Hello and welcome! Please understand that this website is not affiliated with Guerlain in any way, it is only a reference site for collectors and those who have enjoyed the classic fragrances of days gone by. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. The main objective of this website is to chronicle the 200+ year old history of the Guerlain fragrances and showcase the bottles and advertising used throughout the years. Let this site be your source for information on antique and vintage Guerlain perfumes. Another goal of this website is to show the present owners of the Guerlain company how much we miss many of the discontinued classics and hopefully, if they see that there is enough interest and demand, they will bring back these fragrances! I invite you to leave a comment below (for example: of why you liked the fragrance, describe the scent, time period or age you wore it, who gave it to you or on what occasion, what it smelled like to you, how it made you feel, any specific memories, what it reminded you of, maybe a relative wore it, or you remembered seeing the bottle on their vanity table), who knows, perhaps someone from the current Guerlain brand might see it. If you have any questions, please send all images of your bottle and pertinent information directly to me at cleopatrasboudoir@gmail.com. I will try to assist you the best I can.

Looking to Buy Vintage Fragrances?

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Guerlain perfume atomizer set c2013

Guerlain perfume atomizer set c2013,one is a silvertone, the other is goldtone, they also come with small velous pouches and a small goldtone funnel.


photos byebay seller ioulia1978

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Guerlain c1893


Town Topics, the Journal of Society, Volume 29, 1893:
" My dear Lena, you asked me to see about some small articles de toilette. So I went to Guerlain's and this is what he suggests for you. An etui of Pyrommee for the eyes, it certainly makes one's eyes look better and is quite harmless. It contains a little India rubber tampon that you pass gently under and over your eyelashes, but before using it blow off the black that is too thick or you will have too much on and look as if you had two lovely black eyes. It undoubtedly gives brilliancy to the eyes and does not show in the least. I use it as well for my eyebrows, the least little soupcon and I am sure you have never noticed it. To keep your powder on there is one famous article from Guerlain's called Creme Patti. The Comtesse de B. always uses it and she is certainly the best arranged woman in France. You put it on all over your face and rub it well in. Don't think it is greasy for it is not. Her face never looks hot or greasy. Then you wipe it off with a soft towel and put your powder on lightly. If you want any rouge and if you are feeling tired or ill it is sometimes necessary try lip salve on your cheeks tout bonnement and a little powder on the top of it. Rouge gives such a hard expression I think whereas lip salve no one can see. I defy them to find you out and one hates one's little secrets to be revealed to the world. I ordered you yards of heliotrope flannel to put in the wardrobes and also on your bodies as sachet powder invariably comes out and makes a dust. A new perfume called "Nice Dear", I thought irresistible. In France we adopt a perfume and stick to it. One's scent is really part of one's self l am sure you will like "Nice Dear" enough to wish not to change again and that you will find with the Creime Patti and the Poudre de Blanc de Perles, the lip salve and the black for your eyes time and Weather are naught to you Lena dear I swear secrecy no torture could wrench this secret from my lips."

Rouge D'Enfer by Guerlain c1920

Rouge d'Enfer....a lipstick by Guerlain.....c1920. It was item #50 in the Guerlain product catalog.

 Description by Guerlain:
"Perfectly matching the style of the 1920s, the fun and precious Rouge d'Enfer lipstick was returned to its original position inside the case by pulling on a tassel (patent registered in 1924)."

Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1954), Sunday 27 June 1926:
"Guerlain, the great perfumer, has just put out a new case for rouge. The cover of this case is provided with a double loop of silk; on lifting the cover, the rouge is brought to the desired height, and after using it one lightly pulls the end of the loop opposite to the cover, and the rouge sinks into the box. It is a very recent novelty of which we have tried to give the first news to our readers."




Guerlain's Scented Flannel For Dali In Venice

"In 1961, Salvador Dalí and Maurice Béjart created the ballet Gala , preceded by a baroque opera by Gonfalioneri: La Dame espagnole et le chevalier romain . The show, conceived as "théâtre total", was performed in 1961 at La Fenice in Venice and a few months later in the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels and Paris in 1962.

