Perfume Review: Metallica/Metalys by Guerlain
November 8th, 2006
The notion of finding your Holy Grail perfume while quite appealing is rather utopian. Yet if I were to finally settle on one and only, dearly beloved perfume, Guerlain’s Metallica would no doubt be nominated for such a solemn occasion. It’s easy for me to love it. It’s perfect. It’s impeccable. It’s everything I want in a perfume: its masterful floral-oriental blend, its mosaic development on skin, its excellent lasting power, its glorious sillage. I realize I’m waxing slightly poetic here which isn’t my common way of writing but I simply cannot help myself - I adore Metallica.
Created in 2000, it was quickly pulled off the shelves due to a lawsuit for using the same name as the popular band Metallica. Thankfully, the scent was reissued a little while back under a slightly different name - Metalys. From what I can tell, the composition hasn’t changed, with perhaps one exception: Metalys seems to be a bit more vanillic. The scent features the notes of carnation, ylang-ylang, orange blossom, rose, iris, tonka bean, vanilla, amber. I’d never considered Metallica aldehydic until I read Victoria’s review. It does indeed have a slightly sharp, fizzy opening that’s so common in aldehydic perfumes. This is where its reference to metal is quite relevant. Its heart is creamy carnation and ylang-ylang, enveloped in plush vanillic amber. Metallica also has a certain spicy kick typical of carnation-dominated scents and just a touch of powder. Blissful perfection!
Now I should have included this in the first paragraph that it was Marina’s idea to review the same scent today, and she picked Metallica since she doesn’t care for it (blasphemy!), and I do. So the idea is to get two different perspectives. I had to gush about my beloved scent first, hence this paragraph. Please be sure to check out her (blasphemous!) impressions.
Metallica is still available for a hefty price on eBay now and then. Metalys can be purchased directly from the Guerlain shop in Paris.
Image source: www.aromat.ru
Entry Filed under: Perfume Reviews
27 Comments Add your own
1. newproducts | November 8th, 2006 at 6:04 am
Well, I can’t blame you this time, Ina, for setting this lemming heart on fire. I was warned when I read Marina’s lukewarm review that you would rave about it. But, “creamy carnation and ylang-ylang, enveloped in plush vanillic amber” and “just a touch of powder”!!! Well, since I don’t intend to pay whatever exorbitant price on ebay or from Guerlain directly, unsniffed at that, I will just refuse to let this lemming grow. That’s that!
2. Elle | November 8th, 2006 at 7:09 am
I do happen to think this is just perfect. I wish I didn’t since the string of expletives deleted powers that be at Guerlain are going to discontinue this next year. Sob!!!!
3. Judith | November 8th, 2006 at 7:18 am
As I said on Marina’s blog, I’m on your side of the aisle here, but perhaps not so far over to the right (or left?–sorry, election on my mind here:) I love Metallica (I have the old one); it’s very beautiful–and it has DH’s seal of approval too. But I don’t think I’d pick it for my HG. Still–a wonderful perfume!
4. March | November 8th, 2006 at 7:33 am
A beautiful scent. I’m not quite so wild for it, perhaps, as you are, but it’s one of my favorites of the new ones. To me it seems like a less lemon-candied version of my my Beloved, Philtre d’Amour.
5. Lucy | November 8th, 2006 at 8:11 am
I am very very curious to try it now, after your description, especially the mosaic effect of its unfolding over time on the skin, which implies to me somthing that keeps the notes all separate and distinctive, yet simultaneously present. That does seem ideal, plus the carnation together with other floral notes. Very curious indeed.
6. Sara | November 8th, 2006 at 8:14 am
I love this fragrance–definitely in my top 10–and it’s the fragrance for which I coined the acronym WIFFY (worth the ‘effin freight from France)–I brought it back from my trip last winter and hope that the talk of discontinuation is just chatter. Someday I hope to try Metallica!
7. Patty | November 8th, 2006 at 9:50 am
Oh, how I wish it did to me what it does to you. But, alas, it does not. It turns into a very expensive baby powder. I think I should be thankful, but it sounds so perfect on you!
8. IrisLA | November 8th, 2006 at 12:18 pm
I like, but don’t adore, this fragrance. I didn’t know I liked carnation until I smelled it in Metalys. All in all, a beautiful scent. I’m glad I got a bottle from Paris.
