Guerlain • Mitsouko • Fragrances
(265 reviews)
| Average Rating. | 4.0 |
| Would buy this product again. | 68% |
| Package Quality | 4.3 |
| Price | 3.8 |
| Ingredients | |
*TOP REVIEWER* violette on 9/12/2009 12:59:00 PM more reviews by violette
Age: 30-35 Skin: Very Oily, Medium, Warm Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Brown
I’ve been on a classic perfume roll lately since trying out Miss Dior EDT (the ‘90s formulation) about a month ago & discovering, to my pleasure, that it melds beautifully with my skin chemistry. Seeing my complete success with Miss Dior, it got me very excited to branch out of my usual orientals & into the chypre family. Being a huge Guerlain fan, naturally, Mitsuoko, the 90-year-old grand dame of fruity chypres, was next on my list.
Actually, I already tried Mitsuoko last year in EDT (the only concentration available at the Guerlain counters in my country) & hated it. Well, to be fair, I never gave it a chance to fully develop on the tester strip, promptly dismissing it based on the initial notes. However, a few weeks ago, I was lucky to stumble upon a 1.2 ml sample vial of the EDP on a local discounted perfume website. Having read the reviews on MUA saying how the EDP is softer, rounder & heavier on the peach (one of my favorite perfume notes), I decided to give Mitsuoko another shot to see if I would like it much better in this concentration. First impression: Citrusy men’s cologne. That must be the bergamot, which I didn’t get at all from the EDT (somehow, the EDT seems to jump straight to the spices first, which is probably what put me off the perfume the first time). Then, some 10-15 minutes later, Mitsuoko begins to reveal its true beauty, toning down considerably into a soft, sweet mélange of peach, jasmine & rose, & finally settling down after about an hour into a dreamy, fruity/spicy/mossy/woody scent that is very nostalgically Old World/Edwardian in feel. Despite being marketed as a women’s fragrance, I completely agree with reviewers who regard Mitsuoko as more of a unisex scent. Its distinct lack of clear feminine nuances also makes it easily wearable for a straight man.
Overall, I find Mitsuoko to be a great, pleasant classic (albeit a reformulated one, but still great, nonetheless), though I’m not sure whether I would buy it again as it’s not really “me”. When it comes to chypres, I think I much prefer them to be on the dry, powdery, less sweet side, like Miss Dior. Mitsuoko EDP, though lovely, can get a little too unbearably sweet & headache-inducing for me depending on my mood & the weather. Hmmm… come to think of it, maybe I should have a go at the EDT again since it’s drier & not as sweet. Hopefully, that one would be a better fit for me. If not, there’s always L’Heure Bleue & Shalimar to add to my classic perfume collection. Let’s hope that, as an oriental lover, I’d have much better luck with those two.
The official notes from Guerlain:
Top: Bergamot
Heart: Peach, Jasmine, May Rose
Base: Spices, Oakmoss, Vetiver, Wood
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* condesadepitimini on 9/1/2009 10:28:00 AM more reviews by condesadepitimini
Age: 30-35 Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm Hair: Blond, Fine Eyes: Green
One of my favorite Guerlains of all times.
I still cannot believe it was born in 1919 (older than my grandmother?) and still is so modern and beloved.
Girls, this is pure class.
Mitsouko screams "I know who I am and I know what I want, don't waste my time": I love this, I love the fact that this "simple" smell conveys such strong message, I guess no one would lack attention to a woman wearing Mitsy!
On me I adore the central notes and the drydown; If I had read the notes before geting in this frag, I probably would have never bought it.
I am not a lover of peach (in perfumery), neither of clove and not Ylang ylang either that much.
On the contrary I adore Bergamot and fresh citruses.
As a matter of fact, the top notes of Mitsouko are citrusy but I cannot detect any, on the other end the heart notes are very predominant and the peachy note is something unbelievable... not sweet not cloying... but just gorgeous.
The drydown is resinous and sophisticated...
The best formulation is the parfum, of course - I only own the edt but it is still something unique and not so different from the parfum, just much lighter.
A masterpiece, by all means.
