Shalimar Souffle de Parfum

My great grandma made the most perfect lemon meringue pie, then my mother made it, and now I make it. A hand -rolled butter crust, fresh juice and zest of lemon, ephemeral whipped egg-whites, only a hint of sweetness floating above the bright, zesty lemon aroma. I envision this pie displayed proudly alongside fragrant, fresh jasmine flowers grown in my great grandmother's famous South Oregon garden. Now the daydream shifts and I'm at an intimate luncheon for sophisticated, cosmopolitan ladies. These ladies are not the temperamental, modern, working class, Irish immigrant ladies of my family. No, these ladies are the kind that you read about in Edith Wharton novels. Their corsets cinched, their padded derrieres perched precipitously on tiny cafe chairs. They are powdery, wealthy, influential, and judgmental. It's Summer, but they're not breaking a sweat. The room is cool and controlled; they can afford all the amenities that allow them to avoid the worst pains of Summer. Another broad-chested matron arrives, her pert and smiling daughter trailing behind, all well-considered smiles and airy, Summery skirts. This daughter. This daughter is no rebel. This daughter knows the rules and has chosen to play by them. There will be no dangerous liasions with unsuitable men, no adoption of new and controversial ideas and causes, and certainly no useless education for her. She understands the rarefied beauty of the world she was born into, and intends to take her place in it without drama or personal revolution. Our matrons are universally approving and delighted by her; perfectly charming, gentle, and pleasing. She offers just the kind of freshness and joie de vivre they crave and expect of a young lady of her breeding and status. They interview this new addition to their circle as they delicately nibble on petite lemon & vanilla powdered sugar teacakes. They apprise our young lady over soft explosions of powdered sugar puffing out from each cookie upon first bite. No discussion is necessary, our matrons instantly recognize our young lady as one of them; the essence of their hopes and dreams for their legacy in the next generation. This fragrance is not me, nor any version of me I've ever been. I've never met a Summer fragrance that was. Still, for all that this fragrance does not feel like me, or any woman I know, I thoroughly enjoy her company on a hot Summer day. Our young lady is transported from another, more genteel time and place; an unlikely friend to accompany me in a scented Summer reverie.

Incredibly whimsical, something that Galadriel or the White Queen in Alice in wonderland would smell like! So melancholic... It's possesses a fluffy and airy quality to it whilst maintaining a cold, distant and an aloof stance. Definitely unique to what is currently on the market and in my humble opinion 100x times better than anything that the new L'ART & LA MATIÈRE collection has to offer in terms of quality and versatility. The citrus in this isn't sparkling but muted and fleeting making way for the jasmine and orange blossom which isn't grapey but quite delicate, soon the powdery vanilla appears intertwined with the white musk which is incredibly elevating. Longevity is okay, it's quite strong in the beginning (a little soapy) and its sillage is quite vast depending on the room you're in but that all dials down and it becomes a musky, powdery, vanilla, that sits close to the skin which think suits it quite well since its named 'Souffle' meaning breath. 20 or so minutes after the initial spray I can smell this dewiness like that of rain on a spring day or after a thunderstorm (on skin), this is truly sublime 😫 I must say, in the opening it bares a similarity to Coco Noir and I think that's thanks to the bergamot however both have this cold/emotionless and somewhat stoic overtone to them that I adore and search for in a fragrance. Though noting like the original Shalimar or Shalimar Millésime Vanilla Planifolia so it can stand alone, it doesn't need to grab anyones attention as the magic lies in subtlety asserting itself whilst you move about. I love to wear this during the midsummer, spring and early autumn whilst I water my garden during golden hour and the wind is gently pushing up against my body blowing wafts of this up into the air, it's truly magical and effervescent. Can't say enough good things about it, definitely a love and I don't think you'd come across a lot of people wearing this so it's safe to say you'd be one of a kind. I wore this in Hong Kong in early 2016 and it reminds me of the misty clouds billowing down from Victoria Peak. Aside from its sister flankers this is 100% unique, there is truly nothing else out there that has the same effect let alone scent wise. I have an old soul so this speaks to me and it connects with me. Thierry Wasser truly worked his magic on this as creating something so unique with a number of facets without it being gaudy is hard to accomplish, literally a master at his craft.

I tested this scent on paper at the beginning of last December, and thought this is the most elegant scent I smelled-indeed the only scent lives up to my beloved Allure. I detected the Allure vibe right away. Lemony vanilla softened with gorgeous white flowers. Pure elegance, I made the wish of buying this classy scent one day. Two weeks later all parfumes got a good sale; I went ahead and bought a bottle on the last week of December:). Then I could test the scent on my skin. My initial reaction was a bit disappointing because I felt that the scent is lemony on paper but vanillish on my skin. For some reason I was attracted to the soft lemon smell when I first sniffed this scent; felt “fooled” by my skin chemisty. I experimented with the scent. I mixed it with L occitane Lemon Verbana deodorant and also with the citrus fruits peel oil of Tisserand ( both mixtures are blends of high quality brands and my Shalimar). I could get the level of lemon smell that satisfied me. I was so disappointed that I even considered selling my bottle, thinking that Souffle is not my scent. I am glad that I did not do so. I wore it everyday for a month, learned Shalimar Souffle, and came to realize that the amount of lemon is just right. It is the creation of M. Thierry Wasser of Guerlain after all:) This is very elegant, classy scent. Soft and lovely but expensive- one of the most expensive on the mainstream (excluding niche brands). I do not know the original Shalimar because we dont have in my country. I will test it as soon as I can travel abroad. As I mentioned Shalimar Souffle is on par with Allure, Shalimar is lemon vanilla, Allure EDP is peach-tangerine vanilla. I truly love both of them. As others I thought Souffle refers to desert, but later learned it means breath in French, not desert:). However one can still view this Shalimar flanker as a desert of a very high level Chef, very expensive desert. I actually learned to prepare Lemon Curd after getting my Souffle:). I am into lemon nowadays. I am very glad that I have this beauty in my collection, I recommend that you give a try. Now I look forward to testing the new Shalimar flanker, the one with the lavender note. Edit March 22: I was wrong on mixing it with citrus to make it sharper. I wore this scent, and in the course of time I fell in love again and again. Wonderful smell:)

