L’Instant de Guerlain for Women was created by renowned nose Maurice Roucel and launched by Guerlain in 2003 and q a fan favourite. It gets big love and rave reviews from women everywhere, and it’s no secret why: it’s beautiful. Maybe not groundbreaking, maybe not a big presence, but oh, what a lovely presence it has!

It opens with a bright, sharp note of bergamot flanked by sweet, juicy mandarin. The fresh citrus start gives way to a floral heart of powdery iris, the note of sophistication, magnolia, a Roucel signature, fresh and lush and lemony - faceted, it’s supported by jasmine and ylang-ylang. I get a whiff of green freshness – perhaps from the honey-tinged black elder. The sweetness of the heart links with the lingering citrus top notes and brightens the floral heart. The base creamy and cozy from vanilla, sweet and warm from amber and rich honey, with a light smokiness, smoothed and rounded by cashmere-like white musk.

The drydown is soft, elegant and very feminine. There is no darkness, heaviness or ‘dirtiness’ in L’Instant de Guerlain. Yes, the famous Guerlinade is there, presented in an updated way - approachable, easy-going and very feminine way.

Roucel has created such a balanced beauty here. L’Instant de Guerlain is complex yet simple, sweet, but not gourmand, with white flowers that dominate but don’t overtake and a sunshine-like radiance that is so alluring, it makes it a must-have in any woman’s fragrance wardrobe.

Notes: bergamot, mandarin orange, iris, jasmine, magnolia, black elder, ylang-ylang, amber, benzoin, honey, white musk and vanilla.