Reviews of Cuir Pleine Fleur (2008)
by Heeley

well.... I love the two Heeley scents I own, Cardinal and Menthe Fraiche, but this one... can't do it.

This house clearly makes fragrances on an exquisite level; never do I get a whiff of any odd notes. Fine Leather opens with an amazing suede-like leather accord, with florals backing it up... but thats about where the leather starts, and unfortunately stops. This becomes a bit more of a violet scent than a leather. Also, for an eau de parfum, the strength is dim. One of the shops selling this talks about the birch notes, and that is what mingles with the florals VERY soon into the whole experience.

I'll give it a thumbs sideways, as it isn't awful, just ain't what I think it should be.

I love this subtle leather scent. Soft and floral with a bookish leather vibe, this reminds me--for some reason--of Grey Flannel, but as if Grey Flannel's richer European cousin came to town. One of Heeley's greats (along with Cardinal).

I stumbled across Cuir Pleine Fleur when I was in one of my leather moods and ordered this unsniffed off a favorite decanter's website. I love vintage Diorling (aka "Leather Goddess") and so decided to do a comparison sniff-test.

Diorling (at least the vintage version) is full-on new Cadillac car leather whereas Cuir Pleine Fleur is a delicate floral/leather fragrance that is ethereal and heartbreakingly beautiful. It is very well blended and I could only barely catch the violet note. Cuir Pleine Fleur is quite soft and not too long lasting but I am so in love with it that I am willing to keep re-applying it. I don't believe my current decant will last long.

Here are the notes per LuckyScent: violet, mimosa, birch, soft leather notes and vetiver.