Despite the historic importance of Maurice Béjart and his innovations in choreography, and the importance of this historic collaboration between two major innovators of the 20 th century, no study has ever explored this event whose principal dancer was the famous ballerina La Tcherina. This remarkable artistic creation was also multi-sensorial: the first performance ever to use perfume as the main scenographic element. A renowned partner cooperated in this project: the French Maison Guerlain designed the perfume Nébuleuse specifically for this occasion, at Dalí's request. The name of the perfume is related to Gala's name, the wife of the painter. Big barrels of perfume were installed on the stage, and were representing the essence of femininity. Men on wheelchairs would pull perfume through long vertical crutches which acted as pulleys."

The barrels were filled with a perfumed liquid specially prepared by Guerlain to produce weird geometric soap bubbles.

The perfume was used to mask the odor of the rotting carcass that was a feature of the production.

Dali's staff came to an arrangement with Guerlain, the French perfume manufacturer, that in return for generous publicity for their expensive product the theatre would be sprayed with their most exquisite perfume.

Also, Decca Records wanted to include some sort of scented product along with the record of the performance which would heighten the listener's enjoyment. They thought of the decaying carcass, but on second thought, realized that it would be tricky to manufacture, a record that emanated this type of scent. Sensing another way to publicly advertise their perfumes, Guerlain decided to include a flannel sachet scented with Vol de Nuit perfume that was said to be used in the stage presentation to be packaged along with the record, at no extra charge to Decca. Instructions for the flannel stated: " In this envelope you will find a flannel to scent your lingerie."

A Day in the life of a wealthy Parisian Lady


A Day in the life of a wealthy Parisian Lady, according to Grace Hummel:

A fashionable Parisian lady during the 19th century may have used Guerlain's perfumed vinegars to scent her apartment with the Vinaigrillon Seville, which she could also use to heal cuts or sores on her body.

The lady would have also used Guerlain's famous Savon Sapoceti, a rich soap, made up of whale blubber to cleanse her body and whiten the skin. It could be had in either a jasmine, ylang ylang, frangipani, heliotrope, benzoin, acacia, verbena, gardenia, honey or rose, or even one of Guerlain's special perfumed blends, Fleurs de Alpes, Huile d'Amande, or Marcehal Duchesse.

A long soak infused with L'Amidon de Guimauve, a starch made from the marshmallow plant, would have softened the bath water.

When she wanted to remove superfluous hair on her face, neck or arms, she could mix some of Guerlain's Epilotoire with a bottle of its Prepared Water to create a hair removing paste.

After bathing and depilating her unwanted hair, she may have dusted her body with Poudre d'Amande in a cloud of pulverised almonds.

To cleanse her face she may have used Laits d'Iris ou de Concombres, a cucumber and iris infused milk from a glass bottle, followed by the citron based astringent, L'Essence de Cedrat or Eau de Pearl to tone her skin and shrink her pores.

By massaging Crème à la Fraise, in a white porcelain jar with a small strawberry molded on the lid, or Creme Emolliente au Suc de Concombres, a cucumber cream, from white porcelain jar, this would moisturize and freshen her face.

To lighten her skin's complexion she may have used some Lotion de Golwond, or the cold cream made up of snails, Creme Froide de Limaçons or the pearly white cream of Blanc de Perles. If she had a blemish a little dab of Creme Camphrea, a so called miracle cream, from a tin pot would help, it was promoted to make your skin look like one of the porcelain dolls from your childhood.

Before bed, she may have slathered on a night cream, possibly Creme Lenitive, an analgesic cream to smooth the skin and to make to maintain its elasticity, and to fade age spots or freckles, she would use Creme Patti or Creme Nivea, both from white porcelain jars.

To clean her teeth, she would use Tresor de la Bouche, a vegetable powder based tooth powder she would moisten with water, it was advertised as preventing tooth decay and would not harm the enamel on the teeth.

To ensure that her mouth was freshened, she would have swished with either L' Elixir de Guerlain, a balsamic antiseptic mouthwash to keep her gums and teeth strong and healthy, or Alcoolat Cochlearia et de Cresson, a watercress infused mouthwash..

To give her complexion a little color, she may apply Serkis de Sultanas, the secret formula of the harem queens. This would be followed by a dusting of Poudre de Lys or Poudre de Cypris culled from its decorated cardboard box with a swansdown puff to cut down on the shine and give her an alabaster like complexion.

To bring a natural glow to her visage, she may have rubbed a little liquid blush, Bloom of Roses on her cheeks with a cotton ball, or swiped a little powdered Rouge au Carmin de Chine or Rouge de Damas on the apples of her cheeks which was pressed into a small glass mortar decorated with gold.

