Gucci Eau de Parfum by Gucci

Hello again! After 13 years without it, Gucci Eau de Parfum is finally back in my hands, and I missed it so much. The opening is a bit boozy, wrapped in heliotrope that gives it creaminess and sweetness; then, as it dries down, iris and vanilla emerge over a bed of subtle, new leather, with hints of incense and resin (without being cloying or heavy). It’s irresistible, elegant, and mysterious. If you like playing around or layering with voluptuous perfumes, try it with Orto Parisi’s Cuoium: it’s rugged, sensual, with accorded and smoky notes (delicious!). Cuoium has sweet spots, an almost gasoline opening that turns elegant and realistic as it dries, like aged leather with a lot of body that marks territory; it’s daring. Both share animal, accorded, and incensed notes, and the blend is exquisite—a 10/10 bomb that you smell and never forget. Gucci Eau de Parfum will be the vintage favorite of all time, and Cuoium, a modern one I’ve loved.

I’ve been searching for this olfactory perfection for years; what frustration. So far, I haven’t found anything that resembles it. It’s a pity they threw it away; it was a true diamond in the world of perfumes.

I traded it away in an exchange along with Gucci Bloom Parfum di fiori to make room for Beloved by Amouage. It hurt to let it go; it was a little treasure, but I love Beloved, and in the end, I never used Gucci Parfum—literally never. I always tested it on my wrist or a swatch but never found an occasion to wear it. True, the lockdowns didn’t help (it’s not for inside the house or small rooms), but everything was because of Beloved. I’m sure I’ll have the chance to wear it again someday. Long live Gucci Parfum!

Okay, to my surprise, on skin it’s another world. I put it on five minutes ago, and it already smells much better; the powder seems cleaner, like a soap, and the sweetness has moderated to accompany the herbal/floral touch without overwhelming. Suddenly, I think of Mugler’s Aura, but less medicinal, more floral, with that sweeter talciness. How interesting! I hope time will be kinder to it. It’s stayed like this, with that strange resemblance to Aura… Yesterday I would have sold it, but today I think I might like it… I’m still exploring…

I received it today and tested it, and it gave me a shock… It’s nothing like I expected. Nothing like Bamboo, Guilty, by Gucci, or even Guilty Absolute for men… It has an interesting darkness, a quasi-narcotic balsamic sweetness, lots of vanilla, and a potent talciness (it reminds me of the sweetness of L’Interdit, not that they’re the same, but that style). All together makes a mixture too sweet to be so dark and talc-like; it repels me, saturates me… I can’t perceive leather or sophistication because it doesn’t last more than two seconds on the swatch. I’ll try it again tomorrow to see if body heat mellows it. But this is a bomb… and not the kind I like…

Midnight Enchantment. I used it for Halloween three days ago and got full of compliments; I think it was interesting to use it on that date where its dark, magnetic, and mysterious side amplifies under the moon. Gucci Eau de Parfum opens with a boozy note of caraway and vanilla. But it’s the leather facet, incense, subtle sandalwood, musk, and resins that set it apart. In fact, I think if they had added many white florals, it could approach 90s perfumes. Choosing Heliotrope (which predominates), iris, and orange blossom (more subtle) was a better option. A semi-aniseed, semi-herbal aroma, with a subtle leather graduated between heliotrope flowers and a soft sandalwood with incense (calm, without standing out but contributing). I add that, although not listed, I sense a note of dark plum that gives it an intoxicating and mystical character, united with a musk that touches the animalistic. The notes are in just the right dose; the good thing is they articulate without one stealing the show. It’s a shame it’s discontinued, what a pleasure it was to perfume oneself with Gucci in the Tom Ford era. Maybe these gems preferred to die for the market and only be obtained in their original version.

I absolutely love it; it’s a classic on par with Guerlain’s Shalimar. It’s no longer available, but the scent is unique and unmatched. Everyone asks what you’re wearing. It’s very creamy and caramelized, with lots of sandalwood. Perfect for cold winter nights, like having a drink by the fire.

