Guerlain Shalimar Review

Guerlain’s Shalimar is one of the most legendary fragrances ever made! A legend in the sense of being the first Oriental fragrance ever created with its revolutionary use of Balsamic notes, but a legend also because of its history and status as one of the best selling fragrances of all time!

Created by Jacques Guerlain in 1925, Shalimar tells the story of the tragic romance between an emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Heartbroken with grief when the love of his life passes away suddenly, the emperor immortalizes his love for her by building one of the most beautiful structures known to man, the Taj Mahal.

Shalimar, named after Mumtaz’s favourite garden, represents the emperors love in all its grandiose and glorious vision. It is a scentual representation of exotic beauty, a moment in time, and a ritual of love. Steeped in both romance, sentiment, eroticism, and mesmerizing opulence; Shalimar is one of the most captivating scents ever created.

Like the Taj Mahal itself, Shalimar is a masterpiece of art- a wonder of the world!

Not for the faint of heart, or for the naive perfume wearer, Shalimar is a scent of pure sophistication, elegance, and intellect. Although one certainly doesn’t need a trained nose to smell it’s beauty, one needs an imagination and a keen sense of visualization to get enwrapped in its complex wonders.

At first smell, you enter the gardens of Shalimar walking a narrow path in amidst an orchid of sharp Citrus, Orange, Lemon and it’s zesty Bergamot and fresh green Cedar. These top notes welcome you to the fragrance in almost a deceptively positive and uplifting nature as you get drawn further down the path of intrigue.

Next you wonder through the flower gardens, being swept away by the beauty of sweet Roses, powdery Iris, and dreamy Jasmine. Being grounded to the earth by woody Vetiver and Patchouli. You can’t help but fall in love with the heady mixture of romantic florals and comforting woods as you plunge further into the depths of this immortal garden.

But the beauty becomes much more deep in understanding as you travel down into the depths of this mesmerizing and entrancing garden. It will hold you in its embrace for what seems like an eternity. Warming you in its golden sunset of Amber, Sandalwood and smooth Tonka Bean and Vanilla. And intoxicating you with its strong masculine Leather, Musk and Civet.

Once captivated and succumbed to the opulence of the garden, a ritual of enduring love is presented with smoky Incense and sweet balsamic Opponax to gently guide you to the other side with all the splendour and ceremony.

To experience this scentual journey with Shalimar is like dying in the arms of your true love. It is a love story told through scent. A mystery of the senses like the Taj Mahal itself.

The emperor may have built the most beautiful building in the world to represent his undying love, but Jacques Guerlain created one of the most beautiful scents in the world to go along with it. I have never experienced anything like it, a true scentual journey that so closely represents its inspiration that I cannot help but get lost in the gardens of Shalimar myself. It’s no wonder as Jacques Guerlain once said, “I felt something so intense. I could only express it in a perfume.”

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Summary: Shalimar is one of the most beautiful and captivating perfumes ever created. It mystifies with it's beauty and transports you to far off lands with it's opulent decadence. The first and the most complex oriental fragrance, this scent is a masterpiece. Not for the faint of heart though, this scent can wear you! Perfect for sultry nights and the magic of Christmas!

5

A masterpiece

Tags: Guerlain, Oriental, Perfume

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