Eau De Charlotte

The first time I tested this, was pre-shower, at the end of a hot September day, that had been full of outdoor activities. I applied, sniffed, and hastily blew it off as "better than bad." Just baby powder, I thought, and the nostalgic scent of a baby doll I adored as a child in the 80's. (anyone remember "Real Baby"? It was weighted to feel like an actual newborn, and smelled powdery-sweet? ). It also reminded me a lot of Jo Malone's Elderflower and Gooseberry. I scrubbed it off in my shower without a second thought. Cut to today, where thankfully, I gave this perfume the consideration it deserves. It's a chilly morning. I feel questionable-like I'm coming down with a cold, and I'm fresh from the shower, craving something clean and light, yet comforting. I decided this might fit the bill, so I generously dab-dab-dabbed.... How did Annick Goutal do this?? The suggestion of juicy berry/floral sweetness greets you with a smile, yet is restrained by the powdery, yet un-talc-like quality of the cacao/vanilla/mimosa. I've never tried a perfume with cacao, and was always curious about how it would fit into this blend, which includes lily of the valley! It's so pretty. I was apprehensive about smelling of cocoa/chocolate, but I shouldn't have worried. Cacao adds a dry, yet creamy quality. Perfect with the juicy black currant, and surprisingly complimentary of the sweet hint of LOTV. I don't detect the vanilla too much-more just a hint of mimosa-sugar, if that makes sense. I hate to sound cliche, or like I'm trying to recreate the very description of the perfume, but having a cloud of this around me this morning, as I sipped tea, and ate a biscuit with honey, was just perfect. Maybe my nose has grown a little tired of my bright-white, crispy-clean, soapy florals and citruses that I wear every day, because of the heat, and it welcomes this change to a more subdued, comfy, yet still clean scent. A cool fall morning, vs a grimy late-summer, hot evening makes all the difference in the world as to how I perceive this perfume. I feel confident though, having given it a proper test, that I could enjoy it at any time now. Annick Goutal had such a gift. Others have mentioned the fact that you can actually "smell" the love for Charlotte that AG poured into this enchanting creation. It's so true. It tugs at my heart strings. This is a special perfume.

Here's to my review of the only Annick Goutal perfume I have ever sprayed! *raises glass* Cheers, Perfumites! I've been intrigued by this brand for a while. The bottles are ever-elegant, the clear or pale yellow fluid also suggests an ethereal scent inside, and the sheer unavailability of the bottles where I am. Literally, I have *never* seen a bottle of this in any store. So, I ordered a sample from online. So, let's take a sniff... Don't let your judgement rest entirely on the first 10 seconds of this spray because - for that first 10 seconds - you will smell of hay and green grass. Very recently cut green grass! Like you've rolled around in a meadow after a tractor (I officially do not recommend doing that). It's quite jarring and extremely sharp. Then that green LOTV starts to come through, and that elegant floral lift is beautiful. The mimosa begins to project and definitely gives this perfume a "yellow" lift. It's slightly heady, soft-smile, gentle sunshine. I don't know what that means, but it's the truth. My favourite part is the dry-down! Oh, Lord-and-Mother above! The cacao and vanilla is *gorgeous*. It adds this depth of dry, yet sweet cocoa powder warmth. Allow yourself to be gently swept into a slightly sweet, cocoa, floraly, powdery warm cuddle. Truthfully, this dry-down is exquisite. Yes, it's old-fashioned in its composition and delivery, but I honestly feel younger and older women can wear this. It gives off more of a personality rather than an age. This is for a kind-hearted, elegant soul who appreciates refinement and poise. Sadly, the projection and longevity is fairly abysmal. I have to bring my hand up to my nose frequently to remind myself of the scent. In saying that, I have yet to spray it on clothes, so perhaps it will fair better there. Oh! This would be amazing as a scent that lingers on your scarf! If it weren't for the poor longevity and sillage... and price-point; I'd be delighted to buy a full bottle. They don't make them like this anymore. *** Kitty rating: 7.5/10.

