Guerlain is a legendary French perfume house that has created exquisite fragrances since 1828. The founder Pierre-Francois Pascal Guerlain had an unbridled passion for perfumes ever since he was young. Guerlain began his career as an apprentice in a prominent perfumery in Paris and went on to become one of the most respected perfumers of his time.
Guerlain’s First Fragrance
Guerlain’s first fragrance, Eau de Cologne Impériale, was launched all the way back in 1853! It was initially designed as a gift for Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III, who later became the last Empress of France. The fragrance was created to alleviate her migraines and lift her spirits.
Eau de Cologne Impériale is a fresh, citrusy, and elegant scent. Its composition primarily consists of top notes such as bergamot, lemon, and neroli, with subtle hints of lavender and rosemary. The cologne is light, making it perfect for daytime wear, especially during the warmer months.
The success of Eau de Cologne Impériale led to Guerlain being appointed the official perfumer for the French court, further establishing the brand’s reputation for creating luxurious and high-quality fragrances.
The iconic “bee bottle” design, which features golden bees on the flacon, pays homage to the imperial symbol of the French Empire and is still used by the brand today for some of Guerlain’s fragrances.
Why Guerlain is a Trusted Name in the French Fragrance Industry
Guerlain has become synonymous with luxury and sophistication in Europe. Their fragrances are crafted with rare and precious ingredients sourced from all over the world. The brand’s commitment to quality is evident through its rigorous testing process to ensure that each scent meets its high standards.
A key reason why Guerlain is widely trusted is its rich history and legacy. The Guerlain fragrance house has been around for almost two centuries, making it one of the oldest perfume houses globally, and they have consistently delivered high-quality fragrances throughout their long history.
Guerlain has always remained relevant by adapting to changing times while staying true to its roots. They continue to release new scents while keeping their classic fragrances available for those who appreciate traditional perfumes.
This balance between old-world charm and contemporary appeal sets them apart from other brands in the perfume industry. Any woman looking for unique and luxurious fragrances should look no further than Guerlain perfume house.
Guerlain’s legacy speaks for itself through its iconic scents that have captured hearts worldwide over many decades.
Ok, enough about history. Let’s explore the best Guerlain perfumes for women in detail!
Thierry Wasser
Thierry Wasser is a renowned perfumer who currently serves as the Master Perfumer at Guerlain, a French perfume, cosmetics, and skincare house. He was born in Switzerland in 1961 and grew up in Geneva. Wasser studied at the Givaudan perfumery school in Geneva and joined the company as a trainee in 1988. He has worked for several prestigious fragrance companies over the years, including Firmenich and Symrise, before joining Guerlain in 2008.
During his career, Wasser has created numerous successful fragrances for various brands, including Versace, Bvlgari, and Kenzo. However, he is perhaps best known for his work at Guerlain, where he has created several iconic fragrances, including La Petite Robe Noire, Shalimar Souffle de Parfum, and Mon Guerlain. Wasser is widely regarded as one of the most talented and innovative perfumers in the industry today, and his creations continue to be popular with perfume lovers around the world.
Best Guerlain Perfumes for Women
Here are the best Guerlain perfumes for women, including classic, modern, and niche fragrances.
Shalimar
Guerlain has a rich history of creating classic fragrances that have stood the test of time. Shalimar, created in 1925, is one of their most iconic scents. It’s a blend of citrus, vanilla, and musk that creates a sensual and warm aroma.
Actress Rita Hayworth was a huge fan of the fragrance, supposedly invented when Jacques Guerlain casually poured vanillin into a bottle of Jicky.
La Petite Robe Noire
Guerlain has also created modern perfumes that cater to contemporary tastes. La Petite Robe Noire, meaning “the little black dress”, is an alluring fragrance with notes of cherry, bergamot, and almond.
It was first introduced in 2009 and created by the master perfumer Thierry Wasser. The fragrance is inspired by the timeless elegance and chic style of a little black dress, which is considered an essential wardrobe item for many women.
