Guerlinchen

I have never ordered a fragrance so quickly, but when I heard about the edition for the 100th anniversary of the wonderful Shalimar, I had to jump at the chance without much thought.
Barely had it arrived, and the journey began.
I first tested the enclosed sample - and was really disappointed. I mainly got Shalimar Millésime Iris vibes... A hint of Shalimar Millésime Vanilla Planifolia followed, and yes, that was almost it.
No bergamot, no leather, no smoke, and thus no Shalimar DNA.
And this for the 100th birthday of an icon?! How can that be?
The statements about the fragrance slowly started to emerge, and I didn’t understand what everyone was smelling.
Then, two days later, I opened the bottle -- and was truly amazed! It was really a revelation.
Everything was there - the bergamot danced towards me, soft leather caressed my nose, and overall, the Shalimar original DNA wished me a wonderful good day.
And then: THIS VANILLA... oh, how wonderful it is. So silky, dense, and warm. It is a true dream.
I was very surprised but incredibly happy. Really absolutely happy.
Now I could also understand many of the statements. Good thing I always take some time before writing, otherwise I would have described a completely different scent impression.
This has never happened to me before, that a manufacturer's sample performs so differently, but that’s how it is for me.
Farfalle do taste different than macaroni even though they are basically made from the same material... or my coffee tastes different from a glass than from my favorite cup - so why not.
I am definitely a bottle child :-).
I can hardly wait for this little treasure to fully mature!
I really think it’s worth taking the time to test this fragrance calmly in a perfumery.
I can only say that Guerlain has done a great job honoring Shalimar while absolutely transporting the fragrance into the here and now. It has been given new life.
As a result, it is much more wearable in everyday life than the original Shalimar (which for me remains an incomparable masterpiece and can continue to accompany me in my daily life).
Since I own and know all the Millésime editions very well, I would say that Guerlain has succeeded in finding exactly the middle ground between Shalimar Millésime Vanilla Planifolia and Shalimar Millésime Iris, embedding it all into a gentler version of the original fragrance.
That is truly art for me.
Perhaps the Millésime versions even served as a testing ground to see what customers like best.
For me, it is, alongside my beloved Millésime Tonka, really the most successful version of the new releases. Just as it should be for the hundredth anniversary.
By the way, the new lettering on the bottle is inspired by the Art Deco style, as this flourished in the year of release and is thus contemporary for the birth year of Shalimar. This has been very well chosen.
I now love the fragrance very much, and it even has great potential to become a signature scent for me.
That says something.
The longevity is also quite good - for my skin not really intense because it tends to absorb everything quickly, but still good.
I am also extremely happy that this is not a limited edition, if my sources have conveyed that correctly.
Since I found that out, the nervous twitch in my bunker eye has calmed down nicely ;-).
The only thought that I might smell it in many places in the future doesn’t sit quite as well with me, but I certainly wish Guerlain and this wonderful fragrance great success.

I have remained rather factual here; what the fragrance does to me emotionally I have described in my statement.

I wish everyone a lot of joy in discovering this truly successful fragrance and say from the bottom of my heart: HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHALIMAR!

She wears black.
Or rather, black wears her. But it suits her, gives her shine, and acts like a strengthening corset for her.
She has loved. Deeply, intimately, passionately, and truly. Yet love is not always enough to find fulfilling happiness in life.
She found it; it felt citrusy light, right, and bergamot bright.
It became an intimate liaison; spice, feminine fullness, and grounding patchouli formed a wonderful dance floor to express the dance of emotions and passion upon.
She often received roses, dark and beautiful roses.
He pressed his lips onto the delicate blooms before handing them to her.
It was love. For both.
Not tangible but always palpable. Consuming yet grounding. Captivating yet liberating.
Humidity filled the room.
He could not leave, yet could not stay.
She was left behind. Trapped in her tears of musk. Unable to live even a day without him.
Did she only find him to learn what letting go feels like?!
Did he touch her heart so deeply just so she could grow?
Better for your heart to beat in love than in lies!
What remains for her are comforting, bittersweet memories of sandalwood and vanilla. Embracing and dense.
Protective incense wraps around her aching heart. The tonka bean whispers gentle words of reassurance to her.
She had to learn to live with him, even though he was not there.
She had to accept the footprints he left deep in her heart to be able to move forward with her head held high, full of pride and dignity. She had to.

She became Coco Noir -
a black gemstone of tears that has fallen into a deep gorge and speaks - please let there be peace there.


A very special fragrance that deserves a test in silence.

