Guerlain · Jacques Guerlain
Shalimar
Premium$$$, 3 of 5
| 30 ml | $110 |
| 50 ml | $145 |
| 90 ml | $175 |
The houseFor womenWearers sayLeans feminine
VersionEau de Parfum
Sharp bergamot and lemon over powdery iris, jasmine and rose, sinking into a smoky, resinous vanilla and tonka.
Guerlain says
You’ll smell bergamot, iris and vanilla.
More from Guerlain’s description
It also mentions Flowers, Jasmine, Rose, Balsam notes, Tonka beans, Guerlinade and Notes of the Guerlinade signature.
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Wearers say
From 6 Reddit threads · Read what they say
How far it carries
An arm’s length
only 2 sources
How long it lasts
6 to 9 hours
When to wear it
Fall, winter
only 2 sources
Where to wear it
Date night, special occasion
only 2 sources
Who it suits
Leans feminine · Older wearers
only 2 sources
Mass appeal
Divisive
only 2 sources
Compliments
Sometimes
only 1 source
What’s inside it
What the label names
32 scent ingredients on the label, familiar names first.
A label must name certain ingredients, most of them ones that can cause allergies; some houses print more. It is never the whole recipe.
7 citrus8 herbs & lavender7 florals4 woods2 sweet3 spices1 powder
Top notes15
when you spray it
Heart10
as it settles
9 more lines on the label, not there for the smell
Wearers say
Wearing it
Shalimar EDP is a powdery, resinous vanilla classic that lasts six to eight hours within arm's reach. Its vintage profile polarizes modern wearers, making sampling essential.
How far it carriesArm's length to close
Perfumers call it sillage.
It projects moderately within arm's reach or closer, with noticeable sillage rather than filling a whole room.
“so if I get four hours of projection, that perfume is a beast by my standards, and Shalimar is verging on beast territory for me.”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2021 · 4 votes
More from wearers · 1 theme, 1 quote
Some say
Some wearers find it projects within arm's length or discreetly close.
“Projection is discreet, but the silliage is a little stronger.”
Reddit post, r/fragrance, 2016
How long it lasts6 to 9 hours
Most wearers get six to eight hours of longevity, though some report nose blindness or weaker modern batches.
“My bottle is from about three years ago and performs very well.”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2021 · 4 votes
More from wearers · 2 themes, 2 quotes
Some say
Some wearers report six or more hours of wear on skin.
“Longevity was decent, it lasted around six hours but that may be olfactory fatigue on my part.”
Reddit post, r/fragrance, 2016
A few say
A few wearers struggle to perceive it after a short time despite heavy spraying.
“Literally I have been covering myself with it and it still doesn't last.”
Reddit post, r/fragrance, 2021
When and where to wear itFall and winter evenings
Wearers recommend it for cold weather, romantic evenings, and special occasions, while advising against wearing it to work.
“Where to wear it: Romantic settings.”
Reddit post, r/fragrance, 2016
More from wearers · 1 theme, 1 quote
Some say
Some wearers recommend it strictly for cold weather and romantic or formal evenings.
“Don't use a Ferrari to tow a camper, and don't wear this to the office.”
Reddit post, r/fragrance, 2016
Who it suitsMature or confident unisex
Although traditionally viewed as a voluptuous feminine classic, wearers agree confident men can pull it off just as well.
“Even in it's current attenuated form I would describe Shalimar as a "voluptuous" fragrance, it's still very sensual and womanly.”
Reddit post, r/fragrance, 2016
More from wearers · 2 themes, 2 quotes
Some say
Some wearers describe it as a voluptuous, sensual womanly fragrance that is mature rather than matronly.
“Not matronly though! I think women are worse than men when they describe fragrances as "old lady like.”
Reddit post, r/fragrance, 2016
A few say
A few wearers note that men can wear Shalimar without problem.
“I know some men can wear Shalimar, Mitsuoko, Jicky, etc with no problem”
Reddit post, r/fragrance, 2016
Appeal and attractionDivisive and vintage
Shalimar is polarizing because its vintage powdery profile alienates modern noses, though it still charms lovers of classic perfumery.
“It's not easy to wear and many people would find it too dated for regular use.”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2026 · 44 votes
More from wearers · 1 theme, 1 quote
Some say
Some wearers find it dated or difficult to wear in everyday settings.
“I asked my partner if he could still smell it an hour later and he put his nose right up to my skin and said it's very faint”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2021
As a blind buyHigh risk blind buy
Blind buying is risky; while one buyer loved its shifting drydown, another regretted the sharp vetiver opening and tried to return it.
“Fortunately I love the scents!!!! I love how it sits, stays and shift on my skin.”
Reddit post, r/fragrance, 2024
More from wearers · 1 theme, 1 quote
A few say
A few blind buyers regret the purchase due to sharp notes and attempt returns.
“But I find the Shalimar EdP sharp, and very heavy on vetiver, not pleasant, I don't care for it and will try to return.”
Reddit post, r/fragrance, 2020
Nothing on layering in what we read.
From 6 Reddit threads.
Wearers say
Smells like it
For about the same
White DiamondsOn your shelfElizabeth Taylor · Some of its own wearers say it smells like Shalimar“It reminds me a lot of Shalimar and it def has a talc powder but it also smells a little like conag the alcoholic drink I believe?”
Reddit comment, r/FemFragLab, 2023 · 12 votes
Wearers also liken it to Tom Ford Noir. We hold no page for it yet.
What wearers say, set beside the price each house asks. Noses differ.
Our match of the notes
Shares its notes
No1 FeminineClive Christian · shares bergamot, orris, vanilla, jasmine and 2 more
Lyric WomanAmouage · shares bergamot, orris, vanilla, jasmine and 2 more
BeautifulEstée Lauder · shares bergamot, orris, vanilla, jasmine and 2 moreMatched by the notes each house names. A shared note is not a promise they smell alike.