Quelques Fleurs l’Original by Houbigant

It’s an elegant fragrance, ideal for special nights. It has incredible trail and longevity; you don’t need to apply much because the fixative is brutal. It’s expensive and hard to get here, so I ordered it from my neighbour. It smells almost identical to Iliana Jivago’s 24K, which I believe was inspired by it. Both are top-tier, but I stick with Iliana’s. Highly recommended if you’re looking for something that smells deliciously expensive and sensual.

I bought this perfume today, and although I tested it and it stayed on my skin for hours without evaporating, I love it. I like perfumes that take time to transform; it’s a good sign that it won’t lose that first touch that hooks you. This one has that guarantee. I feel very comfortable wearing it, very floral. I detect the bergamot and that musk that neutralises the talcum powdery note. Recommended 100% if you like intense aromas, in this case, florals. It reminds me of Jessica McClintock’s style: very floral, long-lasting, strident, intense, and muuuuch feminine.

I’ve always been interested in this fragrance, which claims the title of being the first multifloral perfume in history. Moreover, it’s said that many great houses took it as a reference, including Chanel No. 5, which came out nine years later. The old version is a soft floral with aldehydes, lilac, musk, vanilla, honey, and heliotrope. I clearly detect these notes. It’s like a soft, shy, talcum-powdered, creamy, and sweet lilac. A very romantic floral and representative of the Belle Époque. The jasmine and roses are there, but hidden behind the lilac, difficult to perceive. There’s also a soft base of sandalwood and civet that adds richness without being noticeable. The new version is much more strident and potent, not only in longevity but in composition. The base is more affected by woods: there’s sandalwood, but also oak moss and cedar. The heliotrope, vanilla, and honey of the first version now shine less than the green and citrus notes. They are two different perfumes, except that… once the new version settles on the skin, the magic happens: the lilac rises above everything, positioning itself at the top. It’s a creamy, talcum-powdered lilac, less sweet than the original but with the same characteristics. Here is where both versions unite past and present, smelling practically identical. Classic of classics, worth trying both the vintage and the new formula. I recommend this fragrance for lovers of the Belle Époque.

One of my favourites: a characterful classic, very different from the rest. Very feminine and lasts all day.