Shalimar
Eau de Parfum, Guerlain (1925)

Guerlain Shalimar EDP is great. I was at a wedding reception and was seated next to an aunt of the groom who was dressed to the nines, a stranger to me, but friendly. I kept getting wafts of her perfume and eventually complimented her in a non-creepy way. She was happy to tell me it was Shalimar and that she had worn it since she was in high school. I’d say it’s safe for a guy, in my opinion. I get warm-spice, incense, amber, and maybe a subtle smokiness which might be leather.
Another true story: One day after a workout and shower, thinking I would be alone for a few hours, I decided to go with Shalimar. Got an unexpected call from friends of mine who were coming by for an unexpected visit. As soon as they walked in, the wife says: “I smell incense!” Anyway, I found it interesting that her initial immediate association and knee-jerk descriptor word was not flowers, powder, or vanilla, but was incense.
Her reaction affirmed my own opinion that Shalimar EDP is safe for a guy.
Also, it’s surprisingly subtle, but definitely present and enduring.
I highly recommend it for either ladies or gents who appreciate a classic that is somehow both historic and modern at the same time.

I really wanted to try this classic so I was lucky enough to hunt down a part bottle of the vintage parfum. I put it down for awhile, and am giving it another go. I don't have an experienced nose, but it just isn't a pleasant fragrance to me. It's hard to endure the initial screeching blast. I get no fruit notes as they're overpowered by the heavy spicier fare. It's just not my type of scent. Too heavy. Reminds me of old, dusty velvet curtains. What is really enjoyable though is the wonderful vanilla drydown but it's hard to gather up the nerve to weather the rest to get to the vanilla. It just doesn't work for me, but I have about 4 applications left in the glass stopper bottle, and I'm determined to use it up dammit.

This is a true classic with I don't know how many reviews. It is aimed for women but I think this can be worn by anyone. I get a soft leather, something powdery that might be the iris, and a sweet vanilla in the base. For fans of Dior Homme Intense or Musc Ravageur, I think this is worth a try. And if one is interested in classics and history, it is a must just to have tried it. I bought a decant to try and I enjoyed it all the way.

When I first smelled the current edp of Shalimar it smelled so familiar. I have smelled aspects of this in so many perfumes. I imagine if Ihad smelled the vintage versions I would not be so positive about the current formulation, but I do really enjoy wearing this.

If you can endure the initial nuclear blast of bergamot, you will be rewarded with a sultry amber guerlainade middle and dry down that is just fantastic. It is a bit loud for most occasions so I typically wear for my own enjoyment. I am grateful to be able to study and enjoy the classic Guerlains at such reasonable price points!

That's a rather interesting scent, leaning on a heavier side, quite sweet, with subtle leather note.

I found an old tester bottle of Shalimar edp when cleaning out drawers at work, and my nice boss let me take it home (we don't carry Guerlain at my store). I can appreciate it for what it is, and I'll give Guerlain credit for keeping Shalimar still recognizably "Shalimar" after around 100 years, but I'm just not a fan. It's still too sweet and has too much vanilla for my taste. If I have to go down the Oriental road, I prefer old school Coty Emeraude. Very heavy and long lasting, so no complaints in the performance category. As for this being unisex, all I can say is "Are you kidding?". I'll give Shalimar edp a "thumbs up", but for other people and not myself.