Reviews of Terracotta Voile d'Ete (1999)
by Guerlain

You know when you go to an online fragrance retailer and go to the Guerlain page, and a number of 'oddball' fragrances are on the page, many of which are inexpensive and you know nothing about them? Terracotta Voile d'Ete is one of these Guerlains. I have not tried all of these mystery limited editions, but I can safely vouch for the fact that TVdE is a gem and a tremendous value considering the absurdly low prices it fetches on these sites (I bought mine for $22).

TVdE is primarily a carnation fragrance, which naturally has a floral spiciness to it. There are a confluence of other florals, and I believe citrus, that temper the spicy nature of the carnation and result in a fragrance that is very bright and sunny. It is not at all like a white floral, but wears more like a citrus or even a cologne, especially when you first apply it. The fragrance is essentially linear and, as mentioned by other reviewers, stays close to the skin but it lasts as expected for an EdT (4-6 hours). There is a light sweetness as well, which I believe results from heliotrope (there is also a light heliotrope-esque powderyness to the composition). On a side note, Guerlain used their old-school "circle flacon' with the cone stopper (with accompanying detachable atomizer) that used to be used for EdC concentrations of their fragrances. Don't worry, TVdE is an EdT.

A word to the wise: Guerlain may have discontinued TVdE, but it was reincarnated as a member of the Les Parisiennes line under the name Quand Vient l'Ete. If there is any different between the two, there may be a twinge of distinction in the topnotes, but they are at least 98% identical to one another (per a simultaneous skin test). I was seriously considering a purchase of the Les Parisiennes release until a knowledgeable BNer clued me in, as I know clue you in. Don't spend $200+ when you can spend $25! Not only do I recommend you try this, but I'd go so far as to say this is a safe blind buy for fans of Guerlain florals, especially at a the low prices it's available for.

Fantastic. I can not believe more don't know about this one, or maybe they do and just don't talk about it?

Whatever the case, this is superb. I love it.

Lovely, light carnations, slightly perfumey. Doesn't have a lot of strength or longevity, however. Very very sheer.

I'm in agreement with most reviewers here...this is a lovely skin scent. Baked earth, spicy carnation, tinge of green (muguet???) Highly wearable. I prefer something sweeter, but this Guerlain is very underrated ~ give it a try for sure!

I have stocked up on this, buy bottles everytime I see them offered online, for it is a staple in my wardrobe, and I can wear it in all seasons, though I find it particularly comforting in cold weather. It reminds me of time I spent in Algiers, sun baked earth, burnt umber tones, soft & spicy. Reminds me of a tune on Mile's Davis' Scetches of Spain.

It's not easy to find a warm, spicy scent that can work well on the hottest days. But this is one of them. Carnations, baked earth, spice, and the Guerlinade combine beautifully here. It stays close but lasts well for an EdT- wish they made a parfum version, though! So sorry this was discontinued, it's a gem, and can be found at a good price online.

This is truly a skin scent, to the degree that I could not smell it on me. My boss and several co-workers thought it was fabulous, but strange that voile d'Ete has such a spicy and baked smell. Reminiscent of the sun-baked clay perhaps? But there is no earthy smell I can detect from samples. (Remember, to me it smells like nothing when I put it on.)

I have been a Guerlain devotee ever since my first bottle of Shalimar at age 19, but if I had to make room on my table for one Guerlain, it would be Les Meteorites. Perhaps I will love Terracotta Voile d'Ete in another season, when my nose is differently disposed.

I remember being wowed by the Terracotta line of cosmetics ( Soft earth tones for a natural, unmade-up look.) I imagined that more than one scent was originally planned for the line, and seeing that this one is Voile D' Ete, I had hoped for fragrances representing the other three seasons. To me the Terracotta name referred to relaxed village life, carefree and close to nature, not to a clay pot note!
I pictured the villages in the south of France: standing on a hilltop looking down at all of the Terracotta tiled rooftops, watching the slow pace of life, and smelling the fresh minty-floral summer air. When you try Voile D' Ete, you get mint right away, blended with carnation and maybe (?) almond. I couldn't find notes listed anywhere, But it is a floral scent. There is definitely a soft rose in there, and I'm sure I am missing a lot, but I don't get any baking spices here at all. I think the mint and florals combine to seem spicy and perhaps can be deceptive. It is the scent of minty summer air. Applied normally to the wrists & neck it certainly isn't a strong scent, although the first few moments with the topnotes seem strong. The real magic happens as time goes on, and this scent is definitely addictive. I enjoyed wearing this during the summer months, and am still wearing it in cooler weather. It is a very mellow scent with fantastic sillage. People are drawn to you when you wear it. Someone told me it was a very nataural, 'alive' scent when they smelled it on me.
The mint makes this soft floral very unique, the drydown is a soft wonderful gourmand vanilla -mint combination that I really love. This scent is in my Guerlain top ten. Too bad there isn't a Terracotta series of seasons, like the Aqua Allegoria series of scents. This is a unisex scent, as it isn't too sweet. The mint keeps it fresh from start to finish.

I must amend my earlier review from August 2005. I revisited Terracotta after making good friends with Jicky and its soft Guerlainade base. I recognize that softness now in Terracotta and need only distract myself from the first half hour of carnation spiciness to arrive at the all-day pleasure of a sweet, chalky floral. It's truly a skin scent. Have plans now to put that Old World-looking bottle in my fragrance cupboard.

TO me, this is the scent of Xmas - cinnamon and orange pomanders and warm musk...akin to a suntan lotion (bain de soleil?), so perhaps this is where the summer imagery comes from. It was a bit too much for me for the summer, but I used up my decant in winter. The drydown is the star. Like L'Anarchiste Light...

On me the main note is clove with a bit of orange spice. (I don't know what the real notes are but, they smell exactly like the above on me). I really like this scent & it is original without being over the top, but it's not me. It reminds me of a blazing hot summer in a far off seaside town