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Driv3r81 – :
I will apologize to the great admirers of this guerlain but I find it similar to many (the current version) … too many feminine scents. Once it was different but now Samsara is a talcum and sweet explosion but it rests on notes of sandalwood and ylang ylang. On one side reminds me of D & G the one for women (for fishing and vanilla). On the other side reminds me of Allure Sensuelle by chanel. Even if they arrived later on the market I consider them superior to Samsara. It is difficult to overcome Allure or The one. It remains a good smell but nothing new.
I want to clarify that I’m talking about the current version! … The vintage version was quite another thing.
sashavaleev – :
1996 EDP
The magic of Guerlain (used to be, anyway) is that, if you are so inclined, you start to pick notes, identify accords, or just know you are getting on the Guerlain train and have a fair idea where it should go. Nod. Uh huh, yep. Mmm. And then BOOM! The first times are always memorable, because they will invariably bring up so much of your own past. This scent has (most likely) been in your life before through countless other people, and now you have it.
For the ever increasing number of modern and re-formulated Guerlain editions I can’t enjoy; there are still the original formulas out there. For me, they are very, very special and I am glad they are still within reach.
Samsara 1996: A Universal experience, but treat as you would a loaded handgun indoors when applying, for the sake of others, and to maximize the experience.Less is more with the vintage.
Oh! And men too! If you don’t/can’t like it; she probably will, and vice-versa.
Nodimigeodide – :
I have a vintage bottle, and I must say that smelling its heavenly nuances takes me higher and puts me in a deep, wonderful trance
Perhaps by this scent one can leave the wheel of samsara and step into the world of immortals
Жекаа – :
Wore this today, during Michigan’s first cold spell.. it leaves behind a nice trail. You can hear people behind you sniffing Lol I don’t know if that’s a bad or good thing. I don’t care I love it.
Freedom2104 – :
I have the vintage red-bottled EDP, and i wanted to love it sooo badly!!
But all i can smell is a SUPER intense bug spray scent!:( my fiancee and my kids agreed, and even after showering and scrubbing it of i still feel that bug spray scent on me and in the house just after 1 spray 🙁
Hedeache and gagging
deolvi – :
Just like The eau de toilette Samsara eau de parfum is ADORABLE. Warm, captivating, addictive and magical. It lasts forever on my skin and clothes. One of my All time favorites. I` ll never get tires of Samsara. Feminine and classy.
Dante – :
I find the reformulation of this DEPRESSING . The performance is terrible. I had better performance from Jessica Simpson scents than Samsara .
How sad it is to neglect the quality of such an iconic perfume with a great history . Almost sinful, especially since it is not cheap .
I read suggestions here to try Elizabeth Taylor Diamonds and Rubies as a substitute for Samsara . I also read Tuscany Per Donna was a dupe ( Estée Lauder ) . Tuscany has been reformulated and not for the better. I could not smell it on my clothes after four hours . It used to be beautiful and lasting .
Today I hit Marshall’s and came across Diamonds and Rubies . For $13 I took a gamble .
The opening was not pleasant. However, the dry down is impressive and I love the way it develops over the day . I am glad I found this for now and would repurchase Diamonds and Rubies until Samsara is improved.
kinder74 – :
Sensual, seductive, intoxicating. Nothing short of unique.
I was able to find a vintage EDP of Samsara, and even though I love the opening with the ylang-ylang, the drydown is what I live for in a strong perfume such as Samsara.
The opening is what stole my heart when I first smelled this. The bright, almost crisp but powdery ylang-ylang intoxicates your senses; it’s narcotic in a way. Then starts the smooth sail into the drydown with the real Mysore sandalwood (we’re talking vintage here).
The middle-ground between the opening and drydown is spicy and a bit powdery (reminds me of cinnamon, though this is not listed in the notes). However, the drydown is so lovely, warm, and cozy from the sandalwood that lasts and lasts.
ReAcroftRof – :
Tested this at “Printemps” and I’m in love. To my unsophisticated nose, this is an almondy, spicy soap bomb. Silage is incredible – only 1 spritz on my wrist and it was all over me.
