L'Air du Temps by Nina Ricci

miss_pink

I must admit that today I went a little crazy while perfume shopping. In addition to Idole d Armani, I also bought a big bottle of this. It is something I might not have chosen myself: my mom told me I should buy it. She used to wear it years ago and still loves it (that is a little strange since nowadys she is only wearing Chanel N 5). I only listened to her because I could detect jasmine and carnation (two of my favorite flowers) when I sprayed it on a paper strip. I loved it so much that I hope I does not change that much when I spray it on my skin!!

silverbutterfly

To me L'Air du Temps smells like a durty knickers nowadays. Probably back in a days this was a great combination probably in 40es or earlier. It is like to walk in a park with lace umbrella, lady in a long white dress. Begining of last century. Something romantic though.Something sad and pleasant dreams.It is undefined smell:flowers,powder,breese. Still o.k. to have it, if it is someone signature smell"

smcookie60

I have been wearing this scent for a few years, I would not do without it at all. I use the shower gel and the body lotion. I think it is one of the best that I use

AnnMarie

I think that the advert for this fragrance is what sold it and for some people, the bottle. Another classic

MirabelleJee

I have an old Lalique flat bottle. Too strange, but when I wear it I feel a kind of green tea notes. Peachy-powdery notes are also present.

nyoka

I wore this one yesterday.I could smell it all day too.My hubby didnt care for it but,Im gonna ware it anyway.Love the peachy and amber notes in it.

soniamcalear

This is a wee to bit sweet for me. I put this in the catagory with Shalimar-both way too sweet and overpowering for me! No doubt nice on the right skin chemistry but not for me no way no how.

Njuta67

Funny then im had only this one and muskoil as child. Im had to wait in days before MYSKoil was gone so im culd put on this masterpice. The mix does not work out well.
Freedom and peace.

sugarplumjabba

Got this for Christmas, and it is SO not me, it was given by an aunt who had great intentions, but no, just can't stomach it. Just smelling it in the bottle gives me a headache !

Lady Love

Of all the classics I think L'Air du Temps is the most gentle and soft perfume I tried, is like a delicate summer breeze. Everyone can use it, and we know this is a difficult thing when we talk about others classics. Although in my skin this doesn't last as long as others eau de toilettes of the 40's.

In the first half hour, is an intense and interesting fragrance but then becomes very soft,so fast....Anyway, you will notice that the fragrance still there on your skin playing with your senses and with those of who are near you..

The scent is charming,timeless, feminine and warm. The kind of warmth that inspires freedom..

missk

This fragrance is what I'd call a peachy floral. It's quite airy and fresh, and in my opinion, something that not many people will expect from a 40's fragrance.

L'Air du Temps has a strange opening. I can only describe the top notes as having a very strong soapy smell, which isn't very clean, refreshing or appealing. For a moment I wondered why this was such a popular scent.

Then came the array of florals and spicy notes, supplanting the reason why L'Air du Temps is still on the shelves. Peach, rose and carnation are very dominant here. They give off a rich and distinctive smell which is only complimented by the subtle hints of clove and rosemary.

Heading towards the drydown, L'Air du Temps becomes increasingly powdery and warm. The spices become much stronger as the vetiver note commands attention. On my skin the drydown is quite sweet, however on paper the scent can be quite loud and harsh.

The lasting strength is brilliant. It lasted all day and even after a long shower. I don't think this scent will appeal to everyone, so it's best to try before buying. However, I have a lot of time for this scent. It is unfortunate that I cannot try L'Air du Temps prior to its reformulation.

7seven7

Strange fragrance.

Upon the first spritz, it smelled like a perfume my nana used - floral and powdery - soft. The fragrance transformed quickly into a darker fragrance - like the faint smell of firewood. I'm thinking it is the vetiver, spices, oakmoss, and musk base notes emerging - yet so quickly! The bottle and the label of it being a floral fragrance seems so deceptive. I felt like I was offered a "Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty" perfume and ended up with the "Evil Queen or Witch" perfume instead, yet I'm not upset just amused at how the appearance and experiences of different people to this perfume have deceived me. I think a vulture,owl, or black bird would be a better perfume top on this perfume instead of the doves. Maybe it would sell more too.

This perfume's fragrance depends a lot on your body chemistry from my own experience and from the reviews I've read on this perfume. I can identify with the person, who said it smelled like leather.

