Habit Rouge L’Instinct by Guerlain

Heya posse! As we head towards seasonal giving time Habit Rouge L’Instinct by Guerlain was a gift from my dear friend Anna Maria in 2022. I’m pretty sure she bought it in Paris while on a huge family holiday through Europe. They went everywhere and I was green with envy, but also thrilled that she got to take her two youngest on such a trip. This is not how most peoples first international holiday is. Anna Maria showed them so much. Anyway, this is not about the stunning generosity of my buddy. Let’s talk one of the less touted recent Guerlain mainstream releases. Still available on the discounters for unbelievably good prices.

Habit Rouge L’Instinct by Guerlain 2022

Parfumo gives these featured accords:
Bergamot, Grapefruit, Leather, Maté absolute, Hemp, Patchouli, Rose, Vanilla

Habit Rouge L’Instinct opens delightfully sharp green citrus. It’s fizzy and bracing. This lasts about 2 minutes before the bitter green of maté (part of the holly family) and and interesting, smooth and waxy feeling patchouli come through. I also get a slight under-the-boardwalk sea, salt and seaweed waft, it adds a lovely dark underlay.

Well into the heart now and citruses are still washing in and out. There is now a very little rosiness, like a waft through a window. Still that interesting seaside streak that now has a little metallic/breathy taint. Is there ambergris in this? Now that ambergris has popped into my head it grows more and more real in my nose.

Dry down is a powdery and fluffy something something something underlain with ambergris. Lovely.

Totally unisex and it feels incredibly niche for a mainstream Guerlain aimed at the gents. First couple of hours are nicely fragrant with low to moderate projection. When I made Jin wear it and it was wafting in and out of my awareness it was unbelievably sexy. YMMV.

Recently I wrote about Guerlain Imperiale EdC here. Another excellent gift choice.

Sound good? Perfect gift?
Portia xx