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?

Friday, April 4, 2014

Santal by Guerlain c1878

Santal by Guerlain, introduced in 1878, likely originated in the 1830s, reflecting the rich tradition of fragrance craftsmanship in that era. The name "Santal," derived from the French term for sandalwood, evokes a sense of exoticism and warmth. Sandalwood, known for its deep, woody aroma, is central to the fragrance, suggesting an olfactory journey to distant, sun-drenched lands where the wood's creamy, sensual scent flourishes. The term "Santal" conjures images of serene, ancient forests and the luxurious, comforting embrace of sandalwood, resonating with both men and women seeking a scent that exudes sophistication and refinement.

In the context of the 19th century, Santal was a symbol of elegance and opulence, aligning with contemporary trends that favored rich, complex fragrances. During this period, perfumery was experiencing a renaissance, with new formulations blending natural extracts, infusions, and absolutes to create layered, nuanced scents. Santal stood out for its focus on sandalwood, a relatively rare and prized ingredient, which offered a distinctive alternative to the more floral and citrus-heavy fragrances popular at the time.

Formulas for Santal appeared in various perfumery manuals and pharmacopeias, highlighting its significance and widespread acceptance. The fragrance's popularity was such that Guerlain, like many other perfumeries crafted their versions, each adding their unique twist to the base composition. As the century progressed, the introduction of synthetic ingredients like vanillin and coumarin began to influence perfume creation, offering more consistent and long-lasting representations of traditional scents. Despite these advancements, the classic allure of Santal endured, cementing its place in the pantheon of 19th-century fragrances and continuing to captivate well into the later years.





Petit Guerlain c2014

Petit Guerlain by Guerlain: reformulated by Thierry Wasser due to restrictions placed on the original's ingredients and relaunched in 2014.




Friday, March 28, 2014

Flacon Louis XVI c1902-2002

Flacon Louis XVI c1902-2002

Flacon created by Pochet et du Courval to hold extraits of Apres L'Ondee, Muguet, Mouchoir de Monsieur, Violette a deux Sous, Aux Bon Vieux Temps, Sillage, Avril en Fleurs, Ai Loe and others. Flacon has also been used for special limited editions such as Chamade. The original box is white, cylindrically shaped and has Guerlain Paris in gold leaf.

  • 30cc/30ml/1 oz - 9cm/3.54" (1924) amended 30ml/1 oz (1983-2002)
  • 40cc/40ml/1.35 oz - 9cm/3.54" (1950-1959)
  • 75cc/75ml/2.5 oz - 11.3cm/4.45" (1971)
  • 80cc/80ml/2.7 oz - 11.3cm/4.45" (1902-1962)
  • 125cc/125ml/4.2 oz - 12.8cm/5.04" (1903-1965)
  • 250cc/250ml/8.4 oz - 16.4cm/6.46" (1904-1959)
  • 500cc/500ml/16.9 oz - 21.5cm/8.46" (1907-1959)
  • 1 liter/1000ml- 25.5cm/10.04" (1920-1959)
























Monday, March 24, 2014

Eau de Colombes c1928

Eau de Colombes by Guerlain: launched in 1928.




En Pleine Sève c1928

En Pleine Sève by Guerlain: launched in 1928. The name means "Full of Sap". This was the name for perfume and soap.


Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Guerlain Film Spray

Guerlain's Film Spray Body Lotion was a scented, pink, light moisturizing body lotion in spray form created in 1966 and sold until 1975. It was available in the following standard Guerlain scents: Shalimar, L'Heure Bleue, Jicky, Mitsouko and Chant D'Aromes.


