Heeley Oranges And Lemons Say The Bells Of St. Clement’s ~ fragrance review

oranges & lemons

As I’ve said here many times before, I’m a summer person. I do not like cold, and as long as the weather is warm enough to wear shorts, I have no real complaints. Still, even I am willing to admit that the heat is a bit oppressive here at the moment: the temperature is expected to hit 99° F today, and it probably already has. I had been planning to review the new Fancy Nights by Jessica Simpson, but I can promise you that Fancy Nights is not something you will want to be wearing when it is 99° F.

So: Heeley Oranges And Lemons Say The Bells of St. Clement’s. It is named for the nursery rhyme, and it’s just the sort of thing you can wear when it’s too hot to wear most anything else. The notes are oranges, lemons, bergamot, mandarin, neroli, petitgrain, Earl Grey tea, ylang ylang and vetiver, and it’s just what it sounds like: a classic cologne with citrus and woody notes, light and crisp and refreshing, heavy on the orange blossom. It’s slightly herbal-green in the opening, gets woodier as it dries down, and the tea is quite subtle. If it were up to me — and it so rarely is — I would have amped up the tea notes to give it a bit more zing in the dry down, but as it is it’s a perfectly enjoyable fragrance.

Oranges And Lemons Say The Bells of St. Clement’s lasts a couple hours, which is about what you can expect from a classic cologne. The major drawback from my point of view is the price: it’s $148 for 100 ml. If I was planning to blow a wad of cash on a cologne, I’d buy the 200 ml vat of Chanel’s Eau de Cologne ($210), but of course you can also find many wonderful (and similar) things for less: Diptyque’s L’Eau de Neroli (not my favorite of their colognes, but the closest in smell to the Heeley) is $98 for 100 ml, Guerlain’s Eau de Guerlain is $96 for 100 ml. Comme des Garçons Citrico is $52 for 125 ml, and you can generally find Eau de Rochas for less than $50 for 50 ml. And of course, that is just to name a few: do tell us your favorite classic-style cologne in the comments!

Oranges And Lemons Say The Bells of St. Clement's

For information on where to buy Heeley Oranges And Lemons Say The Bells of St. Clement’s, see the listing for Heeley under Perfume Houses.

Note: image is Oranges And Lemons [cropped] by audreyjm529 at flickr; some rights reserved.

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139 Comments

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  1. Posted on 6 July 2010

    I really LOVED this one alot! Yes it is pricey I will admit. I am halfway through my decant, as I had to apply liberally. Today in this 100 degree weather I am wearing TFPB Neroli Portofino.

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      Neroli Portofino is nice too. I just adore the Guerlain (and found it at discount for much less) so other citrus colognes have a high bar to pass…

      • Posted on 6 July 2010

        Oh! Can u get du coq too? Here in Italy it’s not to be had for love or money, and the last 100 ml I could lay hands on was 73 euros, which is quite a lot for a cologne that lasts 15 minutes flat. But it’s soo good while it lasts.

        • Zazie
          Posted on 6 July 2010

          Hi Lisa! I don’t know if it helps, but you can find the eau du coq and all the classic guerlains (colognes included) at the Rinascente di Milano, and in other niche shops. If Milan is far from where you live, you can email mme Rousseau of Guerlain, and she will tell you where the retailers are located in your city of choice. She was very helpful when I was working in Turin and “needed” to put my hands on Jicky! Buona fortuna!

          • Posted on 6 July 2010

            How very kind, Zazie.Unfortunately, it isn’t that easy. I have reasonably good access to Guerlain where i am, but the problem seems to be that Guerlain Gods have decided that Italians are unworthy of eau du coq: it is no longer imported. I did e-mail them, and they advised to get it sent over from Paris. Which just shows you they never ever tried to have even a tiny sample mailed to them across the italian border, or they wouldn’t waste cyber space with stupid suggestions. I rung up their representative in Milan, who was completely unhelpful and uninterested. For the moment I have raked up all the leftover bottles from various shops’s stocks, and now I’m busy persuading some relations that they need to have a look at Paris before long.( I loath travelling, and I refuse to speak even the very little French I have)

          • Posted on 6 July 2010

            Thanks for chiming in!

        • annemarie
          Posted on 6 July 2010

          I’m in Australia and find that even in the large cities the Guerlain choice is not great. Many fragrances – Chamade for instance – are just not there and the SAs treat to a helpless stare if you ask. And if you want, say, Mitsouko EDP instead of EDT, it’s like asking for the stars and the moon. (So I went to TPC, as any sensible person does because there they DO sell the stars and the moon). You can email Guerlain, but all they do is list the stores in your city, which you already know about.

