These are three of my favourites. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This luxurious line from Guerlain gets a lot of hate for its price point, but I like that the compositions are simple. They’re not simplistic by way of being boring, rather they have some easy-to-define notes, a structure that has a beginning, middle, end, and the appropriate wear time of 6-8 hours which is essentially a work day. There’s an elegance to each one (at least to these three) in that they don’t announce themselves too loudly and then don’t overstay their welcome. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Neroli Outrenoir is the latest in my collection. I bought a perfume ages ago and the seller threw in a little sample of Neroli Outrenoir as an extra. I would have never picked up a bottle because of the Neroli in the title. It’s not a note that I have an affinity for, but a dab of this juice brightened my outlook. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Wearing Neroli Outrenoir means being surrounded by a bright but diffused light. You’re calm and sitting outside drinking a cup of black lemon tea. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
While Neroli is often super green and a little bitter like grass, here, it’s brighter because of the presence of bergamot which keeps things zippy. It’s like smelling the lemon oil from the skin of the lemon while you’re squeezing the juices into a glass. The tea here isn’t sweetened with milk, but a touch of vanilla is in the background to make it palatable.
Good things can be that simple.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you’re wondering what the difference is between Neroli Outrenoir and Neroli Plein Sud, I’ll tell you that the difference is huge. Neroli Plein Sud is greener and sharper, the green facets of the neroli sharpened by the spices, the almost “curry-like” notes, coming from ginger and turmeric. They aren’t the spices that I want to smell in my perfume. The sharpness makes this neroli perfume more masculine than others. I prefer Neroli Outrenoir. It’s smoother, and easier to wear. The black tea notes feel chic, and genderless, zen and easygoing. The Neroli Plein Sud would be great for a tie and blazer, a day at the office. Neroli Outrenoir is what you wear when you get home and are going to have a fantastic summer evening chilling out.