I have to admit, every single day I have to stop myself for always reaching for Shalimar Souflee. I’m a little obsessed! I purchased this as a blind buy, because of all the descriptions as lemon vanilla cake or cookies, but I really paid close attention to those reviewers who pointed out that yes-it’s like a lemon vanilla cake, but without a lot of sugar. There is a review below by India Oceane which really spoke to me and I think it’s a spot on description of what you can envision with this scent. I LOVE lemon and vanilla, but despise when it’s too sweet. I like boozy vanillas and tart lemon. Think of a glass of bourbon with a vanilla bean in it and a twist of lemon. That’s my thing! I was not taken by surprise fortunately by how unsweetened this fragrance really is and quite pleasantly surprised by how much I love it! I do really understand though how people are mixing up soufflé and souffle because of the similarities of the word and the dessert being an “airy” sort of confection. I do get a lot of lemon right at the top with this. As it dries down I start getting some vanilla and the mandarin. After a bit more time, now I am getting even more of the vanilla but now the mandarin is settling into a beautiful orange blossom. Almost the perfect orange blossom scent that is very elusive to me. In the far dry down a lot of the lemon and citrus fades and you are left with the musk, vanilla and jasmine. It’s begins to get a bit powdery, but to me it’s almost like a cosmetic powder (which I love) and definitely not a talcum powder or baby powder. The sillage on this is impressive, but not a knockout. Longevity is great, I can still smell this on me (mostly vanilla by the end) almost 12 hours later snd still on my clothes the next day. But despite the citrus notes, and the strongish longevity and sillage, this is still so airy, so classy and so beautifully soft. ETA 4/4/2021: wore this today, Easter Sunday, which was a cool but sunny early spring day. This scent was absolutely perfect in this weather. The cool breeze carried the fresh/floral lemon scent and the bright sun warmed the skin and brought forward the vanilla and orange blossom. I’m am officially obsessed!

It is indeed different from all the other Shalimars , but as genny17 already said it does have a Guerlain stamp , a signature that hints towards Shalimar, but only vaguely . Its sophisticated and has something classy about it yet it's very young and sweet. The sweetness I love in this, its fluffy , airy sweet , soufflé is the perfect name for it. This is great for summer yet I think nice and cozy for cold days as well. I smell "sweet fluffiness" or feathery sweetness but I can't pinpoint this, it's very different but in a extremely positive way . I only just received it and I am only wearing it for two hours now , I will report back tomorrow on better details. So far I totally love it !!! Update, I agree with finanna( a reviewer ) that it does fall abit flat and that the opening is definitely the nicer part of this fragrance. The dry down is not very complex and has not that much grounding as I would want it to have. Update; I just read someone calling it a thin tangerine fizz and I have to agree, I feel it lacks something, its nice indeed but thin in the end ,lacks complexity , I still prefer l'eau de Shalimar ! And I do think people need to realize that perfumes are changing, it still has a classic vibe but yes its nothing like the original, and why should it be ??? Our children are nothing like our grandparents were , or are they? People these days don't want to smell like in the 20 s , they don't dress like that nor act like that , so why smell like that? Fashion and Styles change ! So getting with the time is not always bad , and if it is not for you than stick with the classic version. I like both. I am happy to say. I like old things and new things. Same with times , love the old world but also like the modern world. Why all the complaints?

Ethereal, Delicate & FLUFFY SOUFFLE of Tahitian Vanilla, White-Musk & Shalimar... With only a faint reminder of the original, this beauty opens with a citrus burst of lemon supported by multi-faceted bergamot, that deepens into a white floral heart of orange-blossom & jasmine sambac with powdery, sweet & soft-spicy nuances, all resting on a rich vanilla-musk base. Overall I get a bergamot opening for a jasmine-sambac & vanilla scent with faint nods to the original Shalimar. The jasmine here is unbelievably good with a lightweight feel. This was love at first scent for me. 10/10. Contrast to Shalimar EDT Guerlain: These are very different. Shalimar EDT is a much bolder citrus-amber with more forward iris & bergamot. However, Shalimar Souffle gains more similarities to Shalimar EDT the longer it ages. Shalimar EDT outperforms. Overall: Performance is average or slightly below average, but improves to above average with dark storage after first sprays. This is the perfect scent for just a faint hint of a vintage favourite, recognized only by those who know the original well. It's a love for me. 10/10. Enjoy! Update 10/25/24: This has aged beautifully, and I wanna say more like the og Shalimar now, although at most still a "souffle" of the og. Light and fluffy white musk, lemon-y-vanilla & bergamot along with the Guerlainade. There may be a touch of iris in here as part of the Guerlainade. There's also a fresh, nearly aquatic facet that may be the bergamot. Overall the sillage is present but ethereal, delicate & mysterious; longevity has improved (still detect it the next day on skin, hair & clothes). Some reminders for me of Toujours Moi Dana as well, but this is less powdery and more fluffy. Still love it.