          Still, a wonderful thing is that there is a lovely little perfumery in Hobart (Tasmania) that sells Nahema, Chamade and Jicky (or it did last time I was there a few months ago). I’ve never seen them in an Australian retail store anywhwere else.

          • debbie
            Posted on 6 July 2010

            St Clouds- its still there and still sells Nahema, Chamade and Jicki although it doesnt stock much in the way of varying sizes and strenghts.

          • Posted on 6 July 2010

            It is not all that different in the US — unless you’re in New York or San Francisco.

          • moochebo
            Posted on 7 July 2010

            Annemarie, the Guerlain boutique in Myer Sydney do special orders from Paris each year at around October. You can let them know what you are after and they order it in. I’m in Melbourne and they shipped it to me. You could probably ring them to place an order.

  2. kristinacologne
    Posted on 6 July 2010

    This sounds really nice although the price is some kind of a drawback for a cologne which you should be able to bathe in. For me, there is nothing like coming home on a hot day and splash some Eau d’Orange Verte (which was very sensibly prized untill they came up with the new bottles).

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      That is another nice one! I just saw the other 2 (Gentiane Blanche & Pamplemousse Rose) on Parfum1 for a good price, but didn’t look to see if they had the OV.

      • Posted on 6 July 2010

        I got a bottle of Gentiane Blanche last summer for just under $55 on eb*y, so I would certainly not pay more than that for Orange Verte. I think one can find a 6.8oz vat of OV for *well* under $100.

  3. jonr951
    Posted on 6 July 2010

    Love the name! As much as it sounds so appealing to me, I won’t be spending that much on a cologne. I don’t have a summer cologne yet so I am sure going to check out the ones you recommended. Thanks. An orange & tea scent would be wonderful! Is there a passion tea scent around? Passion tea is my absolute favorite. I adore it w/ lemon also. A passion tea and lemon scent, I’d be in heaven. : )

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      The name is really wonderful! I love passionfruit tea too, and can’t think of a fragrance like that.

    • Karin
      Posted on 6 July 2010

      Hi jonr! Whenever I want to find scent with specific notes, I type the notes into the Search field on osmoz.com. In typing passion fruit, lemon, and tea, it returned with Elizabeth Arden’s Green Tea Summer, and Azzaro’s Now Women (among others). Of course, they’re not solely passion fruit tea scents, but have the notes listed…

  4. kaos.geo
    Posted on 6 July 2010

    It sounds very interesting, but I totally agree on the price!

    My favourite non-expensive cologne for summer is a local argentinian cologne that my father buys in 500ml plastic bottles. It smells like 4711, but they have variations like amber, citrus and violet. My parents go for a different one everytime they buy.
    It is so inexpensive and so old-smelling that I sneakily spash some on whenever I am visiting their house during the summer.

    I honestly cannot remember the name… it was something like “Old English Cologne”… it usually has the name of a 100 years old drugstore that gets it made by appointment from a chemist.

    • boojum
      Posted on 6 July 2010

      That reminds me, I’ve still never seen the various 4711 flankers (if that’s what they were), and a couple of those sounded really good. Of course, I have a big jug of the original in the refrigerator anyway.

      • kristinacologne
        Posted on 6 July 2010

        Oh, I have to go and smell them – did I mention that I’m from Cologne / Germany, birthtown of 4711? :-)

        • zeezee
          Posted on 6 July 2010

          Ah! I was just going to comment that I loved your avatar picture and that it reminded me of a stained glass window in the Kölner Dom. Guess it *is* a detail of that very same stained glass window in the Kölner Dom, then. :)

          • kristinacologne
            Posted on 7 July 2010

            Indeed, it is a detail of that window created by the painter Gerhard Richter – how nice you recognized it! :-)

      • Posted on 6 July 2010

        I have not seen them either…wish I had a good apothecary-type drugstore near me.

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      500 ml…that really *is* a vat!

  5. Karin
    Posted on 6 July 2010

    Haven’t tried this one, though as you say, at this price, I’ll pass!

    Only “classic” cologne I own: Cologne à la Française

    Other cologne-like scents that I own and love: Eau de Rochas, Eau Turquoise, and my current rave – Eau de Sisley #3. I know the EdS is terribly expensive, but I just paid $99.97 at discount for a large bottle through Amazon. Not bad!

