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molegik – :
It’s a hot and humid day so I have switched over to Shalimar Cologne for the afternoon. I think I still prefer Eau de Shalimar, with its richer, zestier citrus notes, but Shalimar Cologne is perfectly lovely. It feels gentler and is a touch sweet.
I think I’ve been wearing Shalimar Cologne more often simply because the bottle is prettier! I have Eau de Shalimar in the older design, which I don’t like as well as the new version.
Every time I put on a Shalimar flanker, I wonder why I even bother to own any other scents. (This feeling is only very fleeting, of course!)
bobanix – :
This is very, very similar to Eau de Shalimar, which I really like, but the pink flanker is a bit confusing for me because I would expect something more like Shalimar parfum initial, which I like more. So, nice scent but I miss there delicasy of iris, caramel and tonka bean. I really don´t know if Eau de Shalimar is so much better than Shalimar parfum initial to continue. I must say that I would be much happier with the second one which is more originial, feminine and sexi. And I am really surprised that this one has much better rating than Shalimar parfum initial. Now when I have both of them I can´t understand. Sorry people, but I feel it this way.
FULLstanlytopia – :
I’m a lover of Shalimar and this one is so good, very modern take on the Grand Dame, good for all ocassion, more citrusy, much sweeter, less animalic. Tops!
q1w2e3r4t5y6 – :
Scrolling through fragrancenet last week, second glass of cheap Rosé in hand, I spied this fabled scent. I’m one of those insufferable Shalimar worshippers. My clicking fingers lubricated with wine-tipsy, I put it in my cart and pulled the trigger.
At the moment, I have sprayed one inner elbow with Shalimar Cologne and one with Eau De Shalimar—there is no denying to my nose that they are similar. They do differ, however slightly.
While both scents have large citrus components, I find the citrus in Shalimar Cologne to be softer, sweeter, and less tart. Eau De Shalimar has a far more assertive, realistic citrus—like lime peel gratings—while Shalimar Cologne’s citrus is sweeter and softer, like lemon slices mortared with sugar.
Overall, Shalimar Cologne smells more well rounded, the sweetness of the citrus opening blends together with the lemon dessert theme both fragrances share. Cologne is sweeter throughout,a bit softer than Eau De Shalimar, but more cohesive. Longevity is similar between the two—impressive.
I enjoy both, and I’m glad I own both, but if you are not a Shalimar devotee, you probably only need one.
neaniimitte – :
Pretty goddarn gorgeous this. I have to be in an ‘I feel pretty’ mood to wear Shalimar Cologne though. It is very vivid and applied too heavily, can be almost screechy. It has a bright, fixed smile to it that won’t always let me relax.
Still, if you are on the fence with the Cologne, you should really grab it. Guerlain doesn’t seem to keep the Shalimar flankers in production for very long. Already I notice that the Cologne can be a bit hard to find and Guerlain does not promote it nearly as much as that boring Souffle stuff.
Bonus – Shalimar hair mist is really just a hair-suitable version of the Cologne. So grab it if you can’t find the Cologne. The hair mist works okay as a skin perfume; it has less sillage and longevity than the Cologne, but it is also less shrill.
wdl828Negeltzex – :
Not sure I exactly like this one. I adore the other Shalimar scents, save Souffle de Parfum Intense, but this one just reminds me of … candy. Not in a good way, either. Maybe I need to wear it a bit more. Perhaps even buy it and give the bottle a good ol’ run… it’s worked in the past. 10mL decant didnt convince me, maybe another 30mL might
Truly disappointed. Not in Guerlain, but in my skin chemistry. Devastated, even.
Messh910Bessinepome – :
Goodness sake! I can’t believe I haven’t wrote a review about the beautiful Shalimar Cologne.
It’s a beauty for sure. A whimsy breath of fresh air. It’s fresh, clean, zesty, all on a puffy soft cloud. The longevity is moderate, and the sillage is heavy, at least on me. It a very gentle wearable scent. Xo
KONANZED – :
I purchased this last spring, and though I love the general fragrance, no matter when I applied it, I just felt it wasn’t right for me. Today, it’s much cooler, and I’m trying it again, thinking that for me the notes may play up most beautifully in cool air. I assumed it would be a warm weather sent, but I really notice the crispness and brightness of the lemon and the smooth vanilla most pefectly in cool weather! I’m thrilled, because I’d feared this fragrance may just not work right with my skin. It’s gorgeous and worth persisting to wear.
