Our take
What does Laine de Verre smell like?
Serge Lutens launched Laine de Verre in 2014 in his line of eaux, far from the orientals that made his name. Christopher Sheldrake composed the eau de parfum, and the name refers to glass wool insulation, not a fabric. The opening is citrus and aldehydes. It prickles and foams with a smell of soap bubbles and cilantro leaves, plus a metallic hint of shavings. The heart stays aldehydic and cold. There are hardly any flowers. The base comes down to white musk and cashmeran. It smells of clean skin and laundry, with a slightly raspy woody grain. That base lasts a long time and is hard to scrub off. The aldehydes recall the opening of Chanel N°5, with no bouquet behind them. It divides people between fascination and boredom. Love it or hate it.
When to wear it
Wear it in warm weather when you want to smell radically clean. One or two sprays will do, as the musk clings to clothes.
It belongs to the Woody, Citrus family. Laine de Verre is one of 31 creations by Serge Lutens in our encyclopedia.