I wanted this immediately when it came out, after kicking myself for missing the Iris flanker that sounded dreamy ;; It was well worth the blind buy! The opening is a burst of citrus, musk, and a hint of jasmine.. Almost evocative of orange rinds? Its a bit sharp, and when I haven't worn it in a while, I find myself questioning why I loved it so much based on the first sniff LOL But it just needs a few minutes to settle and work its magic! The vanilla comes in stronger as it dries down, and it all melts into this divine sweetness that isn't sugary or powdery.. Everything blends together beautifully! It gets creamier and softer the longer I wear it~ It hits that sweet spot between not being too mature or childish! Its fluffy and airy like a whisper, deserving of the name Souffle ♡ Delicate, comforting, and sophisticated~ It is more of a skin scent, don't expect huge projection! But as I move, it'll gently waft and I'll get a sudden whiff of it through the day ^^/ It seems to last all day on me! It's a beautiful fall and winter scent, but I've worn it in spring too ^^/ It was my favorite cold weather scent last year and I couldn't stop reaching for it! More refined than Dolce & Gabbana Devotion!! Devotion is a little more synthetic (in comparison) and is much louder on my skin, and Shalimar Souffle is more like a vanilla forward than it is citrusy♡ Edit: a Sephora employee snuck me a ton of extra samples without telling me, and I got followed around the store by someone else while wearing this >< Definitely *not* the attention I want in public, but that probably speaks to how amazing this scent is for me!! ^^;

I'm a huge hypocrite, because I'm always complaining about vanilla being in everything lately. This is insanely vanilla (vanilla being the entire cornerstone of this fragrance); yet I adore this. I also love the vanilla in Mon Guerlain exponentially more than I do in other fragrances (a richly perfect ice-creamy vanilla). So maybe I just enjoy Guerlain's vanilla more than other brands. It's soft, powdery, pillowy and sweetly refined without feeling syrupy or thick...it's on another level. I get the vanilla (obviously haha), from opening to drydown. But it's surrounded by light citrus and amplified with a SUPER soft and feminine musk. I expected this to be somewhat sensual, but I'm left with something surprisingly superior; a magnificently comforting scent that makes me feel surrounded in a soft cloud. I ranked this as being more of a winter scent, as I can't imagine wearing this anywhere more preferable than indoors in my pajamas while the weather is awful outside. That, of course, may seem like an insult to some who maintain that this is too special to use so casually, but I want to sit with this to myself and burrow up in it...alone. As an anxious introvert; this comes as highest praise 💙 I have a large 10ml decant and will probably turn to this at least a few times during this outbreak season, it soothes me, at least somewhat (hope all are doing well and finding comfort in these times)!

This was a blind buy for me and I’m very glad I took the risk. The opening had me nervous, as it’s sharp citrus with lemon and bergamot that borders on overwhelming. Luckily, this doesn’t last long. The vanilla and jasmine sambac really shine through the development and dry down. Although not a gourmand, I find it to be slightly sweet, but done in a sophisticated way. Comforting, airy, feminine, and elegant. While this is a more mature fragrance imo, I don’t find it be “old lady” or dusty whatsoever. That said, I don’t see teenagers being drawn to this. For reference, I am 28. The musk is subtle to me and not overpowering. Overall this is a win. The performance is solid and lasts on skin for a good while (7+ hours), I even smelled it slightly on my wrists after a shower. At the dry down it is a lovely, slightly powdery, vanilla skin scent. I get some faint caramel as well. I will note that the citrus notes are much more apparent on clothes and I don’t get the vanilla, so it’s not a love for me on clothes. Perhaps it’s skin chemistry that brings out the vanilla. It is a beautiful and classy scent that is distinctly Guerlain. Update: I enjoy this so much. It took a few days to fully appreciate it. I even enjoy the opening now and don’t find it to be sharp, but invigorating. I find it to be a truly lovely, lemony, vanilla concoction that I reach for frequently.

I recently bought this perfume, and I’m honestly mad at myself for missing out on something this beautiful for so long. I blind bought it, trusting my feelings, and from the very first spray, I was mesmerized. It felt like I somehow already knew where this fragrance was going, how it would evolve. At that moment, I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be, like I had found something that truly belonged to me. The opening starts with lemon and mandarin, making you feel as if you’ve just dived into cool waters. For a brief moment, it even reminded me of Chanel Coco Noir. Soon after, I get delicate jasmine and orange blossom resting on a base that reminds me of that beautiful vanilla in Guerlain Shalimar. These florals are never dominant. They touch the composition in the most delicate way. And then comes that beautiful vanilla... Don’t think of a vanilla like Kayali Vanilla 28. The vanilla in Shalimar Souffle is powdery and delicate. It settles onto your skin the way a silk dress touches your body. Soft, delicate, and almost weightless. On my skin, it lasted around 6 to 7 hours, although the projection was not amazing, around an arm’s length. But honestly, I wouldn’t expect strong projection from a fragrance like this. Although it feels like a fragrance you could wear in any season, I already know I’ll especially enjoy it in summer. In one word: Obsessed!

