The Aqua Allegoria range often gets a bad press, but I reckon Guerlain ought to keep going with their fragrance haiku, because every now and then it allows us to enjoy an endearing little ditty like this one. As its name suggests, the emphasis is on a scented garden, with pride of place awarded to a velvety, white jasmine, minus the glassy sharpness of indoles. In fact, this is essentially a quieter, one-dimensional version of last year’s Idylle, with a drydown that, regrettably, is allowed to descend into pre-pubescent sweetness. Mind you, as far as sins go, this one isn’t especially heinous. And when you consider how little Guerlain charge for 75 ml of this stuff – and the lack of pretentiousness with which its opening acts bring a smile to your face – you realise you haven’t got much cause for complaint.
[Review based on a tester of eau de toilette from 2010; fragrance tested on paper.]
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Sounds interesting – I haven't tried it – but it's picked out this month by Vogue magazine, so I'm going to search some out. Have you tried Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune? It's incredible – like smelling a grapefruit – the skin more than the juice, but actually both are in there. Not sure if I love it – but really admire the skill in creating it.
Thanks for writing.
I think FN is quite readily available now, so you shouldn't have too much trouble hunting it down.
I agree with you 100% about Pamplelune. I don't really see why anyone would want to smell of it, but it is certainly potent, convincing stuff. Mind you, grapefruit essential oil is extremely tenacious – and totally recognisable – so perhaps it wasn't quite as difficult as we imagine to 'frame' it in a scent. I'd recommend smelling some in an aromatherapy-type shop: it's a real knock out.
Yours is the fourth review I am reading on this scent, and it is pushing me over a great review, as always.
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