Shalimar L'Essence

Here in Kuwait, Bloomingdale's has exclusivity on sales till 15th Sep, & they were all sold out. I was happy to be able to test it out though, & placed an order through a procurer. People who got on the bandwagon for this solely to deck up their social media & pretend for 5 mins they understand classic French perfumery are going to be sorely disappointed. I on the other hand am not, I cut my teeth on Guerlain, & Shalimar was the first ever perfume I bought with my own money, the EdP i.e., as an 18th birthday gift, a celebration of adulthood & nearly a decade ago. Now over the years I've saturated my collection with all kinds of Shalimar, the vintage EdT, the old Cologne, the new cologne, the Eaus, the Parfum Intials, the Souffles, & lastly the Millésime Tonka (which I recently sold off). THE SCENT OF GUERLAIN SHALIMAR L'ESSENCE - Shalimar's 100th Anniversary Edition (REVIEW STARTS HERE): As is the norm with the Extrait, the vintage EdT & prevalent in the EdP, there's a lemon-pledge like burst of Bergamot, Shalimar's original formula often puts it to 30% of the concentrate being just Bergamot itself. God forgive me but this Bergamot top of Shalimar is what I absolutely HATE. I actually like everything about the dirty-baby-diaper non-gourmand-powdery-smokey Vanilla, the resins (Opoponax or sweet myrrh at the foremost, followed by a commixture of Benzoin tears + Peru balsam + Tolu balsam), the blended floral heart (Jasmine + Rose), the powder compact Iris/Orris, the rough animalic stench of the Civet-Leather-Castoerum axis (supported by a Labdanum, this is important) & the minute bits of Tonka. Though TBH I don't think I've been able to isolate Tonka in the composition until Millésime Tonka, which I didn't take a shine to, 'interesting' to say the least. FINALLY, a 100 years later someone decided to recreate Shalimar bereft of the boisterous Bergamot & that has made me truly happy (so happy I'm alliterating, sigh). L'Essence is Shalimar, very much so, opening with a far more muted Bergamot (still present & hasn't been done away with completely regardless of what the note pyramid says), 1-2 hours into the first spray - only specks of the Bergamot remain, by the far dry-down its pretty much just gone home, good bye & good riddance ya green citrus goblin. The Vanilla of L'Essence is powdery, mildly gritty, & NOT gourmand - definitely not the lipsticky-caramel sweet of the Parfum Intials or the lemon-cake-meringue laced Benzoin warmth of the Souffles. It steals the spotlight, neither light nor oppressive, simply ethereal & quite opaque. The usual floral heart provides a mildly honeyed overtone. Of the resins, Opoponax + Benzoin + Peru + Tolu balsam all remain, however I do feel the the Labdanum has been significantly reduced or done away with, thus reducing the resinous 'warmth', making it a slightly 'colder' vanilla when one compares it to the EdP. It does warm up a bit on my skin though, whereas on the tester strip it's a cool, aloof, & calming powdery vanilla. Also, Shalimar has always contained Ethyl vanillin from back when Jacques Guerlain created the original formula, so no novelty in that. It has a sweet, powder, mildly chocolatey (?), floral vanilla profile. Vanillin is less 'clean' & a bit more woodsy. Also, the press release mentions Ethyl vanillin only. There's a 'Suede' in L'Essence substituting for the Civety Castoreum-laced Leather of the EdP. It is these differences in composition & perhaps the addition of the Madagascan vanilla tincture (which I've read comes from the Vanilla planifolia orchid, so if you do find this most similar to either the Ode a la Madagascar or Millésime Vanilla Planifolia flankers, now you know why) makes this far smoother, rounded & colder. This not modern though, there is still enough powder in here to be reminiscent of a art deco boudoir. Also, the lettering on the bottle IS faux-Art deco, I mean it literally looks like they took inspiration from the older bottles of Vol de Nuit, so not sure why all the complaints? On the Labdanum + Leather: Mind you, labdanum even in small doses dominates a composition, & it does so in Shalimar EdP, precisely why a whole bunch of people found Chanel Le Lion - which is pretty much all labdanum, quite similar to the EdP of Shalimar. Also, not only is labdanum one of the trio of components of a traditional amber accord (vanilla + benzoin + labdanum) but it also usually complements a 'leather accord' with its resinous funk alongside trusty castoreum. These are parts of the EdP which do not follow through in L'Essence, thus L'Essence is more vanilla vs the warm amber of the EdP. Also, in both the old cologne & EdP, the Bergamot + Leather interact to create this odd juxtaposition of tart, sour, dry, scratchy, slightly latex-like scent, for inspiration think (or maybe not) of a 'burning/smokey car tyre being sterilised in a hospital with disinfectant'. These nuances too aren't a part of L'Essence thankfully. All in all a Shalimar I can truly love without reservations, maybe its more for the Shalimar connoisseur & the regular wearer than the dilettante, but hey you've got to start somewhere, no? Girlies, give up the gourmands, menfolk stop weeping over MFK butchering DHP, succumb to Shalimar already. This is the right start to French classics, & it'll always be a far more solid composition than a dozen of the overpriced hyped-up niche & artisanal brands that have time & again tried to enhance the Shalimar DNA, & have been hilariously unsuccessful I might add. It was once said as a veiled critique of flappers of the roaring 20s, that a 'lady' (read Victorian prude) did NOT do three things: i. Smoke a cigarette ii. Dance the tango iii. Wear Guerlain Shalimar All of which was once considered rather vulgar & provocative. Here I am though advocating just that, give into temptation maybe & sin softly with Shalimar L'Essence? Be at least a Marilyn if not Mae West. Your very own, The Perfume Vigilante