This scent struck me as gourmand, exactly like a lemon pastry containing vanilla, the first time I wore it. I waited until now to review it so I could examine some of the notes that develop. The opening still strikes me as positively edible. After a little while, maybe 20 minutes, I started to think it has some light green notes. I think that's the bergamot and orange flower combining. I just got a whiff of Souffle mixing with espresso, and that was surprisingly delicious. The musk is so nicely balanced with the other notes that I forget it's separate from them. I'm also delighted with how the vanilla blends with the citrus; when I try to do that with essential oils or perfume oils, it always smells like an Creamcicle. This is much more refined. I find it far more feminine than unisex, but I'd want to smell it on a few men before declaring it inappropriate for them. The lightly bitter notes that come through, plus the richness of the vanilla and the musk, could work very well for the right men. I originally thought this would not be strong enough to stand up to cold weather, but now I think I'll try it all year. I'd wear it day or night, too. It's also a scent that I might wear, in small amounts, at cafes and restaurants, because it interfered in the best way possible with the smell of coffee. It's gourmand enough to be nice in a variety of settings.

From a performance standpoint, this is the worst. Doesn’t last long, projects mildly. But let me put this out there. It is not a gourmand scent by any means. The vanilla here is dry, earthy and realistic. The smell you get when you scrape a vanilla pod, as opposed to the creamy baked good type of vanilla extract smell. It’s citrusy facets (predominantly lemon) endures throughout the wear time (which is max an hour!) I low-key regret getting this. It stays true to the name though. A breath of Shalimar, last as long as a breath too! Would’ve loved this if it lasted longer coz I love the scent profile. No, I adore the scent profile. It just doesn’t last long enough to even appreciate the changing phases of it... EDIT: It has been 4 months since I purchased this! Hold on to your seats, as this one needs to macerate! After it sat in my declutter pile for about two weeks, I gave it another go. Now, it is soft, powdery and beeeeautiful vanilla with lemon! Still not gourmand, but the longevity has improved so very much! So has the projection!! It lasts about 8 hours on my skin when it is not moisturised and way longer (haven't kept track after I lost count after about 9.5 hours) when I do apply moisturiser!) I cannot believe I almost got rid of this! It is STUNNING! I am eyeing the Intense version :p

A very aromatic citrus vanilla is what I'm smelling. A hint of vanilla here. A hint of lemon there. A bit of sweetness here. A little hit of jasmine there. That Guerlain vanilla can be smelled so distinctively even in this very simple yet elegant as fuck perfume. I feel like I need to get off the couch and at least put on some mascara and lip gloss. It's so aromatic too. I keep trying to breathe in more and more like I'm just getting a little bit of something but this delicate lady does not impose. Its almost like your own skin if it smelled like shalimar if that makes sense. And I keep trying to smell more but she won't let me she just hints at something. If perfumes had personality this one would be enigmatic. She's a bit light on her feet. Fleeting. Hard to catch but manages to still be there hours later too. This is how I imagine Tinkerbell smells. Because I keep thinking, what was THAT I just smelled? Then another whiff and I get the HINT of the perfume again. Very good naming. Breath of Shalimar. It is like a perfume's perfume. She is not in your face she is fluffy and airy and all around you yet by far from being overpowering yet most definitely there. This is such interesting performance. I've never had a perfume play peekaboo before.

VioletEyes and ChellyBelle84: very well put!! I really agree with you, that we should let everyone love the perfume they do love. If we let that be the case, then we will everyone have room to be individual and not walking around all smelling the same and looking the same. I tried a sample of this, which I love. Of course it is very different from the original Shalimar. But it is equally classy, I think. To me, this is a ”clean” scent, somehow reminding me of clean laundry. I love the musc, I love the soft flowers, I love the vanilla, which I don’t read as a sweet vanilla at all. It’s an airy fragrance - unoffending, discreet enough to be a signature or wearing very often and in all surroundings. I own the original Shalimar, and I like it a lot, and some days or nights I love it, but it is for certain occasions for me - not at all this versatile. Happy I own that classic, though, I wanted to begin with that one when I was buying something from the line, to get an idea of it and then being able to compare with flankers, as well as with other older fragrances. So then, this is a modern one, but I hope they will let it stay available for good, to be a classic as well. I will buy it when I’ve got money to do so.

I usually don't write reviews but I am on this site, almost everyday. As a perfume addict, I tried this one when I was walking at Macys and saw this gorgeous color in a familiar bottle. What is this? The new Souffle according to the sales lady who seems to be obsessed in to selling me Boucheron. Of course I tried to ignore her, until I finally said, I would like to try this Souffle Shalimar if you wouldn't mind?" She gave me one paper tester, a generous act I thought. I sprayed this blue liquid, and WOW! very gourmandy orange, lime/lemon followed by sweetness and warmth. I was intrigued, so I sprayed it on my arm. I wouldn't' really spray a perfume on my body unless I like it. This one is very soft citrus, not overly sweet, no burnt custard here but more like a freshly baked LEMON MERINGUE PIE!! Yes! That's what I smelled. When it dried down, I get whiffs of Angelique Noir and Iris Ganache from the exclusifs line! The perfume lasted till the next day, the silage is powerful as that of a Guerlain. This is NOT Shalimar, this needs to have a name of its own. I love the scent especially now that it is winter. The scent is inoffensive and very yummy. 1 spray, and I was thinking of dessert. I might buy this :-)

I just received this today as a blind buy and I was definitely surprised. I personally don’t understand why quite a few reviews state that this is sweet and creamy and bordering gourmand..I don’t even get a whisper of that from this fragrance. It’s smells very mature and definitely gives that confident woman-in-charge vibe like I should be wearing pearls, a skirt suit w pantyhose, silk blouse and a tight chignon. The lemon is a bit too spicy and sharp for my liking so I’m not sure if I’m going to keep it. Again, this is not bad at all, just not what I expected or typically wear. UPDATE: it has been a day since I wrote that and I regret it! You know how sometimes you don’t know what you need until it’s just staring right at you? That’s what happened here. This fragrance is like red wine: you have to let it breathe before you pour a glass to let the flavors develop (although I’m sure all of us have skipped that step before). It’s amazing what 24hrs did to this. The screechy lemon that I spoke of is completely gone and what’s left is a lovely elegant scent with a dry sweetness that feels luxurious. It makes me feel powerful, sexy and cozy at the same time. 100% a keeper.

