Winter is finally here and Toronto got its first snowfall, not much but I was able to show it to my kids. The elder one knew how it looked but the younger one who is 2 years old, he was so excited to see the snowflakes today. It feels nice and I am always excited to change my beauty routine and products which includes skincare and fragrance for winter. It is a season when I start waiting for the Christmas, thinking of the beautiful time with family and kids, staying together and staying cozy. In regard to the fragrance, I like rich and a bit dark fragrances for winter, although it depends I can go with deep florals or even earthy notes too. Being from India, born and raised there, settled in Canada now, it is normal for me to have a love inside for everything related or dedicated to something in India and Guerlain Shalimar fragrance is one of those masterpieces. I am wearing Guerlain Shalimar Souffle Intense Eau de Parfum since last few days and it feels lovely, apart from the emotional connection because of India. My husband is wearing or I would I am making him wear Guerlain Habit Rouge Dress Code in order for me to feel and experience how it works with his body chemistry.
Guerlain Shalimar Souffle Intense
Guerlain Shalimar Souffle Intense (CAD $122 – 50ml) is a new Eau de Parfum by Guerlain. A sensual and enchanting creation to be worn like a precious jewel. Thierry Wasser is the nose behind it and he has breathed new life into this legendary perfume, taking it to the heights of sensuality. From the Guerlain official website, if you do not know the legend or the history behind the Taj Mahal, located in India, here are some excerpts, ‘Once upon a time, four centuries ago, in India, there was a love that knew no bounds. For his beloved wife, the princess Mumtaz Mahal, the emperor Shah Jahan ordered the creation of the most luxurious gardens of Shalimar as a setting for their love. Later, he erected the Taj Mahal, a marvel admired by the entire world. This fabulous story inspired Jacques Guerlain to create an exquisitely seductive scent, the world’s very first oriental fragrance: Shalimar.' There may be different views of different people on Taj Mahal but in the end, it is and will always be seen as a symbol of Love which is also one of the point that Shalimar may be related to.
Top notes are Bergamot, Mandarin Orange, and Lemon. Middle notes are Indian Jasmin Sambac and Orange Blossom. Base notes are White Musk, Madagascar Vanilla, Tahitian Vanilla, and Benzoin. The packaging is deep blue lacquered bottle in a new sapphire-like design, conveying the intense and vivacious spirit of Shalimar, its legend, and Indian roots.
Guerlain Shalimar Souffle Intense is a beautiful contrast between vivacity and warmth, freshness and cocooning. In other words, it is warm, cozy, and delicious. The longevity is quite good on my skin, I can still smell it at the end of the day when I whiff close on my wrists. I can wear it during the day and night, as mentioned it is rich, warm, delightful, sensuous, and cozy but at the same time, very subtle and not overpowering.
Guerlain Habit Rouge Dress Code
Guerlain Habit Rouge Dress Code (CAD $130 – 100ml) is a new and contemporary twist on the signature Habit Rouge. It is sophisticated and audacious, the bottle adorns itself with a sober black suit twisted with a stylish tartan pattern while the fragrance has an addictive juice with a luscious oriental aroma. Habit Rouge was created in 1965 and is the first oriental fragrance for men in perfumery. As a homage to the equestrian art, it created an element of surprise with its scents of sensual and bold vanilla. Thierry Wasser is the nose behind this fragrance.
Tope notes are neroli, rose, and bergamot. Middle notes are spices, patchouli, and cedar. Base notes are tonka bean, vanilla, praline, and vetiver. Guerlain Habit Rouge Dress Code is housed in an elegant lacquered glass bottle with a trendy mix of red herringbones and silver stripes styles. The fragrance has rich woody notes which are softened by the leather facets. The longevity is nice and to me, it smells like creamy sweetish (later spicy) leathery scent which not usual in men's fragrance's but it is welcome now as I am loving this on my man.
Guerlain Shalimar Souffle Intense and Guerlain Habit Rouge Dress Code are available at Guerlain Boutique and Institute, and the Hudson's Bay.
*DISCLAIMER – These are press samples sent to ‘The Velvet Life', all views and opinions are 100% honest and based purely on my own experience.