Shalimar Souffle de Lumiere ~ New Perfume Review

Guerlain has created a brand new flanker for its Shalimar Souffle (pronounced SOO-fluh meaning a soft breath) range, and it may just be the best one yet. Master Perfumer Thierry Wasser has created Shalimar Souffle de Lumiere as “A luminous fragrance composed like an ode to light and imbued with an air of solar radiance.” -Guerlain. Shalimar Souffle de Lumiére lives up to its name as a soft breath of air and light.

Guerlain Shalimar Souffle Intense by Robert H

I personally love Shalimar (although it wasn’t love at first sniff), and I know that Shalimar can be difficult for many people. When the original Shalimar Souffle debuted in 2014 it was slow to take off, and many of the reviews were not stellar. Slowly and surely perfumistas began to appreciate its lighter touch, so much so that both Shalimar Souffle and the first flanker Shalimar Souffle Intense, have become staples for Guerlain. I always recommend Shalimar Souffle as a perfect “gateway” fragrance for those who are “Shali-shy”. Now with Shalimar Souffle de Lumiere, Guerlain has added a bright and sunlit sparkle, amped up the jasmine and toned down the vanilla, creating a shimmering white floral veil that is perfect for the warm summer months ahead.

via tumblr and not associated with Guerlain

Opening with a classic blast of bergamot, Shalimar Souffle de Lumiere wastes no time whatsoever introducing the Jasmine, which pops up and out like a floral slice of sunny lemon propelled by champagne-like effervescent bubbles in a glass of fizzy water. It’s happy and downright delightful; this is clearly a Shalimar which doesn’t take life too seriously. The Ylang works its way to the front melding perfectly with the jasmine for an over the top tropical feeling but still maintaining a wisp of the classic Shalimar DNA. That classic Shalimar vibe becomes more prominent in the drydown when the benzoin and musk appear sweetened by the vanilla accord, creating a sense of an airy lemon pastry. It’s this moment in time when Shalimar Souffle de Lumiére is the closest to the original Shalimar, missing only the animalic growl provided by the civet, coumarin, and ambergris of Lumieres’ bigger sister.

Shalimar Souffle de Lumiere by Robert H.

And then of course there’s the bottle; a bi-colored milky white ombré (Ombré is the French word for a color that is shaded or graduated in tone), that glows with a pearlescent inner light. It’s really quite beautiful and the perfect vessel for containing a fragrance that is likewise beautiful, pleasing, and lighthearted.

Notes: bergamot, jasmine grandiflorum, ylang-ylang, vanilla accord, benzoin, white musk

 

Disclosure: The perfume and opinions are my own. Many thanks to Suzanne of Shop France Inc. for schlepping the bottle back from Paris for me.

-Robert Herrmann, Senior Editor

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6 comments

  • So, Signor Pussycat: are you thinking I will like its citrusy jasmine?
    Will it be indolic enough for this old broad?
    Inquiring minds wanna know…. >3

  • roxhas1cat says:

    Thanks Robert!! I shall not give up on Shalimar. I have a sample of Souffle coming soon and I’m very excited about it. So it is good to know if I don’t care for it that I can try the Lumiere next. I love the new bottle, so angelic!! I am hoping one day to finally get a bottle of Shalimar in my collection, but for me it’s all about the juice inside.

  • A delightful review, Robert! I’m a huge admirer of the classic Shalimar (its vintage versions are my sword and shield if you know what I mean), but I haven’t cared for any recent Shalimars, especially the Initials. This Souffle, however, has piques my curiosity thanks to you.

  • Thank you for explaining French!! As long as I don’t have to pronounce it, I’m happy to understand it. How does this compare to the Eau de Shali that I love to wear in summer? The Eau is a blast of citrus up top, this sounds softer. Thanks for the review Dahlink! Must try!

  • perfumelover67 says:

    Great review Robert, thanks. I love the original Shalimar and I have sampled and liked many of its flanker. The notes for Souffle de Lumiere sound very appeling for warm summer days. I will definitely try De Lumiere and I am sure it will become another big favorite. The bottle is also beautiful.

  • I’ve been curious about this one so I appreciate the review! Like others, I’m wondering how it compares to Eau de Shalimar (my favorite of the many flankers). The bottle is gorgeous!