I like this perfume because of the surprise element. Plus, I love the smell of firewood and a slow burning fire at night, so I'll probably wear this perfume more than I expected - especially on a cold wintry night.

****January 6 Update ******

The perfume stinks on clothes and objects like paper according to a friend of mine. On the skin, it smells different. I tested it out and noticed it immediately - the difference.

If you choose to wear this perfume, be warned. It might not smell good on paper, hair, or clothes, but it might smell beautiful on your skin.

sherapop

I have been tempted many times over the years to purchase a bottle of L'AIR du TEMPS, but always held back because of the ridiculous cast plastic cap. I love doves; I love peace. But the utter tackiness of this weird piece of plastic on top of a beautiful bottle just screamed "bad perfume"!

I finally decided to take the plunge, which was easier to do over the internet, since I did not have to actually touch the plastic top, but only look at it. Perhaps I managed just prior to hitting the "buy" button to convince myself that it was really made of crystal after all.

Well it's not. And what I learned during today's test fest is that I have known MANY women who wear this fragrance. It's clearly a safe choice: a light, agreeable mingling of small flowers among a modicum of mild fruits in an initially quite harmonious way.

Yes, my feelings were rather positive at the initial spritz, when I became immediately convinced that this was a floral aldehyde--albeit much more floral than aldehyde.

The second stage was less happy, I am sorry to report: I found myself thinking about the Elvis Costello line "cheap cut satin and bad perfume," while daydreaming about strolling down the fragrance aisle of Walgreen's. During that middle phase I realized that there was something awry--something tawdry, something cheap, going on. Synthetic flowers, perhaps? Perhaps it is something peculiar to the reformulation? I am aware that L'AIR DU TEMPS is renowned as a great classic. But somehow it missed the mark in the middle stage of my day.

The final phase has been quite pleasant. I do not feel the need to go scrub down, and I'm back to liking this eau de toilette once again. But the middle phase may keep my 3.4 oz bottle quite full for many years to come!

Not to mention, but I will: the plastic doves, which are further marred by an air bubble right in the middle of the cap!

Caveat internetemptor!

Zaleska

This one goes with my chemistry. It's a beautiful floral aldehyde. It doesn't smell rotten, too much soapy or powdery or anything like this on my skin.

But...I can't wear it, actually.

L'Air du Temps has something melancholic in its smell. Something blue, post-war (that left its trail of destruction and pain), I don't know what it is, maybe carnation.

I think that is a perfume to wear when you're so happy that it allows a bit of sadness. :(

jigglyclefairypuff

You'll never find this on my 'favourites' list, but L'Air Du Temps is one of those old school fragrances which earns its reputation. Dominantly floral with a touch of wood.

Kterhark

I"m not a fan of florals, but nevertheless wanted to try this great classic. I'm glad that I did, and yes, it is too sweet for me, but I really apreciate the beauty of this fragrance and I"m sure on a floral person this must smell divine.

Mellyhelly

Oh, how I wanted this great classic to work with my chemistry! No way. It clings with my skin and the result is rotten powdery hay. I would have said it contains aldehydes but they are not listed.
The bottle is classic and timeless. The name sounds nostalgic and elegant.
I also like the ads which is not common for me. Many women have worn it since its creation.
It smells beautiful on some people I know, but not on me.

Janina

The smell is soft and for certain kind of women very feminine... I love it on some people but I can`t really wear it. But the plastic dowes... that`s a joke!

guest_efikillkiss

There was no human being who didn't like it, when i was wearing this years ago. It has a very well elaborated carnation in it. It brings to mind a young woman apparently verginal, who isn't that innocent after all. An iconic perfume, few fragrances like this have create a stardom on their own.15-10-09

Halvah

One of my greatest favourits! I like it in every season, for every ocassion. It's a powdery floral, elegants, mild, romantic and really peaceful. I'm 30 now, but I liked it ten years earlier and I like it on more mature women as well. It's really a masterpiece of Nina Ricci.

