Habit Rouge Guerlain

The initial assault is citrus dominance—bright, slightly green lemon wedge meeting bitter Seville orange with an almost astringent clarity. There's a momentary sharpness here, like unripe fruit and bergamot-tinged cologne, before the composition begins to reveal its deeper intentions.

As the citrus fades, patchouli emerges with surprising subtlety—dusted, powdery, and somewhat spiced rather than earthy, creating a distinctive dryness against the warmth of developing vanilla and benzoin. The leather note surfaces here too, creating a sophisticated interplay between sweetness and desiccation that feels both comforting and slightly austere.

The fragrance settles into its most authentic self—a delicate amber-leather skeleton where benzoin and vanilla provide whispers of warmth against a persistent, powdery patchouli. What remains is distinctly skin-like, intimate, with the leather becoming increasingly refined and suede-textured as it fades into near-invisibility over the course of several hours.