Herba Fresca is part of Guerlain's "Aqua Allegoria" fragrance collection. Although aimed at women, some of the fragrances in the range can be considered unisex. The range are designed to be reminiscent of garden walks. They are light like colognes but are longer lasting like an EDT.
Aqua Allegoria Herba Fresca fragrance notes
Head
- Clover Leaf, Italian Lemon
Heart
- Spearmint, Green Tea
Base
- Lily of the Valley, Cyclamen, Pear Flower
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Latest Reviews of Aqua Allegoria Herba Fresca

In further detail, the herb garden has melissa and basil growing, while the green grassiness of the meadow comes in strong and eclipses with the spearmint in the heart. Soapy florals underline the experience as it dries down further.
This leaves a veil on my skin for much longer than I had expected before experiencing it. Summertime, and the livin' is easy...

2/5
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The successful non-dental integration of mint into fragrance is, I think, an under-appreciated skill and here, as with some of her other work (Cartier Oud & Menthe and, arguably, Roadster), Mathilde Laurent shows her great craftsmanship with this tricky component.
Aqua Allegoria Herba Fresca reminds me of a specific type of Moroccan-style tea shop that can be an oasis on a brutally hot day. There are flowers adding color and their fragrance to the small room. Fresh cut lemons are also contributing their zest to the atmosphere. But the dominant smell is the mint tea that the place is making and serving. That is the impression I get from this scent.
As Knit At Nite notes below, this is a scent for hot days. I appreciate that the citrus here is minimal and that the fragrance is light and refreshing. I often feel like I get stuck in a citrus cologne rut during extended periods of intensely hot, humid weather. This fragrance, along with Shishedo's Zen For Men and F. Malle's Geranium Pour Monsieur are great ways to break the citrus up by adding other smells in such conditions. But unlike the other two mentioned scents, AA Herba Fresca never gets heavy, even on 45°+ (114°+ F) days.
Of course, a consequence of this lightness is poor performance. However, this issue can be addressed with a travel atomizer and reapplications. In extreme heat, you come to the realization that this aspect of these types of very light EdC products is a feature and not a bug--the cooling effects of the evaporation of an alcohol based product on hot skin is a welcome relief on scorching days.
As to ancillary matters,the version of the bee bottle that Guerlain uses for this Aqua Allegoria range is very nice. I like the golden metal honeycomb added in place of the traditional bees.
I have come to the conclusion that many reviewers simply dislike aspects of mint in fragrances. I am not one of these folks. Well integrated mint is, for me, a joy in fragrances and so I like this scent very much. Thumbs up.




This "fresh herb" fragrance is a delightful romp into natural, invigorating green leaf and floral notes touched with lemon in the opening. Aqua Allegoria Herba Fresca by Guerlain is minty, breezy, and crisp while it lasts (not too long on my skin, alas :-/ ).
Other than the longevity issue, I am quite moved by this Aqua Allegoria edition.

Fragrance: 6.5/10
Projection: 7/10
Longevity 7.5/10




My only real complaint about Herba Fresca is that it never really goes anywhere, lasting easily all day, but just smelling like mint and lemongrass and soapy tea the whole time. It's a nice smell, but I kind of wish they had built a little more complexity into this. Anyway, still a thumbs up!