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Gucci by Gucci ~ perfume review

Posted by Robin on 30 October 2007 96 Comments

Gucci by Gucci fragrance for women

In Angela's recent article on Becoming a perfumista, she identified four stages along the road from newbie status to curating a personal collection of 300+ perfumes: strong interest, beginning perfume mania, full-blown perfume mania and connoisseurship. I'd like to add a fifth: rampant cynicism. This comes, I think, of already owning enough perfume to scent a small town for the foreseeable future, and then not only looking for more fragrances that you might conceivably love and want to own, but also trying (in vain) to keep track of all the new perfume releases and to smell as many of them as you can possibly manage.

You can tell you've reached stage five when almost everything you read about a new fragrance makes you either laugh out loud or roll your eyes, depending on your mood. I must have been "in a mood" the day I first read about the new Gucci by Gucci, because I remember rolling my eyes. Gucci's Creative Director Frida Giannini was said to have "unleashed her affinity for masculine notes" — yeah, right. I've heard that nonsense before. And "modern chypre" gets an eye roll from me no matter what mood I'm in. The commercial didn't help — I'm a David Lynch fan, but his spot for Gucci by Gucci struck me as silly.

So, Gucci by Gucci and I did not start off on the right foot, and matters did not improve when I tried the actual juice. I normally avoid applying fragrance in-store, but I was on my way out of the mall anyway so figured, why not? I gave two good sprays to my right hand, and nearly passed out. This stuff is STRONG. And FRUITY. And top-loaded with PATCHOULI. But by the time I got on the highway to head home, things had improved drastically. Gucci by Gucci starts loud, but it calms nicely. Subsequent tries with a (non-spray) sample vial have been even better.

Gucci by Gucci was developed by perfumer Ilias Ermenidis, and the notes include guava, raspberry, pear, chamomile, Tahitian Tiare flower, orange blossom, spider lily, patchouli, honey and musk. The patchouli and fruit, as mentioned above, are strong in the opening, but it isn't really overly sweet or fruity if you don't overapply (this is one scent I'd prefer to have in a splash rather than spray bottle). In fact, it wears more like a musky skin scent with woody and earthy undertones — unlike many so-called modern chypres, this one feels like a chypre. The honeyed floral notes aren't exactly sheer, but they're tempered by the drier base notes. It isn't too masculine for a woman to wear, but still, Giannini wasn't kidding: I should think a man could get away with Gucci by Gucci without a problem. If you're a man and you've tried it, do comment and tell me if I'm crazy.

The dry down is smooth and dry, and reminiscent of a very soft suede; the tiniest little lingering touch of fruit adds some fullness. It is quietly sexy, with an ambery-spicy warmth that is perfect for fall. Nicely done.

Gucci by Gucci perfume packaging

I don't love the bottle personally, but it is attractive, and it looks appropriately Gucci-ish. The lasting power is good. Gucci by Gucci is available in 50 ($80) and 75 ml ($100) Eau de Parfum and in matching Shower Gel & Body Lotion. It is currently exclusive to Neiman Marcus, Saks, and Gucci boutiques; it will go into wider distribution in early 2008, at which time a "luxury, more concentrated edition" is also expected to launch (via Women's Wear Daily, 7/13/2007)

Included in...

100 Fragrances Every Perfumista Should Try

Possibly of interest

Gucci A Reason To Love ~ new fragrance
Gucci Flora Gorgeous Jasmine ~ new fragrance
Gucci Love At Your Darkest & Tears From The Moon ~ new fragrances

Filed Under: perfume talk
Tagged With: gucci, ilias ermenidis, modern chypre, perfumista, womens fragrance promising masculine characteristics

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96 Comments

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  1. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 11:41 am

    I had more or less the same series of responses you did :-) I was pretty underwhelmed, then at some later point said, that IS rather nice. Then I tried it on all by itself and was pleased. I'm not sure I need a bottle, but it's good stuff and not another insipid frooty thing.
    I thought the bottle was attractive and very Gucci-esque. So I am wondering: what part of it don't you like?

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  2. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 11:54 am

    I am sort of hoping, based on this & CD Midnight Poison, that fruit salad & candy are on the wane? Only because both of them, I would think, are geared towards the same young audience as the insipid frooty stuff.

