Star rating: 5 stars--outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars--very good, 3 stars--adequate, 2 stars--disappointing, 1 star--poor.
If one were to take the English translation of Soir de Lune literally, a fragrance capturing a moonlit night could only be mysterious and dark. Indeed, Dominique Ropion who created the fragrance for Sisley worked on the classical chypre theme, setting the radiant floral heart in the voluptuous duskiness of oakmoss and patchouli. Its smouldering form is shrouded in enough floral sweetness to temper the sensuality of spicy, woody notes. Soir de Lune will seduce, yet it will not lend a clichéd sexy image to its wearer, and this is one of its most appealing qualities. Among the bubbly girly fragrances expected this fall, Soir de Lune, with its alluring womanly aura, comes as a pleasant surprise. …
The fresh top notes spill into layers of spices, interspersed with hints of rose that grow darker and richer as the fragrance dries down. The heart shimmers with floral nuances, exhibiting the chilly crispness of iris one moment and the honeyed sweetness of mimosa the next. The transition from floral opulence to woody darkness takes place in a harmonious manner, and when one finds oneself sinking into the raw silk warmth of the base, the sensation is nothing short of captivating.
Soir de Lune is the third fragrance in the line, along with Eau de Campagne (1974, Jean-Claude Ellena’s first commercial success) and Eau du Soir (1990). The result is a fragrance that befits Sisley’s luxurious image. It is an olfactory version of lacy lingerie under a classically cut dress—its seduction comes from the confidence it instills. Perhaps the lingerie metaphor is not completely out of place, because Soir de Lune is reminiscent of rosy chypres like Agent Provocateur EDP. It features the same spicy fresh top, the rich rosy heart and the opulently dark chypre base. However, Soir de Lune’s composition is better balanced by the rounded heart, avoiding the sharpness that made Agent Provocateur rather challenging for me to appreciate. However, as the fragrance develops, it attains its own distinctive character of understated sensuality and elegance.
Soir de Lune includes top notes of fresh citrus, bergamot orange, mandarin, lemon, coriander, nutmeg, chili pepper; mid notes of May rose centifolia absolute, mimosa flower absolute, jasmine, lily of the valley, iris, peach; base note of moss, musk, honey, sandalwood, Indonesian patchouli. It is debuting this month at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman.
Beautiful review!! Sounds like I will love this as much as Eau du Soir. I really appreciate the fact that they have released a limited number of fragrances, but have taken the time to ensure that each will be a classic and not just reflect passing trends.
Posted by: Elle | August 04, 2006 at 13:11
Chili pepper, V? Wow, I have to test this! :):)
Hugs!
Posted by: violetnoir | August 04, 2006 at 14:48
Oh lordy, chili pepper! Well, I won't rush to buy unsniffed, but I gotta see if I can find a tester somewhere to find out if I can "Where's Waldo" the chili pepper in that mix! :)
Posted by: Katie | August 04, 2006 at 19:53
Wow! This sounds wonderful Victoria. I can't wait to smell it. BTW, tonight I purchased Hypnotic Poison. I guess I finally found a tester that wasn't spoiled. I'm glad I kept an open mind and now I have something totally unlike anything I've had before. I almost got Declaration Essence, but I'm trying so hard to be good. lol Have a good weekend.
Posted by: VeronicaV | August 04, 2006 at 23:51
---I forgot to ask---what store do you think will be carrying this fragrance when it comes out? I've heard of Sisley, but I don't recall ever seeing the products in a store. Classy, sexy, womanly, chili pepper, And a pretty bottle? Sounds like I'm going to fall in love.
Posted by: VeronicaV | August 04, 2006 at 23:57
Dear Victoria,
A diamond cut review. Superb.