    And a surprisingly great hot weather scent: No. 19 EDT. I have the current version of the EDT – not vintage – and the subtlety of it actually works in its favor in the heat. I wore it yesterday – 90′s and humid. It actually made me think of tea, though I know there are no tea notes in it (though Bois de Jasmin lists bergamot). Was disappointed in it in cooler weather – just not powerful enough. But awesome for hot weather!

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      That was a great price for the EdS!

    • annemarie
      Posted on 6 July 2010

      Yes, i agree about the Chanel 19. It really cuts through the hot weather.

    • AnnS
      Posted on 7 July 2010

      Karin – I know exactly what you mean about the current No 19 edt!! It is actually my fav version of the No 19, and I prefer to wear it in August and early September when it can get super hot. It just smells like an end of summer, warmed-up field to me in the drydown. It is very sheer and since it lacks the old leathery drydown, it gets some sort of sweet hay like note instead.

  6. Posted on 6 July 2010

    I love the photo, Robin. And love the name, too.

    But it will probably not surprise anybody to hear that I have finally decided that I am Just Not a Cologne Person. Citrus, I blush to admit, bores me, and every single time I put on something even vaguely cologney, I find myself waiting impatiently for it to wear off so I can wear something I enjoy. (Aldehydic floral, anyone? I’ll share. :) )

    I fear that I’m missing something. But if 4711, Pamplemousse Rose, Bel Respiro, even Mandragore have this “I’m bored” effect on me, maybe cologne and me are not destined to be BFF.

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      Mals, I’m not surprised, but I do have a question: What do you enjoy wearing when it’s hot as blazes in Virginia or you’re going to a picnic or something? I think there’s something to be said for floral eaux too…

      • Posted on 6 July 2010

        Seriously? No laughing: Aldehydes. Fruity florals. Green florals. What I’ve been wearing a lot of this summer is that citrus/greenish jasmine Haute Couture, and every aldehyde I can get my hands on (exception Baghari, mostly because it gets a little skanky in the middle), and Rose d’Ete, and Ines de la Fressange, and Crown Bouquet, and Silences. Silences is particularly cooling.

        • Posted on 6 July 2010

          I’m a light applier, if you remember, and that does make a difference when you’re wearing something that *isn’t* light.

          • Posted on 7 July 2010

            That all makes sense. Ines would be great. Also, if I’m remembering correctly (need to go hunt), Silences is like a poor (wo)man’s No. 19. Such a bargain and so good.

        • AnnS
          Posted on 7 July 2010

          Last year when it wasn’t nearly so hot up here I was enjoying the Lancome La Collection Climat – so soft, green, and fluffy with those aldehydes. When it is more classic summer weather I do enjoy aldehydes over summer, but this heat! Oy, this year I am glad it turned out to be the year I seriously began investigating colognes!

      • SmokeyToes
        Posted on 6 July 2010

        Hi Joe
        I like to wear Hermes Pamplemousse Rose or Bvlgari’s eau de Blanc, both are really nice in hot humid weather.
        My third choice would Diorissimo-given that it stays close to the skin and has a relatively short life (four or five hours on me).

    • Abyss
      Posted on 6 July 2010

      I’ll share that floral with you, Mals, since I’m not much of a citrus/cologne person myself.

      The only cologne-like thing I own is Mandragore Pourpre and that’s because I find there’s enough other stuff (mint, anise, herbs) going on to keep it a bit more interesting. It was a bargain, too, since I managed to snap up a bottle on ebay for less than half the price a few months ago.

      I find that for a hot weather non-floral I prefer fig. Or vetiver.

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      Sounds like you’re not. I wouldn’t even call Mandragore a cologne-type thing, so if not even that…

      • Posted on 6 July 2010

        Well, it’s not citrusy. But once the herbal-anisey part is over, I find it very dull, in that pallid vetiver-woods sort of way.

    • Bee
      Posted on 7 July 2010

      I’m on your team…I haven’t yet found a cologne or similar I like after 10 minutes, but haven’t been searching that hard either! Choosing ideal scents for very high outdoor temperatures is tricky, but I’ve noticed that big white florals, lightly applied, are quite O.K., and the slight tartness of Nuit de Tubereuse might make it my summer scent this year..

      • Posted on 7 July 2010

        I’m wearing NdT today. Once the earthy-mildewy bit in the top is over, I really dig it. White florals do seem to love me – applied lightly, they settle in and cuddle.