9. violetnoir | November 8th, 2006 at 12:52 pm
I am a Guerlain lover, but this one does not “do it” for me, Ina. I prefer Voile d’Ete.
However, I do agree that it is a beautifully blended fragrance.
Hugs!
10. Ina | November 8th, 2006 at 5:43 pm
Newproducts, a wise choice indeed. Yet Metallica should be tested.
11. Ina | November 8th, 2006 at 5:44 pm
Elle, I know! GUERLAIN, DO NOT DISCONTINUE THIS BEAUTY!!!
12. Ina | November 8th, 2006 at 5:44 pm
Judith, I’m so glad you love it, too!
13. Ina | November 8th, 2006 at 5:45 pm
March, funny, I see Philtre d’Amour is a lemon-free Mitsouko.
14. Ina | November 8th, 2006 at 5:45 pm
Lucy, the notes are blended perfectly here. Just perfectly.
15. Ina | November 8th, 2006 at 5:46 pm
Sara, definitely WIFFY!!
16. Ina | November 8th, 2006 at 5:46 pm
Patty, another blasphemy!!!
17. Yelena | November 8th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
The dry-down of Metallica is to die for. My bottle is currently lost at our local post office (aaarrggghhhhh). If (when?) I get it, I am going to debate whether to use it or maybe to keep as my one collectible. Thank you for introducting Metallica to me (and Attrape Coeur (my Holy Grail of scents).
18. Ina | November 8th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
Iris, it’s one of the best carnation scents out there.
19. Ina | November 8th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
Robin, how funny, Voile d’Ete doesn’t do it for me.
20. Ina | November 8th, 2006 at 5:53 pm
Lena!! So nice to see you here!
You’re very welcome! I truly adore both.
21. Victoria | November 8th, 2006 at 10:28 pm
It is a lovely review! I agree that Voile d’Ete cannot even compare–it is one of my least favourite Guerlains. I think that Metallica is gorgeous, however, as you might have guessed from my review.
22. Ina | November 9th, 2006 at 12:22 am
Vika, Metallica is gorgeous! I can chant this all day…
23. Aromascope » Bois d&hellip | December 7th, 2006 at 9:23 am
[…] Since we’re on the subject of the upcoming holidays, it only seems appropriate to review one of my favorite candles - Bois d’Orient by L’Artisan Parfumeur. Bois d’Orient (Oriental Wood) is a special Christmas candle (as you can also see from the festive packaging) that brings to your home a cozy wintery blend of cedar, cinammon, cloves, nutmeg, pepper, walnut, and vanilla. Besides its incredible throw, Bois d’Orient makes me feel all warm and fuzzy with its smooth fluffiness - as if it’s been whipped into a perfect creamy mousse and sprinkled with spices. It has a perfect amount of vanilla and just enough of a spicy kick to earn a place of honor in my living room at this time of year. Moreover, believe it or not, it even reminds me of my favorite Metallica perfume (a spicy carnation vanilla blend), and the more things I find that smell like Metallica, the better, even if it means stooping down to the level of bathroom plug-in fresheners. Bois d’Orient is an olfactory equivalent of sipping hot cocoa by the fireplace on a freezing winter evening and an invaluable mood-lifting accessory for all the cold-phobiacs like myself. […]
24. Aromascope » Dianth&hellip | February 16th, 2007 at 12:26 am
[…] Dianthus is the newest addition to the Etro fragrance line. I love Etro fashion, with a particular weakness for their paisley scarves. Alas, I can’t say the same for their fragrances. With the exception of Messe de Minuit and perhaps Shaal Nur, I find most of them a little on the insipid side. The news of Dianthus gave me some hope as it’s a carnation based scent, and I simply adore carnation in perfume. Carnation works best in floral oriental compositions such as my favorite Metalys by Guerlain, Opium by Yves Saint Laurent, Poivre by Caron. When done as a soliflore, it is much less appealing, with the exception of Oeillet Sauvage by L’Artisan Parfumeur. I mistakenly assumed Dianthus would be fall into the latter category but a simple carnation scent it is not. […]
25. Aromascope » My Top&hellip | April 16th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
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27. Aromascope » Perfum&hellip | August 21st, 2007 at 11:42 pm
[…] Jicky, L’Heure Bleue… Their recent releases, Bois d’Armenie, Cuir Beluga, Metalys, have quickly become an integral part of my fragrance wardrobe. Then came Plus Que Jamais with its […]
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