Edit: For me, FABULOUS in the cold weather!! Bright and clean and sparkly and cozy. In weather that is not cold, it’s too sweet on my skin. But the cold air makes it elegant and beautiful!
qqq5 – :
Powdery lemon candy.
It’s modernised Eau de Shalimar lacking the sharper, bitter bergamote juxtaposed with resinous almost animalic warmth of the famous Shalimar DNA.
If original Shalimar is oil painting, Eau de Shalimar watercolor, Cologne is a rinse. Nevertheless it’s pretty and polished, easy to wear with decent longevity. I like it on warm days when I’m feeling pulled together and in the mood for a touch of romantic French chic.
natik – :
A bit too sweet and grapefruity for me, not a fave. It does last quite well, smells a bit like sweet sherbet or candy. The resemblance to Shalimar still exists, but not in a good way for me.
intestony – :
If you like this in the vintage EDC maybe try out ubar by amouage. Similar tone although different in many ways.
diggers912 – :
Imagine a date with the most charming man in a small yet elegant cafe. He knows when to talk and when to listen, he knows exactly when to take your hand. You know for a fact that he will never embarrass you. He seems to have knowledge and manners of a much older man, yet he is young and so cozy to be with, he makes you feel calm and yet so thrilled.
THIS is what Shalimar Cologne (do not confuse this with Shalimar Eau de Cologne!) smells like to me. This is a flanker done right.
This is my perfume dream come true in a beautiful bottle.
Opening is strong sweet citrus candy blast, very sweet and comforting. I can feel it for about 1-2h on me. Middle notes are beautiful essence of Shalimar – musky and yet so warming, they float in the cloud of vintage powdery rose and vanilla scent. The drydown is absolutely stunning vanilla and creme brulee.
It is love from first spritz.
PS On websites, the fragrance is light pink, but in reality it is almost transparent.
Puhlik77 – :
Shalimar swimming in a beautiful orange vanilla drink. It’s a simple description but fitting. I have the Eau de Parfum. This is the Eau de Cologne and let me tell you this is ten times better. It’s sweet, delicious refreshing and powdery feminine, even coming off as a gourmand vanilla cake. When I first tested it I was not impressed because I couldn’t get passed the typical Shalimar citrus top notes. This time around there’s more of them and in fact all of them: bergamot orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit and regular orange. In addition there’s an orange blossom. The orange blossom note and citrus soften and settle down into a comfortable and powdery rose.
When I picked up on the rose scent, that’s when I knew it was for me. Like the color of the bottle smells of a delicate pink rose or rose petals kind of like rosewater in your bathtub or putting rose petals in your bubble bath. The rose is the dominant note here to my nose. It matches up with the citrus top/orange blossom heart and the dry down base note of vanilla. When dry, this is a cozy clean vanilla scent, with gourmand effects. What I mean by that is that it smells like a delicious baked cookie. The dry down is powdery and vanilla scented in a dreamy delicious powder puff.
The fragrance is a tad flirty and matches up with baby pink lipstick, nail polish, toe nails, and pink mini dress or carnation or a beige-vanilla color cocktail dress halter top dress. Smells feminine and modern but with a mature edge and a confidence that betrays youth. Smells of a young girl who is wise beyond her years and has an old ‘head’ on her young shoulders, has her life together and can get any male she desires. But what she desires more than being known for her beauty is to be known for her success due to her own merits and intelligence. She is a real woman and this is a real perfume.