Beliy73 – :
Samsara is the scent of a burning holy passion
intense, but spiritual
feels like falling for my master, knowing that I can never be with him…yet I keep the flames alive because his love elevates my soul..
best autumn fragrance
X-master – :
A scent of comfort, warmth, certainty, sensuality, and stability.
Gotta be a bit ballsy as a male to pull this off. The ylang-ylang had me a bit apprehensive but I had a pregame with Habanita’s EDP ylang-ylang accord— made Habanita rich, and soothing, like a fleece blanket. It is baby powder grown up.
The ylang-ylang in Samsara gives it a banana-like smell, and makes the sandalwood creamy, and buttery. It makes it distinguished in that way. Someone might think you to smell like their grandmother (in which, she has damn good taste). I gave this to my sister a few years back, and she damn near cried after first sniff. It’s all gone now, I’ll surprise her again soon (:
olimpus27 – :
Guerlain is in the process of repackaging many of their perfumes into the beehive bottles, something I don’t like as I feel the unique bottle designs add something to the individual scents.
Knowing this prompted me to purchase the EDP, as up until now I’ve only owned the EDT.
And the EDP is the way to go: I get much better performance (longevity and projection). It’s a classic from Guerlain, one that I will wear occasionally on cooler days. Samsara is a big, warm, full sandalwood scent… leaning exotic. It starts off a bit loud, but this scent blossoms in the long-lasting oriental drydown.
rpq776Diobtetty – :
My first test left me with the sense of a woodsy, spicy warmth mixed with powder. It did not last long on my skin and although it began with strength, it diminished quickly instead of transforming.
On my second try, I realize I do not like the opening. There is something almost musty – like a mix between smoke and musk that does not settle. It is sweet and turns into a skin scent on me. The powdery-ness is cooling, which contrasts with the smoky musky/ musty opening and although I can see this being beautiful for others, it isn’t for me. I’m happy I tried it.
misterkadr – :
Lorette with Turban Yellow Jacket By Henri Matisse
kakosiko – :
Human flesh but better. If a bewitching brunette wakes up, eats some macadamia nuts sprinkled with honey and salt, puts a little bit of powder on, bites her lips so that they turn red and goes out for a stroll in a greenhouse and lightly sweats because of the humid morning air, this is how she would smell like. Beautifully simple but spicy.
kfyf64 – :
This is a beautiful incense and woodsy scent. I love the beautiful red bottle which is classic Guerlain. I find this a little heavy at first but it dries nicely.
I think of this as a warmer, spicier scent that is better for evening than for day. It is one of my favorites from Guerlain.
Sernobere – :
If this is sandalwood, then it’s the first fragrance I’ve actually enjoyed sandalwood in. On me I get all rich spices. I would’ve guessed amber. No ylang ylang, that usually turns to a cocoa butter smell on me. A little syrupy but just enough to counter balance the spices. Super warm and bold but not in your face. Like a confident woman that knows what she wants but doesn’t need to scream and shout to get it. She commands respect and gets it. This is one of the few “classic” Guerlains that I can get on board with. I’ll be needing a bottle this winter.
azazas – :
I don’t get a sensual vibe from this. For me it’s a purely spiritual scent. I think of all the mosques and churches I’ve been to, of dusty skies and red suns. It makes me think of the song ‘Conduit’ by Lorn. It’s the most beautiful and true Mysore Sandalwood, comforting, warm and smooth. I’d wear this when I want to reflect or meditate.
PFDavidla – :
I don’t often reach for Samsara compared to my other Guerlain favourites. I don’t know if I’m anosmic but the soft cashmere feel of it seems to linger close to my skin. I consider Samsara a ‘my scent but better’ kind of fragrance. My perfume is a nineties vintage and the most interesting thing to me is how often I swear I’m smelling bananas somewhere in there.
awdawd – :
medusa666, that sweet plastic scent is narcissis or jonquil.
serega911 – :
I want to like this because it has a pleasant scent but its too masculine to my nose. I get almost 100% sandalwood and hardly anything else. The good thing is its not offensive or suffocating but I wish it was a bit more warm/ amber or a bit more rose dominant. Nice but not for me.
oci613bedyWelty – :
It must be very similar to “evening in Paris” by Bourjois. ( both of them have 11 of the same notes.)
i1ya90 – :
Never have I ever been stopped by strangers until I wore this fragrance. It smells sweet, spicy, warm, vanilla-y, powdery and smooth on my skin. I don’t know how else to describe it. I have been stopped by strangers of all ages when walking in front of them, saying that I smell lovely. The sillage was strong at first, and became softer as time wore on. At around the 8th hour when I came home to my partner, he could smell it on me when he came close.
