Nahema

since I guess the 1990s I have three Nahémas in my house. the Luxe Vaporisateur for 1.7oz50mL Edp dictated that I backed up with 2 fillings. it was of course Love at First Sight. I am a Rose Person. with Gem Eau de Toilette de Van Cleef & Arpels 1987 (3oz90mL in Luxe Vaporisateur) and Creed's Fleurs de Bulgarie Millésime 1980 (even 19th C) (2.5oz75mL as Parfum 'Millésime') I always considered these thé Trias of Roses. while Gem arguably can be considered a predominantly Spicy Oriental (or newer nomenclature, Amber) perfume, it is the Roses in these three which are so exemplary treated and with such Refinement and Royaume, that they seem to hold a Pact. now I get whirls of pure Rose Water above from Nahéma. you certainly also get whiffs of Aldehydes and the Peach and Bergamot are blended until smoothening solacing entrance towards a Jardin Clôs of Rare Species of Roses and Jasmine, Hyacinths and Ylang, Lilac and Lily-of-the-Valley. in so far the Enfleurage. when still the Flowers dance along the light spritzed in the world with this exceptional perfume forebodenings of a sturdy base already are heralded. Peru Balsem, Sandelwood, Passionfruit (an unusual Accord), Vanilla and Vetiver lend a Woody, Balsamic, Ripe and perhaps a Forestrial Floor against which, and with which, this rare concoction singles out beautiful Bulgarian Roses and the Airiest Arabian Rose Waters. with Guet Apins, Mahora, L'Instant, Shalimar, Mitsouko, L'Heure Bleue and Les Absolus d'Orient Santal Royal Nahéma is certainly a Legendary Rose Perfume in itself.

Nahema, when worn in the temperatures below 50F, is a lovely powdery rose perfume. I really enjoy it in late fall and winter months. I also find it to be an excellent "base" perfume for less interesting rose fragrances like Chanel Chance Eau Tendre EDP. While I enjoy wearing Nahema on its own, it becomes more versatile when paired with lighter rose or hyacinth perfumes.

Nahema, miniature. The perfume liquid was created by Jean-Paul Guerlain himself. Only 1 ml - the smallest miniature in my collection. I’ve long wanted to get acquainted with this fragrance. What can I say? This scent is a gathering of many different roses, and you never know which rose will reveal itself at any given moment. Sometimes it’s Bulgarian rose oil, sometimes a fresh dewy rose, sometimes a withered rose, sometimes a jammy rose. And all of this can happen within a very short span of time - the transitions are that fluid. It’s an ode to roses in all their forms (I don’t perceive anything beyond that). A single drop is enough for me - and with a 1 ml miniature, there’s no other option anyway - to leave a trail and immerse myself in a rose-filled journey. Yes, this is truly a fragrance made for olfactory travel.

Absolutely staggered by this perfume. I'd tried a vintage sample of this years ago and my recollection was 'very nice, rose dominant, Guerlainesque' and this was all I had in my mind but it's sooooooooo sooooooo good. So another great pal sent me a vintage sample recently and I'm blown away by a key element of this perfume, the rose as a fleeting top note. Well it's not fleeting it remains present probably but not in the way I've experienced in any other perfume, it's like a wave of the most beautiful, faceted, sweet but not too sweet, almost cool (temperature wise), perfect rose absolute washes over you and then retreats right the way back so this exotic, powdery, floral mixture with warm vanillic amber tones and inherent, classy, gorgeousness can come to the forefront. It basically flips from fresh, vibrant, rose dominant opening (and super intact fruity pitchy topnotes for the age of this bottle BTW) to all of a sudden a sort of exotic infused, white floral, Lilly of the valley but with a really resinous warm, vanillic (in a good way) ambery base. It's an absolute revelation!!! It's not pungent or commanding in that way old, seen as stuffy, "WOMEN'S" florals can be. I'm absolutely enamoured and looking at the notes list here, rose in the top notes (and it's in the heart too but I'm gonna give Fragrantica some credit here) is really accurate because it's there, then it's basically gone. Working with rose, understanding and experiencing rose perfumes, I've never witnessed this effect, and Jean Paul Guerlain did that. I think it's creative genius and we've not even really got into the base which is one of the most nose nuzzling drydown's I recall experiencing. Listed here is peru balm and I'll go along with that as I've read that used correctly in an amber accord of sorts it creates a playful powdery sort of effect, even though when you smell the raw material or use in heavier doses and you get a spicy, cinnamon/clove/anise inflected heavy balasmic resin effect. Everything about this screams quality to me and has come at a time I maybe needed it as I'm feeling slightly disillusioned with everything at the moment and Nahema has done a great job of lifting my spirits. Fantastic!!! Now comes the hard part... keeping myself away from eBay, Etsy and the like because a vintage bottle of this is likely to set me back a few quid.

