L'Instant De Guerlain

L'Instant De Guerlain, inspired by Guerlain L'Instant de Guerlain Eau de Parfum (2003)

Mandarin, bitter orange and bergamot open alongside a thread of honey, so the citrus feels sun-warmed rather than zesty. Magnolia, a creamy, faintly lemony white flower, leads the heart with jasmine sambac and ylang-ylang. Underneath sits an amber base of benzoin, a vanilla-scented resin, with musk. Overall it reads golden and smooth, its sweetness coming from honey and vanilla rather than fruit.

About the original

Maurice Roucel composed L'Instant de Guerlain in 2003 with Sylvaine Delacourte, who asked him for a Guerlinade, the house's traditional base accord, 'illuminated by sunlight'. A men's L'Instant de Guerlain pour Homme followed in 2004, along with women's flankers such as L'Instant Magic. Around 2013 it vanished from some counters, but Guerlain now lists the Eau de Parfum in its Les Légendaires collection.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Guerlain stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Lighter than most ambers thanks to its citrus and honey, it still finishes rich and enveloping. The honey and vanilla sweetness is real, so lovers of green or dry florals may find it too gentle.

Related scents

• Guerlain L'Instant Magic
• Guerlain Insolence
• Guerlain Samsara

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Top notes: Mandarin, Bitter Orange, Bergamot, Honey

Heart notes: Magnolia, Jasmine Sambac, Ylang-ylang

Base notes: Benzoin, Amber, Musk, Vanilla

Citrus and honey open together: mandarin and bergamot, with bitter orange for a slightly peel-like edge.

Magnolia and jasmine sambac take over, while ylang-ylang adds a creamy, banana-tinged note.

Amber, benzoin and vanilla make up the finish, resinous rather than heavy, with musk keeping it close to the skin.

Is this the same as L'Instant Magic?

No. L'Instant Magic is a separate flanker; this page is the original 2003 L'Instant de Guerlain for women. We make both.

Is this the women's or the men's L'Instant?

The women's. L'Instant de Guerlain pour Homme (2004) is a different fragrance.

Is L'Instant de Guerlain discontinued?

No. It disappeared from some shops for a time, but Guerlain lists the Eau de Parfum in its Les Légendaires collection.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Guerlain and L'Instant de Guerlain are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Guerlain in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.