Project #24: Les Bains Guerbois 1979 New Wave / Gallery & Reviews

About the perfume / My Review:

1979 New Wave by Les Bains Guerbois: A Nostalgic Yet Modern Fragrance Review

A Scent That Echoes the Spirit of the Late '70s

Les Bains Guerbois has an extraordinary ability to bottle moments in time, transforming them into olfactory experiences that feel immersive and evocative. With 1979 New Wave, the French brand takes us straight to the vibrant, rebellious energy of Paris in the late '70s, where underground culture, punk rock, and artistic revolution were at their peak. This fragrance is a tribute to that era—raw, electric, yet effortlessly cool.

Scent Profile: A Fresh and Woody Perfume Experience

Opening Notes: An Icy, Energizing Start

From the very first spritz, 1979 New Wave by Les Bains Guerbois delivers an exhilarating, ice-cold freshness that instantly awakens the senses. The sharpness of peppermint and spearmint immediately grabs attention, setting the stage for an invigorating and slightly metallic freshness. There's an almost electric quality to this opening—icy, vibrant, and slightly green, like stepping into a neon-lit club filled with anticipation.

Heart Notes: A Balance of Clean and Warm

As the fragrance evolves, the minty freshness becomes more prominent, adding a sense of crisp airiness, reminiscent of the cold night breeze outside a buzzing music venue. The interplay between iris and aromatic cedarwood gives it a classic cleanliness, but with a modern, edgy twist. At this stage, the fragrance exudes confidence and cool sophistication, like a well-tailored leather jacket over a rebellious soul.

Base Notes: A Sensual, Woody Dry-down

The dry-down brings a shift in mood—what started as an electrifying, cold scent gradually melts into a smoother, more sensual warmth. The presence of Australian sandalwood and musks grounds the composition, adding depth and elegance. There's something slightly smoky and woody here, like the lingering scent of the club after a long night, with hints of skin and sweat mixing into the fragrance’s clean, aromatic backbone.

Performance & Wearability

Longevity: 1979 New Wave offers solid performance, lasting around 6 to 8 hours, with a noticeable presence in the first few hours before settling closer to the skin.
Projection: The opening is bold and expansive, with the mint accord making a strong impact. As it dries down, it becomes more intimate, leaving a refined, woody trail with a subtle creamy finish.
Versatility: This is a perfect spring/summer fragrance because it exudes effortless chicness, making it great for someone who wants to smell fresh but with character—not in a conventional way.

Should You Try 1979 New Wave?

Thanks to legendary perfumer Dominique Ropion, Les Bains Guerbois has successfully created a fragrance that blends nostalgia with modern refinement. If you appreciate fresh, woody, and slightly edgy scents, this one is worth exploring. Whether you love minty freshness, sophisticated woods, or a fragrance that transports you to the rebellious energy of late '70s in Paris, 1979 New Wave is definitely a must-try.

If you love iris in fragrances, take a look at my post about Shalimar Millésime Iris here