Katie I miss your reviews so much. Your elegance, humour and knowledge is still unmatched. I'll keep rewatching your reviews on hum drum days as a pick me up. All the best to you my dear.
You've identified exactly what I find fascinating about these classic perfumes: that very idea that we can smell (more or less, owing to reformulations) what people a century ago were smelling. It's time travel in a bottle.
Just tried it for the first time today. First reaction was yuck- not into this spiced lemony thing. Then something special happened. It changed. It reminded me of a time I was wearing vanilla and amber perfume and sitting in a car with my cool older friend who was smoking cigarettes and wearing a leather jacket. Good girl gone bad! Love this.
I tried Shalimar a few days ago... My dear Lord... I instantly fell in love... It's smell soooo smooth on my skin yet very sexy... It's just sooo me... and I love your review on perfume! ^^
Just knowing that women wore this in the 1920's makes me giggle with glee. I feel like I'm wearing some history, as if I'm wearing an Impressionist or Surrealist painting :) Also, the fact that I'm 21 and wear this makes me feel kinda rebellious amidst the sea of fruity floral infused college dorms >:D. Love you Katie!
@@dair7947 OMG YES! I'm 31 now and it sometimes takes me back to those early days of discovering perfumery! not on a daily basis of course, but every now and then I love to indulge. And now it fits me even better :D
My great Aunt Ruby was a flapper from Port Arthur, Texas. Good to know that this is what she smelled like. Gonna have to score me a bottle for purely personal reasons.
@RachelSoHJ Thanks so much for visiting! My passion for fragrance is leading me to learn more and more about it all the time. And there's always more to discover.
Your are the reason I discovered Shalimar, shalimar is wonderful, I only wish I could discover another masterpiece to wear during the day, I find I can only wear it at night, It is great though and I fight off anyone that tries to tell me that its old! I love it! thanks kp xx
I love the scent of Shalimar! My brother bought a bottle of Shalimar for my mother when I was still a teenager in the 70's. And I've loved it since then! And I'm going to be 68 soon and I've never forgotten Shalimar! It just stays with you. ❤
Shalimar is one of the most intriguing perfumes in my collection because it IS musk and amber and spice, none of which are things I usually go for in my fragrances. Shalimar is my one exception. It's just "sex in a bottle". Sensual, sexual, intimate. That's Shalimar. GREAT review! Really hit home with me. I love the fact that we are still talking about Shalimar in these days of cotton candy fragrance. Almost 100 years old and still making people feel sexy. Now, that's a perfume!
@Sanbika89 Shalimar is about the interplay between fresh citrus, creamy vanilla, and amber. A more contemporary version would be Calvin Klein Obsession. A more candified version might be Fresh Sugar.
@oshinsr A powdery quality in a perfume can go a couple of different ways: either powdery like baby powdery, or smoky like the air around incense or a bonfire. To me, Shalimar's powderiness shape-shifts between those 2 modes. The longer it's on, the more smoky/leathery it becomes.
@domperrier My review applies to the EDP. Shalimar-loving guys tell me they enjoy the EDT, and when I've worn the pure parfum, it's much more profound on the gourmand side with its cinnamon/vanilla aspect amplified. I remember wearing the parfum while eating a warm treacle tart, and experiencing an intense synesthesia. I've never tried the EDC.
Hi, Katie! love your reviews! Shalimar is PERFECT! It was Kahlo's perfume...well, she used to smoke, to dance the tango and to use Shalimar! To a perfect woman, a perfect scent! ;) kisses from Brazil!
watching this in 2024! i love watching your videos because you’re so filled with class, elegance, and knowledge! Amazing how Shalimar is still popular even years after this video. Hope you’re doing well 🤍
@donnellylv I discuss Shalimar Ode à la Vanille in my Holiday Party Fragrance Tips video. I've got the where-to-buy info on my blog post for it - the link's in the description box for that vid.
I sampled Shalimar at the department store today on my wrist, but ended up buying some floral. On the way home I couldn't stop smelling my Shalimar wrist...after the top notes wore off it was so, so alluring and original, and it's funny that you say it smells like velvet because that's exactly what it reminded me of, old, rich velvet, locked up in a dark room for decades. Now I want to go back and buy a bottle of Shalimar, but thinking of mixing it with another perfume. Any ideas?
@LunaMoonaBella Shalimar Light, and a previous version (considered superior), Shalimar Eau Légère, were available from appx 2003-2007, but are now discontinued. I never smelled them, but both were fresher, less sultry versions of Shalimar. They've been replaced with Eau de Shalimar, and those who've smelled all light/eau versions think the current version is terrible.
@chacharas81 Shalimar is 100% age-appropriate for you, but it's a question of whether you'll go for its warm, "leather blanket" feel of the base notes. Contemporary perfumes typically are lighter and sweeter, and Shalimar's richness might not sit right with you. But it is so beautiful, and even if Shalimar first seems different to what you're used to, I'm confident that you'll learn to love it -- especially if you enjoy vanilla/gourmand perfumes.
In 1932 Dana Tabu was the "Bad girl" scent. Though men can certainly wear it. I do. But the vintage only Tabu. Tabu reminds me of those unburnt Incense sticks in those hippie shops. Similar to that. Shalimar edt from the 1980's. Not that spicy compared to Tabu or Paco Rabanne La Nuit. The vanilla is interesting with the powdery notes. I have not tried the edp version of any kind. As for Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur, it's definitely musky and Clove like. Really well done.
