Vetiver pour Elle Guerlain 2004

I love green fragrances, both the sunny-warm ones and the fresh-cool ones, each in their own time. Vetiver pour Elle comes across as very green right from the start and does not disappoint me.

Vetiver pour Elle is neither sunny-warm nor cool-green; it’s a bit as if it’s still undecided, perhaps a light green, just as if it’s gathering strength for the summer. For a vetiver scent, it is gentle with only the slightest hint of stubbornness. The bitter bergamot, which can sometimes come on strong, is here enveloped in a veil, a broken, light, almost transparent green fabric that surrounds me with a tiny, smoky, spicy secret. Only a keen observer will discover my secret. I am completely myself, not trying to impress or draw attention to myself. I enjoy the tranquility of the spring morning, sitting bare-faced and barefoot on a wall, with birds chirping above me, the sun's rays caressing my bare arms and legs, and my face turned towards the sun. It is still cool; only a few buds have opened, and a faint scent wafts towards me. And only after the sun has passed its zenith does the tonka bean send me its vanilla-like greetings, offering a premonition of the warmth of the coming summer.

Dear Vetiver, you are kind to those who want to get to know you, yet very reserved. Your voice could be a bit louder for me, as I don’t hear quite as well anymore. I always have to get very close to understand your greetings even in the afternoon.