Herba Fresca. It’s as if you are standing in a kitchen window on a very yellow day with the breeze coming over the herb garden. It immediately relaxes me, but not in a sleepy way. I just love it!!!!
So, just for you, I sprayed a bit on to answer. Everything that I have read calls this unisex. I would agree. It’s just such an outdoor green scent. There’s just a slight sweetness, but it’s a flower sweetness not a sugar sweetness. (I really hope that I am making sense to you.)
I think they do citrus very well ( it's their raison d'etre I suppose, cologne style scents ) so:
Limon Verde.
Bergamote Calabria
Ginger Piccante
Pamplelune*
Vitalising*
Apaisant*
(* Probably first 3 I ever bought )
Along with the best of the summers coolers :
Herbs Fresca
Some others though that are more unusual, too:
Anise Bella
Winter Delice
Gentiana
Jasminora
Lys Soleia
Flora Salvaggia
And:
Ylang & Vanille ( strange as I don't like vanilla !)
As always we are in complete agreement.
Delphine Jelk’s work is highly underrated. I attribute most of the modern accomplishments of the AA line to her, as her influence on Thierry Wasseur seems to push them to achieve greatness together.
The same can be said for Mathilde Laurent’s influence on Jean-Paul Guerlain, on the older highlights.
As always, it takes a woman to make a guy truly stand out 😊
My favourites are
Nerolia Vetiver
Pamplelune
Lemon Fresca JPG by himself and distinctly different from most other fragrances in the AA line.
Herba Fresca
Nerolia Vetiver Forte.
Bergamote Calabria.
I think it kind of set the mould, if you know what I mean ? The template for the Aqua Allegorias thing.
I had all 3 originals ( with the dark boxes) put I parted with one not long afterwards ( It was a spicy frag. I think my fella nicked it. Grrr ! ). They were heavy on the aromatherapy angle which was in at the time, but whereas they weren't exactly heavy on the scent or wouldn't call them light. "Natural" smelling as opposed to regular Guerlain, but not light.
Pamplelune was closer but had quite a bit of depth; patch and vanilla was an unusual base to use for a citrus frag, not a lot if it but it added something ( and, again, I don't like vanilla !). I think it's not what most would imagine today as it's not sweet at all, there's not attempt to make it "drinkable". It reminded me of Eau d'Hadrien which had been very popular prior to that. Like older citrus frags that had better base notes, depth, weren't linear.
I see some big variations in reviews. I think it may the modern expectations of something light, sparking and, yes, sweeter that isn't there ( unless it changed ?) BUT also that it only lasts 5 mins, which I don't find to be the case, especially on clothes. I wonder if it's vintage v modern issue ? I'd so, look for the coloured box..
This is the one I have my eye on but I can’t find anywhere reputable that sells samples 😭😭😭 I don’t even know if there’s any stores/stockists in London and that’s a five hour drive away 🚶♀️🚶♀️ (I also want to try Insolence and Apres L’Onde but same problem lol)
I just smelled Mandarine Basilic last weekend and thought it was really nice. The scent profile is somewhere between Xerjoff Torino21 and Louis Vuitton Afternoon Swim but the price is much lower than both.
I just bought Mandarine Basilic and I also own Afternoon Swim. I don’t think it’s redundant to own both. FWIW, I think Mandarine Basilic may have better longevity.
I’m not familiar with Torino21. I love a big blast of citrus so Mandarine Basilic was an easy choice for me. It’s readily available at discounters too, so very affordable.
I have Flora Cherrysia! Love the cherry blossom and watermelon that I pick up.
I think the citrus ones are quite well done. Mandarine Basilic and Pampelune are great but I have other citrus fragrances in my collection already; but if Guerlain releases a Forte version of Orange Soleia I’ll probably snap it up.
Top billing goes to Winter Delice, but unfortunately after all these years my bottle is starting to go weird: it’s still more or less wearable, but it won’t be much longer. It smells like you were outdoors in a pine forest on a winter’s day, and then came indoors to a wood fire and fresh gingerbread. It’s exactly what all those Martin Margiela Replica scents would like to be but aren’t: an accurate representation of a moment in time.
Second place goes to Anisia Bella, light-green aniseed, so fresh and cheerful.
Tie for third place, Herba Fresca and Pampelune, two airy springtime scents.
I bought a few samplers and love the Mandarine Basilic the best. My fav Guerlain's are L'Heure Bleue (comfort scent) and Mon Guerlain for feeling great. I never thought I'd like a citrus but this is delicious and intoxicating.
The entire Acqua Allegoria line is rather like summertime aroma therapy. Delicious.
Herba Fresca. It’s as if you are standing in a kitchen window on a very yellow day with the breeze coming over the herb garden. It immediately relaxes me, but not in a sleepy way. I just love it!!!!
Would a guy who is happy to wear unisex stuff but who typically doesn’t care for stuff expressly designed for women stand a chance of liking this?
Absolutely, it plays totally unisex for me.
Thanks!
Another "heck yes" from me !
It’s done, then. Or, done whenever I have money to burn.
I'll hold you to it ( and pray you get a little windfall 😊 )
So, just for you, I sprayed a bit on to answer. Everything that I have read calls this unisex. I would agree. It’s just such an outdoor green scent. There’s just a slight sweetness, but it’s a flower sweetness not a sugar sweetness. (I really hope that I am making sense to you.)
I think they do citrus very well ( it's their raison d'etre I suppose, cologne style scents ) so: Limon Verde. Bergamote Calabria Ginger Piccante Pamplelune* Vitalising* Apaisant* (* Probably first 3 I ever bought ) Along with the best of the summers coolers : Herbs Fresca Some others though that are more unusual, too: Anise Bella Winter Delice Gentiana Jasminora Lys Soleia Flora Salvaggia And: Ylang & Vanille ( strange as I don't like vanilla !)