Shalimar L’essence : I resisted the urge to jump on here and share my thoughts immediately after my 1st impression of this beauty. I wanted to live with it for a bit and get to know Shalimar L’essence (SL’E) It’s been a few weeks, and I’m ready to share my thoughts. I will do my best to express what I’m smelling, the notes I experience most, and my comparison to Shalimar Millésime Vanilla Planifolia (SMVP) rather than just singing its praises. Of all the Shalimar flankers: (edt’s not ode a La Vanille, which are EDP flankers) SL’E is closest to Shalimar EdT. However, now it feels modernized, and I believe that lies in reducing bergamot and removing smoky balsams whilst amplifying vanilla and Iris. The vanilla in SL’E feels woody and leathery. Actually, I sense a lot of leather from the Shalimar Millésime line. When Guerlain removes the smoky balsams from Shalimar, it develops a leathery nuance and takes on a glossy luster. I’ve noticed this with Planifolia, Iris, and now SL’E, all having the most leather. SL’E has a lot of movement for me. It opens with toned-down bergamot that almost feels spiced with pink pepper (perhaps the rose?) alongside the unmistakable Grlawn vanilla. As the bergamot fades, the Iris comes forward—slightly powdery, with glossy leather that creates a smooth, suede-like effect on my nose. In the middle, the vanilla moves away from a woody vanilla and towards a fluffy/doughy texture. Before I go into the dry down of SL’E, I’d like to now compare SL’E to Shalimar Millésime Vanilla Planifolia (SMVP) Ah, SMVP. I love this one so much because I adore Iris and Orris, and SMVP is equally vanilla and Orris. I want to talk about Orris for a bit. I’ve noticed a nuance about Orris I’ve never heard mentioned. When I wear a high-quality fragrance with Orris concrete, it smells like the bloom that covers the outside of a triple cream Brie. There is a bleach-y tone to it. I smell it in Francesca Bianchi’s Angel Dust, Roja Dove’s 51 Parfum, Enigma Parfum, RDHP 15, Britannia, Guet-Apen, and it’s in the opening of Shalimar Millésime Vanilla Planifolia. I’m not saying Orris smells like cheese; instead, it has a bleach-like tone that I’ve only experienced on the bloom of ripe cheeses—I hope others know what I’m talking about. Okay, Tangent over. SMVP is linear to me. It opens with Orris, quickly making way for the doughy/ custard vanilla. The vanilla has a leathery nuance, but it is mainly in the background. The composition gives me zero bergamot. Instead, the Orris gets a little lipstick (waxy) in texture, which lends itself to the leather, but the vanilla shines in VP as it should. The Orris fades to the background as it dries, and the vanilla sweetens but stays the same. When I wear SMVP next to Shalimar L’essence, the differences really jump out. Next to one another, the Orris jumps out of SMVP, and the bergamot/leather jumps out of SL’E. Another big difference that I haven’t spoken about yet is the musk. SL’E has a very sexy musk that comes out in the dry down. It’s not a fluffy musk; it’s a bit naughty and animalic, making the fragrance feel more lived in. The dry down or SL’E is very close to SMVP, but these two are different, and I’m happy for it. I really love Shalimar. My first Guerlain was a 1969 Goutte Flacon of Shalimar edt. It’s aged like a fine wine, smooth and complex. I’m thrilled that Delphine Jelk created a new and modern take on Shalimar that makes the wearer feel just as sexy and mysterious as those in the roaring 20s. P.S I don’t smell Cuir beluga here at all. Yes, they share that delicious doughy Guerlain vanilla but that’s it

Edit: another thing that also impresses me about this perfume is that I feel that almost every single reviewer understand it. Never have I read review after review and thought that "I agree!" I tried this and liked it. Then I tried this again, and again and again. I understood that this one was something special - never have I ever sampled something this many times and wanted to follow its whole development all the way untill it disappears. So I got two 3 oz bottles. I thought I would maybe sell one, as they are expensive... but I have a feeling that that won't happen unless Guerlain comes out with an even better flanker, but this one definitely got me interested in this whole line. I heard "kitten fur" fragrance will be popular. Well, to me, this is that :) This smells so classic that I currently can't quite imagine it suddenly becoming outdated. To me, It's in the same category as Chanel No 5 Eau Premiere - an improvement on the original. Plus, I can give myself 20 spritzes of this without feeling like it's over the top X) It starts out dramatic, develops into beautiful, and exits with a food-grade vanilla. The vanilla gets stronger and sweeter over the wear time of this. I really, really don't like the original Shalimar EDP, and despise the EDT. They both smell like insect repellant to me, with the medicinal, sour, strong bergamot. The EDT especially has a super strong indolic (poo) smell. So, I do agree that this is a Shalimar for those who don't like Shalimar. It still has the Shalimar DNA, but it smells like the whole notes pyramid has been turned upside-down: Shalimar dries down to a powdery vanilla as the last remaining note, while this one has it as the main note. It's a balm, ambery vanilla. It's powdery, but not chalky - a musky-tonka powderiness. The bergamot is present, but it sits close to the skin and makes me feel nostalgic when I press my nose into my sweather. I have heard some people say this is too smoky for them. On me, this isn't leathery or incense-y at all. I don't know whether this is due to my skin chemistry, or if some people have tried this is warmer weather - I started testing this in cold weather. Maybe there's enough smoke smell in the air to overshadow the slight smoky accords in this. Overall, this is a warm, inviting, amber-vanilla-musc smell on me. Yes, on me, I can smell the musc quite well. Next for me will be to compare this to the Tonka Millessime-version!

