Gucci Bloom Intense: A Deeper, Lusher Exploration of the Floral Garden
How Gucci's Modern Floral Icon Evolved into a Richer, More Sensuous Statement
In the annals of modern perfumery, the launch of the original Gucci Bloom in 2017 marked a significant pivot for the storied Italian house. Under the creative direction of Alessandro Michele, Gucci embarked on a journey to redefine its olfactory identity, moving away from the overtly sensual and provocative scents of the previous decade towards a vision of romantic, untamed beauty. Bloom was conceived as an olfactory portrait of an imaginary garden, a space where women could be their most authentic, vibrant selves. It was a fragrance that spoke not of seduction through darkness, but of allure through luminous, natural abundance.
Gucci Bloom Intense, arriving in 2018, represents the logical and compelling evolution of this vision. Where the original Eau de Parfum was a dewy, green-tinged bouquet captured at dawn, Intense is that same garden at the height of a sultry afternoon. It is a fragrance that answers the call for greater depth, longevity, and sensuality from the original''s ardent admirers, while remaining firmly rooted in Michele''s ethos of ''becoming your own bouquet.'' Positioned as a richer, more concentrated sibling within the Bloom family, Intense was designed to offer a more enveloping and persistent experience, transforming the daytime floral into a compelling option for evening wear and cooler seasons.
The inspiration, as with its predecessor, is deeply personal to Michele, drawing from his memories of his mother''s garden and his fascination with the idea of a woman who cultivates her own unique identity. The concept for Intense was to amplify the core floralcy while introducing a warmer, duskier facet. It is an exercise in olfactory chiaroscuro, playing the bright, clean white florals against a backdrop of deeper, more resinous and animalic nuances. This creates a scent that feels both familiar and novel—a more confident, grown-up iteration of the Bloom DNA.
Within the fragrance community, Gucci Bloom Intense has garnered a reputation as a ''floral with backbone.'' It is often praised for successfully intensifying the original''s profile without resorting to generic sweetness or overwhelming powder. It carved a niche for itself as a designer floral that possesses a certain niche-like complexity and tenacity. While some purists remain loyal to the airy transparency of the original, Intense has developed a dedicated following of its own, celebrated for its ability to project a sophisticated, magnetic, and distinctly modern femininity that lasts from day well into night.
The Nose Behind the Scent
Alberto Morillas. The legendary Master Perfumer, born in Seville and based in Geneva, is one of the most prolific and revered noses in history. With a career spanning over four decades, Morillas is the architect of countless iconic fragrances, including Calvin Klein CK One, Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò, Bulgari Omnia, and Marc Jacobs Daisy. His signature lies in creating accessible yet beautifully constructed scents with exceptional clarity. For the Gucci Bloom line, he collaborated closely with Creative Director Alessandro Michele to translate a highly personal, visual concept into an olfactory reality.
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
The fragrance opens with an immediate, lush burst of indolic jasmine and the uniquely fruity-floral character of Rangoon Creeper. This is not a shy, dewy floral; it is a bold, sun-drenched bouquet. The tuberose is present from the first spritz, adding a buttery, narcotic richness that feels more pronounced than in the original Bloom. The opening is dense, opulent, and slightly humid, evoking the intense aroma of a greenhouse at peak bloom.
As the top notes settle, the heart reveals its sophisticated architecture. The orris root and butter emerge, imparting a soft, powdery-violet facet that tempers the headiness of the white florals. This stage is where the ''Intense'' character truly shines: the floral bouquet becomes creamier, more rounded, and deeply textured. The initial fruity shimmer recedes, allowing the voluptuous, almost waxy texture of the tuberose and the earthy sweetness of the orris to take center stage. The scent feels closer to the skin yet more substantial.
The final act is a beautiful, skin-hugging fusion of floral remnants and warm, woody-musky base notes. The Australian sandalwood provides a creamy, soft woodiness that blends seamlessly with the lingering orris. A touch of clean patchouli heart adds subtle depth without any dankness, while a veil of white musk ensures the fragrance remains luminous and clean. The drydown is intimate, sensual, and remarkably persistent—a soft, floral-woody whisper that lingers for hours.
Performance Dashboard
Excellent longevity for an Eau de Parfum. Consistently lasts 8-10 hours on skin, and can be detected on clothing for 12+ hours.
Strong projection for the first 2-3 hours, creating a noticeable scent bubble of about an arm''s length. It then moderates to a more personal, intimate aura.
Leaves a moderate, elegant trail, especially in the first half of its wear. It is not an overwhelming room-filler but announces its presence gracefully as one moves.
When to Wear
Community Verdict
Receives frequent compliments, particularly for its distinctive, luxurious floral character. It is often described as ''beautiful,'' ''elegant,'' and ''what are you wearing?'' type of scent. Its strength and persistence make it memorable.