Lasts a good 8 plus hours as it is a cologne and not a toilette and has moderate projection. She is not offensive nor extravagant she is just a simple floral vanilla crème with an elegant and yet approachable air. I like to douse myself in this perfume. When I spray once it’s just a little boudoir powder that matches up with satiny or see through lingerie. I also like to spray it on my pillows in bed. The EDC is wearable in the fall and winter months because it is a warm ‘holiday’ vanilla smells like a holiday baked cookie. This is for vintage lovers who want to wear something modern and for vanilla fans. Shalimar fans will like it too meaning the orignal Shalimar formula which is considerably stronger than this but has elements and ingredients that are in this perfume.
sasha-pnz – :
I much prefer this to the Eau de Shalimar. I feel a vanilla, citrus and musk that are of much higher quality here. I am only comparing the two because I get the impression that they are both being used for the same purpose: Shalimar for the summer basically. Also, I feel that this is heading much more in the “Shalimar Souffle de Parfum” direction than the Eau de Shalimar. It’s more refined, well put together. I feel that EDS somehow isn’t pulled together by its “ingredients/notes”…
getegeplats – :
This smells like homemade lemonade, lime zest, skanky musk and powdery vanilla.
Has a “fizziness” about it and a definite animalic undertone which makes it strong and sexy.
One spray and a lemon cloud will follow you around all day, its strong stuff.
This is the most citrus of all the shalimars i have tried and to me it doesn’t bare much resemblance to souffle. Soufflé is more of an oriental vanilla and this is as i said fizzy lemon skank.
Love it, feel like you could dress it up, down, wear it in any weather or season.
skarabey555 – :
There’s a couple of reviews at Basenotes that are a useful prelude to this one. In short, Cologne 2015 is a reincarnation of Mathilde Laurent’s Eau Legere given a modern tweak by Thierry Wasser, the current in house perfumer at Guerlain.
This rather overlooked, underrated, ravishing, charming thing has this wonderful back story. There was in-fighting between Mathilde Laurent and Jean Paul Guerlain when Eau Legere, the very first Shalimar flanker was made. Jean Paul was the head of Guerlain and its governing perfumer. It was slightly changed and renamed Shalimar Lite, which, to a bony Frenchwoman conjured up images of fat American matrons, and the marketing failed. Mathilde Laurent had gone on to better things by this stage and Jean Paul tweaked the fragrance one more time and called it Eau de Shalimar. Jean Paul retired and a new ‘Governor’ came to town, Thierry Wasser.
Perfume critics, such as Luca Turin, never stopped banging on about how lovely the original Eau Legere was, such a sad discontinuation and the plaintive comments trickled in through the forums, Oh, Eau Legere……
Flick to 2015 and Shalimar Cologne 2015 is the closest thing you will get to Eau Legere, but the marketing money has gone the way of ‘Souffle’ I do respect ‘Souffle’ and will buy a bottle one day but ‘Cologne 2015’ is my drug of choice. It has ‘history’ and you and me got a whole lot of that. It could be the biggest thing that the world has ever seen.
P.S. Don’t get this mixed up with the Eau de Cologne, available in the US market in the old fashioned bottle, not the same animal.
jhek – :
I am becoming in love with all Shalimar flankers! Yes, blasphemy! I see that as far as perfume fans see it, one either adores Shalimar and hates flanker or the opposite…Well, I say let’s change that! I love all these babies and the Shalimar and see each and every one in its own beauty! 🙂 I loved this at first spray. My heart just filled with joy! Yes, it’s just a perfume, an instrument of frivolity, but God, does this scent make me utterly happy…What’s more important than this sheer joy in life? A simple moment of pure joy. I’m so grateful to all those wonderful noses that create such wonderful experiences for us
sogeslapest – :
Such a darling young and modern addition to the Shalimar Family! Bright and sparkling lemon, bergamot and lime open this pretty lady. A delicious Guerlain Vanilla frosting on top of some nice orris and other floral notes makes this Cologne oh so tres chic.
Wonderful for Summer. Like eating macarons at an outdoor bakery cafe in Paris. A respectful nod to her heritage, Cologne is a modern mademoiselle who appreciates the past, but is not afraid to go her own way.
ult1matum – :
I love this thank you perfumeaddict777! it’s my second shalimar my first was PI which loves me so much. this one I smell the same notes but it’s different and very beautiful romantic on me.
First spritz I get sweet lemon not bad tho not at all,then I get vanilla swirling around mm so nice. Than it goes into a soft powdery vanilla lemon cloud on me. It’s gorgeous on my skin.