____________________
Notes as per Osmoz:
top notes Bergamot, Lemon, Mandarin, Neroli
heart note Peach, Rose, Clove, Ylang-Ylang
base note Oakmoss, Benzoin, Vetiver, Cinnamom
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
emmagreen on 6/30/2009 11:58:00 AM more reviews by emmagreen
Age: 30-35 Skin: Dry Hair: Brunette Eyes: Blue
Man, I keep going back to this; and yet I keep thinking it only really melds w/ me on certain humid summer days: a weird comment I suppose for such a creature that is often considered to be a fall/winter (but certainly not cave) dweller. Though, I have dry skin, and frags. generally don't last or waft sillage, and in the humidity i smell the peach tones. What I've also noticed is that I love smelling mitsouko best on clothes worn the day before. This is for the EDP, haven't tried EDT.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* MizLiz211 on 6/14/2009 4:59:00 PM more reviews by MizLiz211
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium Hair: Brunette Eyes: Hazel
I am probably the only person on the planet who likes New Mitsouko (reformulated to replace the oakmoss with treemoss) better than the old stuff. Prior to its reformulation, I found Mitsouko bitter and musty, resembling nothing so much as rotting peaches locked in an old spice cabinet. Now it smells like golden, velvety peach skin, marinated in spices. And for those of you who would screech and scream at me for being such a heretic: New Mitsouko smells closer to a 40-year-old Mitsouko eau de cologne I once tried than the pre-2005 version did. If Klimt's gilded portraits of Adele Bloch-Bauer had a smell, Mitsouko would be it.
20 out of 21 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* karelin7 on 4/29/2009 10:49:00 PM more reviews by karelin7
Age: 44-55 Skin: Oily, Medium Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown
After reading Luca Turin's encomium to Mitsouko I wanted to smell this. I understand that Turin is steeped in its history, which is substantial; it represents a landmark in fragrance. Now, having sampled it, I understand that it's great, it tells a story, etc. But it's not to my taste. I agree with the reviewers who compared it to mom's make-up drawer, and the reviewers who noted a waxy accord that smells like lipstick. It's a dense frag with no individual notes I'm sophisticated enough to point out. Really, it smells like an amalgam of cosmetics and perfumes that have been in mom's makeup drawer for years. I feel bad saying that. I mean no disrespect to the frag and Guerlain deserves all the props for not allowing the new rules in Europe to destroy their famous perfumes. Nevertheless, I would not be enticed if I smelled this on a woman, or anyone else. It just makes me recoil a bit.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
ElizaJJ on 4/26/2009 9:33:00 AM more reviews by ElizaJJ
Age: 30-35 Skin: Normal, Fair Hair: Brunette Eyes: Blue
This is an iconic scent. It is totally sophisticated and reminds me of a woman who is totally sure of herself. It is rich, feminine, woody and mysterious. It is subtle yet distinct. It is an all time classic. I would highly recommend testing it if you like the idea of it as it is very distinct and unusual and perfume is such a personal choice, but when I smell someone wearing this I take note and respect their choice for such a sophisticated perfume. They don't make them like this anymore. I read that this was invented when Guerlain poured vanilla into 'Jicky' and Mitsouko was born.
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HolliVomit on 4/20/2009 5:05:00 PM more reviews by HolliVomit
Age: 25-29 Skin: Sensitive, Fair Hair: Black Eyes: Blue
i'm having a hard time deciding how i feel about this one. at first it felt a little aquanet to me. when i shoved it near my husbands nose he cringed a little. now that it is settling in, i can tell that it is really well made. there is a nice earthiness to it and definitely a warm sun feeling that is not overdone. it makes me think of a natural beauty sort of woman.
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*TOP REVIEWER* essija on 4/14/2009 7:31:00 PM more reviews by essija
Age: 30-35 Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium Hair: Red Eyes: Blue
You simply must give this one time to settle in. This went on very Floral and strong, Jasmine maybe. The drydown is really impressive though, I can see why this is a mystery. Not sure If I will purchase this one let alone repurchase. I'm not used to a perfume that has so much depth and personality, sneeking up on me, right when I think I hate it, I love it... The end result is so much different than the beginning. Mitsouko could possibly be Bi-Polar
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
blacktaffeta on 4/9/2009 11:45:00 AM more reviews by blacktaffeta
Age: 36-43 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine Eyes: Blue
The reference chypre - I was almost afraid to try this as I've loved the chypres I've met so far and didn't want to be disappointed. No problem though. Wondefully complex from the (to me) violety opening, through the flowers laced with (again, to my nose) cloves, into the gorgeous chypre heart and drydown.