Wednesday, February 19, 2014

On Ebay - Vol de Nuit in Flacon Guerre

On ebay this week- Vol de Nuit in the Flacon Guerre. It holds 10cc/10ml/0.388 oz and was used from 1938-1945. This is the smallest size used for this bottle.




photo by ebay seller chris022381

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Guerlain-Vol-De-Nuit-10cc-Womens-Eau-de-Toilette-/321328313345?pt=fragrance&hash=item4ad0a8f401


Flacon de Guerre (War Time Edition) c1938-1945


Pochet et du Courval created this bottle to house extraits of Shalimar,Vol de Nuit, Jicky, Vega, Guerlinade, Fleur de Feu, Mitsouko, L'Heure Bleue, Tsao-Ko, Coque D'Or, Gavotte, Lilas, Liu, Verveine 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)

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Guerlain Counter Perfume Tester Bottles c1950s

Vintage 1930s-1950s Countertop perfume atomizers/testers, cylindrical, clear flacons, black labels, gilt metal hardware systems and yellow atomizer bulbs, each with their box. High: 8CM. Fragrances: Shalimar, L'Heure Bleue, Vol de Nuit, Liu, Sous le Vent,  Ode, Jicky and Mitsouko.


Thursday, January 30, 2014

Insolence Crazy Touch c2014 Limited Edition Flacon

Insolence Crazy Touch by Guerlain: launched in 2014. This is a limited edition collector's bottle. The juice is the same formula as the usual Insolence eau de toilette.

"This year, the Insolence bottle flaunts an extravagant look. A whirlwind of bold and exuberant pink spots. For a delicious and daring limited edition."


It is available as:

  • 50ml eau de toilette 



Wednesday, January 29, 2014

La Petite Robe Noire Couture by Guerlain c2014

La Petite Robe Noire Couture by Guerlain: launched in 2014 as a new limited edition to the La Petite Robe Noire perfume line. Though considered a flanker to the current La Petite Robe Noire fragrance, the Couture fragrance is the original created by Thierry Wasser in 2012.




Aqua Allegoria Limon Verde c2014

Aqua Allegoria Limon Verde by Guerlain: launched in 2014. Created by Thierry Wasser.





Thursday, January 16, 2014

Ebay Find! Vintage c1930s L'Heure Bleue Tester Flacon

Ebay Find! Vintage c1930s L'Heure Bleue Tester Flacon

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dainty-Vintage-Guerlain-LHeure-Bleue-Perfume-Bottle-/331107987042?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d1792ee62

photos from ebay seller heartlandtextiles

Read more about these tester bottles here: http://guerlainperfumes.blogspot.com/2013/02/vintage-1930s-guerlain-perfume-tester.html

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Ebay Find! La Poudre C'est Moi

Ebay Find! La Poudre C'est Moi face powder in Rose Doree shade.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Vintage-Guerlain-Shalimar-Powder-Rose-Doree-Full-Box-Sealed-1930s-/181301930956?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a366febcc

photo from ebay seller ldickerson52




Read more about La Poudre C'est Moi here:
http://guerlainperfumes.blogspot.com/2013/07/la-poudre-cest-moi-by-guerlain-c1925.html

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Where Should I Apply Perfumes

As a general rule, fragrance should be applied to pulse points. This is where the blood vessels are closest to the skin giving off more heat and acting like mini fragrance pumps.

Pulse points are the wrist, crook of the arm and back of the knee, and the base of the throat. Also, for long lasting fragrance spray at the ankles, it allows the fragrance to blossom up. For a sexy twist, apply perfume to your cleavage or spray perfume on your nude body before dressing. The nape of the neck, is a very romantic area, whenever your hair moves it might swish the perfume around, nice little subtle trail of perfumed loveliness.

Apply perfume right after you take a shower or bath. Your pores are more open then and will more easily soak up the scent. Some people say that rubbing the wrists together will crush the scent, I tried this with different perfumes over the course of two weeks, just to see if its true, it seemed to me that the friction of rubbing the wrists together actually heated up the fragrances and made them seem more potent.

I have read though that the perfume can react not so nicely to the first layer of skin...and give off a smell that isn't pleasant. Others say that to spray the perfume in the air and then walk into it, I have done this before, and it seems that it lets you control the amount of fragrance that is applied to your skin, rather than spraying directly onto the skin, this works best with heavier perfumes.

I spray perfumes on my clothes when I want to make the scent last longer, I won't spray perfume on fragile fabrics like silks or lace. You can spray your coat with perfume. Also an old tip is to apply pure parfum extrait to your furs. Doing this is up to your own discretion.

Do not apply perfume after you put your jewelry on, take it off first, then apply the perfume. The chemicals in perfume can leave stains or have chemical reactions to the metals, Pearls are especially susceptible to damage from perfume since it destroys their lustre.

