L'Homme de Coeur was created for Divine by nose Yann Vasnier, and has notes of angelica, juniper berries, cypress, iris, vetiver, ambergris, and deer tongue.
One might well ask how many variations on cold, earthy iris a person could want or need. If the question had occurred to you after this week's discussion of Hiris, Bois d'Iris, and Iris Silver Mist, you could of course skip this article, but it would be a shame to miss out on L'Homme de Coeur, which is a beautifully crafted fragrance and probably the least well known of the iris scents discussed so far this week.
L'Homme de Coeur starts with a burst of spicy aromatic notes, heavy on the juniper berry and cypress. It is very brisk and cool, and perfectly evocative of a crisp fall day spent tramping through the fields. Iris-based fragrances frequently have a serene, almost meditative cast, but L'Homme de Coeur feels very alive and rugged.
The fragrance gets softer, smoother and earthier on the dry down, with woody-musky notes tinged with green and a very light dusting of powder from the iris. The lasting power is good, but it stays very close to the skin after an hour or so. It is probably the most masculine of the iris fragrances considered this week, although it is not so much so that a woman could not wear it. This woman will wear it, anyway.
For another glowing review, check out Victoria's report on Bois de Jasmin. As much as I like L'Homme de Coeur, I might like Divine's L'Homme Sage even better. Either Marlen or I will review that one soon.
L'Homme de Coeur is an Eau de Parfum. For buying information, see the listing for Divine under Perfume Houses.
DEER TONGUE?
I just got samples of the Divine fragrances a few days ago and feel bad I dissed Divine so long ago. It's true they're not my style, but so far all the Divine scents, to my nose, seem extremely well blended, complex and lovely (and very, very French).
L'Homme de Coeur was a little too manly for even me, but I did admire its composition. Can't wait to try L'Homme Sage.
T, Isn't deer tongue a kind of fern? I really should have checked, but was almost sure that was what it was…
L'Homme Sage is masculine too, but I think you would like it.
My weirdo skin chemistry made L'Homme de Coeur smell like dill pickles on me. I love gherkins, but …you know, not as a fragrance. Stupid skin chemistry aside, I think Divine scents are wonderful overall and their CS is superb. I asked for one sample and in a week they sent me a bunch of them with a lovely note.
M, dill pickles!! I am quite surprised, I don't get anything like that at all. Perhaps it is something about the juniper berry.
T took the words DEER TONGUE??? right out of my mouth. I also agree that Divine are very, very, very French. Now,having added nothing to the discourse, I'll take my leave.
Adieu.
It is definitely a favourite of mine from the line. I love the way iris is rendered here–crisp and vibrant, foiled perfectly by the spicy angelica. Just beautiful! L'Homme Sage is another favourite of mine.
Thinking through the very, very, very French comment and will get back to you on that later…oops, you're gone!
Hello R! It is a nicely created fragrance and even though it has iris – it is a tad too masculine for me. I gave my samples to a friend here and she adores this and has ordered I believe…
Great review as always. 🙂
V, I really need to try the women's line, but as always am running so behind on sampling!
N, I know many women consider the TDC Bois d'Iris too masculine, and this is more masculine, so I am not surprised. I think a fragrance has to just about whack me over the head with MAN SMELL to be too much for me 🙂
LOL! I do find TDC BdI too masc! I guess I like the soft touch and the max masculine I can wear are most SLs… ;D Then again, I find Chene – masculine…
Ferns have no scent!
Ok, google turns up a deer tongue grass that is said to have a sweet, vanilla scent, maybe that is it?
Ah, you're so good with the Googling. Darn, I had such frightening ideas in my head. 🙂
R, I haven´t had time to test my Divine samples, so I can´t say anything about L´Homme de Coeur, sorry.
I just read your review on SL Iris Silver Mist, a fragrance which I like, but not love. I tested it two times & had very different impressions: One time the top note was rather watery – I don´t know another word, it´s not fresh, but it smelled like an iris swimming in the water, later it got very earthy. The other time it was earthy right from the start with a subdued sweetness. I think I have to test it again 😉
The descriptions of the Divine fragrances sound very beguiling, so I´ll test them next. I often have problems to decide which samples to try…perhaps you have an idea what I´m talking about 😉
I love to test anything with angelica in it, but tend to shy away from more masculine fragrances. However, I would like to know more about this little-known line.
Hugs!
I love Homme de Coeur! My favorite is wearing a spritz of it to bed. I find it very calming and not too masculine at all. Actually L'Homme Sage was too masculine for me, but HdC was totally wearable. I also love ISM, Bd'Iris and Hiris – I am a huge iris fan.
I also own all 3 of the women's Divine scents and appreciate them very much – they are indeed very French and complex. To me they are similar in style and feel to Caleche, Chanel no. 22, and Jolie Madame.
S, the L'Homme de Coeur is much fresher, to my nose, than the ISM. Do let me know if you like it. And yes, I know exactly how hard it is to pick what to try next 😉
R, I am not sure but this may be too manly for you. Hopefully I will report on the women's scents soon!
T, that is interesting…have only tried the Sage once but would have thought it was less masculine than the HdC. Everyone's taste is so different.
Which is your favorite of the women's?
I too am curious about the women's – “infante” sounds like my cup of tea. describe them for us please!
great review
deer tongue is commonly called liatrix, it has a sweet tonka/coumarin smell
really beautiful smell !
Thank you for commenting. Late last night I found the little card that came with the sample, and it did list liatrix, and I believe violet leaf as well — although now I've misplaced the card again so am not sure…
Of the women's Divine, I think it is a dead heat beteen Divine and L'Ame Soeur, l'Infante is in third. But they are all wonderful.