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291 community ratings
Serge Lutens

Douce amère

Perfumer: Christopher Sheldrake

2000UnisexClassic

Votes lean feminine

7.7/ 10
Community score
291 ratings
See your match

Serge Lutens Douce amère is a unisex scent that softens a floral, green character with sweet, spicy and woody tones.

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Skunky's take: I wandered into a flower garden and I am not leaving.

How does it perform?

From 211 community ratings, all out of 10.

Longevity
7.6 /10

Holds up through the day and fades gently toward evening.

Sillage
6.4 /10

Leaves a light trail and stays polite in a crowd.

Bottle
8.1 /10

Sits nicely on a shelf.

Value for money
6.5 /10

The price makes you think, so a small size is a smart start.

Blind buy risk

Low risk

81% of votes are positive and opinions barely differ.

Notes

They open one after another, from the first spray into the evening.

Accords

From most dominant to most subtle.

  1. Floral
  2. Green
  3. Sweet
  4. Gourmand
  5. Spicy
  6. Woody
  7. Oriental
  8. Powdery

What does Douce amère smell like?

Longevity is good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick autumn and winter, though spring is not far behind. It leans towards leisure and evening wear, and it also works for daytime and the office. Most voters read it as feminine.

Jasmine, tiaré and lily build a floral base, while tagetes and tiarella add a green edge. Cinnamon and aniseed bring spicy, lightly sweet warmth, and absinth gives that sweetness a sharper side. Cedar and musk leave a woody, powdery depth.

When to wear it?

Seasons and occasions, by user votes.

  • 33%
    Autumn
  • 28%
    Winter
  • 25%
    Spring
  • 14%
    Summer
  • Casual
    23%
  • Evening
    23%
  • Nighttime
    20%
  • Daytime
    19%
  • Office
    15%

Smells like this

The closest scents by notes and accords.

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Last updated: October 26, 2026