Les 4 Saisons: Hiver

What makes Hiver distinctive is the way its florals don't compete with its warmth. Ylang-ylang and jasmine are inherently tropical, almost heavy, but here they arrive tempered by a powdery iris-violet accord that keeps the heart lifted. The citrus opening is vivid without sharpness, and the drydown earns its reputation. Cedar and vanilla create a woody-cream signature that wears close to the skin for hours. The almond in the base, sometimes listed separately in sources, acts as a bridge between the florals and the woods, adding a subtle nuttiness that rounds the composition into something cohesive and unusual.

The evolution

The opening hits bright and immediate. Orange and Amalfi lemon arrive crisp, with elemi resin adding a subtle aromatic depth beneath the citrus peel. This phase reads clean and confident, lasting roughly 30 to 45 minutes before the florals take over. The heart phase is where Hiver earns its reputation. Ylang-ylang blooms warm and tropical, jasmine follows with sweetness, and the violet or iris accord adds powder that softens the entire structure. This is the longest phase, holding for several hours on most skin types. The drydown settles into cedarwood, vanilla, and musk. Warm. Creamy. Close. The kind of scent that stays on a scarf or a collar long after you've left the room. Lasting power is strong, with the base notes remaining detectable for eight to ten hours depending on skin chemistry.