L'Initial Eau de Parfum

So, Guerlain did it again. L'Initial has been officially discontinued in the U.S....again! First as Shalimar Parfum Initial and now as L'Initial. I go online to their site to purchase another bottle, and it's no longer on the site. I sent an email inquiring on the availability only to be given this bad news. I can't keep doing business with a company that I can't trust to keep products I use available. They're unreliable. This company discontinued other scents and make up I've used in the past. This is like being in an emotionally abusive relationship and being emotionally disappointed time and time again. Why do I say that? These types of items are very personal. People associate a scent with you. When people smell it, they think of you and becomes a part of you. Make up is very personal as well because these items are how you present yourself to the world. Particularly a woman and her lipstick. This is all part of a person's personal hygiene and grooming ritual. It's how you start your day. Then, have it all turned upside down because this company is more fickle than the masses are and discontinue a product without a care. Then try to push another product that doesn't even compare. Well, if they don't care, neither do I. I've decided I'm not going to continue doing business with this company because I flat out refuse to continue being hurt by a company that doesn't care about the impact they make with their customer when they make decisions like this. Done with that. Let's move on!

Yay! When I saw this, I said, “could it be true?” People here are saying it smells just like Shalimar Parfum Initial and it’s not exorbitantly expensive. So I took a chance and bought it on the Guerlain website. I think I got my signature scent back. Can’t wait to get it. Thank you Guerlain. Now, please don’t discontinue it this time. Edit to add: So this came in today. This was packaged beautifully by Guerlain! So now for the scent. About 99% of what it was as I remember it. Pretty much the same juice. Slight (very slight) difference, but that could be my own chemistry causing that. Longevity seems to be good too. I get whiffs of it in the dry down and it is the same as I remember it. So I’m very happy with this. I missed it so. About the name, I don’t care whether it’s called Shalimar Parfum Initial or L’initial. The same goes for the bottle. It’s the scent that I’m after. As long as I can have my scent, I’m happy. Now, let’s stop fussing over the marketing strategy and just enjoy the scent. That way, it’s a win/win. Guerlain can sell scents so they can make a profit to sustain themselves, their employees, and families, and people can enjoy those scents to their heart’s content.

L'initial is a beautiful fragrance. It starts with a harsh waxy citrus blast. The opening is a little awkward in my opinion and while the citrus fades into the mix, but after a few seconds it's a masterful blend that stays good through several phases and for double-digit hours. It's elegant and fluffy, unisex but toward feminine (and men like myself benefit from a gentle touch with perfumes like this). It has a smooth cosmetic smelling iris mixed with creamy vanilla and a hint of something almond-like and edible. It's approachable and comfortable. Great for any time, day or night, any season except maybe the hottest summer days. This bears a lot of similarities to classic Guerlains such as, of course, Shalimar but also some more modern ones like l'Homme Ideal EDP. Some major elements of the classic Guerlainade are all over this scent. However it stands as its own unique modern fragrance and can be worn by all ages, even confident people in their twenties. Truly deserving of Legendaires status

Oh gosh, this smells like my childhood toys! I got most of my toys from other people, whos kids grew up. I had some plushies smelled like that, and it might be whatever they use to emulate caramel here. Aside of this reminiscence of my past, the fragrance is magical. The body is so much Shalimar vibe, but gentler, the whole leather and balsamic aspect was removed and powderiness was enhanced. In this version, Shalimar is smooth vanilla-lemon powder. Cannot stop marveling at Guerlain perfumes. Even if the type of fragrance is not my cup of tea, I can appreciate how well it is made. The quality! I see this new design of legendaries as practical solution on cutting costs of production: infuriating plastic tops, ability to buy a fragrance only in 75 ml ver, extremely simplistic bottle... I mean, how ugly this new bottle looks compare to original Shalimar L`initial? But the quality of the fragrance is there. It is incredible, smooth.

I adore classic Shalimar as a smoky woody vanilla scent. I have never smelled the original L'initial, but I have decided to blind buy it because of iris wich I crave lately. It was a successful blind buy. I think this is gorgeous and unisex, quite close to Shalimar, but less woody, not leathery at all and sweeter, overall much more modern take on Shalimar DNA. It starts off with beautiful citruses, mostly sweet orange and mingles with slightly almond touch. I think that iris here is tricky... yes it is powdery no doubt, but I was able only once to get a whiff of clear iris. I must mention that "guerlinade" is pretty obvious here, I mean that Thierry Wasser very cleverly uses it throughout modern realeses like L'Homme Ideal, La Petite Robe Noire - (tonka, almonds, patchouli, amber).