    Gosh, I don't know about the bottle. Agree it is attractive, and looks like Gucci. There is just something about it that says: we are Gucci, and this is a high end, luxury, muy classay bottle worthy of the house of Gucci. It is so humorless. You know? Or I'm crazy :-)

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  3. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 12:16 pm

    I haven't yet seen or sniffed this, but I find the bottle offputting from the pictures I've seen. I don't like the clunky cap, and the charms are strangely reminiscent of something by J-Lo or Britney. But it may be much nicer in the flesh, when I get to it!

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  4. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 12:24 pm

    Many of the pictures are of massive factice bottles, too, and they are even uglier (to me) than the normal sizes.

    Ah well. Maybe you'll like the juice…

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  5. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 12:43 pm

    You had me at 'this one feels like a chypre'. That in itself makes this one worth a try for me.

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  6. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 12:49 pm

    Okay, I understand about the bottle. I guess one more thing that yells “classay” rather than declasse cheers me. It looks fully adult. I get that Britney and JLo are marketing to a younger audience, for instance, but still — just looking at some of their bottles causes me pain. And Euphoria is wildly ugly. Okay, I'll stop now.

    BTW I forgot to add (giggle) when I first tried this, BOTH the SAs at NM AND Saks tried to convince me that *their* store had the exclusive! Honestly, if I had a dollar for every time I've heard incorrectly that some store had an exclusive, I could probably buy a bottle of Lutens. Hmmmm. But which would I chooooose…

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  7. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 12:51 pm

    Then I feel I should perhaps qualify: there's no oakmoss. Anyone who insists on oakmoss as the definition of a chypre isn't going to find *any* of the “modern chypres” chypre-like, I don't think.

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  8. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 1:02 pm

    Will I like it? I have a feeling I will!

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  9. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 1:04 pm

    Completely agree, looks (and smells) fully adult. I'll go for that. I think if they'd toned down the gold accents I might like it better. I'm too picky, right?

    And didn't I already tell you my Gucci SA story — that Gucci by Gucci contains the “rare Tiare flower”, and only Gucci has it? I tell her Tiare is just a variety of gardenia — she is disbelieving until I convince her there are whole fragrances named after it — just walk around the corner to the Chantecaille counter? They are all so full of beans — but I chalk it up to bad training.

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  10. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 1:06 pm

    HA — I just didn't have time to wash it off, had to get home asap.

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  11. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 1:07 pm

    I would have said yes with confidence, but you surprised me by not liking Midnight Poison. So can only say maybe!

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  12. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 1:08 pm

    I look forward to my own cynical phase impatiently!! Right now, I fall in lust with EVERYTHING. At least, thanks to this site, while my heart may get carried away with silly mainstream fragrances embarrassingly often, I'm starting to appreciate the ones with more substance and quality. I feel a shift!!! What a perfect time to be a fragrance buff, with Frederic Malle coming to Vancouver this Friday!! And I share Rose's admiration, R., for your open-mindedness about a scent that is front-loaded with patchouli and froot. (Sounds like a fragrance, I confess, that I might love. . .One day, I promise, I WILL become more sophisticated like the rest of you!)

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  13. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 1:12 pm

    You're right, the bottle could work for either sex too.

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  14. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 1:20 pm

    Oh, no, enjoy the fun part while it lasts! I miss the days before I had to convince myself to be open minded, LOL — way better to just like what you like and not be bothered with issues of substance & quality & sophistication.

    But do enjoy meeting FM!!

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  15. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 1:28 pm

    I definitely relate to the stage five cynicism. Extremely little impresses me as FBW these days – or even decant worthy. My most recent disappointment is w/ the Kilians, which I'd been super hopeful about. The key really appears to be to have no hope going in and that's pretty much where I was w/ this Gucci. David's ridiculous commercial almost completely deep sixed the chance that I'd even try it, but someone whose taste I respect said she liked it, so I did. And, much to my surprise, I really do think it's quite decent. Am not sure I need it yet, but am still glad to find a dept. store scent that is this good.

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  16. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 1:32 pm

    Glad you gave it a try then. If I'd had to decide solely based on the commercial, I wouldn't have bothered either.