A genteel lady would have used Roselip, a lightly rose tinted lip balm housed in a tiny Sevres porcelain pot, but a more adventurous lady may have applied a little Rose du Moulin, a rosy lip colour with her finger from a small green glass tub or Extrait de Rose from a glass bottle.

The more daring woman may have even lined her eyes with La Pyrommee, an Arabian styled kohl powder for the eyes kept inside an ivory tube decorated with an eye motif. Advertising of the era told a story that Pierre-Francois-Pascal Guerlain learned the secret formula from an Armenian Pasha who gave it to the ladies of his harem

To keep her body moisturized and supple throughout the day, she may have rubbed on some Creme Nivea to her arms and legs and during winter or harsh, windy weather, when her skin needed more protection, a thicker emollient the Cold Cream of Roses would have made sense.

If she was a nursing mother, she may have applied Baume de la Ferte, a balm made from the tannins in Bordeaux wine, benzoin, beeswax and almond oil, to soothe her chapped nipples, the antiseptic qualities of the benzoin and wine tannins would promote healing.Years later in the 20th century, the formula for this balm would be used to restore flexibility to the lips.

She may have then used Crème de Perse to soften her hands, removed her cuticles with Pate d'Amande au Miel, a honey and almond paste, and applied a little Huile de Rosat to give a rosy gloss to her nails..

Her hair would be cleansed with L'Eau de China, to condition her hair, she would have used the Veritable Moelle de Boeuf, a pomade made up of beef marrow to promote hair growth.

To complete her hairdressing, then she would have applied some l'Eau Lustrale, a liquid hair groom which would have gave it a lustrous shine. A touch of Grasse d'Ours Liquefiee, a pomade made of bear's grease, would help keep that jaunty cowlick from popping out from her coiffure in addition to strengthening and prevent color fading of the hair.

Before heading outside she may have applied Pate a L'Huile d'Amandes de Pistache, a pistachio paste made with almond oil, to make skin supple or  Creme Huvé de la Providence to her face to protect it from the sun's rays.

Her toilette would be complete with a splash of Esterhazy Bouquet, a cologne rumord to have aphrodisiacal qualities was a blend of orange blossom, rose, vetiver and vanilla. Her copy of Le Journal des Elegances, a fashionable magazine of the time, even had its pages of a special edition sprinkled with the famed essence.


Photo used in this article courtesy of Rago Arts.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Shalimar: Bouchon Coeur Flacon

Flacon Bouchon Coeur (Heart Stopper Bottle) c1925- ?


Flacon originally created to house extraits of L'Heure Bleue, Fol Arome and Mitsouko. Later used for special edition fragrances such as Le Petite Robe Noir, Mitsouko Fleur de Lotus, Shalimar. Flacon created by Baccarat, Pochet et du Courval,Verreries Brosse, Cristalleries de Nancy and possibly Cristal Romesnil. Designed by Raymond Guerlain in collaboration with Baccarat. I am unsure as to when the bottle was used for Shalimar, it was most likely a limited edition presentation.

Baccarat
  • 40ml/1.35 oz - 9,5cm/3.74" (1912, updated edition in 1947)
  • 80ml/2.7 oz - 11,8cm/4.65" (1912, updated edition in 1947)
  • 125ml/4.2 oz - 13,8cm/5.43" (1912, updated edition in 1947)
  • 250ml/8.4 oz - 16,5cm/6.5" (1912, updated edition in1947)
  • 500ml/16.9 oz - 20cm/7.87" (1912, updated edition in 1947)
  • 1 liter/1000ml - 24,5cm/9.65" (1912, updated edition in 1947)

Other manufacturers:
  • 7,5ml/1.25 oz - 6cm/2.36" (1984) : plastic stopper
  • 10ml/0.388 oz - (1954) : ground glass stopper
  • 15ml/0.5 oz - 7cm/2.76" (1979) : plastic stopper
  • 20ml/0.676 oz - 8,2cm/3.23" (1935) : ground glass stopper, changed to plastic in 1968
  • 30ml/1 oz - 9,2cm/3.62" (1924) : ground glass stopper, changed to plastic in 1960
  • 50ml/1.7 oz - 10,3cm/4.06" (1930) : ground glass stopper
  • 60ml/2 oz - 13,4cm/5.28" (1962) : ground glass stopper, changed to plastic
  • 85ml/2.87 oz - (1911) : changed to 80ml in 1929
  • 125ml/4.2 oz - (1911)
  • 250ml/8.4 oz - (1911)
  • 500ml/16.9 oz - (1911)



