Mon Guerlain Florale by Guerlain

Pure elegance! I absolutely love it. So refined and sophisticated, with that clean scent that proves it’s a top-tier composition. Every time I unscrew the bottle and catch those initial lavender notes, I can’t help but say I adore it. It lasts about five hours on the skin before becoming a lovely skin scent, but on hair and clothes, it lingers much longer. It’s my go-to for special occasions.

Although it’s a beautiful scent, honestly, I perceive it as a luxury baby powder cologne, just a bit more intense, yet with that classic post-shower essence that doesn’t surprise me. It’s not for my collection; I’m looking for something more personal, though it’s ideal for someone who doesn’t like to be heavily perfumed. I bought it for the price as it reminded me of 4711 or baby powders. I wouldn’t buy it again, not even the original; it seems like a mistake. It’s just a soft cologne.

I managed to get it in a 100ml clearance sale after much hesitation. I went in just to smell it and found it was half the price of the classic Mon. I love both, but this one is more versatile: the lavender is balanced, the iris adds a subtle powdery touch, and the vanilla closes it perfectly without being sweet. A delicate, feminine aroma suitable for all seasons, whether casual or for events. If you don’t like the Mon because of the lavender, try this if it’s still available…

My first impression is that it’s not another Mon Guerlain EDP. I can hardly find any difference; for a moment, I thought I’d been cheated, but the bottle says ‘Florale’. How is Florale? The opening of lavender and vanilla is identical, same profile, perhaps just a touch lower due to the lack of amber in the original. Florale intensifies the iris and white flowers, making it more powdery and less strident. I spent the afternoon comparing one on each wrist and only noticed that Florale is softer, lighter, and doesn’t last as long. Perhaps that’s its appeal: it’s not so strong or polarising. But for me, it loses part of the essential charm of the Mon, which is the lavender, vanilla, and amber base. This flanker seems more like an EDT or a ‘whisper’, a different version of the EDP. My recommendation: don’t hunt for this discontinued flanker too hard. As I say in my reviews, the best is still the original. If you want more vanilla, try the Intense; if you want less lavender and more sweetness, the EDT. Although I like Florale, it’s because I like the original, which it isn’t very different from.

A potent opening of sweetened lavender that quickly becomes soft and powdery, with flowers like peony appearing. I expected something powerful and long-lasting like the Sparkling Bouquet, but it disappointed me. The trail is weak and lasts a maximum of three hours on the skin. I bought it because of YouTube reviews praising it, but I’ll stick with the Sparkling Bouquet for that energising, summery lavender.

This flanker makes me want it because the classic EDP doesn’t dry down well for me: it carries a dark, sugary patchouli like Flowerbomb, and there the lavender and flowers are lost. This Florale doesn’t have patchouli at the end. I tried it once, I remember they were similar, but I didn’t pay attention to the dry down. I’ve kept it to see how the final sandalwood and vanilla compare instead of patchouli and licorice. Tested a few days later: I like it more. It becomes less dark and sweet than the classic EDP. But it’s not the best sandalwood in the world; it smells a bit watery, as if it lacks body. Definitely, it has more flowers at the end than the other. If I could, I’d swap my EDP for the Florale. I think they will become classics due to their defined personality, but I see a weak point in this line: the dry downs don’t have the same body and rich texture as the opening and the first few hours. We’ll see if the Mon Guerlain Intense improves that…

I don’t know where to start… on my skin it smells like freshly cut grass, something sugary. After two hours, it smells like rotting grass. Very green; I’d say it resembles rose stems left in a vase. The base notes feel very low down with jasmine, no trace of flowers or woods. The trail and longevity are poor; it didn’t last more than 2 hours on me. I expected something else; a disappointment. It’s a light summer day perfume, very watery and soft, very different from the classic Mon Guerlain on my skin; I can’t see the DNA of the other. EDIT: As nobly obliged, after 5 hours the floral and powdery scent emerged, which is curious because the perfume started developing in a warm environment; now it smells of flowers, vanilla, iris, jasmine, and peony. I am surprised by the mutation.

I love it, much better than the original Mon Guerlain. The peony floral note and the rest of the flowers make this perfume something exquisite. Not as strong or sober as the Mon Guerlain, and I like the base notes in Florale more. Fine, elegant, tender, delicate… The fixative is impressive, and what can I say about the bottle: it is a masterpiece.

I own both Mon Guerlain and this perfume. The first is more concentrated, stronger, and distinctly oriental. The Florale, as its name implies, is more floral, softer, still sweet but with a fresher touch. I like both very much; I cannot choose one; I recommend owning both. As for the fixative, the original Mon Guerlain is more potent.

Oh my goodness, it smells wonderful. I sense it differently from the original Mon Guerlain, as its name suggests, more floral. I feel the flowers in all their splendour with a sweet warmth. Good longevity on my skin. I would love to own it. I see it as very versatile and suitable for any time of year. It is a delight.

I love it; it is super refined and livelier than its predecessor. I tested both, one on each wrist, and I can assure you that this perfume is one of those you can wear all year round and for every occasion if you can afford it, because it is perfect as a personal fragrance. I preferred the floral, but both are enchanting. They have good longevity and a trail that makes people come closer, not move away. It is the most refined scent I have ever smelled; I absolutely adore it.

I haven’t yet had the opportunity to smell it, although it is about to arrive in our shops; however, I will offer a critique of its packaging. The only thing that differentiates it from its predecessor is the colour of the box and the metallic pink ring of the spray nozzle. As it is a limited edition, I would have expected at least a flower or a ribbon on the neck of the bottle to accentuate its floral character.

Basically it is the same as Mon Guerlain: a bit more floral, a bit less vanilla, and nothing more… 90-95% similar. EDIT: I have tested it again after a long time and now I do perceive differences. On this version, the lavender is felt much less, having been replaced by a peony aroma. It is perceived as much less warm and vanilla in the dry down and much less astringent in the opening. In my opinion, this version sits halfway between Mon Guerlain EDP and Mon Guerlain Bloom of Rose.