Guerlain Shalimar Parfum Initial

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Guerlain Shalimar Parfum Initial

Guerlain’s original Shalimar was created in 1925 as a sort of ode de parfum encapsulating the great love story of Emperor Shahjahan – he of Taj Mahal fame – and his young wife Mumtaz Mahal. The scent was sweet and sultry, mingling Vanilla with Bergamot and citrus notes and wrapping them around a warm floral heart; a scented emblem of undying love. Shalimar Parfum Initial, credited to Thierry Wasser, takes the solid foundation laid out by its predecessor and adds an altogether modern twist which belies its baby pink exterior.

This is no simple gourmand perfume, however. Rich and silky, Shalimar Parfum Initial boosts its classic Vanilla, Tonka Bean and White Musk base with a luscious woodsy undertone of Vetiver and Patchouli, the Jasmine and Iris heart notes mingle seductively with fruity tones, while the Bergamot is joined by zesty Orange and a green accord evocative of freshly cut grass. The composition shies away from the overtly floral grandeur of Shalimar and focuses more on the oriental origins; it is warm and well-heeled, feeling almost calorific in its intensity, managing to subdue the senses in a way that is not at all unpleasant. 

Beautifully presented in a Jade Jagger designed flacon, Guerlain’s Shalimar Parfum Initial, in no way embarrasses its forebears. 

The only bone I have to pick with this scent is the marketing campaign – I can never quite see what nubile nudity has to do with selling perfume and as stunning as nymph-like Natalia Vodianova might be, pictures of her skinny little bottom don’t make me think ‘Ooh, I mush just pop out and buy some Shalimar...’ BUT, as bones go, that’s a very small one, so I shan’t hold it against Guerlain.

Top notes: Bergamot, Orange, Green notes

Heart notes: Fruit, Rose, Jasmine, Iris

Bottom notes: Patchouli, Vetiver, Vanilla, Tonka Bean, White Musk

Guerlain Shalimar Parfum Initial is available in three sizes, starting at £37.00/40ml. For more information and a list of stockists visit: http://www.guerlain.com/int/en. 

©Purple Peccadilloes