I tried Shalimar Initial almost 10 years ago when I was in my 20s, but felt that it was too mature for me. I tried it again recently (the new version), and I think I’ve found my fall-winter signature! It’s sweet, powdery, thick and smooth, very sensual and luxurious with a satisfying gourmand nuance to it. Gorgeous scent, and that caramel in the base is just perfect...warm, decadent, buttery, and not too syrupy. Will work in any setting, but it feels like it’s geared more towards the 30+ crowd. I don’t know if it’s my nose, but it seems like this re-release is smoother and more ‘rounded’ than what I smelled back in 2014.

I got a small sample of this at Saks a few days ago. Smells exactly the same IMO as Parfum Initial except this is somewhat LESS syrupy to me. I don’t know about the vetiver in the original that everyone is mentioning but I also strongly prefer this version. (I sold my PI years ago as I found it too overbearing to wear, gorgeous as it was). This new juice is perfection. I’d say L’Initial is the most stunning caramel imaginable- this is a caramel fragrance to me. AMAZING longevity and evolves beautifully from beginning to ever loving end. FB and signature worthy. Will definitely purchase and may even get two to be safe.

This started life as a Shalimar flanker and with notes like patchouli, vanilla, iris and jasmine you'd think it's very similar, but it isn't. It's a brilliant perfume that stands on it's own. It's different, but as good as Shalimar (and that's the highest praise I can give because Shalimar is my all-time-favorite). The only thing where Shalimar beats it is longevity, but then again, Shalimar beats almost anything in that regard.

It's not quite the same as the original, a touch more powdery and - thank goodness - missing the overpowering sour note that turned me off of the original. I will never get rid of my OG bottle with the gorgeous tassel, and smell it occasionally for remembrance, but it's unwearable - multiple bottles, so I know it was the overall formula. This new one seems a lot better. I will have to test to be sure but so far I'm enjoying it.

Love. Like most Guerlains, smooth and well blended. A sweeter version of Shalimar with hints of almond that intermingle with the powdery iris and vanilla. The vetiver note is not in this version of L'Initial, which some miss, but I don't bc it went metallic on me. There is something a bit too astringent in the opening but it disappears quickly. Beautiful, sweet, not too strong, wearable year round.

Love! I had a small bottle of the shalimar parfum initial but that one was just ok to me. Due to the vetiver note being removed this version is warmer and suits me better! The dry down reminds me of the sweet creamy patchouli in Coromandel - heavenly! I think i have found my new signature :)

This is almost identical to the Shalimar Initial, but ... not the same. This doesn't have vetiver and that for me is a relief on my skin, this one becomes more feminine than the original and the drying is more vanilla. On my skin it is delicious and for me, better than the original.

Great winter staple which is office appropriate. The dry down reminds me of Imperial Leather soap, so a clean amber unisex scent. Opening is citrus and slightly medicinal but not overtly complex and I agree that all the challenging Shalimar notes are gone.

odeur sensuelle et discrète tout en ayant une très bonne tenue, pas agressif, à porter plutôt en automne; ressemble beaucoup à shalimar initial l'eau si sensuelle, je n ai pu sentir le shalimar initial donc pas possible de comparer. odeur cocooning

Beautiful, elegant, romantic. It is soft and a little bit sweet but not at all juvenile. The iris note is just gorgeous. Longevity is amazing, as is the case with Guerlain in general. L'initial would be a great fragrance for going on a date.

Nice sweet citrus opening. I also get a beautiful licorice/anise in the opening too (So does my mom!) even though it’s not on the notes. Beautiful vanilla and caramel at the base and of course the iris. I’m so happy I got this perfume!

A sweet, powdery dream of a fragrance. I LOVE IT! The bergamot is very prominent in the opening but it settles into the most gorgeous, ethereal sweet baby powder and vanilla. Definitely full bottle worthy.

Yes, it is 99% the same. I still have few drops of the old one, and the new one, and I cannot tell the difference smell wise. However, the old one had muuuuuch more longetivity.

Smells just like shalimar parfum initial, I’m in love it made me super nostalgic of a time in my life where i fell in love with this smell and thought it was so unique

Loving it. Citrus vanilla - reminds me of a carefree maiden who wanders in the flower field. Soft but deep. Balanced sweetness. Another masterpiece by Thierry Wasser.

Love it but I just want they bring it back to the first version bottle. This bottle is also good but it is as not as good as the old bottle.

ok but my date said he wanted to devour this perfume. the first compliment i got for a perfume ever.

