Reve Indien

Since i'm a huge fan of shalimar, i'm extremely open to smell anything that smells like it. I like this because it feels like you're trying alternate reality versions of your favorite perfumes. Sometimes they're the same with slight differences, sometimes one perfume focuses on one part of the other perfume's composition (honoré payan opoponax with shalimar middle/drydown, for example) And yes, as all the reviews have stated, reve indien is indeed very close to shalimar. Shalimar without bergamot, smoke or leather. The citruses in the opening of reve indien are way juicier, and combined with the vanilla and benzoin, it creates this orange creamsicle effect sans lactonic notes. Surprisingly, this works really well as it transitions into the heavier and skankier notes, which are even more similar to shalimar's post bergamot stages. Where it diverges, is the amount of florals. The rose in shalimar has never been noticeable to me, but here it is much more present. It is a dusty rose, no fresh watery lychee synthetic peony fake rose. This blends extremely well with the resins and unlisted spices (i'm guessing clove). The jasmine is untampered, meaning it contributes to the perfume without being stripped away from its indolic notes. It smells like jasminum polyanthum specifically, a (to me) very mediterannean jasmine. This part makes it much more animalic , but much more differently than a civet note. The patchouli is combined with the resins to create your classic (and perfect) amber accord. I'm unsure if i smell benzoin or opoponax, it has the powderiness and herbalness/medicinal aspect of opoponax but also the sweetness of benzoin. Maybe both? Since both smell naturally vanillic I don't think i pick up on a seperate vanilla note. Which is good as the cakey vanilla in grain de soleil wouldn't have worked here. It surely has it's differences from shalimar, and i would never say that this is an alternative to it (you can't replace a goddess) but I think it is amazing in it's own right. I also believe this would be better as a daytime summer shalimar, as shalimar can be considered too heavy for a hot summer day (which idgaf about but still). Reve indien has just a touch more transparency and florality, which makes it different enough to warrant owning both. Is it a must buy if you love shalimar? Probably not. Do you like shalimar but think it's too intense to wear? Rêve indien could be perfect for you!

Visiting Paris a few years back, and after going down the stairs of the Sacré Coeur basilica in Montmartre, I noticed a shop I never saw before. Being a true Parisian living in London over 16 years, I straight away thought that things had changed a lot after so much time, particularly not having visited this area of Paris for years. The shop in question blended really well in the bohemian style proper to Montmartre and sold home articles, Provençal style. In one area of the shop was a counter where perfume bottles, shower gels and soaps were displayed in an other. I was straight away attracted to Rêve Indien, and sprayed the top of my hand. Wow! Smells like Shalimar, my fragrance signature, I thought. Being faithful to Guerlain, It was a dupe, and how dared they imitated my favourite fragrance. I left the shop and thought to myself: "this is a pale copy, give it an hour and the fragrance would disappear". WRONG! One hour later, I was still smelling my hand completely gobsmacked by how similar RI and Shalimar were, and walked back to my hotel with a 200ml bottle of RI bought for less than €40. On my iPad I then googled RI to find out more about it and read a posting saying it was indeed a copy of Shalimar. Also, as coincidentally Fragonard have their perfume factory in Grasse, same as Guerlain. Grasse is close to Nice, where most French perfumes are elaborate. Very strange indeed... Copy or not copy, RI is definitely my alternative to Shalimar when I do not want to spray my precious liquid. Very good for work, gym, snuggled in a blanket with a good book or watching a great movie. Very comforting, long lasting and good sillage without being overpowering. Also, like its twin sister, RI is a good unisex perfume. Love it!

I wanted a bottle for quite some time even though I never had the opportunity to try it. Over the years, I became a bit obsessed with my bottle of Shalimar in edp and I had to admit to myself that it became important to me. It kept getting better with age. Every time I wore it, I loved it more and promising myself to wear it more often. It was not even that old, 2015 was a great year for Shalimar. Bad one for l'Heure Bleue and Mitsouko. I loved it so much that I contemplate getting edt and perfume, no other version still in production has found any grace to my nostrils. Rêve Indien held potential, Fragonard does things properly. And I was not disapponted. It is not a Shalimar dupe, by any means, but it could be a very succesful flanker. I would fit in Ode à la Vanille line, Sur la Route de l'Inde would be the most appropriate name. The opening is quite short, floral middle is opulent and nicelly done, but the star is this deep, earthy, but delicately spicy, vanilla. Slightly ambery and dryer than I expected. That makes it easier to wear in summer. More aromatic than lascivious. That would be the patchouli. There is nothing animalic or leathery in sight. Nothing sweet, sticky or fruity either. Very tastefully done, as always. Smooth, comfortable and with great longevity too. I still prefer Shalimar in edp, but this is a very good alternative/version. Guerlain is, apparently, determined to produce a version of Shalimar to please just about everybody's taste. Strangely, this one is more faithful to the spirit of the original than most.

UPDATE: Fragonard has recently redesigned their packaging, including for Rêve Indien. * * * An ambery, powdery, exotic dream in a golden juice, a scent similar to Shalimar but earthier. Inexpensive too, in a 200ml bottle with pretty pouch (aluminum-bottled refills available). I've grown fond of Fragonard, an historic perfumery (founded 1926) and headquartered in Grasse, France. You get cool gifts with purchases over a certain amount; in fact, I blind-bought Rêve Indien just to receive the gifts, which included a cute watch with a dark-rose band and adorable birds-and-flowers design on its square face. Then came the surprise that I loved the eau de toilette immediately!✿ Scent family: Floral Longevity on me: moderate to long-lasting

Yes, I can smell the similarity to Shalimar. One of the main reasons why I bought this. Only where Shalimar stays dirty this one dries to a mellow amber, vanilla leather on me and the top notes are a little more harsh. But that only lasts for a few minutes, before it releases it's oriental amber aroma. In the final dry down, this is a fragrance that stands on it's own. Very reasonably priced too, so I can spray to my heart's desire when I want that Shalimar vibe (my favorite fragrance), but don't want to waste the precious with only a short wear time. (I teach fitness classes, so I shower a lot....losing the perfume I'm wearing every time and needing to reapply often) Also, that bell jar looking bottle is huge!