Even though my very first impression of Guerlain Shalimar was something close to shock, I’ve long since learned that first impressions with perfume mean nothing. You need to give a scent enough time and a few test runs to really know if it’s destined to be a lifelong love—or a complete disaster. Honestly, this kind of patience and a strict ban on impulse buys has probably saved me a small fortune.
I’m especially cautious when it comes to love at first sniff. Whenever a perfume seduces me instantly and I get that familiar itch in my hand, ready to pull out my wallet and make it mine… I walk away. I give it an hour or two. At the very least. I’ve lost count of how many times a scent has developed into something so off-putting on my skin, I was ready to reach for painkillers and start headbutting the nearest wall. One particularly resilient fragrance stayed with me for two whole days—I was this close to wrapping my arm in cling film just to have a barrier between me and the smell 😄
First Impressions of Guerlain Shalimar
I honestly don’t know why I expected Shalimar Eau de Cologne to be soft as a feather—starting with delicate citrus, slowly blooming into rose and vanilla. Not even close, my friends! Shalimar surprised me with a nearly masculine opening mixed with… grandma’s wardrobe. I couldn’t tell at first whether I liked it or not. It felt old-fashioned and stuffy, like Great-Aunt Tessie’s closet. This? This is the legendary fragrance inspired by the love between an Indian emperor and his beloved queen—the very one for whom the Taj Mahal was built? The one named after the Shalimar Gardens, where their secret meetings took place? Phew… okay.
But as you know by now, first impressions rarely tell the whole story. Sure, I’ve fallen for a perfume within seconds and gone on to wear it for years (or until they discontinued it and broke my heart). Take Bottega Veneta, for instance—we circled each other for two full years before Santa finally made the first move. On the flip side, I once adored Libre by YSL… only to find myself hanging my head out the car window like a golden retriever half an hour later, trying not to pass out from the scent.
With Shalimar, I’m still on the fence. I can’t decide if it suits me or not. But the more I wear it, the more I lean toward… yes.
Shalimar Is Like a Tale from One Thousand and One Nights
I adore the top notes with my whole heart. Imagine bergamot zest soaked in cognac. A deep breath of bitter orange. A breeze drifting through blooming iris flowers. It’s like someone gathered jasmine blossoms in both hands and gently blew them in your direction. This opening hits all the right fragrant chords for me—I could absolutely bathe in it.
After a few minutes, Shalimar softens into a powdery version of itself. I can’t quite pinpoint which note is doing that, but it reminds me of a classic men’s cologne. Something a bit vintage. I picture a charming 60+ French gentleman who knows his Bordeaux like the back of his hand. He invites you onto his yacht in Nice for a luxurious day trip to Monaco. You’re snacking on gourmet treats, squinting into the sun from under a wide-brimmed hat and oversized sunglasses, slowly bronzing on the deck. The day winds down, you slip into your elegant evening dress, and head to dinner at the world-famous Le Louis XV in Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo…
The Staying Power of an Eau de Cologne
The scent fades on my skin pretty quickly—within an hour, tops. But that’s expected since this version is an Eau de Cologne, which is much lighter than an EDT or EDP. Cologne usually contains just 1–3% aromatic compounds dissolved in 60–70% alcohol, while EDPs can have up to 15%. That’s quite the difference, right?
Oh, and by the way—my other half isn’t a fan of Shalimar at all. Normally, that would be a dealbreaker and I’d rehome the bottle immediately. But this time? I’m keeping it. There’s something about this fragrance that I find fascinating and magnetic. Maybe it’s the whiff of history. Or maybe it’s the fantasy it conjures up for me. Who knows? But funnily enough, I didn’t even tell him I was testing a new perfume. I wore it multiple times over the week and he didn’t complain—probably didn’t even notice. Only when I asked him to smell a fresh spritz on my arm did he scrunch up his nose. So perhaps it’s just too subtle on me to be noticed unless it’s fresh.
Guerlain Shalimar Eau de Cologne – Notes Breakdown
- Top: Lemon, Cedar, Bergamot, Orange-Mandarin Accord
- Heart: Patchouli, Vetiver, Iris, Jasmine, Rose
- Base: Incense, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Musk, Benzoin, Leather, Opoponax, Civet, Peru Balsam
One Last Fun Fact
Did you know where the word “cologne” comes from? In the 18th century, Johann Maria Farina invented a fragrant water and named it Eau de Cologne to honor his new hometown—Cologne, Germany. He even founded the world’s oldest perfume company in 1709, and to this day, Eau de Cologne is a trademark of the Farina family.
And that’s all for today! Have you ever tried Guerlain Shalimar? What did you think? 😊
*PR sample – chosen by me, loved (or not) by me. I picked it out myself, no arm-twisting involved. 🌞
Be First to Comment