En Passant
For some reason I'm just not getting what the other reviewers are getting from this perfume...I don't smell any florals
Frederic Malle En Passant was created by Olivia Giacobetti in 2000. The inspiration was a moment of absolute happiness - a beautiful spring rain with baked bread. Lilacs and wheat. Frederic Malle's favorite flower is the lilac. It is a delicate, haunting fragrance. Notes of lilac, orange leaves, cucumber and wheat.
From Olfactorias Travels - "the wet flowers after a summer rain, the cool air, the softness of grass beneath my bare feet and the faint smell of freshly baked bread from afar…"
From Perfume Posse - "Melancholy, beautiful, poignant. Late spring, early summer days, lilac in bloom, rain still sputtering, with the smell of mom’s baking bread wafting through the open windows of the farmhouse. Yeah, Malle has his bread, rain and lilac memory and I have mine. Everyone should have a bread, rain and lilac memory in their past. And present."
From Bois de Jasmin - Frederic Malle En Passant is one of the most successful “rain” scents after Guerlain’s enchanting Après l’Ondée (1906). Giacobetti captures the Impressionist vision of the scent of raindrops trembling on the lilac bushes. All notes reveal themselves at once conjuring a vision of passing a lilac bush in full bloom, dropping a confetti of tiny blossoms into the puddles on the pavement."
More information and Frederic Malle reviews can be found at:
| Perfume Name | Frederic Malle En Passant |
| Year Introduced | 2000 |
| Perfumer | Olivia Giacobetti |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Strength | Eau de parfum, edp |
| Notes | Lilac, orange leaves, absolute cucumber and absolute wheat. |
| Country of Origin | France |
For some reason I'm just not getting what the other reviewers are getting from this perfume...I don't smell any florals
This fragrance is so gorgeous to me. The lilac seems like lilac in the early morning with raindrops or dew on it. Lilac in most cases is not well done, but this is lovely. Longevity for me was good. I only wish I could afford to buy a full bottle. For now I will just buy a decant from time to time. I am very glad that I can do that through Surrender to Chance.
For some reason I'm just not getting what the other reviewers are getting from this perfume...I don't smell any florals
This fragrance is so gorgeous to me. The lilac seems like lilac in the early morning with raindrops or dew on it. Lilac in most cases is not well done, but this is lovely. Longevity for me was good. I only wish I could afford to buy a full bottle. For now I will just buy a decant from time to time. I am very glad that I can do that through Surrender to Chance.
It does not last more than a few hours on my skin. I do tend to absorb fragrance quickly - especially lilac and violet it seems - but this just faded so fast.
As the name suggests - "In Passing" - this is not a long-lasting or powerful perfume. Which is a good thing, as it is quite floral – A very very good lilac at first, then fading quickly thru a lily-of-the-valley, down to a light, sweet green. Like Spring itself, it seems to move thru various clear florals without staying on any for too long. Similar to 'Apres l'Ondee' but without the carnation - I really like the absence of "spicy" or "earthy" notes here. It makes for a very airy fragrance. Really beautiful, excellent seasonal, but if you like everyone around you to know what you're wearing, this is not that perfume.
I've now bought two decants while I save up for a full bottle. It is the lilacs and wheat that seal this scent for me. All the dewy spring freshness ( and sweet but not cloying) scent of the lilac. It reminds me of being a little girl in New England and knowing that winter was truly over when I could smell lilacs. I generally like my flowers sweet but not cloying or overpowering. This is perfection.
Can't go wrong with this for a light spring perfume. Full bottle worthy if it's in your budget.
I liked it enough that I bought a decant. I think it's a classic. Evokes the spring without being cloying. So glad I discovered Frederic Malle through Surrender to Chance! This perfume only has about half a day longevity on me, though. It's fragile.
This is one of my favorite Malles. A lovely scent- the only thing that is unusual is the wheat note. I think of it as lilacs in a wheat field.
Easter in Greece, Mother' Day, a Wedding - this is an exquisite lilac in gentle rain within steps of the aroma of hot bread just pulled from the oven. Get a larger decant. You won't be sorry!
I love lilacs. That being said, it's almost a shoe-in that I would love this perfume. Nonetheless, this frag is a masterpiece. When FM softens white lilacs with aquatic notes, cucumber, and wheat absolute, the effect is spellbinding. The result is lush, dewy lilacs which are warmed by the bread component, making them a little less melancholy. I love it. And others who smell it on me, love it too! I give it four stars (would have given five, but it's such a delicate scent, you need a few extra pumps for lasting power!)
Very nice, like almost all the compositions of the author proposes a stroll through a French Avenue between gates barely contain masses of lilacs. Beautiful lilac, pity not the scent that lasts on the skin or whatever, is too ethereal for the price and aquatic touch the cucumber does not help if the fixing in the cool, but at that price who wants fresh?
-1 star since it is so light and fleeting.