FrauLocke

I am surprised by the previous partly miserable reviews, especially in the statements? - that do not do this fragrance justice.
It seems to depend extremely on skin chemistry and does not unfold well for many? (I don't smell anything medicinal, synthetic, or burnt old tires, for example)

It probably polarizes mainly due to high expectations because of the high price. While the price may be exaggerated, and there may be better or more striking “burners” from the designer - I don’t care - for me, it was a (beautiful) gift at Christmas.

In the silver box that housed the white-gold wrapped golden bottle, there was also some perfume paper, which was probably sprayed with the fragrance by the saleswoman from KaDeWe. Immediately, I noticed the pleasantly aromatic-warm-spicy base of the scent.
I was a bit apprehensive when I was expectantly looked at while opening the gift, wondering if my facial expression would somehow betray disappointment - as I initially confused it with Tom Ford's “Soleil blanc,” which I didn't really like when I tested it about a year ago.
Fortunately, I experienced a positive surprise.

There are indeed a few similar Soleil-themed accords to “Soleil blanc,” but Soleil brulant truly develops warmer, more radiant, cozier, and bright-spicy.
I somehow see the fragrance more for women, and I like it better with each spray after the first few tries, from the 2nd-3rd spray/day onwards. At first, I thought “a fragrance for summer,” but now I know it also works great in winter.

At the beginning, the pink pepper is fresh and soon transitions into the white and orange blossom honey heart.
I always had difficulties when I read “creamy” in fragrance descriptions on parfumo. But with this one, I notice it clearly. Far from all dry powderiness, alongside the honey unfolds a sweet (but not too sweet) gourmand tonka creaminess, which can be described as “delicious” for a long time.
The listed resins, woods, smoke, vetiver, and leather in the base I do not perceive individually.
Roughly described, it gives me a smooth sunscreen vibe and the scent of skin, which I have to sniff repeatedly. (I love the smell of slightly scorched skin from the sun in summer. This is precisely what is illusorily reproduced here. This was new to me :-)

I don’t yet know how I will find this perfume in summer; maybe it will be too spicy then, as it is neither transparent nor light.
But especially in the dark winter as an enveloping, warm-cozy, mood-lifting summer illusion = wonderful. It has also proven itself so far as a cozy bathrobe sprayer for a wellness day in the sauna.

I find this Soleil interpretation more successful than “Soleil blanc,” which is why I don’t understand the low rating here at all.

#warm #luxurious #mood-lifting

Years ago, I first encountered Shalimar in a department store. I had heard a lot about it. A classic, a legend, worn by our grandmothers and great-grandmothers...
In this specific case, I was intrigued by an autobiographical interview with the actor Winfried Glatzeder, the "Die Legende von Paul und Paula" Glatzeder "whose grandmother also wore Shalimar back in the day."

So I was interested and open-minded, but unfortunately, the scent horrified me upon spraying and made me wrinkle my nose and quickly disappear.
Thus, Shalimar was off my radar for a long time.

Years later, I was actually persuaded by a Douglas saleswoman to test the Shalimar Parfum Initial and was thrilled after a contemplative night, becoming a willing consumer.
So there was still hope for Shalimar and me!

Now I was on parfumo and got swept up in the current excitement and near mass hysteria of the last few weeks for the new Shalimar.
It was said: atypical Shalimar, unshalimaric, "best Shalimar of all time," one superlative chased the next. And then there was the principle of scarcity - where the brain usually has no other chance to react and screams "buybuybuy!!," - you don't want to fall victim to the panic of irreversible loss.

I absolutely wanted to give it a chance; it could go well. Besides, the bottle is SO incredibly beautiful and museum-like and decorative.

So I tore open the package after a 3-week wait (and lovely anticipation), applied the newcomer with excitement, and thought:
"Damn!"

No simsalabim-revelation miracle happened; I smelled a harsh resinous scent that simply isn't my thing. It reminds me of resinous Greek wines, Retsina. And that is bitter. Then there’s this damp leather note that turns into adhesive plaster, "Leukoplast." Damn! (Some described this here in advance as plastic-like?)

Even though it develops into a more pleasant and somewhat warmer smoky-vanilla scent after an hour - this could then be compared to Cuir Beluga - one still has to endure these "older notes" of the beginning.

Similarities to Aura Sublime were also mentioned here, which initially made me optimistic. However, I must say that Aura Sublime is sweet-vanilla and lemony - and not as initially harsh-resinous-leathery as this Shalimar LE.

I still don't know what I will do with it after the initial disappointment...
I am now "practicing" on the 3rd day, just like one has to get into a cumbersome music record.

Well, it was a (blind) attempt; I would have loved to share the enthusiasm. However, it will surely continue to have its followers, as thankfully tastes and receptors are different.