Shalimar: Montre Flacon

Flacon Montre (Watch Bottle) c1936-1999

Starting in 1936, Shalimar came in a round, disk shaped eau de cologne bottle with a cone shaped stopper. This is called the Montre, or watch bottle. Flacon created by Pochet et du Courval to hold eaux de cologne, first used with Cachet Jaune in 1936, also held various other scents such as Shalimar, Mitsouko, Jicky, Fol Arome, Chamade, Chant D'Aromes, Liu, L'Heure Bleue, Vol de Nuit, Sous Le Vent, Chypre 53, Parure and more.




Shalimar: Flacon de Guerre and Flacon Borne

Shalimar was housed in the so-called Flacon de Guerre (Wartime Bottle) from 1938-1945.

Pochet et du Courval created this bottle to house extraits of Shalimar, Jicky, Guerlinade, Fleur de Feu, Mitsouko, L'Heure Bleue, Liu, Vague Souvenir, Champs Elysees, Tsao-Ko, Geranium d'Espagne, Jasmiralda, Lilas, Bouquet de Faunes, Guerlilas, Gavotte, Coque d'Or, Imperial Russe, Fleur Qui Meurt, Gardenia,  and others.
  • 10cc/10ml/0.388 oz (1939-1945)
  • 20cc/20ml/0.676 oz (1939-1945)
  • 30cc/30ml/1 oz (1938-1945)
  • 40cc/40ml/1.35 oz (1938-1945)
  • 82cc/82ml/2.77 oz - 10,3cm/4.06" (1938-1945)
  • 125cc/125ml/4.2 oz (1938-1945)
  • 250cc/250ml/8.4 oz (1938-1945)
  • 500cc/500ml/16.9 oz (1938-1945)




 




Shalimar was also housed inside the Flacon Borne (Boundary Stone Bottle) from 1931-1945. The World War II version is all clear glass, without the blue band down the center.

Made by Pochet et du Courval to hold extraits of Shalimar, L'Heure Bleue, Liu, Jicky, Sillage and others.

  • 82cc/82ml/2.7 oz - 10,5cm/4.13" (1931), ground blue glass truncated stopper in the shape of a French policeman's hat.




Shalimar: Quadrilobe Flacon

For a short time in the 1940s, Shalimar was launched in Guerlain's original squatty rectangular bottle with the mushroom stopper, called the bouchon quadrilobe, manufactured by Baccarat. The bottle came housed in a green box with Art Nouveau like gilded designs of stylized lotus flowers.

Flacon quadrilobe was made by various manufacturers such as Baccarat, Pochet et du Courval and Cristalleries de Nancy to hold extraits for various perfumes. Some later bottles hold eaux de toilette or eaux de parfum.

The labels are the standard Shalimar style. Guerlain may have released special editions over the years in different sizes, compare your bottle to the measurements and dates below to accurately date your bottle.

  • 7.5ml/1.25 oz - 5cm/1.97" (1980) : plastic stopper
  • 10cc/10ml/0.338 oz - 5,6cm/2.2" (1954) : ground glass stopper
  • 15ml/0.5 oz - 6,3cm/2.48" (1979) : plastic stopper
  • 20cc/20ml/0.676 oz - 7cm/2.76" (1951) : ground glass stopper
  • 30cc/30ml/1 oz - 8cm/3.15" (1924) : ground glass stopper changed to updated edition plus plastic stopper in 1962
  • 40cc/40ml/1.35 oz - 8,5cm/3.35" (1949) : ground glass stopper
  • 60cc/60ml/2 oz - 9,5cm/3.74" (1962) : ground glass stopper, changed to plastic stopper
  • 80ml/2.7 oz - 9,7cm/3.82"
  • 125ml/4.2 oz - 11,5cm/4.53" (1978 ): plastic stopper
  • 250ml/8.4 oz - 13,8cm/5.43" (1979) : plastic stopper
  • 500ml/16.9 oz - 17cm/6.69" (1979) : plastic stopper
  • 1 liter/1000ml - 22,5cm/8.86" (1979) : plastic stopper



Beat the Heat Guerlain Style!

