High tea, low tea: Testing two tea perfumes

Guerlain vs The Body Shop: Our great-smelling man about town test drives two great new tea fragrances and dishes.

In 2000, I went to the international launch of Bulgari Blu in Reykjavik, Iceland, an experience I remember vividly—mostly due to the fact that our hotel rooms were filled with the complete line of full-size Bulgari Green Tea amenities. Every morning, I would sweep them all into my suitcase and a new set would appear in their place, compliments of the maid. I came home with gallons of it, which sparked a lifelong love of all things green tea-y.

Enter Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Teazzura and The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea. Neither of these new unisex tea perfumes will last long in my fragrance wardrobe.

New green aromatics for a gender-fluid world—at two price points.

HIGH: Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Teazzura Eau de Toilette

First Impression: The blast of citrus, green tea and jasmine comes off quite flowery, intense but fresh.

Top: Bergamot, lemon, grapefruit and yuzu (a sour Japanese citrus)
Middle: Green tea, chamomile, jasmine
Base: Musk, vanilla, calone (a seashore smell)

Best For: A night out. This has an almost mysterious, I’m-wearing-my-best-shirt aura.

Biggest Fans: Men who know that women love the smell of green tea (smart buggers), and women who don’t want to smell too girly. $70 (75 ml), www.thebay.com

LOW: The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Eau de Cologne

First Impression: Fresh and light, green and citrusy, like a walk in the park on a spring day.

Top: Green tea, bergamot, lemon, orange
Middle: Jasmine, violet, camellia
Base: Not much of an anchor here

Best For: This is your new go-to for daytime drama

Biggest Fans: Those with a “heavy hand” who like to refresh a few times a day (read: overspritz) and those who will very likely also buy the shower gel. $20 (100 ml), www.thebodyshop.ca