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What does L'Initial smell like?

L’Initial is a sophisticated exercise in texture, moving from a bright, zesty opening into a dense, cosmetic-leaning heart. It begins with a sharp sparkle of bergamot and orange, softened slightly by a touch of jasmine. This citrus phase is brief, serving as a clean introduction before the fragrance’s true character takes over: a thick, velvety cloud of powdery Iris pallida. This isn’t a dry or chalky powder; instead, it feels buttery and refined, accented by the soft, honeyed petals of Turkish rose absolute. As the fragrance settles, it transforms into a gourmand-leaning oriental that feels like a warm embrace. The "Guerlinade" heritage is clear here, as vanilla and tonka bean create a smooth, creamy base. A swirl of caramel adds a modern sweetness, while patchouli and white musk provide an earthy, clean grounding that prevents the scent from becoming cloying. Wearing it feels like donning a high-end cashmere coat—elegant, substantial, and classic, yet unmistakably contemporary and approachable for daily wear.

Details

House: Guerlain
Gender: feminine
Year: 2020
Longevity: 7.7 / 10 · 172 Parfumo ratings
Sillage: 7.2 / 10 · 172 Parfumo ratings
Season votes on Parfumo: Fall (69 votes), Spring (69 votes)
Occasion votes on Parfumo: Leisure (59 votes), Evening (58 votes)
Scent Profile: Floral, Sweet, Powdery, Oriental, Spicy
Perfumer: Thierry Wasser

Historical community ratings and votes imported from Parfumo. Values may have changed since import; the observation date is unavailable. Ratings reflect community opinions, not measured wear tests. Categories show up to two leading vote counts; votes are category selections and may overlap.

Community Insights

RedditFragrantica

Enthusiasts frequently identify this as the re-release of the discontinued Shalimar Parfum Initial, though some purists debate whether the new formulation maintains the exact depth of the original.
The performance is widely regarded as impressive, with a consensus that the longevity lasts through a full workday, though the projection is polite and sophisticated rather than Room-filling.
It is often described as a "bridge" fragrance—perfect for those who find the smoky, leathery aspects of the original Shalimar too challenging but want to experience Guerlain’s signature iris and vanilla DNA.
While it is a floral-oriental, many users note a "cherry-almond" or "lipstick" facet in the opening that makes it feel youthful and playful despite its vintage inspirations.
The community views this as a highly versatile "all-rounder," noting it works equally well for office environments, casual daytime outings, and formal evenings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does L'Initial compare to the classic Shalimar Eau de Parfum?+

While they share the same DNA of bergamot, iris, and vanilla, L'Initial removes the heavy smoke, leather, and animalic notes found in the original Shalimar. It is a much cleaner, brighter, and more powdery interpretation that feels more modern and less polarizing.

Is this fragrance suitable for warm weather?+

Yes. While it has a sweet base of caramel and tonka bean, the prominent citrus top notes and powdery iris make it very wearable in the spring. Many users find it light enough for summer days, provided it is applied moderately.

Some people mention an almond scent; is that in the notes?+

While almond is not officially listed in the notes, the combination of tonka bean and powdery iris often creates a "cherry-almond" or marzipan-like accord that many people detect during the first hour of wear.

Is L'Initial considered a "mature" fragrance?+

Because of the heavy iris and powder, it can have a "makeup bag" or "lipstick" vibe associated with classic perfumery. However, the addition of caramel and white musk gives it a sweet, airy quality that appeals to a wide range of ages.

Appears in Collections

Feminine Fragrances2169 Fragrances Starting With L576

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What does L'Initial smell like?

L’Initial is a sophisticated exercise in texture, moving from a bright, zesty opening into a dense, cosmetic-leaning heart. It begins with a sharp sparkle of bergamot and orange, softened slightly by a touch of jasmine. This citrus phase is brief, serving as a clean introduction before the fragrance’s true character takes over: a thick, velvety cloud of powdery Iris pallida. This isn’t a dry or chalky powder; instead, it feels buttery and refined, accented by the soft, honeyed petals of Turkish rose absolute. As the fragrance settles, it transforms into a gourmand-leaning oriental that feels like a warm embrace. The "Guerlinade" heritage is clear here, as vanilla and tonka bean create a smooth, creamy base. A swirl of caramel adds a modern sweetness, while patchouli and white musk provide an earthy, clean grounding that prevents the scent from becoming cloying. Wearing it feels like donning a high-end cashmere coat—elegant, substantial, and classic, yet unmistakably contemporary and approachable for daily wear.