Fragrances as complex and subtle as this make many modern offerings seem completely flat imo - they are sweet, or they are fruity, or whatever it is. Mitsouko is a scent for grown-ups of whatever age.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* Dagney on 3/26/2009 9:28:00 PM more reviews by Dagney
Age: 30-35 Skin: Acne-prone, Medium, Warm Hair: Black, Straight, Medium Eyes: Brown
Wonderful, classy, complex fragrance. This review is for the edt that's available for purchase today. Chypre with citrusy opening turning into peachy chypre with the Guerlain drydown. Truly is a mysterious fragrance.
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*TOP REVIEWER* NancyDrew27 on 2/17/2009 1:50:00 PM more reviews by NancyDrew27
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination, Fair Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
Waxy peaches. Why, oh why, do all of the classics have that waxy lipstick accord? Unlike No. 5, which starts out with citrus, sweet almonds, and powder (to my nose) and dries down to a more bitter waxy version of itself, this one (I tried the EDT as that's all that was available to test at Neiman's) and it went straight to the waxy accord without hesitation. I guess I should give credit where it's due, as it doesn't try to hide what it is or to trick one into thinking it's not waxy for the first several minutes, but COME ON! What is that note and why can't it be left out of the classics? It smells like my grandmother's red lipstick (which I used to snag from her vanity to test on my own lips) used to taste. Ick! I imagine this would be a beautiful fragrance I would most likely own, were it not for the wax.
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*TOP REVIEWER* Kelly9 on 2/17/2009 10:14:00 AM more reviews by Kelly9
Age: 30-35 Skin: Dry, Fair Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
I just *had* to sample this, as often as it comes up on the fragrance discussion boards. When a new Neiman-Marcus opened up near me, I promptly went in to test Mitsouko on one wrist, and Jicky on the other. The weather was over 100 degrees, and the heat combined with those two fragrances in the car on the way home was just unbearable. I ended up ordering some decants to try them at home, in tiny amounts, to really find out what the hype was.
My impression: Surprise! I didn't really expect it to be as nice as it is, after that first mishap. It has a strange moldy bread note upon opening, and reminds me of something clean and astringent....maybe solarcaine/sunburn spray? Subliminally I feel cooled and comforted.
The resulting waft is a lovely soft peach, rose, and dry moss. Warming the scent up with my breath after drydown gives me the most beautiful rosy cinnamon floral fragrance. The drydown on Mitsouko is stunning--quite possibly the best perfume I have ever smelled! I love it. I just don't recommend wearing it in the heat, or in small spaces where things can get a little warm. Mitsouko lasts and lasts, and gets "bigger" the warmer your body temperature gets.
(And, when I was a little girl, my favorite granny would roll her hair in those pink sponge rollers. She'd take it down and let me brush it out, and her hair was so white and bunny soft, and it smelled lovely, just like Mitsouko. Wonderful memories :)
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
MYALU on 2/12/2009 12:37:00 AM more reviews by MYALU
Age: 25-29 Skin: Normal, Fair Hair: Red Eyes: Hazel
My mother has been Obsessed with this fragrance my whole life and sent me all over France looking for this little gem. She is a tough one with scents- and doesn't like ANYthing even remotely sweet. I found it in really great packaging at the Guerlain boutique on Champs-Elysses. It was in an industrial-looking metal canister, with with a cap. I have never before and since seen it this way. She's always wanting more, and looking for a reliable place to find it here in the US. A travelling accessory show is where she found it last.
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blue_jay on 2/11/2009 5:49:00 PM more reviews by blue_jay
Age: 36-43 Skin: Other Hair: Other Eyes: Other
I’m so sad my skin doesn’t agree with Mitsouko. It’s been a year I’m trying to wear it but on my skin it transforms into not very nice smell. I cannot even describe it. It works a bit better when I spray it in the air and walk through it so it falls on my hair and clothes. As long as its not on my skin.
I love to smell the bottle and I think it is gorgeous perfume - for somebody else.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
jbezant on 12/5/2008 4:12:00 AM more reviews by jbezant
Age: 25-29 Skin: Dry, Fair Hair: Blond Eyes: Blue
I hated this so much. It was so horrible I suspected I had bought a fake online until my friend (a huge fan) assured me no it really did smell like that. Years ago women didn't wear much make-up and it tended to hang around for years and go off. Mitsouko reminded me of my mother's make-up drawer - stale face powder. I persevered with it for 3 days hoping I would learn to love it. In the end I asked my partner what he thought and he replied "Old ladies make-up." I rest my case.