In USA yet....???? If so, WHERE ???!!!!! I want this ASAP...lol.....lol.....!!!!

Desperately seeking a bottle of this. Have other Gueralins to swap for it.

Edited 7/22 - L'Initial opens with a very large dose of bergamot sweetened and warmed by orange, jasmine, caramel and vanilla. On my skin this dries down to a powdery floral after about 20 minutes. The caramel is not syrupy at all and this is nothing like a gourmand fragrance. Apart from the jasmine in the opening, I haven't been able to pick out the individual floral notes yet. The patchouli gives the perfume a musty base. I haven't started picking up on the musk yet either. Today is a wintery day in March. I wanted something that was warm and floral. I wasn't looking for anything that had amber in it. L'Initial fits perfectly, There's an initial pick me up from the citrus notes and then the warmth and florals start to kick in. It reminds me a bit of L'instant with the sweetened orange top note and musty powdered base. It does not have the same balance between the bergamot and vanilla that I get with Shalimar EDP or Shalimar Philtre. L'Initial is pretty though and I like it more than L'Instant but not as much as Shalimar and Shalimar Philtre. Longevity is 4+ hours. The sillage is good. Three sprays are plenty in colder weather but I prefer to overspray a little during the summer. I smell the iris more if I don't overspray. 3.5/5

I have been wearing L'Initial for awhile now. I also have many of the other Shalimar flankers in my collection. I have the OG, Souffle, Philtre and all three Millesimes. I have a bottle of Jicky EDP and worked my way through a bottle of L'Instant. I like L'Initial okay but it is a little hard to wear. L'Initial like some of the other flankers can't decide what it wants to be when it grows up. It has a lot of peppery bergamot that make it too warm and spicy for the amount of orange and vanilla in it. Where as L'Instant uses this same combination it moves in the direction of an expected sweeter finish. Peppery orange caramel is not applealing to me and the perfume struggles to bring it all together. There are a lot of flowers in it but it is not a floral perfume. It is a bit hollow in the middle and nothing really steps to the forefront to give L'Initial its own identity. With the Souffle we have the addition of lemon meringue and it suffers a bit from the same lack of identity. With the Philtre, Guerlain borrowed from Jicky and added lavender. Shalimar is a beautiful perfume but some of these flankers have only served to detract from its beauty. Of course this is just my opinion and why I wrestle with wearing L'Initial these days.

After wanting Shalimar parfum initial for the longest time, reading all great things about it, then being discontinued and coming back as this version I was unable to smell it anywhere. Finally, blind bought it and it was such a disappointment at first. The initial blast of citruses combined with iris felt so harsh and the drydown guerlinade was so thin and airy. Not at all what I expected. Decided to give it a bit of time to come around and I am glad I did. To my nose this is iris dominat perfume. Opening is still quite sharp, almost pearcing iris supported with citusis. It stays in its high notes of iris becoming more and more powdery with caramel infused airy vanilla Guerlinade. It s not following modern aesthetic of roundness suporetetd by aromachemicals but bears stamp of its own time. I find it beautifuly elegant, womanly and airy composition. It has strong aura but moderate longevity which fits with it's composition. Nowadays I appreciate it a lot more than at first sniff and it gets a solid like. I really hope it won't get disconnected.

I agree with others, the top notes in this scent are very strong, when the lemon combines with the iris - it gives a a very harsh, almost ammonia profile at first. That sounds bad, but it's not really. It's just that both of these accords are quite sharp to begin with. Given time, the harshness softens (some say a few seconds, but for me it was about 30 minutes) and the vanilla comes through to sweeten it. You can definitely pick up on the Shalimar profile after the lemon/iris wears off. It has the same spicy vanilla base that is so addictive. As a Shalimar fan, I enjoy this scent. The top notes can be quite off-putting though, particularly for those who don't enjoy iris, so I would recommend giving it time to wear on the skin before making a judgement.

