Eau Gourmande Creme Brulee

This is my second review of this fragrance, as I haven't worn it in a long time and just decided on a whim to wear again today...and because I realize that this perfume gets a lot of hate. I think I know the reason why, and it's not the perfume's fault.... Eau Gourmande Creme Brulee (EGCB) by LM indeed is a creme brulee scent...with a prominent white musk undercurrent. You MUST love musk to truly enjoy this fragrance. End of story. There was a point of time in my life when musk was new to my nose and I absolutely recoiled. The first musk I ever owned, and still enjoy my original bottle to this day, is White Musk by The Body Shop. I have "babied" my bottle for decades, literally, so the oil is still good and smells fresh to this day. But it was a scent that I would have never EVER tried much less bought if I were not a Body Shop employee at the time. The reason I bring up TBS White Musk is that EGCB has a very similar white musk smell, along with the sweet creme brulee accord. I actually enjoy this, tremendously. It makes it distinctive and actually adds a little bit to the "burnt sugar" aspect of this scent. Without it, I think it would be too on-the-nose and boring. The trick, I think, is to layer the accompanying lotion with this scent, as it is missing the majority of the musk (to my nose), and so it makes it just a little bit sweeter. The other thing you could do to tamp down the musk is to layer Solinotes Tonka on top. This is an excellent creme brulee scent all on its own, and when layered with EGCB it really takes it to another level of good-good. So, in conclusion, I really hope this fragrance starts getting appreciated for what it is and that the hate can possibly subside just a bit once people understand that they are not getting just straight-up creme brulee. And to that point, I don't think the fragrance would be suffering from all the hate it gets if it only had a different name, and thus, different expectations. EDIT: BTW, I 100% agree with Fragaddict4u below who says this dries down to something similar to Oud Orange Intense! It does end up having a slightly orangey-citrusy smell over time. This fragrance is totally underrated.

I've owned this frag for maybe about a year now, although I've tested it on my wrist but not really ever worn it. Today was the first day I sprayed it on and finally "got it." Apparently, Creme Brulee underwent a reformulation at some point since its launch (according to reviews on the LM website). People are PISSED at the new formula, saying it smells like "rotten vanilla donuts" or "a cheap Glade air freshener." Supposedly the original was very sweet and gourmand. Now, I never smelled the 2006 version when it was launched, and I'm quite sure I have the newer version. Here's the thing: if you have a pre-conceived notion of what you're going to get, probably with any fragrance, more than likely you'll be disappointed. I actually really like this perfume, but to me, it does not smell like creme brulee. It smells chocolatey. A bit hazelnut chocolatey. What is the main huge difference for me between a year ago and today's wearing of LM Creme Brulee? Two perfumes have since some into my life: Angel Muse (both EDT and EDP) and Chopard's Wish. Both are hazelnut chocolate heavy, and I freaking LOVE them. And what do you know? LM Creme Brulee is reminiscent of them both. I'm totally down with that. So a year ago when I tried CB I probably thought, "Wait, this doesn't smell like creme brulee, it smells weird, or 'off.'" But taking it for what it is, I'm totally happy with it. It's a little musky. A little chocolatey. It's just right. Well, whadda ya know?! EDIT: I got my bottle off of ebay, and was specifically looking for the older version. My label is orange, so I'm wondering if it is, indeed, the older version...the one that people who love this scent are referring to. The next time I'm at a LM counter I'm going to test the gray label version to be sure.

I don't find this to be too sweet at ALL....again, I am trying it in 30 degree weather. I LOVE THIS! It has that edge of skanky honey like I find in Serge Lutens Miel de Bois. However, this isn't quite AS skanky as Miel de Bois - which is my FAVORITE dirty honey. This is much lighter, but still worth every little penny spent!

Delicious. I think I have the one without musk. Something floral in here too?

WOW! This is so similar to Angel on me! And I was not expecting that from this line at all. All my other fragrances from this line (Ambre Vanille, Vanille Gourmande, Almond Coconut, and Fresh Fig) are cozy, comfortable scents. There is nothing at all that is strange or unsettling about any of them. I find them all safe and comforting to wear at any time of day and on any occasion...I wear them to sleep. I wear them when I need a hug. I wear them when I want to be in a happy place. This one is a little different. There is definitely something a bit unsettling and perhaps even fascinating about it. I'm surprised that musk is so low on the notes tree because I find it to be quite prominent. I think it's what gives this caramel treat a bit of edge. I'm still not sure how burnt sugar and musk translate into a toned down Angel on my skin, but I like it! A LOT! But then again, I'm a big fan of Angel and all its friends. If "caramel" is what piques your curiosity here, keep in mind that the caramel is definitely of the brulee variety - burny, nutty, and decidedly grown up.

I have to respectfully disagree with the reviews that say this smells like Angel. Angel is my signature scent and, even with all the reformulations done to Angel over the years, I still do not get any similarities. I smell no patchouli. Different batches, maybe? What I do smell is vanilla, caramel, some slight musk which is giving it sort of a wax undertone. Soft, gentle fragrance. Not overdone. Ambre Vanille from this line has much more spice to my nose. This is a soft, sweet, cuddly scent. I realize it says Eau Gourmand but, as with the others in this line, I feel the sweetness is tempered with complexity. I will also swear I smell a little orange in this? Not a lot, definitely not a citrus scent by any means, but just a hint. Projection is not huge but rather invited people in to come closer. Longevity is fair, especially for an edt. I like it but I think I prefer Ambre Vanille. EDIT: Purchased today at TJ Maxx in sealed box. Orange colored label.