    Aha — I have little or no hope for the By Kilians, so perhaps they'll impress me?? Or are they entirely worthless?

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  17. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 1:33 pm

    Seriously, tiare!! I mean, I didn't know what tiare was a few years ago, but I'm not selling fragrance. They ought to provide at least a basic glossary to the sales staff.

    Hope you'll like GbG, or at least find it worthwhile in an abstract sense.

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  18. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 1:51 pm

    No, they're not entirely worthless (well, w/ the possible exception of Taste of Heaven, which would have me racing for hell if that's what heaven tasted like). The problem is that they just seemed to lack the “wow” factor I'm looking for in something in that price range. Beyond Love was, perhaps, my favorite, but I have other tuberose scents I like as much or even more, so I don't need it. I *thought* I'd need Straight to Heaven w/ its rum and rosewood notes, but it simply didn't seem original or complex enough on my skin. The “been there, smelled that” thing is a real problem for me these days. Cruel Intentions is the one I'm still thinking I may eventually get at least a decant of. And, just so I don't seem like too much of a scent grinch, I did fall hard for RD's Enslaved (love child of Habanita and Stoned on my skin) and actually got a bottle of it. I may even get his Unspoken, despite a lack of total originality.

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  19. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 2:02 pm

    Ah, yes! I remember! The rare tiare flower that's in a gazillion other scents, including a whole truckload of tropical-scented goo at BBW!

    Not too picky. You like what you like. I do agree that the Gucci bottles rendered in oversize in the ads (the factices) are spectacularly ugly. And who am I to judge!? I liked the Betsy Johnson bottle, so I'm hardly the abiter of class.

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  20. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 2:06 pm

    I wonder if the RDs are coming to the US — haven't tried them, and sort of forgot about them actually. Maybe Barneys or someplace will get them?

    Know the feeling about expecting some “wow factor” when you're paying for it. It so rarely happens — that might be why I wasn't particularly hopeful about the line in general. I guess I'll get samples eventually, but I haven't even gotten to the Tom Ford PBs yet so I'm in no rush. Rum & rosewood sounds lovely in theory!

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  21. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 2:16 pm

    For some of us, Cynicism starts early — even if we're only at Stage 2 Perfumistitis — especially if we spend any time reading ad copy or press release copy from our favorite fragrance blogs… Then again, eye-rolling is a genetic condition I'm afflicted with.

    As for “trying (in vain) to keep track of all the new perfume releases”: I never want to reach that stage, but I am truly indebted to you for suffering for us, O Patron Martyr of Scent.

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  22. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 2:53 pm

    Been to several stores today but none carried GbG, which I can't wait to try. Is it only me or is the light of FFs slowly fading? Do try Versace's latest, a top-load of fruit BUT fab sensual, muskissimo floral dry-down. Very femme, sort of like a kaleidoscope of the evolution from pretty girl to sexy ladee (Diane Lane in Unfaithful, a little dirty-sexy?). Loved your description of the cynical stage 5. Am I there yet? You should've seen me today at the shops, turning nose up at most everything… :-)

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  23. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 3:12 pm

    Oh, just wanted to let you know you are not alone in liking Midnight Poison. I think it's very nicely done, esp. the herbal-ish opening.

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  24. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 3:23 pm

    You know, I don't think I've ever got too close to the cynical stage, mainly because I've learned that scent excitements, for me, come in two kinds – those that are startlingly original and thrilling, and those that I just love wearing. There's not much overlap! The love-to-wears are rarely very original or challenging, but they give me tons of innocent pleasure. (Becker.eshaya Golden Amber is currently delighting me, but it's hardly pushing the boundaries.) So while I have learned not to get (overly) excited by the hype, I always nurse a secret hope that it will be something that's just…nice. I mean, for every Fougere Bengale that's intriguing to sniff from the decant bottle, there's a Miyako that's simply nice to smell on oneself. Is this an embarrassing perfumista admission? *Clears throat gruffly* Of course, I'm mad for Tube Criminelle, wear it every day.

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  25. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 6:37 pm

    Ah, maybe I'll use “genetic condition” as an excuse too!

    And I don't suffer much, truly — I complain massively about trying to keep up w/ smelling everything, but I really don't even come close!

