!

Cornubia...It's my lovely and warm elixir for cold season. I detect a lot of amber, orange blossom and heliotrope with almond undertones - and don't hear other floral notes but it doesn't disturb me to have enjoy wearing Cornubia. Some strange to find this composition (so saturated) among Penhaligon's fragrances, most of them more 'crystal'. Retro style composition, obviously. It haven't nothing superficial, light-minded, a bit conservative scent, to my mind. This scent was moved to my wish-list.

This was recommended to me by an Associate at the Covent Garden store. When I 1st sampled this I did not like it and thought it was too feminine for a man to pull off. After trialing a number of times I thought it would be worth purchasing a bottle. I use this as a nighttime fragrance. I really like the richness to the scent. It has a very traditional old time feel to it. I have never worn this on a day to day basis. Beautiful fragrance.

I love it so much! Just received my tester bottle that has barely been used! Definitely vintage in feel which is great for me. I think it's the heliotrope that gives the powdery, antique note? To my untrained nose this is the love child of L'heule Bleue and Chanel No.5 EDP but better than both. Soft and elegant, powdery and floral with a light vanilla dry down. Incredible longevity for a Penhaligon's EDT. So beautiful!

This exudes an old-world charm, transporting one back to grand hotels and opera houses of a lost era. It is powdery as such an evocative scent should be. One feels like one is sniffling scented dust along the grand hallways of an antiquated building. It is a comforting scent. Considering how it is a Penhaligon’s EDT, it projects rather well, although I have yet to test its longevity.

This smells like a soft and gentle Ciara to me. Maybe Ciara was a dupe for it back in the day??? I forgot who on here said Lucy from A Room with View would have worn Cornubia, but that’s my favorite movie, so I just had to get this! I will always think of that connotation from now on whenever I wear it and want to feel timeless. Thank you for the recommendation.

Got this one for one of my birthdays and it smells so freshy and nature-like. This is a superb blend of the neroli heliotrope with musk. It includes brightness, depth and pure love in it. The floral sweetness in it is precious and the richness and power in this floral amber fragrance with the solid woody base are amazing and makes me addicted.

Another blind guess, i knew i was gonna like it, turns out Cornubia=perfect! LOVE at first sniff it's a good replacement for lou lou & more wearable , it's sexy and i love it *swoon* too bad i already have quite a few winterscents otherwise i'd buy this in a heartbeat! BUT nevermind about that, a bottle is on it's way

The heliotrope is very strong in the open and a little overwhelming, but once it calms down, I love this perfume. The neroli and orange blossom is lovely. The drydown after about 8 hours leaves a dustiness that is kind of odd. It layers really well with L'occitane Amicable and really highlights the orange blossom.

Powerful, rich, long-lasting bohemian floral amber on solid woody base. My absolutely favourite Penhaligon's so far. Surely, it has something from Guerlain's HB, but even more so from Caron Montaigne. Cornubia is woodie, shinier, smells triumphant and glamorous, rather than motherly and absolutely addictive.

Just back from Paris, spent one hour with the gentle mas in the shop, knowledgeable and kind. It smells like being dressed to the opera with heavy velvet dress, full make up. in the opera smelling of wood and velvet sits. reach and beautiful. plenty of textures. Very recommended. What an experience!

This struck me immediately as an old world classic perfume. I was attracted to it's powdered dampness and heady oriental notes. I love all the layered drama. I dance around with the gourmands, but always come back to the orientals for my long term relationships. This is a stunning keeper.

If anyone has a bottle they want to sell or swap please message me. I don’t mind international shipping.

Comparable to L' heure Blue and a beautiful spicy oriental.It's elegant and sexy.

Cornubia a.k.a. the gatekeeper between L'Heure Bleue and LouLou. Love it.

My first words wearing Cornubia: "Oh, fancy!" If Penhaligon's were to have an unofficial signature women's fragrance from their house, this could probably be it. Cornubia is a classic, and although clearly from another time, it remains appealing. I disagree with the reviewers who say the perfume is strong. The opening is bold enough, but within ten minutes of applying it and leaving the house I could only notice Cornubia when there was a strong wind. An hour later my boyfriend hugged me and couldn't pick up the scent when I asked him if he liked the perfume. Mind you, I only applied two dabs. Orange blossom is always a bright and sharp note which cuts through air, which some people find strong. This is the 2nd Penhaligon's I've tried, and I'm thinking that this house is well-behaved. The notes in Cornubia and the overall impression hint at sensual abandon, but structurally this is no French perfume. It's a red dress, but one that isn't too tight. Ankle-length, long sleeves, and a collar. Penhaligon's is British, and it seduces politely. The citrus and freesia notes don't have many votes on Fragrantica, but to me they dominate the opening, and last into the drydown - Cornubia being fairly linear. No generic citrus note, but fresh lemon specifically. The yellow floral note, to me, seems like an important element of the perfume. I agree with those who say the perfume has texture. Some have said: heavy, viscous, creamy. It didn't strike me as anything but honeylike. Cornubia's texture reminds me a lot of honey. The heliotrope, amber and orange blossom are on display in a balanced and inspiring combination here. I don't always appreciate a mostly vanilla drydown, but it was beautiful here. I don't have a plan to purchase an entire bottle, but I'm grateful I tried it and all other perfume lovers should give it a try it, too!