Apparently I put my review in the intense version hahaha so fixing it now, and put it here. Oooh finally a Shalimar that works for me. It smells better on my skin than on the paper! The strong lemon punch of the original is dialed down. I smell lemony fresh citrus first, not sharp but juicy. Then after 2 minutes, it's rounded by sweet floral notes. Vanilla is still in the background, the sweet floral stays prominent for now. Enjoying this middle phase. It's ethereal and pretty but great sillage. I can smell myself in this pretty cloud of lemony sweet flowers with a touch of spice. This is not oriental gourmand, but definitely oriental floral. So beautiful! Happy to find this in a duty free! PS: this is so devastatingly mesmerising! I love it so much and going to buy a backup bottle immediately. It's rainy season where I am right now, and Souffle is just perfect for the season! Curious to try this in the heat. I think this is an absolute masterpiece! I'm swooning in ecstasy everytime I catch a whiff of it. I'd really like to try L'Initial and if possible other flankers. Standing ovation to Guerlain!!

Shalimar Souffle was the first Shalimar in my collection. I had tested Shalimar EDP at the department store, but found it to be too challenging and quickly scrubbed it. Hearing that Souffle wasn’t similar to the OG I figured I’d give it a go (baby steps), but of course that meant I had to blind buy. I do in fact love it, but I love the Intense version a bit more. I won’t say much about Souffle smell, sillage, and longevity because there are so many varied reviews and I have already reviewed it before. You just really need to try it for yourself. Here’s where this review might be unique. I recently decided to take a chance on Shalimar EDT. From first spray I was reminded of Shalimar Souffle! They are not the same by any means, but I smell a common DNA. I now completely dismiss all the reviews that dismiss Shalimar Souffle as a member of the Shalimar line. It’s a true flanker in my eyes. So, if you are like me and need to take baby steps in order to appreciate Shalimar, I recommend starting with Souffle knowing that it is a flanker with a bit of the OG artfully woven inside it.

A beautiful, classy fragrance, Shalimar de Souffle does not smell like a typical citrus of today. It opens with a smooth lemon, like limoncello or lemon cookie. The opening lemon is actually present for the duration of the scent, although subdued. Vanilla is the star here, it isn't a sweet vanilla, its intense, almost floral. On my skin I can smell layers of scent, lemon, white florals, a hint of musk, all tied with a silk cream colored ribbon of deep vanilla. This is a fragrance for a power lunch with the boss, the black tie museum event, a trip to the opera or theater. Its a classy scent that maybe too strong for everyday wear and too distracting to be a "sexy" scent. Shalimar de Souffle would be a very unique signature scent. Sprayed in large quantities, it takes on a almost rootbeer like feeling. The sillage isn't huge, some on close by can smell it but you won't be killing anyone. The longevity is excellent and I could smell it on my skin for 8 hours. Scent 10/10, Sillage 6/10, Longevity 8/10 Overall 9/10.

This is a beauty! The lemon here is less citrus and more gourmand - something I find incredibly delicious, comforting, and somehow nostalgic. On my skin, I get a gorgeous spicy, warm vanilla wrapped in a sugary lemon pastry cloud. It is rich yet fluffy and airy; gourmand, but not cloyingly so. This is "signature scent" worthy and totally unique to my collection. If you are curious about how it compares to the Intense version, here is my take: I think Shalimar Souffle Intense is aptly named - to me, this is a deeper, richer version of the original. I pick up more of that spicy vanilla note in the Intense, and less of the light and airy lemon which is present in the original. While I really enjoy both, if I was pressed to choose one, I think I would go for the original simply because I am more drawn to that delicious fluffy lemon note. You really can't go wrong with either of these, in my opinion! I am eager to try layering the original and intense versions. I think that might just be the perfect combination. :)

I cannot stop sniffing my wrists when I wear this. When I spray this on my clothing it lasts for the better part of the day and my husband can smell it 4 feet away, when I walk by. It leaves a gentle scent trail. He says it smells like flowers. The early stages of this perfume are white pith of lemon and orange blossoms. I enjoy those notes very much! They speak to me of springtime and dewy mornings. When the scent dries down, it becomes a familiar, powdery musk--something that reminds me of childhood. I suspect that is the "breath" of Shalimar that is just the hint of the original (nothing pungent though). Women around me wore Shalimar when I was growing up, but this is totally different--it is a twist with the citrus and delicate white florals that morphs into soft vanilla musk. Very cozy and comforting! I will definitely pick up a larger bottle as I own the 1.6oz. I blind bought it and wasn't sure how much I would like it. Turns out that I love it!!

