Today I am trying Guerlain's latest addition to the Aqua Allegoria fragrance line, Mentafollia. The notes are mandarin zest, mint leaves, rose, jasmine, green tea, and cedar. I was a bit surprised to hear that Guerlain was issuing another Aqua Allegoria based on mint, citrus, florals and tea, since that basically describes Herba Fresca, but these are two very different scents — unless you dislike mint in fragrance, in which case they will probably both smell like chewing gum to you.
Herba Fresca is a minty-herbal fragrance, with citrus top notes, very subdued florals and a touch of tea. I have always found it a refreshing summer fragrance, sort of a pick-me-up for hot days. Mentafollia is a much smoother, sweeter scent, with more pronounced florals and less green. The cedar is noticeable, but not overpowering.
If you like mint but found Herba Fresca too sharp, Mentafollia might be for you. I prefer the Herba Fresca. Like many recent releases, Mentafollia has some sort of "fresh" accord that makes me feel like I am wearing something by Glade. It is especially strong in the top notes, but annoyed me right through the dry down.
Note: image via Parfum de Pub.
A little postscript: I would like to go on record as saying how very much I appreciate that you can walk into Sephora and get a sample of ANY fragrance (including Mentafollia!) made up on the spot by the usually cheerful sales agents. But please, couldn't they go back to glass perfume vials? It is nearly impossible to try the sample on your skin now unless you gouge the foam out of the little plastic jar, and in the process you end up with fragrance all over your hands. End of rant. Update: they're back to glass vials!
I love the blog!! It's so much fun to read! =)
I totally love that we can usually make any Sephora fragrance into a sample, but they defn. need to go back to the glass vials. But did you notice that the lighting on the shelves can be so hot? I always wonder if it is ruining the scents! =(
I'm so glad you like the blog! Your link is already on the left column 🙂
Didn't even think about the lighting, but you're right. On the other hand, Sephora seems to be selling more fragrance than most department stores, so perhaps they have enough turn-over that it doesn't matter.
hi! =)
I didn't think about turnover at all, but that makes a lot of sense. I feel much better now. The good thing about fragrance is that it's usually in a nice, plastic-wrapped box, so you know it's not been tampered with (unlike the skincare and cosmetics… ack!) The onle thing that always worried me was the lighting… but now I feel even better! Oh oh… another restraint from purchasing has been knocked over… LOL!
I'd just like to go on record as a huge Herba Fresca fan! 🙂 Haven't tried the Mentafollia yet, but based on Robin's description, I'm sure I won't enjoy it as much as Herba. I love fragrances with strong, crisp herbs. L'eau Bleue D'Issey pour Homme by Issey Miyake, is one of my favorites, and I wear if often (I'm a woman, btw).
Its a moot point now, as Mentafollia has already been discontinued. So far, Herba Fresca appears to be safe — it is still listed on the Guerlain website, and it is still one of my summer favorites 🙂
Do you think this fragrance would be suitable for a man, as from the description it sounds magnificent and basenotes lists it as unisex. But, I can't find anywhere to test it, your thoughts.
Yes, I would call it unisex. If you happen to be near a Sephora, you might find a tester there.
Herba Fresca is terrific: uplifting as well as fresh. As I man I find this very easy to wear, and enjoy it in winter months as a mood enhancer, and am looking forward to wearing it in the hot summer (when I think it will truly come into its own).
Guessing my bottle will be gone by then — it's almost empty, and no more to be had 🙁
Has it been discontinued?
Huge oops on my part — it is Mentafollia that has been axed, not Herba Fresca — sorry!
How to you feel Herba Fresca compares to L'Artisan's Thé Pour Un Été? Do you prefer one over the other? Is Thé Pour Un Été more floral?
The L'Artisan is considerably more floral, and more obviously focused on jasmine. I don't really even think of them as being in the same category.