To me, this is most romantic of the Goutal line ...she leaves you wanting to keep spraying her all the time. I go on Charlotte binges. She seems to have everything I love about Goutal in her, but in a very subtle way and with the powdery note that enchants me about Goutal. She is the light breeze and lace of what makes Goutal so special. She sparkles. My love for Charlotte is forever! In Eau de Charlotte edp, which I prefer, the lily of the valley is given a complex application. Rather than being a study of a child’s gustatory pleasures, she is an impish scent that hides her floral heart beneath the opening notes and which does not display those famous nursery notes as gourmand. She opens green and sharp with blackcurrant bud. Blackcurrant jam is not present and the bud is, unripe and a bit sappy. It lends fruitiness but not an overt sweetness. The sweetness that emerges under the blackcurrant is a vanilla of the type used in a baby product, meaning that the vanilla is not gourmand but is functional—it is the vanilla of a lotion and not that of a cookie. At first, so remote is the lily of the valley in Eau de Charlotte that one must look for it as if hunting through winter for that first sign of spring. Once it settles in, however, it has a lovely feminine quality, backed by a supple white musk. Wait an hour and the idea that she has gourmand notes will disappear. Drydown is a soft white vanilla musk and traces of the mimosa bud and a dusting of cocoa. Charlotte is not my signature. But, I have recently rediscovered her again after 25 years. She comforts me, I feel feminine, beautiful and unique when I wear her. I receive compliments galore. I am completely enchanted by this masterpiece.

As a long-time fan of Jo Malone colognes, I was led to the Annick Goutal line by my efforts to replace Verbenas of Provence, a lovely romantic lemon verbena fragrance discontinued by Jo Malone. Heartbroken, I finally discovered Eau D'Hadrien and was ecstatic to find such a wonderful replacement. I began exploring the Goutal line, and have fallen in love with it. I recently purchased Eau De Charlotte, and , to my surprise, I reach for it constantly. When I first tried a test spray, my initial reaction was "Johnson's baby lotion!!!"" It's a powdery, soft, comforting scent that really wasn't what I expected. I usually like sophisticated floral or fresh crisp citrus scents. I wasn't sure Charlotte was a keeper. I wore it that first day (EDT) and was surprised by the warm, creamy cocoa and vanilla scent that developed as the day wore on. And it has longevity, which also surprised me; I could smell the soft, delicious scent on my skin as I got ready for bed that evening. ( I'm usually happy to get 5-6 hours from most Goutal fragrances). I don't know what it is about this fragrance, but I absolutely love it. This is a fragrance for ME, rather than to create an impression on those around me; it makes me feel happy and relaxed. It's such a clean, powdery soft scent, it just seems like the perfect perfume to wear when you step out of the shower and want to smell wonderful. I now understand why so many women are addicted to this fragrance; I am now definitely one of them. Lovely, soft and delicious. Thank you, Annick Goutal!

Very difficult to review Charlotte. It is one of my most favourite among Annick Goutal house, I find it extremely well blended and complicated, but for many people it is hard to notice how complex it is. I suppose, brain drags the main piece for each person and verdict is "powdery" or "girly" or "clean". To me, despite been smooth and complete, it is full of contradictions, hence became my signature scent. It is sweet and chocolaty, yet it is tart from blackcurrant buds, it is soft and feminine, yet it is stubbornly sharply mimosa-green at the beginning, it is innocent, yet it is sexy, they are not of heavy touch, those chocolate and blackcurrant and vanilla, they are like emerging from the veil of past years, taking you into childhood, that we all tend to romanticize and idealize. It is bitter sweet fragrance, like a nostalgia itself, dusted by blossom of mimosa in a spring garden. Can't believe it was launched in 1982, so much ahead of it's time. I gone through so many scents and fragrances during my life, but Charlotte is one I loved from the very first sniff, as it has got something special, unusual, hard to catch, hard to call it this or that. It is Charlotte, like a life itself, with its twists and faults and angles. When sometimes you look at someone's imperfect, but perfectly charismatic face and realize that beauty hides exactly here, not where all is predictable and polished. Big big love to Charlotte from me.

Fond memories. I've only ever smelled this on paper, so I don't know if the notes truly represent it. I had a completely different impression than a gourmand, but a Gorgeous one. A favorite magazine that whiled away so many happy hours - and made other unhappy hours endurable - held a tester of this. Picked it up once more today and was transported to the birth of many dreams. So although I may or may not love the real thing, which I really Must test, the residue shall always enchant me. It could be worn by all ages, but somehow it's still surprisingly sensual. I'm not as a practice sentimental, but this I would buy just for the memories. Soft, lightly spiced, genteel vanilla. Like all Annick Goutal, Magical.