  7. Aparatchick
    Posted on 6 July 2010

    I have a split of Oranges and Lemons and have really been enjoying it this summer. Yes, too pricey for me to buy a bottle when the split is finished (soon!), but enjoyable while it lasts.

  8. Posted on 6 July 2010

    OT How lovely, the new Google toolbar not only translates english words for me ( well, some of them) but it also converts the farenheit temperature into centigrades. It didn’t change $ into euros, though. I wonder if it works for feet and inches and gallons and pounds.

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      Oh, how nice! $148 would be 117 euros, but don’t know if that is in fact what it costs overseas…

  9. abirae
    Posted on 6 July 2010

    I’m enjoying the heck out of Bigelow’s Lemon & Oragne Blossom Cologne from BBW. I just got it over the weekend, and I’ve been dousing myself with it today. My mother even perked up when she smelled it and complimented me, which is rare indeed! I’m usually pretty loyal to Guerlain Imperiale, but Lemon & Orange Blossom is a nice change.

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      Thanks, will have to try that one!

      • abirae
        Posted on 6 July 2010

        It’s worth keeping an eye out for it. It’s not terribly complex, and it has almost no lasting power but at $8.50 it’s a heck of a cheap thrill! It’s my summer jam!

    • odonata9
      Posted on 6 July 2010

      I was at the mall this weekend and saw that in the 75% off bin – should have grabbed one!

  10. Posted on 6 July 2010

    Ah, colognes, colognes… to have the WEATHER to wear them in! I’m weeping for heat and sun! We’ll barely reach 70F today on the gray California coast. I suppose I’ll have some heat this when I arrive Saturday in New Jersey for a beach vacation.. I’ll have to plot what scents to bring.

    I’ll probably bring my newish 50ml Guerlain Eau Imperiale… it’s nice but I discovered that’s not my favorite Guerlain Eau. The top notes of Fleurs de Cedrat are so delicious, but that lemon zing lasts nary ten minutes! Still, I’d love a bottle to keep refreshing. I just got a decant of Coq from a friend last night and need to try it.

    There seem to be SO many colognes, don’t there? I’m curious about this Heely, but that price is a bit dear. The description reminds me of some of the Atelier colognes absolues, which are also really nice.

    For the steambath back east, I’ll probably bring some 4711, Eau Imperiale, Dior Pondichery, L’Artisan Jatamansi, and one of my favorite refreshers: Kenzo Air — that light combo of vetiver and anise is perfect with salty beach air. Mandragore, as mentioned, is also terrific. I really love the “cologne” category. Diptyque Tarocco is a huge fave of mine, but it would be a wee bit heavy in extreme heat.

    I’m glad you mentioned the Comme des Garçons cologne series; the only one I’ve tried is Vettiveru. Stay cool, and thanks for this review!

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      I’ll also mention that I like several of the Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo series, several of which aren’t citrus based. The fig/fico is a particular favorite and the myrtle/mirto isn’t bad either; I’m still wanting to try the cypress.

      • maggiecat
        Posted on 7 July 2010

        The Dior Pondichery would be a great summer scent – any tea based scent is nice in steamy weather (and I officially love all of the Dior Escales, even the new one!). Have a great vacation!

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      I liked Vettiveru the best of those CdGs….and Kenzo Air is great in the heat. And sounds like the East Coast will still be plenty hot when you get here!

    • mjr
      Posted on 6 July 2010

      Joe – it’s been a while since we chatted – but have a TERRIFIC time in Jersey! It looks like we will miss each other by a couple of weeks. I’m heading up there myself at the end of the month. Run your fingers through the sand at the shore for me, will you? I won’t make it there this trip bc I’ve got research to complete in NYC and family stuff to attend to. Family portraits and such LOL.

      • Posted on 7 July 2010

        Thanks, M! Enjoy your time up there too. I’m looking forward to the family reunion, and the beach, “the island” (LBI) and finally some summer weather. It’s been lame out here!

        • AnnS
          Posted on 7 July 2010

          Yes – have a great time in Jersey!!! I think yesterday the heat index down that way was about 106 degrees!!! EEEKS! Yes, I too found the Imperiale a bit flat after it got through the opening, but still nice. My fav Guerlain is the classic “eau” which is pretty hard to find at the discounters!!! Have a safe trip!

    • OperaFan
      Posted on 7 July 2010

      Hi Joe,
      I’ll send you an early “Welcome to NJ!” from over here. We’re actually supposed to break from the heat wave this weekend, and maybe even some rain come early in the week. But we’ll have the humidity to keep you close to the water!