Cornubia has something that goes way back in the decades and fits perfectly in the Penhaligon’s range. However, it’s not an elderly scent, it’s more like a young time traveler duchess visiting you from the ’20s. Give it a minute and a beautiful bouquet of white flowers will make its way through the amber. Cornubia is a mature, elegant, a bit powdery flower scent. It’s totally not sugary, nor innocent, nor fresh-summery. On the other hand, there are no woods nor bitter or pungent spices, nothing too much cloying or oriental, but a classy fragrance that reminds of aristocratic European mannerism. It’s something you wear when you want to be taken seriously. It warms beautifully on the skin, it gets rounder, has a bit of sweetness, and gives its best in winter. Very beautiful on the clothes too, but a bit less complex. Although it’s an eau the toilette, this is one of the most powerful and long lasting Penhaligon’s creations, it outperforms a lot of supposed eau the parfum. It goes through a whole day of train and office work without problems – it’s extremely persistent on clothes, but I can totally smell it after 12 hours on the skin too. I spray 2 on each forearm, one behind each ear, one on the back of the neck, one in the air and walking through. Silage is good but not annoying even in crowded spaces. If Cornubia was an outfit I would say gold classy jewelry, long dark navy-blue wool coat, wine red scarf, hair in a soft chignon, medium short heels. The perfect occasion? From professional daily work to family Christmas dinner, going through some 5 p.m. tea with the other ladies of the town – doesn’t matter if you are the doctor or you are the wife of the doctor, this smells expensive and classy, without being a dupe of Chanel n.5.

Very dramatic scent. Similarities with Shalimar but more opulent. They are not alike but share certain characteristic within the warm aspect. There is something challenging in the opening, that reminds me of old-fashioned toilet refreshner. For the first time a scent triggered such childhood memory. But thankfully it is passing and worth the wait to have the spectacular intensity later. Cornubia is a spectacular powdery-vanilla-heliotrope scent. Very heavy on heliotrop that mixes to a clash with neroli. It fits a boudoir, a corset, an actress that dresses up solo, adds her parfume and when she is out, there is no one who won't notice her or recognize by the scent. Angelina Jolie in the Rolling Stones music video. I think such big diva scents are a needed signature for some flashy characters. It projects well. In character it reminds me too of Boudoir by Vivienne Westwood and of Classique by Jean Paul Gaultier, just this is stronger and more niche. Softens when it evolves but is still a heliotrope bomb, with vanilla, woods and amber supporting it. Nothing remained from the initial clash with neroli, maybe a bit of orange blossom sparkles. Sexy, confident, special.

Such a fresh natural white flower scent! It’s the smell of burying your nose in a fresh bouquet. No synthetic notes here. I get the orange blossom and the freesia first (if i really pay attention, but imo it is so well blended that you have to concentrate to get individual notes). The ambery vanillic notes are not standing on their own, they create a creaminess to the flowers, a fresh powdery creamy bouquet. This juice is so antique, it has vintage vibes. Totally feminine and I wear this frag in the summer in evenings although I can easily picture this during daytime. It’s not a wow scent, it’s not sexy or a head turner, but it’s soothingly pleasant and clean. Lingers on skin for up to 5 hours on me and projection is at arms length during 2 hours ish. Also i think it smells like a concentrated version of Oscar’s Oscar de la Renta (1977) and it does share the DNA of Chanel’s Eau Première (2015 and without the aldehydes of course !)

This lovely oriental fragrance is one of my favourite Penhaligon's. I find it a bit powerful and sweet when I first apply it, so it is wise not to apply too much and to apply it a little while before you go out. Otherwise it can be a bit overpowering for the first half an hour. But then it dries down to one of the best vanilla bases I know (although vanilla is not listed here as a note!) The drydown reminds me vaguely of Shalimar - not that it smells similar, but it creates the same kind of mood. It is at its best about an hour after applying, and I find it lasts a long time on me. I just want to keep sniffing my wrists, and I really miss it when its gone - it is so warm and comforting and sensual - lovely.