Hi Katie, I just tried Shalimar in Sephora today and the one word that came to mind was "SKANK" in all caps! Was this the synthetic civet coming through? I don't know why on my skin the skank came through so strong...it was enjoyable only because it was so different from everything else I was sniffing. It definitely wasn't behaving like a lady! It actually made me smile 'cause it was so stinky. Couldn't really get past that so I missed all the other notes you described.
@Nerblette My general feeling is that wearing two complex perfumes at the same time is like mixing two different bottles of wine, since a perfume is carefully designed to stand alone as a sensory experience. Having said that, I've stumbled onto some accidental combinations that smell great, usually when the second perfume picks up on notes in the first perfume, or it's a lot simpler than the first perfume.
Wow, Katie, look at how many comments you have!!! Cool! I love Shalimar, my mom used to wear it. It does go a bit powdery on me, but I still wear it once in awhile.
@Nerblette With Shalimar, you might choose to amp the vanilla, or the citrus, or beef up the smoke/incense/musk with a second perfume. You could also choose a lavender, and re-create Guerlain Jicky. A good way to test drive layering is to spray different perfumes on scent strips at the store, & then hold different combos of the strips to your nose to see how they meld in the air. When you do play with wearing more than one, spray them on different parts of your body, not both on the same spot.
@Ekove I've not yet encountered vintage Shalimar, but all the vintage-sniffers say that it's deeper, less sweet, and more animalic than the current one. I would love to try it. If you're curious, I'd vote for saving up for a bottle of vintage. Of course, it's always a gamble whether it will be well-preserved. Perhaps you can find a decant online?
As I can understand, Shalimar has been one of the mysteries of human's nature, during the past century. As one of the reviewers mentioned, just imagine, how many love stories, break ups, regrets and emotions have people spread over this fragrance. Just unbelievable ... I am 30 year old male, but I just want to buy and have it. For me, or for a woman, does not matter. Just one question, should I go for Eau de Toilette, of Eau De Perfume? Which is more for youth?
Hi Katie I want to thank you so much for the affect you had on my newfound passion for perfume. Shalimar is among one of my many favorites but you should know that it's the dupe for Fracois Coty's Emeraude (Emerald) which was launched about 1920-1921, 5 years before Shalimar. Could you do a review of Emeraude for us Shalimar fans? Shalimar took all the fame and glory but Emeraude has a fan base as well. Also, I would like you to review either Black Pearls or Passion by Elizabeth Taylor the first big celebrity to have her own fragrance line, which still sells big time. I imagine you might be a Liz Taylor fan and would love to see a video review paying tribute to her fragrances. Thanks!
@nekoboy86 Other than the fact that both HR and Shalimar are Guerlain classics, with a plushness characteristic of the line, I don't make a connection between the two. (Oh, okay, both have a powderiness that can read as leathery/incensey.) HR is all about the orange blossom and spicy carnation, and Shalimar is all about the burnt vanilla dusted with cinnamon. No doubling up, there. Eau de Shalimar is pretty lemony, a different character to Shalimar altogether. And not like HR, either.
This is a wonderful video. You haven't mentioned any notes I don't like, and you're so passionate about it I'm actually going to have to investigate it - until now I've pretty much only ever used perfume oils, almost exclusively BPAL (with the exception of Joop before I found BPAL). I've been told that Shalimar is similar to BPAL's Haunted. Have you tried that and, if so, what is your opinion? Thanks (and thanks for a great video)
I was in love with Samsara years ago (still love it) and tried out Shalimar after it was mentioned in the film 'The Mephisto Waltz'. It's been my favourite perfume ever since (about 20 years).
@Sukantara I don't know the exact number, but there are at least 500 new perfume launches every year, and that is far to many to keep up with! Plenty fall by the wayside, but there are certainly thousands and thousands and thousands of bottle of smelly juice out there.
Spot on, absolutely! Plush red velvet, creme brulee crisply caramelised sugar, European take on vanilla. Nothing to do with flowers and works with your skin. Exactly. And it's final whisper is silky scenty smooth.
@inkfantasy I've seen Shalimar sold everywhere from drugstores, to Target, to Sephora, to Saks 5th Ave. It's one of the most widely available fine fragrances out there. Both Sephora and Nordstrom will make a sample for you to take home if you want.
The pure parfum is indeed gorgeous - it smells deeper, richer, and sweeter than the other concentrations, and it wears a bit more softly: closer to the skin. It's worth trying the EDT, EDP and parfum to see which is most to your taste. The EDP is the one for me, but I wouldn't turn down a bottle of the parfum if it were a gift! Buying vintage perfume online is common, but you're right, it's always a gamble whether it's held up over the years, or been stored properly. Just the risk you take.
Discovered Shalimar almost a year ago. I'm in love with that perfume, I'd love to use it every day. Two problems: A) I'm a 15 year old boy. B) It's EXPENSIVE.
@barbiehsusomatic I don't like to wear scented body oil or lotion for the very reason you stated - it clashes with my perfume. The exception is if my "perfume" *is* the scented oil or lotion. Otherwise, I use Jojoba Oil by Desert Essence or Borage Dry Skin Therapy lotion by Shikai.