The version I have tried is not the vintage version, nor have I ever known the vintage version as it was before my time. This newer version has drawn me in however, and appears to be drawing in others as well!
mypeAgeve – :
This fragrance smells so balmy and comforting. It’s quite strong when you apply it, but it becomes smoother. Sillage and longevity are both nice but could be better. I see myself pulling this off during late autumns. I imagine myself walking by empty trees during a cold and foggy November day while wearing this. Images like this put me in a weird, melancholic mood which feels rather nice. Now I really want to take this fragrance on that kind of walk with me!
amankin – :
Sophisticated oriental-woody,real powerhouse as it lasts and lasts,a mature (read: aged) fragrance.
I cannot pull this off.. It’s way too spicy and thick for me.
badrei – :
Bought it for my wife.
its an year 2007 bottle
its very sophisticated, old school,thick and very elegant fragrance.
More of Indian Jasmine +ylang ylang with sandalwood backbone
Needs a few applications and some getting used to the smell.
As time passes by you will fall in love with this scent.
longevity is off the charts and you will get noticed.
A fantastic addition to my collection
Shcola – :
Here we go! Today’s sample was Samsara EDP! Hmmm, love the woodyness but was still a bit powdery on me, not bad though. Maybe would be ok in the winter?? Maybe not. LOL. Longevity is just not there. Won’t be making the last 3 spots of my Top 10. C’mon Guerlain, I’m rooting for ya to take one of the last 3 spots!
cjkex – :
This was my first true adult fragrance, which I wore as my signature all through the 90s, sometimes the EDT, and in summer, the Un Air version. It taught me to love floral orientals.
The standout notes are jasmine and sandalwood, and I continue to be drawn to this combo, but nothing has ever done it so well as Samsara, which smells like the most expensive and glamorous incense ever.
I first smelled it on a colleague at my mall job and was intoxicated. I ran to the perfume counter and was sad to see it was $40 for a bottle, so I sprayed on as much as I could tolerate and went home to save up the money. (Ah now, imagine finding a full bottle of a Guerlain fragrance for that amount.) I often returned to the same counter before a date to lavish myself with this scent. I pronounced Guerlain as Grrr-lane and thought the name Samsara was a man and woman’s name put together! Soon enough, I acquired a good stock, even some of the real parfum.
Not sure how the formulation is now, but it had incredible longevity back then, with a sillage that could quietly fill up a room.
Once I realized it was classified as a floral oriental, I knew to seek out other scents in the same category. When I told a saleswoman which style of fragrance I was after, she exclaimed, “You sure like heavy scents!”
I eventually learned that the name means cycle of life and death, whoa. I can never mistake this scent when smelled on someone else. Wow does it take me back to my youth. I remember the ads with the ethereal model and the rich red background. They don’t make them like this any more, sigh.
Esseniode – :
Ah Samsara, We meet again, Truly a masterpiece in modern perfumery. Out of all the thousands of perfume I have worn in the past 50 years, there is nothing else on the market that smells anything like Samsara. I once was at Kings Island in the early 90s and I noticed I was being followed by a man, I finally asked him if he was following me he said with a chuckle I was following your perfume. I said oh okay? He said I was wanting too know what’s the name of it, I told him is was Samsara edp by Guerlain. I wrote the name down on paper and gave it too him. IMHO, perfumes of yesteryear were there very best perfumes ever made. The longevity is so good on this and silage can be strong or light depends on how much you spray on. I can tend too have a heavy hand when I apply most perfumes, Yet I try not too spray way too much easier said than done. I’m one of those persons who would rather have a little too much perfume on than not enough. I know most ppl are the opposite of me. This is a (Masterpiece). Love love love it.
uulkiora – :
First impression: LOVE.
I was actually a little hesitant when I saw when this was released, as I haven’t particularly loved other scents released in the 80s and early 90s.
But oh my gosh, this was amazing.
