Here you have your history lesson, no, not this perfume review, I mean the perfume itself.
Nina Ricci L Air Du Temps was created right after the war, in 1948, by Francis Fabron. What you smell today is a slightly different formula, as the original had to be changed due to ever-evolving allergen regulations, and probably (as it always happens with perfumes that have been around for decades) to cut some costs by substituting those ingredients that had become too expensive with cheaper ones with almost the same smell.
The opening is ephemeral; it seems like the perfume needs some time to put all the artillery in place. The first officer to come out is rose, but then carnation adds up, and then the bouquet boasts so many flowers that it’s not even worth mentioning them.
Let’s just say that the result is sure floral, but also sweet. Yet, that’s not the main thing about L’Air du Temps: it’s the talcum-like quality that it gets. If this is not powdery, I don’t know what that is.
Overall it’s quite dense and intense (after more than 24 hours, it was still very much alive on the blotter, so you’re warned) with the most likely purpose to be – if not seducing – at least attractive. Of course it’s this powdery quality that gives it this aura of “old stuff.” As it evolves towards the finale however, it becomes gentler, more reasonable and easier to wear.
If you have a mom or grandma who regularly wore perfumes, Nina Ricci Lair Du Temps was probably their favourite one. Should it remain that way? Maybe not. I mean, it would be too easy to recommend this only if you re over 50 with a mature and classic demeanour.
But I would say that if you’re bold enough, go and wear it, it’s 2011 2012 for god’s sake, and there are not many perfumes left on the market offering you a small window to the past like that. And if somebody says you smell old, you can reply “nope, it’s vintage.”
If this fragrance was a color it would be this:
L’air Du Temps Perfume
L'Air Du Temps Parfum
Please send info where I can order the bottle of pure perfume of “L” Air du Temps r send me a phone number I can call to order it. Not very good at ordering online. Thank You
My wife’s absolutely only perfume for 25 years. But can’t find it anywhere now–only;y EDT and EDP versions, which she hates. Can you tell me where it is sold in the US?
Hei Eric, thanks for stopping by.
Try this link: http://www.nellbutler.com/L_AIR_DU_TEMPS_W.html
the first of the list is the parfum version.
Hope this helps, let me know how it goes.
Emma