Wow! Carnubia EdT is the strongest Penhaligon's I've tried so far. I get no Bleu h'eure-wibe at all - I get Cacharel LouLou adult version. Carnubia is not as vanillasweet, but for 90% I find them totally alike. 1 spray goes a long way - on my skin almost 16 hours+. 3 sprays makes Carnubia awful and thick. Wow! Carnubia EdT är den kraftigaste Penhaligon's jag har testat hittills. Jag får inga Bleue H'eure-vibbar alls - jag får en vuxen Cacharel LouLou-vibb. Carnubia är lite mindre vaniljsöt, men de är lika till 90% i mitt tycke. 1 sprej håller väldigt länge, på mig mer än 16 timmar. 3 sprejningar gör denna till en rumsdödare och hemsk.

This scent definitely has that Vintage feel. To me it actually opens quite powdery (?) but then progresses to very sweet. The Heliotrope is stunning but unfortunately it fades too quickly for my liking and at this point to scent becomes linear and all the 'power' is gone. I'm left with a rather sour yet musky resinous type smell for the next 4 hours or so :( The beginning of Cornubia (the part I enjoy the best) reminds me strongly of the heart of Esprit D'Oscar - which I adore. I will pass on the Cornubia and stick with my Oscar :) Pretty much the same thing to my nose without the sourness or the expense. L: Moderate S: Soft

I purchased a couple of Penhaligon's decants in a Facebook group, and when I received them my instant reaction was WHOA, this envelope must have been dowsed in LouLou! Turns out the Cornubia sample had been leaking a bit, and yes, it really does smell a lot like LouLou, albeit a slightly more sophisticated version of it. It has that same dark powdery vanillic drydown that I absolutely love. It feels vintage, warm, and comforting, but I'm not sure it's something I would wear on the daily.

That dark sunny day of heliotrophe eclipse with Oscar Wilde. It was reformulated in 1989. It is and embrace between Loulou and Obsession. It place itself more on the loulou versant. It has that dark powder vanilla patchouli smell. Talc Iris aura from the heliotrophine and oily summer Jasmine & orange blossoms fights with black musky woods. Adorable. A 1800s long dress in taffeta. Reminds me lettera da by Claudio la Viola and a bit Molto Missoni no such resemblances with L'heure bleue

ooh i like this. i love heliotrope and crave more heliotrope-heavy scents. this does remind me of loulou but i like it better...do not see the comparison with this and l'heure bleue much at all though. i primarily get heliotrope, amber, orange blossom and neroli-a creamy powdery orange blossom bomb. just gorgeous! this is my first penhaligon's and i am impressed. this does smell very classic, reminds me of some perfumes my grandmother used to wear, which i love.

Ho una boccetta col tappo di vetro vero, comprata negli anni 90, ed è un profumo sublime. Potrebbe essere un predecessore di Loulou, denso di fiori gialli e resine magiche, i colori giallo e viola rendono perfettamente l'idea di mistero e magia. Non so come lo abbiano trasformato nel corso degli anni,ma credo in peggio da quello che leggo. Questa versione è molto vellutata,calda,colorata e misteriosa.

I was surprised to find out that this one is on the market for over 100 years, because it doesn't smell old-fashioned at all. I agree with some of the comments below that this one is strong and long lastig, but not very subtle - i.e. not bad, but if you're looking for "loud" attention-getters, there are more inspired alternatives around. ***

This is a powerful potion! Redolent of amber, jasmine, heliotrope and orange blossom- it smells like a cross between Alien and Truth or Dare- I sprayed a tiny amount from my sample decant on my chest about 6 hours ago, and it is just as noticeable now-

Lovely, powdery, sweet and woody scent that has the richness and flames of Habanita mixed with sweet and vanillic scent of hmm, Want by Dsquared :D Courtesy of Heliotrope. Very interesting.

My favorite Penhaligon's fragrance! It projects such a beautiful vintage atmosphere. I can imagine Helena Bonham Carter in "Room with a view" wearing Cornubia.

Powdery old-fashioned white floral scent with lots soapy notes. I can also fell some spiciness, but probably it’s just a punchy orange blossom or neroli. Not a big fan, smells like grandma for me :) However, the dry down is much smoother and slightly vanillic. Follow me on IG: scent.guide

When I was at my teens I read an article about the ten best perfumes of all times. According to it, Cornubia was one of them. It was the first time I had heard about it. Carrying this name, it was presented as a very glamorous and elegant perfume and recomended for exotic beauties. Many years later I bought it and, I must say, I was a bit disappointed. I like strong perfumes, but it was too strong. I like deep perfumes, but this was dark in an old-fashioned way. No, it's not for women with exotic appearance. It's very dark, but not mysterious. It lasts all day, but it gets tiring. Everybody would tell me that this perfume lasts for many hours, but none of them ever told me he/she likes it.

