Shalimar by Guerlain

[racheyc]

Does anyone use this? I think I may like it as I love vanilla, tempted to order some but quite expensive. Can only see Eua de Parfum. This may be really sill but what is Eau De toilette, what is the difference between the two? I am pretty sure I normally buy EDT but this one only seems to be available in EDP. Thanks

[whitesklyer]

EDT is lighter and generally doesn't last as long as EDP, EDP is dearer as is more concentrated here

[pineapplesplit]

I do!! Its very old fashioned smelling. I love it but its not popular amongst my friends. One of them even said i smelt like her nanna!!
I think EDT is more diluted? the intention being to spritz it over you whereas youd need less of the EDP.

[LimpidPools]

I love it. I know it's old fashioned, but on me it smells a bit leathery and dirty.

It's one of the perfumes that gets me "Wow, you smell amazing comments." (Always from men, interestingly.)

My other favourite perfume is Clinique's Aromatics Elixir though, so if you don't like big, heavy incensey perfumes that could potentially make other people on the bus turn green then it probably isn't for you.

[racheyc]

Oh dear, ok maybe I will swerve it then. I love vanilla but nothing too heavy! I don't want it to consume a rook when I walk into it! I currently wear Vera Wang Princess which I love and get a lot of compliments but somehow it just doesn't feel sophisticated enough! I have heard that Shalimar doesn't work for some people. Next time I am in a department store I will test it rather than just buying some. So do people normally buy EDT or EDP?

[pineapplesplit]

yes certainly test it because it is a distinctive scent that you will either love or hate!! I normally buy EDT just because its often cheaper!

[CoolCarrie]

You can order sample sizes of lots of perfumes, including Shalimar on eBay. I love it, it is a classic, and my dh loves it too.

[racheyc]

Ok thanks I will try and get a sample size, won't just jump in!

[Haffiana]

The classic original Shalimar is a complex mixture of vanilla and citrus (mainly bergamot) with a bit of tonka, leather, iris and jasmine. The EdT is not so very interesting and a touch powdery, but the EdP is on a completely different level, rich, deep and balsamic. It is almost always the case with the classic Guerlains - get the EdP or the Extrait (pure parfum) rather than the EdT. In many classic perfumes the EdT and the EdP are actually slightly different scents (and in the case of some Chanels, they are quite different scents. Always try both and see which you prefer - it is not at all simply a matter of one being more concentrated than the other.)

There are several other versions of Shalimar available nowadays, and these are different scents but with the same theme. There is a lighter 'Eau de Shalimar' or 'Shalimar Eau Legere' which is a rather fun and delicious mixture of vanilla and lemon (and which is an EdT but a good one!), and another different scent called 'Shalimar Parfum Initial' - there are various versions of this in various concentrations. Try this one as well as the classic Shalimar - it is meant to be more modern and a little more floral, and leaves out the leather and more complex notes of the original whilst still managing to be a very attractive and interesting perfume. There is also an Ode de Vanille released every couple of years or so which amplifies the vanilla to an almost dry, incensy level. Yum.

Personally I love them all...

[LimpidPools]

Mine is the eau de Parfum. Hence the leather I suppose.

[LadyOfTheCanyon]

EDP and EDT are often completely different formulations.

e.g JPG ( which I wear and love) EDT and EFP smell totally different to the extent that I would say they are very different perfumes altogether. One is not a 'watered down' version of the other.

Can't speak for Shalimar which I don't know too well. But beware!

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

I agree that if you like vanilla, the do try the Light or Legere formulations.
They are sweet lemony vanillas, very easy to wear

Initial is iris-y but fun.

Not sure which of them are still sold though, they were out a few years ago.

I do love all Shalimars.

[chezbot]

Huge Shalimar fan here. Perfume parlour roll on oil dupe is pretty spot on if you were wanting to try it out?

[Mouthfulofquiz]

I love shalimar - but for some reason it smells really weird on me. I had to give it to my mum!
L'instant de Guerlain is my absolute fave.

[racheyc]

Thank you, I think I will go to Guerlain next time I am in one of the big departments stores, try them all out and get some advice. Glad I didn't just buy it as a few people saying it doesn't smell right on them! Sometimes I think there is too much choice when it comes to perfumes and make up etc, so confusing and expensive to keep trying new things!

[Laiste]

I worked on a fine fragrance counter in my youth and used to drown myself in Shalimar (EDP original) daily. I bloody loved it.

DH heard me say this a couple of years ago and bought me a surprise bottle (EDP original) that xmas.

I was thrilled. I adore the smell still - but weirdly it makes me feel really odd when i wear it! Sort of hot and light headed and strange Sounds mad i know - i've no explanation. I tried to wear it again recently and the same thing happened. I'll not try agian :(

[Sugarpiehoneyeye]

Great post HAFFIANA ! 😀

[Laiste]

Just to add - the bath products from Gurlain are gorgeous. If you find the perfume itself a bit much you could just indulge in the matching shower gel, body cream instead?

[TheLegendOfBeans]

Laiste

So bizarre, I get the same thing. I love it and will squirt it on me when I pass a perfume counter (I already have Mitsuoko, Champs Elysees and L'Heure Blue so not allowed to buy anymore) but it makes me feel HOT!

OP, great advice on here, get a sample, it's quite potent (EDP) and I'm away to Scot eBay for shower gels now!!

[TheLegendOfBeans]

*scout, not Scot!

[Laiste]

I am so pleased it's not just me! It's so odd. So hard to explain the feeling!

[Whathaveilost]

Shalimar smells awful on me, truly dreadful. So does Clinique's aromatics.

Try out the Guerlain range but there is no reason at all to stop wearing ther Vera Wang perfume if you like it, it suits you AND you are getting compliments! Why would you stop!!

[racheyc]

I know what you mean, but, and I am always like this with beauty products, perfumes etc, I always think but there must be something better than this?! Even though after years and years of searching for "perfect" foundation, now I have it, I still think, but there must be one that is even better?! Is it just me? There are just always so many new bloody products coming out!!

[Jemimapuddleduk]

I wear it and adore it.
I have:
Eau de shalimar- a lighter vanilla and citrus scent that I use during the day.

Shalimar edp- very leathery and dirty to start off with and drys down to a very warm vanilla. Defo a night time scent.

Shalimar ode a la Vanille- as above but less of the leather.

Soufflé de shalimar- this one is weird. It's a mix of aqua scent and vanilla which I don't think works. Defo lighter but not for me.

Shalimar perfum initial- this is very different to the original on me (a totally different scent). It's powdery and quite sharp to me, I don't get the soft cloud of vanilla with this.

[RegTheMonkey1]

I love Shalimar but stopped wearing it for a few years, then 'remembered' recently and bought some. My husband says I smell like American Cream Soda, and he finds it too sweet. I still love it though. I've been hearing good things about Black Opium by YSL and am going to have a spray next time I'm in the perfumery hall. EDT cheaper, less concentrated, EPD dearer, heavier in scent.

[LordEmsworth]

I bought Shalimar Cologne when I was in France last year, and I love it... it's not as heavy as the original but still has the depth