Véga (1936)
by Guerlain

Even though marketed to women, this scent is actually very unisex to my nose. It opens with a blast of lemon/bergamot mixed with a soapy accord and a mild powder undertone. The bergamot tones down a bit and the powder gains strength throughout Vegas' development. The powdery development is similar to many other Guerlain scents, with the first one immediately coming to mind being L'Instant. I think the powder and soap are a bit too much for me, and really not to my liking. That said, the scent is very wearable, and shows some skill from the nose responsible for it.

4th November, 2011.

Vega is often compared to Chanel #5 and Arpege, but I for one don't smell the similarities. The aldehydes in Vega are toned down quite a bit. Yes the jasmine, and white flowers are present in Vega, but there is a sweetness, a darkness and a spiciness that the typical aldehydic florals don't possess. Vega opens with bergamot and aldehydes, with jasmine and orange flowers peeking through from its floral heart. The vanilla and orris over tonka and woods in the base not only support the florals, they color them. The depth and subtle sweetness and woody spiciness of the base permeates the entire perfume lending not only warmth, but richness, comfort and welcome. Most Aledyhidic florals seem standoffish and formal to me; but Vega is a star of great luminosity. It has no need to prove anything to anybody. It is almost casual in its pure elegance. Upon my first several testings of this fragrance, I thought that there would be no way I could feel comfortable wearing anything so floral and beautiful. But now I can't imagine my wardrobe without Vega. So far, Vega is the only aldehydic floral that I can ever see myself wearing. Wearing Vega doesn't turn heads because it smells feminine; it turns heads because it smells inviting.

30th November, 2010.

In a recent move to explore and acquire some of Guerlain's classic fragrances I made a recent excursion to the Guerlain counter at my local luxury retailer. After trying many of the classic fragrances, I came home with Vega -- thrilled, happy and ecstatic. Vega is a bold and beautiful aldehyde, with stunning bergamot, cassia, ylang ylang, jasmine, sandalwood, amber, and vanilla shining through. But, in addition to being a gorgeous, head turning, fragrance, at the same time, it's demure, exquisite, and timeless. I can see the comparisons with Chanel No. 5; however, to me Vega is more refined. In the late dry down, it shares many characteristics with Vol du Nuit. It is a radiant fragrance and a sheer joy to wear. I do disagree with some reviews that attempt to pinpoint when and where to wear Vega. Although a very austere fragrance, I think Vega is perfect for many occasions (with some common sense and good taste, of course). It's formal and friendly and serious and fun. If you're looking to try some of the more classic (i.e. early 1900s) fragrances by Guerlain, do not overlook this one. And, by the way, I'm a guy and I don't hesitate for even one second to wear Vega. It is an aldehyde-floral-oriental fragrance that lends itself perfectly for unisex wear. Two thumbs up and 10 gold stars to a stunningly beautiful fragrance.

28th October, 2010.

Vega is simply exquisite. Lots of huge aldehydes and an opening that is so much like Chanel No.5 - a cross between the EDP and the extrait. Very smooth ,ylang ylang is very forefront on my skin. As it progresses,there is a little of Vol de Nuit peeking out , some woods. It is elegant, supremely elegant .I'm not getting any powder. I can see why it is called Vega after a star- it is so bright and luminous to begin with - like a flash of aldehydes ,rose and ylang ylang. Beautiful and still smells up to date . Classic.

12nd June, 2010.

One of the few women's fragrances that I wish somehow I could wear or even just own without feeling embarrassed if someone were to find it in my collection. It is lusciously rich and decadent; almost impossibly lovely and not at all modern. The fragrance of allure and sex appeal without being cheap or slutty, this is almost "too too". I have a tough time with "notes" "basenotes" "drydown" and all that jazz when writing about this. Frankly, who cares? Vega is flowers and incense and booze and a waff of romantic air that is almost impossible to describe. Maybe the right words to describe this are style, personality, strength, sex appeal, sophistication and fun. When I smelled this and went crazy for it I said in my next breathe, "who would think of such a thing?" I would love to know a woman who would have the sensibility and the self possession to be able to wear this without some apprehension. You can't be totally conventional and wear Vega. You can be sort of conventional, but not totally. Not for the office; or the country club; or book club or food co-op, ladies, but for other places and other times. A night fragrance that is sweet and wonderful and just a little naughty, but in a smart sophisticated way. Think Louise Brooks or Jean Harlow in a Chinese patterned silk dressing gown and you're on the right track. Can you mix a Martini and dance the rhumba? Holy crow what a fantastic perfume!

24th December, 2009. (Last Edited: 23rd February, 2010.)

Véga is perhaps the most radiant of Jacques Guerlain's '1930's style' perfumes. Therefore, it's no surprise that it's named after one of the most luminous stars in the Sun's neighbourhood. Vega, the star, - also called Alpha Lyrae - is the brightest one in the Lyra-constellation, so immensely bright that it has served as the baseline for calibrating the photometric brightness scale. The perfume Véga was released in 1936 in the so-called 'inkwell bottle'. It never entered the classic range, but seventy years later, it was the first to be reissued in the 'Il Était Une Fois Guerlain' collection. Like Liu, it finds some inspiration in Chanel no. 5, but with a less conventionally feminine and flowery, and more oriental and woody, focus, and it also starts out brighter and more conspicuous with a shining citrus note. Compared to Liu, Vega feels more sharp, soapy and also sweet with a mix of ylang-ylang, rose and aldehyde, and one can sense how Vega might have inspired Jean-Paul Guerlain to make Chamade some thirty three years later - although the latter is a much greener scent. Véga's flower accords persist all the way through the perfume's evolution, but the sharpness is soon overtaken by a powdery oriental base of vanilla, sandalwood and rosewood. Like almost all of Jacques Guerlain's '1930's style' perfumes, it has an 'austere' aura - but like the star, it's the brightest of its sisters.

28th April, 2008. (Last Edited: 6th May, 2008.)