@brillanita Not every perfume is going to speak to you personally, but it's great that you're starting to explore a wider range of fragrances. The more things you smell, the larger your range of references will be. You may come back to Shalimar in a year or two and have a completely new take on it.
I just got an email from Sephora stating that there's a new, updated version of Shalimar with the bottle redesigned by Bianca Jagger. Could you please do a review of it. I'm someone who adores Orientals, but I feel like they're not being made as much anymore. Everything is so sweet and sugary now. I just smell the new Donna Karan fragrance and it's very sweet, which was a let down because I love Cashmere Mist.
@BananaPancake92 I have worn the parfum, as I mentioned in my review, it's more gourmand, emphasizing the vanilla/cinnamon. I love the depth of it, but as I'm not a gourmand person, I prefer the leaner EDP. You should try it at a store before shelling out.
I had a friend in highschool who loved this perfume. I will have to hit the mall to smell it again. I have not smelled this for a long time. By the way I love your necklace! Thanks for the review!
@sakuraness My personal BPAL faves are Scherezade, Dee and Harlot. And I adore the orange-blossom honey bath oil called Oceans of Love & Millions of Kisses.
Dear Katie, Okay, this is me being inspired to un-laziness by your rockin' review. Do you recommend any books on fragrance? I recently bought one that you listed, "A Natural History of the Sense," and I'm really enjoying it. --App
Shalimar is my mother's favourtie perfume. I find it too intense and favour Emeraude, which very much reminds me of Shalimar. Do others thinks so as well? Thanks Katy - as always, great stuff!
@filmjolk Thanks for adding the details on bergamot! Personally, I do like exploring the nitty-gritty of all the flora and fauna involved in perfumes, but I don't always include it in my vids because not everyone's as much of a nerd as I am. But you are correct - bergamot is a specific species of citrus, and not just any ol' orange.
I bought my first bottle of Shalimar the other day (the EDP) and you described it so perfectly! Especially the bit about it wearing "like your skin but better" it stays for a really long time but stays really close to the skin. I've used it every day since I got it and I'm so happy with it because I was scared I would one of those people that don't appreciate it. I'd love to see you do some video reviews of other older Guerlain scents like Mitsouko, L'Heure Bleue or Jicky.
And it might of been incense that I could smell too. Also, maybe the vanilla was just so 'different' smelling to normal, sweet vanilla that I didn't notice. Gosh, I don't know, it's too damn unique!
@brioney83 Ideally, perfume needs to be stored away from heat and light. If you have them displayed in a cool room that doesn't get direct sunlight, you should be all right.
@ccmerope You're right - basically, it boils down to "either you smell good or you don't". But the ride to getting there is a fun one to experience and analyze.
Hey Katie, I'm absolutely disappointed you didn't mention anything about the Vintage which everybody raves about. I really want to own Shalimar, but is it better to get the new EdP or just save up for one of the vintage ones?
Shalimar is definitely more of an animal than contemporary perfumes. Although with every reformulation, it loses a bit more of the tiger in its tank, which is a shame.
I am wearing Shalimar eau de cologne today. It is a lovely formulation. Spicy lemon custard, with that powdery & smoky drydown you mention in your review. It's really quite amazing stuff for an edc. I'm wearing it for the first time in ages, and it is smelling especially good on this bitterly cold winter day. :-) Guerlain classics in edc are usually nice, if you can find them.
@ChannelHMC It's fun to give things a whirl on your skin: you get the whole picture, and even if you don't like it, it gives you a reference point for your perfume evolution.
I tested shalimar parfume the other day (paper test) and I really dont have a "hankerin" for it. heh. After your review (you always make perfumes sounds so interesting lol) I want to like it, so I am getting a .17 oz sample from sephora. I am thinking that like Angel, (which i started off hating, but ended up loving it) I will have to just wear it and see how it develops on my skin through the day.
I will have to try the eau de parfum. I have Shalimar Light and love it... but I agree Shalimar Eau Légère from 2003 was amazing. An easy way to tell the difference is the bottle. The newer version has a slightly blue tint, while the Shalimar Eau Légère looks basically like the Shalimar bottle. Only the juice is a tad lighter. I don't know why they messed with a great thing.
Plz make a video on "how to wear a perfume".If that makes any sense.I've seen people wearing same perfume in office or they are going out on weekend.It may sound crazy,but in my opinion perfume has a tendency to change every thing around you.!!!
I'm a Man and I wear this, the " Vintage " Parfum de Toilette. and it's truly a classic and on the " Right " person ( Male or Female ) it can be glorious ! So, I thought I'd share this, great review.....Oh, I'm a HUGE Chamade Perfume lover, ALSO a Guerlain classic.... KATIE....Do a review on Chamade by Guerlain, you'll LOVE IT !
Hi Katie! I've tried this lovely fragrance after watching you rave about it. I LOVE warm scents like this & I don't know if my grandma wore this or not, but I recall that same powdery scent on her. I'm not a floral or super sweet kind of person & this is perfect. By the way, I love your sense of humor!
Another amazing review Katie! I have Shalimar edt. It's a smoky vanilla that I think men can easily wear. Although, I'm not one to refuse a perfume just because it's marketed to women. I also have Omnia by Bvlgari, Sensuous by Estee Lauder, and Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker. As you said in previous reviews: Perfumes do not have genitalia. Thanks Katie!
