- Product details
- Description
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Release Date:
1919
Brand: Guerlain
Line: mitsouko
Product Type: eau de parfum
Classification: elite
Country: France
Made in: France
Gender: for women
Scent Type: chypre, fruit
Top Notes: Bergamot, Citrus Notes, Jasmine, Rose
Heart Notes: Jasmine, Lilac, Peach, Rose, Ylang-Ylang
Base Notes: Ambergris, Cinnamon, Oak Moss, Spice, Vetiver
According to one version, the perfume Mitsouko was named in honor of a beautiful Japanese woman, the main character in Claude Farrère's novella "The Battle." After the fragrance was introduced in 1919, many European fashionistas, enchanted by its mysterious and enigmatic scent, developed an interest in Japanese culture and traditions.
The initial citrus notes of bergamot intertwine with rich floral aromas of noble rose and white jasmine. As these delicate floral notes gently recede into the background, they give way to the heart notes of lilac, peach, jasmine, ylang-ylang, and rose. The base notes of amber, cinnamon, oakmoss, and vetiver create a subtle trail that envelops the wearer like a veil of mystery. The composition's notes are intricately blended, making it difficult to single out any one element—together, they form a harmonious and exquisite olfactory symphony.
I didn't like Mitsuko... I don't taste any sweetness, any floral notes... It's somehow sharp, prickly. Maybe if I let it sit for a while, I might end up liking it. I bought it based on reviews and description. No complaints about the store.
This is truly a masterpiece, and it's no wonder it has been selling for 101 years. I'm very glad that despite the reforms due to the ban on certain ingredients, which unfortunately led to the fact that many classic fragrances will not return to us in their original form or their longevity will suffer, thanks to Thierry Wasser, the beauty of Mitsouko remains almost the same as when it was created by Jacques Guerlain in 1919.
Upon first spraying it on my nose, there was a very sharp note and the fragrance itself seemed very bitter and even slightly repulsive. Except for one piercing and pungent note, I didn't feel anything on my skin. The next day, I decided to apply the fragrance again, and what a miracle: it had changed beyond recognition. Perhaps after removing the alcohol plug, the fragrance restructured itself and began to reveal all its beauty and power. Now it starts with a sharpness and mossiness, with a considerable amount of bergamot, but after an hour, it settles into the characteristic Guerlain base, which carries the signature of Jacques Guerlain. It's like a red thread that connects all three of his legendary fragrances: Shalimar, L'Heure Bleue, and Mitsouko, which plays on me like the scent of candied sugar-coated lemons and mandarins with a hint of spices.
The fragrance is complex and ambiguous, and it seems to have a life of its own. Like a real woman, it can be bitchy and unbearably piercing with its notes of bergamot and vetiver, or it can be gentle and affectionate, gifting the fragrance of dried fruits with spices. Its longevity is very good, lasting up to 8 hours on the skin and almost a day on clothing. It's worth starting with a sample or a small version to understand if the fragrance suits you or not.
Chypre fragrances can be worn in spring or autumn when they fully blossom. In winter, the cold can make the fragrance flat, but it's the perfect time for oriental and gourmand scents. In summer, it may become suffocating for you and those around you. It's suitable for confident women who love and appreciate the classics of the Guerlain perfume house. Chypre lovers will appreciate this fragrance as it can distinguish its wearer from the crowd with its individuality and self-sufficiency.
The perfume is 100% original, and the bottle is made of high-quality glass. The plastic cap is well-made and sits tightly. The sprayer works properly and is adorned with the brand logo of the perfume house. Unfortunately, the box was slightly crushed, which is probably why there was a discount, but for me, it doesn't matter. The most important thing is the fragrance itself and the very prompt delivery. I will continue to order products because all the perfumes are 100% original.
And I also want to revive this beauty! I have three legendary Guerlain perfumes in my collection. The first one was Shalimar in EDT, then L'Heure Bleue EDT, and the latest one I acquired is this perfume (although in a refill form, but that's not the point). The smell is divine! The longevity is very decent! It is a magnificent perfume, especially in the top notes. Shalimar fades away after 30 minutes, I can't even smell it... maybe there is some base left, but my nose doesn't react to it. As for Mitsouko, it is sharp and harsh at the beginning, but it gives me peaches with cinnamon all day long! And lilac... it is a very beautiful perfume, very long-lasting, no prickly vintage feel, it has an expensive and deep sound. Maybe it's a matter of perception, maybe it's the chemistry of the skin, but I haven't found those horrors that 50% of different forum users write about this wonderful fragrance. The conclusion is - if you have doubts, then you should test it. After all, this perfume has been around for more than one generation, not for nothing.
I didn't buy it from this website. The scent base is simply divine. BUT! It doesn't last on me AT ALL! I don't know how that can be. Only on clothing, there are barely detectable beautiful notes. It's heartbreaking. I will try it in different conditions.