This is my holy grail blackberry scent. Yes, I realize it is black currant but the stuff smells like blackberry jam to me. Mixed with a touch of cocoa, a little vanilla and a smidge of wonderful. It is delicious and almost addictive. When you first spray it you will be thinking...blackcurrant? Jelly? Um, where? Just give it a few minutes. This isn't some blackberry body spray from the girly store. It has to brew. But once it settles into what it is to become...it borders on perfection. Annick Goutal would not have named a scent after her step-daughter if it was only so-so. She would not risk "why did you name the crappy fragrance after me?" Oh no, she put Charlotte's name on a masterpiece.

(review for EDT) It is impossible to imagine what this perfume smells like just from the notes. I tried, and what I had imagine is nowhere near the real thing! I thought it would be juicy, fresh, sweet. I was wrong-fortunately, it's much, much more interesting than that. It's a soft, dry, round scent; if it was a texture it would be loukoum - powdery yet suave. It's not exactly gourmand, because it's not really sweet; and it's much more than just a floral. Do test it if you have the chance, it's really unique! Anyway, I did test about six other scents in the Annick Goutal boutique, but this was the first one I tested, and the one I left with :) It was Love at first sight!

[Review originally posted on MakeupAlley in 2005}: The friend who introduced this to me said to her gin never smelled so good. Since I have it I have been craving blackcurrant jam...Eau de Charlotte is a sweet and comforting scent IMO, the chocolate, mimosa and black currant combine to produce something that seems truly meant to scent the body--sensuous but somehow innocent and promising, like the first bite and taste of a dessert in a garden or yard under setting sun. A simple pleasure.

Lovely, innocent, clean and powdery. A little too girly for me perhaps, but I can imagine wearing it occasionally when I'm on the right mood. However, once my 2 ml sample runs out, I don't think I'll buy a bottle. Edit. This has gradually grown into a love. I just received my bottle and it's one of my favourites now! So lovely, beautiful, easy to wear, smells natural and the vanilla and cocoa are not too sweet or cloying at all. I think this works beautifully all around the year.

This makes me crave a cream scone and tea. I've had one of the old bottles on my vanity forever (the old Goutal bottles are just so pretty) yet I barely pick it up. Don't know why because it's really, really lovely. Wearing it today reminds me of why I've never gotten rid of it. The closest thing in my wardrobe to it is Mure et Musc (which, to me is softer and less gourmand). Although it's sweet, I don't find it overly so...it's not childish. Definitely a keeper.

Whenever I wear this, I feel like a little girl at the breakfast table and eating black currant jam with a cup of hot cocoa. It is so innocent, yet there's also something very sophisticated about Eau de Charlotte. Is it the glass bottle? Or that it manages to be a gourmand scent without being the typical foody? Whatever it is, I find it very comforting and cozy on a brisk fall/winter day. There is nothing quite like Eau de Charlotte!

I just love the comfort quality of this scent. it never struck me as being too over the top, as one would think while reading the notes, but rather a warm hug of a scent. It gives me the impression of a sweet floral worn, while baking something delicious; you do not smell of what is being baked, but you are combining aromas with what is being baked. A very finely crafted composition and a true classic.

A lovely bitter-sweet perfume. First I got lots of Lily-ofthe-Valley and cassis when it dries down the sweet-soapiness of lily and mimosa and the bitternes of the cacao. During the day I keep smelling the soapiness of the flowers and the cacao and casis are coming back every time just when I start to think that they are gone. Love it, it's beautifull composed

I never thought I would be so hooked to this scent. I was looking for a clean everyday perfume, I couldn't find one to suit me, usually those scents are a bit cold. EdC manages to be clean, refreshing and still warm. It is the cacao I guess and the hint of vanilla in the dry down.Precious preppy Charlotte!

Something about this perfume puts a smile on my face every time. When I smell it, I think of a creamy rich blackberry scone. It's my go-to "brunch" perfume although I'll happily spray it every time I need a mood lift. It's just so...pretty! My favorite Goutal by far.

This is an unique scent. Its not obvious, that's why I love it. It's completely different from the moment you spray it on your skin to five minutes latter. The word for this AG fragrance is "complex". Not everyone will like it...

I've been thinking about this all night. Recently acquired, I knew it reminded me of another perfume, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Molinard de Molinard! The black currant, the LOV, yellow flowers...

