Eau de Cologne Imperiale

For the love of Guerlain - Eau de Cologne Impériale in the spotlight. Recently, every time I visited the Guerlain counter, I kept being drawn to Eau de Cologne Impériale. The SA would do a good number on me, reeling me in with the dazzling, dangling carrot of the historical background of this scent and its bottle - it was the first bespoke fragrance in perfumery created by Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain as a special order for the Empress Eugénie in 1853. And the bottle, made by glassmaker Pochet du Courval, is adorned in 69 bees, the emblem of the Empire. So of course, I couldn’t stop thinking of it and asked for a bottle for my birthday. After all, the birthday princess deserves a perfume fitting for royalty 🤪 I was drawn to the scent as well, of course. As a teen in the nineties, there was a time when my entire bedroom smelt of a 4711 scent bomb, another historical scent created in 1792 by Echt Kölnisch Wasser. And although similar in scent profile, they are different. Where 4711 announces itself with fresh and revitalising green and super bright neroli and bergamot amongst the citrus, petitgrain and herbs, Eau de Cologne Impériale is much more calming and gentler. The orange is a little sweeter, more floral and softer, the petitgrain less bitter, the Calabrian green gold bergamot essence more rounded, the neroli, clean, bright and pure.. all blended to perfection and relaxing into a softer, yet refreshing and cooling bed of rosemary, cedar and the tiniest fuzzy cuddle of tonka in the base. And yes, it has the lasting power of a fart in an open field on a windy day. But it is clearly a cologne, not a EdT, EdP, Parfum or Extrait. And, to me, it’s beautiful. The SA told me that they are instructed to spray Eau de Cologne on their hands in preparation of make-up application so that clients are enveloped in the spa like, calming and relaxing scent as part of the Guerlain submersible experience as the MUA hands move the make up around a person’s face. And my immediate thoughts are that I’ll be taking a decant on holiday with me. Where, at home, I love a cozy spray of Eau Duelle, Absolute Aphrodisiac or Naxos as a calming scent for bedtime. I imagine this will be perfect on a hot night, getting ready for bed in a warm climate. The cooling effect of the scent radiating of my skin. Not loudly so, calming and just perfect. But above all, even though Eau de Impériale is readily available and not super expensive, it feels really special to me. Like a little bit of Guerlain history on my dresser amongst my other Guerlain loves.

I just put it on a minute ago and I'm in citrus heaven. At the time of the purchase, I was interested to try out some 'unisex' cologne, I bought a few and right now, I'm thinking I'm probably done with buying new EDC, and I will probably keep this and 4711 in my collection forever. I also bought Eau de Guerlain around the same time, this one wins by far for my personal taste, I'm still a newbie so I believe this ones is easier for anyone to get into if you consider yourself new to the world of EDC. Oh, man, I own this classic looking bottle, it's like half full so this is so precious to me, I don't use it often. I knew this was short lasting but I just feel that it is fading so fast, despite that, I'm in love. 1964-1977, my bottle has a screw spray cap, so y'know I don't know the history or how this had been stored, why does this smell still so gorgeous? Lemon Verbena. I want to pursue this note, by reading reviews by others(females) and I'd like to find something similar someday. My impression is that this is maybe a true EDC? I mean the longevity and the proper use is like, you're not meant to wear it to go out, I don't know what I'm saying, let's just say despite the longevity, this beautiful scent and its history will always have a place in my heart. I'd like to add another impression as of this moment, I'd hesitate to say "Hey, this is a unisex cologne." Someone did the research for us and on the official website, it is 'Les Eau'. I'd like to just leave it at that. As a single man, I can think to myself that maybe someday, I'd meet someone special who can share this beautiful bottle, without even saying words, she/he can just grab this and use as much as the person wants, let me emphasize that I pick it up for myself and that special someone. This bottle I own is the only times that I have tried this scent and recently, I have found that there's a Guerlain outlet not so far away, when I was there for the first time a week ago, I couldn't contain the excitement, I'm sure they had some eau, but I didn't get the chance to test them out. I'll try to remember to make the list, I won't be buying there though, I can't afford the retail price, so when I get some extra spending money, I'll consider another bottle for myself. Guess I have praised this enough? Mine smells simple, yet special, oh yes, I raised my arm and got the whiff of it. It's still going, who needs a girlfriend? Thanks for reading!

