La Petite Robe Noire Velours

While I don't like the original La Petite Robe Noire EdP being too strong for my taste, I enjoy its lighter flankers because of therir cherry/berry & almond compositions that are done well. Legere & Couture were my day & night favorites, but when Velours was announced with the violet note, it really grabbed my attention. It didn't come to regular shops, but after one year it was released, I could finally found a bottle on internet and blind bought it. Velours starts with a lively combination of sourcherry and citrus. Citrus evaporates quickly and sourcherry note becomes more accented. This is the most realistic, fresh, cool sourcherry note that I have ever encountered. As it settles on the skin, cherries get warmer and some sweetness is added. But the sweetnes is like a dash of powder sugar, floavoured with violets, never turnes into cherry jam. It gains a little powdery texture with almond on the base and then quietly leave the scene. Velours is the most balanced LPRN version in my opinion. It's softer but still hides the sparkle inside, like a high quality velvet, as the name suggests. Many reviewers find it similar with Couture, but only the freshness in the operning reminds me of Couture; shining chypre Couture and quiet fruity Velours are different enough from each other. Couture has a dramatic contrast in composition, it gets darker and sweeter compared to the bright opening; Velours evolves more seamless. Couture is more alluring and attractive, Velours is more reserved and elegant. My Legere bottle has nearly came to the end. Velours has already replaced it as my daytime LPRN being lighter and less sweet. There is not a big difference in terms of performance among these three candies (Couture lasts better on fabric because of patchouli), but as Velours being the softest one, I wish it could last longer to enjoy it for a longer time.

I sprayed this 15 minutes ago. I have never tried any LPRN before so I have no comparison. My journey: First minute: Worried I made a mistake, something smells like a certain type of plastic. I quickly put down my wrist. Fifth minute: The sharp plastic has gone away and now things are warming up a bit, but with some freshness. [Not really like any of my other fragrances, so at a bit of a loss for identifying what I smell] 10th minute: Now I am really beginning to enjoy this. The sharp smell is a perfectly balanced rose, violet, and orange, not too creamy and not too sharp. Almond is predominant over tonka. I can now pick out each note. The cherry is there, but not in a Tom Ford Lost Cherry sort of way, but more McDonald's cherry pie warm way. I don't smell the tea. Probably as it blends in as sweet tea right now. 15 minutes in: I do like it. I think I will be in love with it once I smell it in the open air. And give a later in the day update. Very nice addition for me. Update: It fades after a couple of hours, but before that it is amazingly well blended and turns magical. I actually think the tea, which I can't smell separately makes it so aromatic, like sniffing an earl grey tea bag that has been dipped in an expensive perfume. Maybe that doesn't sound good but LPRN Velours smells much more expensive that its price. I really enjoy this and will be reaching for it as a summer semi-formal scent. Summer Time Edit: It really warms quickly and the sharpness quickly dissipates. The violet is soooo smooth now. Warm summer evening must have.

After a few tests on skin, I can say that I really enjoy this version of LPRN. Guerlain probably created Velours as a replacement (and perhaps an improvement?) of the Couture version, which is my favorite of the LPRN line, but sadly discontinued. They are similar, although Velours is more powdery, more complex, but lacks a bit in longevity, while Couture is very long lasting on my skin due to its strong dose of patchouli mixed with vetiver and moss. Besides Velours's obvious resemblance to other LPRNs, the cherry-almond-violet combo in it is also (slightly) reminiscent of two other Guerlain masterpieces: L'Heure Bleue and Insolence. Thus, while being a modern creation, this perfume has an old-world charm about it, an effect that only Guerlain can accomplish to perfection. I'm seriously considering buying Velours and I hope they won't discontinue this flanker too. EDIT, 6 August 2021: I finally purchased a bottle of Velours, and I just love its heavenly cherry-almond accord that blends so well with the powdery violet and rose. I get a warm creaminess while wearing it, so I think Velours is suited for cold weather as well, where Couture is so fresh to my nose that I can only wear it in summer. As a side note, I just checked Guerlain's official website and could no longer find Velours there, so... I guess they must have discontinued this beauty too. Thanks, Guerlain, for launching fragrances that we love and then taking them away.😞

This is my favorite flanker of LPRN (right now, lol) . It doesn't remind my in any way of Couture. Hippie Chick is slightly similar. This one has a much softer, velvety feel due to the violet. If you are an almond lover like me and always felt that the fruit and/or cherry took over, you'll love this one. In warmer weather, almond is about equal to the cherry and the patchouli has a very small presence, which is why I'm not understanding all the comparisons to Couture. Couture has really assertive raspberry ~ patchouli notes that dominate it, along with some Vetiver, I believe. This one is very well blended and as creamy as this line has gotten so far. By no means has the cherry disappeared, it's just toned down (still tart, but that's the beauty of Guerlain~juxtaposition~to keep your nose interested) to about equal with almond. The violet gives it a soft, sweet, slightly powdery vibe and the Tonka just smooths the lovely path. I really love this one. Hippie Chicks dry down reminded me a lot of Guerlains French Kiss, this one not so much. I've heard YouTube reviews that say this is "thin" ~ I don't think so, it's incredibly easy to wear and enjoy. If your'e new to LPRN and don't care for Anise, I'd start here. I received a sample of Nectar, the one that's only released in France so far, and I really like it too. Softer and juicier. Can't wait. Guerlain scents always smell better the older they get.

Cold november air blows away the last dry leaves, there on the avenue. It disperses them in a frozen vortex. I stay here watching them safely, behind my window. 'Ma Robe Velours' gives me back calm and serene harmony that reigns on typical days of celebration, spreading to the rooms that special, delicious aroma of the sparkling paper of gift packages, new wax candles, or some cosmetics and new scented products for my body care, which I usually buy at that time, in festive mood, to give new color and identity to these days. Surprisingly amazing, it is not overly cherry-ish, plus almond abandons bitterness completely here. Well balanced. I have in store few remaining drops of this sample to wear afterwards, maybe on a snowy day, while I think that a bottle of it is a good investment in serenity, and peace for my heart.