This is a wonderful daily wear fragrance that pulls people in and won't become old hat. The vanilla is dry.

[This review is for the EDT version in the older fluted bottle with ribbon and paper tag] I remember coming across Annick Goutal perfumes in Sephora decades ago, and being entranced by the beautiful bottles with their fluted glass and charming vintage paper tags, but they were wildly out of my price range at the time. Since the line was pulled out of Sephora, it's been many years since I've seen it in person. I recently decided I needed a bottle in my collection and decided to blind-buy one of these older bottles. Eau de Charlotte doesn't appeal to me at all based on its notes, as I am unfamiliar with mimosa, am extremely allergic to lilies in real life, and usually dislike vanilla and cocoa gourmand notes. However, the reviews here have been interesting enough that I took a chance on it, and I'm glad I did. Although I hate overly powdery scents, it seems to be the bitter note of talcum powder that I detest, because while this definitely falls in the powdery category, it is a soft, creamy, dry scent that truly feels comforting. When I first sniffed the bottle, I found the scent to be harsh, overly synthetic, and a bit old-fashioned. I figured that the scent wasn't for me, but I'd still have a pretty bottle to display. However, something transformed when I apply it to the skin. It started off reminiscent of Love's Baby Soft, but then the fragrance simultaneously mellows out and blooms, turning into distinct notes of a realistic fresh white lily that is subtle enough to not induce a migraine, dry cacao, and enough greenness to keep the overall effect light rather than cloying. If it were not for these reviews, I would have no idea that this was supposed to have blackcurrant, because the fruit notes are well-integrated to me and not distinct. I get the general impression of honey and light musk from the blackcurrant, but it isn't noticeably jammy, tart, or sweet. To me, it serves as a bridge to connect the lily and cacao notes. Vanilla is extremely subtle but mellows out the cacao to sit closely to the skin. Since I am really unsure what mimosa is supposed to smell like, I can only assume it is primarily responsible for the warm, powdery notes that do not come from lily, as well as the honeyed quality. The fragrance is light and does fade quickly, even to my sensitive nose, which usually can't handle even a light spray without inducing a headache. I can wear a full spray of EDC, though it only lasts a few hours before it fades. The sillage is soft/moderate, as is my preference. When I wear EDC, I feel softly enveloped in a clean, gentle scent that smells very warm and human. I feel that Charlotte's soft, gentle qualities would be easily overshadowed out in the "real world," so I prefer to keep this as a scent to enjoy for myself. This is beautiful to wear relaxing at home, to bed, or just out and about having an easy day. It feels like the fragrance equivalence of having beautiful, luxurious loungewear to enjoy in your own private space.

Eau De Charlotte Goutal () First Impression Eau de Charlotte is a blind buy for me as I am on my personal mimosa quest, this little beautiful powdery floral are easily playing support role but its always show characteristic of bitey aspect of scent (actually,I was looking at Grand Amour instead of this one but anything Goutal will tickle my attention at this point..) It is happened that our local perfumer Mr. Saruj Tangtaratorn (ISIPCA) just release a fragrance name “Another Mimosa” the mimosa bomb which present all facet of Mimosa beautifully, green bitey tone, powdery - pollen like, soft animalic and floral support. I can feel the Mimosa in the fragrance easier now. Eau de Charlotte, if I have to classified, this is Floral Green Gourmand, wried but I have never sniff something like this before. The top note is not actually “Lily” but it is “Black Current Bud” (refers to Goutal Website), provide the sharp green Agrestic tone, opening with green bite similar to Galbanum but more Animalic, then the true to life Mimosa introduce himself. Mimosa, in this is animalic and bitey as much as Black Current Bud, yet it provide a good spinkle powdery texture on top of Vanilla. 2 hours towards this fragrance, I also perceive the note or something red berry like, as base of cocoa vanilla merge. If anything “Eau de Charlotte” can provide is image amibent of cozy kitchen, freshly bake berry jam over chocolate tart, warm and cozy. I do not understand the propose of Mimosa in this but I do enjoy it texture preventing the scent becomes full way modern gourmand. I think I found my little treasury here. But I would still looks for Grand Amour. As this is not yet my absolute Mimosa interpretation. But I will wear this a few more time, It is kept my interest, as composition is something I never sniff before. Even this is edt, I think this last around 3-4 hours due to it structure is more on base but this barely leave any skins scent. To be score & refine the point of view. ===== Update 1 on July 14, 2024 I think Eau de Charlotte have addictive quality, I do love the sharp green note of Blackcurrent bud (I think this is Catty), It make me feel old-townly. (You know, like an opening of Guerlain Charmade), However, when that soft powdery vanilla on Mimosa hitting, still old-town. But when that soft Cocoa powder that mix in Vanilla flour, Raspberry Jam sprinkle. Can't help think of cozy ambient when mother are cooking with her daughters. The smell of flour and cocoa dust is everywhere, a jar of rasberry is open. Await to be put in center of pre-bake good. It smell like love and cozy messy kitchen. I think, Eau de Charlotte is unique but truly, don't think as new Gourmand "modern charm". But for fragrance venturer, this is truly worth a sniff. UNSCOREABLE