You came to me blind, and I tested you blindly. At that time, I was completely unaware of what you would do and mean to me. That you would be a fragrance that life had written for me.
Perhaps you were even sent to me - as a kind of guardian angel. A companion who would walk hand in hand with me through a very difficult time.
When I first perceived you on my skin, I thought -- oh, I really like this.
The very next day, you did something to me, and I completely fell for you.
A few days later, my dear dad was admitted to the hospital. The time that awaited me afterwards was hard, sad, and very challenging. After a few days, it became clear to me that I had to let him go, just like my dear mom a few years earlier.
I wanted to be strong for him and try to give him as much love and "hey, I'm here" as I possibly could.
Of course, every day before my hospital visits, the question arose in me -- which fragrance should I wear to feel strong and protected?! You were immediately the answer to that question.
I entered into a quiet conversation with you - can you accompany me on this path, stand by me with strength and protection, and can I still love and wear you carefree afterwards?!
I quickly realized that if any fragrance could do this, it was you - created from this wonderful house of Guerlain, which itself has endured many difficult times for decades and still creates these wonderful creations with pride, elegance, and a lot of heart. My refuge for so many years now.
When I hold your beautiful bottle up to the light, you reflect it back to me -- a black label... but there is also so much golden light within you, so much warmth.
Just like in life. Both are there, and one can decide which side to direct their gaze and, above all, their heart towards.
Yes, this is how it can be, with fragrances that life writes for you.
You carried me through the hardest day, on which I could only send white roses, a few whispered words, and two balloons into the sky.
I love you all! You know it, and maybe you are even watching me write these lines over my shoulder. Love never fades. That is such a great comfort.
When I spray this fragrance, I immediately perceive warm, rich tonka and almonds. Tonka streams flow, amber-colored caramel stars sparkle in the sky, vanilla flowers bloom, and fluffy almond powder clouds drift by.
At this point, I would also like to quote my statement because it was my first thoughts about this fragrance:
Dark, rich tonka streams pour forth, almond and amber caramel whisper your name, vanilla slowly melts into your heart. Balm.
Yes, that is how you are for me.
And so much more. Your maturation process has made you rounder and more perfect, adding a large portion of elegance to you. Simply wonderful.
When I am sad today and spray you, you comfort me and envelop me with a warm and protective aura. You calm me and make me happy. You are simply my soul tincture.
I hope that all who have embraced this fragrance in their hearts will experience much joy and beautiful moments with it.

Fragrance love can achieve great things, and I wish it for all of you -- warm regards from your Guerlinchen

Were you hurt, my heart? Then wear Chanel N°5. Do you want to love but no one is there to receive it? Then wear Chanel N°5. Are you loved and your heart is full of joy because of it? Then wear Chanel N°5. Do you need to be strong, even though you are not right now? Then wear Chanel N°5.
Do you feel comfortable and irresistible in your skin? Then wear Chanel N°5.
Is your world currently shaken and you are looking for an anchor - then wear Chanel N°5.
With every spray, it whispers -- wear me and I will carry you through and far beyond.
With your head held high and your back strengthened, full of dignity and elegance. Stylish and authentic.
Just like a rare insect trapped in amber, you exist for eternity in your simple and stylish bottle.
When the icy wind of time blows over everything, you will still be there.
What a comfort in a world full of instability.
I first encountered this fragrance when I was just 17 years old. It was given to me by my then-boyfriend. As pure perfume in a wonderful pocket bottle that looked like a sinfully expensive lipstick. Which was basically true - 85 DM for 7.5 ml was a lot of money for a young guy at that time. He was in the Navy, and that time was marked by deep longing, heart-wrenching love letters, and terrible farewell pain every time "the Mölders" set sail again. Not to mention the annoyed parents when a call (there was only landline and you practically slept by the phone!) came in from afar.
Looking back, I would say it was almost cinematic. I kept both the letters and a few drops in the bottle. The rest lives in my memories.
Now I must say that Chanel N°5 entered my life quite early, but I really understood and grew into this fragrance only several decades later. You hear this statement quite often. So to all who don't really like it yet -- perhaps it will conquer your heart later in a storm. That is by no means excluded.
So what is this legendary fragrance like? I first perceive the radiant aldehydes, surrounded by delicate citrus butterflies. Then it becomes powdery for me, I assume due to the iris. I cannot detect the rose on its own. But what I love most is the incredibly beautiful base note of this fragrance - this delicate vanilla lightly enveloped by sandalwood. I feel empowered in my femininity with this fragrance. Chanel N°5 has an incredibly dignified elegance for me. It gives me a sense of security and its enchanting powder heart exudes pure magic. The only thing I would wish for is better longevity on my skin.

Chanel N°5. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow. You possess a timeless fascination. For eternity.

When the soul is sad, it needs comfort. Everything that feels like a soul embrace is a great blessing.
This can be the right words from the right person, a heartfelt and sincere hug, or sometimes just a single glance from honest eyes.
But when none of that is available, a large ice cream sundae can help - or Shalimar Millésime Vanilla Planifolia.
I find this warm, rich, and golden vanilla envelops you like a protective hug.
This fragrance radiates so much warmth and depth, it is strong yet somehow gentle at the same time.
It gives me a feeling of security and protection.
Looking at the fragrance pyramid, you notice - there really isn't one. Here you only find vanilla.
But one shouldn't be misled by that. Because one thing this perfume is not - boring or even monotonous.
Once on the skin, it pulses and exudes an oriental dense, slightly spicy, and golden warmth.
The vanilla is only slightly sweet, kept in check by a faintly smoky undertone.
I perceive these two components as so well balanced that neither the sweetness nor the smokiness becomes too much for me.
I personally only perceive leather lightly and in the background.
The scent is present, but never too much - here too, a good balance can be felt. A certain powderiness and elegance accompany it in the dry down.
My bottle has been with me for a few months now, and I must say the fragrance has matured beautifully.
While I was initially a bit disappointed that it is not the vanilla from the dry down of the Shalimar EdP (which I find brighter and less dense), I now can hardly stop marveling at it. It has quietly and secretly perfected itself in its wonderful bottle.
What can I say - this is simply art from the house of Guerlain.
I am very glad that I can call this beauty my own and thus always have a reliable soul comforter at hand when the waves of life rise higher than my soul would like.

Fragrance: Warm, golden, enveloping, protective, and dense oriental vanilla.

Sillage: Never too much or too loud.

Longevity: Good, but for me only close to the skin after a few hours.

Bottle: Simply incredibly beautiful and elegant - a work of art. Wonderful.

Price: Reasonable.