L'Heure Bleue Guerlain Eau de Parfum

This is quite likely one of the toughest fragrances to review, at least for me. It's a gorgeous, nostalgic, dusky classic that's at once memorable and very hard to describe. I can't easily pick the notes apart as they're so well blended and the whole perfume feels smooth and seamless. But for the sake of analysis and review, I will try to isolate them :)

L'Heure Bleue starts with a burst of heliotrope, violet and anise, which is surprisingly playful and a bit dramatic. But the opening doesn't really prepare you for what is to follow - a gorgeous, classy, powdery heaven, of old-school Guerlain refinement. There is iris in there, there is vanilla and soft sandalwood and benzoin, all developing slowly as the perfume dries down, while a sublime note of orange blossom is constantly apparent to my nose.

L'Heure Bleue definitely feels like a floral oriental, with nutty undertones of almond-like heliotrope, trademark Guerlain iris powderiness and a soft, lush, creamy base of woods, resins and spices. A combination like that might sound rather bold and overpowering, but with L'Heure Bleue, it's all a melancholic whisper, of understated grace.

I have received very diverse feedback while wearing this - some people loved that it smelled like French face powder and cosmetics, others found it soapy and old-fashioned like homemade soap. My best friend was excited that it smelled to her like her favorite Indian incense sticks. There were about as many opinions as people to tell them.

To me, though, L'Heure Bleue smells like a feeling, a human emotion. It is not merely a perfume, it is a mood, a contemplative, melancholic state of spirit - like... feeling blue. :)