Best,
Posted by: Nick | August 07, 2006 at 02:35
Elle, I agree, every fragrance in the line is a classic.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | August 08, 2006 at 13:53
R, I do not notice chili pepper per se, but the overall spicy warmth is evident in the top notes.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | August 08, 2006 at 13:53
Katie, if you like Cabaret and Agent Provocateur, Soir de Lune is certainly in the same vein.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | August 08, 2006 at 13:54
Veronica, enjoy your HP! It is another wonderful comfort fragrance for me.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | August 08, 2006 at 13:55
Veronica, check at the stores like Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. I do not recall seeing Sisley at Saks, but perhaps it is worth asking at the counter itself. They are mostly focusing on skincare.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | August 08, 2006 at 13:56
Nick, thank you! Glad that you enjoyed it.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | August 08, 2006 at 13:56
Hmmmmm.... I will have to try this one! Agent Provocateur goes strangely flat on me (or maybe that's just my perception). But the notes in Soir de Lune sound lovely.
Posted by: marchlion | August 08, 2006 at 18:24
Wow! this one sounds wonderful. I'm quite fond of Agent Provocateur, so I bet I'd enjoy this one as well. Not sure how long it will take for it to make its way to Canada.
I quite like the other two Sisley fragrances as well. The bottle is also a stunner!
Posted by: Cheezwiz | August 09, 2006 at 03:35
PS Victoria -- they didn't have it at Saks yesterday, in fact the Sisley SA seemed confused when I asked her! But they do have it at NM. It is GORGEOUS. Their SA there was lamenting that she wished chypres would come back in fashion. She was very funny -- they get a very international crowd there (it's D.C.) She says the European women love it, and the blond "American" women flee in fear...
Posted by: marchlion | August 11, 2006 at 22:05
Cheezwiz, the bottle is even lovelier in person. I very much enjoyed this fragrance. I hope that it makes its way to Canada soon.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | August 11, 2006 at 23:08
March, I saw at Saks in NYC. Sisley counter had a lovely display, and I sprayed some on and enjoyed the beautiful scent for the whole day. I am in love with it.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | August 11, 2006 at 23:09
Oh, V, this sounds wonderful! I will have to check this one out next time I am at Saks. But I was wondering: is the patchouli very strong in the drydown? (patchouli and I really never get along!)
Posted by: koneko | August 13, 2006 at 09:24
Brought this from Neiman's today. Beautiful and addictive. You will keep pausing to smell it. THE BEST.
Posted by: mjohn | August 17, 2006 at 16:58
I agree, it is beautiful and elegant.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | August 24, 2006 at 01:20
Walked passed the perfume counter in my local store and was mesmerised by the fragrance from the Sisly counter! I have only ever worn one other perfume in my entire life but I had to have a bottle of soir de lune! It is simply euphoric!Shamefully I have even used it as a linen spray much to the delight of my family!
Posted by: Roo | September 05, 2006 at 16:01
Roo, oh, a linen spray! That must be great, although I doubt I would dare to try this.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | September 14, 2006 at 00:50
This fragrance reminds me of Coriandre. Is Coriandre a chypre?
Posted by: Karen | February 07, 2007 at 16:23
Karen, I agree with you, it has some similar facets. Yes, Coriander is a chypre too.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | February 07, 2007 at 16:33
Where can I buy Sisley Soir De Lune.
Posted by: patricia Moon | March 06, 2007 at 11:37
Soir de lune is the most heavenly perfume you could buy. I bought it in Paris, even the pharmacies on the corners keep it, but coming from South Africa I can no longer get it, so I am going to try and import it. Buy it by the dozen girls, cause you wont be using anything else.
Jedanna
Posted by: Jedanna | August 07, 2007 at 09:40
Only read after my last posting that Agent Provocateur is similar. Well what do you know, just last week I bought a bottle of Agent Provocateur, a totally unknown perfume in South Africa, and it is heaven in a bottle. I intend to buy another bottle now that I know they are so similar. Stock up girls. We need to "fumigate" the guys.
Posted by: Jedanna | August 08, 2007 at 10:18
One of the finest perfumes i have ever had the pleasure to wear.I am now on my 2nd bottle. It will be one of the perfumes i will wear as long as i can. Thankyou sisleyxxxxx
Posted by: Theresa | January 10, 2008 at 16:51