I just got a tester vial from Fragrantica member. I think it's a bit animalic old world quality with a nice powdery smoky sweet ending. Not sure if it's for me because I tend to like the newer formula, especially by Jean Claude Ellena.
I have to pick this up in the parfum. My mother wore this when I was a child, which I always found interesting because she gets migraines from scents, as I do. But this one was ok for her. Anyhow, the parfum is the one that I remember and the other forms just aren't the same for me.
My daughter (35) and I (59) have decided to take in this beautiful so cal day and perfume counter hop at the Paseo in Pasadena. I want to expose her to some vintage perfumes and decided to share this video with her (one of my all time favorites btw). We will spritz, have lunch, then return to buy a new fragrance. Her name is also Katie and she is anxious to try Shalimar. Thank you again for these great videos.
Finally got to try this (only in the EDT version though) in my department store. Didn't see the EDP so I had to try the EDT. Only tried it on paper but what I got was leather, don't really recall smelling vanilla. I would've loved a noticeably smokey vanilla scent mixed with leather and incense but I mostly got leather. I probably didn't smell it good enough. At the current point, don't take my review serious. I'll try this on the skin next time maybe. Great review Katie! xo
Katy, Do you know about the perfume Shalimar Ode de la Vanille by Guerlain? I would love to hear a review of it and if you know if it is even possible to buy it. I think it was a limited edition. Thanks!
@KatiePuckrikSmells Indeed! Tried Shalimar a couple of times to see if it could be a unisex fragrance, which I think works fine on a guy; but I find MR more masculine and has than animalistic vibe which feels like a mixture of dirty musk, and dare I say grease! Shalimar is very powdery vanilla with hints of woody smokiness & florals. Opening is similar, but mid notes are very different and at the death when its all vanilla again, Shalimar & MR again similar! Too bad one costs much more though..
@KatiePuckrikSmells Thank you. I plan to try any/all formulations until I discover one Shalimar that suits me. Folks on the MUA and Fragrantica boards have mentioned finding Shalimar at random places like TJ MAXX. I would LOVE to find some well-preserved vintage parfum or eau de parfum of Shalimar. I am going to hunt the antique stores and estate sales.
@YandaoChyan Edition Charms is the same perfume, just a special edition bottle. The EDP is a bit thicker, creamier than the EDT. Personally, I prefer the EDP. I think she'd love your gift idea.
@Richard6562 NOTHING has the same projection as Angel, but don't worry, you don't need a perfume that strong for people to smell you. You might like Shalimar Initial, give it a whirl.
@redjae Yes - blame youth! But don't be too hard on yourself - our tastes are constantly evolving and changing, whether it's in perfume, music, food, etc. The more fragrances you're exposed to, the more context you have for appreciating what you're smelling. And your own personal associations with different scents will color your perceptions, too.
@redjez I only tried Haunted the night I was at BPAL's Full Moon open house, and I recall it was musky/ambery, and a bit sweet. Shalimar reads more as leather than musk, and is smokier/powderier than Haunted.
I first smelled Shalimar as a teenager and loved it (I love powdery scents) but I thought I was too young to buy it for some reason...I think I'm ready to give it a go now :) Love your descriptions.
heyyy katie i dont know if you have one a review on it yet but i havent seen it in your videos but please please pleassseeeee do a review on mitsouko by guerlain i would be soooo happy if you did !!!! xxxxxx
Katie I miss your reviews so much. Your elegance, humour and knowledge is still unmatched. I'll keep rewatching your reviews on hum drum days as a pick me up. All the best to you my dear.
Watching this in 2023. Hope you’re doing well, Katie!
You've identified exactly what I find fascinating about these classic perfumes: that very idea that we can smell (more or less, owing to reformulations) what people a century ago were smelling. It's time travel in a bottle.
Wish you kept making videos. You're brilliant
Just tried it for the first time today. First reaction was yuck- not into this spiced lemony thing. Then something special happened. It changed. It reminded me of a time I was wearing vanilla and amber perfume and sitting in a car with my cool older friend who was smoking cigarettes and wearing a leather jacket. Good girl gone bad! Love this.
Couldn't have said it better.
Wow. This review was 14 years ago and it's the best perfume video on TH-cam period. I love Shalimar, after one whiff I was hooked.
I tried Shalimar a few days ago... My dear Lord... I instantly fell in love... It's smell soooo smooth on my skin yet very sexy... It's just sooo me... and I love your review on perfume! ^^
Just knowing that women wore this in the 1920's makes me giggle with glee. I feel like I'm wearing some history, as if I'm wearing an Impressionist or Surrealist painting :) Also, the fact that I'm 21 and wear this makes me feel kinda rebellious amidst the sea of fruity floral infused college dorms >:D. Love you Katie!
Still wearing it?
@@dair7947 OMG YES! I'm 31 now and it sometimes takes me back to those early days of discovering perfumery! not on a daily basis of course, but every now and then I love to indulge. And now it fits me even better :D
@@thesmellylily2222 Ah that’s great to hear, honestly didn’t expect a reply but it’s nice to know you’re still enjoying such an iconic perfume! Cheers
Katie please come back. Best reviews ever, ever....
