Guimauve de Nöel / 31 was launched in 2016 by indie French line Parle Moi De Parfum. The line was started by Benjamin and Romain Almairac, sons of renowned perfumer Michel Almairac, who created iconic fragrances Fahrenheit for Dior and Gucci Rush for Gucci. They started the line as a tribute to their father’s dream of creating his own exclusive fragrances.

Guimauve de Nöel / 31 translates to ‘Christmas Marshmallow’ and was inspired by MichelAmairic’s childhood memories of Christmas celebrations in Provence: the wonder, the laughter, the family gatherings, the seasonal foods like fougassette, a slightly sweet brioche flavored with orange flower water, that’s part of Provençal Christmas traditions and treats like Guimauve de Nöel.

Guimauve de Nöel / 31 is built around three main notes: orange blossom, vanilla, and sugar. It opens with the nose-tingling note of a bright, effervescent orange blossom tinged with a flick of green, that creates excitement and anticipation. A note of vanilla joins the orange blossom. The vanilla has a caramel-tinged sweetness, giving Guimauve de Nöel / 31 warmth and depth. There’s a contrast between the indolic orange blossom and the creamy vanilla that I find compelling. A note of licorice adds a gentle, spicy warmth and slight sweetness to the composition. A puff of powdered sugar settles on the orange blossom/vanilla accord, gently sweetening it without making it sickly sweet. What stands out to me is the lightness and pillowiness that Guimauve de Nöel / 31 has. North American marshmallows are dense and heavy, but the French put egg whites in their marshmallows so they’re fluffy and airy. Guimauve de Nöel / 31 dries down to a cheerful, cozy, comforting fragrance that’s floral and subtly spicy, sweet but not cloying. Michel Almairac’s signature minimalism gives Guimauve de Nöel / 31 a tender, romantic elegance.

Guimauve de Nöel / 31 doesn’t smell like ‘Christmas,’ certainly not Christmas in Toronto. What it is is an olfactory Madeleine de Proust that triggers comforting childhood memories of innocence, happiness, and life without care.  

I love to wear it any time of the year.

Notes: Orange Blossom, vanilla licorice, sugar.