Even though I don’t get along very well with Shalimar, I really loved L’Essence. It feels as if the sharp, smoky, and animalic facets of Shalimar have been softened and covered with an airy, very luxurious vanilla. The vanilla here isn’t as intensely sweet as the vanilla fragrances we often come across today. Instead, it is powdery, elegant, and unique. At the same time, I can also detect the same smooth iris that I smell in Mon Guerlain. Overall, it’s a very high-quality and sophisticated fragrance. Even so, I don’t think it’s suitable for a blind buy, so I would recommend trying it before purchasing. This has become my second favorite Shalimar. Shalimar Souffle still holds the first place in my heart. When I first spray Shalimar L’Essence, I immediately notice the fresh bergamot. Right after that, the incense timidly steps onto the stage. Then, the powdery touch of iris settles over a vanilla base like a cloud, one that almost has a calming effect on me. I can’t really detect the leather very much, but I can tell it’s there. The combination of that unique iris and the vanilla is truly magnificent... All in all, this is a well-balanced take on Shalimar. If, like me, you’ve never really gotten along with Shalimar, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy this one. I think it’s a fragrance that works well in all four seasons. I’ve only been wearing this fragrance for a few days, but every time I wear it, I notice a different side of it, as if it has different moods; one day it feels more distant, one day softer, and one day dreamier. It’s like someone you’ve just started getting to know gradually opening up to you over time... This isn’t a fragrance that reveals itself all at once, and that’s exactly the kind of experience I expect from a perfume. On my skin, the longevity was around 9–10 hours. The projection isn’t room-filling, but it can easily be noticed from an arm’s length away.

I still can't get over that one outrageous, snob commentary about this fragrance somewhere bellow. Perfume community can be so fricking toxic and that person was a perfect example. She literally called this fragrance horrible, can you imagine? This is objectively a BEAUTIFUL perfume. Subjectively the best fragrance I have ever smelled, the fluffiest, most ethereal vanilla with the cleanest powdery notes. Yet in the background you still get that Shalimar DNA - balsams, incense a touch of leather. But this is its more wearable sister, the pretty an effortless one. It does have a vintage style which I absolutely adore but on skin and sillaging, you get mostly beautiful Guerlain vanilla. This is the fragrance which made me become a guerlain girlie. I praise this house for eternity. I have purchased the original Shalimar EDP after buying L'Essence. I had to have it and I was quite scared. But the reality? Another mesmerizing scent. And it has the exact same beautiful background, it's just less mass appealing and more of a statement fragrance. However if I'm taking an exam, I can't smell that animalic in front of the professors. That's why L'Essence is not just something similar. It's a fragrance on its own. Very much needed as well as the original Shalimar. It's a beast mode as well. Truly a 10/10 So once again to that one woman, yes, scent is very subjective but this wasn't subjective at all. You just wanted to share your entitled sentimental opinion which was very hateful and emotional. I don't believe you didn't like the new fragrance, I just think, you wanted to be different and poison this a little bit on account of the original Shalimar.

I have only worn this 3 times so far, but every time, I feel this is more of an amber fragrance than a vanilla fragrance. It has a balsamic and resinous feel to it; as the reviewer below said: the vanilla is very restrained. It appears "properly" mostly at the end, when the sillage is intimate, and it smells like an ice cream/food-grade vanilla, but the perfume itself isn't a gourmand, as it has the Shalimar DNA (the good parts of it). This is also not very similar to the Shalimar EDT and EDP, in my opinion, as the bergamot and citrus notes in those are way, way stronger than in this edition. The iris in this is also blended in such a way that I don't think of it as a flower - it's just a powdery note, but not a cloying powder. I actually don't get a lot of citrus from the top notes, but a rather complex mix of flowers, almond, balsamic notes and vanilla, making this smell like a chypre to me at first. Further on, this starts smelling like a kind of chocolate-patchouli. Does this really not have any patchouli? The bergamot is still present in this one, but it sits much closer to the skin, preserving that Shalimar DNA. Overall, this is a warm, cozy and comforting fragrance. Not one that stands out a lot to me, but it is signature-worthy in the sense that it smells pretty timeless, and even though I think of these kind of fragrances as more wintery, even when it's warm inside, this doesn't feel wrong. I think that autumn would be a good time for it too, or even evenings during the summer. Maybe spring would be a bit too humid, and humidity seems to bring out more of the insence and leather, which aren't my favorite notes.

My first impression after unboxing Shalimar L'Essence back in October 2025 was a a total disappointment. Now, I do love the original Shalimar Edp and was very exited about L'Essence but what a shocker. I could barely smell anything and what litte I could pick up was not Shalimar at all, it was something completely different. But... a couple of days later I decided to try it on and suddenly it felt nice, pleasantly reminding me of the Edp but more subdued and modernized. Slowly I began to like it. One week later I was loving it, two weeks and I was obsessed by it. And then it all changed. By the fourth week or so I detected a nutty aspect in the dry down that I cannot stand. It annoys me to the point of nausea. This nasty little hint of something nutty or raw almondy that lingers on forever it seems, I can't. To its advantage, Shalimar L'Essence is very longlasting, it stays on my skin all day long and I can even smell it the next morning, it's incredible. Too bad I can't stand it. As for now I am stuck here with a 90ml bottle of a perfume my nose does not agree with. Edit: It is January the 20th 2026 today, the weather is cold and snowy and I've been wearing Shalimar L'Essence for a couple of days now, and once again, I am loving it. I believe this perfume (on my skin) is very susceptible to the weather, or perhaps the humidity in the air as I live in Scandinavia. Or maybe it is due to my mood and emotional state of mind? Nevertheless, when I love Shalimar L'Essence, I damn absolutely adore it.

