Absolue Pour le Matin

This started like a sharper, more citric relative of Cologne Pour le Matin: lots of bergamot and lemon, with a strong herbal character that made me think more of sage or rosemary than thyme. Lavender became clearer as it developed, with neroli emerging later.

The drydown shifted strongly toward iris and violet, powdery without the lipstick-like iris effect I sometimes get from iris-heavy fragrances. On a second wearing I liked it less: the herbal freshness seemed reduced and the powderiness dominated, pushing it further into a feminine direction for me.