I have finally built up the courage to try Guerlain Idylle. I’m a Guerlain fan. My attraction to Guerlain comes naturally. I have been a Guerlain fan since childhood, sneaking sprays of Samsara at the department store counter as my grandmother purchased Estee Lauder lipsticks. I love Jicky, Shalimar, and yes, I even love Insolence. I also fall for all of the “boutique” limited editions. I also like”Guerlainade”. When Idylle was launched, perfume pals told me not to waste my time because I wouldn’t care for it. I listened. However, I did spray Idylle EDP on a blotter a few times at Nordstrom. I was incredibly disappointed and never wore it on my skin. One day the SA gave me a sample and  6 months later, I decided to try it on my skin.

The opening of Idylle disappoints me. It isn’t bad at all  but it isn’t good and it isn’t Guerlain at all. It isn’t fair to compare Idylle to Guerlain classics or any other classic. But, even as a “now” fragrance, I’m not impressed. Idylle EDP’s opening is a mix of synthetic florals that feels like it is trying to copy Estee Lauder Pleasures. Idylle smells like lilies, the lily of the valley is there but not neccesarily good or needed. There’s peony, fruity roses, and every “spring” floral you can imagine. I feel like if I want this sort of thing, I’d go for Estee Lauder Pleasures, or better yet, Estee Lauder Private Collection. The middle of Idylle is a jammy mix of stone fruits, raspberry, and floral dew. I get that sweet lychee-rose jam note that has been very popular the past few years in department store fragrances and in niche fragrances like Juliette Has A Gun Miss Charming. Idylle becomes a fruity, rose floral. Not bad. The dry down is pretty with a mix of subtle mossy florals and a sheer woodsy musk. Not that great and without any Guerlainade. This is bad for people like me 🙂

Idylle EDP is one of those perfumes that I wonder why it exists. And I wonder why Guerlain even bothered launching it when so many things like it are on the market and in prettier bottles. Idylle feels like a fragrance that has tried to capture the trends of the past 5-7 years of perfumery. And it did. Who knows? It may be the one that becomes the new classic and the others will disappear from our memories in 15 years. Or Idylle may be so generic that we forget it and remember something more mainstream modern-chypre like SJP Lovely. Because of this, Idylle feels like a perfume that Guerlain launched to fill up space until they come up with something better but not be forgotten in the world of perpetual perfume launches. Say what you want about Insolence, but at least it is memorable. Idylle is pretty and does pretty stand the test of time? We will see!

I do like Idylle and if someone was to give me a bottle I’d wear it, most likely on gloomy or rainy spring days. But, will I buy it, no.  My sample is enough for me. Idylle does smell like a high end department store fragrance and it’s long wearing. I do see Idylle being popular but I don’t know what people want. It isn’t very “Guerlain” and the price will detour those not familiar with Guerlain. But, it should attract those that want “pretty”.

Notes listed include lychee, raspberry, freesia, jasmine, lilac, lily of the valley, peony, Bulgarian rose, patchouli, and musk.

Give Guerlain Idylle EDP a try if you like delicate florals with a hint of fruit or perfumes like SJP Lovely, Estee Lauder Pleasures, Juliette Has A Gun Miss Charming, Gucci Flora, Narciso Rodriguez Essence, “Signature” Vera Wang, and/or Dolce & Gabbana The One.

Guerlain Idylle EDP retails for $90-$130 depending on size. It is available at Nordstrom.

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