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  26. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 6:38 pm

    Oh, but I loved the BJ bottle until I saw it in person! In that case, my complaint is about the execution, not the design.

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  27. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 6:39 pm

    Oh, I'm sure you are stage 5! It doesn't really require some minimal # of bottles or something.

    I haven't even SEEN the Versace — must have blinders on, as it is out everywhere, isn't it? It must be, it isn't new anymore.

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  28. Anonymous says:
    30 October 2007 at 7:49 pm

    Not embarrassing at all — I have tons of favorites that aren't pushing any boundaries, and gosh, and hope I never get *that* cynical that I can't appreciate them!

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  29. Anonymous says:
    31 October 2007 at 4:18 am

    Robin, the fact that you haven't even noticed the newest Versace just proves that there are indeed way too many new juices on the market.

    One of these days I'm going to try Midnight Poison. Did not like the very first Poison and then never bothered to find out what the others were like.

    GbG is not yet on the shelves here in Prague.

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  30. Anonymous says:
    31 October 2007 at 8:24 am

    Euw, Midnight Poison is almost like real poison! My nose won't take in more sniffs. On my other hand I wear Kelly Caleche and that is still so good, that is the antidote.

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  31. Anonymous says:
    31 October 2007 at 10:35 am

    Oh, so sorry you hated it!! Ah well, stick with the Kelly Caleche :-)

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  32. Anonymous says:
    31 October 2007 at 12:24 pm

    I've been a fan of Gucci for years, the years Tom Ford was working there, and I have gotten along perfectly with almost all the Gucci scents he has created, as I have with almost every single scent Tom Ford has ever done, including YSL and now his own brand. Unfortunately I have to say I am disappointed by this one, I was hoping for something with more personality, especially that the bottle looks very Gucci. I was expecting something completely different, but it's not very special or original. I can just imagine what would have Tom Ford done with this fragrance and how it would have turned out to be……Why Gucci let him go, I will NEVER understand.

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  33. Anonymous says:
    31 October 2007 at 12:45 pm

    Ooh, everything will be all right, don't worry. You know just follow your nose and it's just a matter of time where your nose points to: to Tom Ford or to Gucci. Problem solved.

    What you always can do is to put a Tom Fords fragrance in a Gucci bottle…!!

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  34. Anonymous says:
    31 October 2007 at 12:51 pm

    Smartylicious, I can't speak to the fashion or why Gucci let Tom Ford go, but you're right that this is a less edgy fragrance than he likely would have created. On the other hand, he has been in some ways less edgy with his own brand than I expected, and that includes the few Private Blend scents I got a very quick smell of.

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  35. Anonymous says:
    31 October 2007 at 9:35 pm

    For me, the Wow Factor grabbed me when I actually tried Black Cashmere last August. It floored me (in a VERY good way) and I'm saving up for a bottle. That hasn't happened for at least 3 years… Seems like everything these days is Same Old, Same Old. But I WILL try GbG… maybe I'll be saving up for it soon!

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  36. Anonymous says:
    31 October 2007 at 10:36 pm

    I don't know if GbG has the wow factor of Black Cashmere — at least for me — but it isn't the same old sweet stuff we've seen on the counters lately. Worth a try, at any rate!

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  37. Anonymous says:
    1 November 2007 at 8:07 pm

    Am I the first male to comment on the scent itself? At first whiff, it was an instant likable one for me. Good dose of fruit in the beginning, but thank goodness it wasn't candylike. As the patchouli amber and musk emerge, I definitely got the masculine vibe off this scent. Really reminded me of a sweeter SJP Lovely and its base a less wooded Armani Attitude. The masculine-feminine aspect is balanced enough that I would consider it unisex.

    I think Giannini did a good job, some might consider it playing it safe with a softer perfume, but I really appreciate it being understated because you'd expect something bold like the clothing and bags. If Tom Ford did this, it would definitely be a dramatically different scent, something to the likes of Black Orchid which I find beautiful in tiny doses, but at full spray, it can kill!

    Midnight Poison is definitely hellspawn! Weird and leather like in the beginning, then all this candied fruit and rose with patchouli. Definitely like a drag queen/dominatrix version of Angel. Yuck!

    I think she could've done something more bolder with the base notes, but I think she intended someone to wear it as an everyday, unfussy scent.

