Annick Goutal • Eau de Ciel • Fragrances

Where To Buy?

deuxbisous on 10/7/2012 5:58:00 AM more reviews by deuxbisous

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Eau du Ciel is the first Goutal I ever owned and it was definitely love at first sniff. It truly smells like a summer's day to me. Where I grew up there was an old church in a neighbouring village with a row of linden trees outside. When they were in full bloom, in late June, if you caught the scent on the air, it was sweet and gentle and divine. Up close, standing under the trees, it was over-poweringly sweet and cloying. Linden (Tilleul) is one of the key notes in Eau du Ciel and I think it is judged just right. There is this limpid sweetness that hangs in the air but it isn't cloying. The sillage is just exquisite. It reminds a bit of Apres L'Ondee, with the iris and violet, and I wouldn't be surprised if this were an inspiration. But whereas I've always found AL'O to be chilly and a bit old-fashioned, EduC is warm and modern. It is now well over 20 years old but it was ahead of its time in the late 80s and still smells completely current.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* tessture on 3/4/2012 11:07:00 AM more reviews by tessture

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This went on me green, oily and almost old-style French but missed that with a modern lemon green edge. The wood notes are a subdued background support. Nice first on with a bright Linden green citrus feeling, then softening towards a gorgeous sweet hay note. Later it is a soft velvety green hay with faint clean but not soapy edges. I am really loving this. It IS summer in a bottle!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* sdportugal on 2/13/2012 4:01:00 PM more reviews by sdportugal

Age: 44-55   Skin: Very Dry, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

I have been wearing Ciel since it was created 26 yers ago. It smells like summer in a bottle. Summer in the countryside, not the beach. On me, it is all freshly cut grasses and linden (lime blossom). It is innocent and refreshing and not at all sexy. That's OK, I have plenty of sultry fragrances. I generally wear it during the warmer months, but it is also nice on a winter day, when I am feeling as if winter will never end..

When I think about it, I have probably purchased over 50 bottles of Ciel. I go through a lot of it because I use it on my linens and my dogs (I know... I am ridiculous).

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* AntFarm on 1/4/2012 5:27:00 PM more reviews by AntFarm

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Red, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

Incredibly lovely; floral and clean. Reminds me of one of those slow-motion videos of a flower opening. This is actually a little too floral for me though. Lasting power and sillage were much better than most Annick Goutals. If it were more "me", I would buy it.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* Isolinde on 10/15/2010 2:54:00 AM more reviews by Isolinde

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

Like all AG scents, this doesn't last as long a I wish it did. Unlike others, it lasts more than a minute or two. (in the neighborhood of 6 hours, on me)

This is what AG scents shoud be, in my opinion: it lasts long enough to be worth applying, and is strong enough to bother with. If they were all like this, I'd be in trouble, since I'd need enough money to buy them. As it is, Eau de Ciel is the first I've bought.

The name basically says it all for me. It smells like the air right after a spring rain in a humid climate. The notes blend together well enough that I can only smell them when I'm deliberately searching for them.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

kensington on 5/3/2010 7:53:00 AM more reviews by kensington

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

watery, unique , truly beautiful, like a beautiful memorable summer rainy day in a devine peaceful garden. Evokes child like memories but its in no way sickly sweet. Strangely sophisticated in a strangely musky way....... one of a kind, devine. Downside is lasting power- isn't great . Sniff it from the bottle and you are instantly transformed somewhere calm, warm and wonderful.
Thankful they make unique perfumes like this ......

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* msm4slm on 2/27/2010 12:56:00 PM more reviews by msm4slm

Age: 44-55   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This is perhaps not such a bad scent so much as it is incompatible with my chemistry.

Unlike many other perfumes, Eau de Ciel opens beautifully delicately. I love Annick Goutal's heavy, classically feminine bottles. What's not to love, right?

Well, within about ten minutes all this delicate freshness turns to insecticide! Very citronella mixed with a touch of hay and dampness.

Do not buy this one on a whim at a department store! Get yourself a sample and test it a few days! Even the smaller bottle is $90 so take your time and make sure it will work for you!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

zebraxing on 5/4/2009 1:01:00 PM more reviews by zebraxing

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Pretty, in a damp sort of way. I'm getting meadow AND dog. Maybe dog in meadow? Satisfied with my decant; I guess 5ml will be enough for a sniff and a smile every now and then, so I will not be investing in a full bottle. 1 extra lippie for said smiles.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* fpih on 3/10/2009 3:59:00 PM more reviews by fpih

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

100% citrous for me, low sillage and bad lasting power. Definitely not worth buying.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

elsier on 4/14/2008 11:55:00 PM more reviews by elsier

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I can imagine l'eau du ciel as a lightly savory soda pop made with sweet grassy rainwater from an era long gone. A time I can only wish to have known where floral flavorings weren't considered quite as adventurous as they are today.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

courty on 2/28/2008 4:15:00 PM more reviews by courty

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I can't believe i haven't reviewed this fragrance before! it is my #1 HG scent, hands down. i have been wearing this for years, almost every day, and never tire of it. i remember the first time i tried it, at saks- i sprayed a bit on a card, sniffed it, then immediately sprayed it onto my jacket and wrists, walked around for a couple minutes, then bought it. for me, this is very unusual- i usually need a sample of a fragrance to try for a week or so before i'll purchase. but my initial reaction this one was very strong and definite. i loved this it immediately.

eau de ciel reminds me of a field of wildflowers. on me, it smells of linden and hay, and slightly of iris. on the initial spritz, the scent of hay almost makes me want to sneeze- it is a strong, dry, summery scent. the smell remains unchanged as it dries down, but does become lighter. it is definitely a scent that stays close to the skin- my only complaint is that i wish it had more sillage. however, it does last- if i put my wrist or my clothes up to my nose at the end of the day, the scent is still there.

eau de ciel is definitely not an overpowering, strong scent. it is contemplative, innocent, delicate, ethereal, light, childlike, unique, and unforgettable. i realize that it isn't for everyone, but personally i will never be without it.