First impressions. To my surprise, it smells more like a flanker to Chanel's Le Lion than my beloved Shalimar. Mind you, I adore Le Lion, too, so this is not a bad thing in itself. I have known and worn Shalimar EdP, EdT, and Extrait over the last 40 years. Shalimar was my first perfume at a tender age, so I think I can say with some level of certainty that I am well acquainted with it. I really have to squint my eyes very hard to find the original Shalimar in L'Essence, especially after the head notes are gone, which is pretty fast. To my nose, it does not have the Guerlinade that is the common denominator from Jicky all the way to Vol de Nuit and, in some cases, beyond. Having said that, I love it. It is a tamer, friendlier, more easy-going version of the sometimes haughty and unapproachable Le Lion, which is one of the most beautiful perfumes I have ever smelled, but let's face it: it is not the easiest one to wear. L'Essence, on the other hand, is very wearable, even with jeans and a jumper, trainers, and no make-up. :-D If Le Lion is the stellar constellation Leo, covered in golden, shimmering stardust, roaring in majestic glory in the night sky, L'Essence is a friendly lioness, purring lazily under a baobab tree. Well... not sure about the purring in the case of a lioness, but L'Essence surely does purr. Mind the dose: this stuff is strong! It has the best of both worlds from EdP and Extrait formulations: it has great sillage and lasts for a very long time. Enjoy!

The very much classic animalistic Shalimar was not for me but I knew it would be different for Guerlain Shalimar L'Essence, the modern interpretation like Coco Mademoiselle was to Coco. That's probably why I delayed getting it. And yes, it's a love. It's warm, slightly powdery from the iris but still smooth, and sweet from the Guerlain vanilla and the delicious way they do almond-tonka notes. It's never literally nutty or nauseating, just sweet and a little honeyed. The tonka and opoponax combo doesn't come off overly root beer and the amber adds depth but isn't smoky. This is so palatable and beautiful, starting strong then mellowing out after about 2 hours while lasting 8-9 hours on me, wafting with every chance. If you're looking for that classic Guerlain vanilla amber, you definitely have a few options: Vanille Planifolia Extrait 21 's bitter vanilla extract and sweet spices, Spiritueuse Double Vanille's boozy and mentholated amber vanilla with a little incense, and even Mon Guerlain's warm spicy vanilla with similar powdery touches from the subtle iris note. This beautiful vanilla is also in the base of many L'Art & La Matiere vanillas that are loved. I get it in Angelique Noire with added dewy green and musky elements. Never tried the Shalimar Millésime Vanilla or Tonka but I'm sure they share the dna as well. For me since Angelique Noire is different enough, I choose Shalimar L'Essence for the house's straightforward and beloved amber vanilla.

To the comment below me by Samasama: dont even wait that long, try it again now lol This one changes quickly. I was very disappointed when i first tried it on my skin.The opening was very bright citrusy note that was kind of jarring to me at first, and it quickly faded-- leaving nothing but vanilla and baby powder. The fragrance quickly became a skin scent to my nose. I had sprayed it on at 7 AM and by 9 AM i could only detect it if i smelled my wrist. However, I am seriously confused right now, because after a week of letting it sit in a dark room with no A/C, i tried it again and now I've fallen in love with it. I suddenly smell a hint of leather about 20-30 minutes after spraying. The bergamot opening blends more seamlessly into the vanilla and the powdery note (maybe from the Iris?) serves as a beautiful dry body. It seems masterfully blended to me now as opposed to the first time i tried it. I am not a fan of fragrances with baby powder notes but wow this one is done really well. The longevity is eternal as well. It's been over 24 hours since I sprayed it again, and i can still faintly smell the bergamot on my wrist. I think this is one is easy to become noseblind to, which would explain the performance issues i perceived the first time around. I was very hesitant to gift this to my wife, but now I can't wait to.

On my skin, Shalimar L’Essence opens with a noticeably bright, zesty citrus note. The opening feels fresh and slightly sparkling, which makes the fragrance surprisingly easy to wear during the day. It doesn’t feel heavy or overpowering at all in the beginning. As time passes, the scent becomes softer, warmer, and more refined. The iris emerges beautifully, adding a powdery, elegant depth that feels smooth and luxurious rather than dated. This transition is what makes the fragrance truly special - it moves from fresh and vibrant to quietly sophisticated. The longevity is excellent. It lasts for many hours on my skin and continues to evolve, settling into a warm, elegant aura without ever becoming overwhelming. Emotionally, this fragrance feels grown-up, confident, and refined - but never old. I would say it’s perfectly wearable from your mid-20s onward, especially if you enjoy classic elegance with a modern edge. It gives me the feeling of walking into a vintage club in the evening - dim lighting, polished wood, timeless style - yet the citrus opening keeps it versatile enough for daytime wear. Shalimar L’Essence is a beautifully balanced fragrance that blends citrus freshness, powdery iris, and a warm, elegant base. It feels timeless, sophisticated, and expressive - a scent you don’t just wear, but truly experience.

It’s unmistakably Shalimar, yet it moves with a different kind of grace — softer, more luminous, as if a familiar melody were being played on a lighter instrument. A sense of space and air runs through it. The vanilla is there, tender and rounded, but it never weighs the fragrance down. Instead, everything seems to float. What I love most is the absence of heavy smoke and, most importantly, that burnt-rubber undertone that sometimes flickers through other versions. L’Essence breathes cleanly — a veil of warmth rather than a cloak of incense. It feels like the original seen through diffused morning light: still sensual, but airier, more transparent, yet completely true to the spirit that has carried Shalimar through the decades. To me, it drifts somewhere between Millésime Tonka and Souffle de Parfum — sharing Tonka’s buttery, delicate spiciness and Souffle’s soft, powdered-sugar sweetness, both qualities I’ve always adored in their respective releases. The balance is exquisite: intriguing, but never cloying. I’ve loved every version of Shalimar I’ve worn, and L’Essence is no exception. It feels like a welcome evolution — familiar, radiant, and deeply wearable. For any Shalimar lover, this is an easy, confident blind buy, and one that’s easy to fall in love with.