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  38. Anonymous says:
    1 November 2007 at 8:33 pm

    You are, thanks for checking in! Glad to hear I'm not insane, although perhaps I am since I liked Midnight Poison — in fact, this one reminded me of it (don't really smell the same, but feel the same, or something vague like that).

    Will be interesting to see what they do with the “intense” version of GbG — I can't see any need for a stronger scent, but perhaps they'll do something “bolder”, as you say.

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  39. Anonymous says:
    2 November 2007 at 12:12 pm

    Ah, we have different taste — I liked Prada Intense better than the regular, and didn't find MP at all too sweet. We agree on Kelly Caleche though!

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  40. Anonymous says:
    6 December 2007 at 11:58 am

    what sultry smoky accord do i smell? i've got it! absolute of Bac-o-bits! will someone please windex my wrist?

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  41. Anonymous says:
    6 December 2007 at 12:33 pm

    Need some bleach..or does that make matters worse..;)?

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  42. Anonymous says:
    6 December 2007 at 12:52 pm

    LOL!

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  43. Anonymous says:
    16 January 2008 at 11:57 am

    I just took a blast of it today and I would have figured it to be a man's scent if I hadn't read about it first.

    The opening is very nice indeed, but it recedes so quickly I was very disappointed – and that's the EdP strength. The other thing is that I have several bottles already that follow similar routes and offer similar scents – but with great longevity and sillage.

    Nice, yes, but very far from essential.

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  44. Anonymous says:
    16 January 2008 at 4:49 pm

    Guessing we have nearly opposite tastes — I liked the dry down much better than the opening :-)

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  45. Anonymous says:
    17 January 2008 at 7:04 am

    I like the dry-down too… I just wish it had a bit more punch – and longevitiy. Or perhaps I just wish it had a little “wicked” undercurrent to it, like Kingdom does. However, like Kingdom, the Gucci bottle is a good depiction of the scent itself: angular and smoky brown.

    It is without doubt emminently wearable for a man, and I'd happily wear it. But, more, I'd love to smell it on a woman. I think it would be very sexy…

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  46. Anonymous says:
    17 January 2008 at 10:50 am

    Finally figured out what the dry-down of Gucci reminds me of: the missing bottom half of Miller Harris' Feulles de Tabac. I tried spritzing some of the Miller Harris over the Gucci, and though the FdT overpowers the Gucci, as its top notes relax the roundess of the Gucci becomes apparent underneath. I love the Miller harris on its own, but the Gucci adds depth to it.

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  47. Anonymous says:
    17 January 2008 at 11:31 am

    Yes, I'd take more “wicked” too!

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  48. Anonymous says:
    17 January 2008 at 11:33 am

    Interesting mix!

    You know, did you see above that Gucci is planning a more intense version? That might be what you're after.

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  49. Anonymous says:
    27 January 2008 at 11:45 am

    I can credit Gucci by Gucci for helping me identify my allergy to patchoulie. My darling hubby gave it to me for Christmas and Neiman Marcus graciously took it back. I got the new Lalique (red/blk package) instead.

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  50. Anonymous says:
    27 January 2008 at 4:18 pm

    Oh, that is really too bad, I'm sorry — patchouli is in so many perfumes! Glad you found another you love.

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  51. Anonymous says:
    23 March 2008 at 3:15 pm

    Must say that I can't really detect the patchouli in this one- it's mostly white flowers with a little musk on me after the top notes. Pity, I like patchouli and it works very well with my skin.
    Nice enough, doesn't smell like it's aimed at gum-chewing 14-year-olds, but not very exciting and quite similar to lots of other fragrances, is my reaction. The man is wearing some too. It's not his kind of fragrance either, but I'm sure he could pull it off without raising any eyebrows if he had liked it. I imagine that it could be rather an elegant fragrance on either sex.

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  52. Anonymous says:
    24 March 2008 at 9:47 am

    Quite sure a man could wear it w/o raising eyebrows.

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  53. Anonymous says:
    20 April 2008 at 2:22 pm

    I quite like this, but I wish the earthy topnotes would stick around longer – I'm not crazy about the white floral drydown. It's nicely done, though; a good “all around” fragrance. Has a classic, mature feel, and I like the masculine edge. Nice bottle, too.

