Reviews of Iris Poudre (2000)
by Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle

The opening of Iris Poudre is one of the most beautiful fragrance openings ever - the powdery iris is just magnificent. However, after a bit there is an abrupt switch to the vanillic middle and base notes, which become less impressive, and a bit "cool" in tone. It is by no means awful, and is still a very beautiful fragrance, but the drydown leaves me a little disenchanted. Iris Poudre is like a gorgeous woman who looks amazing and comes on with huge amounts of charm, only to turn out to actually be kind of regular once you get to know her. I still think it is one of the better examples of this style and is a very worthwhile addition to anyone's fragrance wardrobe.

I don't really get this one. It is a floral aldehyde seriously lackin any sort of weight. The aldehydes are too watery and the iris almost imperceptible to me. This is hardly a grand showcase to iris. Ok, but not brilliant. Serge lutens Iris Silver Mist is a million times better.

The name says it all: a powdery iris. But it's not a huge powderiness, it's quite soft. And I have trouble with iris notes. They usually come off too 'cosmetic' as in 'the waxy overtones of the smell of lipstick'. I disliked the iris in Dior Homme but I can appreciate it here. Turns a little fruity towards the end which is probably what softens the iris and powders up to a gentle hum of a fragrance.

My first thought upon sniffing Iris Poudre is "Wow, this smells just like Chanel's No.5!" After it settles, and the basenotes become more prominent, I agree 100% with Cedriceccentric who said: "If Chanel would have made a No.5 for men this is what it would have been like." I attribute the slightly masculine vibe to the tonka in the base - although it is quite obviously a unisex frag. A smooth, wearable aldehydic floral.

I must be made of sugar because I turn all fragrances sweet. This one opens so beautifully, like a blast of flower petals and plum liqueur with a hint of citrus.

I love the opening. It is stunning! I'm also surprised by this fragrance because it didn't seem to match the "powdery" expectation.

Within minutes... I'm sitting in a vat of honey with supremely scented flower petals raining on me. If this was a joy ride at a perfume theme park I would be squealing with delight, but kind of glad when I got off the ride.

Another one I like, but can't wear.

Smooth and stunning in its opening, this scent is a pure floral-aldehyde masterpiece. The aldehydic rose-violet note makes its appearance alongside the top notes, and then the whole settles into its floral-aldehyde heart and woody oriental and musky base notes, quieting a bit and dropping a notch from its initial peak. The rest of the ride is milder, and more intimate and charming as it wins you over with seductive murmurs of slightly powdery sweetness.

Ahhhhh. This is a shower of lavender blue iris petals and soft scent. It does not smell like any recognizable iris, which are not known for their scent anyway. It is a perfect everyday for work or play, day or night. Men love it. I always get compliments, "ohhh you smell sooooo good" whenever I wear it.

The only problem is that I always choose it and neglect all of my other scents...

Stunning. Iris Poudre is at once beautifully soft, yet cool and austere. Magnolia, jasmine and iris meet in an accord whose whole is far greater then the mere sum of its parts. Meanwhile, the powder half of Iris Poudre is rich, and almost creamy, the aldehydes neither too "pretty" nor too harsh.

I can't rave wildly enough about the deft integration of the iris here. All of its rough edges are smoothed over, but this iris still has teeth. The development is marvelous, too, with sandalwood, powdery musk, and just a touch of vanilla sweetness underneath the lingering floral accord. Not merely exquisite, but the first iris scent I've been able to wear comfortably.

To me, it's vaguely reminiscent of Bulgari pour Femme. It must be the powder connection. At any rate, it is one of the more wearable Frederic Malle perfumes.

For anyone who is looking for a classic, straightforward, sweet and powdery iris--who could ask for more than this? Iris Poudre is an iris fragrance that almost anyone could feel comfortable wearing; it offers the best of that rooty, cool elegance but wraps it in a delicate, sweet powder (devoid of any metallic bite) and the result is a sophisticated and ladylike fragrance with a great nostalgic feeling.