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*TOP REVIEWER* hollyc01 on 12/4/2008 10:32:00 AM more reviews by hollyc01
Age: 30-35 Skin: Very Dry, Fair-Medium, Neutral Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine Eyes: Brown
I tried this yesterday in EdT. I almost cried right there in the store. It is so gorgeous, so UNCOMPROMISING, this is not a fragrance for some bubbleheaded, gum chewing, 20 something waif (sorry kids) (sorry "Insolent"). You dance to Mitsouko's tune. . . and happily. I don't know how to break down the notes, but I did notice the peach that I also picked up in Nahema (another beauty). But there is a dark, mysterious, almost waxy, soapy note that transports me back in time as well as nutmeg (to my nose, pepper maybe?). Mitsouko is formal, sophisticated, rich and sexy in a way that says "a man must prove himself worthy of me" and about time too! I even got a camphor like note part way through that didn't last, but did tap me on the shoulder and say "pay attention, I'm not done speaking" I have ready MANY reviews on this one and I am struck by how often it is referred to as "she" or "her" because truly, when I was wearing it (her), it felt like someone else was with me. Not in a bad way, I was actually flattered "she liked my company". This fragrance possesses an actual persona. It did dry down to the standard guerlinade accord and I would have preferred more of the opening notes. Will I find that in the EdP or is that more peachy? Must possess. . . soon!!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* Snackmeister on 11/24/2008 8:56:00 PM more reviews by Snackmeister
Age: 36-43 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine Eyes: Green
Oh! I love this! Very sharp and almost antiseptic on me at first, the fragrance changes within the first five minutes to a lovely spicy something. Many hours later, I get the deep, rich peach. It's really just lovely on me--and I'm lucky it is! (This review is for the EdP).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* moonstar on 11/24/2008 1:47:00 PM more reviews by moonstar
Age: 30-35 Skin: Combination, Fair Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine Eyes: Blue
Lately I've had a curiosity regarding what are considered the 'classics' as far as scents go, so I jumped at the chance to swap for a small decant of the EDT. I'm sure there's a stark difference between the EDP and EDT, no doubt the EDP incorporates a certain purity and richness that the EDT does not. That being said, this particular Guerlain just doesn't work for me. On my skin, the predominant note evoked strong memories of a long-departed family member who was quite dear to me, who was vivacious despite her years. Having sniffed this, I'm quite sure she wore it herself. It's not the association that bothers me, it's the fact that there's a very old fashioned feel to this scent that just doesn't suit my personality. I love vintage clothing and accessories, and I appreciate the fact that others adore this one so much, but unfortunately, I just can't see myself wearing it.
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*TOP REVIEWER* BelleDeCrecy on 11/24/2008 1:23:00 PM more reviews by BelleDeCrecy
Age: 44-55 Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm Hair: Black, Curly, Medium Eyes: Brown
On these boards, one woman's "classic" is invariably another's "old lady smelling stinker." I suspect that's one reason why MUA introduced time saving filters (HALLELUJAH!) That having been said, to dismiss the pure perfume version of this unforgettable chypre as "old ladyish" is like thumbing your nose at the Taj Mahal for being "archaic."
This fragrance debuted in 1919. It's STILL beloved by many. This is the reference chypre by which all others are still measured. It must be looked at in that context. Why not ask ourselves WHY it's still so popular and consider seeking out the pure parfum of any classic to sample before we dismiss it after a sniff or two of the EDT?
10 out of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
AlessBL on 11/24/2008 8:20:00 AM more reviews by AlessBL
Age: 30-35 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium Hair: Blond Eyes: Brown
WOW!!! I had never tried this one since we haven´t got it in my country for a long while. After I read tons of reviews I decided to pursache it online, what an incredible surprise! Although it is completely differente from anything I´ve ever smelled in my life there is something really familiar about it, and I don´t think it´s old-ladiesh, it´s older than that, it smells antique and wonderful. But my experience wasn´t linear: when I recieved it I was amazed by how different this smell was and enjoyed it very much, then I was a bit scared for a very short while as it does change in the skin depending on your mood, as I read once Mitsouko lives and breaths, and it really does!! By the third day I was completly in love with it and since I ordered an small bottle just to try it I´m already ordering a huge one. I should thatnk all the girls with positive reviews!!!!