GUCCI
FLORA GORGEOUS GARDENIA INTENSE

2025

mandarin

gardenia
hedione

sandalwood

‘Celebrating the gardenia flower that inspired the original scent, Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Intense Eau de Parfum is the most concentrated fragrance in the Gucci Flora collection. This new interpretation reveals a floral and enchanting woody heart. The fragrance opens with bright Italian Mandarin, unfolding into a fresh bouquet of Gardenia Accord and Hedione. Vibrant green notes add energy, while Sandalwood brings warmth and depth. The long-lasting fragrance is perfect for infusing any moment with a sensation of pure bliss.’ – Gucci

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I haven’t been the biggest fan of the Gucci Flora Gorgeous collection; with the last couple that I smelled, I liked them initially, but not on a full wearing. Gucci was kind enough to send over Gardenia Intense either way, but I knew quite soon in the wear, that this wasn’t going to be for me (nor my favorite of the Flora Gorgeous. Gardenia was the one that I never properly smelled, so I can’t make a comparison to the original, but Gardenia Intense didn’t smell the way I would expect from a gardenia fragrance.

To my nose, Gardenia Intense wears with the sharpness and harshness of a lot of green, bubblegummy tuberose fragrances. It opens somewhat sweet (reminding me of a less loud Hugo Boss Alive or Boss Bottled type of sweetness), but instantly sharp and almost watery. The scent is rather abstract; I wouldn’t say it smells like tuberose that much either, but it has a slightly bitter, hair-spray vibe with fruity tinges (a la Xerjoff Torino24).

It grows even sweeter, but less playful as it dries down. The sweetness is interesting, albeit it not my favorite. Not your usual bubblegummy or candy designer, nor proper vanilla or gourmand in any way. It’s more like a screechy or spicy, fiery amberwood. I do like the drydown a lot better than the opening. The scent itself is something that I could see myself wearing at that point, its grating nature just doesn’t feel pleasant to wear in my opinion.