Cruel Gardénia
white floral up front, then powdery, settling into musky.
About
Cruel Gardénia by Guerlain is a Floral fragrance for women. Cruel Gardénia was launched in 2008. Cruel Gardénia was created by Randa Hammami and Sylvaine Delacourte. Top notes are Neroli, Rose and Peach; middle notes are Gardenia, Violet and Ylang-Ylang; base notes are Musk, Tonka Bean, Sandalwood and Vanille. Cruel…
Noses: Sylvaine Delacourte · Randa Hammami
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Wear Ledger
Opening · mid · drydownHeart· 2–4h
Drydown· 6h+
Olfactory readout
Accord mixWear intel
Community dataSkin chemistry varies. Sample before you blind-buy.
Wardrobe slot fits
Where it belongs- Best woody perfumes for men — Woody drydown anchors fall and evening slots.
- Best vanilla under $50 — Sweet accords need price-tier picks with honest drydown notes.
- Best office perfumes for men — Close projection reads desk-safe at two sprays.
- Best perfumes for beginners — More Guerlain picks for labeled wardrobe slots.
Before you buy
Wear-tested answersWhat does Cruel Gardénia smell like?
white floral up front, then powdery, settling into musky. Dominant accords: white floral, powdery, musky.
What notes are in Cruel Gardénia?
Top: Neroli, Rose, Peach. Heart: Gardenia, Violet, Ylang-Ylang. Base: Musk, Tonka Bean, Sandalwood, Vanille.
How long does Cruel Gardénia last?
Wearers tag this as moderate. Expect 4–6 hours for most people. Heavier application can stretch that.
Is Cruel Gardénia loud?
Close reach on skin. Arm's-length projection. Fine at work with a light hand.
What season is Cruel Gardénia best for?
Spring is the top pick (41%). Summer is second at 27%. Try it on skin in the season you're unsure about before a full bottle.
Day or night for Cruel Gardénia?
Day wear leads at 77%. Night is a secondary pick at 23%.
Is Cruel Gardénia for men or women?
Catalog lists it for men. On skin, 76% read it as female. Sample first if you're buying blind for someone else.
Who made Cruel Gardénia?
Composed by Sylvaine Delacourte and Randa Hammami. Released in 2008.
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Wardrobe quiz · 15 questions · ~3 min
Does this earn a slot?
Fifteen questions on when you wear fragrance, what you skip, and what already works. Three explained picks before you blind-buy again.