Amouage Guidance 46: How It Compares to Its Previous Version
Written by Eveline Nagajeva, Instagram: leaving_sillage
Amouage has launched the seventh in its line of extraits: the extrait version of Guidance, one of the most admired and awarded fragrance of last year created by one of the most sought-after perfumers who knows the secret to creating fragrances that instantly become iconic, this fragrance comes under the direction of Amouage’s creative director, Renaud Salmon.
Photo: Eveline Nagajeva
Guidance has conquered so many hearts, including mine, for good reason—it is a truly gorgeous, multifaceted, and unique fragrance with exceptional performance in terms of its technical qualities.
For the structure of Guidance, Renaud Salmon, as one of his references, draws inspiration from Irving Penn’s iconic Flowers series, which embodies both fragility and boldness.
This balance is exquisitely captured in Guidance’s multilayered composition, which reveals itself gradually, layer by layer. And Guidance 46 maintains this delicate yet strong nature. Its DNA is unmistakably that of Guidance, yet it plays in a different key. ile the formula has not changed much, Guidance 46, with "46" revealing the fragrance's exceptional 46% concentration of oils, enhances the original blend by adding ingredients that amplify its complexity and distinctiveness. The result is a fragrance that remains true to its roots while offering a richer, more nuanced experience.
The Exceptional Extraits represent some of the most treasured creations from the House of Amouage. Every perfume in this exclusive collection is the result of meticulous experimentation, carefully assessing the impact of various concentration levels and aging durations to unlock each ingredient's fullest potential, giving it the time needed to unveil its deepest and most hidden facets.
To me, Guidance 46 is more rounded. The fruity gourmand, spicy, creamy, and hazelnut layers of the pillar version are seamlessly blended into a single harmonious composition with bolder accents on specific notes. To my nose, the extrait possesses more depth and smoothness. It is nuttier, with less saffron, and radiates a bold, fresh green woodiness intertwined with fruity and tender rose.
Photo: Eveline Nagajeva
In terms of performance, Guidance 46 remains very long-lasting, but like the extrait, it is less projective and sits closer to the skin. However, it is still very noticeable to those around you, just without filling the space as intensely.
Olfactive family: Floral Woody
Ageing: 4 weeks (2 weeks maturation + 2 weeks maceration)
Concentration: Extrait de Parfum containing 46% pure perfume oils
Top notes: Pear, Frankincense, Hazelnut, Rose Water, Pink Pepper, Bitter Almond
Heart notes: Saffron, Rose, Sambac Jasmine, Osmanthus
Base notes: Cistus, Sandalwood, Akigalawood, Ambergris, Vanilla, Ambrette, Georgywood, Cypriol
PR sample kindly provided by Crème de la Crème Haute Parfumerie