An absolutely heavenly blend of citrus, vanilla and florals! Dare I say ahead of its time given how popular lemon vanilla perfumes are nowadays. Unlike some of the more widely-known lemon gourmands, Souffle remains clean, airy and elegant. One should expect as much though with a name like Souffle. It just sounds light and fancy, am I right? ;) If you're looking for a perfume that smells like a super sweet and indulgent lemon dessert, Souffle isn't it. It's more like a frosty sparkling lemonade made with a touch of vanilla bean-infused simple syrup.... and you're sipping it in a garden with beautiful flowers nearby. I also agree with others in that, much like with most Guerlain perfumes, Souffle possesses a certain vintage charm and timelessness. That doesn't mean it smells dated or heavy, but the notes read more complex than what's listed. I'm so delighted to have this in my collection now, and I will cherish and enjoy it for years to come!

As a young man, I admit I don't have the mature nose that some folks do. I love some aspects of the original Shalimar, but I'm completely put off by others, say, the strong incense, civet, and leather scent. People gag hard at the OG, I saw it once in the Guerlain Boutique lol. However, with Shalimar Souffle de Parfum, people are right–they took the ancient aspects of the scent, whispered "Shhh, it's time for a nap," and replaced them with a beautiful, soft, airy fragrance of lemony jasmine, vanilla, and clean musk. It's modern and unisex, simple yet chic and classy to me. It's not entirely different from the original Shalimar, though. In the dry-down, it still has a bit of an oriental and soft leather scent. I wear this to work often, and people seem to like it. I love it too because it's easy to wear and feels sublime and lively. It's my feel-good fragrance. I also have to mention that the bottle is absolutely stunning.

I absolutely love this perfume oh my what a find I now own. It smells so lovely quite pretty with notes that make it intoxicating to your senses. On me a light Bergamot and lemon opening, my flanker didn't have a bright fruity opening more of a musky bright/intense, vanilla scent. Not a sweet vanilla like ice cream or a candy scent but a unique, inviting vanilla from blending the Tahitian and Indian Vanilla with a musky base. In the heart I did get a small floral scent but it was like the opening nice, there but short lived the strongest being the orange blossom. The projection is very nice I can smell it but its not annoying to others around me just the opposite they ask me what is that lovely scent. It lasted on me for the entire day , with a extra spray. It is working good in this cold weather and betting it will be nice when it gets warm for the scent can be so gentle at times. Just lovely!!!!

When I first purchased this, I think I was too young to truly appreciate its beauty. 3 years later, I now have grown to love Shalimar souffle de parfum.💛 It is a GORGEOUS citrus fragrance. I am not usually a citrus girl and I never enjoy citrus forward fragrances, but this one is something else. It is fresh, but warm and creamy at the same time. It smells like you baked vanilla cupcakes and decorated them with fresh lemon cream and extra lemon peel grated ontop. It smells very comforting and like a whipped lemon, not a tangy or sour lemon. It’s such a fluffy lemon and vanilla delicacy. 🍦🍋🧁 Also, this smells very high quality, sophisticated and elevated. It’s perfect for all weather because its fresh but still sweet and fluffy and creamy. Once it dries down, I mainly get a deep and warm vanilla. Longevity and sillage is also good!

This was a gift from my niece, who also turned me on to this website. For years I wore Shalimar, but I then moved to warmer climate and stopped wearing my beloved orientals, as this city demands lighter, cleaner fragrances. Shalimar Souffle has been the greatest revelation for me in the last 3 years. In my view, it is a much younger, sweeter representation of the original, but I find it would suit just about anyone at any age, and it has allowed me the possiblity to wear Shalimar again in this heat. I of course still prefer the original, but this fragrance is indeed evocative of it, and its sweet new facets are certainly welcome by me. I smell like an elegant, expensive, lemon/vanilla cake. This fragrance is one I treasure and only wear with special company. It has become a perennial in my collection.

I can understand why the lovers of the original Shalimar would be disappointed with this one and say it is 'defanged' Shalimar. Indeed, if Shalimar is a tiger, Shalimar Souffle is a kitten. I didn't get on with the original Shalimar - citruses were too screechy, dusted and dated, I didn't get any vanilla, only animalistic resins and incense, so I was pleasantly surprised by Souffle. In my opinion, Thierry Wasser did a very good job modernising those citruses, which in general isn't my favourite note, but here they are pleasant. Still powdery (it is Guerlain, after all), but they are juicy and mouthwatering. I get a lot of lemons on a blotter, and finally, a nice not sweet vanilla on my skin. It is a dreamy fluffy lemon cake, yet in the drydown I recognise the subtle DNA of the original ancestor.

The best way to describe this perfume is: You’re going through an old, mostly empty closet that smells of musk. Not in a gross, damp way, but sort of that vintage wood feel. And in that closet is a stunning yellow gown. It’s made of silk, and seems like it hasn’t been worn, and almost still has the smell of an expensive boutique. The tags are attached, and the softness of the silk is so inviting you have to try it on. It’s not your typical dress, but it’s enchanting nonetheless. Lovely lemon-vanilla fragrance with a strong musk base. Very gentle. Not a gourmand by any means, don’t expect any lemon bars here. Just clean top note citruses and comforting vanilla-musk. This would be perfect for someone who finds perfumes overpowering, it’s more of a gentle caress. I NEED THIS!

I have to say I don't like Shalimar OG at all. Never have and never will. Then I bought Shalimar Souffle Intence and fell in love but I only wear it in the fall/winter season and for more special occasions. I bought this one because I wanted the same vibe scent but for summer. I guess it's a modern version of Shalimar. I wouldn't say it's a typical light, summery fragrance, though. It opens with a heavy punch of citruses but as it settles, it gives a nice citrus-and-vanilla whiff of air. It's my go-to fragrance when I want something exotic but not too much. I am surprised that there is only vanilla and musk in base notes (Sephora lists also moss) because it gives you Middle Eastern vibes but in a very subtle way. I think it's Indian and Tahitian Vanilla that do the trick.