Shalimar L'Essence Guerlain One of my friends, he owns Fragrance Library. Well' probably biggest in South East Asia. More than 3,000 bottles and counting. We greets as I relocation to new place, Krabi. He visited and picked up few of my fragrance from collection (Goodbye Miss Amouage). At the moment we feel sorrow, I picked up scent that mistakenly Guerlain, like an Guerlain base. Not in tradition sense like one inside L'Heure Bleue or Vintage Shalima, but modern. I break the blue and I ask him gently do you wear Guerlain today, I can't pin point because it feel more like modern Guerlain. He reply, yes I wear Shalimar L'Essence new one. === Shalimar L'Essence, feel like that original Tonka-Coumarin feels but enhance with greater smooth vanilla base. Some of dusty feel but not overly done, yet a trace of floral here and there. Smoky, softly understate but strong. Not overly animalic, and leathery old world, but a bit woody that reminds leathery feel. It could also be modernize Double Vanille, or a Guerlainade of Modern Guerlain. Idk, I sold on this but I won't buy bc I won't wear. But Guerlain really head to right direction. 2 Thumbs up Guerlain.

Considering the reputation of Shalimar, it’s no wonder people would feel so strongly about this anniversary edition. I was always in the “I know it’s considered by many to be a masterpiece but I’m really not vibing with this “ — original Shalimar camp. Years ago, after reading Luca Turin’s glowing review of the original, I was so excited to smell Shalimar....and at that time, all I got was ....smoked meat?! Now, many years later, having fallen for deeper, more resinous scents I actually enjoyed smelling the original again— it even reminded me of a Francesca Bianchi creation (or rather I could trace the lineage of this to her), so I was really curious to experience this new take on Shalimar. Bottom line? I ADORE it! It’s a big, fluffy vanilla laid over the original Shalimar structure, giving it the essential vintage quality necessary to call it Shalimar. My only issue is I become anosmic to this after just a couple hours, but I believe it performs quite well as I managed to catch a whiff at the end of the day after applying it in the morning yesterday! Shalimar L’essence is a big BIG love for me!

A very, very well meaning friend bought a bottle for me, knowing how much I love Shalimar, and thankfully I love it. It's most definitely feminine/feminine leaning, but not overwhelmingly so, especially after dry down - but a unisex experience this is not.. A warm, powdery vanilla that settles into a light, very much not cloying sweetness and musk with depth. I get some of the criticism of it being makeup'y, but as a former drag queen, the powdery makeup vibe has a familia comfort to me and I love to layer it with Penhaligons Babylon or Eau the Audacity for an extra kick of spice. It doesn't last too long on my skin, but it builds beautifully on my jacket and sweater. I don't have the most refined nose, but I don't really get much floral from it at all. Its definitely not the original, obviously, but it has that familiar vibe of Shalimar. To me, she's like the younger sister of Shalimar - youthful, playful, but refined. The women in my life love it, the men think its too perfumey - and a few random older ladies have complimented it whilst out and about! A treasure.

I finally got to sample this! This is only available at one store here and they never have a tester out. I have never smelled the OG Shalimar or any of its flankers before. But after reading initial glowing reviews, I started seeing not so glowing reviews and that has stopped me from blind buying this. I placed an order on Guerlain and added this as my sample. It is beautiful! This is vanilla done right IMO. This is classy and doesn't smell like a bakery like all of the overly saturated vanillas on the market these days. This is rich people vanilla. I should not have doubted Guerlain. They are masters at vanilla. This is expensive, rich vanilla with a slight powderiness from the iris. It has a slight animalic note that makes this scent even more intriguing. The perfect amount of powder and doesn't veer into the baby powder territory. This is a pretty subtle scent, it doesn't shout but lightly permeates. I hope that this isn't limited edition! I am definitely picking up the largest size. Priced reasonably at $203CAD for the 100ml is a steal for Guerlain.

I am wow’d! I struggled with the EDT. This to me 1000% has the Shalimar DNA, but it is so much smoother and more rounded. It truly fits it’s marketing...as an updated easy to wear version of a true classic. I blind bought it after reading the articles and reviews here and don’t regret it for a second. ♥️Absolutely love it. If you are on the fence ...I would say go for it. If you have struggled to fall for the OG formulas ..this could be the Shalimar for you. For me the standouts are the powdered iris, (not overly sweet) vanilla , and the leather ugh!! It’s so good. The leather is prominent on my skin, particularly in the opening. I get fantastic performance...lasts a good 6-8 hours for me. I appreciate that it’s affordable as well. It’s cold where I live. Not sure I will reach for it much in the heat. Bottom line ...gorgeous updated classic. Feels classy and sexy and cozy and uplifting all at the same time. (ETA: someone below wrote a version of...”fluffy vanilla over the vintage Shalimar backbone “ which I think perfectly sums this scent up!)

Upon first spray it reminded me of my grandmother! And I'm in my 40s, so imagine my flashback of 30+ years lol! However, in the next few minutes it developed into a velvety cloud of vanilla, incense and leather, that while remained familiar, it also felt modern and luxurious and even clean-smelling? Not the musky clean, more of a Johnson's baby shampoo clean in the best way possible (I'd say Johnson's copied the scent from Shalimar in this case! 😆) As a scent it does stay closer to the skin, but everyone who has come close enough to my personal space to smell it commented on what a cozy, refined and beautiful vanilla I was wearing. It easily lasts a full day on my skin, and can be worn during the day too since it's not intrusive or cloying in any way. I haven't tried it in warmer days yet, so I can’t speak for spring or summer yet. I might add a note in the future on my review. I have decided, however, to keep it for special occasions mostly - the legendary perfume that it is and all! And also because my grandma had done the same too ❤️😂

I have been wanting to write a review on this for months, but felt/feel that all words fail me in describing this gorgeous scent. This might be one of the most beautiful fragrances if not the most beautiful fragrance I have ever come across. It's so comforting and addictive. I am on my 3rd bottle (but 1st 90ML bottle, the other 2 were the 30ML bottles). Shalimar L'Essence is the most beautiful, sophisticated, and regal vanilla I've ever owned. It is a beautiful compliment to the original & the way Shalimar L'Essence weaves the intoxicating mixture of bright bergamot, powdery iris, delicate rose, deep tonka, mythical incense, and the most profound of non-gourmand vanillas leaves me awestruck! It's delicate but strong. Compliments abound when I wear this which is pretty much always now, and when I am not wearing her, I take her with me in my bag to sniff from the bottle every few hours because the scent is that comforting and beautiful. A true jewel in my collection and any collection and I pray they don't ever discontinue this treasure!