  11. Suzy Q
    Posted on 6 July 2010

    I didn’t think I liked citrus until I recently received a sample of Atelier Cologne Grand Neroli in a swap. I quickly used it up and ordered some more. It’s been in the upper 90s here for five weeks, so I can attest that the bit of amber and vanilla in the dry down is not cloying. I don’t know if Grand Neroli can be classified as a classic cologne or not. What I do know is it smells amazing.

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      Then you might like Eau de Rochas, which as I remember is also a bit amber-y in the try down. Or Comme des Garcons Ambar.

      • Suzy Q
        Posted on 6 July 2010

        Thanks for the suggestions, Robin. I’m still feeling my way around this category of fragrance.

  12. Thanna
    Posted on 6 July 2010

    I’ve mentioned before that I’m a huge cologne fan. This summer has been pretty mild by TX standards but still hot enough to make a cologne wardrobe almost a necessity. The Heeley sounds wonderful but for the price I’ll stick with my Nenuco, Eau Imperiale and ginormous bottle of 4711. Although that CdG cologne series does sound worth exploring.

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      The CdGs used to only come in 500 (!) ml…they’re more tempting now that they come in 125.

  13. Zazie
    Posted on 6 July 2010

    I like the cologne concept, maybe because I love a good juicy hesperidic top, but I get bored very quickly by a real, plain cologne and always regret wearing them instead of more interesting things.
    My favorites would be thé pour une été and l’eau d’hadrien, though I also like Tom ford’s neroli portofino.
    I might enjoy them before going to bed, but in the heat, I enjoy (and wear almost esclusively) my favorite bold and “real” perfumes much much more!

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      Interesting! I’m the opposite, I usually regret wearing something too heavy for the heat.

  14. austenfan
    Posted on 6 July 2010

    I love colognes and own plenty.
    The 4 classic Guerlain colognes of which Eau de Guerlain is my favourite. It probably is my favourite cologne full stop. Isn’t that drydown just pure bliss?
    Eau d’ Orange Verte, Hermes. I have tried and liked the 2 new Hermes colognes as well. But haven’t bought either of them, although Eau de Gentiane Blanche seems to be calling my name rather loudly and insistently.
    Cologne Cédrat, Cologne Nature and Cologne pour la Friction all by P. de Nicolaï. The Friction is lovely and Green. Very short lived alas.
    I would love to try the Chanel and the Institut Très Bien Colognes. They seem to be getting some really good reviews, both online and in The Guide.

    Do Eau du Sud and Eau d’Hadrien count as colognes? I love them both, but Sud is more interesting, imho.

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      Sud & Hadrien, absolutely, and agree, Sud is my favorite. Institut Tres Bien folded, sadly — I really liked their Russe.

  15. Jill
    Posted on 6 July 2010

    Sounds wonderful! Do wish it were cheaper though. We’re having a heat wave here too and, since I don’t have central air and rely on a couple of inadequate window units, there are few things I can tolerate wearing until it cools off a bit! I keep reaching for JM White Jasmine & Mint and Mandragore.

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      Mandragore works great in the heat. And we have window units too. They’re usually more than adequate, but 99 is pushing things.

  16. Dzingnut
    Posted on 6 July 2010

    I just got a bottle of Guerlain Eau Imperial and also love 4711 (to me they smell kind of similar, but the 4711 lasts longer). It’s about 100 out today, and it’s going to take me forever to get home since they’ve cancelled half the commuter rail trains. Ugh. Today I’m wearing my High Heat & Humidity armor: Monsieur Balmain.
    I also love Fath Green Water, and Ferre Gieffeffe, although I’m not sure if they qualify as colognes… but they wear well in this kind of weather. As does Hermes Apres la Mousson, but that’s definitely not cologne.

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      Monsieur Balmain is a great one!

      Why on earth would they cancel trains on such a hot day???

  17. Posted on 6 July 2010

    The discount next door has a series of perfumed body waters from Atkinsons, at something like 10 euros the 200 ml vapo. I got the citrus and the camelia ones, and they do duty for a cologne fairly well. You can spray them lavishly, they feel refreshing,and in ten minutes you can put your own scent . I havn’t tried putting them in the fridge, but if this weather keeps, I will.

