Collection Noire

La Religieuse 2015

La Religieuse by Serge Lutens
We may earn a commission when you buy from links on our site, including the eBay Partner Network and Amazon.
7.1 / 10 229 Ratings
A perfume by Serge Lutens for women and men, released in 2015. The scent is floral-sweet. It is being marketed by Shiseido Group / Beauté Prestige International.
Pronunciation
We may earn a commission when you buy from links on our site, including the eBay Partner Network and Amazon.

Main accords

Floral
Sweet
Animal
Powdery
Smoky

Fragrance Notes

JasmineJasmine FrankincenseFrankincense BergamotBergamot

Perfumers

Videos
Ratings
Scent
7.1229 Ratings
Longevity
7.2169 Ratings
Sillage
6.6174 Ratings
Bottle
7.9176 Ratings
Value for money
7.636 Ratings
Submitted by Michael, last update on 22.04.2024.
Interesting Facts
The fragrance is part of the "Collection Noire" collection.

Reviews

6 in-depth fragrance descriptions
8
Bottle
7
Sillage
10
Longevity
10
Scent
Chenoa

6 Reviews
Translated Show original Show translation
Chenoa
Chenoa
Top Review 37  
... the nun, love and freedom
For me, this fragrance is like a declaration of love to life itself. Supposed opposites meet here... what seemingly doesn't fit together, in the end fits together harmoniously and fluently in a new frame.

Following the archaic patterns, I too have the passion of a collector and hunter, although I have rarely ever really "found" anything while searching.
The encounter between the "nun" and me was more or less a chance meeting. A dull day in February in Munich, wanting to do something good for my soul and senses and just hopping into the luxury department store I trust, which has an exceptionally well sorted perfumery department. Not really with the intention of wanting to buy, but more in the hustle and bustle. Normally I like to sniff around on my own - this time it was a coincidence (or whoever) that the department was empty and a friendly saleswoman came up to me. Could she help me? Yes ... what did I actually want? I started a timid attempt: mhm ... well, I would like to have a fragrance that is not too opulent, but rather quiet, without being banal. I love powdery oriental gourmand, but I have enough. Frankincense would not be bad, but please without musty dullness. It should be bright, but not fleeting. And because it is sometimes difficult for me to put my thoughts into words, I have brought a few examples from my private collection for illustration.

I had not really noticed a gentleman who had been standing with his back to us all the time and apparently "tasted" scents. After my rather inadequate attempt to describe what I was looking for, he suddenly turned around, took a card, sprayed something on it and gave it to me with a slight smile and the words: "Try this one. It might fit." ??!! Mhm!! What is it? "La réligieuse". By Lutens. Really?! Before I could ask him why, he left. All the other test strips that "my" salesgirl imaginatively presented afterwards, unfortunately didn't stand a chance.
"La réligieuse" is exactly SO. It doesn't fit into any category, it's bright and cheerful, and yet there is a certain melancholy underneath. It has depth and presence. It never pushes itself into the foreground or even gets out of hand, but subtly stays with me all day long. I have been approached about him many times, but always only after a certain time.

I didn't take him right away that day, I went home. All sensible and mature. Or something. In the evening my husband: "Mhm, you smell so good." I thought he meant the scent I was wearing that day anyway. It's a good thing I like to get to the bottom of things. He was talking about my arm, from which "La réligieuse" floated discreetly towards him. And I wasn't "allowed" to buy it myself, but got it for Valentine's Day. The secret of our love? Being close to each other without wanting to own. Freedom without obligation. Love for all that IS. That is exactly what I associate with this fragrance. And that's why I can wear it every day and every night.
7 Comments
ColinM

516 Reviews
ColinM
ColinM
Helpful Review 10  
Gosh.
The only reason why I wouldn’t completely bash this to death is that it reminds me of a dirty cheap deodorant my mother used as a room spray at my parent’s place. That’s the quality, that’s the texture: cheap jasmine, a hint of citrus, aldehydes and a ton of industrial white musks. I don’t smell anything else. A huge depressing whiff of cheapness. But it reminds me home, so... Anyway, since it’s the fourth or fifth Lutens scent in a row which makes me wonder what has happened to this once-so-glorious brand, I won’t compare this to the previous releases – I mean the good ones. It’s a dead brand for sure, we got it, I’ll stop acting sad and surprised. Still I must admit La Religieuse is slightly better than the last couple of Lutens’ fragrances, though: as much cheap as it smells, and boy it does, at least it doesn’t clumsily emulate some naif avantgarde stuff a decade late on the trends (Laine de Verre or L’Orpheline anyone?). It smells decent: terribly cheap and low-end designer, but decent. “Acceptable”, say. The thing is: why on Earth one shall settle with the lamest scent around, at that price? I wasn’t kidding when I mentioned a supermarket deodorant – I meant it. La Religieuse hasn’t the slightest interest and/or quality which may justify even half of its price. It smells really *poor*, plastic, unsubstantial. It just doesn’t stink. But I can’t really see the point.