Edit:
I got a 2oz size of this and wow I can’t live without it. Its the softest sweetest citrus scent I ever smelled, it goes on perfect and dries down beautifully. It is literally Divine light, like the heavens opened up and shined a bright lemon/sweet soft vanilla light on you. I can’t get enough of it.
dimon442 – :
This is my second Guerlain fragrance (other is L’Instant edp), and I am not a huge fan of the original Shalimar because of the civet – I appreciate the artistry and the importance of its contribution as a great classic. Shalimar Cologne was a blind buy, and I would say it’s successful. The reviews here were very accurate and helpful in my opinion.
I find the lemon to be sweet and cheerful and feminine. I don’t know that I find grapefruit or lime (I typically very much dislike lime on myself as a note) but the lemon and a bit of bergamot are there for me, predominantly lemon for sure. Others have noted a lemon pastry note, from the vanilla and lemon, and I agree. It’s sweet and carefree and cheerful. I think the freesia is a sweetness contributor but is not identifiable on its own, and I don’t notice rose per se, although I do love a bold rose.
There is lovely powder, which I’m learning to enjoy but have not typically worn at all for feeling it had an older feeling. I’m finding a modern quality in some powdery fragrances, and I think that’s a reflection on my own age (haha) and the fact that there’s a growing desire among women to embrace the elegant classic vibe that some of the beautiful powdery fragrances provide and not to just consume whatever trendy product is being marketed on the shelves at the cosmetic store. To me, the powdery fragrances do feel retro, but I think there’s a timelessness too, and that young women bring their own youth to whatever they wear, so I’m changing my thinking as I’m learning more here about fragrance, thanks to all of you!
I can see that it’s a new interpretation of the classic Shalimar, although they’re certainly not at all alike. I think it’s an impressive accomplishment that something totally new can be created that still pays homage to the original but is entirely its own as well. If you’re wanting to love the original Shalimar but just can’t (I know that’s like a form of sacrilege, so I apologize!), I think you might really love this. Our noses are not accustomed to some of the notes in the original, and I find in particular my husband and kids don’t love some of the notes from the classics, even if I am learning to. Shalimar Cologne would be pleasing to anyone, I would think.
Definitely a spring beauty, and I can see also cool fall days. Normally I would think the citrus would lend itself to summer wear, but I’m going to have to try that personally (bought in January in cold climate). I don’t know if the degree of sweetness would be too much in extreme heat. Seeing most reviewers say summer works, I will assume it’s a great summer fragrance.
malina1000 – :
I snagged this for an awesome price thanks to a heads up from another Fragrantican.
I don’t think there’s anything not to like about Shalimar Cologne, for me. It’s like lemon juice mixed with sugar, but not teeth-grittingly sweet. Then there’s the soft powdery vanilla, like a fluffy cloud that you just want to lay your head on. Yet for all the sweetness and the powder, it’s just so light and comfortable.
Because I got this in the middle of the Australian summer, I have no idea how it will go in the colder months, but I’m willing to bet it will do as well as it does now in the heat.
This is fast becoming a ‘love’ for me!
bob77770 – :
This perfume was exactly how I wanted the Souffle to be. While the Souffle bares very little resemblance to the original with its vague lemon and insipidly aquatic vanilla, the Cologne actually does smell like Shalimar in a VERY modern interpretation. This is Shalimar lemon cake with bubbly champagne. This is definitely more gourmand with its fluffy lemon chiffon cake-like notes, but there’s a certain effervescence provided by the musks and sparkling citrus notes that gives a nice lift to the otherwise heavy oriental nature of Shalimar. It actually does contain some of the smokeyness of Shalimar, but everything in this composition is lighter and sparklier, for a lack of better word. It’s a very refreshing fragrance. It’s youthful, but still manages to maintain a very classy character–as if Shalimar shed off her luxurious silks, velvets and jewels in exchange for a sundress and a breezy silk Emilio Pucci shawl in the Riviera. Smells beautiful and modern, but it’s still very much Shalimar. Crowd-pleaser.
kadulan – :
So…. even tho I was disappointed by Souffle and Eau De Shal… I still blind bought this. lol….
And it’s as expected. Light lemon powder. Sparkly, not overpowering, not sweet… just pleasant. Fresh and light. I’d class it classy, but the lemon can come off as furniture polish.
No where near the holy-grail-Intial IMO.
I wore it on a snowy winter day, and while it’s nice… I added Shalimar EDT on top of it an hour later… and then after that I put on Shalimar EDP. Damn, I love Shalimar. I love the heavy leather-vanilla-citrus. These lighter versions are good for layering I suppose.