My great Aunt Ruby was a flapper from Port Arthur, Texas. Good to know that this is what she smelled like. Gonna have to score me a bottle for purely personal reasons.
I do love hearing these classic perfume testimonials: who's wearing them, what they're wearing. Thanks for the input!
@RachelSoHJ Thanks so much for visiting! My passion for fragrance is leading me to learn more and more about it all the time. And there's always more to discover.
Your are the reason I discovered Shalimar, shalimar is wonderful, I only wish I could discover another masterpiece to wear during the day, I find I can only wear it at night, It is great though and I fight off anyone that tries to tell me that its old! I love it! thanks kp xx
@fanfare78 The rose is Bakelite, and the beads are carnelian.
I love the scent of Shalimar! My brother bought a bottle of Shalimar for my mother when I was still a teenager in the 70's. And I've loved it since then! And I'm going to be 68 soon and I've never forgotten Shalimar! It just stays with you. ❤
Shalimar is one of the most intriguing perfumes in my collection because it IS musk and amber and spice, none of which are things I usually go for in my fragrances. Shalimar is my one exception. It's just "sex in a bottle". Sensual, sexual, intimate. That's Shalimar.
GREAT review! Really hit home with me. I love the fact that we are still talking about Shalimar in these days of cotton candy fragrance. Almost 100 years old and still making people feel sexy. Now, that's a perfume!
Please please please make another video Katie!
@Sanbika89 Shalimar is about the interplay between fresh citrus, creamy vanilla, and amber. A more contemporary version would be Calvin Klein Obsession. A more candified version might be Fresh Sugar.
@oshinsr A powdery quality in a perfume can go a couple of different ways: either powdery like baby powdery, or smoky like the air around incense or a bonfire. To me, Shalimar's powderiness shape-shifts between those 2 modes. The longer it's on, the more smoky/leathery it becomes.
You must have been one of the very first fragrance reviewers. Hope you’re well
@domperrier My review applies to the EDP. Shalimar-loving guys tell me they enjoy the EDT, and when I've worn the pure parfum, it's much more profound on the gourmand side with its cinnamon/vanilla aspect amplified. I remember wearing the parfum while eating a warm treacle tart, and experiencing an intense synesthesia.
I've never tried the EDC.
Hey! I've tried it on my skin since then & it developed beautifully. I absolutely love it! The powdery sweetness of the vanilla is gorgeous.
Hi, Katie! love your reviews! Shalimar is PERFECT! It was Kahlo's perfume...well, she used to smoke, to dance the tango and to use Shalimar! To a perfect woman, a perfect scent! ;) kisses from Brazil!
watching this in 2024! i love watching your videos because you’re so filled with class, elegance, and knowledge! Amazing how Shalimar is still popular even years after this video. Hope you’re doing well 🤍
Please come back and review!! Miss your content!!
@donnellylv I discuss Shalimar Ode à la Vanille in my Holiday Party Fragrance Tips video. I've got the where-to-buy info on my blog post for it - the link's in the description box for that vid.
I sampled Shalimar at the department store today on my wrist, but ended up buying some floral. On the way home I couldn't stop smelling my Shalimar wrist...after the top notes wore off it was so, so alluring and original, and it's funny that you say it smells like velvet because that's exactly what it reminded me of, old, rich velvet, locked up in a dark room for decades. Now I want to go back and buy a bottle of Shalimar, but thinking of mixing it with another perfume. Any ideas?
@LunaMoonaBella Shalimar Light, and a previous version (considered superior), Shalimar Eau Légère, were available from appx 2003-2007, but are now discontinued. I never smelled them, but both were fresher, less sultry versions of Shalimar. They've been replaced with Eau de Shalimar, and those who've smelled all light/eau versions think the current version is terrible.
@chacharas81 Shalimar is 100% age-appropriate for you, but it's a question of whether you'll go for its warm, "leather blanket" feel of the base notes. Contemporary perfumes typically are lighter and sweeter, and Shalimar's richness might not sit right with you. But it is so beautiful, and even if Shalimar first seems different to what you're used to, I'm confident that you'll learn to love it -- especially if you enjoy vanilla/gourmand perfumes.
In 1932 Dana Tabu was the "Bad girl" scent. Though men can certainly wear it. I do. But the vintage only Tabu.
Tabu reminds me of those unburnt Incense sticks in those hippie shops. Similar to that.
Shalimar edt from the 1980's. Not that spicy compared to Tabu or Paco Rabanne La Nuit.
The vanilla is interesting with the powdery notes.
I have not tried the edp version of any kind.
As for Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur, it's definitely musky and Clove like. Really well done.
Hi Katie, I just tried Shalimar in Sephora today and the one word that came to mind was "SKANK" in all caps! Was this the synthetic civet coming through? I don't know why on my skin the skank came through so strong...it was enjoyable only because it was so different from everything else I was sniffing. It definitely wasn't behaving like a lady! It actually made me smile 'cause it was so stinky. Couldn't really get past that so I missed all the other notes you described.
I LOVE this review! Katie you are one wonderful speaker! Thank you for this wonderful post!
Woooaaa. You are the first American ever that I heard say the name Guerlain right!! I'm amazed.