I just dredged out my bottle from the far reaches of my perfume closet. I wore this a lot around 2000-2004, but I got beyond it. One word why: Oud. Once all the oud and oud/patchouli, and oud/rose/patchouli fragrances arrived, Nahema seemed a lot less fascinating. When I want a strong, demanding bomb of a perfume, I reach for something oud. When Guerlain stopped making Nahema, around 2003 I think, I couldn't understand why, but within a couple of months I forgot all about it. My bottle has stood up well, better than some have. It was always a heavily rose/jasmine bomb, and it still is. I don't know what the new stuff that came out in 2019 smells like, but I can't imagine wearing the old stuff even once a week, now that there is so much else out there that is so much better, in my opinion anyway. When I wear it now I feel like an old blue-tint dowager eating alone in a restaurant and smoking a cigarette in a long cigarette holder. (Ok, I lived in an era when old women did this, and even the smokers just cringed when they saw it.) Now there is an image that doesn't sell perfume.

Epic, extraordinary— yeah! Do not get the extract if you can find it unless you want a woody mess. This is exactly what it says, an amber floral. The most beautiful rose in the beginning. Best i have ever smelled of its type (without oud, without jammy or spicy) not sure if this counts as a green rose, but if amber fragrances are too bland for you, this is the ideal addition. I’m reviewing the original not this new eau de parfum “recently” re-released. I have heard that is near identical to this. I don’t smell any fruit, and I wish the rose lasted longer it was so beautiful, but the amber and bit of wood and balsam is nice. Like a rose tree, no green.

I’ll be reviewing the vintage version the one with the golden cover or shaker or whatever it’s called Not sure what to say The rose is good The fruity aspect which could be credited to the peach mainly wasn’t very intriguing Truthfully the biggest problem in this creation is the balsamic notes specifically the peru balsam it gives it some kind of annoying air to it It was a good scent but I couldn’t understand the full situation Performance was overall very good I’m not sure if it’s worth giving it more chances and I’m confident it’s not within the greatest rose based scents of all time

I hate to say it but the legendary Nahema…makes me feel nauseous. To me, it's reminiscent of a car air freshener. I think between the aldehydes, rose, and sandalwood there's just a lot going on. I know this fragrance is iconic and I wish I could smell it the way others do! :(

Big classic elegant rose.

I'm wearing Nahema today. In addition to various miniatures I have had over the years, I purchased the bee bottle version a few years ago. I had purchased several of the Guerlain classics that were given the bee bottle treatment, something I found heartbreaking, because back in the day, before flankers were de riguer, these beauties came in unique bottles. I ended up putting them aside for a long time because they didn't perform or measure up to what I remembered. I was motivated to give Nahema a try again today due to a friend's interest in getting the newest version, and all I can say is that some perfumes are truly like wine that needs time to mature. I am putting Nahema back into rotation! It's stunning, even in bee bottle form! I'm going to pull some others - Chant d'Aromes, Apres, and Jardin to name a few - and see what happens. As for now, I feel like I've gotten a brand new bottle of a masterpiece.

Exuberant and joyful grand dame of roses. Start out with the soprano of hyacinth soon blending with a sensous and warmly feminine mezzo soprano rose. Such a rose! Glimpses of a Tresor-like peach appears before fading to a quiet hum of sandalwoody vanilla after 8 hours. Stays much longer on clothes. I feel twice the woman when I wear this (Bee bottle version)

I don't really have anything to say that hasn't already been said, but i will say this, I once read that Marilyn Monroe used to like to add her perfume to her bath and i have never come across a perfume i loved so much that i would like to literally bathe in it until i discovered Nahema. This perfume is so exquisite i would happily drown in it.