La Petite Robe Noire is a fruity-floral fragrance with a captivating and playful character. The scent features a combination of top notes like black cherry, bergamot, and red berries. The heart notes include almond, Bulgarian rose, and Turkish rose, while the base notes are composed of licorice, smoked black tea, anise, tonka bean, vanilla, iris, and patchouli.
Mon Guerlain
Mon Guerlain is another modern scent created in 2017 with a sweet yet sophisticated aroma; it features lavender and vanilla as its main ingredients. Mon Guerlain offers a refreshing take on floral scents; its main notes are mint and green tea. Angelina Jolie is the face of this perfume.
Santal Royal Eau de Parfum
The ultra-luxury Guerlain perfume Santal Royal Eau de Parfum was created by house perfumer Thierry Wasser. He was inspired by the East and used a rare and precious ingredient, sandalwood to create this mysterious oriental fragrance. It has top notes of neroli and jasmine to leave you with lasting memories of its scent.
Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic
The Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic eau de toilette is a fresh scent inspired by the Italian countryside. With notes of lemon, mandarin, and orange, you’ll be transported instantly! The Aqua Allegoria was launched. by Guerlain in 1999 as a collection of intensely fresh fragrances.
Champs-Elysées
Champs-Elysées is part of the legendary collection of fragrances by Guerlain. It smells like a mimosa decorated with rose, blackcurrant berries, and almond tree wood. Its bottle was designed by Raymond Guerlain in 1912, and the cap features an inverted heart, in the Art Nouveau style.
L’Heure Bleue
L’Heure Bleue (“the blue hour”) is a powdery oriental perfume with vanilla and iris at its heart; it has been around since 1912 but remains timeless to this day.
The most prominent fan of this fragrance is none other than Queen Elizabeth II herself! Sales of L’Heure Bleue skyrocketed after her death in 2022.
This fragrance is really tough to find outside of Europe, so perhaps pick up a bottle during your next trip to France!
Vol de Nuit
Vol de Nuit is a classic perfume created by the French luxury fragrance house, Guerlain. It has a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century and was famously worn by Katherine Hepburn.
Vol de Nuit, which translates to “Night Flight” in English, was inspired by the pioneering era of aviation and the novel of the same name written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the famous French aviator and author. It was launched in 1933, paying tribute to the adventurous spirit of aviation and the nocturnal atmosphere of night flights.
The fragrance was created by Jacques Guerlain, the master perfumer of the Guerlain house at the time.
Vol de Nuit is classified as an oriental woody fragrance. It opens with fresh and green top notes of galbanum and citrus, which then give way to a heart dominated by powdery and floral accords of iris, jasmine, and rose. The base notes are deep and sensual, featuring woody notes, spices, vanilla, and a hint of leather.
The combination of these elements creates a complex and sophisticated scent that evokes a sense of mystery, adventure, and elegance.
Sous le Vent
Sous le Vent is another classic fragrance from the renowned French perfume house, Guerlain. It has a fascinating history and a distinct olfactory profile. One of its famous fans was none other than the American singer in France, Josephine Baker. It is sadly no longer available.
Sous le Vent, which means “Under the Wind” in English, was created by Jacques Guerlain and was launched in 1933, the same year as Guerlain’s iconic fragrance, Vol de Nuit.
Both perfumes were inspired by the era of aviation and adventure. While Vol de Nuit pays homage to night flights, Sous le Vent captures the essence of traveling under the wind, symbolizing the exhilarating experience of flying against the wind.
The fragrance is classified as a chypre fragrance, a category known for its complex and sophisticated compositions. Sous le Vent opens with a fresh burst of citrus notes, predominantly bergamot, which is quickly joined by aromatic herbs like thyme and lavender.
The heart of the fragrance reveals floral notes of jasmine and rose, intertwined with woody and earthy accords of vetiver and oakmoss. The base notes are warm and sensual, featuring amber, musk, and a touch of vanilla.
Sous le Vent is characterized by its green, herbal, and slightly mossy aroma. It has a refined and timeless quality that combines freshness with a touch of elegance. The fragrance captures the spirit of adventure and freedom, evoking the sensation of standing beneath the rushing wind.