I agree this has a very sharp opening as if someone just sprayed cough syrup .. like orange cough drops. That per se is not unwelcoming but peculiar. This sharp burst of orangy cough syrupy scent dissipates fairly quickly and then you can v easily discern all the other notes. This is a super powdery fragrance reminiscent of the heavily perfumed talcs which once were v popular. Longevity and sillage are a 7 to an 8 out of 10. To me this is unisex. A tad overpriced. But I am enjoying it. This is not a headache inducing strong but I would advice to start with two sprays and add more if you like

I reviewed this fragrance in July 2024 and have come to say that this is good. If you enjoy Shalimar OG definitely give this a try. I will personally miss the older formulations and the latter bee bottle ( the juice was much more potent) but this is still good ( if not THAT good) particularly if you can find it on discount. Way better than Shalimar Souffle. Powdery goodness meets caramelized vanillic aroma with camphorous note of patchouli. What's not to love Completely unisex like Coromandel

L'Initial opens with bright citrus, with glimpses of the florals in the heart and a sweetness peaking from the base. Five minutes in, L'Initial shares a brief flash of halitosis-while-sucking-on-an-orange-candy, reminiscent of its iconic predecessor, Shalimar, which lasts about five to ten minutes. That gives way to the floral heart of iris and rose, nested on an oriental base of tonka, vanilla, patchouli, caramel & musks. The vanillic sweetness intensifies as we approach the drydown.

My mother, who used to wear shalimar as a teen, just asked me if I was wearing shalimar. I personally don't find them to be similar, though I have only tested shalimar a few times, but she seems to have picked up on the shalimar DNA. Either way I love this fragrance, it's not a showstopper, but it's absolutely lovely. Feminine, soft, elegant without being too dressy or "uptight". Very versatile, could be worn to many different occasions I think

This one is pretty strong and mature much like other Guerlains. It smells luxurious; like candied citrus fruits mixed with powder. I also think that it is the most palatable one of all the classic Guerlains. I strongly recommend this one if you love powdery scents!

I was hoping this would be the same as the original version, but I find it different. Not bad, as it's still very good. While the basic structure of the original Initial is still there, this is sweeter and lacks the green notes and effervescence that were in it before. I happen to like that and miss it here. I still like this, but I don't love it, as I do the original version.

Being a lover of Shalimar and this perfume being described as it’s sibling, I was really excited to sample it. This opens with bergamot and citrus, dries to a sweet powder in the middle, and then ends on tonka, slightly caramel-note. The guerlainade is certainly in the background. Unfortunately, the dry down comes off as a sour milk note on me which is a deal breaker...

Looks like the notes are almost identical to when it was Shalimar Parfum Initial, only things missing are green notes and vetiver, so it might be a bit sweeter, can’t wait to try it for myself 💕❤️💕❤️

Unisex, balsamic and kind of animalic. It isn't as smooth or inviting as the notes suggest. I expected something similar to Grand Soir by MFK. No. This literally resembles resins like benzoin in their raw state and some clean patchouli in the base to add seriousness . It's quite boring. Hard no.

I keep trying to like this fragrance, in the hope of seeing what other people just looove about it. But nope. The citrus, caramel, iris, patchouli and musk blended together? Man, such a nauseating mess this one is.

I agree that it turns COMPHOR! Big disappointment!

This is pure 21-st century Guerlinade - nothing more, nothing less. It was originally released as a flanker of Shalimar, in a similar bottle, and now this updated version has been added to the Legendary collection. However, to me, this one does not have any recognisable facets of Shalimar - the bergamot note is very faint, almost non-existent, and I couldn't detect any leather or incense. Still, the opening is unmistakably Guerlain, but a different one: it mostly resembles L'Instant Magic (the original 2007 version). Then, after a while, the powdery top notes (iris, rose) evaporate and we are left with the base that is shared with many other Guerlain 21st-century releases, most notably the entire La Petite Robe Noire series, but also Mon Guerlain. So this could have easily been a flanker of any of the aforementioned; but as a standalone perfume, it is too unremarkable. Longevity and projection are excellent, so that's a plus if you happen to enjoy this type of 'default Guerlain' scent.

Guerlain is without a doubt my favourite brand, and my all-time favorite perfume is my beloved Shalimar Parfum Initial (now called L’Initial). I bought SPI early on my “perfume journey” and nothing has ever surpassed it. It is 100% me - in a bottle - and everything I aspire to be. It’s a nod to Guerlain’s rich heritage, yet not exactly a vintage. To me, it smells feminine, glamorous, powdery, cosmetic, mysterious, reserved, sophisticated. Plus, she’s a beauty, the quintessential boudoir flacon 💗 Thierry Wasser is an artiste and a magician. What a special understanding he has of Guerlain’s history, and what utter beauty he has created in his time there. He is certainly the most recurring nose in my collection. Now relaunched as L’Initial, it is not 100% the same but very close and gorgeous still. It now lacks the vetiver note which I loved. And adds a powdery almond note that gives it a tad more sweetness. Nevertheless so so grateful that it’s for sale again 🙌🏼 🙌🏼 🙌🏼