The vintage rose that makes Jean-Paul Guerlain proud. Luca Turin bestowed on Nahema the nickname "Virtual Rose". "Daughter of Fire" is noble and sexy, with extraordinary bearing. What is burning are petals made of velvet, not fire. A back-and-forth dance song "Polileo" sets the tone for Nahema's structure. Nahema is Guerlain's second most expensive fragrance in terms of raw materials alone, at more than 2,000 francs per kilo of formula. Nahema rose to the challenge as a pioneer, and was unpopular for being too avant-garde, but after 1980, several future imitators have greatly dipped in Nahema's light, such as YSL Paris and Lancome Tresor. Not being born at the right time is a classic regret. If you query Nahema, you will find that there is a 1998 rose named Nahema, which is indeed a rose to pay tribute to Nahema and its creator Jean-Paul Guerlain. IFRA restricts methyl eugenol. The absolute content of methyl eugenol in the Bulgarian rose of Nahema is between 2.5% and 3%. In 2016, Nahema parfum was discontinued due to an IFRA ban. Nahema is bright and beautiful. Its attributes are very clear, a velvet rose with a sweet trend, the texture is like rose petals, and it is also like Catherine Deneuve's skin, delicate and delicate, like pearls and flawless. Nahema is pure and round, infinitely endearing. I would never think of a rose. Jean-Paul Guerlain has the character of being bold and daring to create new things. Nahema is not a garden, don't define and understand it directly with figurative things. On my first impressions, Nahema doesn't smell like roses, specifically, a sticky, rose dew-like consistency different from rose jam. Roses of the Nahema type, mostly seen after 1980, are still of the chypre type. Categorizing it in oriental florals is another approach. In 1975, the rose coordination proposed by Jean-Paul when he made Parure was used in Nahema in 1979. Nahema evolved from Chamade, removing the greenness in Chamade, and the rose core was infinitely enlarged and stripped. Based on Rose Nouvelle, Nahema gradually took shape and was born as an independent individual. Made with Guerlain's proud peach aldehyde, infused with a Firmenich rose base, Rosessence, the apricot presents a rich honeyed finish. The cool aldehyde fragrance, with the soft greenness of white rosin and hyacinth, the eternal peach rose-ylang-ylang smiles away, and on the honey-like texture, small and lovely molecules are built into hexagons, building a pocket Rose Tower. The conflict between cold and warm, Nahema blooming in golden light is pink in color, with the breath of early spring, beautiful and unparalleled. I smelled the Nahema again, and it showed the scene from The Roses of Heliogabalus, ecstatic, with rose petals all over the sky, fluttering lightly on the faces of the guests, blocking their breath. The standard concentration of PDT at the time of design is very practical, and the gradient of Parfum is slow and traceless. Jean-Paul said in an interview: "Nahéma, which I created in 1979, is a real bouquet of roses, a hymn to roses. It's one of my favorite scents." I was so overwhelmed by the magic of Nahema that anyone who smelled it revered or adored it, it was irresistible and completely addicted. And I know very well, I'm just amazed by the perfumery skills shown by Jean-Paul

There is something in Nahema that turns my stomach. The opening is a wonderfully fresh and dewy rose, velvety petals adorned with sparkling drops of water. I think the color of the rose is a vibrant middle-pink with orange tones. But then something happens and I feel ill. Sample from Surrender to Chance, mislabelled as an edp, I believe they meant the parfum de toilette, as it was the original discontinued vintage. Mostly writing this as a note to my future self so when I lemming after Nahema I can remember that I don't like it on an actual physical level.

I found that applying large amounts of this fragrance will expose the top notes much strongly in comparison to lightly applying it, and I have found greater success in the "less is more" strategy with this fragrance. Initially I put it on much more liberally like I do other fragrances, and it was quite potent, like a green peppery scent that was overpowering, I almost thought something was wrong with the fragrance or my nose. In lighter quantities, it has a greenish rose scent initially, and a mild "soapy" rose scent comes in. I realize with this one, you don't need to bathe in it in order to get it to work its magic. Otherwise you'll get a lot of fire initially, and it can be almost edible from the fragrance. Once the drydown happens, it smells very pleasant and soothing to me. A very clean fragrance with floral notes. The rose notes are a little different from a pink rose, this one is a little bit more red and green. I can see why people like this one a lot, it's complex and it builds over time. Remember, less is more with Nahema, she's a timeless beauty.

Upon application it smells positively disgusting. Horrid. But then it dries down to a sweet peachy rose scent that's quite nice. Unfortunately by that time it's mostly a skin scent. You might have better luck with maybe Guerlain Champs-Elysees. That one has a bit of an almond scent but it projects better.

