L’Air du Temps

L’Air du Temps by Nina Ricci is a feminine-leaning eau de toilette from 1948 in the designer price tier. It opens with bergamot, rosewood and carnation, moves into gardenia, rose, ylang-ylang and jasmine and dries down to sandalwood, iris, white musk and benzoin. Expect around 7 hours of wear, and it projects at a moderate level.

Notes, explained

Opening

Bergamot Sharp citrus with a faint bitter edge. The opening of about half of all men's fragrances.
Rosewood Soft, rosy wood. Gentle and slightly floral.
Carnation Spicy, clove-like floral. Old-school and a bit peppery.

Heart

Gardenia Creamy white floral with a mushroomy edge. Lush and old-Hollywood.
Rose Can be jammy, green, peppery or soapy depending on the type. Not one smell.
Ylang-Ylang Banana-custard floral. Rich, tropical and slightly rubbery.
Jasmine Heady, sweet and slightly animal underneath. Rarely subtle.

Dry-down

Sandalwood Creamy, milky wood. Soft and almost edible.
Iris Cool, powdery, slightly carroty and expensive. The luxury note.
White Musk Clean, soft, laundry-like. The 'smells like nothing but better' note.
Benzoin Sweet balsamic resin. Vanilla-adjacent but drier.

Smells like this

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