Janina

Just got 50ml bottle + 50ml body lotion and 2ml mini bottle as a birthday present. I used maybe only 2ml. It`s beautiful but too subtle. It`s not really my cup of perfume :) If anybody`d like to swap for a different perfume (maybe you are having at home something you don`t really like), please send me a message. Enjoy the day! J.

kittykati

i'm not surprised this is one of the best-selling creations out there. i just can't see this purely as an old lady scent, and don't find it old-fashioned at all! it's my ultimate love-affair - i wear it in every weather, on any occasion, and basically every time i just can't decide on what perfume to wear. for some mysterious reason i can't quite put the notes apart, but take it as a whole; and i find it non-obtrusive, delicate, feminine, sensual, and that powdery base somehow makes you feel clean, almost right out of the shower. to me, l'air du temps is a true classic. oh, and i prefer the travel-friendly bottle, which is easy to carry with you at all times.

MoietToi

I know,I know that I am way to young to wear it but I just had to try it when I saw it in a shop. The bottle is a true work of art and very captivating. But what do I have to say about the scent?
Well it's light and yet sophisticated at the same time. I don't know how to explain it but it's very light and still very dark in a balanced way. It smells alot like peach in the begining but otherwhise I couldn't detect any indivdual notes. So beautiful!

Frenchie-Loveday

for me its simply lily of the valley, not a favourite flower too heavy and somewhat overdone...but Farouche or Fleur de Fleur by the same nina ricci is delicious....oh why oh why do all the best perfumes cost so very much...I so want to try Balenciaga's Quadrille, my mother used to wear it and I have not smelt it for such a longtime, wish you wanted that tested so that I could write a survey on it.

Sassy1

My all time summer favorite. A floral rush and then soft spicy musky woods. I'm not sure about the powder everyone talks about and why it seems to be a bad thing...is soft the same as powder? I don't know...all I know is I love this one. When used with a light hand it is sublime.

pansylady

I never thought the bottle matched the contents- the bottle is flight-of-fancy airy, but the scent seemed dusty and stale to me- sorry!

Polymath

I still love this one. I first received it as a gift in the mid '70s. Oddly enough, from a boyfriend and from my mom, within about a week or two of each other. So I guess they each thought it was me, and they were right. I find it delicate and understated, but very feminine and classy. Carnation always gets me this way, I think.

milena

Very powdery soft, romantic, charming,a classic.

debra517

My personal all time favorite. I began wearing it in my early teens, purchased an ounce of it as a college student while studying in France, and wear it for special occasions now. I still associate it with my first love...and romance.... It doesn't work on everyone-and it can be overpowering on the wrong woman.

Denyze

If anything. I really hated this scent on my mother. I found it annoying how she would spray this the first thing in the morning and actually like it! At first I thought it smelled fresh then I found it just smelled like those inscense that a nana might use.

Trvevil

This fragrance was my first 'how perfume smells' discovery. As soon as I catched a whiff from my wrist today I recognized it immediately- my grandma sure has it and that was the second perfume that I co-decanted into doll's cup (imagine??)trying to create a perfume that will become worlds famous (N°5 and L'air du Temps, again imagine it.. ;D) with terryfiying results. I failed (lol), but memorized this floral spicy aroma for ever (and my concoction as well)
Today I saw the yellow bottle and without emotions put it on my wrist, sniffed... and remembered this.
About scent itself- it smells intense and a bit old fashioned. For some reason it reminds me sunflower seeds and later some roasted sunflower seeds (well, that's just me..).
Ok, let's see closer- something like citrus flower, spices, rose, rosewood.
Lasting power is great and bottle itself too if it has dove adorned (no hint of doves on testers, but I would love to examine it closer) and last thing- it smells good close to my leather jacket sleeve- more luxorious I guess.. (same story with N°5)

nesca1502

One of my favourites! It also brings back wonderful memories since my mother bought it when we went to France, I was 9 years old so she didn't want to buy be a whole bottle of perfume, but she gave me the miniature and I just loved to open it and smell it.
I then borrowed hers when I was older, and I love how it smells on me, it is romantic, soft and flowery, the bottle design is gorgeous and the doves on top give it an innocent charm.

Miss Bloom

I love this. My Aunt brought this from overseas for me when I was a young girl.
I know its been reformulated and is a shadow of its former self but it still brings back lovely memories for me.
Its airy, powdery and very comforting.
Its like laying on a soft feather pillow. The sillage is my favourite when it wafts around you, rather than sniffing from up close.
Very whimsical and romantic.

