The Little Darling from Annick Goutal flits in on a butterfly’s wing spreading peachy pear goodness

A year ago, I was introduced to one of Annick Goutal’s most popular scents, Petite Cherie. I learnt a few things about this lovely summery scent that smells of fresh peaches and pear, primarily that a new version is created each year by Camille, the beneficiary and muse of the very first Petite Cherie fragrance.

Petite Cherie is was created by Annick Goutal for her daughter, Camille, who was a little girl at the time, hence the “Little Darling” name and annually, this popular scent is slightly tweaked, with matching uniquely designed bottles. The only thing that does not change is the signature peach and pear scents.

This year’s scent is rather reminiscent of its pale blue-green colour that adorns each product. I found that the scent opens up with a fizzy note, almost effervescent, before settling into the peach-pear fresh scent that I have come to enjoy. Sniff a little harder and I smell a faint rounded note of vanilla tempered with roses. Or it might just be my rumbling tummy that makes me think of vanilla. The whole restaurant was scented with this for the press launch and I was hungry LOL! 😀 This is a lovely, delicious scent that I absolutely enjoy spritzing daily. Interestingly, on its own, I recognize it quite easily, yet when I pair it with the scent from last year, I can smell a very slight distinction.

This year too, sees new product packaging and a keepsake for when you are done with the fragrance, or even just to adorn yourself with – a metal medal that can be worn as an accessory. The promotional images too are different, with a lively girl playing with her puppy. Adorable!

It can be worn as a pendant on an organza ribbon, or on a matching gold chain, or as a brooch. I think its a wee bit big to be worn as a wrist charm, but you might be more creative than I am 🙂

The fragrance also comes in Eau de Toilette (EdT) and Eau du Parfum (EdP) versions which come in different bottles. The ribbed bottle that is the uniform design of all Annick Goutal fragrance bottles is the standard version. It comes with an organza ribbon and the medal hanging from it and comes in various sizes.

As per normal, the specially designed bottle for 2012 is the butterfly bottle – a round glass ball bottle, with a glass butterfly stopper. It sits beautifully on the table, and is absolutely beautiful to look at. The only puzzling question I have is how to use it, because this bottle does not come with a spray. I suspect its a dab on, as the neck opening is very small, but the bottle does feel a bit large to do a dab on. I’d live in fear of spilling it or Heaven Forbid! dropping it! 😛

So my advise is to stick with the ribbed bottle. That way, you know what you are getting and how to use it 😛

Edited to update: I’ve been informed that with the butterfly bottle, comes a gift of a vintage pump that looks like this. I love the idea! Its so luxurious to be able to sit at your dresser and pump out the scent, like a glamourous starlet 😀 You are advised to remove the pump after use (maybe the perfume might evaporate?) But if you use it daily, I don’t think you need to bother.

While the scent evoked feelings of light and wonder, I could not help feeling that the 2012 version did not last on my skin as long as the 2011 version did. With the previous version, I would catch whiffs of the lovely peach scent throughout the day, especially when I turn my head, because I tend to spritz it on my neck.

With the 2012 version, I found that it was a bit light, so while it opens out lovely and fresh, it fizzled out more quickly too. That said, I tested the EdT version so perhaps the EdP version would last longer. It usually does 🙂

You know when’s a good time to splurge on this, if you plan to? When you see Isetan go on sale (as they are this weekend) because you get cash rebate vouchers for every RM100 spent and there’s a special set available too – I tried some of the body cream during the press launch, and it feels absolutely lovely plus leaves your skin delicately fragranced with the scent of Petite Cherie too! A slightly more affordable way to enjoy the scent 😉

Is anyone else out there a fan of Petite Cherie?

I find other Annick Goutal scents a wee bit strong for me but I’m always curious to know if there is one I might have missed from the stable? I noticed that there was a new scent released a little while ago – Nuit Etoilee that came in a beautiful deep midnight blue bottle and I was so taken in… if only for the bottle 😛

Paris B

Annick Goutal Petite Cherie Eau du Parfum Price: RM629/100; RM519/50ml Eau de Toilette Price: RM519/100ml; RM385/50ml Special Butterfly Bottle EdP Price: RM779/100ml Body Cream Price: RM269/150ml Availability: Isetan KLCC, The Gardens; Bangsar Village 2, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Ken’s Apothecary Empire Shopping Gallery Limited Edition: Yes