Shalimar
Of all the ways to own the most famous perfume in the house's catalogue, Guerlain Shalimar Eau de Toilette is the one that makes it wearable on an ordinary day.
The materials are identical to the stronger versions and the proportions change everything. Bergamot, lemon and mandarin orange are brighter and last longer here, with cedarwood giving a dry lift rather than a shadow, so the citrus opening that is almost an afterthought in the eau de parfum becomes a real part of the experience. The middle is still iris, jasmine, rose, patchouli and vetiver, cool powder and flowers over a darkening floor, but it arrives more gently. And the base, which is where Shalimar earns its reputation, is noticeably lighter: vanilla as a balsamic sweetness, opoponax dusty beside it, incense for a smoky thread, leather for dryness, civet for that faintly animal warmth, with sandalwood, tonka bean and musk underneath. In practice the toilette gives six to eight hours instead of two days, projects at a sociable level and can be worn in warm weather, which the eau de parfum cannot. It is also the version to try first if the perfume has always struck you as too much. Jacques Guerlain composed the original. It is sold as a feminine fragrance, it has a long history of being worn by men, and it suits evenings best while being perfectly possible in daylight. Spray it on skin rather than clothing and you will get the animal warmth the fragrance is loved for.
Established in 1828 and still Parisian, the house is LVMH owned. Nothing else it sells has had the influence this composition has, and this is the concentration in which most people can actually live with it.
Please note: images are a guide only. Packaging and bottle design may occasionally differ from those shown due to manufacturer updates or promotions.
Similar Notes
The Scent Vault
Join thousands earning on every order
Earn points as you shop, redeem for money off, and unlock member perks.
Find out more
The Scent Vault Gift Cards
Give the gift of choice
One card, every scent. Let them pick the fragrance that is truly them. Send it instantly by email, or schedule it for a future date with a message of your own.
Shop gift cards