One of the awesome things about living in Vegas is shopping on the Strip. There is a Guerlain boutique here, and I walked by with a friend, and was stopped by the sight of these huge, gorgeous bottles in the window.
I’ve heard good things about a few Guerlain fragrances so I left with a sample of Samsara. I was wearing Black Orchid at the time, so I couldn’t accurately judge another fragrance anyway.
But oh. My. God. This stuff is amazing.
Judging by the reviews, I must have gotten a vintage sample, because I don’t get any sweetness or vanilla or banana at all.
Just a powdery, floral, deep, clean, sharp awesomeness. Definitely one of my favorites, and I’ll definitely be going back to that store for a full bottle.
pv.ivan2011 – :
Good stuff.. where has Samsara been all my life?? Even though it’s been around for almost as long as I’ve been alive 🙂 I cannot believe I haven’t given this one a chance sooner. It is SO gorgeous. Deep, intense, creamy sandalwood with sweet, waxy ylang ylang. There is a slightly sour/tangy note in the opening.. a burst of citrus, kind of reminiscent of how Shalimar opens.
I’ve tried the recent formulation and wasn’t impressed, very watery and vanillic.. and I like vanilla but meh.. then I was lucky enough to score a vintage EDP for cheap on good ol’ Ebay and I believe vintage must be the way to go for this one.. that Mysore sandalwood is just amazing. This fragrance has an expensive feel to it, a very plush, luxe aura. It just feels *good* to wear it and know with confidence that I smell fabulous!
karabass – :
Adore this fragrance, but I feel the bottle cheapens it… I know the content is the ultimate payload, I miss the beautiful crimson bottle.
documaker – :
Amber tonka, and sandalwood. (vintage 1989)
I’m not surprised that it was a hit back then cause it smell quite modern with hints of vintage that adds sophistication to it! Besides, the ad is impressive for 80s ads. It is sour yet, woody with creamy sweetness. It has sour rosewood, creamy tonka amber, jasmines, ylang, narcissus, and buttery orris. The sour rosewood comes from bitter almonds blossoms, ylang, hints of orris, vanilla, and ylang. It’s like a skin scent with a hint of animalic, slight sweetness, and woods.
I had high hopes for this fragrance but it turned to be quite more than i expected, the sour rosewood cream texture is just beyond my imagination. Very addictive.
vadik03 – :
elisita, yes this has in fact been reformulated,I can definitly smell the difference between the current formulation and my vintage bottles.
genflex – :
Samsara is one of my eternal perfumes .. the scent is soo mature so feminine .. I am in love forever with it ❤️
zluka505 – :
not reformulated perfume…. sexy , classy, creamy and very long lasting.
argo12345 – :
New bottle (clear one with the bees)… I don’t agree with many reviews below. I totally love the scent but on me it’s too soft. Low sillage, moderate longevity.
Nobody notices I’m wearing it, not even me. Unless I apply a lot of sprays.
I wish to get some vintage one day.
wanderer – :
Sexy scent on my to buy list..
GEO – :
It’s mostly soft vanilla and somewhat like banana. Maybe this banana-vibe is the ylang-ylang?
I tried it because wood and tonka bean are my favorite notes. Samsara doesn’t have much of these at all. It smells very vintage and almost gourmand-like. I can see why people like it, but it’s not my thing.
Froneedar – :
I came here to write my own review, but read Decodawn’s review first. She said absolutely everything I’d have wanted to say about Samsara.
So my review is +1 to Decodawn’s review.
Samsara is a masterpiece!
sashin.kostya – :
This is a perfume my grandmother wore. She also wore Shalimar and Mitsouko. Along with Cinnabar and some other ones which she ruined by her wickedness.
Samsara, to me, is a soft, elegant and sexy perfume. However, overlay it with a dusty, shrivelled, bitter woman, it loses its appeal.
