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Ranked 8 in Women's Perfume
8.2 / 10 1296 Ratings
A popular perfume by Nicole Miller for women, released in 2006. The scent is powdery-floral. It is being marketed by LVMH.
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Main accords

Powdery
Floral
Sweet
Creamy
Gourmand

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes Top Notes
BergamotBergamot
Heart Notes Heart Notes
FreesiaFreesia RoseRose
Base Notes Base Notes
AlmondAlmond White muskWhite musk WoodsWoods Calcified DoorstopCalcified Doorstop

Perfumers

Videos
Ratings
Scent
8.21296 Ratings
Longevity
8.01027 Ratings
Sillage
7.1960 Ratings
Bottle
8.0965 Ratings
Value for money
7.4379 Ratings
Submitted by DonVanVliet, last update on 10/15/2025.
Interesting Facts
In L'Instant Magic the new Guerlain accord Musquinade was used for the first time.
The fragrance is part of the Les Légendaires collection.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to
L'Instant Magic (Extrait) by Guerlain
L'Instant Magic Extrait
Fleur de Lune by Jacques Zolty
Fleur de Lune
L'Instant Magic Elixir by Guerlain
L'Instant Magic Elixir
Blu Indaco by Giardini di Toscana
Blu Indaco
Carita (2012) by Carita
Carita (2012)
Bay of Biscay by Black Onyx
Bay of Biscay

Reviews

114 in-depth fragrance descriptions
aoe

51 Reviews
aoe
aoe
Top Review 7  
Plastic Almonds
Among the German reviews some noted that they thought this was a very quiet scent, to which I couldn't agree less. I don't have any of it at home, but sprayed myself with it a few times and while I don't find it outright unbearable it remains a very artificially smelling almond scent that kills anything below. Only the metallic lemon has a chance in the head and early base, and that's not exactly a favorite of mine.

The benzaldehydic almond musk didn't convince my co-tester either, quite in contrast to Serge Luten's Louve with a similar almondy theme that I had bought in the 'bay a bit before
1 Comment
ScentFan

336 Reviews
ScentFan
ScentFan
Very helpful Review 3  
Dislike A Little Less
I wanted to love or at least like this perfume, so today I gave it a second wearing. The first wearing was off-putting in the extreme. Bergamot, Fressia and Rose--all of which I like--should have won me over, much less the lovely-sounding base of almond, woods and white musk, but they didn't because my nose just detected chemicals and in self-defense closed. This time I had a longer chance to appreciate this mellow, pleasant scent until, alas, the synthetics once again asserted themselves. Though I had to wash it off, I don't hate-hate it now. The reason I can't wear this is the same reason I have to vacate the house if chemicals are being used, the same reason I was sick for a week after the visit of a supposedly-green-and sanitary cleaning company, that turned out not to be. I could rent myself out as a human canary. Suffice it to say that nature didn't intend that we be long exposed to whatever ingredients are in L'Instant Magic. Those with noses not so afflicted, may find this a quite pleasant, almond-rose scent that doesn't change much during the drydown, but perhaps there's something to be said for an agreeable steady state.
2 Comments
07012000

5 Reviews
07012000
07012000
Very helpful Review 4  
powdery almond clean fragrance
For me 'l'instant magic' was a blind buy.I was attracted to the pink colour of perfume.It seemed to me girly but when I smelled it things totally changed.Although it's not a niche perfume I think it can be compared to a niche perfume.At first all you can smell is white flowers with lemon but after a little while it turns to a powder heaven-not a baby powder /talc powder perfume, but a baby soft perfume with an etheral vanilla, an almond or better bitter almond clean/musky perfume, that lasts for hours without being heavy.It is just like you are in the middle of a sweet-powdery cloud so light that everyone will notice.
1 Comment
Oriane

139 Reviews
Oriane
Oriane
4  
A Baby Powder Bomb With a Bit of (White?) Musk
Category: Floral Woody Musk

Top Notes: Anise, Bergamot, Lemon.

