Guerlain Jicky
With my ever growing collection of perfumes, it should be no surprise that indecision sometimes grips me. On these occasions, while I do not particularly dislike going through the list of options, I do at one point surrender with hands up and often I will reach for Jicky. For me, it is the crisp white button down shirt paired with black slacks, a look that always works with its clean lines and casual elegance. Jicky, likewise, has always worked on me and for that reason, it is a much taken for granted scent.
A crisp opening of bergamot sets off this composition, enhancing the clarity of the ensuing notes of beautiful lavender entwined with rosemary, lemon zest, and mandarin. It is wonderfully clean and herbaceous at this stage and makes me think of terribly good northern Italian food, which necessitates the finest simple ingredients of Tuscan bread, zesty cheeses, and fresh herbs. As vanilla, sweet incense, and musk bubble up from the base, they add warmth and just a hint of sweetness, providing a carefully achieved delectable quality. A truly ageless scent, Jicky is subtle and refined without ever being formal or fussy.
It is no wonder that the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, class incarnate, fancied it. I can particularly imagine her wearing it when she rode her horses, as this fragrance is a great choice when you have the wind whipping against your face. Its subtly sweet vapors collide with the refreshing bite of raspy air to resuscitate the crisp accord in an unremitting fashion.
Like all Guerlains, Jicky is available in different concentrations—eau de toilette, parfum de toilette, and extrait de parfum. The parfum is the best, as it is the deepest with a perfect balance of all the notes. The bergamot dissipates in a wink and quickly segues into the heart. Still, the parfum de toilette and eau de toilette are quite nice as well. Indeed, I think that among Guerlains, only with Jicky would the eau de toilette be a decent alternative to the parfum. Often, the parfum must be experienced in order to give a proper judgment as to whether the Guerlain in question is one’s cup of tea.