However, not one to be defeated, I aim to try it again as it is a beautifully blended special perfume.
fesfen – :
First time I sprayed Samsara was went visiting Berlin in early autumn. It came in the bee Guerlain bottle, generic for all their classics, which I can’t understand why Guerlain is not keeping the original, vintage presentation!!!The opening was like a punch on my face, a blast of citrus notes and plastic concoction all over the place, could not quite pick any of the top notes. It was too much for my nose, too pungent and nose numbing. But on the subway, on my way to the hote after been all day on my feet, something caught my nose attention… A beautiful scent was lingering in the car, air freshener? Someone in the car? Nope, I could tell its proximity… Then I lift my hand to apply some lipbalm just to find out that pretty scent was coming from my wrist!!! And what a beautiful dry down, I was totally in love with the soft, tender yet sexy and animalistic trail it left behind. Powdery, spicy and could even smell a note of dirtyness, like sweat after passionate hours of sex and cuddling with your lover. I’m in love with that sweat note and the elegant, soft powder coming from the sandalwood. It’s a perfume I like to wear on a date, or when I just want to feel sexy and womanly, is the one I put on to enjoy myself, as its sweaty note works wonderfully well on my skin, it turns creamy and sweet on my neck yet dirty. Sillage and projection is huge, if sprayed in the morning it’s still noticeable at night, but a bit more mellow on me. I’ve always been a Guerlain fan, having Mitsouko as one of my most beloved scents, but why didn’t I try Samsara before?
merkersonee – :
Hello from Decodawn. I wrote my first review only a few words about ‘Samsara’ back in 2011.
7 years on, I now wish to write a more personal and in depth review as I have been wearing the fragrance on and off during the cold Winter of 2017/2018. My immediate feelings are that of pure admiration for this wonderful creation of Jean Paul Guerlain. I purchased my first bottle in 1989 when the fragrance was originally launched. I congratulate the House of Guerlain as the Modern 2018 edp is just as wonderful as I remember it. Sandalwood, is at the heart of this fragrance along with jasmine, vanilla, tonka, musk and Amber. The initial spray is gorgeous and stays throughout, Samsara works in reverse, the base is prominent from the start this fragrance does not change but stays, strong and pure. Very long lasting, with enormous silage. Very different in my honest opinion to ‘Shalimar’ which was always the chosen Oriental before Samsara, which I feel is quite weak and thin and almost ‘medicinal’ in comparison. Samsara is very rich, rounded and a quality ‘fume’. I read it is very popular with Wealthy Russian Women and a very popular fragrance in Russia. I love the effect it has on my mind, body and spirit and wearing it I try to conjure images in my mind of a strong, confident, mature, attractive, ‘real’ woman. Not just reserved for the rich oligarchs but for any woman who wishes to be noticed. Not for the faint hearted. Classy, smells very expensive, quality ingredients and the last of the great ‘classic’ fragrances from the house of Guerlain whilst a member of the Guerlain Family was still at the helm as the ‘nose’ and creator. The past 29 years has seen a real shift in the style, tone, design and genre of Guerlain Fragrances catering more for the masses and churning out endless flankers to the detrimental effect on the quality and standard of its products. I am quite sad that this signals the end of what was the Greatest and most loved French Perfume house in Paris. Samsara is as individual as it’s wearer. Try it you will love it.
aleksei82 – :
Samsara EDP is my Shalimar. You know how a good number of people describe Shalimar as Guerlain’s best vintage? Romantic, rich, elegant, sexy, and even carnal? Yeah, well to me, Samsara is all of that, whereas Shalimar is just too much for me (and to add insult to injury, I am very, very allergic to it, we’re talking like can’t-be-anywhere-near-my-skin allergic). Samsara is like a soft, warm, romantic hug, ideal for winter time, elegant yet approachable, and wonderfully retro yet NOT dated, kind of like Chanel Coco. I really like Samsara EDT too, but it focuses very heavily on the sandalwood, whereas I get much more rose and ylang in the EDP, making it more feminine-no, straight up womanly, not just feminine. If you’ve smelled Rouge de Hermes, this is kind of like the lovechild of Rouge and Samsara EDT or Chanel Bois des Iles. I generally gravitate towards very girly scents, sweet gourmands in particular, but this is my elegant, night out scent when I want to feel 100% woman, not girly-girl. It’s so much more wearable than other floral-orientals from its era too (such as Coco, though I do love Coco too) and leaves the most beautiful trail. Aside from the main players; sandalwood, rose, and ylang, I get soft sparkling aldehydes in this, much like in Bois des Iles, and a blanket of powdery vanilla. I love it. The only thing I don’t love is that Guerlain changed to bottle from the seductive red one to a boring bee bottle 🙁 I’ll be looking for older bottles to buy. The red bottle suits the juice inside so well. Samsara in two words, is romantic and attractive.