Coco Chanel always said to apply perfume where you want to be kissed. I read an old perfume guide from the 1930s and it mentioned that you can apply perfume to your fingertips and eyebrows. Also apply perfume to a cotton ball and tuck it into your brassiere. Apply perfume to your hankies or gloves.

Jeanne Lanvin of Lanvin Perfumes suggested that you should apply perfume wherever your clothes cover your body, that way it will seem if it is coming from within and blend with the natural oils of your skin to make a truly individual fragrance. She also says the best time to apply perfume is 15 or 20 minutes before you are about to go out, that way the perfume has time to "set".

A 1924 ad for Ann Haviland perfumes suggests:

#1. to apply perfume to your eyebrows as the short hairs of the eyebrows retain the perfume longer than the skin since evaporation takes place more slowly.Besides, this is an ideal two-some,the girl usually comes up to a man's chin, not far below his nose.

#2. One little known method of applying perfume is to saturate a piece of cotton with your chosen scent, place it under the shoulder strap of your slip. Body heat releases an aura about you.

#3. A glamorous method of using perfume is to spray it on the hem of your evening gown, then as you walk or dance, the fragrance is wafted into the air around you. This is the best way to do it.

#4. Another pointer is to apply perfume to the inside of your gloves, while your gloves are on, the warmth of your hands attract the perfume which will cling to the fingers.



Friday, January 10, 2014

Visage de Nuée Face Powder c1945

In 1945, Guerlain introduced it's "Visage de Nuée" (Face Cloud) face powder.  This lattice design shown on the boxes was imitating limed wood and was also popular on the perfume presentation boxes for Coque D'Or, Dawamesk and Kriss.


c1952 ad



Jicky in Argentina

Here is a carre flacon for Jicky, the old foil label is marked "Extrait Jicky" and "Industria Argentina" at the top of the label, as you can see, the label is in very bad shape. The base of the bottle is embossed with Guerlain France Paris and the one side has the Woman with Flags logo. The bottle is 4.0" approx. tall.

This finished product was produced in Argentina with Guerlain's imported French concentrated extracts for the South American market.

photo by ebay seller other-time

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Oeillet 000 by Guerlain c1880

Oeillet 000 by Guerlain: launched in the 1880s. This perfume is also known as Triple Extract of Carnation. The 000 after the name means that this is a triple-strength floral extract.


Ebay Find - FAKE Liu

The listing states that this is an "ULTRA RARE VINTAGE GUERLAIN PERFUME " LIU ".... GLASS BOTTLE WITH FROSTED STOPPER .... LAUNCHED IN 1927 .... UNKNOWN BOTTLE FOR GUERLAIN .... PERHAPS A LITTLE WAR PRODUCTION .... NEVER SEEN ON EBAY ....  SMALL SIZE 2/3  FULL AND SEALED WITH ORIGINAL BOX .... VERY GOOD VINTAGE CONDITION FOR BOTH BOTTLE AND BOX .... SIZE OF THE BOTTLE IS 6,7 X 4,9 X 1,9 CM OR 2,6 X 1,9 X 0,75 INCH .... A MUSEUM BOTTLE FOR GUERLAIN COLLECTOR'S ...."


The truth:


This bottle is a clever fake and I will tell you why.

Bottle: The bottle itself is 1920s and older and was never a bottle used by Guerlain. It is a much cheaper manufactured bottle than a luxury company like Guerlain would have used.

Labels: It is not hard to find loose labels or bottles online. It would be easy to apply a loose label to any bottle. A second the label was applied to the box.

Box: This box style was never used by Guerlain and appears to be blue and gold, not a color combination used for Liu. Not even during the war years. There are two very specific bottles used for wartime presentations, and this is not one of them.

Trimming: The baudruchage cording and metal seal appears to be taken from a Shalimar bottle. 

Sticker on base: The label on the bottom of the bottle appears to have been soaked off another Guerlain bottle, this particular label was used from 1930s, during the World War II, and until end of 1940s. 