I found this bottle like I have many others, at a local CVS, on sale for...$27.50, and there were 5-6 more bottles I could have picked up for that price. It was a steal of a deal I wish I had capitalized on at that time, had I known what it was. I've been trying to tier opening my fragrances so choosing one to wear isn't as tricky. So today, nearly a year after I bought it, I decided to open and wear this... Wow...and I say that for a lot of reasons. First, the initial spray has this burst of natural herbal citrus freshness that smells unlike anything else I've encountered in my collection thus far. Second, moments after my initial spray, I went to smell that exact spot, and the scent was gone. I mean 100% dissipated. No trace. Nada. Bupkis. Like it never even existed. Confused, I sprayed my arm again, and moments later, again, nothing. "Holy $#!+" I thought, this is marketed as an Eau De Cologne, but I don't know if it would even qualify to be an Eau Fraiche! I've sprayed window cleaner whose scent lasts longer than this does. This was truly disappointing for such an amazing scent, and I mean truly...amazing. I don't know why I can't do anything but love this though. Longevity and sillage are absolute garbage, but it's like, for those few moments you can smell it, it's transformative. You mentally go to another place. Maybe that's enough for a fragrance that's been around for 163 years. Modern-day creations have to live up to higher standards. It's what we have come to expect. Or maybe it's because I spent next to nothing on a fragrance that nobody has for that price anymore 😁🤷...I feel like if I had paid regular retail for it, this review would be less pleasant. 6/21/2023 Update: I had my friend test this on his skin to see how long it lasted on him, and his immediate reaction was "This smells like Froot Loops..." and sure enough, it did. On me, it smelled completely different. Oh, and it lasted 5 minutes on his skin before it was completely gone. At least we had that in common... 8/10

Fleeting luxury of the highest order... Eau de Cologne Impériale by Pierre Francios Pascal Guerlain, was created and presented to the Empress Eugenie of France as a cure for her headaches, or so the story goes. As with all "Eau de Colognes", the effect is a bright, refreshing citrus wakeup call which awakens the senses and refreshes the body... like a tonic. The formula is an old one. Citrus, Bergamot, Neroli, Petitgrain, some light florals, and some green moss usually at the base (and sometimes some very light musk). Ultimately, this is a luxurious but fleeting experience. It is designed to be applied at different occasions, such as at the beginning of the day, after the morning bathing ritual, or throughout the day, when the weather is hot or when the humidity is overbearing. In all these situations, Eau de Cologne Impériale succeeds. Where it does not succeed however is if you want it as a perfume for the entire day. It is not meant to be used as such. Because of this, I think if you are looking to buy a similar (to my nose an extremely similar) fragrance... and of course if money is an issue, then go for 4711 . Because the formula is almost the same, and the drydown is almost identical on many levels. I agree that the Guerlain smells different in the opening (more natural and citric), but only for the first 5-10 mins, after which they are hard to tell apart. Ultimately, I would suggest this to anyone with money to spend on the "luxury" of an established, elegant fragrance meant for royalty (and for the history and prestige associated with the house of Guerlain ). Otherwise, if money is an issue to you, there are other options out there which do similar things for a much cheaper price. In my opinion Eau de Cologne Impériale is one for the collectors, for those who appreciate history and tradition... and generally for those who have good taste!

