Guerlain has just added two new fragrances to the Aqua Allegoria range: Nettare di Sole and Flora Salvaggia, and deliciously evocative names aside, both are just so perfect for summer. Actually, both are perfect any time of year — we don’t need a specific season to enjoy wearing fragrance, now do we?
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In my last few posts I’ve spoken of the beautiful mailers I’ve received from Guerlain, and the one containing these fragrances is no exception. Inside the round container was a metal heart-shaped decorative frame (that I absolutely will repurpose and hang in my ‘beauty cave’) with a [recyclable] foam heart nestled inside which cradled the fragrances. The whole of it was surrounded by real dried bee-friendly wildflowers, and also included a charm complete with a golden disc stamped with the bee emblem. As with previous mailers, the brand uses sustainably sourced and ecologically minded materials to produce everything and what’s more, this arrived right before World Bee Day where Guerlain had created an international fund drive with the goal of raising up to one million euros in aid of their Bee Conservation Programme. How amazing is this initiative? As if I needed any more reasons to love this brand …
By the way, I’ve planted all the bee-friendly wildflower seed packets I’ve received with these recent mailers (seen here) and seedlings have already begun sprouting — I can’t wait to see what flowers emerge!
Previously reviewed Aqua Allegoria fragrances:
- Orange Soleia & Granada Salvia
- Coconut Fizz, Pera Granita, Mandarine Basilic
- Rosa Rossa, Bergamotte Calabria, Teazzura, Limone Verde
The Aqua Allegoria range was created to be somewhat ephemeral, with each fragrance capturing a moment in time and retelling that story. Their eau de toilette nature means they will never be as intense as perfume, but that only adds to their charm and makes you savour their scent all the more. Another interesting feature of the range, is that you can — and totally should — layer them to create an entirely new & unique sensorial experience. In true keeping with the brand’s aesthetic, the cap is stamped with the bee symbol, while the shoulders of the bottle come draped with a honeycomb “shawl”– in homage to guerlain’s iconic ‘bee’ bottles.
Nettare di Sole is solar nectar, flower nectar — which smells like an image of bees landing on flowers and collecting pollen. This sunny creation combines flowers in their full splendor: magnolia, rose, and jasmine Sambac, which are accented with solar notes and mixed with a delicious and warm scent of honey, which dominates the sweet, thick and warm sunny shades. Freshness is provided by Calabrian bergamot and sparkling orange blossoms. The creation offers a rich but light floral scent perfect for spring and summer days and evenings
Aqua Allegoria Nettare di Sole Eau de Toilette (CAN $99.00/75 ml) | Created by Thierry Wasser and Delphine Jelk, this is a delicious “icy floral honey”. The initial spritz opens up fresh and with a zingy citrus note, but which a moment later seems almost ozonic, calling to mind the salty breeze off the ocean. A short while in, a mellow honey note starts to emerge, winding its way through it all and softening what could otherwise have been too gourmand — giving it just the perfect kiss of sweetness. Composition:
- Top notes: Orange Blossom, Watery Notes, Calabrian Bergamot
- Heart notes: Solar Notes, Magnolia, Jasmine Sambac, Rose
- Base notes: Honey
Pairing suggestions: Bergamote Calabria, Coconut Fizz, Orange Soleia, Mandarine Basilic, Ginger Piccante
Flora Salvaggia paints landscapes of spring meadows and fields where we can enjoy flowers in full bloom; lush, green grasses swaying in the wind and aromatic herbs that stun our senses and play throughout the composition. The fragrance is created as floral and bright, and opens with the juicy and fresh, fruity & watery scent of melon combined with violets and wildflowers in the opening, which are a prelude to the dominant orange blossoms and sunny jasmine Sambac flowers in the heart of the fragrance — creating a feeling of the warmth of sun rays. Over time, powdery violet, white musk and noble iris combine to create a fascinating finish
Aqua Allegoria Flora Salvaggia Eau de Toilette (CAN $99.00/75 ml) | Created by Thierry Wasser and Delphine Jelk, this is a fresh & lively fruity floral. Although it’s said to open up with an initial watermelon note, I get something more tangy at the first spritz — as though someone sprayed citrus over fresh lavender. Minutes later, its song begins to sweeten, bringing forward the floral heart but without any cloying factor. The dry down is where it gets very interesting, as you’re left with a warm skin scent that’s tinged with a touch of the wildflower accord — I imagine that’s what one would smell like after falling asleep on hot summer’s day upon a field of wildflowers (if only …) Composition:
- Top notes: Violet, Watery Notes, Melon, Wildflower Accord
- Heart notes: Solar Notes, Jasmine, Orange Blossom
- Base notes: Violet, Iris, White Musk
Pairing suggestions: Bergamotte Calabria, Rosa Rosso, Granada Salvia, Flora Cherrysia
Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic Eau de Toilette (CAN $99.00/75 ml) | Originally launched in 2007 and created by Marie Salamagne, this remains one of the best-sellers of the range to this day. It’s not surprising, as that perfect combination of tangy citrus + green herbal notes make for a fresh yet surprisingly romantic pairing that works equally well on everyone, regardless of gender. Inspired by the Sicilian countryside, this is also amazing worn solo or layered with others of the range; when paired with Nettare di Sole, it serves to boost the citrus appeal of the latter. When paired with Flora Salvaggia, the wildflower vision takes on a more gardenesque tone. Personally, this happens to be one of my absolutely favourite “fresh” fragrances to wear year round. Composition:
- Top notes: Clementine, Bitter Orange, Orange Blossom, Green Tea, Ivy
- Heart notes: Mandarine Orange, Basil, Chamomile, Peony
- Base notes: Sandalwood, Amber
Fragrance is a huge part of my life, with special memories tied to various scents. I’m also rather “scent-sensitive”, in that certain notes can trigger an instant migraine and therefore I’m very selective in what I spritz on. That said, one of the things I love about the Aqua Allegoria range is that they’re all light hearted and so effortless to wear, especially on those days where I don’t want the long term commitment of perfume. Interestingly though, I find that staying power is actually quite good with these just the same, and layering them is also a great way to take things to a unique new level. Of the two new releases, I confess that Nettare de Sole has completely captured my heart … let’s just say that this bottle will definitely be getting quite a bit of loving.
Available at Sephora, Guerlain Boutiques and select retailers
Kindly provided by Guerlain for my unbiased consideration
