Our take
What does Fleurs de Citronnier smell like?
Christopher Sheldrake composed Fleurs de Citronnier for Serge Lutens in 2004. Anyone hoping for squeezed lemon will be disappointed. The lemon blossom is more of a concept. What you smell first is soapy neroli, green petitgrain and a pinch of nutmeg, with zest only hinted at. The heart turns floral and honeyed quite quickly. Tuberose stays muted and white honey adds a roundness that clings to skin. Honey lovers should know it stays clean rather than animal here. Then the musk arrives and never leaves. On many people it covers two thirds of the wear, with satiny iris and a barely there styrax underneath. Longevity is good, at a soft but steady volume. It often gets compared with Clair de Musc from the same house, which goes further into clean laundry. Fleurs de Citronnier keeps a bit more flower and sun.
When to wear it
Better on cool spring evenings than on sticky August days. Two sprays on the wrists easily last the day.
It belongs to the Floral, Musky family. Fleurs de Citronnier is one of 31 creations by Serge Lutens in our encyclopedia.