Iris Poudre

Iris Poudre, inspired by Frédéric Malle Iris Poudre (2000)

Aldehydes, the synthetic materials behind the fizzy, soapy sparkle of many classic French perfumes, open Iris Poudre with a clean shimmer. Under them, rose and violet lead into the iris, which smells cool and powdery, like fine face powder. Ylang-ylang lends a little floral roundness. Tonka and musk smooth the finish over sandalwood, so the powder ends up feeling plush rather than dusty.

About the original

Pierre Bourdon composed Iris Poudre for Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, the niche house that names its perfumers on every bottle, and it was one of the nine fragrances the house launched with in 2000. The brand presents it as the femininity of the great aldehydic florals, reinvented around iris. Its style is sometimes compared with Chanel No. 5.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Frédéric Malle stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Fans of vintage-style aldehydic perfumes will feel at home with it. Its powder is the defining feature, so it is worth sampling first if iris or make-up notes tend to feel cloying.

Related scents

• Frederic Malle Lipstick Rose
• Chanel No 5
• Frederic Malle Portrait Of A Lady

Notes of the original fragrance, as published by the brand.

Top notes: Aldehydes, Rose, Violet, Ylang-ylang

Heart notes: Iris

Base notes: Sandalwood, Musk, Tonka Bean

Aldehydes open with a clean, sparkling lift alongside rose and violet, with ylang-ylang behind them.

Iris takes over in the heart, powdery and cool.

The base pairs tonka bean with musk over sandalwood, smooth and faintly sweet.

Does Iris Poudre smell like Chanel No. 5?

Some people compare them, as both are aldehydic florals. Iris Poudre puts powdery iris at its centre.

Who created Iris Poudre?

Pierre Bourdon, whose name Frédéric Malle gives alongside the scent, as it does for all its perfumers.

Is Iris Poudre very powdery?

Yes, powder is its main character, coming from the iris and the musk and tonka base.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Frederic Malle and Iris Poudre are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Frederic Malle in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.