This is actually the first Goutal I've tried that I HAVE liked the opening to. That said, lillies are my favourite flower so I am not surprised. I put a vase of them in my room every week or so when they are in season I love them that much. (how do you write the sound of drooling? Just think Homer Simpson and pork chops) This was nothign at all like I expected for a gourmand tho. Although the black currant is apparent, the lily and LOV dominate giving the distinct impression of a floral. Not a wanna make ya eat it scent at all. Again, I am impressed by the construction of a Goutal, it is like layers of the perfume are not giving way to each other in varying symphony, but like they cleanly peel off one by one revealing an entirely new scent. Intrigues me,.. I'm thinking of being in Willie Wonka's Chocolate factory and the lollies, gums, etc, that just completely change flavour mid munching ..lol So there I was, enjoying it but 'meh' at it being called a gourmand,...and then like out of no where, with no hint of it detectable before, up wafted the most yummy chocolate-vanilla fragrance. Then I wanted to eat it! This is a very soft and subtle scent, not at all like more brash gourmands such as Fantasy or Pleasures Delight, ..and once again, thescents are 'true' - like real foods, mmmm, like a chocolate barvarian cake - not artificial lolly type scents. Yummo! Even tho I'd like better performance in both sillage and longevity (not sure if I tested an EDT or EDP tho), I'll be keeping an eye out for this one to add to the collection. It can wait till I'm coming back in to Autumn / Winter tho, as it is one of those cold weather cuddly comfort scents. Thank you Guujse for this little find ;-)

I have never really liked the Goutal range of fragrances, they remimd me of a character from a British sit com called 'The Vicar of Dibley' called Letitia Cropley. This character used to make disgusting culinary concoctions such as marmite cake with branston pickle icing, parsnip brownies and pancakes with a hint of liver! I find Goutal fragrances are a little like this character. They seem to me to be a concoction of ingredients and notes which really don't blend well and to my nose, result in olfactory disasters. Eau De Charlotte was a blind buy for me as it was going very cheaply on ebay and I was intrigued by the notes and by the reviews. Indeed, it was reviewed favourably by members whom I respect enormously, so I decided to give it a try. The first spritz seemed to reinforce my thoughts on Goutal, Gourmand???? I don't think so! There's nothing gourmand about this frag. I thought it smelled like hairspray at the first spritz. This frag gets better with time, I get a sense of an Eastern type of scent, something one would find an Arabian princess wearing. I can see why it was designed personally for her daughter Charlotte. This is a very pretty perfume indeed. It is light and fresh and rather addictive and unlike any frag that I have ever worn before. I like it!! No--- I LOVE it, I just can't get enough of this scent. I still don't put it in the 'gourmand' pigeon hole. Longevity 6/10 Sillage: average Wonderfulness: Fit for an Eastern Princess!! Gorgeous!

Maybe back in 1982 Charlotte was a floral fruity/gourmand, but not anymore. Undoubtedly it has changed w/in the last 30 years, or maybe the EDP concentration is a different story--if you can find it. So if that's what you're looking for, I would forget about EdC. This is not to say that I don't like it. Here's what happens on my skin: First a bloom of white, softly soapy lily. This note stays for the duration of the perfume. Sometimes I will catch a whiff of a sweet rose in the heart, sometimes not. Eventually the lily decreases in intensity, and the cocoa will show through. This is a dry, natural cocoa, not sweet at all. The base adds a bit of smooth/unsweetened vanilla, and a bit of powder, while still keeping the white lily thing going. I've never gotten even a hint of berry or other fruit, and the 'gourmand' notes are not sweet or edible smelling at all. Mostly this is a white floral, really. I like it alot though. The cocoa notes are like nothing I've ever smelled, and for a white floral you can wear it anywhere/anytime. Also this is incredibly feminine, very pretty. I've never really smelled anything like this, with seemingly discordant notes blending so well. But Charlotte is not as advertised. Lasts, oh, maybe 5-6 hours with a good application, wears like a skin scent.

