Luckyscent
Fragrance X
Indiescents
First in Fragrance
99Perfume
ExcelsisUSA
Parfum1
My Photo
Name:
Location: New York, NY
© Copyright 2005-2011 Perfume-Smellin' Things
All rights reserved
Custom Search

Monday, June 29, 2009

Guerlain Les Voyages Olfactifs: Moscow, Tokyo, New York and a Prize Draw

I am not going to comment on the size of the bottles. Because...well, we've been through that so many times since the arrival of Les Exclusives de Chanel. I shall not analyze whether Les Voyages Olfactifs fragrances suit the cities for which they are named. Because if you are willing to stretch an idea, anything will suit anything.

Paris-Moscou. Flowerbomb Lite. A more graceful, more floral, slightly less sweet version of the same candied-flowers idea. There is a certain refinement of a long pedigree that even such conventionally pretty representatives of the noble Guerlain family as Moscow, Nuir d'Amour and Plus Que Jamais can't help but possess. As witnessed by the three aforementioned fragrances, Guerlain is very capable to produce this kind of high quality olfactory pop music. I wish they made them widely available as there is nothing exclusive about them, instead of a lot of stuff they market widely. Although Moscou has a certain smoky sort of darkness in the base, I did not get either the promised absinthe or the pine needles I so longed for. Nevertheless, a very, very pretty little scent. If it fell into my lap...and, being of a considerable size and weight, not broke it...I'd wear it when a disco roller girl mood strikes me. You probably don't need it if you have: Flowerbomb.

Paris-Tokyo. For those who like this green-tea-citrus-jasmin-pinch-of-sugar sort of thing, this will be exactly the sort of thing they like, only more expensive and in a bigger bottle. This is the opposite of what I am attracted to, but I find it -here is the word again- very pretty. Tokyo is fresh and transparent, but not overly so, because I don't think that, even at their most un-guerlain-iest, Guerlain are capable of a lot of transparency. Tokyo is not sweet, but that pinch of sugar keeps it from being too bland and pale. You probably don't need it if you have: Thé Pour un Été.

Paris-New York. The most interesting of the three. But only inasmuch as I am predisposed to automatically find spice-resins-oriental fragrances the most interesting in any group of scents. Then I let them develop and realize that it has been done and done much more interestingly before. The woody-incensey accord in New York has a very attractive leather quality, the cinnamon does not overpower other ingredients, and vanilla, while kept to a minimum, still manages to give the blend a certain fluffy-powdery voluptuousness. You probably don't need it if you have: a lot of stuff by Serge Lutens.

If you would like to be in a draw for a set of samples of Les Voyages Olfactifs, please say so in your comment. The winner will be announced on Friday. The draw is now closed.

Image source, firstluxe.com

Labels:

74 Comments:

Anonymous Stefan said...

I would love to be entered to win a set of samples!

I've been looking for a nice green tea scent, hoping Tokyo'll be it.

12:32 AM EDT  
Anonymous HollyGolightly said...

Sound lovely~ please include me in the draw!

12:37 AM EDT  
Blogger tmp00 said...

You know what? Cheap-a$$ sample whore that I am, I can't even bring myself to throw my hat in the ring.

12:46 AM EDT  
Anonymous Jane said...

Even tho none of these shouts out to me, of course I can't resist the opportunity to try them. Thanks for that!

12:57 AM EDT  
Anonymous Amy K said...

Please enter me in the draw - I can't resist the urge to try new Guerlains!

1:36 AM EDT  
Blogger Unknown said...

Oh, well, you never know what works. Thanks for the offer, I will take you up on the sample draw. I enjoy weeding out perfume. Nothing ever works on me (besides Tiempe), but I need to know for sure, right?

2:00 AM EDT  
Blogger Tama said...

I would love to be in the draw! Thanks for the review!

2:29 AM EDT  
Blogger M. said...

I'd like to be in a draw! Great reviews...

2:42 AM EDT  
Blogger rebella said...

I think the Paris-New York sound kind of interesting, and maybe Moscow too...

Please enter me in the draw, thank you. :)

2:48 AM EDT  
Blogger carmencanada /Grain de Musc said...

I wasn't overly impressed by these either, though as you say, they're all very nice and very transparent (in a good way). Was did impress me though was the way the Tokyo one developed -- it's got a real timeline. And the tannin feel of the tea note. I kept spraying to catch that moment!
No need to enter me in the draw, I've already got samples!

3:30 AM EDT  
Anonymous patricia said...

I'd like to be included in th draw too. thank you.

5:04 AM EDT  
Blogger Dixie said...

I would like to be entered into the draw for the les Olfactifs. I still want to try them though they do sound disappointing:-(

5:30 AM EDT  
Blogger elle said...

I *wanted* these to work. They are indeed pretty scents. Nice scents. Can't offend anyone scents. Yawn. Next. Deep sigh. I do feel that the notes had potential and if they had just worked for a few more months (I no longer even dare to think of years as a time frame for creating perfumes) on them, that maybe, just maybe they could have lived up to their note potential - been deeper, richer, more complex. But, no. Again, sigh. :-(

6:28 AM EDT  
Blogger Prettywitty504 said...

