Last week, as we discussed perfumes we’d like to get back in our collections, Hamamelis mentioned Iris Silver Mist, and that sparkled a memory. 12-15 years ago, Serge Lutens perfumes were quite popular in Perfumeland in general, and bell jars were something that people talked about with bated breath. Those who were lucky to travel to Europe (or have a perfume mule) would proudly present their prized possession, and others would be in awe of the beauty. Around 2012, those bell jars finally made it to the US. The price was steep by those time’s standards – about $300 for a 75 ml bell jar, much more expensive than those were in Europe. But at least they were here.
These days, I don’t hear about Lutens perfumes too often, and I don’t know if any store in the US still carries that line after the demise of Barneys. But Serge Lutens website offers all perfumes, including bell jars (with just $9 delivery fee). And the prices today, 12+ years later, are $320 for a bell jar, which in today’s prices doesn’t feel as exorbitant (not that I’m prepared to pay it now). It has been a while since the brand released the last new bell jar, but still…
Saturday Question #263:
Do You Own Any Serge Lutens Perfume in a Bell Jar?
If yes, which one(s)? If now, was the price the only deterrence? Or did you not find any in the line to love? Or did you not like that format?
Do you think you’ll ever buy one [more]?
My Answer
I have two! The first one, De Profundis, was delivered from Europe by a friend after I overcame my initial preconception against the name. I bought and wore the second one, Boxeuses, as an invisible armor during a couple of rough years at the end of my long stretch at the company I worked at then, including the last day, as I was leaving for the next job. I still enjoy both, though I just can’t bring myself to using perfumes from those bottles: I keep decanting them into a much less glamorous containers keeping perfumes in bell jars pristine.
I am not sure if I would buy another perfume in that format if it is available in a spray bottle as well. The closest contender would probably be Bas de Soie, but it really pains me to pay a bell jar price for perfume I should have bought in a regular bottle when it was available.
How about you?
Undina's Looking Glass 
I have bell bottles of Encens et Lavande and the discontinued Lutens gardenia scent devoted to Billie Holliday, I forget the name of it.
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It was called Une voix noire, and no longer available.
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Yes, thank you!
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Don’t own any, though I’ve come close a couple times. Rose de Nuit? Iris Silver Mist? Encens et Lavande? I figure if I’m dithering that much, I shouldn’t pull the trigger.
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I don’t own any bell jars, and if Iris Silver Mist, and others, would be available in a spray bottle or even better travel sizes, I would buy them now. I find a bell jar too expensive and to much hassle…still some of Lutens’ fragrances in bell jars are on my mind. If I will visit Paris at some point, and I can smell the ones in a bell jar that I would wish to try (La Myrrhe, Encens et Lavande, Sarrasins, Louve…) I may buy one and decant them in travelsprays.
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Hey Undina,
I had four Bell Jars. Opened one Boxeuses (and made a big mess decanting), so Chene, Fourreau Noir and La Myrrhe got sold on in their cellophane after sitting in the cupboard unloved for years.
While they are gorgeous I’m much more of a spritzer and the decanting process put me right off.
Jin happily decants his Muscs Koublai Khan into the 20ml Serge Lutens travel spray they gave him as a gift with purchase after I spent a bomb. He loves it so much it’s hard to be grumpy about it.
So while I adore many of the Bell Jar OGs I’ve not got any anymore.
Portia x
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I certainly do, Undina.
While bell jars may look appealing, they’re simply impractical for everyday use. Instead, I transfer the perfumes into a bottle with an atomizer or into the empty Serge Lutens bottle I already own. For instance, Un bois sépia and Muscs Koublï Khän were two perfumes that were only available in bell jars at the time. By using this method, I ensure that the contents of the bell jars remain untouched. Most of my purchases were from Barneys New York when they still were in Chicago, and the Serge Lutens website.
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I don’t have any, but if I were rich I’d buy that format-I love it! I’d even look for the special edition ones-for Laine de Ver, it was a hammered metal coating complete with metal studs. ISM and De Profundis would be gorgeous in that format! I do have the Le Vapo of ISM, and De Profundis, And Fourreau Noir. I even like the Gratte Ciel format-I have a couple of those, too, thanks to discounters and my fear that this line was getting more difficult to get in Canada. The bell jars are available to Holt Renfrew but I think they’re $450, plus 14 % tax. It’s a bit rich for my budget (why was I cursed with great beauty and wit, and not great wealth?:))
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I have:
Boxeuses
Fumerie Turque
De Profundis
Iris Silver Mist
These were acquired over time and I don’t recall how much I spent, but then again, my budget was above $0 🤣. I really should wear them!
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I have Boxeuses & Sarrasins. I have decanted the Boxeuses out into a blue glass spray bottle.
The Sarrasins is currently sitting in its box in a perfume drawer. I tried a drop when it arrived after a new batch was released. Sadly, I couldn’t find any leather. Hence it sits in the hope it will get leathery as it sges, a bit like me
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No indeed, though I have been to Serge Lutens’ magical cave in Paris and still wasn’t tempted. I think I’d be worried about the perfume going off quicker, or evaporating, though I may be misguided in this belief.
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No, and the only one I considered was Daim Blond last year, but like you, knowing it used to be available in a regular bottle put me off a bit. It also kept wafting a sour note on and off from my wrist while I was walking around testing it, so I didn’t end up buying it.
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Two?! What a treat, dear Undina. I don’t own any SL bell jars. But would certainly love to.
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Iris Silver Mist, Une Voire Noir and Une Lys are the three I own (all second hand purchases). As several people have mentioned, they don’t get enough love because I prefer to spray rather than dab and decanting into an atomizer is just too much of a hassle. I feel lucky that I own several other of the Bell jar scents in the regular export bottles, because some of them were released that way in limited editions that I was lucky enough to find overseas. they are much more affordable that way. I wish SL would do that again with some of the Bell Jar scents. I’d love Sarrasins, Rahat Loukhum and some others….
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Iris Silver Mist, Une Voire Noir and Une Lys are the three I own (all second hand purchases). As several people have mentioned, they don’t get enough love because I prefer to spray rather than dab and decanting into an atomizer is just too much of a hassle. I feel lucky that I own several other of the Bell jar scents in the regular export bottles, because some of them were released that way in limited editions that I was lucky enough to find overseas. they are much more affordable that way. I wish SL would do that again with some of the Bell Jar scents. I’d love Sarrasins, Rahat Loukhum and some others….
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I don’t own any bell jars, although I have a number of SL fragrances. I looked at them when we were last in Paris, but wasn’t really tempted. The price is off-putting. I was curious about De Profundis, though, and was happy to sniff that — lovely!
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