  18. zeezee
    Posted on 6 July 2010

    That picture is so juicy it’s making me crave oranges right now.
    I’ve only recently come around to appreciating citrus fragrances and colognes, with Diptyque’s L’Eau de Néroli being one of my most favoured ones in the genre so far. I still would like to try this one (if onyl for the name – love it) but if it’s indeed similar to the Diptyque but spendier then well, it’ll be an easy choice.

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      Personally I liked the Diptyque Neroli better than the Heeley…it has more zip to it.

  19. Posted on 6 July 2010

    That picture is gorgeous, Robin, and the fragrance sounds great! I don’t have many citrus cologne-style fragrances, but I’m particularly enjoying Hermes Pamplemousse Rose this summer. Not sure if my old favorites, TDC Bergamote and Eau de Cartier, quite fall into this category, but they are summer staples for me.

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      I’ve been wearing PR too, and my old favorite Osmanthe Yunnan, which I find I can wear in any weather.

      • Posted on 6 July 2010

        I was just thinking about Osmanthe Yunnan. I’ve been wanting a bottle forever, but it seems SO ephemeral!

        • Posted on 6 July 2010

          It is not that bad on me! Does do much better sprayed, just in case you’ve never tried it that way.

          • Posted on 6 July 2010

            Adding: and I would swear it does better than PR. I’ll have to do a real test one day!

          • Posted on 7 July 2010

            I’ve never tried Osmanthe Yunnan sprayed – thanks. And I agree that Pamplemousse Rose is maybe even shorter-lived. But I love to spray that over and over to get that fantastic grapefruit opening!

        • Abyss
          Posted on 6 July 2010

          Now you are talking, I love OY! And I agree that the lasting power is not so bad. It’s quiet but it sticks around. As always, spraying on fabric helps.

  20. platinum14
    Posted on 6 July 2010

    This summer my favorite is GFF Bergamotto Marino. I bought it unsniffed –I was just too curious –and I went back to buy a second bottle the next day.
    My other one is Monsieur de Balmain.

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      Always hearing great things about that BM, but have never tried it.

      • Posted on 7 July 2010

        Now I’m so curious about that Bergamotto Marino. It’s available for next to nothing and it sounds delicious from what I’ve read. Must sample first. LOL

        • sayitisntso
          Posted on 7 July 2010

          Robin & Joe: Do try the BM….it’s lovely and inexpensive. From it, I get mostly bergamot, a sort of sea spray accord (but not in an Acque di Gio kind of way), black currant and jasmine. I actually had a bottle ‘borrowed indefinitely’ by a friend and now have to order another!

  21. mjr
    Posted on 6 July 2010

    The Heeley sounds nice but not necessary…so I’m glad I saved my $$ when I passed on a split opportunity.

    That said, lately I’ve been all about the Colognes, probably because I now live in a forest in the mid-to-deep South. With the humidity and heat…you guessed it… I feel like I’m living in a rainforest. Whereas last summer was a time of tropical oasis – Après La Mousson, Bronze Goddess – and improvisational layerings of woods, salt, or florals, this summer has been all about the chill of citrus and light floral spritzed or splashed vigorously as I stand with the refrigerator door open! Eau d’Orange Verte, 4711, Mugler Cologne, and Creed’s Bois de Cedrat have all made their way into my “icebox” and I like to douse myself several times a day.
    I also brought out a box of my vintage hankerchiefs (which I collect rather erratically) and each day I use one for several rounds of “douse and dab” (4711 or other dabbed or rubbed into the temples, neck, pulse points, etc). It’s a wonderful pick me up for both body (cools me down quick) and mind (kick starts my brain power to keep writing this tome). Between “douse and dab” and my cucumber ice water, life is good!

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      I really need to get some vintage handkerchiefs!

    • Posted on 7 July 2010

      I love my vintage linen hankies! I like to spritz them a bit too, but in keeping with my light-floral tendencies, with things like my YSL Paris flanker, Mariella Burani, violet scents, and vintage Coty Paris – which is a bit too face-powdery on my skin but never bothers me on the hankie.

  22. 50_Roses
    Posted on 6 July 2010

    The notes sound nice, but I just can’t pay $100 or more for an edc–my skin eats fragrance anyway, and edc is really fleeting on me. If I do want to freshen up with some eau de cologne, I just rely on 4711–it smells great and is cheap, so I can use it lavishly. Incidentally, if anyone wants to bathe in it, FragranceNet has a 27 oz. bottle (800 ml) for only $39.17. I am also fond of rosewater as a skin freshener, particularly on the face and neck. It has just enough scent, and it leaves the skin feeling soft.

