Perfume Review: Pierre de Lune By Armani Prive
May 6th, 2007
Pierre de Lune (Moonstone) was my fragrance of the day yesterday, a rediscovered beauty (sitting neglected in my drawer for months), and a big favorite that I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed yet. Pierre de Lune is part of the Armani Prive collection which now consists of five scents (Ambre Soie, Bois d’Encens, Eau de Jade, and Cuir Amethyste being the others), and, if memory doesn’t fail me, Armani was the first fashion house that introduced the modern exclusive collection concept which in turn produced quite a following. The marketing materials tell us the scents were devised with only Armani himself and his friends in mind, in other words, not for mass appeal. The price wasn’t an object, and the distribution limited to select stores. The more I delve into the world of perfume, the less susceptible I become to “a good marketing story” preferring to smell and judge for myself. Pierre de Lune appeals to me for its fragrance alone (and the bottle, especially the cap!), and that will not change even if I accidentally find out Signore Armani prefers it as his bathroom freshener. Prive or not, it’s one of my all time favorite violet scents.
The most appealing thing about Pierre de Lune is the smooth balance of powdery flowers and soft woods. I often wonder why so many people (in my experience, anyway) shun powder. I suppose it’s easy to associate it with old-fashioned face powders but even then, if blended well, why is it bad? Violet, iris, cassie flower (or mimosa), and rose often fall prey to such irrational disapproval. Violet, iris, and cassie flower are exactly what makes Pierre de Lune unbelievably appealing in a modern, understated way. When I spray Pierre de Lune, candied violet and dewy iris practically shimmer on my skin, with cassie flower appearing languidly adding certain bitterness to the powdery aroma. As the scent settles, the floral notes meld with sheer, translucent ambery woods (which is achieved by use of belambre, a synthetic molecule with soft ambery-woody aroma). Pierre de Lune has family ties with such scents as Apres l’Ondee by Guerlain, Mimosa Pour Moi by L’Artisan Parfumeur, Fleur de Cassie by Frederic Malle. I reach for it when I crave contemporary minimalism with a dose of old-fashioned elegance.
Pierre de Lune is available at select Nordstrom’s, Saks, and directly from Giorgio Armani Beauty online.
Image source: giorgioarmanibeauty.com
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23 Comments
1. Divina | May 7th, 2007 at 1:42 am
I’ve never tried Pierre de Lune but you make it sound just perfect for this cold rainy morning.. I love the notes and I too cannot understand why powder is shunned so. Very nice review to wake up to!
2. Elle | May 7th, 2007 at 6:50 am
Can’t believe I’ve been neglecting this one. Love it! But I can’t tell you how refreshing it would be if some marketing dept. would just cut the all too precious, pseudo personal stories and say that scents like these (which I actually do love) are meant to increase the feel of exclusivity of the line and are excellent money makers in the long run. Punto finito.
3. Abigail | May 7th, 2007 at 7:57 am
I’m always on the hunt for violet scents – and this one sounds wonderful. Modern, nostalgic, violet-y…. Though I think my fiance will eat my credit card if I buy more samples this week.
4. Marina | May 7th, 2007 at 8:31 am
Love this one. The only Armani Prive that I like, really. But gosh, it is so fleetng. Almost as fleeting is 28 La Pausa, and that’s saying something.
5. newproducts | May 7th, 2007 at 8:59 am
Well, you’ve said the magic words, “powdery,” and I am instantly lemming this!
6. Jennifer | May 7th, 2007 at 9:46 am
My favorite stone is moonstone and this scent sounds gorgeous and beautifully tranquil. Someday I will smell it.
7. tmp00 | May 7th, 2007 at 10:18 am
I’m afraid that I am one of the anti-powder brigade. On me powdery scents just smell wrong. On others however they can smell wonderful, so it’s a personal distaste, not a generic one.
8. sweetlife (ahtx) | May 7th, 2007 at 10:41 am
That bottle! Is it as gorgeous in person as it is in the photo?
As for powder–I think it is one of those things that can easily be done badly, or be overdone. I thought I was anti-powder until I tried the right scent for me and then it was all velvety smoothness instead of must dusty or cloying…
9. Ina | May 7th, 2007 at 11:15 am
Divina, thank you! I often forget it myself how lovely PdL is.
10. Ina | May 7th, 2007 at 11:16 am
Elle, LOL! Exactly! I think the consumer is becoming smarter and smarter by the minute.
11. Ina | May 7th, 2007 at 11:16 am
Abigail, this one is such a modern violet. I always want to wear something very modern and understated with PdL.
12. Ina | May 7th, 2007 at 11:17 am
Marina, yes, it’s not on the potent side but it’s still pretty decent on my skin.
13. Ina | May 7th, 2007 at 11:17 am
Minsun, you’re a kindred soul for sure!
14. Ina | May 7th, 2007 at 11:18 am
Jennifer, oh, you absolutely must. Hope it happens soon.
15. Ina | May 7th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Tom, yes, it’s personal but in my experience selling L’Artisan, for instance, I’ve had numerous people dislike Drole de Rose only because it reminded them of old-fashioned powder. It’s one of the most gorgeous scents! I feel like people should give it a chance more. *hint, hint*
16. Ina | May 7th, 2007 at 11:21 am
Sweetlife, yes, the bottle is gorgeous in real life.
I see what you mean. It can easily be cloying, especially the baby powder scents.
17. violetnoir | May 7th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Apres L’Ondee? Une Fleur de Cassie? Ina, these are two of my favorites.
I need to test this Armani!
Hugs!
18. Ina | May 7th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Robin, not identical but in the same vein. Do test it!
19. Patty | May 7th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
This is one of my favorites too, and I”m not a powder fan, big powder, that is. The sillage on this is just remarkable for such an understated scent. It lasts forever and is just gorgeous.
20. Ina | May 7th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Patty, the sillage is indeed amazing, and it’s not really that powdery, just gently so.
21. Solander | May 8th, 2007 at 8:03 am
I don’t mind powder, but what put me off Pierre de Lune was that bitter cassie note I think, and maybe the iris, which often seems to come off as unpleasantly, artificially cool and aquatic to my nose. But mostly the cassie I think. There are some (many!) floral notes that just don’t appeal to me – spicy florals like carnation, watery/fruity florals like certain rose notes, waxy/decaying florals like lilies, herbal florals like mimosa… I wonder if I will be converted? I’ve learned to love vintage chypres, bitter vetiver and strong resins, sooner or later I should learn to appreciate the variety of floral notes too in my search for heavier kicks…
22. Ina | May 8th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Tove, I know exactly what you’re talking about. Thankfully, that bitter note isn’t too prominent on my skin. As for being converted, there’s no doubt in my mind you will be some day. Happens to all of us.
23. victoria | May 15th, 2007 at 1:04 am
how much you got paid to write this? LOL