Guerlinade (1921)
by Guerlain

The joke is on me. I completely expected powder. After all, Guerlinade is the term for the Guerlain base, right? This lovely perfume is clear as a bell and vigorously floral. Here my most surprising discovery: Guerlinade is the best lilac perfume I have ever smelled. To me, it is almost a soliflore (yes) of lilac. Whatever ingredients were used to re-create this difficult-to-imitate flower, Guerlinade has succeeded. Wasn't that the intent? Don't tease me, Guerlain! I have been burying my face in the big, fluffy, purple masses of intoxicating lilac blossoms since I was a child. This perfume is a lilac bush in full bloom, coming straight from a tiny bottle. I could tell you that I smell notes of honeysuckle, spicy rose, or tonka. I could tell you that I smell elements of Chant d'Aromes or Vol de Nuit in here, but primarily, I smell a wonderful, amazing, lilac perfume.