Melaniemel

Did you know that the consumption of tonka beans is banned in the USA? Rumor has it that it's due to the coumarin and the "addictive" property of the little bean.
I would completely understand the latter.
Guerlain has managed to create a tonka scent that I want to sniff constantly, even when I'm not wearing it.
It starts with a fresh, mood-lifting bergamot and a beautiful marzipan/amaretto/almond note. Nothing reminiscent of the original Shalimar at first. But it is very unisex.
Shortly thereafter, the tonka bean, the star of the fragrance, takes the stage. Soft, noble, chocolatey, and enveloping. Absolutely stunning.
While the original Shalimar flashes through from time to time, the rose, with the iris, vanilla, and tonka bean, forms a unity. You can't help but feel "well wrapped." No wonder, as all the fragrance notes of the perfume are known in aromatherapy to be "anxiety-relieving, mood-lifting, and promoting well-being."
The sillage is not overwhelming but present, and it accompanies me all day long.
A scent that wants to be tested, if Guerlain allows it. Unfortunately, it will soon be sold out again. What a SHAME! But we are almost used to the "shelves being empty" by now. ;-)

A kitten. What defines it? Of course, it is cute, very cute. You just want to cuddle it, and the words "aaaaaah" and "ohhhhh" just bubble out of you. When you smell it, it has a fluffy scent, lightly reminiscent of fur. However, it is far from the animalic scent of an adult. A kitten wants to play and is remembered not just for any scratches and bites.
Everyone loves kittens. No matter how tough your day was, how exhausting work was. A purring, fluffy kitten always lifts your spirits. Did you know that "petting cats" is even recommended by psychologists? It calms you, stimulates your own happiness hormone production, and reduces stress. A kitten turns a house into a home.
This is exactly how this fragrance is. I have rarely seen a more fitting name for a perfume.

"I must be too weak if it’s too strong for me." With this mindset, I bravely approached Marc Gebauer's Arabian King and boldly sought a sample here. In my imagination, I pictured myself scrubbing in the bathroom, with reddened wrists over the sink, trying to wash off a stable, yet too intense Oud note... But NO! It turned out completely different! A beautiful warm, aromatic Oud note reveals itself to me, entwined with a saffron note and a citrus note, almost caressing. Totally feminine??? No. Unisex, absolutely. Pleasant, high-quality. The oil puddle on my arm speaks volumes, and I wonder how much perfume oil this fragrance must contain? I read something about 50% and was now sure, that MUST be true. What can I say, I like it! Yes, very much so. The rose and beautiful woods change the scent profile after a few hours, but it remains... oriental, soft, woody, pleasant, wearable, beautiful....
Respect dear Marc Gebauer, you and your team have really done an excellent job!

Carrot and Iris. Exciting. Yawn!
That's probably how people feel who have to listen to my raptures about Iris and are NOT as crazy about perfume as I am!
"Yes, but the carrot is soooo beautifully mild and cooked, and it brings out a delicate sweetness. And the iris, oh what am I saying, iris, this buttery one, no THE most beautiful iris. The combo! To die for! Noble, high-quality, fragile, you haven't smelled something so beautifully creamy and high-quality before" - I hear myself saying. Yes, the other person still looks visibly unimpressed but at least interested.
"450 euros for 50 ml" I hear myself say, and suddenly I have the full attention of my conversation partner, who looks visibly shocked.
Can a perfume really be that expensive? And above all, is it worth it?
To question No. 1, yes it can be. To question No. 2, that's for everyone to judge for themselves.
The scent is perfect, after all.

Yes, the beloved Guerlain Vanilla. Shalimar. Feels like 1000 flankers and then this!
Millesime, I didn’t think when I ordered you that you would be so beautiful. I had actually already written you off. My information was that it’s not available in Germany. Well, fine. It’s just not meant to be. Cancel the planned sharing and move on. Then a lovely perfumer pointed out to me that it is now available at Notino. Bingo, ordered.
First test: sprayed. Excuse me, what is this???? Shalimar, could this be you? Wasn’t there something about retro? A beautiful vanilla is practically smiling at me. Young, gentle, finely textured, multifaceted. Barely reminiscent of the original Shalimar. At most like the beautiful young cousin, very friendly, naturally beautiful. She comes without makeup and jewelry. Jeans and a shirt. Perfect. Gorgeous. However, never conceited, even though she is aware of her beauty. She is also so beautiful and graceful on the inside. That’s you, my new favorite Shalimar.
You can tell, I’m absolutely swooning.
What do you get?
Pure, clean, multifaceted, lovely, weightless vanilla that is subtly smoky. Everything else is in the background.
Oh how sad that you are limited and probably sold out very soon. What a pity....
Test it while it’s still available.