Aqua Allegoria Herba-Fresca (1999)
by Guerlain

I must say that I was not at all expecting to encounter a blast of mint in the opening of Guerlain Aqua Allegoria HERBA FRESCA. I think that I was expecting angelica or culinary herbs such as basil or tarragon. Instead, this composition offers somewhat bitter greens along with a fairly hefty dose of mint.

This 1999 Aqua Allegoria is certainly more natural smelling than some of Guerlain's recent launches in this series, but I do not really find this particular combination of notes all that appealing. I feel in a sense pulled in two directions: on the one hand, HERBA FRESCA is trying to be a sort of aromatherapy scent; on the other hand, it aspires to be a floral green perfume. I'm not convinced that it succeeds as either.

21st September, 2011.

I'm not too sure why Guerlain claims this fragrance is supposed to smell like "freshly cut grass." I went to Sephora today and sprayed a bit of this scent on my arm and honestly, all I'm getting out of this one is lemon and lime. Maybe the fragrance is actually supposed to be lemongrass? In any case it definitely doesn't smell anything like Ormonde Woman by Ormonde Jayne which is more like what I was expecting. Don't get me wrong, I actually do like some citrus fragrances. I'm actually a pretty big fan of White Citrus from Bath and Body Works (which smells like this fragrance quite a lot actually.) But White Citrus isn't a really expensive fragrance. This isn't really the type of scent that I would pay over sixty dollars for, but maybe that's just me? Plus, the longevity is pretty bad. I find this fragrance fades out pretty fast.
If you are a huge fan of citrus and "fresh out of the shower" fragrances that don't really smell like regular perfume then I would recommend this one. Otherwise, you might want to pass on this one (or just buy White Citrus.)

7th September, 2011.

I appreciate what this scent is trying to accomplish. Unfortunately it leaves me cold.

The smell of mint in perfume has got to be tricky to execute. And it seems in this fragrance it just doesnt work out at all on my skin. Im left with a scent reminicent of mouthwash and lily of the valley. In all fairness I hate lily of the valley so maybe Im not the right candidate for this perfume. I wanted something to remind me of my late dear Grandmoms garden in the summer accompanied by the smell of homemade iced tea with fresh mint leaves and lemon. Annick Goutal's Ninfeo Meo does a better job.

29th August, 2011.

Appearantly unpretentious and very simple but skillfully mastered. Mint joined by a super fresh verbena and tea. Nice and delightful.

2nd May, 2011.

AQUA ALLEGORIA HERBA-FRESCA is the brisk scent of freshly mown lawns on a sunny afternoon moments after the sprinklers turn on. While the mint may come across a little jarring up close, it is far from intrusive in sillage, at least to my nose. I must also congratulate Laurent for keeping a firm restraint on the femininely floral lily-of-the-valley note to produce a green and mildly soapy profile that I find refreshing even though some may find this aspect 'detergent-like'. Unless you happen to hate minty notes, this is a distinctly likeable offering from Guerlain with good projection for the first hour and a mandatory reapplication after 3-4 hours.

18th August, 2010.

I'm getting fresh mint leaves-quite green.Refreshing,clean, subtle,perfect for hot days. A simple green, true mint fragance, unisex, not very long lasting .

20th June, 2010.