The House of Guerlain Revives its Traditions

The house of Guerlain, despite their glorious past, doesn’t thrive on memories alone. Reviving their traditions for the modern age, Guerlain introduces us to the high cultural level of the day-to-day life of generations past, which, however, is definitely very much available to the wealthy people of today, and the renowned house calls upon the latter to revive that lifestyle in their modern homes.

One of such exquisite pleasures is the recently launched fragrance for the laundry called Eau de Lit (lit is ‘bed’ in French).

The fragrance, housed in a pinkish bottle with a bright-pink ribbon on its neck, is sold in 125 ml flacons and costs about 50 euro. The color pink is meant to promote exceptionally serene dreams in a bed it was sprayed onto, since the scent is herbal, citrusy, tinged with spices and yet edgy-fresh and light.

Eau de Lit creates a feeling of freshness of a summer garden or of some slightly bitter herbs and dry flowers that had been put in-between folds of linens in order for the latter to absorb some of their aroma. Eau de Lit was most definitely created as an aromatherapeutic fragrance.
 
Well, if Eau de Lit is there to freshen your bed, another heir to the tradition-rich house of Guerlain is Cologne No 68, a classic eau de cologne, which is there to refresh you.

The fragrance was created in 2006 by perfumer Sophie Labbe. I must point out here that Cologne No 68 is not related to the limited edition called No 68, which appeared in 2002 and was created by Mathilde Laurent (that one was a woody-oriental); the two share nothing except the digits 68 in their respective names. However, both are dedicated to the flagship Guerlain boutique/studio/museum located on Champs-Elysees, 68 in Paris.
 
The eau de cologne boasts 68 ingredients, all of which are proudly listed right on the label. Although the fragrance is quite lasting, the volume of the flacons is indeed impressive – it was first sold in 490 ml bottles and later appeared in 250 ml flacons.

Cologne No 68 is truly an object worthy of being displayed in aristocratically decorated spaces. It’s worthy of a bright and sunny morning you’d spend in a French chateau that is all but drowning in the lush greenery of its gardens.

Classic and sublime, it is devoid of any haughtiness so often associated with vintage fragrances. The eau de cologne is modern and has a good chance of winning over a young audience, albeit it one with refined taste.
 

You are first being greeted by citrus notes: the composition abounds with them – I counted 11 varieties in all, leaves included. Citrus accords, light, subtle, without any piercing pungency, intertwine with aromatic herbs such as lavender, rosemary, sage and many others, which, in their turn, add a certain pleasant green freshness and tartness to the composition.

The latter are mellowed out by flower-based accords, which are also numerous – lime- and orange blossom, jasmine, frangipani, etc. All of those merge to give us a single springtime flowery theme, which is at once sweet and refreshing, just like a fragrant garden full of shade.

The fragrance demonstrates the harmonious unity of all its components, which seem to shimmer and play non-stop. 
 

The fragrance, which seemed subtly citrusy in the beginning, blossoms into a bouquet of tender flowers, herbs and leaves. It refreshes you, for it symbolizes spring and youth, while pleading for complete harmony between your thoughts and feelings. It is equally suitable for both men and women, yet it will reveal itself differently to each person – pure magic, possible solely with natural ingredients.

Author: Jeca (jeca)
Fragrantica Member