BergamotOpens with
IrisHeart
VanilleDries down to
Thierry WasserThe nose · 253 fragrances · also made L’Homme Idéal Eau de Parfum (2016)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Guerlain · Sold as feminine
Guerlain Shalimar Parfum Initial L'Eau
The quiet anticipation just before a dinner party, where the scent of fresh flowers mingles with warm spices and vanilla as guests arrive.
Full bottle: Premium tier, typically $100–250. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
Guerlain Shalimar Parfum Initial L'EauPremium · $100–250How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Notes Pyramid
TopOpening
BaseFoundation
Main Accords
When to Wear
Who Wears It
The story behind the bottle.
Launched in 2012 by Guerlain, Shalimar Parfum Initial L'Eau is the creation of perfumer Thierry Wasser. It opens with a vibrant citrus bouquet of bergamot, grapefruit, and orange, which contrasts beautifully against the warm vanilla and tonka bean notes that form its heart and base. The fragrance also features an array of florals such as iris, hyacinth, jasmine, freesia, rose, and lily-of-the-valley, creating a rich blend of floral and spicy nuances. This composition is emblematic of Guerlain's tradition of using luxurious and rare materials to craft enduring scents.
Apply to pulse points for the best effect — the citrus notes are bright but fleeting, while the base of vanilla and tonka bean develops gradually. This fragrance is best suited for daytime or early evening events.
Fig. 01 — Guerlain Shalimar Parfum Initial L'Eau, Guerlain
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
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Thierry Wasser
The guardian of GuerlainThierry Wasser is the in-house perfumer at Guerlain — a title that makes him the custodian of one of perfumery's most storied legacies.
“I am not going to betray five generations of the family.”
Thierry Wasser · Wallpaper*, December 2008
The Guerlain Shalimar Parfum Initial L'Eau line
2 fragrances, compared side by side
Designer Guerlain
More from the house · founded 1828 · France
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What people
are saying.
Well loved by wearers: loved by 42%, disliked or hated by 14%.