Gorgeous! Feminine, slightly powdery, romantic, very elegant and classy. Very pleasant surprise. It's clean but not boring. I wouldn't hesitate to reach for this one in most cases. It's versatile enough to wear on a date, out with girlfriends, to work. Seems like the perfect "meet the parents" perfume when you know you're the one! lol. it's really beautiful, cheery, and exudes sophistication yet is totally approachable and a bit playful. Very warm and inviting. edit: several more times, I have worn Eau de Charlotte and I don't know what happened. Now, each time I try, Im so sorry to say this, but it reminds me of toilet water, mixed with baby wipes, and I unfortunately mean that in the worst way. It's a young bottle, it would have to be impossible that it turned, and it doesn't smell like alcohol, but I really do think something changed with this scent from the first times I wore and loved it. I'm so upset. There's something kind of skanky about it. It just doesn't smell clean. Could be my body chemistry too of course, but something is off. Sorry to leave a negative note, but I would advise everyone to definitely try this out a couple of times before buying a bottle.

Finally I am able to write a review on this perfume. It has been sitting around my closet for months, but now I'm finally able to put my thoughts together. At the beggining I hate it - lily of the valley strikes with all the power she has and it disturbs me. Together with lily (?) it makes a sour and bitter mix which I do not enjoy on my skin. I do not get fruity as well. It's more than a floral gourmand. Or just floral. After a while the lily of the valley calms down and blends together with mimosa and wonderful vanilla, which is so natural, that it does not get sickly sweet. I do get a tiny bit of the cacao bitterness. I do like this, it is not something I would scream for and dance around in pleasure, but this is very, very well blend and nice fume (after the first 10 minutes of sharpness). As from voting I can see that many have voted that this is fume for hot weather, but I will wear it only in cold, rainy fall, because I find it warm and comforting.

I very interesting and different scent! I got a bottle in a swap from the lovely lisa.m.kasper, and I do like this unique fragrance. On the initial spray I get a ton of the mimose, which is very sharp and almost takes your breath away, then I get the sharp tartness of the black current these blend well with each other createing a fresh fruity floral scent. I don't get much else until about an hour later I start to get a bit of the cacao and the vanilla. I like the dry down of this fragrance best, it starts to be a little less tarts and more sweet and gourmand. Like a black current fruit tart with a bit of vanilla custard...I don't really get to much of the cacao until the very end, and by the time the fragrance gets to smelling its best it is so close to the skin and then you need to start the fragrance journey over again with a few more sprays...overall it is lovely! :)

First sprayed, this is a tart, puckery blackcurrant that possesses a bit of a dry raisin quality. This is the part that I don't like. As it dries down a bit, the florals and cocoa-vanilla creep up into the forefront, making the whole thing much more harmonious. I do like this part, although I don't feel that it ever balances quite properly on my skin. I want to smell it on someone who loves it -- I bet it is a completely different scent. Drydown is, as other reviewers have pointed out, much like the scent of Johnson and Johnson's baby lotion. The whole thing is delicately full of character, but I don't think it's quite warmed up to me. Annick Goutal makes such interesting, finicky, personal perfumes and I love that. I can't wear everything from this house, or even most things, but it's always exciting to smell one that is new to me.

This is a fanciful and delightful scent. The opening notes are quite rich,full, and wonderful just as they are; as fresh blooms in nature- but they dissapate so quickly -they do not stay to provide the excellent contrasts wich makes this perfume so good. The lily of the valley mixes well with the mimose and provides nice contrast with the base-accentuating the gourmand notes-the black currant lingering very faintly too-but the composition quickly becomes powdery and the vanilla and cacao take over and mostly what you have to wear after a very short period of time is the dry down.The dry down is lovely, but, I would prefer the perfume to have better fixation. With a few applications-in the exact same spot-the whole perfume can be better appreciated for just a few minutes longer.