So many reviews to do, so little time. It's tragic that I've only just gotten around to pen my thoughts about this stuff. I don't know whether I'm just having a Eau de cologne renaissance but I really am in love with this kind of fragrance at the moment and it's not even the weather for it. Maybe that's the beauty of this sort of classic perfume...it's versatile and timeless. In any case my respect for Guerlain couldn't be higher and this really is a gem, despite the obvious comparisons with a million other similar fragrances. The opening is like a cool breeze of luscious, bright citruses and lemon verbena which often gives a little fizz to proceedings and although in broad terms, not a long lived perfume, the citrus does last throughout. This might be due to how Cologne Imperiale, superbly transitions into white florals but they are very light and delicate. The drydown has a hint of creaminess like a woody vanilla but so subtle and barely registering as such. It's brilliant! I really like it. This type of perfume can be quite boring but this has something about it an air of class and robust heritage. I have tried it through the years and this latest formula doesn't seem to have lost anything. I didn't expect decent performance and as such was pleasantly surprised when the longevity was okay, low lying but perfectly acceptable.

My last blind buy of 2020. This is a gorgeous refreshing cologne with nothing headache inducing in it. From the Guerlain website: "Created in 1853 by Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain, Eau de Cologne Impériale was the very first Eau de Cologne by Guerlain. Specially composed for the Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, it earned its creator the title of "Perfumer to His Majesty". The Empress enjoyed the exclusive use of this fragrance before giving her authorisation for it to be sold. On its label, it bears the symbol of the Empire with the coat of arms chosen by Napoleon: the eagle, the imperial crown and the sceptre. Its bottle bears a constellation of 69 bees, the symbol of the Empire and the emblem of the Guerlain family of "Eaux."" "Eau de Cologne Impériale was the first made-to-measure fragrance in perfumery, created upon special order of the Empress Eugénie to treat her migraines. This fleeting Eau de Cologne can be followed with your usual fragrance." So, this perfume is a piece of Guerlain history. In all honesty, it resembles 4711 cologne but, it's smoother, more elegant and natural smelling. Eau de Cologne Impériale is fit for an Empress and 4711 for courtiers. I would happily buy a couple more back-ups of this cologne. Being a cologne, it's not long lasting.

The best in my collection. The bottle and the fragrance are gorgeous. The fragrance is a very light and refreshing Eau de Cologne, perfect for the summer months, but is definitely a year-round fragrance. Will not last long in colder weather. Being an Eau de Cologne, this is not meant to last very long, an hour at most, without much projection. Can be used by men and women, this is clearly a unisex fragrance. Lemon Verbena open up this Guerlain masterpiece, followed by a very light touch of lavender and a hint of orange blossom. Sophisticated. Can be used for special occasions. I own several sizes of the fragrance. Guerlain has the normal 3.4 oz bottle, which is a sprayer. Guerlain also has the larger decanter bottles which are beautiful. These come in 8.4 oz, 17 oz, and 33 oz. (1 liter). The liter bottle is the largest and is very impressive. This fragrance can be used every day. It can be layered with the perfume you will be wearing without clashing. I personally wear this layered with the original Christian Dior Eau Sauvage, which gives Imperiale some longevity. You can also wear Imperiale on it's own, which is perfectly fine. If you really like this one, you can wear it on it's own. Overall a beaufiful fragrance, recommended.

The green herbal quality to this scent gives it a very strong fresh quality that seemingly operates differently than modern fresh scents. This freshness is crucial to the use of this scent, historically and today. It was designed to refresh a person and knock back an oncoming headache, rather than act as an enduring scent-track to your day, and the longevity really prevents it from being used differently. As a freshener, this scent can be used by a scent lover in a conservative environment without too much worry that you are going to regret using the scent in some situation later in the day. This scent is held to be a female scent, but I can think of no example of a scent that is less risky for a man to wear outside of its gendered claim. The one link to gender that is worth noting for a man is favorable, in that this scent does not overly emphasize notes stereotypical held to be masculine to the point that perceived masculine posturing, by simply wearing the scent, will offend those near you. This scent is thus unisex, but it seems traditional enough that any whiff of metro-sexual posturing is dispelled; you leave an impression that you are groomed, not a preening modernist looking down on everyone.

