Penhaligon's • Bluebell • Fragrances

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Sherriberry on 7/18/2012 4:31:00 AM more reviews by Sherriberry

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

I've wanted to try Bluebell ever since I read about it in an interview with Rosamund Pike - I love bluebells, but not this fragrance. Luckily I bought a sample off of eBay and not an entire bottle, though the lovely bottle and pretty blue of the fragrance may be worth it for collectors. This is a simple floral overwhelmed by a spicy note that reminds me of cinnamon and then the entire scent quickly disappears like air freshener. I'm disappointed - I was really hoping to like this one.

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*TOP REVIEWER* BigEars on 7/9/2012 8:19:00 AM more reviews by BigEars

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

Cannot believe I have not reviewed this before as it is one of my 'go to' Spring scents. On some people it is actually very sweet but not on me. I find it very wet and green, just the thing for Spring/Summer. On a pedantic note, this is NOT Scottish Bluebell which has little or no scent. But in England Bluebell/Wild Hyacinth are interchangeable and this is a wild hyacinth scent - very pretty and won't scare the horses!

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*TOP REVIEWER* prettykitty1 on 5/3/2012 9:22:00 PM more reviews by prettykitty1

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

Like Estee Lauder's Private Collection, Bluebell is a powerful but ethereal fragrance that uncannily evokes the smell of freshly cut leaves and stems from a garden dripping with dew. But there's a twist-- once you get past the first thirty seconds of intense greenness, a floral note begins to emerge, sweetening the overall composition while the green notes slowly step back. That floral note is immediately recognizable as hyacinth, and it takes my breath away for its utter realism. There's also a dash of cinnamon or clove-like spice in there, but barely detectable. Mostly, it's all about the hyacinth.


Not since Un Lys by Serge Lutens have I encountered a floral fragrance that so perfectly captures the scent of a living flower, from the blossom to the stem to where the roots touch the earth. It's that incredible.


An aside: I'm puzzled by the sheer number of people who have sampled this fragrance, hoping this would be a sexy, glamorous scent because of the reported connection to Princess Diana. But honestly, Bluebell is not what most of us would classify as a seductive or glamorous scent at all. Like other realistic, clean-smelling florals such as Un Lys and Anais Anais, it's so prim and proper that it's downright asexual. Because seriously, there's nothing sexy about the smell of a bouquet of flowers or the inside of a florist's shop. But it's certainly a beautiful smelll, and that's the whole point of this fragrance: beauty for the sake of beauty, not beauty for the sake of seduction.


If we really want to discuss how this fragrance may have captured some aspect of Princess Diana's world, it's certainly not the borderline personality disorder, the eating disorder, the smoldering extramarital affairs, or other dramatic elements in her life: this fragrance seems to capture the stereotypical British notion of the stiff upper lip, the upholding of royal traditions, and the legendarily damp, fragrant air of an English garden. It's pure propriety, not prurience. And that's exactly what I like about it. In a world filled with so many "sexy" scents that try so hard to be over-the-top, this one says, "Let's not get carried away."

I can see a full bottle of this in my future. It feels lush and cool, like a shaded garden bench on a clear day.

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thistle100 on 4/4/2012 3:17:00 AM more reviews by thistle100

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

This is a clean scent, as others have said, like a spring garden. The problem with it was twofold. First, it lasted only minutes, then couldn't be detected either by me or anyone else I asked. And secondly, my airways closed up completely a few minutes after I sprayed some on my wrist.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Codeblue on 1/8/2012 10:24:00 PM more reviews by Codeblue

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

LOL I love the old vase water description and that very thought ran through my head when I first spritzed this on. After a few moments, I started to smile and wondered "What IS this potion?" I find it so hard to describe but impressions such as cold, formal, old, young, bitter, restrained, stuffy, embalmed, inhibited, fresh, haunting, spring, subdued, proper, and ladylike ran through my head. The putrid old vase water was gone and I was left stumped for words, which for me is a rarity if not miraculous. Left me shaking my head, but still smiling. Final impression: contradictory. Maybe that's why I like it, because it dances to its own tune, like me. It's most likely a simple matter of body chemistry. Tut tut well done, Penhaligon old chap!

