The fragrance released to celebrate Guerlain's 180th year anniversary, 180 Ans de Creation has been discussed here before, but it's increasingly hard to find that thread, so I thought I'd post a new one.
I've been wearing this from a sample numerous times now (I received a sample as a birthday present last year, from a friend) and as a fan of Guerlain scents in general - this one took me several months to process.
A creamy, orange (creamsicle?) top note is the first accord that grabs my nose - the tiniest bit waxy and then in a few minutes a bit more citrus prominence takes over and pulls me along a slide show of very familiar Guerlain accords. There are many fragrances out there, that in style exemplify the Guerlain style - to a point. When I smell some of them, it's like looking at someone from the back (walking in a crowd) and being certain that it's someone I know, only to have the person turn to face me and see that it is a stranger! Of course, wearing 180, I felt like this the entire time. It smells like so many different parts of Guerlain, that in actuality it does not smell like a new creation at all.
Perhaps this was Guerlain's reason for releasing this as a non-commercial gift fragrance (in June 2008), for loyal customers and industry insiders. Perhaps someone who'd never smelled a Guerlain scent for many years and always thought of them as a line that someone else wore, would smell it and say, 'Oh, this is what Guerlain smells like? Nice..!' The scent is easy to like, not in the least bit challenging & very sweet - something that many scents in Sephora aspire to be. Yes, the accords are rich and satisfying - they don't smell synthetic (even if they are) and the general feeling is one of luxurious French perfumery (fine ingredients, exclusivity and rich, solid packaging) - still...it is not unique.
I can't help but think: when would I wear this? That got me to thinking that maybe 180 was not created for daily use, but rather as a marketing tool for Guerlain. Sort of a scent halfway between something they'd pipe into the ventilation system at a Guerlain VIP party and something sitting in a lab somewhere that JP Guerlain (or T. Wasser or Delacourte) smelled once and said, 'Oh wait...! This one has potential...save this for us to use later!'
I'd love to read more comments from those of you who've smelled/worn this one.
I've been wearing this from a sample numerous times now (I received a sample as a birthday present last year, from a friend) and as a fan of Guerlain scents in general - this one took me several months to process.
A creamy, orange (creamsicle?) top note is the first accord that grabs my nose - the tiniest bit waxy and then in a few minutes a bit more citrus prominence takes over and pulls me along a slide show of very familiar Guerlain accords. There are many fragrances out there, that in style exemplify the Guerlain style - to a point. When I smell some of them, it's like looking at someone from the back (walking in a crowd) and being certain that it's someone I know, only to have the person turn to face me and see that it is a stranger! Of course, wearing 180, I felt like this the entire time. It smells like so many different parts of Guerlain, that in actuality it does not smell like a new creation at all.
Perhaps this was Guerlain's reason for releasing this as a non-commercial gift fragrance (in June 2008), for loyal customers and industry insiders. Perhaps someone who'd never smelled a Guerlain scent for many years and always thought of them as a line that someone else wore, would smell it and say, 'Oh, this is what Guerlain smells like? Nice..!' The scent is easy to like, not in the least bit challenging & very sweet - something that many scents in Sephora aspire to be. Yes, the accords are rich and satisfying - they don't smell synthetic (even if they are) and the general feeling is one of luxurious French perfumery (fine ingredients, exclusivity and rich, solid packaging) - still...it is not unique.
I can't help but think: when would I wear this? That got me to thinking that maybe 180 was not created for daily use, but rather as a marketing tool for Guerlain. Sort of a scent halfway between something they'd pipe into the ventilation system at a Guerlain VIP party and something sitting in a lab somewhere that JP Guerlain (or T. Wasser or Delacourte) smelled once and said, 'Oh wait...! This one has potential...save this for us to use later!'
I'd love to read more comments from those of you who've smelled/worn this one.
. For the Tonka, I'm still a bit reserved. Yes, it's both more sweet and powdery than 180, which I like, powder is very much the Guerlain signature, but I find it just a tad dull like the rest of the Art+Matiere line...