AgrimeCem – :
Why do I intensely dislike Shalimar ? I had the original. Never wore it. I actually (yes shallow I know) gave up a friend!!! Who BATHED in it daily and I could never breathe or stay in same room with her! I adore all sorts of perfume… but can’t tolerate Shalimar!!! Someone Analyze me please!!! I WANT to understand why the only perfume on the planet I despise is Shalimar
AspiliWal – :
Geezus….. are you kidding me? I didn’t know there was a difference between this one and the the other cologne, but the bottles….and maybe the age of it. This is friggen gorgeous! Like lemon chiffon pie drizzled with vanilla glaze….effing ridiculous that I’m going to end up having every single version of shalimar. Ugh! Oh well. An addicts gotta do what an addicts gotta do…
Is a MUST for ANYONE
alex79 – :
It reminds me very much of a cologne that “bad girls” wore when I was in high school in the 1960’s called Blue Waltz.
A sweet warm, heavy vanilla and citrus smell.
Лелька – :
I missed Initial (having only recently discovered Guerlain), and it’s probably just as well – I seem to have a penchant for falling in love with scents that are then discontinued. Meanwhile, I’ve found Shalimar Cologne and I am very, very happy. I love it enough for it to be my new signature… but if it gets discontinued, I’ll just find another pretty Shamilar flanker, maybe buy some Initial online.
The opening citrus is so bright and fruity it gives me the giggles! Which is fine as that just lasts the half hour I’m getting ready for work or play. It’s like a glass of orange juice in the morning or a cocktail before a party, just to get things started. Then I get a heavy, smokey moment (seriously only a moment) when it seems this is going to turn into full-blown Shalimar, but instead it gives way to a soft, lovely vanilla-musk with hints of jasmine and citrus.
Just love it. Only wish is that it came in an EDP. This lasts a good 6-7 hours on me, but I want more like 12+. For now I’m just going to reapply this as required.
Mejqc598JeomiWogkig – :
Shalimar Cologne is a gorgeous effervescent citrus-orris-vanilla-rose combo that just sparkles. It’s a bit like Coco Mademoiselle without the patchouli, to my nose. I adore it. Just a hint of the original Shalimar DNA (with the vanilla/citrus/orris) but no leather, civet, or incense that the original brings to the table. I do love this one, and I’m glad I hunted it down!
toisessinaich – :
Oh this is gorgeous. It’s the perfect combo of Shalimar and Parfum Initial. Lots of vanilla, citrus and bergamot, the smoke and leather is toned down but still in the background and without being IN YOUR FACE.
This is Shalimar Wearable Version which dries down to PI. It’s very lovely!
Inok – :
Oh my, this is wonderful! There’s no denying this is a Shalimar! It is very much like Eau de Shalimar but as others have said maybe a bit ‘cleaner’. There was something in the eau that didn’t sit right with me, but this one is great! The heat really brings this one to life and I get wiffs here and there that are just delicious! This scent is true to the notes pyramid to me in terms of opening, middle and base notes. I just love this stuff! Now this is what I’d recommend if you want to introduce someone to Shalimar.
Ленин – :
The review from islandaromatika is spot on !
A more luminous fresh interpretation of the original Shalimar.
It’s fizzy and fresh but has the same character and same undertone as Shalimar.
So it’s not your little fruity citrusy number , not a gourmand , not similar to anything else out there but a true Shalimar child ! People who love the original will love this as their daily fragrance, a lighter version or a summer switch from the original.
People who do not like the original because it’s too leathery and too old school and heavy for them may find this quite wearable ,,,, yet it isn’t all that much different ,,, think of it being like PREMIERE AND CHANEL 5 ,,,,, this is the same here , similar but fresher and younger. But the same character and very much related.
So if you always wanted to love Shalimar but just could not do it , you can now !
I still smell all the same notes , even leather , which might be the combo of orris and vanilla and musk . It has this classic Shalimar smell , old school but made modern so to speak.
,,,,also this is very similar to eau de Shalimar which has been one of my favourites for years . Almost like an updated version of eau de Shalimar.
The more I wear it the more I love it and the more I do smell lemon loaf !!!