When others called this blunt or boring, I’m smelling my wrist and all can say is this’s how creativity and blending works in perfumery. What a wonderful combination of orange flower and vanilla, Thierry Wasser has achieved rounded, perfected formula with Souffle. Weirdly Thierry Wasser’s style reminds me of Rembrandt’s precision. Just like Rembrandt’s paintings, Souffle needs to be observed calmly. Nothing screams, disorganized or imperfect in Souffle. This formula is gentle, classy and precise. Overall, this is a staple for my collection, I rarely get along with vanilla fragrances but obviously I have exceptions from Guerlain along with Souffle. I eagerly wait for Intense version’s rerelease that was legendary too. Truly different than cocktail style of perfumery...

A beautiful soft sexy musky fragrance. Definitely a relation of the original Shalimar the Guerlinade is there in the dry down but patience is required. The initial blast is fresh, but it quickly settles. Vanilla is of the highest quality with a musk base. Warm & sensual and very feminine not as sweet as Initial or L'eau. I have not sampled Souffle Intense but I will buy because I love the blue bottle which will eventually become collectors items. A wonderful longevity 7 hours and silage is arms length, does not fill a room. If you love the original Shalimar Edp I would advise to sample this fragrance first as it is very different. Lighter and musk. I must agree with the comparison with Chanel Allure and Sensuelle. Lovely. A big thumbs up.

I find Shalimar souffle absolutely beautiful! There's something so addictive about it to me just like perfume initial has that addictive Gourmand but sexy feel to it. This is creamy , sweet and fluffy but still smells expensive with a little bit of white musk in the background. The vanilla is so gorgeous Just like all Guerlains vanillas! I can wear this in the middle of winter in the spring in the summer in the fall it works in all seasons. I do get a little orange blossom but its mostly a cake scent on my skin with white musk . It smells completely different from Shalimar also different from Shalimar Perfume initial . Sillage is perfect and longevity laugh 8 hours on skin and about 12 to 13 hours on clothes.

I blind bought this scent awhile ago (during cooler weather), mostly because I enjoy a few of the Shalimar flankers and because of the beautiful peacock bottle. I was unimpressed upon trying it a few times. It's a pleasant enough sweet citrus-y floral, but entirely unremarkable and bearing no resemblance to Shalimar. Cut to warmer weather, this scent blooms beautifully on my skin! The citrus is more alive, the florals more sultry. And even in the drydown I'm now detecting some incense-y vibe. Overall, the warmth makes it a much more complex and interesting fragrance. I feel like I can now tell why it's a Shalimar flanker. I'm so glad I kept this for the bottle, because the juice is now worthy!

I love Shalimar Souffle de Parfum. I do enjoy the original Shalimar, but the civet is too powerful for me sometimes. I prefer this one for summer evenings, especially if I expect to stay home and relax. I am not a citrus fan, but I love this one because the opening is not harsh. I is bright, but warmed down by an immediate detection of vanilla. It's the known Shalimar vanilla that is oriental and spicy without being overly sweet. I love spraying myself a few times after I shower and put on fresh pajamas. It has great lasting power on me, as I sometimes can smell it throughout the night or even in the morning. It may be a Shalimar flanker but it retains it's own beauty and identity.

It just arrived. I had good feelings about it from the beginning. It is an instant love. It's so delicate and inviting. Smart without being over the top, warm without being cloying. I can't stop sniffing myself. The gourmand notes are there, but this doesn't smell just like any ordinary lemon cake. No, it smells like an elegant female mage conjured a sophisticated and slightly unearthly lemon cake :) Wearing it I feel like a rich woman, both materially and spiritually. This one is a keeper. Notes are: vanilla, nostalgia, poshness Sillage is light but sufficient. Lasting power - it vanishes too fast :( but when it lasts it's beautiful.

In the growing club of sweet perfumes, which all wish so desperately to be special while secretly copying each other (much like most human beings) Shalimar Souffle stands outside looking in and actually knows that it IS special, and therefore it will make sure YOU feel like you are special wearing it 🥰 The sensual, soft cloud af the most gorgeous and sophisticated version of vanilla mixed with a rounded - not sharp - citrus and with the DNA of the original Shalimar lingering just beneath make this scent S.T.U.N.N.I.N.G. The longevity is great and so is the mesmerizing sillage. Shalimar Souffle is so beautiful and unforgettable.

Bought this one recently as I fear it's going to be discontinued. It does have the Shalimar dna, but it's definitely an original perfume. I wouldn't be surprised if Guerlain relaunches it in a couple of years under there légendaires line like they did with Initial. It opens a lot fresher than Shalimar thanks to the citrus top notes. After that it settles into a perfect combo of fresh and cosy thanks to the white flowers and vanilla. The only thing that's got me puzzled is the color of the bottle: I asociate blue with cold and this is anything but a cold perfume, I woulld've given it a sunshine-yellow colored bottle.