This is one of the sweetest fragrances I’ve ever tried, but I quite like it. As some other reviewers have said, it’s not especially accurate of how the desert crème brulee really smells – this fragrance is far sweeter. It's intensely sugary. Imagine a mixture of the sweetest gourmand accords you can think of combined in one fragrance: caramel sauce, burnt sugar, vanilla cookies. The sweetness also seems to be amplified by something that smells to me like apricot or peach nectar. I enjoyed this fragrance the most out of those I've tried from Laura Mercier's Eau Gourmande series, though it’s probably not something I’d enjoy wearing often enough to consider a bottle. I do prefer it to other fragrances of the same overtly sugary-foody variety, such as Pink Sugar or BS Fantasy. The intensity of this fragrance is quite strong when first applied, but it does calm down as it wears. It lasted several hours on my skin.

I agree with aalvarado below - this lasts a long time on my skin, at least into the next day, not to mention on my clothes. I got this from Marshall's for 16.99 in October 2020. It was a blind buy and totally worth it. I love gourmands and this is a perfectly fine one - a slightly smoky creamy vanilla caramel on me, nothing like Angel - I'm pretty sure mine doesn't have any patchouli in it. However, I can see similarities with Angel Muse, as other reviewers have mentioned. I have the yellow label box and perfume bottle and I guess I must have a different bottle than those with negative reviews because mine is great - no sourness or heavy musk or burnt tires.

The opening of Crème Brulée is actually a bit strange and difficult to discern. But surprisingly it does remind me of the dessert itself, especially the cracking caramel coating. While gradually drying down, it does sometimes take up a little nutty and coffee edge, but eventually settles down into a swirling burnt caramel and vanilla. The sillage is moderate at the beginning then it stays close to the skin for at least 8 hours. It's an uncomplicated and very sweet fragrance. An indulgence for craving saccharine caramel desserts from time to time, why not?

I like this a lot; it manages not to be overpowering despite being very very sweet - impressive! I only wear it when I'm home alone though; it's perfect for going to sleep, when I often want sweet uncomplicated scents. I don't think I'd be comfortable smelling this much like a dessert in public; although maybe that'd be more plausible in winter, so I might try wearing it during the day then. When my sample is used up I think I'll eventually buy a small bottle if that exists and I can find it at a good price...

The love of perfume for me is about choosing something to match my mood, colors I'm wearing, the event, a whim...this may not be the most sophisticated perfume, but who can be offended by the smell of a pastry shop in the elevator? It doesn't knock you over with its scent and it's perfect for cuddling by the fire, wine tasting, even a day at the beach. Anywhere you wouldn't mind having a sweet is where you can wear this and know everyone is wondering what smells so sweet and delicious.

Just received my Laura Mercier samples. And OMG!!! This one is SO SWEET!! I feel as if I spilled caramel on my hand..Makes my hunger devil wake up..It really smells edible! It almost smells like a burnt sugar.. I wanted to buy this one, but now I am not sure. I love that smell, I really do, but I cannot imagine myself smelling like this..Maybe I will buy the smallest bottle possible because I LOVE IT! But as for caramel perfumes, I will always love Omnia Profumo Madera the most!

This is nice. It was a blind buy from tjmaxx, and it smells sweet and sugary and like a dessert. No note stands out very specifically, and I wouldn't pay lots for it, but it was cheap and easy to spritz on before errands or leaving the house. Some perfumes I have to be in the right mood to wear, but this is something that's easy when I'm in a hurry. Certainly worth what I paid, and as someone who likes easy and sweet scents, I find it worthy addition to my collection.

Oh wow, I was expecting a softer scent but this is very sweet and exactly like creme brulee without the depth. Its not as milky but more caramel like the topping of a creme brulee Its too sweet for me but is enjoyable if this sounds like the type of scent you would like (definitely if you like prada candy, but also enjoyable if you dislike that too)

I recently got this, it smells like the hard melted sugar caramel shell on top of a creme brulee rather than the creamy insides. It is still quite pleasant and almost photorealistic.

This smells more like eggnog than creme brulee in my opinion but it is still vanilla-ish and nice

I thought I was crazy or that the bottle I got was expired but for me it has a strong alcoholic or musky scent... when it first goes on I have to try hard to smell vanilla and gourmand notes. As it dries down I like the scent more and it does become more milky, but by the time it gets to this point it needs to be reapplied. I am trying to get rid of the bottle so for now I layer it with a vanilla fragrance oil.

This review is for the orange label, which I just purchased as a blind buy so hoping it is current stock. No patchouli, nothing whatsoever like Angel. Lactonic and musky, but not a recognizable custard or caramel or even vanilla impression. This scent is having an identity crisis. Longevity is good and sillage is strong. Others in this line are wonderful.

I love Laura Mercier's Fresh Fig so much but this is vile on me. I tried it earlier today after thinking it smelled lovely in the bottle and managed to stick it out for about an hour before having to wash it off. For the first few minutes it really reminded me of E45 cream then it settled down to a really unpleasant burnt rubber / latex gloves smell. Horrible. I did find that after using soap and water to get rid of the smell I could detect a mild scent of creme brûlée which was quite pleasant - but nothing special. What a shame - it really does smell like a lovely pudding. Just not on me.

A lot of patchouli but not fresh smellling. I hate the perfume. It smells off. But the lotion and body wash, oh my god! Amazing! Smells just like butter and brown sugar! I cant believe they want to call it the samw smell. Id assume my perfume was just old but it seems like everyone else on here describes it just like mine is. This is way too musky for me