Heart Notes: Mimosa, Carnation, Violet, Freesia, Rose.

Base Notes: Iris, Sandalwood, Almond, Vanilla, Cedar, Musk.

Projection: Decent

Sillage: Decent

Longevity: Good

The house of Guerlain is unquestionably my favourite house, and I own many, many of its fragrances including the original L'Instant which I quite like and would not hesitate to recommend, so with high expectations I recently added L'Instant Magic, EdP to my collection. I have worn it a few times now, and whilst it is not a bad fragrance at all, it is not as nice as I thought it would be, and perhaps this is because the legendary J-P Guerlain did not create this fragrance for the house. Who knows?

L'instant Magic has a very strong powdery note all the way into the deep dry down. It is not a "make-up" type of powder but a baby powder kind of powder (so I am in disagreement with the previous reviewer), and it truly dominates this fragrance. Whilst there is nothing wrong with the scent of baby powder, I do not find it very sophisticated, and if I wanted to smell like baby powder, I certainly could do so for a lot less money.

I am truly sorry to say that this fragrance is definitely NOT the usual Guerlain quality, and it is definitely NOT worth the price, and unless you really love the smell of baby powder, you probably will not be too impressed with this fragrance. Instead, and unless you already own them, I recommend you purchase Shalimar, L'Heure Bleue, Samsara, or even the original L'Instant for half the price of Magic and get truly beautiful, sophisticated, and romantic fragrances in the bargain. It pains me greatly to say it, for after all this is a Guerlain, but I have smelt Bath and Body Works fragrances that are more sophisticated and more compelling than is Magic, e.g. Black Amethyst. Before you commit to spending this much money for Magic, please try to sample it first. You will be glad you did so. I wish I had done so.
1 Comment
Jazzy76

320 Reviews
Jazzy76
Jazzy76
Very helpful Review 3  
A veil of mystery
This scent could be the icon of feminity : soft, classy and with a veil of mystery.
To my nose, when I tested it after many years , arrived immediately the flowery notes, then the almond, very light and soft, not at all bitter or medicinal. The base note which last on my skin are mainly the white musk (soft and divine) and the woods, warm and very sensual.
Another Guerlain's masterpiece which lasts for many hours on the skin without resulting heavy or intoxicating. It is the art of hiding and revealing made perfume.
0 Comments
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Statements

264 short views on the fragrance
5
Love: this gentle scent smells like a soothing, pampering cream. Hate: > a dot makes it hard to breathe. Such a soft, pretty poison.
0 Comments
4 years ago
3
Smells like a baby powder (talc) with flower scent. The definition of powdery perfume.
0 Comments
3
Glad I didn't listen to detractors. Similar opening to original, continues into totally different perfume: clear musk and air, almond powder
0 Comments
2 months ago
2
Powdery but soft rose, a little bit sweet as well. it's really giving a clean, out the shower and similar to baby powder vibes.
0 Comments
Was afraid of the comments about vanilla as I badly react to it, but I thankfully smell a sweet & powdery almond instead. Lovely scent.
0 Comments
1 year ago
53
35
Step into your old, powdered flower room
Your sweet love embraces me
Magically protective and warm
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine +
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35 Comments
29
6
Crème de la Crème,
almost no longer a perfume, but a state of being!
Cuddly soft pink feel-good oasis
Love it!
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6 Comments
26
25
Fine almond powder
in the bergamot breeze
softly envelops the
delicate rose
freesia enchants
the light wood
You magically draw
me under your spell
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25 Comments
26
32
Powdery musk almond, delicate rose, bergamot adds a slight edge, subtly sweet. Pure seduction... eternally lures the woman...
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32 Comments
25
8
Sometimes life is less colorful
Sometimes it feels heavy
Sometimes it just needs a gentle hug
Homecoming
Protective charm
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8 Comments
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