Spring25

I like the crisp fresh opening and the powdery drydown of this scent. I applied it early in the day after using the shower gell and lotion. All were similarly very fragrant and long-lasting. In fact, I went out straight away in my car to run some errands. When I returned to my car, I could still smell this wonderful powdery scent in my car.

ktv0926

This scent somehow naturally matches with my grandma's image; it doesn't fit to the contemporary woman in my opinion. And don't get me wrong - I’m not saying that any fragrance launched quite some time ago is old-fashioned and can be worn only by older women - no, it's just about this particular scent, that when I smell it, I visualize an older lady. Well...she smells quite nice:)

linden tree

this is a the perfume for me and my husband only.it means i wear it only at home,because i don't want to waste it in the air of the streets.hihi!not for the strangers noses!i like much on the clothes than on the skin.the fabric amplifies the scent and give it a multifaceted power.

Halvah

I love this smell. Some says it's a bit old fashioned, but anyway it comforts me like a soft, pure scarf. Beautiful perfume that evolves happiness and piece.

lovinitxx

this would be perfect for someone who likes delicate and pure fragrances which stay close to the skin, but for me it is too powdery and i can only wear it when im in the right mood

Chatnoir

This opens with a strong synthetic note that is a little daunting, but settles down to a nice, airy floral, and finally ends in a powdery carnation-like spice that I really enjoy. This perfume smells like simpler times, and I enjoy the nostalgia of it. And of course, the dove stoppered bottle is lovely.

tommy_girl

it opens with very mild flowers scent.you can just recognize jasmine,but it's not all.it's like a bouquet of flower in which you can't distinguish between scents.it doesn't change as the time passes very much.the idea of the bottle is wonderful and I really believe it was a unique fragrance when it was released 1948.so that means it's not unique anymore?I don't know but I can say the perfumes after l'air du temps sont fake,not this one.

solocha

Smells purely of carnations on me. I like this note, it is nostalgic and has an air of exclusivity for this reason.

azuriiita

It's perfect like Mona Lisa, a piece of art... and almost all people that likes perfumes knows it's a classic -i guess-... Maybe could be considerate like a Mona Lisa in a landscape with a lot of spring flowers, and doves jajaja... but... Is truly beautiful, sensual, colored the Mona Lisa??? Can she truly inspire peace??? Can she inspire happiness???
Not sufficient for me. In fact, L' air du temps inspire a sense of nostalgia...
Im agree with Liat, Nina Ricci has better samples of fragrances...

Malegria

It is a fave, for sure.The floral composition is precisely made - nothing is too much or out of the way for me. It`s an autumn scent for me - a nice, sunny and dry October day, when the air is just started getting crispy, the trees` beautiful multicolor foliage is in heaps under them and everyone is buying chrysanthemums, and there is a slightly sweet smell of apples in the air.When I was younger, I found it overwhelming, though I always got compliments on it, and now, when I feel comfortable wearing it, it`s even better. L`air du temps is an essence of everything soft and feminine, and it feels perfect from the first spray to the end of the day.

Mitsouko

One of most romantic smell. Warm, with seasoned note of carnation. It builds around wearing smelling mysteriousness, femininity aura. It's not old-fashioned. For me is very poetic and independent. It not interest fashion, trends. This old classic fragrance on background present idea is very original. I admire it.

liat

Nicely done, but Nine Ricci has much better scents up her sleeve.

Allegra

Too strong and powdery for me, smells heavenly on someone and hideous on the other (I'm one of that kind). Strong rosey notes caused a bad migraine every single time I tried to wear this perfume, so I finally gave up and gave the bottle away. Don't miss it...

rebella

A hidious smell. Even tough it is several years since I´ve got this one in present from my aunt I still remember how to "much of everything" it smelled. Like you have get soaked in a flowerbath. I guess it´s a nice fragrance if you like a really, really strong flower fragrance...

takemyhusbandplz

Elegant, feminine floral, my husband loves the scent. I've gotten numerous compliments everytime I wear this perfume. This is the only Nina Ricci perfume I like. This one blooms on me. My husband always wants me to wear this perfume it is his favorite on me. A 5 of 5 stars to me! Beautiful bottle too.

Chaosnmotion

I agree.. I loved it on my friend but on me it was powdery.. I wanted so badly to wear it but just doesn't work well with my chemistry.

elgab89

Although a classic, it never agreed with me, not even in the 80's. There is something powdery that I don't like about it.