I have never seen this flacon used by Guerlain...ever....I am suspect of this flacon and even more so by the condition of the tax stamp on the base of the bottle. It looks as if it was wet and loosened from another bottle and affixed onto this one. The condition of the tax stamp should be near pristine as the rest of the bottle, the labels and the box. This bothers me.

Also, I believe that two labels were removed from two genuine Liu flacons and affixed to this bottle and box. A genuine Guerlain baudruchage was removed from a bottle and added to this bottle to "complete" it.  Look at the bottom edges of the label on the bottle, see how they have been dog eared?

I know that Guerlain did use different flacons over the years due to wartime shortages and special editions, but can someone please explain this one? Is it really a genuine Guerlain bottle and presentation or is it a cleverly made fake? I think the latter. I do not propose that the current seller did this, as he has had several genuine flacons over the years. I believe he may have purchased this from an unscrupulous seller at one time and himself was duped into believing that this is a rare example. Let me know  your thoughts.

Could this be the smaller limited edition Flacon Plat by Pochet et du Courval in 1929???...

Flacon Plat (Flat) c1910-1959

Limited edition flacons created by Baccarat and Pochet et du Courval. Housed various Guerlain fragrances such as Kadine, Djedi and L'Heure Bleue.

Baccarat:

  • 40cc/40ml/1.35 oz - 7.7cm/3.03" (limited edition of only 500 in 1916) 
  • 80cc/80ml/2.7 oz - (limited edition of only 500 in 1916) 


Pochet et du Courval:

  • 20ml/0.676 oz - 5.5cm/2.17" (1929)




now this is what the Liu flacon should look like...photo from Quirky Finds


Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Ebay Find! Vague Souvenir in Quadrilobe Flacon

Ebay Find! Vintage Vague Souvenir extrait in 2/3 oz Quadrilobe Flacon.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-ORIGINAL-VINTAGE-BOTTLE-Guerlain-VAGUE-SOUVENIR-Quadrilobe-/331102634395?pt=fragrance&hash=item4d1741419b

photo by ebay seller katybgood1


Vague Souvenir: created in 1912. Available in parfum extract, toilet water and lotion vegetale.


What does it smell like? Notes of aldehydes, sweet peach, gardenia, plum.


Presented in the quadrilobe bottle. In the mid to late 1920s, it was presented in the beurre flacon, created by Baccarat for the 1925 Art Deco Expo in Paris. The label represents the crystal fountain created by Lalique for the expo's grand pavilion.


Discontinued, date unknown. Still being sold in 1960.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Ladies In All Climates - Face Powder c1897

Ladies in all climates, universal light powder...

Guerlain reinvents one of its legendary powder in a limited and numbered series. Once upon a time in 1897, the Ladies in all climates powder which was intended to illuminate and refresh the complexion. At the Impressionist painters and photography, Guerlain wanted to capture the elusive atmospheric variations. New transport available to women traveling in all latitudes and Guerlain continued to expand worldwide. It was then apply to all women, whatever they are, wherever they are.

Ladies In All Climates was a natural evolution of the product. Sun exposure was taboo at the time, so the powder was formulated in 1897 to help women retain their pale coloring after being in the sun of the French colonies.


,
Harper's Weekly, 1903:
"Beware all face powders which have the effect of whitening too much. The major part of these powders contain chemically active constituents which in time spoil the skin. Guerlain's powder 'Ladies in all Climates' is a product which is absolutely harmless, it vivifies the complexion and my ladies, prudence counsels you not to seek further effects from its use."
The Queenslander, Saturday 25 December 1915:
"Guerlain (15 Rue de la Paix, Paris) With his most respectful compliments calls attention to his POWDER. LADIES IN ALL CLIMATES. This Powder, which is made in four shades, White, Rachael, Pink, and Flesh Colour, is an absolutely neutral product; it cannot affect in any way the epidermis. Moreover, it is soft, and has a very agreeable perfume. It is so much neutral that it can be used during any medical treatment, even with sulphurous baths."


In 2013, Guerlain reissued exclusively 400 numbered pieces of this exceptional powder still halo skin in a veil of delicate and transparent light.


Le 68 Cologne Fond de Cuve c2013

Le 68 Cologne Fond de Cuve by Guerlain: launched in 2013.



Sunday, December 29, 2013