Frederic Malle • Iris Poudre • Fragrances

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penh on 1/26/2006 3:33:00 PM more reviews by penh

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Other    

I purchase Iris Poudre as a decant from a certain wonderful E-bayer who does some lovely decants, so the price issue doesn't affect me because I feel like the decant prices are worth it. On me, Iris Poudre dries down and smells almost identical to Lanvin's Arpege. I love it because I love Arpege. Very feminine yet not too cloying or annoying.

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*TOP REVIEWER* thalia on 1/15/2006 1:17:00 PM more reviews by thalia

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

I've been a real fan of FM's line for a while now, but the IP just never grabbed my attenion before; I have a 5ml that either came in the test kit I bought or someone must have sent me... the first time I tried it I tested it really briefly and was underwhelmed, that was months and months ago... then a few days ago I tested it on a whim and have been wearing it ever since, enjoying it so much.

It reminds me SO strongly of something I had when I was a young girl, either perfume or a cosmetic or bath item that I or my grandmother had, for the life of me I can't remember what; a very old school feminine soft clean floral with oomph.

If you like Lovely and other similar softies, try this one. I don't tend to like pure florals; they come across as brash and headachey to me, but this is powdery and cozy.

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moogiemyer on 11/25/2005 2:26:00 PM more reviews by moogiemyer

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

This is a wonderful addition to my perfume collection.This starts off a little intense but quickly softens to a soft,cool and dry semi sweet fragrance. It is lightly green,the iris is soft and gentle,not jarring.Very comfortable and also elegant at the same time.F.Malle's website describes this as a floral aldehyde that reminds one of a cashmere sweater. That is an appropriate description.Beautiful,soft,elegant ,lightly floral and softly green is how I would best describe it.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Araindrop5 on 11/1/2005 7:27:00 PM more reviews by Araindrop5

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

One of the most sophisticated, breathtaking, spellbinding, gorgeous perfumes I have ever had the pleasure of wearing. One of the few perfumes that leaves me at a loss for adequate words. The reviewers below have done an excellent job of describing this. I'd give this 10 lippies if I could. Fortunately, the aldehydes failed to make an appearance on my skin. The first 15 minutes or so is a bit "strong" but after that it mellows out and all I get is hours and hours and hours of this gorgeous smooth cashmere-like blanket of pure heavenly perfection enveloping me. Utter perfection in a bottle. I can see myself wearing this 30-40 years from now, with a hip salt & pepper grandma haircut, hugging my grandkids and enveloped in Iris Poudre.

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*TOP REVIEWER* amykelley on 10/26/2005 3:29:00 PM more reviews by amykelley

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

Lots and lots of "poudre" suffocating a sweet, innocent iris. Luckily, I don't mind powdery fragrances, so I think Iris Poudre is pretty. It's a little too stuffy for my tastes, though.

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rosie00000 on 10/19/2005 6:33:00 PM more reviews by rosie00000

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

Read Maller's review. She nailed it! When you get past the first stage, the most true-to-life iris ever in perfume is revealed.

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ang5els on 9/17/2005 9:12:00 AM more reviews by ang5els

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

Iris Poudre was my second discoverey from the Malle line several years ago. As I mentioned in my review of Noir Epices, I find that all (or most) of the scents smell like "something else". This one immediately reminded me of Chanel no. 5 with some sweeter notes and the drydown is gorgeous (as I have found with most of the Malle scents). Still, the prices are outrageous and I'm sort of "over" this line. The minimalist bottles are fantastic, though. *Edit 11/1/2005* as I've been rediscovering the scents I wore a few years ago, I recently re-tried Iris Poudre. It's still beautiful. Brought me back to a very exciting and happy time in my life and I can definitely see myself wanting to wear this more often.

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liz_blake on 9/3/2005 12:39:00 PM more reviews by liz_blake

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Disclaimer: this fragrance falls within a family, floral-aldehydic, that I historically dislike and avoid. Therefore, I have no expertise in it; I can describe the subtle differences between Cabochard and Bandit, because years of wearing leather chypres have "trained" me in their nuances, but I'm a total novice when it comes to aldehydes/iris/orris. I never would have pursued this perfume; it came in a sample set and was the last one I tested. Suddenly, I was enveloped in all manner of pearly grays: an overcast sky, a soundless drizzle, a puddle on a concrete sidewalk, a shroud of fog, iridescent gray silk, luxurious gray cashmere, beads of mercury scattering across a gray marble floor. I realized that I have green perfumes and black perfumes, brown, white, cream, orange, and pink perfumes, but nowhere on my shelf was there a melancholy, silvery perfume like this one. So I bought it. Publicly, I still frown on powdery aldehydics. Privately, Iris Poudre and I have been smiling wistfully at each other more often than I feel comfortable revealing.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Maller on 8/1/2005 7:23:00 PM more reviews by Maller

Age: Unknown   Skin: Other   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Aldehyde phobics, be warned - only put on a very small amount and then quickly distract your nose for the next fifteen minutes or so. Brew some strong Guatemalan coffee, put your wrists behind your back and go inhale freshly mown grass, inhale fumes at the gas station...whatever. You're going to want to miss those first powerful, aldehydic minutes. However, if you make it through them, the reward is (to my nose) a lovely, sweet candied, slightly powdery iris/violet scent with a soft vanilla and sandalwood base. The aldehydes never totally vanish, but they fade enough so that they cease to be a problem (if they ever were in the first place).

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*TOP REVIEWER* BasiaS on 7/18/2005 9:42:00 PM more reviews by BasiaS

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I get the detached, cool, mature sensations from this iris fragrance. None of the warmth of Musc Ravageur, however. It's a good scent, nonetheless, and while it won't be a purchase for me, I'm glad to have a decant from a great MUAer. Lasting power is average.