15 out of 16 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Busyblue on 2/22/2008 9:13:00 PM more reviews by Busyblue

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I just love this. It's light, unassuming, airy, but in no way boring. When I first applied it, it reminded me of shampoo - the really good smelling kind. Then it dried down into a very pleasant scent, still a little shampoo-ish, but dreamy just the same. The violet in it is just right. The staying power is pretty good for me. I do reapply after about 4-5 hours, but that's just because I like it so much. This will be a FB purchase for me and I'm so glad I found it.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Perfumeaholic on 8/4/2007 11:19:00 PM more reviews by Perfumeaholic

Age: 44-55   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Having just joined this site and reading over the reviews, I thought I would see what others thought of a fragrance that I have been wearing for over 10 years and absolutely adore. I think what I have come to find out is just what we all know-our sense of smell differs and one fragrance will not be a pleaser for all. My tastes in fragrance are quite eclectic although I tend to drift toward the clean/green/fresh especially living in Florida. To me, Ciel is absolutely beautiful and I come back to it time and time again. I don't have any issues with staying power at all. I pretty much layer all my scents with a lotion and with Ciel since I live in the US and can't get the lotion at all (a friend is going to Paris in September and I hope she will bring some back with her) I simply use Cetaphil and the staying power is wonderful. Just like with any scent, it really is how it makes ME feel when I have it on-if someone else likes it, well, then-that's an added bonus.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* lisa_67 on 7/25/2007 2:40:00 PM more reviews by lisa_67

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

Wet dog? Musty basement? Too much violet? Wow, I get nothing close to these "notes" from this very lovely fragrance. This is my favorite Annick Goutal. What a perfect name for a scent that is clean, fresh and watery, but never goes the dreaded "marine" route. The notes in this fragrance are so subtle that it is difficult to pick them out individually. The overall effect is clean and dewy. I have many violet fragrances, but the violet in Eau du Ciel is quite different...very soft and unassuming. It's neither green nor powdery, as many violets can be. The same can be said of its iris note. The Brazilian woods note is a fine and gentle base; it's definitely not a "bois," but provides a nice grounding to the light florals. This is the essence of summer, and is almost a beachy fragrance to me...it's what I wanted Bond's Fire Island to be, and it's vastly superior to FI. The low staying power (~3 hours) does require a mid-day refresh. This is a wonderful fragrance for work, and for times when you want something light and fresh.

7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* veruska on 8/11/2006 12:49:00 AM more reviews by veruska

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

Thisbe's review is just what you should read.She captures the beauty of the perfume in every little detail.To me Eau De Ciel is also the perfect scent for children.It's the gentlest combination of iris with violet and just a hint of a spicy rosy wood.Although it's light as air(hence the name) it stays close to the skin for quite some time.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* amykelley on 6/14/2006 6:51:00 AM more reviews by amykelley

Age: Unknown   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

I would never in a million years have guessed the notes in Eau du Ciel. While the other reviewers wax beautifully poetic about violets, hay and rain, I sniff my arm and smell...soap. Harsh, non-moisturizing soap. Ivory soap. It's almost a twin to my favorite "clean" fragrance, Penhaligon's Castile. If I mash my nose against my skin, I can smell the faintest hint of something (ozone?) like the air before a Midwestern thunderstorm, but mostly I smell Eau d'Ivory. That's not a bad thing in my book.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Vicabady on 4/17/2006 7:10:00 AM more reviews by Vicabady

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Other    

On my skin, perfect chemistry. A light, fresh (not chilly), herbal-floral, understated yet *there*. After wearing this for a week, it´s fast becoming my spring signature scent (my summer one is Soleil de Fragonard, my autumn one Eau de Charlotte, my winter one is Vol de Nuit - so you get the idea.) Lovely bottle, too, but I deducted a lippie because it´s quite expensive.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Bernie on 4/12/2006 2:28:00 PM more reviews by Bernie

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

No offence to anyone here who likes this but wow, this is foul! I bought this from Ebay based on the rave reviews here...I'll never listen to you lot again! :) To me, this stuff smells like EA Sunflowers....putred! I can't understand why anyone would want to smell like this! On the plus side, what a pretty bottle...shame about the contents! Boo hoo....I could have bought Keiko Mecheri and I passed it up for this! >wails outloud at own foolishness

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* tippie on 3/4/2006 3:41:00 PM more reviews by tippie

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

I only get a tiny amount of iris and violet notes in Eau du Ciel,what I mostly get is fresh clean linen and the smell of fresh soil after a spring rain.Softly earthy ,natural, and comforting.Very pretty.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* Wyrmiax on 3/2/2006 12:18:00 AM more reviews by Wyrmiax

Age: 44-55   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I love the name and "image" of this, but all I get is violet. I love violet as an accent note, but not as the star performer. Violet is aggressively sweet to me (if that makes sense), and this one is a little gentler, so that's something.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No