Nahema by Guerlain is a Divo perfume in every way, and it can never be used without a more than just cause that deserves its proper use, not really. It's so fine and sublime that I felt like a poor bum wearing something I realize wasn't for me, even for the moment. My association is somewhat exaggerated, however, those who know him understand well the relationship that I venture to try to describe. His opening is very difficult, very difficult, really difficult, something that borders on terror, I don't know! However, it does not kill us or force us to bathe in running water, preferably. I felt infinite tons of Aldehydes with ripe Peaches and ancient Roses that combined, exude an odor that reminds me of stuffy winter clothes in the wettest possible regions of the planet; at the same time it reminds me of a decomposing wood with fruity touches. Blééég... Glory because the incipient beginning is gone, giving way to a delicious Floral perfume with another note of lively and airy Roses that combine with Jasmine and oily nuances of Ylang Ylang, which by the way remind me of the luxurious Rouge by Hermès... That aroma of people who drink tea after 5 pm, who practice horseback riding, who speak softly and have mint breath morning, noon and night! At the very end, Nahema becomes balsamic, corpulent and theoretically dense, given that it becomes close to the skin, but nothing that disappoints, I understand it as part of the polite proposal that he boasts and, by the way, holds tight. A serious sweet aroma emerges amid the aromatic touch of pure resin and dry touches of Vetiver! It's something pleasant to feel, like an excellent party you went to and on the way out you feel all the good you experienced inside it! A perfume difficult to deal with, which requires patience from those who are subjected to it, but it is worth the attempt, due to the unique proposal of its aromatic structure. I have finished!

I am tickled pink by the opening of Nahema. It starts as a conundrum, a dizzying swirl of aldehydes and dewy green notes, hyacinths, lilacs, and peach: a May fever dream. The suggestion of rose comes through in this kaleidoscope, almost holographic, sort of like if you turn an image you see its outlines through all the colors, lines, and shapes. This arresting opening, after 30 minutes, somehow settles into the heart of rose, velvet petals, dewy tears, awash in balsams, escorted by the panoply of florals to its throne, in celebration of its lucid climax. The dry down reveals jammier facets, but most notably red wine and shadowy, supple woods, a mesmerizing evolution in a spectacular Guerlain composition.

Guerlain Nahema (1979) - rose puzzle - Guerlain’s greatest rose fragrance. Starts with a broken puzzle at the start (Rose petals, Aldehydes, Peach, Hyacinth) and then slowly each ingredient, a piece in a puzzle, by some miracle transform it into a picture of a rose. Fresh dewy petals.

Mon parfum d'hiver, je l'adore et le décrirai comme une rose voluptueuse et poivrée, mise en valeur par les bois précieux, une des plus belles créations de Guerlain, et aussi une des moins connues. Ce parfum gagne à être connu.

Not a review but an observation. This perfume really needs time to unfold, and only on skin. It does not smell the same way, or show it's full potential on fabric. It has to mesh with your skin and develop. The reason I am bringing this up is because I wore it one day while around family and my daughter didn't think it smelled good when I first put it on. A half hour later she was telling me how beautiful I smelled and now wants a bottle of her own. Most experienced perfume users know this already, but amateurs and newbies may not. So if you don't love it when you first put it on, give it time to develop, and you may come to love it as much as my daughter did.

This is for Nahema EDP in the refillable Habit de Fete metal flacon, mine is probably about 15 years old. Ever since Nahema disappeared from my local Dept store I’ve been “rationing” it. A few days ago online, I found & ordered a newer bottle...yay! Hoping it hasn’t changed too much (will add an edit on my impression when it arrives) Nahema is (imo) unlike any other rose perfume out there. I’ve tried/bought (& passed on!) a lot of rose scents - because often I find them too fruity/citrusy, & my brain & nose reads them as coming off as sour. I’m not great at picking apart notes, so won’t even try here. What I can say is that Nahema is, I think, THE most soft creamy dessert like rose I’ve ever come across. Not fruity/citric at all - It’s like a soft sweet lightly spiced pink rose bouquet on the typical Guerlain base. It reminds me of both Chamade & LHB, all of them I think are fantastic. Nahema is beautiful, from the initial truly dizzying blast of the stunning top notes, right down to the soft comfortable dry down. I wore Nahema a few days ago & then went perfume shopping. The SA gave me 3 blotters of high end stuff. I told her I’d choose one & then pop back later. As I continued shopping I kept noticing gorgeous wafts of scent which I kept trying to identify from the blotters. After about 10 minutes I realised that the gorgeous wafts were actually my Nahema! I never bothered to go back, there didn’t seem any point. I thought I loved most rose perfumes, but I think the reality is that what I actually love is the rose of Nahema, ”real” rose or not, I don’t know...or care 😀 Edit: New formulation arrived (EDP in bottle with inverted heart cap). It still smells great & still smells like Nahema. Posted review on new page.