In 1986, Guerlain advised a way to beat the summer heat with a simple, yet luxurious recipe. 

  • Draw a warm bath, add three drops of perfumed bath oil, and soak your body for five minutes. 
  • Lather your body with any of their scented soaps, and rinse well. 
  • Dry off and rub a few dollops of their posh body lotion into your skin. 
  • Follow up with a few dashes of silky soft talcum powder or dusting powder. 
  • Enjoy!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Shalimar: Chauve Souris Flacons

Please note that this is an updated blog post of my original from 2010 which was found on my defunct website guerlainperfumes.webs.com. All photos and information was gathered at that time and published in 2010. Many of my collages and informative photos have been repurposed by other websites (not my own) and do not give credit to where they got them (my blog). In 2013, I had made the move to blogspot, so all previously published articles are now found here - with most being updated with any new info.




Flacon Chauve Souris (The Bat) c1924- present

Shalimar extrait de parfum was presented in several different flacons over the years, and all bottles will have a gilded batwing shaped label. The oldest design is its original one from 1925, the urn shaped flacon, called the "Chauve Souris" by Baccarat (#597).


Shalimar Secret de Parfum c2002 Limited Edition Bottle

Shalimar Secret de Parfum by Guerlain: launched in 2002 as a limited edition flacon for Shalimar, it was titled "Shalimar Secret de Parfum". The tall, cylindrical, modern styled blue glass splash bottle held 1 oz of eau de parfum and was topped off by the familiar blue fan stopper. The juice has not been changed, it is the same Shalimar eau de parfum.



Shalimar - Black Mystery Bottle c2007

Shalimar 'Black Mystery' by Guerlain: launched in 2007, as limited edition collector's flacons for the Christmas holiday. Guerlain housed Shalimar parfum in a black Baccarat crystal flacon and the Shalimar Eau de Parfum in black glass spray bottle. There has not been a change to the formula for either concentration.

From Guerlain:

Among the most prominent and legendary fragrance in history, Shalimar was created as an ode to love. To recapture that magical feeling, Guerlain reinterpreted the Shalimar legend, with a nod to designer Philippe Starck. Much like his famed black crystal Baccarat chandelier, the latest offering from the Shalimar family is a modern rare jewel. Crafted of smoky black crystal with burnished gold accents, the beloved oriental scent of Bergamot, Iris, Vanilla and Amber finds a new home in this mysterious and striking flacon.




Shalimar c2006 Christmas Limited Edition

Christmas Limited edition packaging for Shalimar, the juice remains the same.

This fragrance eternal, the most beautiful evocative tale of thousand and one nights, still marvel.

Nestled in a gorgeous bottle, filter the mythical heart of jasmine, fresh bergamot and daring enveloping sensuality of vanilla, dressed in gold and blue as a sapphire for the occasion. 

Shalimar by Guerlain, € 83 retail. Eau de Parfum 75 ml spray.

Shalimar 80th Anniversary Années Folles Limited Edition Bottle c2005

In 1925, Jacques Guerlain created Shalimar, the perfume that reinvented the world of fragrance and signaled the birth of the Oriental fragrance family. To celebrate 80 years of Shalimar, the House of Guerlain has created a bottle reminiscent of the Art Deco era that embodies the style of the Roaring Twenties

Shalimar for Women by Guerlain Eau de Parfum Spray 2.5 oz - 80th Anniversary Limited Edition Années Folles Collector Bottle. 

The bottle has a transparent gold finish on the glass and a gilded foil label.  Only the packaging is different, the juice stayed the same.

Shalimar Limited Edition - Prestige Edition c2004

Prestige Edition of Shalimar. The 60ml eau de parfum is presented in an elegant atomiser. The flacon features a baudruchage seal fringed with silk threads. It is housed in a suedette-lined midnight blue case, and retailed for about €255.


GUERLAIN SHALIMAR EAU De Parfum 60ml Splash, Limited Edition - EUR ...


Chypre de Paris by Guerlain c1909

Chypre de Paris by Guerlain, launched in 1909, carries a name rich in cultural and olfactory significance. The word "chypre" is French for Cyprus, evoking the island known for its natural beauty and the raw materials historically used in perfumes. Chypre perfumes are defined by a contrast between fresh citrus top notes and deeper, earthier base notes like oakmoss and labdanum. Guerlain's choice to pair "Chypre" with "Paris" in the fragrance's name reflects a fusion of the exotic and the cosmopolitan, situating the fragrance within the heart of Parisian sophistication and timeless elegance.

