Douce Amere (for women)

Robert White

Says here it's got an Absinthe (read: anise) base, with cinnamon, tiare (what the hell is THAT?), jasmine, and lily. Hey, urban Americans (apologies to others): Ever spend time in your city's little Italy? Most first generation Italian - Americans came from the south or Sicily, where they go gaga for anise and fennel. Ever walk into an Italian bakery and smell the anise cookies, straight out of the oven? Ol' Serge (bet he'd hate to hear himself called that) and his buddy Sheldrake have nailed that scent dead on, mounting it on top of that signature Lutens base that's his own personal Guerlinade. This one is scrumptiously edible, and it's probably the ideal perfume to wear when your'e going out ot a nice Italian restaurant. Highly recommended. Of course, I AM a cook...

mellybee

I've never met a fragrance which fits its name so perfectly like this.
Douce Amere. Bittersweet.

My first experience with it tested on my wrist has been rather disappointing so in this light I was not prepared for the loveliness of Douce Amere, but being a hot sunny day today I craved for a refreshing scent so I gave it a second chance.

The choice was just perfect. Bitter and sweet notes blended beautifully, none of them tried to dominate. Soon after the first sniff I envisioned ouzo.
Ouzo is an anise flavoured spirit (optionally added other flavorings, such as star anise, coriander, cloves, and cinnamon) traditionally known in Greece (and Albania as I know from a friend). It does not change drastically on the skin, this note never really fades made the scent so lively throghout the day. The sweetness is presented by flowers but I am unable to identify them although I'm fairly sure that I can't smell jasmine which is one of my favourite notes.

The tenacity is exceptional - with a lovely sillage - considering that I sprayed it at 5am and 12 hours later I can still smell it in full bloom.

(I have to admit that I could seen Douce Amere to tend annoying when the wheather warms up because of the toothpaste-like freshness.
Nevertheless, I would definitely want a bottle for the hot summer days.)

rebella

I have regret my last review a little. I do love Douce Amere, but it´s a soft, laidback and quiet kind of love. Some perfumes from SL keep growing on me, it can take some months to realise that I really cant live without them, Douce Amere is one of these perfumes.

Longlasting, beautiful, soft, mature and extremly caressing. I am feeling totally comfortable when I wear this.

pimentosugars

Last time I tried this I was so taken aback by the soft scent-texture,I missed some of the intricacies of the top notes. Now I have my own tester it's a different story! The flowers rest tenderly underneath this strange spell of cream and absinthe and lilies. There is this peculiar sense of artemisia very gently sweetened, a soft airy quality. My partner dismisses it as aniseed, but just for once I may have to buy irrespective of his opinion. This is elegant and unusual, whilst being easy for everyday wear - how often can one say that about a Serge Lutens fragrance?

Mitsouko

Douce Amere smells herbal, bitterly and simultaneously sweetly. It have ideally proportions, is very interesting, however, has too heavy structure, as if it create perfumer of sculptor built, but not, , for example, jeweler. Too heavy smell, imo, for take away by woman, probably, that she is strong as antique Kariatyda.

rebella

Very nice. Like it a lot, but not really love tough. On me it smells very dry, herbal and a bit of hay... reminds me a lot of the north swedish countryside in the late summer, when the flowers have overbloomed and the hay is ready to been cut off (don´t know what it is called in english!?) Underneath the surface of dry herbs and hay there is something soft and lush lingering... like the next summers flowers waiting to bloom again...

Absolutly worth trying, nice non-offending, good stayingpower and with quite much personality...

PerfumeEmpress

Unusual indeed. Gives you a sensation of both cold and warmth at the same time. Very different.

cjtexboy

I find that it can work for men but I wore it for a while and at firs it seemed to be ok but after a while it just didn't smell too good on my skin. I've let friends try it and it smells diff on them - so, I can't use it any longer! It's practically full - anyone want to trade it for something else?

Aeternitas

This was my absolute favorite Serge Lutens I tried. It's incredible, not heavy, but not at all light. Very noticeable and great mix. Again, it turned out different on my skin. The man behind the counter sprayed it all over himself (he said it's his favorite) and it smelled perfect on him. It's not masculine, it is very much for a woman. Nice notes of jasmine and cinnamon. Alluring and elegant.