Nothing more endearing or classic than Guerlain's Eau de Cologne Imperiale - a pure and true-to-form "aromatherapy" scent as Krmarich describes brilliantly. This is entirely unisex - it started the entire genre, perhaps...breaking down boundaries between male & female scents. As gentlemanly as it is delicately feminine - it is not to be decidedly for either only. Carl Jung archetypes...this is static masculine and static feminine at the same time. It is "how" you wear it. Better yet, how you feel wearing it - and I feel wonderful... I was very lucky to obtain a beautiful Vintage beehive bottle of the more opulent and aromatically-richer, Extra Dry formulation! My oh my, does the citrus, neroli and verbena sing. The aroma can only be from one house - this is signature Guerlain! Never to be confused. Close your eyes and breathe, deeply. Gorgeous. Delicate. Calming, yet stimulating the senses. Perfect for a hot day - over 100 degrees in Northern CA with just a light breeze. What "scent" is meant to be - timeless. Cheers.

Imagine going out of the states to meet your grandfather for the first time and he’s at church. Just realized I lost my bottle. Hopefully they still make this. With Guerlain fragrance tragically having been all but replaced by cheap discount bin fragrance since having been acquired by LVMH this will be greatly missed. Not really sure why they bought this brand just to basically discontinue it and ruin the historic name but hey not much LVMH does makes much sense to me. Top is basically what you get with this one. Bright, bergamot and citrus with that little bit of bitter flower on the middle. Silage is good, longevity is not the best. Good for all four seasons, day or night. I love it don’t just like it, bang for your buck is an understatement. If you like Burberry touch give this a try. Would normally go 8/10 but because of the moderate price I gotta go 10/10. Seriously underrated fragrance suited for men and women. Oh and the “guerlinade” well, if you know you know. It’s there and it’s legendary.

This does smell like 4711, but it is much higher quality. It also lasts slightly longer (4711 lasts about 5 seconds). Every time I finish a bottle of L'imperiale I debate whether to buy another, because it is really just a personal pick-me-up that hardly anyone else will ever smell. It layers well with other eau's. I do seem to always keep a bottle around, because it is so fresh, almost like a vodka tonic with lime in it. Although it is similar to other colognes, it is unique in how sparkling it is. I like it if I am not feeling well, or to spray into the shower in the summer. I also like it as a last-minute spritz when going out on a very hot day. I imagine if I were organized I could keep it in my purse to keep spraying throughout the day-- it would be perfect for that. Basically, it's a classic, just very very good for what it is. Definitely not a date perfume or sweet or flowery or amber/woodsy comforting, but on the other hand anyone could wear it and everyone will like it.

I found this at Macy's Backstage about two years ago, on the same day I also found a (pre-reformulation) bottle of L'Artisan Dzing! with the tiger-riding girl on the label. The heavens parted over the store that day and I've never found anything so special there before or since, though I do encounter the occasional Comptoir Sud, Korres, or Narciso causing my heart to flutter a bit... Getting back on track, this Guerlain is a gorgeous verbena-forward, truly unisex scent that features some complexity but not enough to detract from the elegance and refreshment it affords. I detect mostly citruses with subtle herbal notes that are styled in a classic Guerlain fashion. I used a lot of my bottle trying to drive my cat out from under my bed, but my bedroom smelled amazing as a result, transforming it from a cramped NY dwelling into a space that felt somehow grand, polished, and chic, like an upscale historical hotel with the names of dead celebrities on plaques outside the doors.

I don't understand why this is listed as for women only. It's listed on Guerlain's own site as unisex. This is probably my favorite perfume. Just a wonderful, refreshing, light citrus/lavender/floral blast you can enjoy getting ready in the morning ... sad thing is the scent is gone by the time you get to work. I feel like it's kind of the ultimate luxury because the wearer is the only one who gets to enjoy it. I've had two bottles, but unlike the Emperor, I don't think I can afford to keep buying it for the 15-30 min of fun. I've ordered a bottle of 4711 to see if I can accomplish the same thing more cheaply. Edit: I tried 4711. I'd say they're very close, 85% similar, Imperiale has more lavender, while 4711 was more floral. Overall, Imperiale seems higher quality - a little more creamy/powdery while 4711 seems more bright or medicinal. Didn't get any more longevity out of 4711.

