Shalimar L'Essence

This is how you imagine a cabaret would smell from Hollywood movies. I haven't smell the original.It starts a bit bitter, then turns into something familiar, modernized yet vintage. Powder and old vintage lipstick from the makeup bag of an older aunt who wore heavy powder and smoked too much, or from enclosed spaces and theatrical dressing rooms,a cabaret. What fascinates me about many perfumes is that I recognize this scent ,but I don't remember from where or why . It brings to mind such images, though I don't remember actually experiencing it and from where. I feel most perfumes that are in the hall of fame have a very unique, weird scent and are not generic, even if you don't like them.

I know this might be fragrance blasphemy, but I've never been a massive fan of the original Shalimar. I deeply respect it as an icon with incredible history, but it just isn't my style. L'Essence, however, feels so much more approachable and appetizing to my nose. The gorgeous, upgraded vanilla adds a smoother richness, and I really connect with the darker, smoky nuances here. It's a striking take on that classic DNA - luxurious, powdery, and deeply resinous. While I could actually see myself wearing this one, I'm not sure it would quite dethrone my other favorites enough to justify a full bottle. I like you, l'essence, but not enough.

Have my bottle for sale, full bottle. Bought in May 2026. Smell is not for me. London based

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.

This is almost like the opposite of the regular shalimar. The original starts with a bergamot explosion, incense comes through while the florals lift the deep, spicy, smoky and dark resinous base. L’essence starts off with a very modern cupcakey vanilla, slowly becomes more citrusy and incensey and dries down into a powdery floral. So strange. Its nice though! The opening reminds me a lot of le regent, even though that one is more benzoin forward. This is also a much fresher and iris focused rendition of the original. The drydown goes more into francesca bianchi angel’s dust: warm cosmetic powder with a hint of animalic notes. A lot of things lack in here though… the iconic bergamot is nowhere to be seen, i dont get a single hint of opoponax or leather. So no i dont think this one is better than the original. But its still surprisingly nice. A more safe rendition but its still gorgeous and it still has the shalimar dna. Its just not what im looking for in guerlain classics

I have an unused original 90ml bottle for sale for 100€ in europe. Bought from Qatar Duty free but wife does not like the incense (apparently 😅). Sand me a message if interested. I bought around 155€ for it

They have done a phenomenal job in making a modern (and dare I say more palatable for most) version of Shalimar without making it too basic or losing its essence (pun intended). Deep ambery and powdery vanilla, as only Guerlain does it. Brilliant!

If you love Shalimar and those around you don't, this is the perfect fragrance for all. Call it the gateway perfume to olfactory discovery.

I like this. It does smell a bit smokey, but subtle and soft.

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.

This perfume makes me mad. It smells so good. However it lasts absolutely nothing, less than a hour. What’s the point in making such a great smelling fragrance if it’s going to disappear right away?

People who say they don't like Guerlain shouldn't like this then. This is all bergamot on me. Like Shalimar edt but the opening burst the whole time. With a huge helping of bergamot.. to the point I feel like a bergamot pie. (Key lime but bergamot instead of key lime for us Westerners...) I like it more than Vanille Planifolia 21 its not as syrup vanilla with hints of nutmeg root beer float. & yes I have a fb of VP. Gone through 2 bottles now and was about to purchase a 125ml and said nope. Just sprayed VP last night to be sure in my decision to pass on it. Yep.. Add Ylang Ylang and this would be similar to Samsara.

Stunningly beautiful. Rich, warm, elegant with a touch of darkness and smells wealthy. A great introduction to the brand, without the huge price tag. I am not a fan of the original but love this modern version. It lasts all day and is gorgeous. It’s not an airy fragrance, it makes itself known without being offensive.

I really love this fragrance—it’s as if the opoponax and animalic notes have been removed to make the EDP more contemporary. I’m not usually a fan of EDPs, but this has a wonderful vanilla-almond scent.9/10

very different from og shalimar which i dont like. it smells more modern, classy and less dusty. if you are patient enough you can smell the vanilla why guerlain is popular for. i tried at duty free and i couldnt decide if i should get it or not. it is not my quite type of vanilla but i like it. if you are feeling sophisticated enough, this might suit you.