Eau de Charlotte is a nice gourmand scent, you really smell that this was made in 1982, it has this old-fashioned touch, especially in the opening. I get a mix of Lily and Lily of the valley from the top notes, which seems to be pretty strong, but it fades away after a few minutes. Then it turns to a light and powdery scent, where a buttery kind of cacao and a whiff of berries dominates. There is not really something 'sweet' although there is vanilla in the base note. I would describe the dry down as a fresh floral-cacao scent. The lasting power is a bit sad, maybe the EDP version has a better lasting power.

hm this is very pleasant! It is a subtle gourmand I must agree. Don't try this if you wish to smell like a vanilla cake or a sugar-chocolate-candy... this is a very sophisticated,classy gourmand. Starts off with an unexpected burst of fruits on my skin (strange that blossom and lily can cause that), first comes lily of the valley from the heart and right after some lovely mimosas. Both detectable here. on my skin then all melt together into peaches with vanilla cream and approx. one hour after the cacao reveals itself. After the disappointment of high-praised Songes this is a really good surprise.

Oh so charming. A little bit of poetry in a bottle. Soft, powdery rather than wet mimosa with some cacao coming through after a while when the fragrance has had a chance to sit on the skin and warm up. Complemented with a hint of soft vanilla, just to temper the base not as the star of the show. A very intimate fragrance, sits close to the skin. Very private, soft, delicate but sweet, not in a in your face gourmandy way but as something that arises naturally from the composition. Think of those printed fabrics with tons and tons of tiny flowers, maybe with a lace trim.

Many gourmand scents targeted at young women are launched to capitalize on the name of the celebrity of the moment. On the other hand, Eau de Charlotte was created by Annick Goutal for her daughter, and as a result of the love and pride she invested in this fragrance, it stands head and shoulders above most other perfumes of its type. I love the fact that the gourmand notes in EdC are subtle enough to evoke lovely childhood memories without making me smell like I work behind the counter of Dunkin' Donuts. Hard to find, but well worth the effort.

Initial impressions: The first minute of this perfume is its best imho, its as if you have just walked into a patisserie and you are about to take a bite of the most delectable and tart pudding/pastry. Thereafter, it rapidly transforms into a high end body lotion fragrance. Very floral. Also quite weak and more of a skin scent. No sillage as such being very intimate. From the price point not really worth it but I got it at a decent discount. What lured me is lotv and cacoa notes for a blind buy. My first Annick Goutal. Rest in peace Madam.

I get about an hour before this turns to a skin scent in cold weather. Two sprays on wrist and arm, this opens with a bright mimosa and a creamy lily, a little soapy with a touch of powder, Charlotte is very spring like. Vanilla and cacao are holding it all together; overall very natural. Kinda simple but also beautiful. I have no idea what the vintage one smells like, but I really like this scent. Judging from others here, I should be wearing this in warmer temps and that’s what I plan on doing.

I Like Goutal's scents, because each one is a discovery for me and they are not typical. This one isn't my favorite Goutal scent, but it's also a very interesting one. It behaves on my skin not as a luxury soap or expensive face creme with a gourmand accent. The lily of the valley dominates, a mix of vanilla, cacao and lily. I hardly notice mimosa and I don't feel any blackcurrant to my disappointment. This one belongs to soft creme/soapy scents, but I prefer Goutal's more expressive fragrances.

It does smell like a blackcurrant dessert. I find the notes above a bit misleading ? On opening you smell some greenness (lily of the valley) but it's quickly gone and then it's blackcurrant and some gourmand accords. These notes squashed together makes this one a confusing perfume ? Not necessarily gourmand, nor really floral/green. I like. It's unusual. I got a vintage bottle but unfortunately it is not long lasting on me. Maybe this is my nose ?

This is a lovely, delicate, powdery, very light, subtly sweet fragrance. There is nothing wrong with the composition except that you can barely perceive it. The mimosa acts as a sort of buffer which blends well with the cacao and diffuses the gourmand notes amidst notes of floral powderiness. The Lilium notes add some fresh greenness to the whole composition balancing out any headlines making it a very innocent summery gourmand.

