Nature is an inexhaustible source of inspiration, and it is at the heart of it that Guerlain's perfumers draw their countless ideas. It is therefore only natural that Guerlain decided to pay tribute to the world's most beautiful gardens, in a collection named Aqua Allegoria. Within this olfactory assemblage, raw materials are elevated and appear as dreamlike, bucolic poems. In 2023, a newcomer joins this collection: Aqua Allegoria Forte Nerolia Vetiver.
Aqua Allegoria fragrances are eaux fraîches, inspired by the eaux de Cologne of old. These diffuse a scent steeped in a sense of place and seem capable of setting the imagination wandering with a single breath. All the Aqua Allegorias are conceived as lush gardens, real or imagined, rustic or more exotic. With Nerolia Vetiver, the scene takes place at the heart of the Mediterranean, more precisely on the island of Ischia, located off the Bay of Naples. As its name suggests, vetiver and neroli are clearly given pride of place. But what are the other elements at play in this recipe? A breakdown of its composition.
A fragrance made of 95% natural ingredients
First, let us begin by pointing out that this fragrance is a very natural creation. Indeed, more than ever, it reaffirms Guerlain's commitment to preserving resources. In this respect, the house used 95% ingredients of natural origin in its formulation. If this element is worth highlighting, it is simply because it considerably complicates the perfumers' work. Indeed, in creators' palettes, the majority of the scents used are synthetic. The desire to use only natural components therefore considerably narrows the field of possibilities. Aqua Allegoria Forte Nerolia Vetiver thus attests to the full expertise of perfumers Thierry Wasser and Delphine Jelk.
The two main ingredients of Aqua Allegoria Forte Nerolia Vetiver
As its name suggests, Aqua Allegoria Forte Nerolia Vetiver is built around two major ingredients: neroli and vetiver.
Neroli, for its part, comes from Calabria. It appears in the heart of this composition and unfolds a very green and floral note here. Celebrating on its own the entire Mediterranean nature of this juice, it reveals a sparkling brilliance on skin. Distilled from orange tree leaves, it lays down a floral and suave breath on the body. Its opulence makes this fragrance rather rounded and gourmand.
Vetiver, meanwhile, is another raw material highly prized by perfumers. Sharp and fresh, it displays a certain paradox. Indeed, its airy side readily pairs with more gourmand hazelnut accents as well as a few smoky wisps. Moreover, vetiver has multiple facets. Its scent varies according to the land where it was grown, the nature of the soil and its sun exposure. This only makes it more fascinating!
What other raw materials are used in Aqua Allegoria Forte Nerolia Vetiver?
Neroli and vetiver are not alone in this composition. At first, Aqua Allegoria Forte Nerolia Vetiver is refreshed with bergamot. Its lively, zesty breath is amplified by petitgrain. At its heart, rose lends this fragrance a more floral elegance. This is softened by a fig accord, more gourmand, fruity and sweet. In its base notes, vetiver is not the only woody element. It is accompanied by a drier cedar. Ideal for structuring the whole and enhancing its longevity, it is further wrapped in an almondy tonka bean.