Guerlain launches new fragrance Idylle

There are some things you don’t want to contemplate, such as McDonald’s opening at the Louvre. Or Guerlain, one of the quintessential fancy French beauty companies (it’s the Guerlains of the cosmetics world that are inclined to put ruby powder into their lipsticks), deciding to take a restrained stance on kicking-it-old-school luxury.

Judging by their holiday 2009 makeup collection, called Imperiale, we’re safe on the second count. It practically begs for a boudoir in which to showcase it (e.g., Éclat Impérial, a vintage-inspired atomizer that dispenses a veil of iridescent face and body powder).

Guerlain is a legendary fragrance house. When it launches a new perfume, scent aficionados around the world wait breathlessly. The company’s latest, which debuted this fall, is Idylle, a rose blend (specifically, premium Bulgarian rose, from a stellar 2008 crop that has undertones of lychee and raspberry) with ‘chypre’ (deep sensuous) notes of patchouli and white musk. It was created by Thierry Wasser, credited for the elegant men’s scent, Guerlain Homme, and the in-house perfumer, and the bottle is by France’s design up-and-comer Ora-Ïto, who Guerlain says is often described as the ‘next Starck.’ As in Philippe. (Note the bottle cap that intriguingly resembles the heel of a shoe.)

At the Bay and drugstores; Idylle Eau de parfum, 35 mL spray, $82.