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Superior longevity and projection compared to the original Bloom
- ✅ A rich, complex, and beautifully blended floral heart
- ✅ Elegant, substantial drydown that lasts for hours
- ✅ Distinctive and memorable scent profile within the designer floral category
- ✅ Beautiful, collectible bottle design
- ❌ Can be too heavy or heady for some, especially in heat
- ❌ The prominent tuberose may be polarizing
- ❌ Higher price point than many mainstream designer florals
- ❌ Less versatile for casual daytime wear than the original
Price & Value
“Worth the price for those seeking a long-lasting, high-impact floral from a luxury house. The quality of ingredients and performance justifies the premium over more transient designer offerings.”
📜 Reformulation History
No significant, widely reported batch variations or reformulations have been noted since its 2018 launch. The fragrance has maintained consistent quality and performance in its production.
Who It's For
✅ Ideal For
- Women 25-45 who appreciate classic white florals with a modern twist
- Those who found the original Bloom too fleeting or light
- Individuals with a romantic, confident, and slightly artistic personality
- Fans of rich, textured florals like tuberose and jasmine
⚠️ Not Recommended For
- Those who seek fresh, citrusy, or aquatic scents
- Individuals with a strong aversion to indolic or heady white florals
- Minimalists who prefer sheer, skin-scent fragrances
- Very hot climate daytime wear
The Family
The original 2017 Eau de Parfum, featuring a greener, more dewy floral bouquet with jasmine, Rangoon creeper, and tuberose.
A 2018 flanker that introduces green cassis and spicy pepper for a fresher, more spring-like interpretation.
A 2018 flanker that blends the floral core with honey and rose for a deeper, nectarous sweetness.
A 2019 limited edition that intensifies the jasmine with a focus on Indian Jasmine Grandiflorum.
A 2020 release featuring a deeper rose note and a rich, ambery base for a more opulent feel.
Explore More
🔍 Similar Fragrances
Shares a narcotic, intense tuberose and osmanthus heart, though Kilian''s version is fruitier (peach) and more overtly seductive in its oriental structure.
While muskier, it shares a similar bold, feminine floralcy (rose, peach, amber) with excellent longevity and a sophisticated, urban vibe.
The iconic tuberose reference. Bloom Intense is a more modern, cleaner, and less animalic interpretation of the classic voluptuous white floral.
Another grand, solar floral bouquet. J''adore is brighter, more ylang-ylang and pear-focused, while Bloom Intense is creamier, more jasmine-tuberose dominant, and less sharp.
💡 Clone Alternatives
Often cited as a remarkably close dupe for the entire Bloom line, capturing the creamy floral heart at a fraction of the cost, though with lesser longevity.
A Middle Eastern fragrance oil-inspired scent that amplifies the sweet, creamy, and floral aspects, offering extreme longevity for a budget price.
❤️ You May Also Enjoy
For those who enjoy Bloom Intense''s bold, creamy floral character and seek a darker, more honeyed and boozy floral-oriental experience.
A cleaner, greener, and more angular take on tuberose, for fans of the note who want a less creamy, more Cologne-Intense style.
For the lover of high-quality, luminous florals. This is a pristine, dewy rose-centric scent that shares Bloom Intense''s sense of elegant, modern femininity.
Another beautiful, naturalistic tuberose fragrance. Do Son is more linear, marine-tinged, and transparent, offering a different perspective on the same star note.
More from Gucci
A unique, mineral and chamomile-focused unisex fragrance, representing a different, more ethereal direction for the house.
A classic, vibrant floral-oriental with lilac and pink pepper, representing the more overtly sensual side of Gucci''s portfolio.
A part of the Flora line, this is a sweet, fruity, and creamy gardenia scent, offering a more playful and youthful floral alternative.
A luxurious, niche-tier fragrance from Gucci''s high-end collection, showcasing a photorealistic, spicy Damask rose.
🧪 Layering Ideas
- A light, vanilla-centric fragrance like Maison Martin Margiela Replica ''By the Fireplace'' to add smoky warmth
- A clean, sheer musk such as Narciso Rodriguez Pure Musc For Her to amplify the skin-like drydown
- A citrus-forward cologne like Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine to cut through the creaminess for a brighter, more complex opening
🏆 Final Verdict
Gucci Bloom Intense is a masterclass in how to successfully amplify a beloved fragrance DNA. Alberto Morillas did not merely increase the volume of the original Bloom; he enriched its texture, deepened its shadows, and extended its narrative. This is a fragrance for the woman who adores florals but demands they have presence and staying power. It transforms the concept of a floral bouquet from a fleeting accessory into a defining, day-long signature.
One should purchase Gucci Bloom Intense if one seeks a designer fragrance that punches well above its weight in terms of complexity, longevity, and olfactory ambition. It is an ideal choice for those transitioning from lighter, fresher scents into the world of more substantial florals, or for devotees of white flowers like tuberose and jasmine who desire a modern, wearable interpretation. While it commands a premium price, the investment is justified by its exceptional performance and the sheer beauty of its creamy, luminous, and warmly resolved composition. In the garden of Gucci Bloom, Intense is the most lush, twilight-hued, and enduring bloom of all.