Nina Ricci 1948 Edt

U ££

L'Air du Temps

by Francis Fabron

Nina Ricci L'Air du Temps is an Eau de Toilette launched in 1948, created by Francis Fabron. The fragrance opens with Carnation, Bergamot, Rose, and Rosewood, settles into a heart of Gardenia, Ylang-Ylang, Rosemary, and Clove, and dries down to a base of Vetiver, Spicy, Sandalwood, and Oakmoss.

Our verdict on L'Air du Temps: Favourite

This isn't just a perfume, it's a historical artefact. L'Air du Temps is a polarising classic, with some loving its 'old-fashioned' charm and others finding it too dated or 'soapy'. It’s a definite try-before-you-buy, unless you're intentionally leaning into that vintage vibe.
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  • Classic
  • Sophisticated
  • Clean
  • Elegant
  • Warm
L'Air du Temps Eau de Toilette bottle

ScentArt

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Profile

Citrus Floral Fruity Green Sweet Warm Woody Earthy Animalic Fresh
Citrus 6%
Floral 36%
Fruity 5%
Green 7%
Sweet 21%
Warm 14%
Woody 16%
Earthy 10%
Animalic 6%
Fresh 12%

Mood Profile

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

Accords

Warm Spicy
100%
Floral
81%
Woody
70%
Powdery
65%
White Floral
59%

Notes

Top Notes

Carnation 22% Aldehydes 17% Rose 13% Neroli 12% Rosewood 12% Peach 12% Bergamot 12%

Heart Notes

Clove 16% Gardenia 13% Jasmine 13% Ylang-Ylang 13% Violet 12% Orris 12% Rosemary 11% Orchid 10%

Base Notes

Spicy 13% Iris 12% Oakmoss 12% Musk 12% Sandalwood 11% Benzoin 10% Vetiver 10% Amber 10% Cedar 10%

Performance

Longevity
Moderate (4-6h)
Projection
Moderate
Intensity
Moderate

Best Seasons

Best For:
Spring Fall
Also Works:
Summer Winter

Versatile across every season - no clear seasonal preference from wearers.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Casual
Also Works:
Office Date Formal

Its moderate sillage and 'clean' character make it suitable for office wear, while its classic elegance also works for dates and casual outings. Some reviewers found it appropriate for special events due to its timeless appeal, though its vintage feel might clash in very modern formal settings. It's too delicate for active sport.

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Where to buy

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About

L'Air du Temps opens with a sparkling burst of aldehydic freshness, quickly giving way to the prominent, peppery spice of carnation alongside delicate rose and neroli. The heart reveals a sophisticated floral bouquet of jasmine, violet, and creamy ylang-ylang, underscored by an earthy iris. The dry-down settles into a warm, powdery embrace of sandalwood, oakmoss, and amber, retaining a clean, subtly spicy character.

Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.