L'Instant de Guerlain pour Homme (2004)
by Guerlain

Unlike many, I do not find L'Instant to be a straight-up gourmand, though I do agree that the cocoa is definitely identifiable. I strongly believe that L'Instant is a model example of a "modern classic" - contemporary, complex, and appropriate for all occasions. This is one scent that actually lives up to its impressive list of notes.

This review is for EDP.. L'instant has to one of the best scents i have sniffed...the overall feel of the scent is just so rare to find..the bitter, powdery nature of cocoa combined with amber..the soft, exotic touch of vanilla and woods with floral elements sprinkled over it and all of this embraced by a luxurious note of leather.....the best part of this scent is it's sillage..just wow! the way it engulfs and surrounds the wearer creating a sort of dome..any mortal being crossing into this dome is sure to be wowed....pls do not judge this scent by a spray on wrist...try wearing it as an sotd and im sure it'll surprise you with it's unique blend...

I bought myself a bottle of the Eau Extreme long time ago but i rarely used it. Somehow it smelled a bit like a milder version of A'men. The last month that has changed. Big time. One day I put on a jacket that i hadn't used for long time and i was noticing this great smell....it came of my jacket. Weeks earlier i had put some L'instant on the collar and it smelled great! The perfume had developed in a great way! I guess i never gave L'instant a good chance. Now i do and i learn to appreciate it. L'instant is sophisticated because it is not in your face and still lasts for hours and hours. Now it is one of my great favourites...and not only for me. When i ask my girlfriend which of my perfumes she likes best she always chooses M7 from YSL and L'instant..

I split my fragrances into groups - "work a day"- evenings - weekends - days off -etc ..... this is a weekend, possible sunday fragrance. Rich, sumptuous, refined. A warmth develops through to the drydown and this conjours up a relaxed classical masculine perfect for an autumnal sunday.

This was the yummiest thing on my boyfriend, and even though I was wearing the glorious Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia, I felt quite upstaged by how fabulous he smelled! Perhaps a touch too sweet for him, was his opinion, and mine too: I want to wear it! Love the elegant bottle too. EDIT: So I tried it on last night, and it's LOVELY on me, and indeed, boyfriend again said it would be a touch sweet for him. I must say, I don't find it 'manly' at ALL. My grandmother or something in her home used to smell like this, so to me, it's just cuddly, safe, nice. Not too exciting, just NICE. Fabulous bottle!

I find this is actually wonderful in the summer. Maybe not for a day at the beach, but the citrus opening is delightful. Longevity isn't fantastic, but the dry-down certainly is. I wrote my review for the Extreme version - of which I was able to appreciate the dry-down a bit more.

L'Instant de Guerlain pour Homme is one of the easiest fragrances. A "go to" for a day at the office, a job interview, etc. The sillage certainly isn't overpowering and I think it's unquestionably masculine and maintains its status as a fantastic gourmand without being synthetic/cloying or too "edible". I'll also say that the bottles are substantial, heavy glass with a great design. A wardrobe staple!!