The name Chypre de Paris would evoke images of the Mediterranean's sun-soaked coasts, combined with the modern, fashionable atmosphere of Paris. The scent likely conjured feelings of luxury, adventure, and refinement, appealing to women who wanted a fragrance that felt worldly yet distinctly French. In interpreting the fragrance, one might imagine a blend of zesty citrus and warm, mossy undertones—an aroma that felt at once fresh and grounding, much like the balance between nature and urbanity that the name suggests.


 

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Shalimar c2010 Limited Edition Flacon

In celebration of Shalimar’s 85th anniversary, Guerlain commissioned Jade Jagger to create a new bottle for the iconic Shalimar Eau de Parfum.

Naissance Shalimar Guerlain c2009 Limited Edition Presentation

Serge Mansau created a superb limited edition sculpture featuring 5 vintage 1930s Baccarat crystal Shalimar flacons resting inside of a plexiglass slab. Four of the flacons are empty and are fixed inside the slab, and only one is full of freshly made parfum extrait in a 20ml size and this one is loose so that it can be removed for applying the perfume. Only 19 examples of this limited edition set will be sold in Guerlain boutiques around the world. 

The limited edition is known as "Naissance Shalimar Guerlain" and represents the birth of Shalimar.


Shalimar Eau de Parfum c2000 Limited Edition Flacon

For this limited edition,Guerlain decided to have the bottle itself made up of a sapphire blue crystal and the stopper clear crystal, instead of the reverse.This was a 30ml size eau de parfum splash that retailed for 350 francs. It was also available in eau de toilette in the 125ml size for 500 francs.

Shalimar Eau de Parfum c1999 Limited Edition Flacon

Shalimar 1 oz Eau de Parfum Splash in limited edition cobalt blue crystal. This may have been a special edition for Christmas that year. I am unsure of the bottle's manufacturer, I believe it is Pochet et du Courval, I do know that it is not a Baccarat flacon. It stands 4" tall. Has a clear label on base "Guerlain Bottle made in France", also has contents information on a secondary label. 
It is a pretty rare bottle.


Photo by ebay seller covededcastoffs

Shalimar 75th Anniversary Edition c1999

This limited edition anniversary bottle was quite special, it had a clear crystal stopper instead of the usual blue. The box is a flocked midnight blue color.




Guerlain Cobalt Vanity Jar Set c1993

Guerlain Cobalt Vanity Jar and Perfume Atomizer Set exclusive to the Guerlain boutiques. Sold from 1993 til 1999. The glass vanity jars and perfume atomizer were topped with a gilded ball decorated with a stylized scale pattern reminiscent of the Meteorites compact. The matching hair brush and comb were also decorated with the ball.







Poudre Orientale by Guerlain c1850

Poudre Orientale by Guerlain, circa 1850, oriental powder for the nails. It would give a rosy tint and healthy looking shine to the fingernails.

photo by museu del perfum

Shalimar 60th Anniversary Flacon c1986

Shalimar 60th Anniversary Flacon c1986

Shalimar was encased in a block of lucite. It celebrated the 60th anniversary of the perfume. The bottom of the bottle reads 60th ANNIVERSARY. It measures 4 inches high by 3 inches wide.



La Collection des Champs Elysées c2011

Limited Edition from 2011- La Collection des Champs Elysées 



Superbe coffret Guerlain "La Collection des Champs Elysées" containing 3 prestige extraits de parfum, 5ml : L'Instant, Shalimar and Insolence. Black velvet box. Retailed for: $210





Half Ounces Perfume Bottles c1961

In a 1961 edition of Playbill, it has been mentioned that Shalimar, L"Heure Bleue, Vol de Nuit and Mitsouko were making their new debuts in 0.5 oz size bottles, but the scent, the packaging and boxes remained the same.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Le Sacre des Orientaux - Limited Edition Coffret c2005

Le Sacre des Orientaux -The name means "The Rite of Orientals." Limited edition coffret containing 20 ml extraits (parfum) of Shalimar, L'Heure Bleue and Samsara, each quadrilobe flacon is adorned with a single genuine Swarovski crystal strung onto the baudruchage. As you can see from the photo below, Samsara is tied with red cords, Shalimar is tied with navy blue cords and L'Heure Bleue is tied with royal blue cords, each color is respective of the traditional colors associated with each perfume. This boxed set was exclusively available for purchase at the opening of the newly renovated Guerlain flagship store in 2005, with only 69 pieces created.


photo by Coriolon at parfumo

Monday, July 1, 2013

Habit Rouge c1965

Habit Rouge: launched in 1965, created by Jean Paul Guerlain. Habit Rouge means 'red jacket' or 'hunting coat' and refers to professional equestrians' dark red jacket. The bottle was designed by Robert Granai.