Antony – :
Beautiful fragrance – timeless and pretty. I know cologne isn’t supposed to last but this has tons of lasting power on me. I bought it in an older french glass bottle- gorgeous. I have to be in the right mood for this one – it is crisp at first and then dries down to a sweet and sour gourmand. Body chemistry changes everything – I recommend trying a sample and wearing it all day to see. It definitely wears more like a classic scent and does not in any way resemble the new modern fragrances. Worth trying!
carpenter01 – :
couldn’t get past that this smells like a lemon drop candy, or a lemon throat lozenge and not much else for quite awhile, then it changes to egg custard or a lemon cake for the drydown, or something like creme brulee. I couldn’t get past the eggy, cake smell on the drydown. Very gourmande to me.
dikiy55555 – :
My sister gave me two samples of this scent. I love Shalimar. But I never waste time with colognes because they don’t last a minute. Also, I’m not keen on ‘new versions’ of old classics. So I thought I would not care for this. Imagine my surprise when I realized I actually LOVED this. On me it’s pure citrus and vanilla and it smells delicious. Also, I was surprised at the staying power considering it’s a cologne. I like it. I really like it.
InancyJam – :
This is a very nice replacement for Eau de Shalimar. It’s got everything Eau has with extra citrus. I also get a huge citrus opening that’s surprisingly fresh and even sparkly. I get a lot of grapefruit that I don’t with Eau. They’re so very similar though, the differences are hard to sniff side by side – other than the big citrus blast.
Cologne’s dry down seems to be a tad lighter than Eau, a little cleaner. Whereas Eau had a resinous vanilla in the dry down, Cologne has a light, slightly musky dry down. The only word I can think of is ‘cleaner’ or ‘ clearer’. You can still smell the bright citrus all the way through. Still, they’re both very similar.
A very light wearing and lemony Shalimar, I absolutely love it, it’s a worthy replacement!
yulchonok13 – :
Huge sour citrus blast upon entrance— gradually goes into a smooth, earthy powder. I can’t wear this yet. Maybe when I’m a bit older.
molot97 – :
Shalimar Parfum Initial and Initial l’Eau may be gone but their successor is no less worthy of the name Shalimar!
Trying this made me so much less sad about the discontinuation of those beauties, because this one is also a beauty nonetheless. I was kind of skeptical at first and didn’t expect to like it with all those citrus notes (not my favorites, obviously) but boy, was I wrong! To my surprise, this turned out to be quite gorgeous.
It’s citrusy and tart but the vanilla gives it a sweet gourmand lemon cake vibe to balance out the tartness. The musk also helps it keep the powdery identity Shalimar is associated with. The drydown is so much less citrusy (though they are still very well there) and the sweet vanilla and musk take over the show.
This is young and bright, fresh and airy but sophisticated and elegant at the same time! I knew Guerlain can’t go wrong! A new love!
kaspar – :
Just got a bottle sent to me by a friend in Canada, and at first I was hesitant but now that I’m in the drydown I gotta’ say I am loving it.
It opens with a HUGE citrus blast which doesn’t stay in the forefront, but gives way to a touch of musky skank, classic Guerlain and classic Shalimar. Thank god the DNA is still there. The citrus comes back for the drydown joined by a delicious vanilla, with the rose and jasmine flitting in and out.
I don’t get the orris or freesia but that’s ok, because what IS there is making me huff my arm like a crack ho! Delicious!
ogonek19011 – :
It seems there are two definite camps of thought on this one and I am definitely in the pro Shalimar Cologne camp! Thank you to my dear friend xrayer for this sample! It lasts and lasts on my skin. The lemon is incredible, sweet and uplifting, can there be a more complimentary combo than lemon and vanilla? Now that I read Ditta70’s comment about “virtual pastry chef artistry”, I can say that that comment is bang on!
Also it reminds me walking through gardens after a spring shower – there aren’t many homes in NZ without at least one citrus tree and these topnotes are how they smell. The addition of freesia is also delicate and sweet. I am biased however as I love perfumes with the lemon vanilla combo (I have Shalimar, eau de Shalimar and the eau de Cologne, as well as other lemon vanilla traps like L de Lolita). These smells are uplifting and comforting at the same time.