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*TOP REVIEWER* CareerLady on 5/14/2005 8:01:00 PM more reviews by CareerLady

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

On my left wrist I have Frederick Malle Iris Poudre, which went on like a hairy boar in comparison to a flower, but which has dried down to a definite resemblance to the flower - but it's a little too warm. Or maybe it's my skin that's too warm. Something is too warm about it. I think it is loaded with a vanilla bottom note, which makes the perfume more likeable to a greater market, but which removes the entire outdoorsy quality of its floral nature. This is, I suppose, a more sophisticated perfume that should be worn out in the evening, nowhere near the outdoors. Further, the long it remains on my skin, the more perfumey it becomes. I give it a 4 out of 10 and categorize it with another Frederick Malle: Lipstick Rose, which is something a diva must wear to the opera.

What the perfumer says: Iris expresses raw classical beauty. Tonka bean, musk and vanilla bring softness and warmth, while the base of sandalwood and vetiver adds a melodious resonance. If Pierre Bourdon's IRIS POUDRE were a garment, it would be a cashmere sweater - classic but personal, appropriate for most occasions, something one never tires of. It is a grand floral aldehydic.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Sissi on 5/12/2005 11:42:00 AM more reviews by Sissi

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

This is simply perfection incarnated. I would give it ten lippies if I could. I don't think there's much I can add to the previous reviews. This is a classic, modern, elegant and comforting floral, magnificently composed. It seems to me as if L'Heure Bleue and Musc Ravageur had a love affair and Iris Poudre is their child: It posseses the melancholy, elegance and floral distance of L'Heure Bleue and the sensuality, warmth and roundness of Musc Ravageur.
This is a mature scent that evokes images of a mother, primping herself in front of the mirror before going out to the opera; a chic, sensual and hyperfeminine mother.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Wyrmiax on 4/27/2005 11:06:00 PM more reviews by Wyrmiax

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

This is magnificent. The previous reviewer's description--"artistic rendition of iris"--is very apt--I'm thinking especially of Van Gogh's iris painting.

This reminds me of Creed's 2000 Fleurs, which has many of the same notes. The previous mention of "the heart of Chanel #19" also comes to mind. This is not as green as either of those, and I found myself missing that greenness, because it turns very sweet on me. ("What doesn't?" you're now thinking, if you've read some of my other reviews.) By the end, it was almost fruity.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Chamuda on 4/22/2005 7:14:00 PM more reviews by Chamuda

Age: Unknown   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Smells like jasmine more than iris. For that reason, I like it! (I dislike most other iris scents.) It is warm and soft, unlike most iris scents which I find cold and sharp.

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*TOP REVIEWER* lilacterp on 4/22/2005 1:41:00 PM more reviews by lilacterp

Age: Unknown   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Iris Poudre may just be the prettiest iris perfume I've smelled. It's actually not as powdery as the name suggests, which is good for me. I smell true iris, an unsoapy unpowdery beautiful floral that is slightly sweet and fresh at the same time. It is not bottle worthy for me, but for anyone looking for a pretty spring iris perfume, give Iris Poudre a sniff. Understated and elegant, another great creation from Frederic Malle Editions de Parfum.

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*TOP REVIEWER* staci23 on 3/29/2005 8:09:00 PM more reviews by staci23

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

Words cannot adequately describe my love of this fragrance. It's bordering on signature scent worthiness for me....and I NEVER aspired to have a signature scent. After trying this lovely powdery light floral, everything else pales in comparison. It's perfect for every occasion and I fear this may be my last review if the honeymoon does not end with Iris Poudre!

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*TOP REVIEWER* LipstickLil on 3/16/2005 12:38:00 PM more reviews by LipstickLil

Age: Unknown   Skin: Normal, Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Iris Poudre is my favourite Frederic Malle fragrance. It is just beautiful! As others have mentioned, it is a cool, soft, powdery iris, not too sweet and with a hint of violet and jasmine peeking through. I detect some vanilla too, but not too much, and in any case the scent is masterfully blended. I find it refined and elegant and delicious all at the same time. It's definitely worth a full bottle!

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cdvoyles on 2/25/2005 11:03:00 PM more reviews by cdvoyles

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

This. Is. Glorious. Very refined, powdery, unsweet woodsy iris, with some sharp aldehydic topnotes. Feels like the very heart of what I love in Chanel No. 19. Austere, brilliant, meditative. Not sensual in the least, but gravely beautiful. Puts me in mind of Kristin Scott Thomas in Angels & Insects.

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Lotos on 12/1/2004 6:14:00 AM more reviews by Lotos

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Blue    

I guess this does not work on my skin! To me, iris poudré, is a kind of sour, hair-spray-like scent. I tried my sample now for a week, but my nose just dislikes it. Maybe I have a wrong idea of how an iris-scent should smell.
And honestly, can someone show me where in this scent to search for the deepness and darkness, that other reviewers rave about? Sorry, but to me the whole Frederic Malle story is a bit like the fairy tale "The emperor's new dress" (Des Kaisers neue Kleider).

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*TOP REVIEWER* laurenaj on 11/10/2004 7:26:00 AM more reviews by laurenaj

Age: 44-55   Skin: Very Dry   Hair: Red   Eyes: Brown    

I normally can not stomach powdery scents, but with Iris Poudre, I am hooked! From the intial application to it's dry down, I love every moment of it's ever morphing creativity. It changes so much through out the day it's like wearing 10 different perfumes at once. Lovely soft,complex and very feminine.

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