Im suprised to see how different this one is to the original Shalimar initial. I was so sure it would be almost the same smelling out of the bottle. but its not. This has a more detergent citrus feel aswell as a slight marshipan note almost . This to me feel more like l eau version but toned down sins it does not have the hyasinth. Its still a Iris bomb but more for spring day time purhaps comparing it to the original Initial This one has more of a floral sweetnes (marshipan) the original has more vanilla Tonka sweetnes on my skin . The original i would also say is darker and stronger . This is perhaps a younger sister ,more put together and serious , Original is more sensual ,serious but flirty at the same time . Luckely i still have bout the original and L eau version , i prefer this originals compared to the new one . But the new one is beautiful to ,just not that found of the Marshipan note

You can get this on Selfridges site, they ship internationally for $30. It's $125 + tax and shipping. No customs or tariffs as long as your total order is under $800. You can get it at Harrods online, too, they're a few $ less, but shipping is like $42. I will say if you watch for it, both will offer free international shipping if you order a certain amount, so if you have a couple of frags you want you could wait until that deal in on. Both have great customer service, you can email them and they'll let you know when their promotions are. I have the one in the Bee Bottle and it is sweeter, this one has different notes than that one so I couldn't tell you if it was sweeter or not. I will say that mine is less green, and I love vetiver, but I like the new one better. Sorry, I should have said I'm in the States.

Not what I expected from all the raving reviews! This is supposed to be a great alternative to the discontinued Shalimar Parfum Initial. It may very well be that, but I hardly remember SPI. I know I bought SPI and sold it because it wasn’t my style. This L’Intial is predominantly an Iris fragrance. It’s a soft Iris scent that verges on nondescript. Inoffensive, delicate, airy, not sweet and mostly forgettable. I would say you must love Iris with citrus and that non-sweet Guerlain Shali vanilla to go nuts for this. I wish Guerlain would bring back scents like Attrape Coeur and Parfum du 68. They really had a slew of grand plush vanilla-suede fragrances in the mid-00’s. If they brought back those styles in this more reasonably priced bottle range I’d be all over several of them!

ive never had a bad guerlain blind buy. this is my 3rd from the legendaries series and it s every bit as charming, classy, cozy and distinct as the other reviews said. the innitial blast is full on fruity citrus, and keep in mind that it mellowed down since i bought it 2m ago, when it felt more pepper - y. full on spice tbh. the middle, for me, is just a journey to the sweet fluffy, airy, clean, a little dry, vanilla in the drydown. oh, how im waiting for that one! is very wearable, and a charming modern fragrance🎀 feminine but bold. daring. the vanilla doesnt make it gourmand like the current trend, it just makes it sexy. you dont smell like food, you smell like a confident woman💫

I tried this and I'm telling you this is exactly the same perfume as Shalimar Perfume initial! Identical and Longevity and sillage is amazing. Most of the time when perfumes are re-released or have a different name they are tweaked and changed a little bit but this is not. I put one spray on the top of my hand 12 hours later I could still smell it! I think it was released because of all the complaints and ladders that they were receiving from all the Shalimar Perfume initial fans. So if you can swap this up I don't want to lose this one too!❤

Either I got a bad bottle or I am a weakling. This has defeated me. How to describe it... It turns CAMPHOR on me. I do feel the vanilla-violet note when I sniff closely. But most of this scent is in the pine/camphor register. You won't believe me but OG Shalimar EDP is softer on me than this. I have to return this. I had such high hopes and SPI was so elegant and powder but I can't justify keeping an 80$ scent that I am maybe okay with if I sniff and wince enough.

I didn't think much of this when I first received it. It smelled like a hollow Guerlinade. It's been sitting for 6 months now, and it's matured into something quite beautiful. Citrusy opening that calms into a soft musky blanket of caramel, vanilla, and iris. Well blended, comforting, and classy, yet approachable. Definitely office appropriate. I can't imagine many would find this disagreeable. If you enjoy Shalimar Souffle, give this one a try.

I do like this one - to me it seems as if this is the way Shalimar the OG is meant to smell -without the burning rubber. Yippee! But I really, really miss the Le Parfum Initial because it was brilliant. The fresh blend of green notes and vanilla simply lifted the whole experience to another dimension - for me , at least. This L'intial is very sedate and a little "old" for my tastes. I'll finish the bottle, but I doubt that I will buy another one

This is delightful. Come for the huge blast of bergamot in the opening...stay for the wonderful patchouli-laced drydown! Smells just like Shalimar Parfum Initial to the best of my memory and makes me happy I didn't buy a FB for exorbitant prices on evilBay when it was discontinued.