4,5/10
1 Comment
9
Scent
Lily2911

3 Reviews
Lily2911
Lily2911
Helpful Review 7  
La Religieuse, the haunted nun ?
I received the mini from Paris store via postal service as the SA lady promised me to do once she was allowed. Such a lovely gesture because i missed their launch last Saturday and herewith my feedback : it is an incredible complex jasmin with definitively animalic underground due to civet, unique combination of sweet white jasmin, but with fresh body and restrained smokiness due to the incense and very sensual dry down because of the musk.. it is officially an unisex and men can definitively wear it because it is a kind of modern interpretation of a soapy floral.. Don't expect the lush creamy jasmin, no it is the more fresh, crispy, grassy jasmin interpretation with good sillage and average longevity. Is it a "haunting" perfume ? In a way it is, don't be misled by the simple official composition of the notes, there is some magician behind it to develop a perfume which is built within so many layers of jasmin. I am mostly used to that typical indolic jasmin, well this perfume has not these typical indolic jasmin notes, quite the contrary. It reminded me first to other flowers like LOTV or even freesia, mimosa, brought me almost off balance. Could not believe it first that jasmin is the only flower in here..
I really love it and i ordered immediately a FB ! I can highly recommend to test it for the real SL lovers who appreciate a modern floral.
2 Comments
7
Pricing
9
Bottle
7
Sillage
6
Longevity
9
Scent
Scentissima

9 Reviews
Translated Show original Show translation
Scentissima
Scentissima
5  
Pious elegance
With this fragrance I feel no incense or anything animalic ( civet) at all. My ( quite untrained) nose catches only jasmine and musk, which probably yet radiate so beautifully outward through civet and incense. La Religieuse is not sweet, rather bitter. But for me, this bitterness is not sad but radiates tranquility. Light soapy accords give the fragrance a certain elegance. The scent is skin deep and according to its name, it needs to be. On my skin La Religieuse doesn't last very long, which I don't see as a disadvantage - you can always re-spray. I can wear this fragrance for any occasion. He is immediately on my wish list
0 Comments
5
Bottle
5
Sillage
7.5
Longevity
5
Scent
Flavorite

240 Reviews
Flavorite
Flavorite
3  
The Flying Nun
This pales in structure and uniqueness to "A La Nuit" for Jasmine offerings from Serge Lutens. The top notes on "La Religieuse" are a fresh soapy Jasmine and a faint aseptic Frankincense that reminds me of catholic Mass and the freshness of non-sweetened blossoms of Spring of "Nuit De Cellophane" and screams 'Summer!' and 'Sunny Daywear!". The civet in also a late arriving meek little woodland creature, not related to SL's Grand Duke of Civet Funk (in my mind) such as "Musc Koublai Khan". La Religieuse lasted about as long as organized religion on my skin...4-6 hours with moderate sillage of about 6 inches through out. The SA described this as "Beautiful, Playful...but uncharacteristically restrained for Serge Lutens, in general"...and I concur. I would wear this, but since I already own Nuit De Cellophane- I'm not in need of another soapy white floral from this house- I am looking for Sensual eroticism, Mesmerizing tales of Night blooming Jasmine and hypnotic fantasies- so I will go for "A La Nuit" in the Jasmine Category from SL. Don't get me wrong, this is decent and a fine neutral, fragrance, as innocent as a Sunday potluck dinner, but not at this price point when very similar scents are available such as "Healing Garden- Sensual Jasmine" for under 10 USD at the local drugstore. I would get this for my Mother (if she were not allergic to perfumes) or a teenage niece for a sweet 16 birthday gift (if I had one) and wanted her to have a really expensive/niche introduction to fine fragrances, but did want her to garner too much extra attention from admirers quite yet. "It's a nice day for a white wedding."- Billy Idol
0 Comments
More reviews

Statements

4 short views on the fragrance
KatzevogelKatzevogel 25 days ago
Lovely white church florals, Jasmine and Lily up front. As it warms on skin the animal musks start to appear, but hidden under the flowers.
0 Comments
AromazealAromazeal 3 months ago
6
Bottle
5
Sillage
4
Longevity
7.5
Scent
Casually dressed down Sarrasins. More citrus, less indolic and less complex faucets to explore. Beautiful still.
0 Comments
LabdanemLabdanem 8 months ago
it makes complete and total sense that this scent is an amythest color. high in piety, clarity, and cosmic energy just like the stone
0 Comments
ZerkaloZerkalo 1 year ago
9
Bottle
7
Sillage
8
Longevity
9.5
Scent
Snow falls softly - like tears,
on this cold winter night.
I am lost, but not alone.
I'll find my way, my way back home.
(...)
1 Comment

Charts

This is how the community classifies the fragrance.
Pie Chart Radar Chart

Images

5 fragrance photos of the community
More images

Popular by Serge Lutens

Chergui (Eau de Parfum) by Serge Lutens Ambre sultan (Eau de Parfum) by Serge Lutens Fille en aiguilles by Serge Lutens Five o'clock au gingembre by Serge Lutens Féminité du bois by Serge Lutens Un bois vanille by Serge Lutens Gris clair... (2006) by Serge Lutens Datura noir (Eau de Parfum) by Serge Lutens Santal majuscule by Serge Lutens La fille de Berlin (Eau de Parfum) by Serge Lutens Fleurs d'oranger by Serge Lutens Arabie by Serge Lutens Vétiver oriental by Serge Lutens Serge noire by Serge Lutens De profundis by Serge Lutens Cèdre by Serge Lutens Fourreau noir by Serge Lutens Fumerie turque by Serge Lutens Daim blond by Serge Lutens Iris silver mist by Serge Lutens Douce amère by Serge Lutens