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

skinnyfooted1 on 10/14/2011 5:51:00 PM more reviews by skinnyfooted1

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Olive, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

i know this is awful but this was what wwent through my head when i tried Bluebell on:

"Princess Diana wore this?! No wonder Prince Charles cheated on her! I would if my wife wore this. It doesn't matter if you're uncannily beautiful, if you smell sin you can't be near the smell!"

That said, I absolutely adored Princess Diana and cry every time I think of her. My lip is even quivering a little right now! But truly, this did NOT smell good. Maybe my chemistry hates certain smells (as I am learning it does), but this one was yet another scrubber.

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veronicafrench on 9/20/2011 1:20:00 PM more reviews by veronicafrench

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

Not my favorite. Very clean smelling quite like a spring garden after a rain shower but definitely not sexy! I agree that it is a great formal fragrance to wear for meeting dignitaries.

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gummiibears on 7/25/2011 12:31:00 AM more reviews by gummiibears

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I was really hoping to like this, but unfortunately, this scent does not like my skin at all and just becomes a chemical spill. Instead of a crisp floral with a bit of a spicy dry down, like I was expecting, all I get is a really strong, uniformly unpleasant smell, like bathroom cleaner. The only good thing is that this is a terribly weak scent, so I did not suffer long.

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*TOP REVIEWER* EIGNA on 5/19/2011 7:25:00 PM more reviews by EIGNA

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I love this floral with crisp green notes. Reminds me of a clear spring day. I'm also partial to the robin's egg blue tint to the perfume. Lovely. Too bad my boyfriend isn't a fan of this one; too heavy for his liking (he prefers the Dolce & Gabanna Light Blue).

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*TOP REVIEWER* zeynepd on 12/12/2010 4:26:00 PM more reviews by zeynepd

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

This smells like old vase water on me, and like many fragrances from Penghalion's, it is very realistic:)

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*TOP REVIEWER* msm4slm on 6/27/2010 10:27:00 AM more reviews by msm4slm

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

Penhaligon's Bluebell is a light, delicate floral with a very slightly spicy note. It lies close to the skin. It is done in the rather prim, starched English floral style. I can easily picture Princess Diana wearing this one (whereas 24 Faubourg, I think, though rich and beautiful, was a little too "done" and did not suit her), particularly in her younger days. It also brings to mind the Caron floral Muguet du Bonheur and Bellodgia. Different flowers; same type style. "Pretty" and "Shy" are definitely adjectives to describe this perfume. The downside of this gentle fragrance is its lasting power which is next to nil (like Princess Di also?). The bottle is cute--a charming little Brit for your dressing table.

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Jessmoberry on 6/27/2010 5:11:00 AM more reviews by Jessmoberry

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I have to echo here what previous reviewers have said - it smells like a garden, or like the countryside. It smells like stepping outside in the very beginning of spring, after all the flowers have just opened up, and a breeze carries their scent around the neighborhood...


Unfortunately, this scent is both as beautiful and fleeting as a spring breeze.


On my skin, Bluebell opens as a slightly soapy floral. Not too long after, the clove emerges. Cloves are the bane of my existence, so I was planning to get up and go wash this off... but it disappeared before I got the chance.


All in all, if you do not fear or loathe the cloves, this is a fresh, springy, clean floral with some unexpected depth. The spices do not come across as spicy, but they do keep it from being "just another floral".

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

Paolita on 3/25/2010 1:15:00 PM more reviews by Paolita

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

What a stinker! At first sniff it smells like the English countryside but the drydown is just awful! Smells like wet earth in a bad way!Like dirt! Or like an unwashed crotch! I wonder how Diana Spencer,Princess of Wales,used this...I like Penhaligon's creations but this one is an exception!

