Rainy spring
A nice introduction to l'Heure bleue. Melancholic and joyfull at the same time. The most beautiful name for a fragrance.
Guerlain Apres L'Ondee is a romantic, melancholy fragrance that evokes violets in the rain. It was created by Jacques Guerlain in 1906, and there is really nothing in the world that is quite like it. The love for Apres L'Ondee in the perfume world is pretty universal - I could have linked snippets below for pages. The beauty of this fragrance is how accessible it is. You may have never written a perfume review or tried to describe a fragrance before, but smelling this will have you get IT - the bone-deep response to smell that is in all of us. It will make you feel some type of way. I promise.
Notes are heliotrope, vanilla, iris root, anise, violet and carnation. This is the EDT, eau de toilette. This has become very hard to get since 2020.
From Bois de Jasmin - "The aura of this fragrance is effervescent, innocent and joyous. But there is a dark timbre to Après l’Ondée as well. It is similar to the moment after the rain is over; the sun is shining, yet the clouds still cast somber shadows upon the landscape. The heart blossoms with iris and violet, which much to my delight, is a departure from the traditionally sweet candy-like violet notes. The carnation is subdued and merely adds a spicy ornament. The dry down is smooth and tender, with the sugared almond, vanilla and musk lending it an abstract gourmand sensation. Après l’Ondée is a garden in the first flush of bloom, yet to reveal all of its secrets."
From Perfume Posse - "For me, it is full-on, heady, unadorned, and unfettered joyous sorrow – tears in rain, where you cannot tell where your tears end and the rain starts; the joy racing through your veins because you still feel and are rejoicing and lamenting for all that life should be and is and isn’t. Apres L’Ondee is the tension in life, weighty and weightless – perfectly blended, but always separate. March and I have joked forever that we will have Apres L’Ondee piped in during our funerals because that’s how we want people to feel when we go out — sad to see us gone, but forever glad that we lived."
From Muse in Wooden Shoes - "Created by Jacques Guerlain in 1906, it is the softest and most wistful scent I have ever smelled. Contemporary with the Impressionist movements in painting and in music, it is a perfect expression of the soft-focus dreaminess of both Monet and Debussy, an indistinct swirl of violet and heliotrope gauzy as a silk chiffon scarf."
From Olfactoria's Travels - "I need to be in the right mood for Aprés L’Ondée. Not too cynical, or I get overwhelmed by its loveliness. Not too exuberant or I get dragged down by its wistfulness. Not too mad or I smell only its sweetness. But when I am feeling fragile and a bit overwhelmed with the day ahead of me, nothing is better than Aprés L’Ondée.
A nice introduction to l'Heure bleue. Melancholic and joyfull at the same time. The most beautiful name for a fragrance.
Opens up with a bit of spice, a bit of je noe sais quoi. After a while it wraps you with a comforting, slightly powdery floral. The first time I tried it, I was not too sure if Iike it, but at least it was not offensive. The second time I like it, a lot. Now I am getting close to the end of the 3ml sample I become reluctant to use it up. Just order a full-size bee bottle.
A nice introduction to l'Heure bleue. Melancholic and joyfull at the same time. The most beautiful name for a fragrance.
Opens up with a bit of spice, a bit of je noe sais quoi. After a while it wraps you with a comforting, slightly powdery floral. The first time I tried it, I was not too sure if Iike it, but at least it was not offensive. The second time I like it, a lot. Now I am getting close to the end of the 3ml sample I become reluctant to use it up. Just order a full-size bee bottle.
I held up my wrist for my husband to smell shortly after applying and he said "smells like the men's room". The only time I smell that earthy "wet soil" that everyone talks about is immediately after applying or straight from the vial. That smell IS divine but disappears sooo quickly. The drydown is faint and reminds me more of orange flower water than violets. But early in the middle it smells like my skin smells after removing a Salonpas pain patch: a faintly spicy, faded wintergreen. Which is reminiscent of those vaporous urinal cakes so I totally get what he meant. And I like that smell. I could see wearing this in any season, really. It is really pretty, innocent, and I can see it being universally appealing and inoffensive which might balance out my personality a bit!
A lovely, soft violet scent with a misty, powdery quality that really does evoke a garden after the rain. The touch of anise and carnation add a little spicy darkness that keeps the violet from smelling candied. The dry down is a bit rosier and warmer. Unfortunately it's also incredibly fleeting; on me it lasts only about an hour. It's a shame it's not available in a higher concentration.
Apres L'Ondee reminds me of a rain soaked meadow. Soft earthy iris with a whisper of anise. This scent lies close to your skin. I love to wear it on rainy days as I think the humidity brings out the notes. I agree with a previous reviewer who said this fragrance is a timeless classic. Soft and very feminine. IMO very appropriate for the office. Love, Love, Love
If you do..you might like this perfume. A sweet floral top note with a peppery finish. Cheerful and sophisticated. But find the drydown overly sweet, heady and a bit powdery (the nice part)
I usually don't like sweet fragrances but this works for me. Reminds me of springtime on my porch surrounded by new flower buds opening and the sweet scent wafting in the breeze. This makes me feel very feminine and all woman. It's so soft and does not last on me very long though.
A classic beauty. Refined and elegant. One of my favorites from Guerlain!
A little on the sweet side but lightly so. A very soft and romantic fragrance.
I feel drenched in beauty and nostalgia for an imaginary "what was of long ago" when I wear this. No, it's not for plain old everyday: it's for cool overcast weather when I'm in a dreamy mood - maybe sitting outside listening to birdsong, or, indoors, with a romantic book or movie. Or with the right guy for a special evening.
The violet note in this perfume is my favourite. I wear it in spring and fall, to suit chilly, rainy weather. It's the only perfume with an anise note that I love. It has a hint of nostalgia to it, so I wear it only with current and modern style of dress.