WHAT I SMELL: Gucci Guilty opens with skin bracing bergamot and citrus laden lavender (thankfully the lavender is light).  Within a few minutes there’s a sugared layer of wood and patchouli added to the mix.  At this point, Gucci Guilty is rather buoyant, refreshing and very accessible.  After around 5 minutes, the sugared aspects begin to disappear and the fragrance flattens and becomes more woody and a bit salty, which is a nice touch as it makes the scent feel more part of your body than something that’s just sitting above it.  I was expecting Gucci Guilty to be big and in your face.  Instead, it’s surprisingly muted and understated making it very easy to wear.

From the Gucci website:

• a contemporary fougère fragrance
• top notes of lavender and lemon
• heart note of orange flower
• base notes of cedar wood and patchouli

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Living in uncomplicated ease.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE GUCCI GUILTY: easy, understated, unremarkable

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT GUCCI GUILTY: Now Smell This, EauMG

BOTTOM LINE:  With a name like “Guilty,” one would expect a fragrance that is decadent to say the least.  In spite of its name, Gucci Guilty is about a harmless as a kitten.  For a men’s fragrance, it’s OK as there is nothing unique about it which is too bad, because the opening starts off rather promising.  But in the end, you’re left with a pretty quiet perfume that’s “just nice.”

• Bone Rating: 3 out of possible 5 bones
• Scent: Aromatic Fougere
• Nose:  Jacques Huclier
• Classification: Masculine
• Expense:  Varies.  $62 for 50 ml Eau de Toilette