ыаыаыпвпвпв – :
I’ve reviewed this before & I’ll review it AGAIN!
I can happily say that I’ve went through 3 bottles of Samsara.
I’m currently on my 4th. This perfume is HEAVEN! No seriously! It’s that beautiful, I’ll be wearing this master piece until my very last breath.
Do you want to stand out ? Samsara.
Do you want to smell sophisticated ? Samsara.
Do you want to walk with confidence? Samsara.
❤️❤️❤️
psix2009 – :
I received a Samsara edp decant yesterday and I don’t think I’ll love this Guerlain. Others I’ve tried have that “something” that makes me want to test them multiple times. In fact, when yellow floral and balsamic is the description, I should just shy away. I’ve tried different houses with those notes and I just don’t like them. This one is just too cloying and heavy for me.
9lesdernierespromosn – :
Definitely a unisex fragrance 😉
solitude17 – :
I thought I would instantly love Samsara. But when I first tried it in the store, there was some woosh of something really strong, untenable, maybe even rebellious. Something, that doesn’t give you a chance. And for me, also a rebel, this was no go. I set the rules, not you. And because I have read in the reviews that you either love it or hate it, I was already disappointed and determined that I hate it.
BUT THEN. This first aggression totally disappeared and something special, beautiful and really passionate came out, I couldn’t stop smelling myself. I got this greedy feeling that I have to own this. It seduced me. So I’ve bought it. And now I have it. But I still don’t exactly know what to think about it. Each time we go from hell to paradise and it is something sexy and appealing in this, but I am definitely not ready to go through this every day. So I wear it when I feel fierce and fearless because then Samsara gives you something more, it bolds you. Maybe Samsara and I are too alike, strong and overwhelming on the first impression and warm on the inside.
I would love it if under notes had better sillage.
But all in all, this perfume is a masterpiece with personality.
AdobeMax – :
Tia Maria anyone ? I think it smells like a good shot of tia maria !
Samsara is very niche imho – its a love it or hate it kind of perfume .
Just like tiamaria – and i love both ,
I do have to be in the right mood for it though as it can be a sillage monster ..
which iam somewhat glad for , as the perfumes of lately are 1 hour wonders .
Samsara is a beautiful mix of creaminess – zestiness – and woods
The blending leaves a heady trail of lemony sandle wood goodness.
It is rich and exciting .. sometimes i think it smells like coco cola – or a cola bottle sweet –
Top marks for everything in this little beauty .
saint_g176 – :
This review is for a vintage 1997 bottle. The real difference between the EDT and the EDP is that the EDP is MUCH stronger from the start and more Ylang heavy on my skin, other then that it’s really hard to tell without a serious side by side comparison. I still get that tropical creamy vibe and oh my SANDAL! Samsara is my sandalwood holy grail. It’s my absolute favorite sandal scent. Guerlain Purple Fantasy is a close second followed by Yves Rocher Yria Elixir.I have never owned/tried any other Samsara besides my two bottles from 1997 and I don’t want to smell the new reformulated version. I’m sure it would just make me very sad. This can be a little harsh on first spray but give it time to develop on your skin before you judge too harshly. By the time that incredibly delicious Guerlain Vanilla comes into play, I guarantee you’ll be in heaven.
banybebiker – :
I must admit I don’t like Guerlain perfumes… and I am trying to be as nice and polite here as I can. The fact is we don’t match… It’s simple as this. It took a lot of attempts for me to get the message. After all that suffering I have endured… I am fine with it now. I’m sure Guerlain is OK about it too. So, we are cool. However… I have to tell you something… I have almost died and gone to heaven, just for a moment, when I smelled a vintage EDP Samsara first time, and yes, it has to be emphasised – it was a vintage one, otherwise it would not have such effect on me, I guaranty it.
