Because of the where I live, I find that most of the perfumes that I own are “fall” scents. I tend to buy gourmands and rich amber perfumes. This is what works with my climate and this is what works for me. I have perfume friends that live in warmer climates. Their perfume collection is the complete opposite of mine. This makes sense. Who wants heavy fragrances in hot climates? Not too many people (unless they spend all of their time in a freezing, air-conditioned space). I’ve been asked about “summer”amber and gourmands. Ever since I first sniffed Les Nuits d’Hadrien, I’ve always thought of it as the perfect amber perfume for warm climates.
Les Nuits d’Hadrien opens up as a zesty citrus with licorice. The scent is bitter and fresh. Les Nuits d’Hardrien has “night” in the title, but it isn’t dark. This opening is sunny but not blindingly bright like some citrus perfumes or like Eau d’Hadrien. Les Nuits d’Hadrien conjures up daylight and warm summer days. It’s a warm citrus with spice. I get cumin and caraway. LNdH isn’t dirty but it is a little sweaty/salty in the way that Eau de Sud is. I get dry cypress mixed with the bitter citrus and needed spice. The heart of this fragrance is dry and herbal. LNdH does have a base more hefty than regular ‘ole Hadrien, but it is still a very fresh base, not too heavy. It’s clean florals, dried herbs, light woods, and a sunny amber. The dry-down is my favorite part of the fragrance.
When I wear LNdH, I am reminded me of very hot summer days that aren’t too hot to enjoy being outside in the shade or by the waterfront. This is an unisex perfume and I prefer to smell it on rugged, masculine types, oh, how the spices blossom!
Notes listed include green mandarin, tangerine, bergamot, Sicilian lemon, ylang-ylang cumin, sandalwood, white musk, amber, and vanilla.
Give Les Nuits d’Hadrien a try if you like citrus perfumes. Or if you like perfumes like Arquiste L‘Etrog, Annick Goutal Eau d’Hadrien, Annick Goutal Eau Sud, Caron Yatagan, Serge Lutens Arabie, and/or Caron L’Anarchiste. Les Nuits d’Hadrien is unisex. I prefer it as a masculine. However, most of the people I know that wear it are women.
I have to spray lots of Les Nuits d’Hadrien to get the projection that I want. I find that this fragrance has below average projection and longevity for an EDP.
I have reviewed the EDP. An EDT is also available. The EDT is lighter and more herbal in my opinion.
The EDP isn’t as easy to find. The 3.4 oz EDT is available at Nordstrom for $120. You can occasionally find this one at discounters like Perfume Worldwide for a really good price.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – A warm citrus. A “summer” amber. If you live in a warmer climate, you may want to try this one. It could be your fall or winter perfume and my summer perfume 🙂
Want more reviews? Try..
Basenotes – Member reviews
Fragrantica – Member reviews
I have never tried this one, thanks for the nudge. Would Encens Flamboyant also work for you in the summer? It’s one incense that I can during this heat, along with SSS Incense Pure.
bloody frida recently posted..a week of scent
I remember when this one came out how much positive press it was getting. It really was a refreshing launch at the time.
I think that Encens Flamboyant would work in the PNW’s mild summers. I don’t know how it would do in extreme heat. I just got back from Vegas, I now understand what a warm climate is 😉
This is one of my favorites. I wore it all last summer in sweltering New York and transitioned it into the fall without any problems.
My favorite part is the soft, woody drydown. Out of all the AG fragrances, I get the feeling that it gets overlooked often — which is a shame since it’s really nice.
Thanks for giving it a little love and attention in your review!
Daisy recently posted..The Daring Kitchen July Cooks’ Challenge: Papillotes de pêches et framboises à la vanille (Peaches and Raspberries Cooked in Parchment Paper with Vanilla Bean)
If I lived in a warmer climate, I’d have a bottle. I can see it transitioning effortlessly into fall!
I also find it odd that more men don’t wear it.
Just checked out your blog and love it!
Aw! Thanks! I think your blog is awesome too. I look forward to following your adventures to come!
Yes, I’m not sure why it doesn’t seem like men wear it. I wonder if it’s kind of the feminine image that AG projects. Or maybe that it’s so French . . . I love the whole line though.
I have guy friends that avoid the AG line because of the bottles, even the square ones. They say they are too “girly”.
It’s a shame. They are missing out on some beautiful fragrances just because of the packaging!
Daisy recently posted..The Daring Kitchen July Cooks’ Challenge: Papillotes de pêches et framboises à la vanille (Peaches and Raspberries Cooked in Parchment Paper with Vanilla Bean)