People who love Delphine Jelk, she basically waters down old formulas, changing The real Guerlain vanille with ethylvanillin and signs her name under the watered down versions of originals like Shalimar. I don’t take her as a perfumer but more like a good cooperation officer, ensuring the profit of LVMH is the only goal of hers. Surely the less essence not only will cut down the cost of production but also make people buy new bottles more frequently. She is welcome to do as many watered down flankers as she likes but at least do not change the formula of all the originals such as Angelique Noir etc, which has gone from being a heavy silage perfume to a skin scent. Well this fragrance in particular is still gorgeous but lasts only for 30 mins with 6 sprays. This is coming from someone who enjoys close silage perfumes. I am truly pissed about this because Guerlain was once the best perfume house (in my opinion).

I don't follow perfume trends so I only became aware of this perfume before Christmas. Just got a bottle as a present and I really enjoy this take on such a classic. I own the Shalimar EDP and EDT and love both. Unlike the EDP which to me is heavy on the leather notes, and the EDT which feels like it is missing something, I feel L'Essence has all the elements of Shalimar perfectly balanced and then suspended in a wispy cloud of vanilla. Probably lends itself more to day wear than the EDP. My partner who does not love the original Shalimar told me that they really enjoy this version! So I think this would be a really good venture into the world of Shalimar for those not immediately keen on heavier vintage fragrances. Ultimately I think this is a great creation. I'll still wear the EDP but this is really nice to add to the mix. Here's to another 100 years of Shalimar! ❤️

It’s simply a Guerlinade - a truly delicious vanilla done the Guerlain way. In the background, there’s a soft, gentle incense, not at all harsh, which at first made me think of wisps of tobacco smoke drifting through the air. As it dries down, the fragrance becomes creamier, melding with that smoky oriental note, and releases warmer, subtly leathery, increasingly appealing facets. It’s like a Shalimar with its animalic notes dialed back - far more vanilla-forward, softer and smoother, yet still just as intoxicating, sensual, and unmistakably oriental. The original Shalimar is one of the few leather-tinged perfumes I adore, but I have to admit this new Essence caught my eye right away; I love its sensual softness and its languid smokiness. It’s a velvety vanilla of great beauty, fully worthy of its illustrious predecessor.

I remember sampling the very first Shalimar many,many years ago and finding it so off putting that I NEVER tried another Shalimar ever again.Now,with the ecstatic reviews and finding it at a good price I took a chance...and was very glad.As some other reviewers mentioned it has the Shalimar OG-DNA without the animalic notes.I would describe it as a strong, full-bodied vintage vanilla with very good projection and longevity.And though the price is affordable it is not a safe blind buy because even between the YT-influencers the reviews are mixed:while many find it wonderful, with the famous Guerlain vanilla reminiscent of the ,,L`Art & La Matiere" Extraits, others found it ,,underwhelming" or even ,,dated".My sister finds it ,,grandma-ish" too...so I would say that while I find it beautiful you shoud try before you buy

I find the comments about this new Shalimar's crucifixion borderline juvenile. Comparing it to the vanillin-laden new releases on the market today is incredibly disingenuous. With your eyes closed, it's a Shalimar. If you can't recognize it, that's a rather worrying kind of conservatism. It hasn't changed to the point of being unrecognizable, as some would like you to believe. It's a very well-constructed fragrance, with iris and bergamot, its signature Guerlinade and respectable raw materials. And no, it's not the Shalimar of 1925. But guess what? The one you have at home isn't either. When you call yourself a "purist" you should first realize that Shalimar has been outrageously reformulated for 100 years... To hate it that much? You have the right to. Claiming it's a bad perfume? This is comical. 🤡

Being a fan of the L’art line I have never liked the regular Guerlain scents. Tried them so many times and never purchased any. This one I heard is good and similar to some of the prive. Comparing it with Angelique Noire side by side it is astonishing how similar they are even though the notes are totally different. They open very green and creamy and if you don’t have them side by side you’d be convinced they are sisters. But when they develop and set AN remains so green and creamy while Shalimar LE mostly loses the freshness and sets warm, very iris forward and with beautiful tonka peaking through. The incense is not offensive, gives a little more sweetness. It is like a mix between a few prive perfumes I love but not exactly like any of them. I love it and will be adding it to my collection.

Hello, Shalimar-light, aren't you pretty? Yes, I like this. It's not the full-bodied journey that classic, or vintage, Shalimar takes you on, you might not feel as queenly as you do wearing original Shalimar, but this is pretty and it does have very recognisable facets of original Shalimar, without the powdery heaviness. So yes, it will appeal to new buyers and younger people, so well done Guerlain. It also smells quite a bit like Amaretto Liqueur, thanks to the almond, along with the classic Shalimar scorched sugar/vanilla creme brullee and boozy musk. In fact I'd say this is one instance where these modern woody musks are actually working well. Makes me smile today, as it wafts up to smile back at me among all the other frowning, grumpy or insipid perfumes I tried on today! Love.

Truly exquisite. I finally found my Shalimar. It’s timeless, elegant, introspective, captivating, and so much more. It has a vintage feel to it, but in a modern way. All of the jagged edges that pushed me away from Shalimar before, are softened. It feels a lot airier, rather than dense. There is no burning animalic funkiness. But there is still a hint of mystery and sensuality. It honestly blows my mind how beautiful it is. I feel like they achieved exactly what they had intended without sacrificing the beating heart of Shalimar. Delphine Jelk created something that I think will be cherished for generations to come. And in the meantime, I will be wearing this beautiful rendition of Shalimar to my heart’s content.