Something in the opening strongly reminded me of cigarettes/smoking. Not tobacco though. Or like an old lady wearing a lot of perfume to cover up the fact that she smokes. Then it gets kind of dry, clean, aldehydes and peach more. I hate the opening but it’s getting better. It’s a lot of fruit and vanilla making it sort of a peaches and cream vibe but still dry and old school. I don’t get much rose at all. Just fine after the awful start

Nahema tickles me in the same place 100% love does. They are both “rose”, but I don’t look to either of them for a rose-bouquet experience. For that, I like Un Rose if I’m feeling posh, Portrait of a Lady if I’m feeling highbrow, or Tea Rose if I’m feeling downtown -chic. Nahema (and for that matter, 100% love) is acid-trip rose. These are the roses they’re painting red in Alice in Wonderland. I love it for world-weary days when I am bored with reality. It’s a welcome vacation from the smells of Planet Earth.

Been dying to try this, glowing reviews, great notes, all great on paper...but once again it's a great confirmation to make sure it's for you and test it plenty before investing too heavily into it. This is NOT for me, it is definitely another worldly smell, super soapy, super vintage, and it has a huge blast of pungent aldehydes upon opening. I don't get roses at all, or many of the comparisons listed (serge? ysl? Hell no! Those are jammy / fresh / new age this is ooold schooool) This might be that kind of vintage soapy aldehydic rose, and it also feels green, spicy, oakmossy...test test test, otherwise face the shame of looking at that unused unloved unsellable bottle on your shelf for years, we all know the pain.

I really can’t add anything at all to the brilliant reviews, other than to say, Nahema is indeed an astonishing rose-dominant perfume. So, as a very brief summary: Nahema is an otherworldly, timeless, opulent, dreamy red rose, possibly the queen of all rose fragrances; her elevated position maintained due to the exquisite choice of supporting flowers and refined, elegant base.

Red roses + red roses...some peach..some balsamic notes. And more red velvety roses! this is just beautiful!

This is not particularly in style nor is it particularly my style, but hoooooboy is it gorgeous. Beautiful vintage soapy rose that dries down into honeyed resins. A must-smell. And maybe that drydown is my style. It's so lovely.

A Quantum Rose, you can catch the rose with a glimpse from the corner of your eyes; once you try to observe, the rose disappear, collapsed into its decomposed parts. the green and sharp thorns of hyacinth make you tingle at opening, a subtle waxy cloud with an ideal of "floral scent" wrapped inside, but soon gives way to soft sweet silhouette of an abstract fruitiness— peach maybe? Last but not the least, a few strokes of smooth, creamy lipstick tone make this Pygmalion's lover comes alive. "You see, but you don't (or can't) observe" is an apt quote here.

I just received a .27 oz travel spray from Fragrancenet. I am sure,of course, that it is the newer formulation of Nahema. But..I don't care ...this Nahema is wonderful. As a Guerlain fanatic.....all these years....I never ever smelled Nahema before.....!!!....How did I over-look it ????? duh !!! First spritz, I get florally aldahydes....with a musty leather....to my nose...IMO. The rose effect then comes out, but it is not a "typical" rose....a balsamic rose.......if that makes any sense....???...lol. IMO.....I am getting a vibe of Cabochard...with rose added.....the scent becomes a little sweet as it dries down....and the aldehyde vibes comes back....I also get vibes of a more sweet Robert Piquet Bandit....or even Balmain Miss Balmain and slightly EL Azuree....a maybe if a touch of Habanita,,,?? I can only imagine what the "original" smells like.....or the extrait. With all this said and done....this is vintage-y and classic Guerlain. Glad I finally discovered Nahema. Need a full size bottle.....ASAP !!