What an interesting perfume! It starts off with a pretty harsh lily that I am not crazy about. It soon develops into a black currant/cocoa smell. It's quite soft and feminine, and likable. I wouldn't say it is gourmand, it isn't all that sweet/edible to me. This is the first Annick Goutal I have tested and it makes me excited to try my other samples by her.

this fragrance is the definition of "powdery" imho. it is sweet and light at the same time, good for everyday use. it's been 3 hours since i sprayed and i get whiffs of baby powder (in a good way). i think it's one of the best by goutal but still, don't think i will buy a FB.there are other similar fragrances oyt there, more reasonably priced.

It smells like a baby in a drydown 👼 The whole impression is a mixture of vanilla, cocoa and baby wet wipes. It is the longlasting powdery nice scent. The beginning is sharp, but the perfume is very comfort. OLFACTORY PYRAMID Top Notes : Lily-of-the-Valley, Blackcurrant Buds Heart Notes : Mimosa Base Notes : Cocoa, Vanilla

At first spray I was not liking this scent too much. It was a sharp unusual green/floral scent. Within 2 mins I smelled baby powder. Now all I get is powder, no more green and no cocoa at all. Feminine and clean scent that I would be happy to own (I have a sample size).

This one smells like the Palmolive soap my grandmother used in her bathroom. So I find it to be a nice scent, a nostalgic, comforting scent whitch brings memories (of grannys bathroom) back to life. I like it for that, but I'm happy with my sample, I wont buy a bottle.

The fragrance is pretty but very weak. It fades away within an hour. Luckily I have only a decant. Wouldn ́t buy a FB because of the poor lastingpower of this fragrance.

Interesting scent. Powdery but yet a little tart and sweet currant jammy smell. This is the first Annick Goutal I really like. :)

I have a small vintage bottle. It smells like a 1980’s soapy floral perfume. Some sharpness at first that was off-putting. However it dries to a pleasant soapy floral. Reminds me of 1980’s soap now. It’s a nice scent but not my style. My mom might love it though.

Oh Charlotte, why don ́t you like me? I bought this fragrance without sniffing it before via internet. The EdT was on sale in the shop and so cheap, that I could not resist! The notes sounds to me very nice, too. I like vanilla, cacao and black current very much. I tought of something warm and soft... ...But when I finally got it and sprayed it euphoric on my wrist, I became disappointed. I could not smell anything of the beloved notes on my skin, there was just LOV and nothing else! It was very soapy and harsh to me and I began to wounder, if this perfume should really smell like this? However, the next day I sprayed it on my bestfriends wirst and realized, that it is something personal between Charlotte and me. She simply don ́t like me! It smelled so lovely on my friends skin. Like a yellow floral with a hind of sugar, very warm and ladylike. I will give Charlotte to her as a gift. IMO the lasting power is alright for a EdT, it stays round about 5 hours on my skin till it finally dissapears.

I realize that there are lots of Annick Goutal aficionadas out there, but I have say that, now three for three, I'm really not feeling the love. EAU DE CHARLOTTE's opening salvo of solvent-saturated LOV facsimile is probably the worst that I've encountered since gambling on a blind buy of a single-digit-dollar bottle of reformulated Coty MUGUET DES BOIS. Sometimes you really do get what you pay for. As for CHARLOTTE, I can only attest that in order to persuade myself to spray on a second dose of this, for lack of a better word, concoction, I had to first go run a bath... The drydown of CHARLOTTE is quite a bit easier to bear. The toxic "LOV"-not has cleared out, leaving behind a not entirely repulsive dark chocolate plum brandy-type scent, for which I might even be able to acquire a taste, were it not for the inexcusably awful opening. Désolée!

Eau de Charlotte opens with very strong baby powder on a bitter-green backdrop. I kept waiting for it to evolve past the baby powder, but unfortunately it just never did. As it wears on my skin it becomes soapier, ending up halfway between soap and baby powder in the drydown. After a couple of hours it disappears from my skin entirely. The cacao never makes an appearance, and I don’t pick up on any of the other notes listed in a distinctive way either. I would never have guessed that this contained black currant, cacao, vanilla or mimosa. The currant could account for the green quality I noticed in the opening...however, I never got anything close to that unique, tangy-pungent scent that I associate with black currants.

Very strange, definitely non- linear. Oddly discordant. Starts as strong talcum powder, then becomes sharp and vaguely unpleasant with a talcum powder base, which reminds me strongly of swimming pool changing rooms. Not sure I'm going to be able to last to the promised drydown without scrubbing. Doesn't compare at all to the loveliness of other perfumes by this brand. Couldn't get used to it. Swapped with a friend