Sunday, June 30, 2013

Cour des Senteurs: Versailles by Guerlain c2013

Cour des Senteurs: Versailles by Guerlain: launched in 2013. 




Dames de Table Sealing Perfume Bottle

 Baudruchage is the name for the sealing technique to prevent perfume from spillage and evaporation. It is one of the earliest forms of perfume bottle sealing and was originally made from a thin membrane (baudruche) of animal gut and silk or cotton cords wrapped around the stopper and the mouth of the bottle. Later, onionskin or a thick plastic film was used in place of the animal derived membranes. After the baudruche is in place, a small metal seal is clamped onto the middle of the two ends of the cord to hold them in place.


Eau de Cologne Pour le Bain by Guerlain

Eau de Cologne Pour le Bain, apparently sold exclusively to Guerlain employees only. Reportedly made with all natural extracts.






Thursday, June 27, 2013

"Magic Advertisements" by Guerlain c1917

This was originally published in The Atlantic, Volume 120, in 1917.
"Have you ever seen magic advertisements?", asked the Lady in Blue. "Advertisements that read like poetry or a fairy tale and that had all the delicate imagery of sweet and fragile verses?" "Never," said the Gentleman in Gray. "The advertisements I find in our daily papers". "Pray speak," erupted the Lady in Blue. "Rather come here to me and look at this delightful prospectus a French perfumer has sent me. I don't know if his perfumes are perfect but the names he has given them are quite exquisite. They have the true magic of all inspired things they made me dream and smile and wonder. 
Here is the first of them Avril en Fleurs (April in Bloom). Don't you feel at once the freshness of young half-opened blossoms and the crinkly softness of baby leaves?" I saw as in a flash the light blue April sky before me with its hurrying white clouds and its unexpected little winds and I felt the whole scent of spring in the air. "Now is that not a magic advertisement? But that is not the best by far. 
Here is another perfume with the charming name Le Bon Vieux Temps. Are there more words needed to create for you great grandmother's time with its potpourri jars and its hoopskirts its little elegancies and its faded sweetnesses? 
Or here La Voilette de Madame can you give me anything more insinuating and coquettish. And thus I could go through the whole list every name is a little masterpiece. 
See this one Le Jardin de Mon Curé?" I smiled under tears when I read it because once I knew such gardens with their wonderful unworldly peace and their sweet and simple old fashioned flowers. Lemon verbena grows there and mignonette and pansies and above all the dear lavender and I have only to shut my eyes to be back in the land of long ago and to see again such a garden lying quietly and full of tranquillity in the mellow light of a late afternoon. But best of all is this one with its true Gallic flourish and esprit its almost elfish roguishness. 
Voila Pourquoi J'aimais Rosine. Is this not quite delicious. What better reason could one give for love and what more valid one. Words can never express the inexpressible and if you were to explain your love you would only explain it away but here comes this magician with his marvelous wand gives us a whiff of some irresistible and captivating scent and then with a little bow to his wondering and breathless audience. Voila pourquoi J'aimais Rosine. What could be more explicit and yet what more evasive. He gives his whole secret away without letting it lose one of its mysteries. I must confess that I fell quite in love with the name of this perfume and I shall try to buy it as soon as I go out. Oh never cried the Gentleman in Gray. "Whatever you do don t do that If you were to ask for it at any counter you would certainly be told that they were just out of this particular kind or if by a strange chance it should be there the price would surely be forbidding. 
Better give this little prospectus a place among your best beloved books and it will never lose its charm for you. But will mere advertising matter not feel out of place in so elect a company as my books," asked the Lady in Blue. "By no means," replied the Gentleman in Gray, "it will feel absolutely at home and in fact it belongs to all those poets and philosophers and romancers. What they give you is also nothing but magic advertisements. Magic advertisements of a truth that will ever elude you of a beauty you will never behold of a love you will never clasp. They give you charming and tantalizing glimpses of something you can never see or say or touch and yet you feel it is the one the only the true reality. 
Magic are these advertisements indeed tinged with the colors of the rainbow sweet voiced like the Song of the Sirens and quite fulfilled with the pathos of things that are too beautiful. And even while you listen to them to the grave and gentle wisdom of your thinkers to the musical passion and melodious playfulness of your poets to the wistfulness and the charm of your romancers you know full well that the things they praise so much and so sweetly will never be yours. 
You know that if you were really to go to the poor old Fates who are quite well meaning but who keep only a very ill assorted stock of rather dubious goods and demand of them the one or the other of the items you found in your magic advertisements. They would tell you at once that they have not this particular kind on hand and offer you some substitute that perhaps your intellect might accept as just as good but that will never satisfy your heart. Or if by a strange and marvelous chance you should indeed get what you are asking for you will soon see that the price is forbidding. For the one perfect hour you will have to pay with all the years to come and if you are wise you will refrain from so dangerous a bargain. 
If you are wise you will peruse the magic advertisements of your books as you delighted in the little French prospectus but never never will you try to touch this glittering fairy gold with your poor hands. Too soon it would turn ashes and dust." "You are right," said the Lady Blue, "and yet though I agree you nevertheless I shall try to get perfume as I shall try to get all promises of poetry fulfilled by life. Your wisdom after all is limited are just wise enough to be wise whereas I." "Yes?," asked the Gentleman in Gray a shade too eagerly for a philosopher. 
Whereas I continued the Lady Blue with a little curtsy possess higher and a more gracious I am wise enough to be foolish. "Is that a promise?" asked the Gentleman in Gray and he took hold both her hands. "No," said the Lady in Blue smilingly withdrawing her hands "it was nothing but a magic advertisement". And with a little pleased laugh she disappeared leaving him alone wit his vain thoughts and idle dreams. "