The notes read like a dream match for me, a floriental fan with an addiction to Orange blossom. Cornubia is not unpleasant it is just too much of a powder box for me. It should come with a powder puff because only my mum's perfumed talc powders of old were more powdery than this. I have worn Allure in the past so can stomach some powdery -ness but Cornubia is through the roof. It does eventually die down into a lovely soft cloud but it takes far too long to get there.....elsewhere Cornubia has decent sillage and good lasting power....Cornubia is a good scent, just not for me.

Smells like tissue paper... white flower bouquets and dusty, powdery. Sometimes smells too spicy and sweet, like cassia tea.

Old-fashioned. For fans of scents like Chanel No. 5. Heavy floral/honey. Powdery. 'Classic' perfume scent.

I tested this a couple times on warm April days and saved the rest for cold weather. Per some of the reviews below, I was expecting the heat to make this into a sugary beast, but it was a complete pussycat. I thought the high humidity might have subdued it— all I got was a skin-close soft sweetness. I couldn't distinguish notes. Today was unseasonably cold so I tried again. I was able to detect heliotrope and orange blossom. I can't tell if the sweetish, round note was amber or vanilla. I deeply wanted to be stirred by this perfume as I am besotted with the apothecary style bottle and its blousy, purple bow. Unfortunately, I seem to have a complicated relationship with orange blossom. In the spring, Houbigant's Oranger en Fleur overwhelmed me with its atomic potency despite the winning character of the citric-fresh flower. Now, Cornubia presents me with a coy orange blossom reminiscent of an after-bath splash or soap my grandmother favored— it didn't have a generic soapy smell, it was more of a waxy floral. This note is smoothed and rounded by amber/vanilla and undergirded by a strong heliotrope. The heliotrope has no almond nuance; it's on the baby powder end of the spectrum. (But it's just the smell whereas really powdery perfumes seem to present the wearer with multiple powdered notes, as if the powered texture has been applied liberally to many notes). The heliotrope begins the fragrance as a member of a trio and goes solo by the middle notes. This heliotrope isn't exactly a dainty powder puff. Two sprays on each wrist sends fragrant whiffs up to my nose with every movement and I couldn't smell the produce I tried to test in the grocery store because powdery Cornubia overpowered it. Longevity is close to seven hours. Nevertheless, heliotrope doesn't hold enough interest for me to wear Cornubia and, even though the bottle looks like something from A Room With A View, I think Lucy Honeychurch would also desire something with a little more spirit.

Cornubia is something unique in our perfume world.It`s not easy to mix flowers with ambery, vanillic and woody notes in such a perfect way.Really not possible to separate them- first impression is about flowery cloud finished with amber.There are white flowers present:mostly orange blossom, neroli and jasmine slowly dominated by powderiness. Heliotrope and vanilla heaven opens in the heart!And last for long hours. Cornubia is a velvety,fluidy, very rich scent with some sweet accents.Be careful about application, might be a bit overpowering so two/three sprays are enough. Sillage is moderate, longevity over six hours.Very good emanation.Suitable for autumn/winter time.It reminds a bit L`Heure Bleue: but -lost memories yes, melancholy- no ;) Bottle also is a small wardrobe treasure, with glass, spheric cap, and a violet knot. One of my favourite Penhaligon`s:flowery, powdery,even a bit dark -creates a kind of mystery aura around a woman who is wearing this beautiful scent

Penhaligon CORNUBIA is one potent little potion--again, I find myself wondering whether my sample vial might actually contain perfume! This is a winter composition: thick, viscous, heavy orange blossom suspended in some sort of indestructible ambery resin. I like this heady concoction, but it must be very sparingly applied, and I have only dared to wear it on sub-80F days such as we have been happily experiencing of late. CORNUBIA hits my nose as a linear creation which comes on very, very strong and fades over time, but it remains a spicy floral similar in some ways to champaca straight through to the drydown. Some will find this too heavy-handed and blunt. But for even those who like big, assertive perfumes, one drop will do!

Agree with others getting mostly white flowers and powder. I get just a whisper of vanilla sweetness - I wouldn't call it a sweet perfume. That's all I'm really getting - dry floral powder. I love heliotrope and I think Cornobia smells nice but probably I would always reach for other scents over this one. I prefer both Artemisia (more modern sweet/musky take on powdery from the brand) and Heliotrope Gingembre (sweeter/spicier) from my collection that are in the same sort of scent "genre" for me or I would wear them for the same occasions. Back in 1910 this may have been my top pick, lol! I've never liked other vintage formulations...Shalimar, etc. But this one smells good! Timeless.