I tried a display of this while in a little dress boutique while on vacation. The OG Shalimar was my signature back in the '90's - you know, before my skin went into & has apparently remained in menopause... Surprisingly, of all the other modern versions, this was the most like the OG. Some of the other versions (because I have not yet found anything close to the OG formulation!) skimp on the just-right powder note or on go too heavy on other notes. This one is closer than the last Shalimar perfume I had (about 10 years ago). It did not last very long, but, for a couple of hours, I contemplated going back to buy it. Ladies, if your skin still loves a good scent & can hold on to it, I envy you all.

I love that only one spray on each arm and then maybe one spray on clothes is enough. It’s Sunday today, and this is the perfect autumn scent, not too cold out, sun was shining, fallen leaves are everywhere. It does feel cosy in that way that it blends nicely with the current season and environment. But cosy isn’t the first thing I thought of whilst wearing this, it’s elegant. I was wearing all black and I felt so put together today, only a few sprays projected just the right amount, I could detect it whilst I walking around but it wasn’t loud or obnoxious. Now it’s the evening and I’ve showered, and there is still a slight vanilla scent on me. It’s enough to not want to wear perfume tonight.

Well I thought I would hate this because I amm not in love with the original, especially the EDP. WOW is this a beauty! On me this turns into this gorgeous fragrant masterpiece. The Vanilla stands out the most on me with the original DNA in the background. I love the twist that Guerlain puts on their flankers so far I have 3, I fortunately got Intial which is a very light Sahlimar DNA. As for this it is very Unisex and on my skin lasts forever. Being that is cold here on the East coast I will be wearing this throughout the winter. As for when to wear this, anytime! It’s very office friendly! Going to get a FB right now! Highly recommended 10/10. Oh yeah this is not a gourmand vanilla at all!

As a Shalimar girly, obviously I can’t be completely unbiased with this line. This is a softened, more approachable interpretation of Shalimar—somewhere between the original vintage Shalimar and Millésime Iris. It lacks the powdery iris facet, but once it dries down, its softness, lightness, and skin-close character are very similar. It’s not as strong and not as overtly vintage as the original, yet it still carries the vanilla, the smokiness, and that incense-like sensation. It isn’t sweet, yet it’s sweeter than the original. Easy to wear. I recommend it to anyone who finds the original too much. A special, sophisticated, complex, feminine, soft, and endlessly unique fragrance.

Oh truly outstanding! Oh I bow to HER. Sweet, spicy, warm, ethereal, sophisticated. This is a goddess of a perfume! In my top 3 favorites of all times ! I will not ever not have HER In my collection. I'm reaching for her every day. She's elevated, soft yet persistent but with grace. She is the perfume women get adored in, and steal everyone's heart with ♥️. I can't say she's timeless, because she is the Shalimar of 2025, but still classy and evergreen. The vanilla here is literally loved and celebrated like a religion. She is the center of this universe and she is all to be discovered. I regret purchasing 50ml should have gone 100 immediately. Will restock as we speak.

Received this timeless beauty as a Valentine’s gift ❤️❤️Yet to try the OG but Shalimar L’Essence is pure elegance in a bottle. It opens with bright citrus and a whisper of incense, then melts into soft vanilla, iris, amber, and musk — warm, powdery, cozy and incredibly feminine. Yes, it has a vintage soul — but it’s smooth, cozy, and refined, never heavy or doesn’t feel dated, mature? yes but not something a woman in her 30’s wouldn’t carry. The sillage is noticeable but not suffocating. Perfect for special occasions, day or night. A true masterpiece and must have if you love vanilla ambery fragrances and of course for its iconic status!!

Absolutely beautiful powdery iris vanilla with a light ethereal quality to it. I imagine this is what an angel would smell like. I've never actually smelled the original Shalimar, but i thought i'd dip my toe into the line by trying out this more modern take on the dna. I think this has made a Guerlain girlie out of me! I do smell the vintage Shalimar funk in the mid and base, and honestly, it's gorgeous. I've always been a fan of vintage scents, and i'm so pleased to finally add a full bottle of l'essence to my collection. Yes the projection is intimate, but i think that adds to the allure of the perfume. It's a gift only for myself.

A very soft, vanilly, and even almondy version of Shalimar. And silky..! I love it, and I am very glad that I got my hands on a very good offering, on a 90 ml bottle! But, as I said: it is very soft - it is kind of an everyday wear, not to even compete with the Queen herself! Sure, to have that everyday option, is something I really appreciate - it is very beautiful! But my favourite of the Shalimars, is Millesime Jasmin. That one is like otherwordly!! But I save that one for special occasions. Since I suspect that they will keep this in the ordinary line, I feel that I can really use this every day, if I want to.

All i can say is wow! At first i was sceptical because of the reviews on here saying its horrible, so i bit the bullet as i found it for £71.00 for 90ml (WHAT A STEAL) and i do not regret it! opens up with that bergamot bomb but also the iris shines giving it more of a powdery citrus, minutes later the vanilla starts to creep through and becomes a prominent note! smells like a very sensual rich vanilla and i love it! may lean a tiny bit feminine i thought at first, but if you know the power of unisex fragrances to attract attention, this is a gold mine.. would pay £150 easily for this.

Rich, deep, undiluted vanilla with an ambery and powdery nuance that is particular of Guerlain. This is smooth! Elegantly powdery without crossing the line of being overly powdery, not a gourmand vanilla which I appreciate. Something about this Shalimar that says sophisticated in the most grown way possible. I dare to say that for the price, it is up there with Vanille Planifolia (up there, not the same lol). On my skin it performs and projects beautifully, and she layers like a queen! I highly recommend anyone that didn't enjoy the previous Shalimars to test this one. It is stunning!