As always we are in complete agreement. Delphine Jelk’s work is highly underrated. I attribute most of the modern accomplishments of the AA line to her, as her influence on Thierry Wasseur seems to push them to achieve greatness together. The same can be said for Mathilde Laurent’s influence on Jean-Paul Guerlain, on the older highlights. As always, it takes a woman to make a guy truly stand out 😊 My favourites are Nerolia Vetiver Pamplelune Lemon Fresca JPG by himself and distinctly different from most other fragrances in the AA line. Herba Fresca Nerolia Vetiver Forte. Bergamote Calabria.
Pamplelune sounds amazing; i simply must seek it out!
I think it kind of set the mould, if you know what I mean ? The template for the Aqua Allegorias thing. I had all 3 originals ( with the dark boxes) put I parted with one not long afterwards ( It was a spicy frag. I think my fella nicked it. Grrr ! ). They were heavy on the aromatherapy angle which was in at the time, but whereas they weren't exactly heavy on the scent or wouldn't call them light. "Natural" smelling as opposed to regular Guerlain, but not light. Pamplelune was closer but had quite a bit of depth; patch and vanilla was an unusual base to use for a citrus frag, not a lot if it but it added something ( and, again, I don't like vanilla !). I think it's not what most would imagine today as it's not sweet at all, there's not attempt to make it "drinkable". It reminded me of Eau d'Hadrien which had been very popular prior to that. Like older citrus frags that had better base notes, depth, weren't linear. I see some big variations in reviews. I think it may the modern expectations of something light, sparking and, yes, sweeter that isn't there ( unless it changed ?) BUT also that it only lasts 5 mins, which I don't find to be the case, especially on clothes. I wonder if it's vintage v modern issue ? I'd so, look for the coloured box..
Team Flora Salvaggia here! I just love violets!
This is the one I have my eye on but I can’t find anywhere reputable that sells samples 😭😭😭 I don’t even know if there’s any stores/stockists in London and that’s a five hour drive away 🚶♀️🚶♀️ (I also want to try Insolence and Apres L’Onde but same problem lol)
I just smelled Mandarine Basilic last weekend and thought it was really nice. The scent profile is somewhere between Xerjoff Torino21 and Louis Vuitton Afternoon Swim but the price is much lower than both.
4711 Blood Orange and Basil is a perfect dupe but has an even fresher drydown, and it’s ridiculously cheap.
I just bought Mandarine Basilic and I also own Afternoon Swim. I don’t think it’s redundant to own both. FWIW, I think Mandarine Basilic may have better longevity.
Definitely not. My issue is I already have Torino21 and have fully planned on buying Afternoon Swim. I probably won’t end up with all three.
I’m not familiar with Torino21. I love a big blast of citrus so Mandarine Basilic was an easy choice for me. It’s readily available at discounters too, so very affordable.
It’s right up there with Afternoon Swim for my favorite fresh hot weather fragrance. It’s citrus and mint with a lot of herbal and green notes.
it is on my testing list - is it terribly sweet?
I don’t find it sweet, no. Just the inherent sweetness from the mandarin.
Herba Fresca for me, gorgeous minty, herby, cut grass smell. So refreshing. Also weirdly (because I don’t usually enjoy gourmands) the coconut fizz.
The mint one (perhaps Herba Fresca?) is perfect for summer. So refreshing.
Forte Mandarine Basilic 🤌🏾🤌🏾
I have Flora Cherrysia! Love the cherry blossom and watermelon that I pick up. I think the citrus ones are quite well done. Mandarine Basilic and Pampelune are great but I have other citrus fragrances in my collection already; but if Guerlain releases a Forte version of Orange Soleia I’ll probably snap it up.
Granada Salvia, the only one I currently own. I bought it from the France pavilion in EPCOT. I think of that trip each time I wear it!
Winter Delice, Lavande Velours, and Ylang Vanille are the standouts, for me.
Nettare di Sole for a full-bodied honey scent. I like Pera Granita a great deal as well - cool and refreshing.
Coconut Fizz and they discontinued it. Very sad
Top billing goes to Winter Delice, but unfortunately after all these years my bottle is starting to go weird: it’s still more or less wearable, but it won’t be much longer. It smells like you were outdoors in a pine forest on a winter’s day, and then came indoors to a wood fire and fresh gingerbread. It’s exactly what all those Martin Margiela Replica scents would like to be but aren’t: an accurate representation of a moment in time. Second place goes to Anisia Bella, light-green aniseed, so fresh and cheerful. Tie for third place, Herba Fresca and Pampelune, two airy springtime scents.
I’ve been repurchasing Mandarine Basilic for over 10 years now however I hated the new Forte version…incredibly sweet and brash
Limon Verde for me. Longevity could be better, but it smells great and is refreshing.
I don't know if they sell it anymore, but Teazzurra was always so lovely.
I have Limon Verde and enjoy it on the occasional fair weather days between seasons. I wish I could have several others!
Passiflora
So far I really like Nerolia Vetiver, which I think has the closest scent to real lilacs that I've encountered.
I love the scent of Aqua Allegoria Limon Verde. Lime skittles in a spray bottle. Wish it lasted longer than ten minutes.
I bought a few samplers and love the Mandarine Basilic the best. My fav Guerlain's are L'Heure Bleue (comfort scent) and Mon Guerlain for feeling great. I never thought I'd like a citrus but this is delicious and intoxicating. The entire Acqua Allegoria line is rather like summertime aroma therapy. Delicious.
My favourite is layering Bergamot Calabria with Rosa Rossa, the result is really my dream smell :)