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Guerlain Shalimar Parfum Initial
Of all the perfumes I've ever tried, this was the one that I wanted to love the most.
I tried and tried through multiple wearings to make it work but in the end, I couldn't.
I thought it would be right up there with my beloved Dior Homme Intense (2011) and even though it does smell like a cousin, it's more powdery and the citrus really stands out to me in this.
It triggered a migraine every single time I wore it and it became evident that it just isn't for me (sadly.)
I have to be careful with citrus that comes off sharp on my skin and powder that takes over everything else, it just makes me feel suffocated and nauseous.
The Dior is blended better and smoother so I'll stick with that. It's truly my "desert island fragrance."
Such a shame for me but I'm sure the lucky person who I gave it to felt like they had won the lottery because this stuff isn't cheap!
I tried and tried through multiple wearings to make it work but in the end, I couldn't.
I thought it would be right up there with my beloved Dior Homme Intense (2011) and even though it does smell like a cousin, it's more powdery and the citrus really stands out to me in this.
It triggered a migraine every single time I wore it and it became evident that it just isn't for me (sadly.)
I have to be careful with citrus that comes off sharp on my skin and powder that takes over everything else, it just makes me feel suffocated and nauseous.
The Dior is blended better and smoother so I'll stick with that. It's truly my "desert island fragrance."
Such a shame for me but I'm sure the lucky person who I gave it to felt like they had won the lottery because this stuff isn't cheap!
Updated on 10/04/2025