Shalimar. What fragrance could be more legendary?
A fragrance that has inspired countless other fragrances and more recently Guerlain’s own variations, Shalimar is a scent I’ve known well since childhood. Always remaining strictly my mother’s fragrance no matter how many times I’ve tried it, I’ve long pined for a Shalimar for men – I’d be curious to see what a company who offered scents like Heritage and Habit Rouge could do to their peerless oriental classics. Could you imagine? Jicky pour Homme? Samsara pour Homme? Vol de Nuit pour Homme? Luckily, I got a Chamade for men back in the 90′s, but only as a limited edition tease. Nee, the most we gents got was L’Instant pour Homme…another “it’s ok” fragrance for my taste, although the Extreme version offers a bit more punch.
I jumped at the Shalimar Legere and Eau flankers in recent years, ultimately not won over by either takes (neither was Mom), and so it was with a great amount of enthusiasm and a slightly skeptical credit card swipe that I purchased Guerlain’s Shalimar Initial last week. Partly for Mom, partly out of my own curiosity. Was this something I could wear? I had sniffed a tester strip in the store, and liked it enough to make the purchase, but I wondered if this might be a new love affair for me.
I suppose I should be honest at this point and admit that I had the saleswoman wrap my purchase, fully intending to give it as a gift. But oh no, I AM an aromaholic, Afterall – I ended up bringing the Nordstrom’s bag into Mom’s house and then leaving with it again, 3 hrs later. Hey, she had already received bottles of Moschino Glamour, Moschino (original), CK Obsession, Shalimar Parfum and Burberry Brit Parfum. It’s not as if I hold out on any of my friends or family.
After carefully removing the gift wrap (buries head in right hand in shame), I quickly evaluated Initial:
Beautiful bottle? Gaan.
Echoes of original Shalimar? Gaan.
Beautiful, dreamy van-oriental? Gaan.
Vir my? Hmmmm.
Here are the notes: “A luminous interpretation with ambery floral notes. The fresh burst of bergamot gives way to a delicate floral heart: an orchestrated overdose of rose, jasmine and iris. The vanilla and Tonka bean base instantly whets addiction, like the captivating feel of cashmere on bare skin” Guerlain.com. Many reviewers have also noted the green accord added to the composition but not listed by Guerlain.
Voor-: Easy…and a bit more relevant to current trends than the original. Most similar to the original in the luxurious drydown.
Nadele: Every time I’ve tried it I end up asking myself, “Where did it go?” Is it me or could both longevity and sillage be just a bit bolder?
Herinner my aan: Shalimar. Others have compared Shalimar Initial to Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, but I don’t really get it.
Die Bottom Line: I’ve worn the fragrance 3 times now and still am unsure what to make of it. After reading a slew of reviews I think I can safely conclude that I am not alone…and boy are some of those negative reviews, goed, negative. Where’s the love?
Shalimar Initial opens with citrus and iris and then imemdiately reveals a somewhat animalic, ambery base. The other florals are quite tame compared to the iris, and the tonka provides a welcome richness. This version isn’t incredibly complex and on my skin seems to go straight to the drydown stage and linger there quietly. I’m instantly reminded of the original Shalimar body products, namely the soap and cream that Mom used to use. I definitely like this better than the lemon souffle Eau de Shalimar which I remember thinking was the sort-of lovechild between Shalimar and Habit Rouge.
Could it be that the original Shalimar is so legendary that any attempt at an ostensibly more youthful update will be met with derision? Na alles, Initial isn’t a bad scent by any means. Will it give the brand a boost in the way that Parisienne or Belle d’Opium did for YSL? That remains to be seen. And most importantly, is this version of Shalimar unique and un-fussy enough to be worn by an adventurous guy? I think it might be…as I don’t think I’m ready to turn over my bottle just yet! I’ll come back and report again should I make a decision either way!
Have you tried Shalimar Parfum Initial?
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Verwante poste:
I already have a bottle so don't need a sample, but I wanted to comment that your mention of Moschino is interesting, as I think Initial smells like Shalimar mixed with one of the Moschino fragrances. I'm not sure if it's the original Moschino or Cheap and Chic, but it's something that a friend used to wear in the early 90s. Definitely not Coco Mademoiselle.
Id like to try this also, Bottle is very elegant!
I have wanted to try Shalimar for years…it's on my list, but so far have not gotten around to it- but this one sounds perfectly suited to my taste- I would love to try it and experience the legend!!
Just like your mother, my own wore and adored the original Shalimar, and for that reason alone, I've stayed well away from it. When you associate something so closely with your own mother, all the while trying to define yourself as 'other-than-your-mother', it becomes something you just can't wear no matter what…Or at least, that's what I told myself at the time!
But since then – and given my mother has long ago departed this world – my curiosity is piqued. I'm beginning to think that maybe I should give Shalimar a try. And since the launch of Parfum Initial, give this a try, te!
I recently saw the BBC documentary 'Perfume', and one thing that made an indelible impression was the look on poor Thierry Wasser's face when told he was to reorchestrate Shalimar. It was a look of…sheer, utter terror. As he said…'You don't mess with Shalimar!'
The reviews of PI have been all over the place. A few positive, and not a few negative, because messing with such an iconic perfume will always touch several nerves in this reformulation age! That isn't going to stop me from wanting to try it!
I wore Shalimar in the 80′s while wearing my power suit, marching up and down Bay Street, it worked well – it’s sweet subtle powdery scent wafting through the pinstripes. As for it being paired with old ladies – well I may be a Nana now – but young at heart. Had a bottle kicking around here somewhere, but it seems that my 18 en 26 year old daughters have hijacked it. Hint Hint to my hubby
Skakelkennisgewing: Confessions van 'n Aromaholic: Somer Rotasie, 2011 | Die Perfume Kritikus
i want to win this perfume and give it to my mother as a gift for her
My darling spouse bought me a bottle of Initial, but not on purpose. I’ve been wearing Shalimar since my mother got sick of me using hers and gave me my own in – brace yourselves – 5th grade. I didn’t know what “initial” was supposed to mean, ripped off the cellophane, pulled off the top and shrieked some really top of the line profanity. Then I looked it up. #1 Shalimar is not for old ladies. It’s a classic fragrance, and in this age of slutty fashion, I’d like to see some younger women get some class. #2 Initial is fine, but they need to drop Shalimar from the name. #3 Jicky is for brunettes, Shalimar is for blondes; you can look it up. (I read once that Jackie O wore Jicky.) #4 Real perfume is always better than “eau de,” but if you think Shalimar is too too, try it in cologne form. Suffice to say, the Initial was returned today, and interestingly, Macy’s was out of Shalimar but had plenty of Initial left. Tells me this was another stupid marketing ploy. They need to quit fiddling with this perfume.
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