GUERLAIN Samsara Eau de Parfum

I vaguely remember testing the original red bottle and thinking it does smell like bananas. Luckily I don't get this from the new version. It gives me a very comfortable, second skin kind of feel and it doesn't smell vintage or dated the way Shalimar and Mitsouko do. It is not a beast, but then it doesn't need to be. I can mostly smell sandalwood and ylang ylang and I am really liking the combination. Feels luxurious in an understated way, not attention seeking but confident. Seems perfect for the mild autumn we have in the UK and look forward to seeing how it does in the colder temperatures too. Definitely keep this!

Testing newer editions of historical Guerlain perfumes is like opening a pandora box. First, you never know what to expect from each new re-edition and re-formulation. Second, you can't not notice the difference if you remember the original scent from long ago, like I remember Samsara from 90's. But I was curious and I did it. Of course I noticed the difference: what I inhaled was less loud and enveloping, more abstract and airy, the same time somehow I knew it was Samsara. Truly I don't get why we can be so demanding for the perfumes not to change in anyway. Sometimes changes are essential if you want to keep the once famous (but now nearly forgotten) scent alive. I love many perfumes from the past, I keep them and enjoy them, but I understand that my beloved Rochas Lumiere, Guy Laroche J'ai Ose or Estee Lauder Spellbound can hardly be taken properly at today's market: something makes them sound lovely but outdated. So what about Samsara EDP in the new old (thanks God!) bottle? I remember a seductive beauty wrapped in red, looking at me from the advertisements of the time when Samsara was launched. I recognized her character and her scent. She's still sophisticated and stands far from the crowd, just with age the opulence of her style and her signature fragrance became more refined and less entrusive. She lives her life in her 50's with class but does it first of all for herself, not to show her exoticism to others, she just doesn't care that much about being noticed. She's confident and you can recognize her scent when you approach and feel 'un air de Samsara', as one of editions was called long ago. She's still here, and I am grateful to Guerlain for her come-back in such a mature and gorgeous way.

I may not have a popular opinion... I never owned the original Samsara. When I blind purchased this, I was hoping for the old formulation. I saw some reviews and wanted to try this magical juice. Upon sniffing the bottle, it smells like a new plastic barbie doll. It's a clean fresh scent that got me a compliment when I used it on a rainy winter day, ironically... My female co-worker said to me as we were rushing in the door to avoid getting too wet, “You smell delicious.” I'm a woman in my 40s and she in her 20s. I remember that moment when I see my Samsara bottle in my collection. I'm not sure if it is a summer scent or a winter scent, maybe both. It smells a little chemically strong on opening, could be the citrus. Then I start to smell the rich smelling ylang ylang and jasmine and I’m in heaven. It's sweet, clean, powdery and woody. On dry down, it somewhat smells like a fresh, clean blinging barbie doll. It has a somewhat 90s fragrance vibe with a modern clean twist. I love it!

This, for me, is one of those things that I just cannot fathom the thought that some people actually dislike this gorgeous fragrance. I happen to think that it’s borderline magical. It has elegantly sophisticated quality to it that honestly reminds me of the chanel dna… but keep in mind, my experience with guerlain is limited to modern offerings and Mitsouko, so I’m definitely not the most well versed on the house. I definitely get the sandalwood, but it’s done in a much more vintage and feminine way than modern sandalwood fragrances. It’s highlighted with some pretty strong floral notes, ylang-ylang is prominent to my nose because I’m getting a very creamy and textured scent. It’s a texture that reminds me of banana peel. This fragrance is also very powdery, but to me, that is part of its charm. I get great comfort and tranquility from powdery accords, and the way this all comes together, it presents itself as a retro type of fragrance… one where it really does smell of the era it came from. It has a late 80s/early 90s vibe for sure, but in the best way. I can’t believe I didn’t try this years ago. It’s quite simple my favorite perfume ever, and I have been wearing this, and the edt practically nonstop since I received them. I own somewhere around 100 fragrances… and now… this is all I want to wear. Ugh.

I never witnessed Samsara that tender! The 90s version with full red bottle was an extreme beast that gave me happiness but a grand headache at the same time because of its strength, but this version is just tenderly beautiful! I get a light floral airy sandalwood, with a touch of soft tender leather. It has that peach touch that makes me go crazy! & i think that's why it is quite light & tender! because of the peach note! & the sandalwood is lightly creamy and very fragile.

This blend is beautiful in away that i just can't get enough sniffing it. Amazingly beautiful.