Habit Rouge Eau de Parfum

Sampling Guerlain Habit Rouge EDP, the 2003 flanker (the first, I believe) to the original 1965 EDT version, and a fittingly denser alternative to the EDT. Described as entailing a bled of leather, oud, vanilla, and patchouli, I find that it has most of the sort of citric/sharp/fresh/iris-like powder mixed with vanilla that, for me, so defines what I’ve smelled of the Habit Rouge line, along with some spices and the suggestion of leather and rose, something seemingly present in the EDT and Rouge Prive versions, also, but less so the Parfum and Spirit Parfum. It’s not a huge surprise that in total, the EDP is denser, heavier, sweeter, and the EDT is lighter, fresher, more citric, and therefore a bit easier to wear as an everyday fragrance, whereas the EDP leans more toward both Parfum versions in density while still being somewhere in between in terms of character and performance, lacking some of the boozy, oaky qualities of the Parfum versions. Certainly the contrast between the EDT and the Parfums is more palpable than between the EDP and Parfums. The EDP is a nice compromise among the five or so versions that I’ve tried, a way to enjoy some of the vanillic gravitas of the Parfums while still feeling fairly closely connected to the original EDT. Overall, it’s outstanding.

This smells like nothing else. It is so well blended, so luxurious , so Guerlain. You definitely get the citrus opening, the rose and the vanilla to smooth things out. Even though I see this being worn in a more formal situation I just can't help spraying it random and in casual situations. It's just that good, it's addictive and you smell like no one else on the street, mall, office etc. You will definitely stand out even though the projection is not that high but it does create that nice bubble around you (1-1.5m). There is nothing else to say that hasn't been said for years (decades) now. It's just a classy, fantastic smelling, amazingly blended , unique, oriental Guerlain. I absolutely love it. The only thing that I see not working with this fragrance is that I don't see it being worn in really hot summer days but I think there's a EDC that might solve this problem but I don't seem to find it anywhere. Blind buy, I don't think so. Some people might not even like it even after they try it but an "educated" nose will definitely appreciate this classic. All hail Guerlain!!

Well finally Habit Rouge is growing on me. And nearly two years into my Fraghead life, I guess that is to be expected. I've learned that I am much more drawn to classic vintage scent DNA's anyway, so what I initially perceived as a jumbled composition where the notes seemed to clash, and it just smelled too vintage. Being the 1965 masculinized version of the 1925 Shalimar, it seems Habit Rouge smells more 1925 than 1965. Many vintage frags attract me immediately, like the Guerlain Vetiver I'm currently wearing. Some are more challenging and take maturing of my nose to slowly reveal their beauty, like Habit Rouge and Hermes Bel Ami. Both are coming along in that regard. Habit Rouge is a nice classic composition of citrus, vanilla, amber, rose, other florals and sweet spices. The rose seems more prominent to me lately. I expect my appreciation of it will continue to grow.

I love this one, and imo it's fully unisex -- more unisex than some of my niche and middle eastern 'unisex' scents i've sampled. Sweet, realistic citrus, lemon and a lime that makes me think of key lime pie, with rose-carnation and jasmine, with a base of sweet, spicy resins and powdery smooth glove leather. It's clearly what inspired Etat Libre d'Orange's Fils de Dieu Riz et des Agrumes, though FdDRA has added coconut note and rice, which pulled it too 'foody' for my taste. The Guerlain also feels like a higher quality, with a smoother more natural seeming scent journey. Longevity is impressive, though it sits close to the skin. I can see wearing this frequently especially in spring and fall. This review is referencing a red-topped vertical bottle with a 2017 batch code.

I always thought the EDP would be redundant but finally got it, after getting the Parfum as well. The EDP is a deeper concentrated aroma profile which is perhaps more contemporary than the EDT. The vanilla, leather and mossy-woods are amped up, making the dry down rich and very enjoyable. It lacks the notes journey of the EDT; after the opening it quickly moves to the dry down. Overall it has a sensual refined and quite sophisticated character. Longevity is as good while projection is armslength, leaving a scent presence behind, even after having left a location, as do the EDT and the Parfum.