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  54. Anonymous says:
    20 April 2008 at 9:05 pm

    I thought it was mostly earthy again at the end, after the floral stuff burned off. Haven't tried the new EdT on skin yet though, only the EdP.

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  55. Anonymous says:
    7 May 2008 at 6:38 pm

    Robin, funny that you should have mentioned it, but I deliberately tried Gucci by Gucci as soon as it was released in the department stores and after watching the David Lynch commercial several times, just to ensure I was aware of what was new and hyped on the market.

    In the late 70's, during the height of the Gucci-era of fashion influences, my coveted fragrance then was Gucci pour homme. I wish Gucci would re-release that fabulous masculine fragrance again!

    As a parfumisto, I immediately thought Gucci by Gucci would be a good masculine fragrance and would consider buying it for myself; or it may be suitable for women who didn't want to smell floral, as this would be the perfect scent.

    The House of Gucci would have been better off releasing their latest offering as a shared fragrance and it would have sold marvellously!

    Needless to say, I'm sure the male version of this perfume is already in preparation to be launched in the very near future.

    Unlike you, Robin, my experience with this fragrance was one of dry chypre, soft and rich, very sophisticated and mature, warm and comforting. A passionate feeling more than a perfume.

    Definitely not one for young girlies who just want a trendy perfume to match their trendy, new, 'It' Gucci handbags, as they'd be better off with the 'Rush' series instead.

    It's really nice to see so many perfume houses aiming for the over-35 market these days. I have to say, the rich, warm browns of the ads, the clothes and the models' hair tones and make-up looked quite sophisticated and appealing – definitely NOT Tom Ford-ish. Definitely VERY Gucci.

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  56. Anonymous says:
    8 May 2008 at 10:24 am

    Agree that it is nice to smell something that isn't young/candy/girly!

    But what were you wearing in the 70s?? I thought GPH was release in 2003?? Did they have one prior to that?

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  57. Anonymous says:
    8 May 2008 at 3:04 pm

    There was a GPH released in the 70s…very citrus opening followed by mossy and woody notes, and animalic notes at the base. Didn't care for this one, preferring YSL Pour Homme from that era.

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  58. Anonymous says:
    8 May 2008 at 10:12 pm

    Ah, I didn't know that one, only the 2003 version.

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  59. Anonymous says:
    9 June 2008 at 11:46 pm

    I tested it for the first time today, and I actually really like it. It's a good going out on the town fragrance, something good for the office (after the loud beginning), and good for other standardized situations, if you know what I mean. The drydown is tres sexy.

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  60. Anonymous says:
    9 June 2008 at 11:49 pm

    To clarify: what I meant about standardized situations, for those of you who don't know what I mean, is that it's sufficiently sophisticated, sexy, and unusual, but not too out there for day to day situations. I.e. I would not wear Une Rose to work, but I could imagine wearing this.

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  61. Anonymous says:
    10 June 2008 at 9:00 am

    Yes, I can see what you mean, and Gucci is just that. I still haven't skin-tested the newer Eau de Toilette, and must go do that.

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  62. Anonymous says:
    23 June 2008 at 5:07 am

    OMG I LOVE IT!!

    i know some people wouldnt like it or find it too strong but then again depends on what u do and how ur body reacts to it!

    im like loving it, my bf loves it too oh and did u hear apparently thierry mugler's angel is toxic or dangerous?? hmm.. anyways off topic its great!

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  63. Anonymous says:
    23 June 2008 at 1:21 pm

    Angel is not toxic, or at least, no more so than any other fragrance. That was all a rumor.

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  64. Anonymous says:
    14 July 2008 at 12:49 pm

    Just bought this (unplanned but not unsniffed) from Sephora, $58 for the EdP. I find GbG to be quiet, pleasing, grown-up and sexy. It might be better for the fall, but oh well. Reminds me of Serendipity 3 but with less sillage, better lasting power, and overall better quality.

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  65. Anonymous says:
    14 July 2008 at 5:34 pm

    I wonder if the newer EdT is better for summer? I only tried it very quickly on a card.

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  66. Anonymous says:
    2 September 2008 at 9:15 am

    Being a perfume lover, I am always interested in knowing what views there on NowSmellThis blogs are on different fragrances.