This is a Shalimar for the days I don't want to be "too Shalimar". The opening is a zesty lemon, as to be expected, but after that I get a perfectly pleasant - though somewhat muted - base of that familiar musky vanilla minus any animalic (one of the Shalimar notes I most enjoy). This is one to be experienced on warmer days, days where you might put on a summer dress but still run after your dogs along the water's edge - sophisticated but not putting on airs. If you're not sure about a Shalimar scent but want to dip your toes in, this might be the place to start. A lovely perfume

Absolutely stunning. It smells like May in the Mediterranean when the lemon blossoms and star jasmine blossoms mix and perfume the air. I usually hate vanilla on me but this is a delicate vanilla that is used to make the citrus notes feel more creamy. A creamy citrus fragrance is extremely hard to find, making this scent unique while still being wearable as an everyday or signature scent. The only criticism I have is that the dark blue bottle does not match the scent at all. I would have never tried this delicate scent if someone hadn't recommended it to me.

This is a sublime fragrance, one of the best things I've tried in ages, and one of the only fragrances that I've impulse bought. It's modern yet classic, fresh yet cultured, it's mature, but will have a much broader appeal. If you're expecting something similar to the original release, think again, it's very different, vanilla is still prominent, but it is very distinguishable. The name soufflé and blue colour made me expect something powdery, I was expecting a creamy iris note, the realisation is a million miles away, in a good way. Glorious.

People like me, who are laymen in the world of perfume, don’t expect vanilla here that is similar to for example vanilla in a cake, or lemon that is similar to lemon in lemonade. This is all musky, powdery, without sweetness, the closest description to me would be the smell of a woman's face wearing expensive powder and expensive lipstick, this type of scent, almost odorless, but smells like expensive and elegant breath. I bought it blindly, I am 39 years old so it is beautiful to me. If I had bought it 10 years ago, I would have cried: D

Luscious, creamy citrus vanilla! It’s so lovely. I had my husband smell this on me and tell me what he smelled. Vanilla straight away, then he said tangerine. I’m guessing that is the blend of citruses that gave him that impression. Finally, he said orange blossom and maybe jasmine. Pretty good! For me, this is what I want in a summer fragrance. I generally prefer Souffle Intense because of the added benzoin, but that’s too much for hot summer days. Warning: wearing this may make you want lemonade and lemon bars and lemon bundt cake.

Sophisticated, sultry lemon vanilla with a touch of delicate powder. If you don't like it at first, put in away for a week and spray it on yourself once a day for 3 days. You will either be obsessed or you will know you want to part with it. UPDATE: I literally had the lowest of expectations for this because I’m not usually into anything powdery or white floral perfumes but THIS is PERFECTION. The more I use it the more completely enthralled I become. This is pure magic. It is probably going to end up being my signature scent.

How I LOVE IT. It smells just like a lemon bar from Starbucks. It’s creamy, it’s slightly spicy, it’s clean but not squeaky clean - CREAMY. Doesn’t smell like lemon oil, a hint of bergamot like in earl grey. ITS SWEET but NOT SUGARY. If you enjoyed the original version, but found it lacking in sweetness you’d like this one. It’s pastry like, I’d say, but in a sophisticated way. Very gentle florals. I don’t find it powdery. I enjoy it so much. It would go awesome with a cashmere sweater and a nice white coat

I love this. It's airy but not light, mature but not heavy. Very elegant blend of powdery citruses with liquid-smooth vanilla. The florals are not on the nose, they blend seamlessly into a misty puff. It's very "perfume-y" if that's how it's called. What I prefer in this scent is the first couple of hours after spraying because the dry down smells like damp clothes on me. I still love it though. It also has great longevity — I sprayed this on my clothes around 8PM and I can still smell it at noon.

This is my absolute favourite scent. A successful lifting of the original Shalimar - cosy and intimate, yet fresh and sharp. It's a scent that I would wear for work - it smells elegantly and expensively, but is not inviting in a way that suggests an informal setting such as a date or a house party. I would definitely choose it for a professional meeting or a business negotiation - it creates an air of formality and commands a certain degree of respect. A true treasure in my collection.

My GF got this a month ago and we both noticed that the dry down is VERY similar to my old L'Instant Eau Extreme, with a much sweeter, floral, and feminine opening. But honestly, after 6 hours or so, I'm not sure if I'd be able to tell the two apart -- and just to be clear, I LOVED L'instant Eau Extreme, so I'm not complaining. EDIT: Well, okay, I WOULD be able to tell them apart, due to the cocoa note in Eau Extreme and the bright florals here, but still, the similarity is striking!

Ah! This is my current scent obsession! This is such a beautiful scent. It’s like a sweet lemon and vanilla cake, not too sweet and not too lemony. It’s just a perfect balance. It opens up strong and after about 2-3 minutes it has settled down to the perfect scent ever. But the longevity is bad, on me it doesn’t last long at all, about 2-3 hours and then it becomes a skin scent. Maybe the intense version is better? I’ll have to try that one out for sure! I’ll give this a 9/10 🍋🍰

O. M. G. This was a blind buy and what a wonderful blind buy it was! This smells like a spicy, musky lemon cookie. But better. It's not cloying or sickeningly sweet. It's perfectly blended. I haven't smelled the original Shalimar but I do have a bottle of that coming in the mail. I absolutely ADORE this scent. I don't know where it's been all my life. If you like spicy gourmands and enjoy lemon, you'll like this. Fragrance Reviews & Hauls: My YouTube: The Simple Chic Life

I love this version of Shalimar - the original scent is there, a lighter version with a more candied sweetness. Underlying it are the fresh citrusy notes, while the florals melt together perfectly with the vanilla and the comparably light musk blends everything together. I surround myself in a cloud of this, when I have a rough day or spritz it on lightly, when meeting people for work or friends and family. This is a fragrance that works in all kinds of weather for me.