@Nerblette My general feeling is that wearing two complex perfumes at the same time is like mixing two different bottles of wine, since a perfume is carefully designed to stand alone as a sensory experience. Having said that, I've stumbled onto some accidental combinations that smell great, usually when the second perfume picks up on notes in the first perfume, or it's a lot simpler than the first perfume.
Wow, Katie, look at how many comments you have!!! Cool! I love Shalimar, my mom used to wear it. It does go a bit powdery on me, but I still wear it once in awhile.
@Nerblette With Shalimar, you might choose to amp the vanilla, or the citrus, or beef up the smoke/incense/musk with a second perfume. You could also choose a lavender, and re-create Guerlain Jicky.
A good way to test drive layering is to spray different perfumes on scent strips at the store, & then hold different combos of the strips to your nose to see how they meld in the air. When you do play with wearing more than one, spray them on different parts of your body, not both on the same spot.
@Ekove I've not yet encountered vintage Shalimar, but all the vintage-sniffers say that it's deeper, less sweet, and more animalic than the current one. I would love to try it. If you're curious, I'd vote for saving up for a bottle of vintage. Of course, it's always a gamble whether it will be well-preserved. Perhaps you can find a decant online?
@Nerblette I'm inspired to hear that you got your "heavy artillery" ideas from KP Smells. Vanilla additions to Shalimar are a good way to proceed.
As I can understand, Shalimar has been one of the mysteries of human's nature, during the past century. As one of the reviewers mentioned, just imagine, how many love stories, break ups, regrets and emotions have people spread over this fragrance. Just unbelievable ... I am 30 year old male, but I just want to buy and have it. For me, or for a woman, does not matter. Just one question, should I go for Eau de Toilette, of Eau De Perfume? Which is more for youth?
levan beriashvili did you ever try it?
I think EDT is more unisex and it is easier to wear, too. I prefer it for daily wear myself.
Hi Katie I want to thank you so much for the affect you had on my newfound passion for perfume. Shalimar is among one of my many favorites but you should know that it's the dupe for Fracois Coty's Emeraude (Emerald) which was launched about 1920-1921, 5 years before Shalimar. Could you do a review of Emeraude for us Shalimar fans? Shalimar took all the fame and glory but Emeraude has a fan base as well. Also, I would like you to review either Black Pearls or Passion by Elizabeth Taylor the first big celebrity to have her own fragrance line, which still sells big time. I imagine you might be a Liz Taylor fan and would love to see a video review paying tribute to her fragrances. Thanks!
@MACTackleBox You are so very welcome!
@nekoboy86 Other than the fact that both HR and Shalimar are Guerlain classics, with a plushness characteristic of the line, I don't make a connection between the two. (Oh, okay, both have a powderiness that can read as leathery/incensey.) HR is all about the orange blossom and spicy carnation, and Shalimar is all about the burnt vanilla dusted with cinnamon. No doubling up, there. Eau de Shalimar is pretty lemony, a different character to Shalimar altogether. And not like HR, either.
This is a wonderful video. You haven't mentioned any notes I don't like, and you're so passionate about it I'm actually going to have to investigate it - until now I've pretty much only ever used perfume oils, almost exclusively BPAL (with the exception of Joop before I found BPAL).
I've been told that Shalimar is similar to BPAL's Haunted. Have you tried that and, if so, what is your opinion? Thanks (and thanks for a great video)
I was in love with Samsara years ago (still love it) and tried out Shalimar after it was mentioned in the film 'The Mephisto Waltz'. It's been my favourite perfume ever since (about 20 years).
Love love love your reviews Katie! I went to sniff Shalimar because you always reccommend it and I LOVE it! I love your cheekiness!
@Sukantara I don't know the exact number, but there are at least 500 new perfume launches every year, and that is far to many to keep up with! Plenty fall by the wayside, but there are certainly thousands and thousands and thousands of bottle of smelly juice out there.
Spot on, absolutely! Plush red velvet, creme brulee crisply caramelised sugar, European take on vanilla. Nothing to do with flowers and works with your skin. Exactly. And it's final whisper is silky scenty smooth.
@inkfantasy I've seen Shalimar sold everywhere from drugstores, to Target, to Sephora, to Saks 5th Ave. It's one of the most widely available fine fragrances out there. Both Sephora and Nordstrom will make a sample for you to take home if you want.
The pure parfum is indeed gorgeous - it smells deeper, richer, and sweeter than the other concentrations, and it wears a bit more softly: closer to the skin. It's worth trying the EDT, EDP and parfum to see which is most to your taste. The EDP is the one for me, but I wouldn't turn down a bottle of the parfum if it were a gift!
Buying vintage perfume online is common, but you're right, it's always a gamble whether it's held up over the years, or been stored properly. Just the risk you take.
@jmacgirl24 No change to the perfume at all - just a Jade Jagger bottle re-jig.
Discovered Shalimar almost a year ago. I'm in love with that perfume, I'd love to use it every day. Two problems:
A) I'm a 15 year old boy.
B) It's EXPENSIVE.
Now in 2020 you can find it for 40 dollars
@@angelwehr6045 21 years old. Good age for this 😂
@@victorong921220* jaja
@@angelwehr6045 what exactly is the smell tho? i dont wanna smell leathery lol like the lady says here
you can now use it, and you would be cool. smells like a niche perfume
@barbiehsusomatic I don't like to wear scented body oil or lotion for the very reason you stated - it clashes with my perfume. The exception is if my "perfume" *is* the scented oil or lotion. Otherwise, I use Jojoba Oil by Desert Essence or Borage Dry Skin Therapy lotion by Shikai.