I never use soft as a compliment to a perfume but this scent. Damn. This is like the softest, fluffiest, the most ethereal vanilla out there. The performance is deceptively weak - meaning you can barely smell it even during the spraying. However, throughout the wear, you are rewarded with this sweet powdery vanilla and it remains constant for almost 6 hours+. It is like a shy lover who is never overbearing and only makes itself known when you don't even know you need it most. This perfume is perfect for any formal occasion where it calls for quiet but memorable scent.

Long-time Shalimar fan here. Liked the vanilla special editions before this as well. Compared to Shalimar edt, this is more-or-less the drydown of it. Mostly vanilla, tempered by minimal iris/leatheresque note. Compared to other vanilla editions (Ode la vanilla, or Madagascar), not as rounded and rich, however, the price of those was a different world entirely as well. It's nice, and probably a good introduction to Shalimar. I miss the complexity of the edt though with the bergamote and emphasized leather. Longevity is not as good as the original edt though.

This is absolutely gorgeous. Now the OG is not my cup of tea, I mean AT ALL but this... There’s so many praising spot on reviews here that I don’t think it really needs another one except for... it does. L’essence opens up with bergamot, vanilla and leather, and the dry down? The most beautiful thing I’ve ever smelled and I mean it! So smooth, so intoxicating and you can see the literal incense stick doing it’s sticking right there before you eyes sprayed onto your skin, it’s so realistic but in a good way. I have nothing bad to say about this one. Perfect!

I don’t understand how any one could hate this lol especially if you are a hater of original Shalimar. This does not smell vintage at all, it’s a fairly easy going easy to wear, well done vanilla. I own the babycat, the lune feline, the velvet vendetta, the vanij , the green Vanille etc etc. This isn’t an edgy vanilla or super unique, but it is a well done vanilla fragrance that stands out just enough to be noticed and garner compliments. I plan on wearing it dressed down on its own, and dressed up layered. They did a damn good job modernizing Shalimar.

Amazing quality and recipe alike. Tweaked a bit (primordial Shalimar tweaked), imho 92% similar to the original, 10/10, not my favorite fragrance ever, but 10/10 nevertheless, Cuir Beluga is also amazing.....SDV too ....great, artistic scents.... not as challenging as some other niche offerings....... And that's really it. One may dislike this fragrance. I like=>love it. Stating that it smells "... NOTHING like the original..." or that it's "bad" is factually wrong. But sure: if you happen to hate it............ buy something else and spray that ❤️

I'm a guy but love the smoothness and purity of this. I hope my sense of smell has developed enough by this point to know when something just smells classy and well put together. If you just want to smell good close up, this is for you. It doesn't really project off my skin at all but i can smell it - that is the kinda vibe I was getting from Vanille Planifolia but this is about £400 less expensive. Powdery but not overly so, not gourmand, slight initial brightness and then a soft flowery drydown. Clean, well blended and balanced.

Originals? Respectfully not for me. But can I thank them for progressing the line to this ?? Absolutely. Wow, what a scent. A unique vanilla with so many complex layers. A vintage kind of smell to it, but complimented by a modern smokiness. I initially sprayed this as a tester at the Guerlain counter and couldn't stop thinking about it. It completely drew me in. Next time I went back, I tried it on my skin and questioned if I liked it...as hours went on and my nose kept returning to the spray spot, I knew it needed it. Obsessed.

Stunning, lasts long, projects. Very feminine and soft - I smell incense and vanilla predominately but not too sweet at all, and eventually as it dries down the powderiness. I never liked original shalimar but this had such high reviews that I had to try and I am so happy I did. Beautiful, mysterious, elite, not basic. I truly am rarely let down my Guerlain - another masterpiece! I think you can where this anytime and anywhere but it feels more like evening wear and cooler weather but can work day time and warmer weather too.

I love Shalimar and have a lot of editions of Shalimar. I bought this today and I must say it is very impressive. The first hint was very familiar but a bit different. What is it? And then I realized that it reminds me Jicky. I don ́t know why but for me there is a Jicky vibe. The beginnig is quite strong then it settles down a bit sweeter than I ́m used to with traditional Shalimar which I wear quite often. Really beautiful vanilla less smoke. In a nut shell this a really beautiful edition a must for Shalimar lovers.

Damn it. I fell out of love with this one briefly, as the bergamot became stronger after a couple of months, becoming more Shalimar-like, but luckily it never got to that screetchy, bug spray level of bergamot. Rather to a lemony, lovely out-in-the nature, tea-like, huggable bergamot. Then the ambery vanilla comes out, and I want to get two more bottles of this...! I seriously would have used up one of those giant bottles used in the marketing campaign - it's such an esy wear for me!

@soylaputa oh please nobody cares that this flanker lost some of its character, thats why you have 9 thousand of Shalimar flankers, if you like those buy and use those, let this one be. Personally I hated every other Shalimar flanker and the OG and this is the first one I enjoyed, and thats a win for Guerlain that a iconic line is modernised and brought up for more people to enjoy and be part of the history. So stop being so edgy and picky and let other people enjoy some smelly water

Guerlain Shalimar L’essence (2025) - suede amber - Most articles or reviews might mention that this is a modern interpretation of the classic Shalimar and it is. But smelling it as a fragrance without reference to its predecessor, I get bright Bergamot but transforms quickly to a powdery & suede-like with Iris, Jasmine and Rose as one at its heart. Amber, slightly smoky and woody facets at its base. Modern musk molecules make it also cleaner and radiant. Very versatile and unisex.

Here are the more accurate notes, I believe: Top: bergamot, almond, incense Middle: opopanine accord, rose, iris Base: benjoin, vanilla, tonka bean I've had my bottle for over a month now, and it just keeps getting better. The incense in the opening isn't quite as loud, the powderiness is smoother and the vanilla is significantly stronger. I can't get enough of the cozy scent bubble this creates, and I can still detect it on my skin and clothing 12+ hours later!