This is Shalimar for lighter days, definitely Shalimar but for hot days. Love it.
demon 777 – :
Shalimar Cologne opens with very fresh citrus notes with hints of Vanilla as background. It does remind me of Eau de Shalimar but softer and more powdery. Soft powdery floral notes started to show up mingling with the citrusy top notes after about ten minutes and the top notes faded away after about twenty minutes. The floral heart notes are soft and powdery while the drydown is powdery, a bit musky and slightly sweet, probably from the Vanilla.
Shalimar Cologne has moderate sillage and lasts over six hours on my skin. Although one might not recognize this fragrance as a flanker of Shalimar after the first ten minutes, it is still not difficult to associate it with fragrances by Guerlain.
alexnet7622 – :
I love it!…,I love this fragrance.Top fo the tops and the best fragrance ever. It’s absolutely adorable..new shalimar 2015!
Hugitto – :
I was lucky enough to get a sample of this recently and it’s gorgeous. Yes, very similar to Eau de Shalimar but somehow fresher and brighter, at times I find the Eau de Shalimar to be very overpowering and just too heavy on the vanilla whereas this is not. It is just on the right side of sweet for me. For reference I have and love Shalimar EDT, Shalimar Initial EDP, Eau de Shalimar and Shalimar Souffle.
SAVO – :
I’m shocked, it smells nice!
milcov – :
I love it! It actually reminds me quite a bit of Eau de Shalimar, which I also love. Shalimar Cologne opens bright lemony and transitions through Guerlain pastry vanilla with unmistakable Shalimar dry down. Very wearable, modernized Shalimar. I’m thrilled as Eau de Shalimar is getting hard to find around here and Shalimar Cologne to me is a great replacement. It’s delicious and has gone straight to my want list.
vkv940 – :
Shalimar Cologne opens with lots of different citrus notes and a hint of sweet candy. It reminds me of Napoleon sour candy. Then, the scent becomes more sweet, with vanilla and some powder. I smell musk as well. There is stil some citrus on top, freshening up the sweet powders of tonka and vanilla. The jasmine becomes stronger. The scent slowly fades out into the drydown from here, which is a powdery tonka & labdanum vanilla, with hints of sweet and sour candy on top.
Sillage and longevity are moderate on me. Longevity is on the short end of moderate, I get about 3-4 hours of scent. After that, it’s only labdanum/amber accord and ambroxan in the drydown.
I like the sour candy opening a lot, with the sweets underneath. When the notes switch place and the sweetness becomes more prominent, the powdery notes remind me of talc powder. The musk is very decent and not dirty at all. All in all, this is a light summer sour candy gourmand scent. I like it and will use the sample more often. I probably won’t buy a full bottle due to lack of longevity.
leonovo – :
Someone just gave me a bottle from France yesterday and I was very anxious to try it because I actually like both Souffle and Eau de Shalimar. It opens with a citrus that has a green-ness to it, but that doesn’t overpower the grapefruit and lemon sparkling through. As it dries down it rounds out to a very pretty softness with the musk coming on. It is definitely a light scent, and not very long-lasting on me. I personally prefer both the Souffle and Eau de Shalimar. Also, I was thrilled it wasn’t pink!
werdna1 – :
I tried it at Paris airport two days ago, and loved it right away. It is Shalimar, it has the lovely Guerlain DNA, it has Thierry Wasser’s signature written all over it, and the traditional Guerlain “virtual pastry chef” artistry. I sprayed about 3 sprays on my person and smelled it all day long, and next day too on my clothes. Long lasting, great sillage, wonderful summer version of the great classic.
(This is coming from someone who so far disliked pretty much all the Shalimar flankers, very much including the “Initials”.)
Sweet2011 – :
Very uninspired and unnecessary. They transformed Shalimar in a vanilla lemon pie scent. Guerlain became McDonald’s…
Darkline – :
We want shalimar initial again
taras230986 – :
Mmmhhh… Just paid 75€ for a lovely (just lovely, nothing revolutionary here) perfume which is gone after 30 minutes…another disappointment from Guerlain’s mainstream range.
Reminds me of evaporated Souffle de Parfum. A lot of grapefruit and other citruses, an unidentified green note which is unpleasant to me but luckily quickly fades away,