This Under-$150 Guerlain Perfume Won Over Our Picky Fragrance Expert
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
Here at T&C, we pride ourselves on our discerning eye for quality. With Tried & True , our editors will give you an inside look at the pieces they simply cannot live without.
Some people might say that I'm extremely picky about perfume, so when I finally come across a new fragrance that truly impresses me, I have no choice but to shout it from the rooftops. As a fragrance expert who tests dozens of scents each month, I can't count the amount of times that I've been promised an exciting and unique perfume, only to spray on something I feel like I've smelled a hundred times before.
Je vous présente : L'Heure Bleue , Guerlain's latest eau de parfum (and technically, a reimagination of the original 1912 scent). It's inspired by the blue hour that occurs at dawn and dusk—a scent to evoke the start of a new day or night. To my nose, it's a fresh yet warm floral, opening with a clean laundry-like ozonic accord before revealing warmer, creamier notes of iris and vanilla. And while most of the brand's repertoire skews pricey (the cult-favorite Vanille Planifolia clocks in at $660 a bottle), L'Heure Bleue clocks in at a reasonable $145.
I had the distinct pleasure of smelling this perfume for the first time in the ideal setting: sitting in an art deco theater at the Waldorf Astoria hotel during its launch event. When it first hit my nose via paper tester, I thought it would be too fresh and aquatic-leaning for my taste. But as soon as I tried it on my skin, I was smitten. The iris note is unlike most others I've smelled—rather than going powdery or lipstick-like, it's earthy and almost buttery, giving it a modern scent that stands out in a sea of same-y department store perfumes.
As it wears throughout the day, I find that the ozonic top notes are surprisingly persistent, but start to smell warmer and more skin-like as the vanilla comes through. And I know what you're thinking—vanilla perfumes are beyond played out—but L'Heure Bleue isn't overly sweet or juvenile in the slightest. Instead, the vanilla plays more of a supporting role here, adding a spicy depth that gives it an addictive quality (I haven't stopped smelling my wrist all day).
For me, the real appeal of this perfume lies in its contrasts. It manages to be airy yet rich, and noticeable enough to draw compliments without suffocating your coworkers. I would argue that it's versatile enough to wear for most seasons and occasions, but its fresher scent profile especially lends itself towards daytime settings like the office. And of course, the bottle is easy on the eyes, too—its gently sloped glass silhouette and inverted heart cap are nothing short of display-worthy.
Despite my embarrassingly large collection of fragrances, L'Heure Bleue is something I'll reach for consistently when I want to smell elegant, clean, and a little mysterious (which honestly, is most days). And because a full bottle is under $150, I won't be afraid to spray to my heart's content.
You Might Also Like