I'm a fragrance newbie just learning about scent, and I would love to be entered to win these.

6:36 AM EDT  
Anonymous Ann C. said...

I've been looking forward to trying these, especially Tokyo. It sounds like a nice summery scent (or at least what has been passing for summer in this part of the world.)

Please enter my name in the draw.


Thanks!

6:38 AM EDT  
Anonymous Lian said...

Please enter me into the draw, would love to see if the light one is actually pretty since I own a lot of SL :)

6:42 AM EDT  
Blogger Ines said...

Please enter me in the draw. :) I would like to try them very much.

6:58 AM EDT  
Blogger Sue said...

Thanks for the review, Marina. I love your matter to fact comparisons to other scents.

I'd still like to try these thought, so please enter me in the draw. Have a great day!

7:48 AM EDT  
Blogger Divina said...

Oh, Marina, I loooooooooved Moscow...! Its genius to me lies in how very delicate its sweet nature is. It brings to mind all things fluffy: marshmallows, fairy clouds, feather power puffs...

7:52 AM EDT  
Blogger thescentmuse said...

I can't resist a scent journey. I would love to be entered in the draw.

8:17 AM EDT  
Blogger lutefisk said...

These scents all sound amazing. I would love to try them. Please enter me!
Thank you!

8:31 AM EDT  
Anonymous london said...

If Tokyo lasts longer than The Pour un Ete, I would love to try it. Please enter me for the drawing. Thank you.

8:32 AM EDT  
Blogger Alyssa said...

I was surprised by the quality of New York, which did indeed remind me of a lighter, fluffier version of several Lutens, including, for a striking moment or two, Feminite du Bois. It is absolutely the wrong season for it, and, as you say, the wrong marketing angle and price point, but I'm curious about what it would be like to wear it over a longer period of time, in the fall. Something tells it me it might hold up better than it first appears. But then, I find Plus que Jamais quite lovely, too...

8:46 AM EDT  
Blogger EileenS said...

Oh, heck -- Yes, I admit I'd like to sample these!

Guerlain and I have a mixed relationship -- some scents work well and others quickly become scrubbers. Not sure what the problem notes are. New York and Tokyo sound like they have some potential, especially as hot weather scents.

9:45 AM EDT  
Anonymous MarkDavid said...

Would LOVE to try these, M. Do we know what the price point is on these yet? And are they available in NY, yet?

9:55 AM EDT  
Blogger saralevy said...

thanks for reviewing these scents Marina! Guerlainiac that I am, I'd love a chance to try them please.

10:15 AM EDT  
Anonymous Nina Z.P said...

I would love to be included in the draw (I find the only way I can really give a fragrance the attention it deserves is by wearing it at home, rather than by sniffing it quickly on one of my occasional perfume trips to San Francisco). Thanks!

10:30 AM EDT  
Blogger Unknown said...

love everything Guerlain so far. Thank you for the review. Please enter me in the draw.

10:35 AM EDT  
Blogger Unknown said...

I'd love to try these. Please enter me in the draw. Thank you!

10:45 AM EDT  
Anonymous maitreyi1978 said...

Please include me in the draw.

10:46 AM EDT  
Blogger Gator Grad said...

Wow. Dying to try!! Please enter me. "Flowerbomb lite" might be right up my alley-- since full blown Flowerbomb is totally too much for me.

10:57 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can't resist, please put me into the draw :)

11:20 AM EDT  
Anonymous Elisaneth said...

Hi !!!
Oh Yes! I am very curious with these perfumes - includes me please.
XOXO Elisabeth

11:57 AM EDT  
Blogger romano said...

Please include me in the draw for these fantastic perfumes. I would love to have Venus in Furs, Minx and Black Valentine for my beautiful wife of 28 years. Thanks

12:07 PM EDT  
Anonymous Fernando said...

I'm interested in a set of samples as well, despite feeling that, if your review is correct, there might not be a whole lot there.

12:10 PM EDT  
Blogger violetnoir said...

I am curious, so please include me in the drawing.

Thank you, M!

Hugs!

12:14 PM EDT  
Anonymous dleep said...

They sound interesting - I would love to be included in the drawing.

dleep

12:15 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Put me in the draw.
Barbara

12:44 PM EDT  
Anonymous Margot said...

Paris - New York sounds right to me; I am wondering if there is a viable classic in the group.
The classic Guerlains are, well, GUERLAIN - the newer ones so mediocre.
Always interested and hopeful.
Thanks for the sample draw!

12:54 PM EDT  
Anonymous Lora said...

Sure, enter me in the drawing. Thanks!

1:46 PM EDT  
Blogger Ľubaša said...