@brillanita Not every perfume is going to speak to you personally, but it's great that you're starting to explore a wider range of fragrances. The more things you smell, the larger your range of references will be. You may come back to Shalimar in a year or two and have a completely new take on it.
@foreverforall I did a "Kanye interrupted" Shalimar review, but didn't touch on the particulars of the perfume.
I just got an email from Sephora stating that there's a new, updated version of Shalimar with the bottle redesigned by Bianca Jagger. Could you please do a review of it. I'm someone who adores Orientals, but I feel like they're not being made as much anymore. Everything is so sweet and sugary now. I just smell the new Donna Karan fragrance and it's very sweet, which was a let down because I love Cashmere Mist.
@BananaPancake92 I have worn the parfum, as I mentioned in my review, it's more gourmand, emphasizing the vanilla/cinnamon. I love the depth of it, but as I'm not a gourmand person, I prefer the leaner EDP. You should try it at a store before shelling out.
I had a friend in highschool who loved this perfume. I will have to hit the mall to smell it again. I have not smelled this for a long time. By the way I love your necklace!
Thanks for the review!
i'm a guy and i love wearing the EDC. I own the 80s bottle and the most recent blue box one.
So glad you track me down here in "fumeland". You'll really enjoy comparing the edp and parfum with the edt you know and love.
@sakuraness My personal BPAL faves are Scherezade, Dee and Harlot. And I adore the orange-blossom honey bath oil called Oceans of Love & Millions of Kisses.
Dear Katie,
Okay, this is me being inspired to un-laziness by your rockin' review.
Do you recommend any books on fragrance? I recently bought one that you listed, "A Natural History of the Sense," and I'm really enjoying it.
--App
Shalimar is my mother's favourtie perfume. I find it too intense and favour Emeraude, which very much reminds me of Shalimar. Do others thinks so as well?
Thanks Katy - as always, great stuff!
@filmjolk Thanks for adding the details on bergamot! Personally, I do like exploring the nitty-gritty of all the flora and fauna involved in perfumes, but I don't always include it in my vids because not everyone's as much of a nerd as I am. But you are correct - bergamot is a specific species of citrus, and not just any ol' orange.
I bought my first bottle of Shalimar the other day (the EDP) and you described it so perfectly! Especially the bit about it wearing "like your skin but better" it stays for a really long time but stays really close to the skin. I've used it every day since I got it and I'm so happy with it because I was scared I would one of those people that don't appreciate it. I'd love to see you do some video reviews of other older Guerlain scents like Mitsouko, L'Heure Bleue or Jicky.
And it might of been incense that I could smell too. Also, maybe the vanilla was just so 'different' smelling to normal, sweet vanilla that I didn't notice. Gosh, I don't know, it's too damn unique!
@brioney83 Ideally, perfume needs to be stored away from heat and light. If you have them displayed in a cool room that doesn't get direct sunlight, you should be all right.
@ccmerope You're right - basically, it boils down to "either you smell good or you don't". But the ride to getting there is a fun one to experience and analyze.
Hey Katie, I'm absolutely disappointed you didn't mention anything about the Vintage which everybody raves about. I really want to own Shalimar, but is it better to get the new EdP or just save up for one of the vintage ones?
What amazing timing! I just looked to see if you had a review of shalimar yesterday morning!
Shalimar is definitely more of an animal than contemporary perfumes. Although with every reformulation, it loses a bit more of the tiger in its tank, which is a shame.
@KatiePuckrikSmells thank you so much for taking the time to answer! I love your reviews! Greetings from Mexico!
I am wearing Shalimar eau de cologne today. It is a lovely formulation. Spicy lemon custard, with that powdery & smoky drydown you mention in your review. It's really quite amazing stuff for an edc. I'm wearing it for the first time in ages, and it is smelling especially good on this bitterly cold winter day. :-) Guerlain classics in edc are usually nice, if you can find them.
@ChannelHMC It's fun to give things a whirl on your skin: you get the whole picture, and even if you don't like it, it gives you a reference point for your perfume evolution.
I tested shalimar parfume the other day (paper test) and I really dont have a "hankerin" for it. heh. After your review (you always make perfumes sounds so interesting lol) I want to like it, so I am getting a .17 oz sample from sephora. I am thinking that like Angel, (which i started off hating, but ended up loving it) I will have to just wear it and see how it develops on my skin through the day.
I will have to try the eau de parfum. I have Shalimar Light and love it... but I agree Shalimar Eau Légère from 2003 was amazing. An easy way to tell the difference is the bottle. The newer version has a slightly blue tint, while the Shalimar Eau Légère looks basically like the Shalimar bottle. Only the juice is a tad lighter. I don't know why they messed with a great thing.
@1guiltfree It's really tough to overcome associations of a scent with another person or a certain experience. Perfume can be like a song in that way.
Plz make a video on "how to wear a perfume".If that makes any sense.I've seen people wearing same perfume in office or they are going out on weekend.It may sound crazy,but in my opinion perfume has a tendency to change every thing around you.!!!