Mitsouko
Mitsouko, first released in 1919, is another classic scent from Guerlain. It’s a chypre fragrance with notes of peach, jasmine, and oakmoss. American actress Jean Harlow was reportedly a huge fan.
Jicky
Jicky is one of the oldest fragrances still in production by Guerlain; it was created in 1889. This scent has lavender and citrus top notes with vanilla and musk undertones. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Brigitte Bardot were regular wearers of this Guerlain perfume.
Samsara
The Samsara fragrance by Guerlain is a harmonious scent with aromatic notes of jasmine and sandalwood.
Chamade
Chamade is another niche scent from Guerlain that offers an unusual combination of floral notes (hyacinth and rose) with woody base notes (vanilla and sandalwood).
Nahema
Nahema is a fragrance that features rose as its primary ingredient, but with a modern twist; it has fruity top notes of peach and bergamot.
No matter what type of scent you prefer, Guerlain has a perfume that will suit your individual taste.
What Makes Guerlain Perfumes Unique?
When it comes to creating fragrances, Guerlain is a master in the art. They have been making perfumes for over 190 years, and their expertise shows in every scent they create.
Guerlain uses only the finest raw materials sourced from around the world. They have a team of experts that travel all over the globe to find rare, unique, and exotic ingredients that will give their fragrances that extra special touch. Some of these exotic ingredients include iris from Florence, jasmine from Grasse, vanilla from Madagascar, and ylang-ylang from Comoros.
Once they have gathered all these exceptional materials, Guerlain takes great care when blending them together. Every fragrance is crafted with precision and attention to detail. They use traditional techniques combined with modern technology to create complex scents that are both timeless and innovative.
Guerlain also has a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing. They believe in protecting the planet while still creating beautiful fragrances for people in every corner of the world. For example, they work closely with local farmers who grow sustainable crops for them or provide raw materials that meet strict quality standards.
Guerlain recycles as much as possible during production processes while minimizing waste overall. Overall, what sets Guerlain apart is its dedication not just to producing excellent perfumes but doing so while being environmentally conscious and socially responsible at every step of the way – truly one-of-a-kind in the fragrance industry.
Tips for Choosing the Right Guerlain Perfume for You
When choosing a Guerlain perfume, it’s important to try several scents so you know what’s out there. Do you prefer sweet, floral scents or spicy, woody scents?
Are you drawn to classic fragrances or do you prefer more modern scents? By taking these factors into account, you can narrow down your options and choose a perfume that truly suits your taste.
Test fragrances before purchasing
Testing a fragrance on your skin before purchasing is crucial. A perfume can smell very different on different people due to factors such as body chemistry and skin type.
When testing a Guerlain perfume, spray it onto a test strip or directly onto your skin (preferably the wrist) and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. This will give the fragrance time to fully develop on your skin and allow you to get a better sense of how it smells on you.
Discover how the scent grows over time
A great way to determine if a Guerlain perfume is right for you is by paying attention to how the scent evolves over time. The top notes (the initial scent when first applied) may be different from what the fragrance smells like after an hour or two.
The base notes (the lingering scent after several hours) may also evolve from what was initially smelled. Taking note of these changes will help you decide if the fragrance stays true to what you like in a scent or not.
Guerlain’s Legacy
Guerlain perfumes are a great choice for women who want to smell unique and unforgettable. They are truly one of the best French perfume brands today. Whether you prefer classic scents like Shalimar, modern fragrances like Mon Guerlain, or niche perfumes like L’Heure Bleue, Guerlain has something for everyone.
This makes every bottle of Guerlain perfume not only smell amazing but also feel good to wear. When choosing your Guerlain perfume, go ahead and smell as many as you can to discover your perfume preferences.
With their expert blending techniques, each bottle of perfume is a work of art that you’ll enjoy wearing again and again. So go ahead and indulge in a little luxury with a beautiful bottle of Guerlain perfume – you won’t regret it!
