Guerlain
Shalimar
Created in 1925 by Jacques Guerlain, Shalimar is one of the great founding orientals: a bold contrast between the freshness of bergamot and a vanilla, amber and slightly leathery base. A Guerlain legend, sensual and timeless.
Main accords
Pyramid & evolution
Unofficial sources Data drawn from unofficial sources, not from the house: this pyramid (like the year and gender shown) may contain discrepancies.
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Opening First minutes
Bergamot · Lemon · Mandarin
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Heart ~30 min to 2 h
Rose · Jasmine · Iris
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Base Several hours
Vanilla · Incense · Tonka bean · Leather · Benzoin
What its composition says
- 11 materials declared, against 7.6 on average in the catalogue: the formula is fuller than usual.
- 5 materials in the base for 3 on top: the pyramid is built for staying power rather than for the opening.
- Bergamot: its most used material, present in 43% of the perfumes analysed in the catalogue.
- Floral, citrus, gourmand, woody, leather and amber: 6 registers of raw materials share its palette, with floral supplying 3 of 11.
Frequencies measured on the Olfact catalogue only.
Scent profile
Estimates derived from the composition — not measured.
Wear time
Excellent
9 h and more estimated on skin
Projection
Powerful
a trail that arrives before you and lingers after
Ideal seasons
Time of day
Made for cool to cold weather — below 15 °C (59 °F).
Ideal occasions
- Dates & seduction Its warm, sensual facets play the card of closeness.
- Evenings & nights out A present trail that holds its own when the light drops.
Avoid if…
- you like to stay discreet or work in a confined space.
- you shun warm, opulent trails, especially in summer.
Our picks
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Guerlain Samsara Woody Floral Vanilla Shares 4 accords, including floral — from the same house.
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Lancôme
Trésor
Floral
Powdery
Fruity
from €36.54
Shares 4 accords, including floral.
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Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille Vanilla Amber Woody Shares 4 accords, including vanilla — from the same house.
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Reinvented Sacred Bond Floral Fruity Gourmand Shares 3 accords, including floral.