L’Homme Idéal Extrême: Is the new men’s fragrance from Guerlain, L’Homme Idéal, real? For some women, there is no doubt. For others, he will forever remain a legend. And what if, having failed to find him, the house of Guerlain had nonetheless crafted his fragrance? This is the bold wager taken up by the French house in 2014.
What is the definition of the ideal man? According to men and women generally speaking, he must be intelligent, handsome and strong. It is based on these three criteria that Guerlain crafted a fragrance named L’Homme Idéal, in 2014. Today, this fragrance reinvents itself and becomes L’Homme Idéal Extrême. Following L’Homme Idéal Cologne, L’Homme Idéal Eau de Parfum, L’Homme Idéal Sport and L’Homme Idéal Intense, this fragrance completely reinvents the scent of almond. So, in what way is this new fragrance extreme? Let us take a closer look at its composition.
Almond, the central ingredient of L’Homme Idéal Extrême
L’Homme Idéal Extrême is built essentially around almond, which occupies the heart of its recipe. Yet, it may not be widely known: almond essential oil is never used in perfumery. In reality, the scent of this ingredient is entirely reconstructed in the laboratory, through the blending of other scents. Here, L’Homme Idéal Extrême results from a mix of coumarin, heliotropin and benzyl alcohol. Guerlain chooses to work with almond simply because it is a very rounded, warm and comforting scent, while also possessing multiple facets. Here, almond reveals all its facets, sometimes more powdery, more toasted or more fruity.
The highly contrasted top notes of L’Homme Idéal Extrême
L’Homme Idéal Extrême by Guerlain does not lack character, and this is already apparent from its top notes. Indeed, its particularly energizing and incisive opening blends two ingredients that are complete opposites. On one side, L’Homme Idéal Extrême relies on the extreme freshness of bergamot, a fruit resulting from the cross between the lemon tree and the bitter orange tree. On the other, L’Homme Idéal Extrême immediately warms up with pink pepper, for a much more glowing rendering. This burst of flavors is furthermore immediately followed by another spicy raw material: cinnamon. In the heart of this fragrance, it blends with a gourmand scent of plum, an ideal ingredient for making the mouth water, while heliotrope brings a more floral and elegant breath to this composition.
Guerlain’s sensual, woody base
Finally, to perfect its recipe, Guerlain chooses to close its composition with a more intense masculinity. Its sillage proves particularly woody, containing patchouli and cedar. Moreover, it must be acknowledged that these two woods greatly contribute to improving the longevity of this fragrance. An intense leather note reveals the more animalic and sensual side of this fragrance. Finally, for added originality, L’Homme Idéal Extrême is adorned with tobacco, an element with a warm charisma.
Generally speaking, L’Homme Idéal Extrême is an oriental woody fragrance that will let you remain an extremely talented man, in every respect.