Thank you Robin! I suspected the L'Artisan is more floral, but it is interesting that you do not consider them to be even close. They share some notes, but as you say so well in your article on notes, that doesn't necessarily mean much. Now I am curious to sample the L'Artisan. I enjoy the crispness of the Herbal Fresca. I am fairly new to mints in any concentration in my scents, so the comparison should be fun. Besides, Jasmine is almost as high on my list as my beloved rose.
For some real excitement, maybe I will try layering these 2 scents and see if I like it.
Do try the L'Artisan, it's a wonderful scent. I suppose I also think of them as “not even cousins” because the mint in the L'Artisan is very subtle, whereas in the Herba Fresca it's the whole point.
Yes, the mint in the Herba Fresca is hardly subtle. Thé Pour Un Été is on its way to me now. Thanks again for answering my questions, even so long after your original post on this fragrance. That is just one aspect I love about your blog.
Hope you will love it, and thanks for the kind words 🙂
You are absolutely correct, Robin…was there ever any doubt…the L'Artisan The Pour de Ete IS more about the jasmine than the Herba Fresca. The citrus and hint of mint really compliments the jasmine in the L'artisan. Mmmmm…
That prompted me to try one of my favorite fragrance experiments, layering my rose eo (diluted in jojoba) with the Herba Fresca…it worked for me. Great for summer!
I like both the Guerlain and L'Aritsan! Unique enough to have both in my collection…giggles…
Ooops, The Pour UN Ete that is.
Glad they both worked out for you, and now I'm curious to layer Herba Fresca — never tried it. The L'Artisan I don't think I could mess with, it's so perfect as it is. Doesn't last, though!
I have heard you say before, and I agree, most of the L'Artisan's do not last, but they are so beautiful! I am used to natural scents not lasting, so I do not care either.
Yes, do try layering the Herba Fresca. Years of playing with blending eos and absolutes has taken my fear of experimentation away. I even played with mixing various Annick Goutals together and adding essentials oils (crazy, I know!), with varying success. It is a fun yet risky endeavour.
Les Parfums de Rosines has a rose/mint blend, Diabolo Rose. I haven't tried these yet. I ordered a sample set online from them a couple of weeks ago, but haven't heard back from them. I will wait a bit more and then try to get some decants from TPC or another online source.
So basically I am saying is, I am not totally crazy for liking Herba Fresca with my rose oil. '~)
Yippee, my Rosine samples just came in the mail!!! I suppose I should try the Diabolo Rose first. If only I hadn't just spritzed on some Kelly Celeche (thank you for the sample Sephora!) before checking the mail. Oh well, I am enjoying the KC. :~)
Unless I am purposefully layering, I cannot do multiple sampling like I read many of you do…especially the blog writers. An occupational (albeit unpaid) hazard I guess. Thank you for enduring all the many scents to help us fellow perfume lovers!
It is true — you get used to wearing 6 things at once 🙂
I actually got an Herba Fresca mini in the mail (I bought it on Ebay) today and the first impression was… fabulous. Of course just as much as I love Matsushima's mintea and peppermint from CdG – I just had to like this one too. I am going to sample it even more but I can already tell how nice Herba Fresca is! Starts out very minty/very sweet, then those tea notes just kick in – it reminds me so much of Tazo's organic iced tea, green tea with spearming & lemongrass. The heart of this fragrance gets a bit more herby-herby with just lots of green, fresh herbs in it. From reading all kinds of reviews I thought Herba fresca would be a bit more harsh and less sweet. I am happy to say that I like it just the way it is actually, I adore it's minty-tender sweetness. If You guys say that mentafolia is softer than Herba Fresca… I can't imagine it as Herba Fresca is already so tender and subtle! I liked it very much and that's the thing with me: for the summer I either like lots of lemon, just pure lemon no other, unnecessary citrus/flowers added, or just herby-green-natural-minty smelling things.
It's moot, isn't it — isn't Mentafolia gone? Can't keep them all straight any more so perhaps I'm mistaken.
Anyway, so glad you love it!
I love Herba Fresca :)) is very elegant and green fragrance. Like garden in the morning ,when flowers and fruits looking for summer.
It's a great summer scent 🙂