Details

House: Guerlain
Gender: feminine
Year: 2020
Longevity: 7.7 / 10 · 172 Parfumo ratings
Sillage: 7.2 / 10 · 172 Parfumo ratings
Season votes on Parfumo: Fall (69 votes), Spring (69 votes)
Occasion votes on Parfumo: Leisure (59 votes), Evening (58 votes)
Scent Profile: Floral, Sweet, Powdery, Oriental, Spicy
Perfumer: Thierry Wasser

Historical community ratings and votes imported from Parfumo. Values may have changed since import; the observation date is unavailable. Ratings reflect community opinions, not measured wear tests. Categories show up to two leading vote counts; votes are category selections and may overlap.

Community Insights

RedditFragrantica

Enthusiasts frequently identify this as the re-release of the discontinued Shalimar Parfum Initial, though some purists debate whether the new formulation maintains the exact depth of the original.
The performance is widely regarded as impressive, with a consensus that the longevity lasts through a full workday, though the projection is polite and sophisticated rather than Room-filling.
It is often described as a "bridge" fragrance—perfect for those who find the smoky, leathery aspects of the original Shalimar too challenging but want to experience Guerlain’s signature iris and vanilla DNA.
While it is a floral-oriental, many users note a "cherry-almond" or "lipstick" facet in the opening that makes it feel youthful and playful despite its vintage inspirations.
The community views this as a highly versatile "all-rounder," noting it works equally well for office environments, casual daytime outings, and formal evenings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does L'Initial compare to the classic Shalimar Eau de Parfum?+

While they share the same DNA of bergamot, iris, and vanilla, L'Initial removes the heavy smoke, leather, and animalic notes found in the original Shalimar. It is a much cleaner, brighter, and more powdery interpretation that feels more modern and less polarizing.

Is this fragrance suitable for warm weather?+

Yes. While it has a sweet base of caramel and tonka bean, the prominent citrus top notes and powdery iris make it very wearable in the spring. Many users find it light enough for summer days, provided it is applied moderately.

Some people mention an almond scent; is that in the notes?+

While almond is not officially listed in the notes, the combination of tonka bean and powdery iris often creates a "cherry-almond" or marzipan-like accord that many people detect during the first hour of wear.

Is L'Initial considered a "mature" fragrance?+

Because of the heavy iris and powder, it can have a "makeup bag" or "lipstick" vibe associated with classic perfumery. However, the addition of caramel and white musk gives it a sweet, airy quality that appeals to a wide range of ages.

Can this be worn as a unisex fragrance?+

Although marketed for women, the heavy iris and earthy patchouli notes share similarities with many modern "powdery" men's fragrances. Anyone who enjoys sophisticated, iris-forward scents will likely find this wearable.

Has L'Initial been reformulated?+

L'Initial itself is a reincarnation of the former "Shalimar Parfum Initial." While the scent profile is nearly identical, it was moved into Guerlain's "Les Légendaires" collection with a different bottle design. Most fans agree the core scent remains faithful to the 2011 version.

Accords

Notes

TopOrange//Bergamot//Jasmine

HeartIris pallida//Turkish rose absolute

BaseWhite musk//Caramel//Vanilla//Tonka bean//Patchouli

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We are not tracking a current retailer offer for this fragrance yet.

View price details

Appears in Collections

Feminine Fragrances2169 Fragrances Starting With L576

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Where to buy L'Initial

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Fragrance Fragrance is an independent price-comparison service, not a retailer or marketplace. We do not sell, stock, ship, or accept payment for products. Purchases are completed on third-party retailer sites. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by fragrance brands. How buying works.

Prices are collected from third-party retailers and updated periodically. Always verify the price on the retailer's site before purchasing. We may earn a commission on purchases made through our links.