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      Do bear in mind that it is not an EdC in terms of concentration, in fact it’s an EdP.

      • 50_Roses
        Posted on 6 July 2010

        So is it a little more durable then? I might order a sample of this, but I really do have trouble with citrus. Orange Sanguine smelled gorgeous, just like a juicy ripe orange, for about 15 minutes–then it was gone. This would have to be really fantastic for me to buy a bottle right now anyway. Once I totaled up the damage for the quarterly report, I decided I needed to cut waaay back for Q3.

        • Posted on 7 July 2010

          No, I don’t think it is any more durable! But it is an EdP.

  23. nozknoz
    Posted on 6 July 2010

    If I’m reading the weather report correctly, it was over 107 degrees here today in the DC area !!! I wore Eau de Gentiane Blanc, which lasted all day sprayed on fabric. Oddly, though, I kept smelling that jalapeno accord that figures more prominently in L’AP Piment Brulant. Weird! But not bad for the hot weather, actually. :-)

    • Posted on 6 July 2010

      107! That is just outrageous. Bet it was more humid there than here, too.

    • 50_Roses
      Posted on 6 July 2010

      Wow, 107–that is HOT! It was *only* about 94 here.

    • nozknoz
      Posted on 7 July 2010

      Oops – I misread the weather website – it was actually “only” 102 degrees. It is really brutal, and some articles suggest it may be like this most of the summer. This cologne post is very timely!

  24. Stephen
    Posted on 6 July 2010

    As far as Colognes go…. Thierry Mugler’s is at the very top, followed by Chanel EdC and Guerlain Eau De Guerlain…. I haven’t smelled the new Cologne yet, and I am very curious…. Have you tried it yet Robin?

  25. Posted on 6 July 2010

    I have a sample of this and really like it, too, especially that opening citrus blast. It is a bit spendy, though.

    I recently tried Fresh Hesperides and that one is kind of nice – I have a couple of samples to go through. I found it fairly classic and refreshing. And then of course I have a vat of 4711 and that vat of (hopefully) Mugler Cologne on the way, so I think I’ll be pretty set, especially considering I still have to put on my sweats every night.

    • Posted on 7 July 2010

      Tama, I expect the sun to bust through and things to warm up by the first day of fall. :(

    • Posted on 7 July 2010

      I know I’ve tried the Fresh on paper…I should try it on skin.

  26. silleur
    Posted on 7 July 2010

    Miller Harris “Citron Citron” is a long-lasting and brightly-blended rival for Heeley’s. Need to try both.

  27. Isa
    Posted on 7 July 2010

    The Spanish classic cologne Alvarez Gómez Concentrada is one of my favourites, and it lasts more than the average colognes.
    It’s the favourite scent of many members of my family, including my father.

    I bought a bottle of L’Occitane Verveine two years ago because it sounded as the more refreshing thing in the world but, alas, it burns my skin when I wear it, no matther where or when I wear it. It had never happened to me before with other perfumes. I spray it on my clothes, so I can enjoy the smell, which is so refreshing.

  28. pigoletto
    Posted on 7 July 2010

    My favourite cologne type fragrance is Eau d’Orange Verte – I just love the refreshing mint in it!

  29. london
    Posted on 7 July 2010

    I’m chiming in as no-one has mentioned any of my favourites (apart from Eau de Guerlain). Bigarade Concentree, Bergamote 22 and TDC Bergamote are all on the expensive side but how about O de Lancome? You can get it really cheaply and it has a green zing as well as a citrus zing. Instant reminder of Summer holidays for me.

  30. Rictor07
    Posted on 7 July 2010

    $148 is quite a bit for 2 hours. I love Acqua Di Parma Colonia.

  31. AnnS
    Posted on 7 July 2010

    This super hot summer I am really enjoying Rosine Zeste de Rose, Hermes Jardin sur le Nil, AG Mandragore edt, AG eau d’Hadrien, Cristalle edp (my new summer love), Guerlain Eau d Imperiale, 4711, and the Kenzo Flower la Cologne which is what I am wearing today!! I also discovered that AG eau d’Hadrien and Lancome’s Mille et Une Roses layers really amazingly well – a more potent combo than the lovely yet rather fleeting Zeste de Rose.

    It’s just been too darn hot!! Even up here in the wild mountains of PA our overnight temp was 77 degrees!! Awful! I feel for the NYC & Philly crowd!

