Quelques Fleurs l’Original by Houbigant

I’m not sure if my critique adds much, but after trying it, I’m joining the chorus: perfumes from over a century ago simply don’t feel the same as when they launched. The current version of Quelques Fleurs has two major issues: it’s been heavily reformulated and has a rough finish. That said, if you like it, wear it with gusto; I spend money on fifteen-euro aquatic colognes that smell like a mop bucket, yet this one truly fails to live up to its legend by selling a fragrance with such a stiff, unnatural texture. It’s an essential for understanding perfume history, alongside No. 5, Shalimar, and other classics. The difference is that the others arrived in 2020 reasonably alive, albeit modernized. Quelques Fleurs did not; what you buy today looks like cheap perfume packaging. With so many notes listed, I only catch seven or eight, and it’s hard to identify them because they feel more like chords. The opening is odd: a green swarm with acidity, something that smells like fluorescent mimosa or guava. You can feel that rough texture, which later softens, though the soapy finish is common in florals. In between, there are undefined, artificial floral accords—nothing headache-inducing, but lacking naturalness. In the dry down, there’s a rough, spicy, cold paste, like a cracked mass of carnations and white flowers with flashes of chlorinated grass and soapy vetiver. It’s not a bad perfume; once the strange opening passes, it feels dynamic, probably due to the reformulations and the cheapening of the genre. I haven’t felt it romantic or bucolic as the legend suggests; I see it as perfect for daily wear, not excessively old-fashioned, it could pass as a soapy floral from the sixties or seventies. But if you want to smell what Lady Di wore on her wedding day today, you won’t find it there. P.S.: It’s not a bad perfume; I find it amusing from the heart of the dry down, but I think it’s way overpriced. A perfume at one and a half euros per milliliter should smell much more refined.

I’ve always been fascinated by this fragrance, hailed as the first multifloral perfume in history. Many major houses reportedly took it as inspiration, including Chanel No. 5, which launched nine years later. The vintage version is a soft floral with aldehydes, lilac, musk, vanilla, honey, and heliotrope—I can clearly detect these notes. It feels like a shy, powdery, creamy, and sweet lilac, a very romantic and quintessential Belle Époque scent. The jasmine and roses are there, but hidden behind the lilac, hard to pick out. There’s also a soft sandalwood and civet base that adds richness without being overpowering. The new version is much louder and more potent, not just in longevity but in composition. The base leans heavily into woods: sandalwood, oakmoss, and cedar. The heliotrope, vanilla, and honey from the original now shine less than the green and citrus notes. They’re two different perfumes, except… once the new version settles on the skin, magic happens: the lilac rises above everything, landing at the top. It’s a creamy, powdery lilac, less sweet than the original but with the same character. This is where both versions merge past and present, smelling almost identical. A classic of classics, worth trying both the vintage and the new formula. I recommend this fragrance to any Belle Époque lover.

I love this perfume. It’s a feminine, elegant, distinctive, and ethereal floral—a dream of flowers. Wearing L’Original Quelques Fleurs is like dressing in flowers. The opening is very green and citrusy, with sharp neroli, leaves, and tarragon. After five minutes, all the flowers explode together, a delight for the nose. I dare say they all compete for the starring role; there’s a moment when you perceive them all at once without being able to decipher any single one. After an hour, when it’s tattooed on the skin, the lilac, neroli, and rose stand out from the bouquet. It’s intense, floral, green, excessively classic and elegant. It doesn’t resemble current trends. I bought it because of the legend that Lady Di wore it on her wedding day; it’s perfect for a bride.

I bought this perfume today, and although I tested it and it stayed on my skin for hours without evaporating, I absolutely love it. I love perfumes that take time to transform; it’s a good sign that it won’t lose that first touch that hooks you. This one has that guarantee. I feel very comfortable wearing it, very floral. I detect the bergamot and that musk that neutralizes the powdery aspect. Highly recommended at 100% if you like intense aromas, in this case, florals. It reminds me of the Jessica McClintock style: very floral, long-lasting, loud, intense, and muuuuch feminine.

It’s an elegant fragrance, perfect for special nights. It has incredible sillage and longevity; you don’t need to apply much because the fixative is brutal. It’s expensive and hard to find here, so I had my neighbor order it for me. It smells almost identical to Iliana Jivago’s 24K, which I believe was inspired by this one. Both are top-tier, but I stick with Iliana’s. Highly recommended if you’re looking for something that smells deliciously expensive and sensual.

This fragrance is one of my favorites. It’s a classic and unique aroma, very different from others. It’s very feminine and lasts all day.