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*TOP REVIEWER* Sayoko on 1/16/2010 4:38:00 PM more reviews by Sayoko

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Dark, Neutral   Hair: Black, Relaxed, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I am not Dissapointed with Penhaligon's blubell at all! this is exactly what I expected from this all time classic british fragrance Cool, sweet, and very floral. This reminds me of Hyacinths than any perfume with Hyacinths notes I've ever tried! This definately takes me back to Yorkshire England. I don't get the meticallic/chemical smell that other reviewers mentioned, maybe it's about body chemistry. Speaking of which this works really well with me. I think bluebell is one of those you either like it or you don't type of fragrance I'd definately buy this again.

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

aelgif on 11/2/2009 6:30:00 AM more reviews by aelgif

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I never expected to like this, but out ordered a sample from luckyscent out of curiosity. Very glad I did, because it's become one of my favourite fragrances. On my skin it is a light, delicate, almost spicy hyacinth that wears close to the skin. I love the initial burst of freshness before it turns powdery, so to freshen it up for the whole day I sometimes layer with Jo Malone's Orange Blossom.

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

sharviss on 9/21/2009 1:20:00 AM more reviews by sharviss

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I wanted to like it for its cute name and cute bottle but it smelled like old vase water on me. Old vase water with a bit of sugar added. Bleck.

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weenerdogg on 8/30/2009 11:51:00 PM more reviews by weenerdogg

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I really wanted to like this after all I have heard but it just didn't work for me. I found it too cold, which admittedly can work if it is the right fragrance (Clinique Wrappings, anyone?) but paired with the soapiness it was just too much for me. I give it three lippies because I can appreciate the compisition and complexity even though it is not for me. A classic as long as it is one someone else.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Melloney on 5/22/2009 2:17:00 PM more reviews by Melloney

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

Bluebell is not actually made from bluebell extract- it is Cyclamen, Hyacinth and Cinnamon ,top notes, heart notes and basenotes respectively. BUT this is a beautiful english scent that reminds me of my walks through the woods covered in bluebells in Dorset. It's very very sweet upon application and that mellows out to a long lasting fresh floral and green fragrance. My favourite Penhaligon.

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exaudi33 on 2/24/2009 10:34:00 AM more reviews by exaudi33

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I've been addicted to Bluebell dusting powder since 1985 and was sorely disappointed by a recent purchase from Saks (NYC). It does not smell right at all; more like a men's fragrance with sharp elements I can' t identify, not at all the sweet Bluebell I know and love. Living upstate, it isn't exactly convenient to return it, so what a disappointment! I hope they haven't messed with the formula. Or, perhaps I'd better just order it from England. A shame that their Madison Avenue boutique closed down, as it offered knowledgeable, personal service.

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moonstone2 on 12/16/2008 3:22:00 PM more reviews by moonstone2

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I purchased a sample of Bluebell after becoming intrigued by its reputation as a favorite amongst the British monarchy. I generally gravitate toward fresh florals (En Passant is my current HG) and have long fantasized about finding an old-fashioned, very British, pleasantly clean and soap-like scent. I like Pure Grace, but find it too one-dimensional to enjoy as much more than a shower gel. Bluebell, on the other hand, sounded like it might contain just the right balance of soapiness, sweetness and earthiness to satisfy these requirements. And indeed, to my nose, Bluebell *does* have a pristine and soapy air about it; alas, the sweetness is what is lost on my skin. The final effect of this interesting fragrance is at once tasteful, polite, and decorous, but also off-puttingly sour and formal. Bluebell is perhaps the least "come hither" fragrance I have ever sampled, but possibly perfect to wear while visiting the Queen, or, as reviewer Wend1 astutely noted, living out one's existence as a haunted and repressed, yet impeccibly well-dressed ghost in a musty, old-world, dimly-lit mansion (ala Nicole Kidman in The Others). The notes, according to Lucky Scent, are as follows: Citrus, Hyacinth, Lily of the Valley, Cyclamen, Jasmine, Rose, Galbanum, Clove, Cinnamon.

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