This is the most perfect Vanilla to me. I find it both cozy and classy. For some reason it reminds me of a warm and inviting gothic Mansion with interior of dark heavy wood

It is a nice perfume with the classic Guerlain Vanilla aspect to me. But I find my skin tends to throw something weird with opponax…it almost goes animalic/spicy/balsamic on me which makes this fragrance a no for me. I do think it is a beautiful sophisticated vanilla fragrance though.

I respect what Shalimar represents but I don’t like the original and I won’t try to force myself into liking it. Shalimar L’essence on the other hand is really nice. It really is a more pleasant version of the original for me, all those sharp notes are gone and a lot of vanilla was added. Really good!

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.

This smells like someone tried to use Mon Guerlain to cover up the smell of menthol cigarette smoke on their clothes. I love Mon Guerlain, but the cigarette smell makes me feel sick.

Shalimar L’Essence, by Guerlain, Eau de Parfum, smells like vanilla powder and tonka beans. I could smell a little bit of the animalic and aldehyde notes, of the original Shalimar, in the opening, but in a minute they fade away and you are left with a very simple vanilla fragrance. The tonka beans make the vanilla boozy. I do not wear vanilla, it is not a perfume for me. The scent profile being pretty simple, I think the perfume is overpriced. You can find so many similar scents for one third of the price.

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.

Smells very strongly of baby powder, mixed with the type of perfume an older auntie would wear.

Smells like baby powder. Which makes me think baby diaper (unused). Not good. So many better vanillas. Sometimes I get a teeny tiny hint of the citrus, but not enough to help this scent. If that or the incense were boosted a ton, this might have a chance. But nah. Way too many fragrances that are amazing for me to say anything remotely good about this one. Skip it.

This is definitely Shalimar but smoother and easier to wear. I also get a whiff of modernity in the composition, I think k it might be the almond, I love that note! It’s so good and even though it respects Shalimar EDP, it’s softer, beautifully softer( not weaker) I loved Shalimar but couldn’t wear it too often because the incense and the civit mix would come off rubbery on me. This has everything I love about the original but just so much easier. There’s almost a beachy vibe. I absolutely love this!

So far, Shalimar L'Essence is a pretty one (like). Shalimar OG EDP and EDT (tested at the counter) were not for me. A sample of Souffle honestly felt "meh." Shalimar Cologne 2015 was lovely, and sometimes I regret rehoming it. But, I felt the powdery iris was a bit much paired with the almost perfect lemon cookie vibe. I like iris in small amounts, like in Miss Dior EDP 2021. In the world of French designer perfume, I think I personally resonate best with orange blossom, vanilla, fruity, citrus, and/or spicy blends like YSL Libre EDP and Black Opium Glitter. The classic woody/chypre types like rose-patchouli (Mon Paris) are beautiful but never feel like "me." So, take this Guerlain review with a huge grain of salt. L'Essence was a successful blind buy for me. It blooms into a softened, rounded version of OG Shalimar with an extra dose of vanillin (yes!). It feels cuddly and comforting, yet upscale and refined. The powdery florals are balanced without overwhelming the composition or smelling like old-fashioned makeup. The bergamot opening is yummy and bright. Not sharp. L'Essence smells of resinous notes and a pinch of leather without leaning dirty or dusty, IMO. It's a powdery vanilla but deeper than Orchidee Vanille. Shalimar L'Essence has whispers of timeless elegance. It makes me think of something vintage and special, yet wearable. I am hoping this can be a versatile year-round pick. One or two sprays is enough for me!

Beautiful fragrance! As a dude, I will have no problem rocking L’Essence in the colder weather. Tough men could learn from not being so sissy.

Flankers can have 2 kinds of main dramas in there lives: 1.) The flanker differs from the original too much - or 2.) The flanker is too similar to the original one. In this case it's the latter. IMO this one is 98 % similar to Shalimar EDP. Minus the prominent citrusy note at the beginning. It's nice, lovely, strong, I love it but the DNA is just the same so I don't see the the reason of this one considering that I have the OG one.

It's quite similar to the iris one to me, but this has more vanilla of course and minus the sickly caramel note found in the iris version. This is lovely!

Shalimar L’Essence was overwhelming on my skin. What I expected to be soft and refined turned harsh, loud, and difficult to wear almost immediately. The sweetness and warmth felt dense rather than creamy, and the composition lacked the airy, blended quality I usually enjoy. It clung stubbornly to my skin and was nearly impossible to wash off. Unfortunately, this was far from the soft, luminous style I’m drawn to.