I was lucky enough to come across a vintage bottle of Guerlain Eau de Cologne Impériale, and I have to say it’s a really classy scent. It definitely leans on the lighter side and sits close to the skin, but that’s part of its charm. My nose picks up a bit of licorice or anise in there, which gives it a refreshing, almost invigorating feeling. Even though it stays fairly subtle, I was pleasantly surprised that it lasts around 3–4 hours on me. It has a very refined, sophisticated character without being loud or overpowering. Every now and then I catch a soft whiff of it and it just feels uplifting and positive. I also plan on experimenting with layering it with some other fragrances to see how versatile it can be. So far, though, this one is definitely a keeper.

Wow, what a beautiful uplifting scent this is! Fresh, green, sparkling lemon and lime with bergamot and neroli. Very citrusy and natural. Reminds me of 7Up. Perfect for spritzing on a hot day, or as aromatherapy to perk you up. This always puts a smile on my face. This is the closest scent I've found that is similar to my beloved Jean Marie Farina by Roger & Gallet. Unfortunately, the longevity is even worse than JMF, and at more than twice the cost, I'll stick to my Jean Marie Farina instead. Yes, I know this is a classic eau de cologne, and there's so much history here, but when it barely lasts even 60 seconds on my skin, it's just to expensive for my tastes. Absolutely beautiful scent though!

This is my first introduction to Guerlain and it is absolutely superb for an Eau de Cologne. We need this in a Eau De Toilette or even Eau de Parfum form. It offer a lovely mix of citrus, Italian lemon, citrus from the Carribean, and limes from the dessert. On top of marvelous herbal base where I get your relaxing herbal garden, woody and fresh. I get notes or sage and mint, as well as splendid base of a Rosemary bush. To me it feels like eating a basket of citrus in the gardens of french royalty, amongst the smell of fresh cut herbs. It's a picnic in the garden with sun shimmering on your face. The smell of herbs and citrus stimulates your senses.

Since I first tried it on paper in the store, I liked it. All I wanted was top notes. I've been wearing it for years - in the morning, after the shower, before work. Only recently have I applied it midday. On a hot, humid afternoon, maybe 92 F and 90 % humidity, and no shower - was I surprised. What a lift! So despite it's shortcomings - sillage and longevity, it smells good, and it's unpretentious. That hot day, after an hour or so, I reapplied. I agree, there's a shift. The fragrance deepens. Or it might just have been me. I'm not a sophisticated nose, but some things grow on me, like Eau de Cologne Imperiale. Maybe it's the innocence.

Eau de Cologne Impériale is a Cologne. It is unisex. It does not last long because it is a cologne. I don't understand the idea about male or female fragrances. Jicky for example is classified as a female fragrance, but why do so many man wear it? You have to wear what you like, not if it is a male or female fragrance. Eau de cologne Impériale was made for Empress Eugénie with the specific question that it would relief her migrains. I use this cologne a lot, and I must admit that it has a positive effect on headaches. It is a very refreshing and at the same time calming cologne. A masterpiece, that you can use at an age, any time.

so beautiful, and compared to eau du coq, it is much weaker. imperiale is very refreshing, elegant, you find bitter and grassy notes like quality green tea, plus bergamot oil ;-). Even the taste - just put one drop on your tongue - it's gorgeous! this ultimate quality test pass only a few scents. Yes, it's a pitty that it does not last long as it is supposed to a cologne to it vanished after a few minutes. But imagine an extrait... For those who like the bitter notes, try 4711 Acqua Colonia Royal Riesling: lacks the lime but offers nice bergamot and herbal notes and is still refreshing.

The pale yellow morning sun shone into my friend ́s kitchen in her century old wooden mountain home in the coastal highlands of Jamaica. Blazton, the gardenerman had picked a scandal bag full of green oranges and bumpy lemons from the old grey barked trees, casting shade on the lovely old home. Towel haired and fresh from my rainwater captured shower, I got out the old cedar cutting board and began slicing and then squeezing the citrus. Opening the window, I felt the cool morning breeze coming down from the highlands laden with blossoms of lime and ortanique. So happy and so fresh.