    • Posted on 7 July 2010

      We’ve had consistently low-to-mid-90s here in the mountains of VA, and nighttime lows of 80F, which is hotter than usual for us. Especially since it hasn’t rained much. My garden’s burning up… except for those cucumbers. We’re knee deep in really big cucumbers.

      • Posted on 7 July 2010

        You know what? I think I’d wear a cologne that smells like cucumbers.

        • Karin
          Posted on 7 July 2010

          I have the Marc Jacobs Cucumber splash. Doesn’t smell much like cucumber to me – more of a light, aquatic floral – but it’s great in the heat!

  32. Dzingnut
    Posted on 7 July 2010

    Ann – it’s amazing how well the Rosine Un Zeste de Rose holds up even in the heat, isn’t it? You would never expect a rose based fragrance to feel so ‘crisp’.

    A cucumber cologne would be fantastic – I love the smell of a freshly sliced cuke!

    • AnnS
      Posted on 7 July 2010

      I do find that the rosey part of Zeste lasts quite a long time. Sometimes I like reapplying just because I love the lemony part at the beginning so much.

      • Posted on 7 July 2010

        Body Shop used to make a cucumber “refresher” — like a skin tonic — that was nice. No idea if they still have that.

        Ann: Coup de Foudre is even more citrus-zesty than Une Zeste and I think I like it better, though the Rosine is definitely great, light, and zingy.

    • Isa
      Posted on 7 July 2010

      Have you tried the Marc Jacobs Splash Cucumber? It starts green-acquatic, but I can get the cucumber note some minutes after applying.

  33. Posted on 7 July 2010

    Has anyone tried Lemon essential oil eau de toilette? From The art of shaving ? Because it waylaid me this afternoon on my way to espresso : “Stand and deliver!”. An so I did. Its beginning reminded unsophisticated me of Eau Sauvage, only simpler, less perfumey. Then it stayed plain lemon peel for about 1hour, and now it’s almost gone, a hint of dry wood comes to the fore. Lovely. Pity that this side of the pond it costs twice its original price, and nearly three times as much as Eau Sauvage.

    • Posted on 7 July 2010

      That sounds delicious, and only $70 for 100ml is not bad. I’m still not familiar with Eau Sauvage.

    • Posted on 7 July 2010

      Yes, that one is nice.

  34. Perfume Sniffer
    Posted on 7 July 2010

    Have to say I really LOVED this one.

    Reminded me quite a bit of SL’s Fleurs de Citronnier, except I like the Heeley more for a cologne type since the SL goes a bit more floral.

    Yup, the price is a drawback, but I like it more than any of the other colognes mentioned. It seemed to me that this Heeley had a bit more heft to it. Chanel’s EdC, as breathtaking as it is, truly lasts 15 minutes on me.

    Sorry about the ginormous heat back east. I can’t say I miss the humidity! ;-/

    • Posted on 7 July 2010

      It is miserable again today, but tomorrow we’re to drop down to 90…I can’t wait!

  35. Rappleyea
    Posted on 7 July 2010

    I realized as I started to comment that I really don’t have a proper cologne. The closest thing I have in terms of scent is Guerlain’s Philtre d’Amour, which is fairly citrusy with the interesting twist of verbena and myrtle. Other than that I only have an old bottle of Guerlain’s Vetiver in the edc. Unfortunately, when I tried to wear it in this oppressive heat, it was too sweet on my skin! :-(

  36. Pimpinett
    Posted on 8 July 2010

    I think I’ll be wearing a vintage EdC version of Ma Griffe a lot this summer. It’s light, crisp, wears very much like a cologne, but the ylang and cinnamon add some interest to it. This review made me crave something with a lot of zingy orange, though!

    • Posted on 8 July 2010

      That’s another great scent — and the vintage EdC is perfect (I have a large bottle, happily).

      • Pimpinett
        Posted on 9 July 2010

        It is! I have a smallish bottle, no more than 50 ml at most, but the cologne made me curious about higher concentrations as well. I don’t get much green from it and was rather hoping for that bitter, galbanum bite in the opening, although perhaps I’d do better with something like Miss Dior for that fix.

  37. Seraph
    Posted on 8 July 2010

    Very late.
    Depths of winter here. Eau d’Hadrien today like a shaft of sunlight through the clouds.
    This Heeley sounds lovely, except the price. Maybe the ryhme continues, and I think it does, “When will you buy me?, say the bells of Old Bailey, “When I grow rich”, say the bells of Shoreditch.”

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