I'm a Man and I wear this, the " Vintage " Parfum de Toilette. and it's truly a classic and on the " Right " person ( Male or Female ) it can be glorious ! So, I thought I'd share this, great review.....Oh, I'm a HUGE Chamade Perfume lover, ALSO a Guerlain classic....
KATIE....Do a review on Chamade by Guerlain, you'll LOVE IT !
Hi Katie! I've tried this lovely fragrance after watching you rave about it. I LOVE warm scents like this & I don't know if my grandma wore this or not, but I recall that same powdery scent on her. I'm not a floral or super sweet kind of person & this is perfect. By the way, I love your sense of humor!
Another amazing review Katie! I have Shalimar edt. It's a smoky vanilla that I think men can easily wear. Although, I'm not one to refuse a perfume just because it's marketed to women. I also have Omnia by Bvlgari, Sensuous by Estee Lauder, and Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker. As you said in previous reviews: Perfumes do not have genitalia. Thanks Katie!
I LOVE shalimar! Great review as always, would love a review on dior addict.
I just got a tester vial from Fragrantica member. I think it's a bit animalic old world quality with a nice powdery smoky sweet ending. Not sure if it's for me because I tend to like the newer formula, especially by Jean Claude Ellena.
I have to pick this up in the parfum. My mother wore this when I was a child, which I always found interesting because she gets migraines from scents, as I do. But this one was ok for her. Anyhow, the parfum is the one that I remember and the other forms just aren't the same for me.
@adoptingjoseph I believe it's the same Shalimar in the new Jade Jagger bottle.
Yeah, it's hard to avoid sweetness in the newer perfumes these days.
Hey Katie - great review! I haven't worn shalimar for years - I've got to rediscover it now. I think this could be the one! Thanks X
My daughter (35) and I (59) have decided to take in this beautiful so cal day and perfume counter hop at the Paseo in Pasadena. I want to expose her to some vintage perfumes and decided to share this video with her (one of my all time favorites btw). We will spritz, have lunch, then return to buy a new fragrance. Her name is also Katie and she is anxious to try Shalimar. Thank you again for these great videos.
I bought this on Zulily today. The bottle caught my eye. Hope I like it; if it has stuck around this long, it's for a reason.
@ShesInLosAngeles Aww, how nice to be included in such a fun experience. Thank you!
Finally got to try this (only in the EDT version though) in my department store. Didn't see the EDP so I had to try the EDT. Only tried it on paper but what I got was leather, don't really recall smelling vanilla. I would've loved a noticeably smokey vanilla scent mixed with leather and incense but I mostly got leather. I probably didn't smell it good enough. At the current point, don't take my review serious. I'll try this on the skin next time maybe. Great review Katie! xo
Katy,
Do you know about the perfume Shalimar Ode de la Vanille by Guerlain? I would love to hear a review of it and if you know if it is even possible to buy it. I think it was a limited edition. Thanks!
@KatiePuckrikSmells
Indeed! Tried Shalimar a couple of times to see if it could be a unisex fragrance, which I think works fine on a guy; but I find MR more masculine and has than animalistic vibe which feels like a mixture of dirty musk, and dare I say grease! Shalimar is very powdery vanilla with hints of woody smokiness & florals.
Opening is similar, but mid notes are very different and at the death when its all vanilla again, Shalimar & MR again similar! Too bad one costs much more though..
@KatiePuckrikSmells Thank you. I plan to try any/all formulations until I discover one Shalimar that suits me. Folks on the MUA and Fragrantica boards have mentioned finding Shalimar at random places like TJ MAXX. I would LOVE to find some well-preserved vintage parfum or eau de parfum of Shalimar. I am going to hunt the antique stores and estate sales.
this was my mum's favorite and because of your review I bought it and finished it in a few months. But it is not me. thanks..
@YandaoChyan Edition Charms is the same perfume, just a special edition bottle. The EDP is a bit thicker, creamier than the EDT. Personally, I prefer the EDP. I think she'd love your gift idea.
@Richard6562 NOTHING has the same projection as Angel, but don't worry, you don't need a perfume that strong for people to smell you. You might like Shalimar Initial, give it a whirl.
@redjae Yes - blame youth! But don't be too hard on yourself - our tastes are constantly evolving and changing, whether it's in perfume, music, food, etc. The more fragrances you're exposed to, the more context you have for appreciating what you're smelling. And your own personal associations with different scents will color your perceptions, too.
@redjez I only tried Haunted the night I was at BPAL's Full Moon open house, and I recall it was musky/ambery, and a bit sweet. Shalimar reads more as leather than musk, and is smokier/powderier than Haunted.
Katie, I wonder if you could do a review on Guerlain´s Mitsouko. Would love to hear your opinion on this other uber-classic by Guerlain :-) Greet´s
I first smelled Shalimar as a teenager and loved it (I love powdery scents) but I thought I was too young to buy it for some reason...I think I'm ready to give it a go now :) Love your descriptions.
heyyy katie i dont know if you have one a review on it yet but i havent seen it in your videos but please please pleassseeeee do a review on mitsouko by guerlain i would be soooo happy if you did !!!! xxxxxx
@NiyaXrocks I'm curious about the latest Shalimar flanker, but I haven't seen it around in US stores!