L'Eau d'Hiver
“L'Eau d'Hiver by Frederic Malle is a Floral Woody Musk fragrance for women and men”
The Quick Read
Well loved by wearers — a musky, powdery composition with a citrus undertone. Voted best for spring and winter wear — and genuinely unisex.
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L'Eau d'Hiver, launched by Frederic Malle in 2003 and crafted by Jean-Claude Ellena, is an intriguing blend of fresh spiciness and warm musk. The fragrance opens with a burst of green notes and pink pepper, creating an invigorating contrast against the woody base of cedar and sandalwood. This composition is neither too heavy nor too light, striking a balance between crisp citrus and powdery florals like iris and violet.
Composition & Character
Notes Pyramid
How It Wears
Application Tips
Apply L'Eau d'Hiver lightly — its powdery base notes develop gradually over time. The fresh spiciness in the top notes fades within an hour, so layering it again during the day can enhance its complexity. This fragrance reads best close to skin rather than across a room.
Jean-Claude Ellena
Founding perfumer · 104 fragrances · French
As a disciple and close friend of the legendary Edmond Roudnitska (creator of “Le Parfum de Thérèse”), Jean-Claude Ellena began his career with a minimalistic approach to perfumery. Since then, he has developed this approach into his own distinctive style, which is continually informed by his elegant and quiet way of being, and has been compared by his contemporaries to watercolor sketches and chamber music. Jean-Claude says that a perfume must be like “a soft caress; nothing must shock, nothing must shout”.Jean-Claude Ellena was born in Grasse into a family of perfumers. His training began at age 17, in the most prestigious laboratories – in Grasse, Paris, New York and Geneva – where he always saw himself as self-taught. Roudnitska’s minimalism never left him, however, and his compositions remain focused around a single ingredient, avoiding repetition.
Also created
Designer Frederic Malle
More from Frederic Malle
Edited by Scentsation Editorial
The story behind the bottle.
A brisk walk through an early winter garden, where the air is crisp with green notes and the earthy warmth of woodsmoke lingers.
Fig. 01 — L'Eau d'Hiver, Frederic Malle
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