    I purchased a bottle of Gucci by Gucci EDP last month (did not see the EDT?) and was concerned I would grow bored of the smell or perhaps the smell would not agree with my skin, but having been wearing it for the past couple of weeks, I can safely say I love it…it just makes me feel good! The woman in the shop told me she was just fed up with yet another perfume coming on the market containing patchouli but I have to say I dont agree – I also own the orignal Prada EDP which also contains patchoul, but both fragrances unique in their own way.

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  67. Anonymous says:
    2 September 2008 at 2:04 pm

    Glad your purchase has worked out for you! The Eau de Toilette is still fairly new, still, it seems to be pretty widely distributed so surprised your store didn't have it. I think the EdP is a better scent, personally.

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  68. Anonymous says:
    2 September 2008 at 2:49 pm

    Maybe I could not find the EDT because of where I live… I live on an island in Spain and have only recently seen the Gucci by Gucci in a store! but I am glad you said you prefer the EDP. I usually prefer the EDP too in fragrances because they are longer lasting on your skin. Its a bit hot here in the summer to be wearing strong scents but I just spray a litte on.

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  69. Anonymous says:
    2 September 2008 at 6:59 pm

    Then you'll probably get it later…it came out here only recently.

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  70. Anonymous says:
    25 September 2008 at 9:17 am

    I've got a bottle of it today. To be honest, I didnt go to check this perfume for some time now.. I thought it's going to be one more boring, pop smell on the market. I was wrong :) I wanted for an autumn/winter time a smell that would feel warm, ambery, honeyed and yet different. So this is IT :)
    To be honest I do not feel a perfume strong in the top notes. I find it very very quiet and elegant from the beginning till the end.. Maybe I am used to stronger scents so this one didnt scare me off. Anyhow, its beautiful scent. I wouldnt call it masterpiece but definitely I'd recommend my friends to give it a try.
    BTW, today I've read couple of articles on this perfume and I found out that this perfume will be a house perfume for Gucci and Gucci house hopes to become with this perfume a classics that Chanel No. 5 has done. I doubt on this one :)

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  71. Anonymous says:
    25 September 2008 at 5:11 pm

    Glad you found your perfect fall/winter scent! Agree, it is nice but no Chanel no. 5.

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  72. Anonymous says:
    6 November 2008 at 10:25 am

    Tried the Gucci yesterday based on having liked Rush and Envy. As soon as I spritzed it on I thought, I've worn this before, but could not place it. Then it hit me. To my nose this smells identical to “Halston” which I wore in the 80's and have no desire to revisit. Heavy, smokey and very unoriginal. Also tried John Varvatos. Could not scrub off fast enough. In fact, could not scrub off at all! I think it has entwined with my DNA and I am now stuck for life. Thick fruity accord interlaced with that most hideous of articifical perfume notes watermelon/ cucumber.Ickkk!!!!

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  73. Anonymous says:
    6 November 2008 at 1:22 pm

    That's funny — I wore Halston too but didn't think of it from the Gucci. Will have to try them together. I don't love that John Varvatos either, but I understand lots of people do.

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  74. RusticDove says:
    20 April 2009 at 8:07 am

    There’s ‘Gucci by Gucci’ in this bottle and a lighter colored bottle. One is EdP and the EdT apparently. Do you know if there is a difference in formulation or just the strength?

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    • Robin says:
      20 April 2009 at 9:13 am

      The description was identical, but I never smelled the EdT so perhaps it is significantly tweaked, I don’t know.

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    • alltheprettythings says:
      19 July 2009 at 9:54 pm

      Oh, and the white lily in EDP is replaced by spider lily in the EDT.

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  75. alltheprettythings says:
    19 July 2009 at 9:53 pm

    I have both the EDT and EDP, and can safely say that although the lasting power is about the same, the EDT is lighter throughout. And a bit fruitier, but not a fruity fragrance.

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    • Robin says:
      19 July 2009 at 10:48 pm

      Thanks!

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    • RusticDove says:
      31 July 2009 at 12:31 pm

      Thanks for the info. I liked this well enough to purchase a small bottle @ Sephora yesterday [the EDP in the darker bottle]. I’m saving it for the Fall though – Summer has finally arrived in all it’s muggy, humid glory and this is a little heavy for that sort of weather.

