Angélique Noire Guerlain 2005

I have four types of perfume purchases - and I’m sure you’ll find yourself in one way or another.

First, there are the impulse buys. Sprayed and pocketed. Wow, that was delicious! And not even that expensive. I wonder if it will last? We’ll see. And does the base smell good too? Definitely, if the top note is already so delicious. Experience shows that I have no knack for these types of purchases. The impulse buy fragrances quickly end up at the back of my perfume cabinet, so such purchases hardly happen anymore.

Next are the repeat purchases. You’re always keen on new scents, but there are those two or three fragrances that are ALWAYS repurchased as soon as the bottle is running low. Aren’t we all repeat offenders? It makes sense: the fragrance you wear repeatedly almost becomes part of your identity, well, at least of your “outfit,” your personal style. A warm greeting here to l’Ambre des Merveilles. I will always have a spot in my little perfume cabinet for you.

The third type, and undoubtedly the most exciting, is the blind buy! Have you surfed Parfumo for half the afternoon and filled your wishlist? Then checked the online shops and the souk? Oh, there’s that fragrance on sale that got a really good review. And the scent pyramid sounds really promising. Costs and benefits are weighed. These are the fragrances whose arrival I can’t wait for the most. That thrill just before the first spray! Ambre Impérial, I’m already eyeing you.

Now we come to the last category: the longing purchases. I test a fragrance, whether from a small sample vial or directly from the perfumery, and I fall in love with it. Slowly but surely. I keep returning to this fragrance in the perfumery and testing it again. The longing grows stronger. But it’s quite expensive, so I want to be absolutely sure before buying! When the fragrance is finally acquired, I know it so well that it feels like I’m buying an old friend. It’s incredibly satisfying to finally be able to spray the fragrance at home.

Angélique Noire belongs to my category of “longing purchases.” I’ve had my eye on this Guerlain for a year now. Whenever I get to try it on my wrist, a sort of arm malfunction occurs: my arm constantly bends to hold the scented hand under my nose. When I spray it on my neck, I have such a wonderful, warm-spicy-sweet aura around me that I feel absolutely secure.

This week, I finally snagged a 20ml decant and am overjoyed that I can now test it extensively.

Angélique Noire does not start quietly; it demands a grand entrance with a red carpet and a drumroll! The spicy, aromatic-sweet top note with peppery angelica is accompanied by a warm, creamy-spicy vanilla that is absolutely mouthwatering! For me, the spicy vanilla dominates the fragrance progression. Contrary to some criticism, I can’t perceive any pear, but maybe I’m “scent-blind” to that note. Angélique is elegant and very long-lasting, which I would expect from a Guerlain in this price category. The fragrance is intensely noticeable for a good 6-7 hours, after which it becomes quieter.

This fragrance warms me, it cuddles me. The decant certainly won’t last long. The high price is unfortunately a dampener, but I suppose it’s justified. But why do some fragrances have to be so hard to find here? Maybe to make the trip to France even more exciting.

Don’t worry, dear Angélique, your bottle will surely be in my cabinet soon.