Synthetic

Synthetic opens fresh and aromatic: lemon, bergamot and mandarin lifted by a herbal rosemary, the same bright-then-classic entry that introduces Jicky. The heart is dominated by a clean lavender woven with jasmine, basil and powdery orris over sweet tonka, giving that signature fougere-meets-oriental tension. The dry-down warms into vanilla, benzoin, amber and sandalwood with a whisper of leather, spices and rosewood, building the cozy, slightly feral base the original is famous for. Against the genuine Guerlain it is less complex and less daring: the civet skankiness that makes Jicky divisive is sanded almost entirely away, leaving a cleaner, sweeter, more wearable lavender-vanilla, and projection stays modest, turning skin-close within a few hours. Still, the refined, unisex aromatic-oriental mood comes through faithfully. It trades the original's animalic depth and tenacity for budget accessibility, best in cooler months and spring for evenings, dates and dressier daytime wear.