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  76. RusticDove says:
    31 July 2009 at 12:33 pm

    Oh, and I think the bottle is way cool. :-)

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  77. CHUNLYDA says:
    4 November 2009 at 3:18 pm

    I received Gucci by Gucci last xmas after months on dropping hints… It’s weird because everytime I sniffed it from a magazine or the fragrance counter at the mall I would just die for it and now that i have i hardly ever wear it. It does smell strong at first and is definitely a fall scent.

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    • Robin says:
      5 November 2009 at 9:23 am

      That’s too bad…maybe you’ll fall back in love with it.

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  78. parfumliefhebber says:
    5 December 2009 at 4:14 pm

    Since last year I have a small bottle. It is citrussy in the beginning and has a warm dry down on my skin. I like the scent, but I cannot always have the smell around me. I use it sometimes. It is not so edgy as Jasmin Noir from Bulgari. Jasmin Noir gives me immediately a head ache.

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    • Robin says:
      7 December 2009 at 3:50 pm

      It is strong stuff…

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    • alltheprettythings says:
      18 December 2009 at 11:01 pm

      Jasmine Noir is sickeningly sappy on me. I get nauseated just thinking about it!

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  79. fluffypuppy says:
    20 March 2010 at 11:44 am

    1st perfume sent me the edt by mistake–I had ordered the Lalique Le Parfum, which has a similar bottle. I had every intention of sending it back, but after looking at it sitting on my couch for a day I was overcome by curiosity and sprayed some on. I gotta say, it’s not bad…:)

    It reminds of something, but I can’t think what. It’s a little patchouli-ish, which I normally can’t do, but here it works. I can see wearing it through spring, and maybe on summer nights. It works much better on me than the 2003 Gucci Eau de parfum. That one smells like pleather on me, and makes me feel as sexy and feminine as Gene Hackman in The French Connection.

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    • Robin says:
      22 March 2010 at 10:47 am

      LOL – so much for Gucci Eau de Parfum.

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  80. Owen says:
    7 June 2010 at 1:15 pm

    I want a big bottle of this, its gorgeous. it’s like gold.
    I love patchouli fragrances, and I prefer floral to fruity.

    I can’t remember smelling the eau de toilette, but I might have done at some point.

    and to @Anonymous clarifying a point somewhere I read and can’t find now, which backs my point= no one reads your vast multitude of comments, no one has the time (where do you find time to WRITE them all), seeing them everywhere on these reviews has really started to annoy me now, can’t you delete his account or something.

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    • Robin says:
      7 June 2010 at 2:51 pm

      The anonymous comments are because user names were not carried over when we moved to a new blogging system last year.

      See: https://nstperfume.com/about-now-smell-this/comments-user-accounts/

      and

      https://nstperfume.com/perfume-glossary/#chypre

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  81. Owen says:
    7 June 2010 at 1:18 pm

    what’s a chypre perfume anyway ?
    I can pronounce the word, but I don’t know what it means or what a chypre is supposed to smell like.

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  82. Chrissy48 says:
    14 September 2010 at 11:14 am

    “Hideous” is too nice a word for it

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    • Robin says:
      14 September 2010 at 12:23 pm

      Ok.

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  83. twinpeaker says:
    29 December 2010 at 7:38 pm

    I just purchased this from the duty free shop aboard ship, and thought it must have been misplaced in the feminine scents section of the store. To me it is definitely unisex, veering toward masculine. I purchased the EDP and like it very much. As a man that wears fragrances because they appeal to me, not by how they are categorized, I have learned to shop the women’s section just as much as I shop the men’s. In the same outing I also purchased Bulgari Eau de The Verte (again in the womens’ section but definitely unisex) , and Gucci Homme (gorgeous tobacco incense).

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    • Robin says:
      1 January 2011 at 10:13 am

      Always best to shop both sides of the aisle, agree.

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  84. Penny says:
    23 October 2012 at 2:25 pm

    Wow ! how many Anonymous’ are there? Or is somebody just talking to themselves ?

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    • Robin says:
      23 October 2012 at 2:35 pm

      We moved to a new server in 2009, and for complicated reasons all the old comments lost their user names.

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