Iris Poudre opens as warm, intense Chanel No 5 ... surely not a bad thing. It is highly aldehydic and ultra feminine, but also a bit heavy...again not a bad thing. Here's the problem: While this scent is very nice for about an hour, I start to not like it, as whatever is blatant in the final dry down is not so nice ... kind of old-fashioned in a "dime store" way. I have tried this fragrance over a period of several days and while I like it ever so slightly better with each try, the dry down turns me off every time. I can't really put my finger on which fragrance the dry down reminds me of, but it begins to give me a headache. I would think that mixing some of my favorite things: amber, vanilla, bergamot, muguet, sandalwood together would make me love this....but in the end, I just want to wash it off. I won't give it a thumbs down, because I like the opening and the heart, but the rest brings it to a neutral ... in addition to the fact that I do not see anything about this fragrance that is either "new" or "different." To me, it's all been done before.

I love the way the openning of this fragrance alludes to Chanel No. 5, plays with the references, and develops from something familiar into something entirely new.

The top notes are bright and floral. There is a candy note, but without the cloying honey-vanilla that usually turns me off in a sweet fragrance -- it's pastilles, not baked goods or bubblegum. The dry-down has a lovely hint of incense.

There is a brightness about the fragrance that reminds me of a cloudless morning with the sun reflected off fresh snow -- to me, it's an optimistic scent.

This is a captivating scent that creeps up on you and leaves you in awe of it's quiet unassuming beauty. Like a "jeune fille serieuse" it commands respect and encourages introspection and devotion. It stays very close to the skin, lingering there like a long-forgotten memory. I would wear this anywhere that required a little restraint and graciousness - ideal for a wedding for example, or a visit to the in-laws. It's not a "come and get me" perfume, but rather one that suggeststhe wear iser worth getting to know gradually - worth the wait in other words!! it is very expensive, but worth saving up for.

This is a very grown-up ladylike scent, that lasts well and is just utterly wonderful. It smells like an adult woman: not harsh, not weak, not flowery or blousy, not kick-ass, not mumsy, not girlish; womanly. This smells like you know how to walk in high heels, you wear red lipstick if you want to and aren't afraid to carry a £200 handbag, even if you're actually wearing jeans and flip flops. Being able to wear this perfume is one of the (few) benefits of reaching 40.

Iris Poudre is a striking fragrance. It's slightly sweet and almost powdery (aldehydes) but it smells damp and earthy as well. Iris Poudre must fascinate anyone who comes close to someone wearing it. It's an impelling, dazzling creation that makes you want to keep sniffing it; to experience it continually. I don't mean to be histrionic, but Iris Poudre is breathtaking.

It really took me a few days to appreciate this scent. I got a small sample of it from the sales girl with my recent Frederic Malle purchase. I told her that I don't wear florals (not that they aren't great - they just aren't ME) but she insisted I try it anyways. Upon first application, I hated it. I had to resist the urge to wash it right off. But after a while, I forgot about it, and would occasionally catch a whiff of something in the air. "What IS that wonderful smell?" I thought. Then I realized it was me. I wore Iris Poudre again the next day and fell in love. This truly is a work of art. And completely wearable my a male, I might add.

Smells a bit like No. 5, but at twice the price. The perfumer is obviously a very talented artist, and I am, admittedly, in love with this fragrance. Still, I have a hard time believing that most men could pull this off. It smells of a rich woman in the 1920's. Very powdery but not too sweet, it is a superbly rich blend of aldehydes, flowers, and amber. To me this is definitely a more aggressively feminine fragrance than many of the others in Malle's collection, but perhaps some men can pull it off. Still, a work of art in its own right.

Made for a dandy man or a very feminie woman,this scent is sweet,soft,powdered and easy wearing:Elegance and sophistication...One of the fragance would call perfect.
try it!

This is amazing. One of the best fragrances I know. Powdery, aldehydic, yet definitely wearable by a man.

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.

This one is the revelation out of my F.Malle test box. I knew I would like Vetiver, Bigarade and Noir Epices...But this was the last one I tested. It's very powdery at first but the drydown is masculine enough. If Chanel would have made a No5 for men this is what it would have been like.