Friday, May 17, 2013

Shalimar Ode a la Vanille Sur la Route du Mexique c2013

Shalimar Ode a la Vanille Sur la Route du Mexique by Guerlain was launched in 2013.

The latest tribute to the fascinating Shalimar with a third Ode à la Vanille limited edition fragrance hit the stores in May 2013, this time utilizing another variant of vanilla, a Mexican vanilla extract. As described by Guerlain, this vanilla has notes of prune, caramel and chocolate, and is fruitier than last year’s woody Madagascan version Shalimar Ode à La Vanille 2012.


Monday, March 11, 2013

Heliotrope by Guerlain c1870

Héliotrope by Guerlain: first created in the 1870s. There were other fragrances by Guerlain like Aroma di Heliotropio from around the same period.

Heliotrope is a sweet-scented plant which is called Heliotrope because it follows the course of the sun. After opening it gradually turns from the east to the west and during the night turns again to the east to meet the rising sun. The Ancients recognized this characteristic of the plant and applied it to mythology.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Savon Skimous c1920s

Savon Skimous, a special soap made by Guerlain in the 1920s. It was available in two varieties, one for blondes and one for brunettes. It retailed for 75 cents a cake.



Soap box. Photo from Drouot.








Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Gatchutcha c1928

Gatchutcha was launched in 1928. Gatchucha was the nickname character Gracieuse Detcharry in Pierre Loti's novel Ramuntcho from 1897.

I have no idea what type of fragrance this was.






Presented in a flacon by Cristalleries de Baccarat design # 538. This bottle design was also used in 1924 for Coryse, used in 1926 for Lasco, & in 1928 for Guerlain, & Les Parfums Guilhene.

Discontinued, date unknown.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Terracotta Eau Sous Le Vent c2009

Terracotta Eau Sous Le Vent by Guerlain: launched in 2009.


Mahora c2000 and Mayotte c2005

Mahora: created in 2000 by Jean Paul Guerlain. This perfume was named after the main island in the Mayotte archipelago, whose nickname is "The Perfume Island".



Saturday, February 16, 2013

Philtre d'Amour 1999

Philtre d'Amour: (Love Potion) Launched on Valentine's Day 1999, Philtre D'Amour is a potion that celebrates love without clouds. For the eternal love, Jean-Paul Guerlain wanted a perfume that is the symbol of the merger of two lovers. Love shy, bashful, whimsical, each al'art and how to talk about love.