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The sight of pretty perfume bottles displayed neatly on the dresser is one of the little things in life that sparks joy for me. However, investing in luxury home fragrances has never crossed my mind, not until I had the chance to experience Guerlain’s home fragrance collection. While I am nowhere near a perfume aficionado, I believe in the benefits of aromatherapy that scented candles and diffusers bring, along with the cozy ambiance that it creates.
Guerlain scented candles price: $177
Guerlain candle refill price: $127
Guerlain home diffuser price: $191
Image from Guerlain's website
Guerlain Home L'Art & La Matière Collection
Best known as a French perfume and beauty brand, Guerlain also carries home fragrances under the L'Art & La Matière collection, from scented diffusers to scented candles, and even a series of low-intensity personal scents that can be used on both the skin and fabric.
There are a total of 8 scented candles available in this range, namely: Palais D'Orangers, Encen D'Hiver, Épices Sous Les Étoiles, Bois Des Indes, Figue Azur, Ylang D'Outremer, Muguet de Printemps, and their latest scent, Rive Rose.
The 5 scented diffusers are a repeat of the scented candles, and are great alternatives for those who prefer not having any open flame at home.
Image from Guerlain's website
Guerlain Scented Candle Design
Straight out of the lightly textured paper packaging, Guerlain’s black tinted candle glass jar feels sturdy and durable with its substantial weight, since it is made using a special pressed glass technique which forms the iconic geometric shape, as well as its signature bee engraving. Unlike the other standard candles that I have ever owned, the glass wall on the candle jar is visibly thicker in size, offering a safer grip when the candle is lit, while also preventing the risk of broken glass under high-heat situations.
The minimal and sleek black tinted Guerlain candle glass jar design adds a touch of understated classy elegance and a nice contrast to the side table or shelves. Guerlain's scented candle would also be a lovely addition to the vanity dresser, among the other Guerlain skincare and makeup products.
Image from Guerlain's website
Guerlain Candle Lid Accessory
Nobody likes the smoke that candles produce when the flame is out, and Guerlain has a thoughtful solution to this problem. The stainless steel candle lid accessory is the perfect fit for Guerlain scented candles, with its elegant chrome gold finishing and logo embossing. However, it is sold separately and the candle lid will cost you $74, about half the price of the actual Guerlain’s scented candle.
Image from Guerlain's website
Guerlain Scented Diffuser Design
Like the scented candle, Guerlain’s scented diffuser is also designed in a glass material with the signature bee engraving on the back, sans the black tint. Nothing particularly stands out for the design of the diffuser, as it appears to look like the standard reed diffuser bottle.
The initial setup of the diffuser is easy, where you will need to unscrew and replace the cap accordingly. Unscrewing the cap is a preferred way to prevent spillage, compared to some other diffusers in the market which may come with a stuffed cork that would take much more effort to pull out of. There are also 10 accompanying reed diffuser sticks with the diffuser bottle.
Guerlain's Rive Rose scented diffuser. Image by Jyn Teo
Guerlain Rive Rose Review
The newest scent addition to Guerlain’s home fragrance collection is Rive Rose. With the blend of rosy and intensely woody notes, Rive Rose paints a scene of two lovers exchanging an intimate yet fleeting kiss. In Rive Rose, you will also find notes of raspberry and patchouli.
It is a romantic and feminine scent that could otherwise be mistaken for a women’s perfume, which is not a bad thing after all, as it could work to your advantage in creating a memorable scent that extends to your home, fostering a welcoming and lasting first impression for family and friends.
Guerlain’s Rive Rose scent is available in candle and diffuser forms, and it is a challenge to pick one over the other since they are just as lovely to have.
Guerlain Rive Rose Scented Diffuser
With a total of 10 reed diffuser sticks given, I inserted 5 sticks into the bottle at the start, based on my past encounters with the other diffusers. As per the optimal perfuming instructions, the Guerlain scented diffuser was placed on the sideboard which sits in the middle of my living room. However, after just an hour or so, I soon realised that the smell was way too overpowering, since I was seated close to where the scented diffuser was located the whole time.
According to the information on Guerlain’s website, Guerlain’s scented diffuser uses cold-air diffusion technology, where the scent trails can last up to 3 months. Since the scent intensity can be adjusted with the number of sticks inserted, I quickly removed 3 of the diffuser sticks and repurposed them in old diffuser bottles that I have in the bathrooms. The scent experience with the remaining 2 diffuser sticks in the Guerlain Rive Rose scented diffuser becomes more pleasant and refreshing.
Another recommendation from Guerlain is that the sticks should be replaced for the fragrance to be refreshed after several weeks of use. The scent diffuser should also be able to last over 3 months with fewer diffuser sticks inserted. Happy to mention that the repurposed diffuser sticks in bathrooms worked out great, as they were smelling fancy for days!
Guerlain's Rive Rose scented candle. Image by Jyn Teo.
Guerlain Rive Rose Scented Candle
In case you are wondering if the same Rive Rose scent smells the same on the candle and diffuser, well, they do to a certain extent. Guerlain’s scented candles are produced differently from the scented diffusers, with the added element of beeswax that is known to come with a faint honey scent and hints of pollen.
Even without lighting up the candle, the pleasant Rive Rose scent is notable when you are near. When the candle is lit, the olfactory trail lingers on for around 45 hours, thanks to the high-quality beeswax that Guerlain uses. The scent experience with the Guerlain candle feels delicate and romantic, perhaps it is the secret magic behind a candle and the calming nature of it all.
Image from Guerlain's website
Guerlain Home Fragrance Prices
A 200 ml bottle of Guerlain scented diffuser is available for $191. With the amount of product as well as its scent intensity, it is well worth every penny. It is also possible for you to expand the scope of the scent by doing the same as I did, which is to place soaked diffuser sticks at various spots and rooms in the home. However, it is not recommended to place used sticks lying flat, as the oils may leave stains and damage the surfaces.
Scented candles at Guerlain are priced at $177 each, while the candle refills cost $127, all for 220 grams. The price point is indeed on the higher side, but considering the candle is infinitely refillable, it is a delightful and sustainable gift option for the festive seasons.
It is best for you to experience the scents in person, since smells are intimate and subjected to differing preferences. You can visit Guerlain's boutique stores at Raffles City and ION Orchard to purchase them in person, as they are not available for purchase on their official site.