Guerlain Chant d'Aromes

She's so lovely.

Guerlain Chant d'Aromes is a floral, somewhat aldehydic dainty creature, with rosy cheeks, nice demeanor and wholesome habits. It's like the innocent young teenager sister of Chanel No. 5 who is too sweet to spy on her older sister's coming and goings and tell on her to their parents, but secretly she entertains the thought of reading No. 5's diary (she knows where it's hidden), so the potential is there.

Chant d'Aromes is petal soft, a little peachy pink and abstract- there's no one flower that claims the spotlight or displays any assertiveness. It just wafts in the air around me, making me feel pretty and ready for spring. There are no rough edges, no extra sweetness, none of the Guerlain familiar sex bomb in a pastry shop accord. Just delicate flowers, peach fuzz and tender new leaves.

Guerlain released Chant d'Aromes in 1962 and I can see how it fits in that time. Think about Peggy Olson buying her first real perfume after she got promoted. She wouldn't have dared to wear Shalimar, Joan's perfume, right? Instead she'd go for the soft and nonthreatening but still very French Chant d'Aromes.

According to Dr. Luca Turin in the Guide, Chant d'Aromes has been through a couple of major reformulations, so neither the newest juice nor my somewhat older bottle of EDT are the original thing (in who knows how many ways). All I can say is that it's a happy, wearable and pretty perfume that doesn't last more than a couple of hours on me but while it's alive gives me an uplifting sillage.

According to Guerlain's international website, Chant d'Aromes is around and well in the 100 ml bee bottles. Finding it in stores is a bit tricky (Bergdorf and major Guerlain boutiques have it), but searching online might still bring something up (just make sure to buy from a reputable seller).

Art: Solace by Pino
Chant d'Aromes vintage ads- 1964 (via paperpursuits.com) and 1967 (via Savoir Faire).

Notes (from Guerlain website): citrus, honeysuckle, gardenia, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, vanilla.