Thanks for possibility to enter! I like flowerbomb so I guess Moscow is nice scent too, but New York sounds really interesting and worth of trying.:-)
lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

1:51 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh how I would love to win these samples! Please enter me in the draw as I would love to travel olfactorially, since I can't afford the plane ticket at the moment :-)

lovethescents

1:53 PM EDT  
Blogger krnszn said...

Would love to try these. Thanks for the offer, Marina!

3:36 PM EDT  
Blogger Unknown said...

Mmm, they sound worth a sniff definitely but I don't think I'll need a large bottle of any. Please include me in the sample draw. Thanks!

4:41 PM EDT  
Anonymous natasha said...

I'd like a sample too! Paris- NY sounds great.

5:02 PM EDT  
Blogger Tammy said...

Hmmmmmmm, perhaps a light, boring Guerlain will be my gateway to the House; so far, I have found the ones I have tried to be very heavy and musty. (Says she who practically bathes in vintage Carons!)

Thanks for the chance!

6:45 PM EDT  
Anonymous tylda said...

I'm only starting to explore the world of non-department-store fragrance, but I would love to smell these. Please enter me in the draw :)

7:23 PM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh please enter me in the draw, I'd love to sample these!

fountaingirl (at) gmail (dot) com

8:01 PM EDT  
Blogger curtis.w said...

Those sound lovely, and something my girlfriend would love. Please enter me in the draw!

8:27 PM EDT  
Anonymous 2scents said...

I know what you mean; so many scents are variations on the same themes. Still the green-tea-citrus-jasmine theme and incense-woods-resins are two of my faves...

9:55 PM EDT  
Blogger klavaza said...

Oh Yes, of course I would like to win! Perhaps just because your review really made me curious. Thanks.

9:55 PM EDT  
Anonymous zeram1 said...

I'd like to see if they've changed their ways (I did not care for many of there more recent "generic" releases). However, I loved DV and BdA, and enjoyed 68. Please enter me in the giveaway drawing.

10:11 PM EDT  
Blogger Josey said...

I would love to be entered! Thanks!

10:57 PM EDT  
Blogger K said...

I would love to be in the draw! Thanks!

12:48 AM EDT  
Blogger Trina said...

Please enter me!!! I think I need New York.

5:19 AM EDT  
Anonymous Hannah said...

I would like to be entered in the draw too

a green tea scent for Tokyo just seems so obvious and like they weren't bothering to think very hard. If I made a Tokyo perfume, it might have a matcha candy-ness to it, but it wouldn't be a light green tea/citrus perfume.

7:33 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

intrigued - would love to try them, especially New York. Pls enter me in the draw! - hvs

9:21 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good morning,
Well I'm truly excited my the romanticism of these. They sound beautiful.

Please enter me in the draw...

Cheryl

11:35 AM EDT  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I certainly will try them if I win them! Enter my name, please.
-- Gretchen

12:09 PM EDT  
Anonymous E said...

I would love to be entered in the drawing. (Still holding out hope for New York...and I used to wear scents that smell much like the way you describe Tokyo, so I suspect I'd like that one even if it wasn't FBW.) Thank you for the great reviews!

1:22 PM EDT  
Anonymous Pamela said...

Delurking briefly to say nice review and that I'd love to be included in the drawing. Thanks for the opportunity to enter!

3:30 PM EDT  
Anonymous LizS said...

Yes, please enter me! Thanks!!

11:20 PM EDT  
Anonymous Elizabeth said...

I would love to be entered into the drawing. Thanks :-)

1:31 AM EDT  
Blogger Cynthia said...

Ooh... these sound interesting, I'd love to be entered in the drawing. I'm in a very Guerlain mood lately.

1:55 AM EDT  
Anonymous Claudia0219 said...

Enter me in the draw....Guerlain always has something new and exciting up their sleeves and these sound interesting to me. Would love to try. :)

1:57 AM EDT  
Anonymous ScentRed said...

I'm intrigued and would love to be in the draw.

Thank-you.

10:56 AM EDT  
Blogger Heather said...

Please enter me for the samples. I love Guerlain and haven't tried anything truly interesting in some time. Fingers crossed that New York could be it.

Thanks!

1:24 PM EDT  
Blogger Deanna said...

I'd love some samples :)

3:47 PM EDT  
Blogger Unknown said...

Still looking for a tea scent to love after having meh reactions to all the usual suspects. Please enter me in the draw. Thank you!

8:49 PM EDT  
Blogger Unknown said...

please enter me in the drawing!

12:16 AM EDT  
Blogger Merlino said...

Please include me in the drawing, I'd love to be proven wrong about the latest Guerlain releases! :o

2:27 AM EDT  
Anonymous stella p said...

Please enter me in the draw! Would love to try these, especially Paris- Tokio (have yet to find a tea scent that I like enough for wearing) & -NY

5:04 AM EDT  
Blogger Kater said...

Please enter me in the drawing! Thanks :oD

4:45 PM EDT  
Blogger jwpianoboe said...

I would love to be entered in the drawing. Thank you for these reviews!

8:53 PM EDT  

Post a Comment

<< Home