I have a 75ml bottle of this Gucci Eau de Parfum at a great price. It’s discontinued and hard to find; if anyone is interested, please message me privately. Cheers.

I’ve been wearing it for two days and can finally share my thoughts. Gucci Eau de Parfum is rare and precious. It’s rare because it stood out when it launched, and precious because it masterfully modernizes Guerlain-style orientals. It deserves its fame. In the Ford era, Gucci made hedonistic, sexy, seductive perfumes that didn’t ask permission to overwhelm you. They all had a certain ‘oriental’ vibe with a European filter and that Ford sandalwood/incense touch. The surprise upon testing it on my skin: it’s not sumptuous or intoxicating, nor modern as one might expect. It leans more toward classics like Shalimar, Habanita, Habit Rouge, or Joya de Myrurgia. It’s powdery, misty, interwar style, deliberately vintage. It contrasts with the bottle, a treasure: a heavy, uncomfortable seventies-style square of glass that encloses the intoxicating liquid like a magic potion. The cap is circular and weighs half a kilo on its own; it could be used as a throwing weapon. It opens like a fresher version of those classics, with a contemporary touch but openly classic. As it dries down, I compare it to Shalimar Parfum Initial or Habit Rouge. Suddenly, without warning, a sweaty note emerges: imagine a powdered animal feather, sharp sparkles, leather left by the hand of God, a mouse-like touch, like a dusty birdcage with cumin and thyme. They might sound like bad notes, but they aren’t. The leather, cited as a main note, is barely noticeable. Neither is the vanilla-heliotrope nor the vanilla on its own. No trace of incense or iris. It’s a crowd where none stand out, a gray mob, powdery and strangely refreshing. At first, it’s flat, but interesting when worn. It doesn’t fit the sexual exuberance of the Ford years, nor the perfumery of the time (fruity florals, androgynous orientals, clean waters). Should I recommend it? Never blindly, only to lovers of ‘old-school’ perfumes like Shalimar or Habanita. EDIT: After testing it more, I notice the vanilla and vanilla-heliotrope in all their glory when dried and in the final phase. Do you know that smell of fresh baby saliva or a small child’s sweat, musky with a hint of bitter vanilla? The dry-down of Gucci Eau de Parfum has it and lasts for ages. It’s dry heliotrope and vanilla-heliotrope, with a spicy-sweet aftertaste that shivers you. Last week, I smelled my wrist three hours later, and it seemed to embrace a healthy baby who woke up sweaty and grumpy after a July nap. Another perfume that reminds me of fresh, healthy saliva, alongside Eau de Lancaster, Solo Loewe, and Odeur 53. EDIT II: After several uses, I reaffirm: it’s a masterpiece like they don’t make anymore. Simply masterful. It seems expensive, smells expensive, and indeed, it is very expensive. When you paid for every cent you spent.

Could this be the most beautiful perfume bottle I’ve ever seen? Back in the day, buying luxury perfume was worth it. Everything recalls the ultra-sophisticated American seventies that Tom Ford recreated at Gucci. The heavy glass bottle, like an expensive ashtray of the era or hedonistic liquor decanters and toiletries, reminiscent of Halston, Peretti, and the sophisticated androgyny of Betty Catroux. Suddenly, an amber liquid enclosed in a glass monolith. The male version of the time wasn’t behind; it was equally luxurious, sexy, and sober. I only tried it once, but I remember an aged-sweet brandy, fortified, with that final sandalwood touch typical of Ford’s Gucci perfumes. By the way, after firing Fachinetti and his tacky fragrances, Alessandro Michele is making a strong comeback, and I fear the worst, as his vision will inevitably filter into perfumery eventually. For those who don’t know where he’s going: Wes Anderson movies, hollow-headed kids in tiger costumes, and vintage decanters. Holy Mary…