Oh, the glorious, heavenly and resplendent Samsara! You are the most beautiful thing I have ever smelled in my life. Creamy vanilla sandalwood and jasmine. Well balanced. Smooth. Woody. Heavenly. I pray to God that my fickle nature for perfumes will eventually go to hell when I will depart to heaven, clutching a precious vintage bottle of Samsara in my hands. This is it… Samsara is the only perfume I want to have with me when I will depart to another dimension. OK, it’s not that I am planing it this way, I still might change my mind, but that was something which has crossed my mind then.
P.S. Please note I won’t stoop for anything less than vintage (must be before at least 1995). Otherwise I will have no choice but to depart with Dior instead.
P.P.S. You know, it’s not that me being a freak of vintage stuff, well I am, but it’s really about the great quality of natural ingredients they’ve put in vintage perfumes opposed to nowadays artificial, poisonous to your very soul stinky garbage..
399824450 – :
I had this perfume about 10 years ago( edp). It was a pretty bottle. While I admit it smells classy and expensive, I can barely detect anything except sandalwood and a hint of amber. I have a sandalwood candle that smells exactly the same. There’s nothing wrong with sandalwood, but I wish I could have smelled the complexity others describe. To me it was pretty linear and bordering on masculine…non sweet sandalwood, MUSK and a bit of amber. I got no fruit or jasmine.
If I get the chance of like to test it it again and see if my taste has changed.
Andrey15 – :
I have had this for a few months having ignored it in the past for some reason a blind spot I think. I had felt it was a bit serious and sombre but now I am appreciating just how interesting and absorbing it really is. Very beautiful and soft it is growing on me……….
klimaserj – :
I am totally blown by this seductive scent. Absolutely gorgeous, I will stock up before my bottle runs out of juice.
Mebhn358bedyWelty – :
@ScentSmelling You should save up some red bottles because the new version in the clear bee bottle will surely disappoint you… It doesn’t last long and sillage/projection is gone.
Rereirf83 – :
Samsara by Guerlain is a sensuous fragrance. It elevates exotic Sandalwood nuances into a perfect balance between woody yet creamy and soft. There are strong white floral notes of Jasmine and Ylang-Ylang in this one wich fit perfectly to that narcotic Sandalwood accord. It smells like a burning, resinous, woody fragrance along with some bitter-sweetness. Samsara makes me think of far-away lands like Arabia or Sahara. Iris dominates in the heart and base notes. Therefore this fragrance has a certain powderyness wich makes it so elegant. It’s strong, exotic and oriental. It lasts for about 8-9 hours with strong Sillage for 3 hours. The initial beginning is a little bit scratchy and smoky. Later on it becomes way softer and creamier. Don’t overdose this fragrance because it might be too cloying. It’s not necessary to overspray this potent perfume. The vintage Samsara (wich comes in a transparent glass bottle) has contained an even better Sandalwood from India. It’s called “Mysore Sandalwood”. That one has a creamier undertone and it was even more narcotic. The currant Sandalwood accord in this one is still very pleasant. It’s strong, smoky and multi-layered. You can’t go wrong this this fragrance. You can find it on the internet for about 60$ for 100ml. There are also 30ml and 50ml sizes.
tyler82 – :
Samsara is…
As mellow as the finest Swiss double cream.
As smooth as the most expensive Chinese silk.
As deep as the Mariana Trench.
As sweet as the highest quality Bourbon vanilla.
As bright as the rising Sun.
As light as a morning wind in your hair.
As majestic as the Taj Mahal.
Samsara is a masterful blend of milky sandalwood, banana-toned ylang-ylang, boozy vanilla, narcotic jasmine & powdery iris, rich, deep & complex.
Enough said.
Medfh590elipseskism – :
Tried this two days ago and regretted it the moment I sprayed it. It never got better on me. It smells ‘dated’ and heavy. I was embarrassed to be shopping with it on, and to me it smelled of bug spray.
So sorry for those who love it, but this is the way it reacts with my chemistry.
obivankenobi – :
I’m heartbroken :'( I got a 30ml edp bottle as a gift and I was so excited to have it! The fragrance is pretty but there’s something on it that makes me physically sick, with pungent head ache and nausea… weird cause I can smell and wear some strong perfume, but this one, just the thought of it makes me nauseaous.
pont835 – :
Sandalwood, musk, and creamy vanilla. Samsara is a very warm, elegant, and sensual scent that I have to write