Perfumes Similar To Shalimar [Top 6 Alternatives In 2024]

For like a century, Shalimar has been known as the best perfume of all time. So, finding a similar aroma to this masterpiece is very tough.

Although many perfume houses and even Guerlain itself have tried to recreate this gorgeous fragrance, not all of them are worth trying.

Well, I did the hard work for you and enlisted the closest-smelling Shalimar alternatives after trying a lot of its market dupes.

So, if you are also longing for such a rich combination but couldn’t find one, this article is just for you.

Let’s begin!

What Does Shalimar Smell Like?

Shalimar Parfum is a timeless classic creation of Jacques Guerlain. Launched way back in 1925, this mesmerizing fragrance was a tribute to the love story of emperor Shahjahan and his wife, Mumtaj.

Actually, Shalimar is one such perfume that needs no introduction. With its magical aroma and luxurious composition, this legendary fragrance is now known as the best-selling perfume of all time.

Let’s see what notes are present in this elegant fragrance:

Top Notes: Bergamot and Floral Notes

Middle Notes: Iris, Jasmine, and Rose

Base Notes: Vanilla and Tonka Bean

In the beginning, a fresh citrusy bergamot aroma combines with rich floral accords, giving this award-winning perfume a royal start.

As it develops, the outstanding blend of aromatic powdery floral notes takes the fragrance to another level. Shalimar’s magic actually starts from the core when the powerful iris aroma combines with the richness of roses.

After an hour or so, the aroma tones down, becoming more elegant and intimate with the rich, creamy base.

You will obviously smell the powerful vanilla here which gets a smoky, spicy touch of tonka bean in the closing.

Overall, Shalimar is a universal sensory masterpiece. It is the first and, by far, the best oriental fragrance you can think of today.

Plus, it lasts like an eternity with an enormous projection and sillage. Only a few sprays of this sophisticated composition stay on the skin for more than a day.

Shalimar is a good perfume to wear on formal occasions and date nights where you need to reveal your posh self.

What Perfumes Smell Similar To Shalimar?

Shalimar is one of such old fragrances that people can never get enough of.

But it’s pretty hard to find this queen of perfume today. Thankfully, there are a lot of Shalimar dupes out there that you can easily get.

And in this segment, I’m gonna talk about the best of them.

Here’s my list of the 6 best Shalimar smell-alikes:

1. Shalimar Eau de Parfum Guerlain

House of Guerlain decided to relaunch the legendary Shalimar Parfum as people were still crazy about this fabulous fragrance even after its discontinuation.

Hence, in 1990, Shalimar EDP was released as the first flanker of the original, but with a few extensions in the notes.

As you can see from the notes, citruses in the opening are a bit stronger in this version. Likewise, this fragrance starts with a pleasant zesty bergamot aroma intensified with a sweet woody undertone.

I actually kinda love this warm woody undertone that you can get throughout the fragrance. It prevents all the prominent accords from becoming overbearing.

Much like the original, the heart of this perfume is filled with fresh sweet, powdery floral aroma. There is also a bit of warm earthiness coming from the patchouli and vetiver, which makes the aroma instantly likable.

Surely you’ll pick the rich, euphoric vanilla-scented smoky aroma in this fragrance as well. But it also has a bit of an intense musky gourmand vibe due to the addition of leather, incense, and opoponax.

But, yes, vanilla is still the star here, which just gets richer and more addictive after blending with all those gorgeous base notes.

I must say Jacques Guerlain was successful in making this fragrance as remarkable as the original Shalimar. It is fresh, sweet, aromatic, and mysterious all at once.

You can never get bored with such a beautiful composition. This version’s longevity is also the same as the original. With broad projection and very strong sillage, this perfume also lasts more than 12 hours.

So, do give this perfume a try if you wanna experience the elegance and classy mood that Shalimar Parfum used to create.

When To Wear

Shalimar EDP is also ideal for cold weather like winter and fall. It’s more like a formal fragrance.

But you can wear this sensual perfume on date nights to leave a memorable impression on your partner.

Why Should You Buy

2. Shalimar Millésime Tonka Guerlain

Shalimar has always been a name of sophistication and gracefulness. So, if you wanna try out another premium fragrance that comes with the essence of Shalimar, Roja Dove Haute Parfumerie 15th Anniversary is the best option for you.

Launched in 2019, this fragrance by Roja Dove has an uncanny resemblance to the legendary Shalimar.

When you first spray this beauty, a refreshing and upbeat aroma will greet your nose. In addition to the unique citrusy bergamot aroma, fresh aldehyde accords are quite noticeable in the beginning.

Soon, the floral accords emerge with dominant violet and heliotrope giving the fragrance a pleasant and aromatic core.

The fruitiness of the peach complements the floral heart so perfectly that it will surely touch your heart. And this sweet, powdery aroma lasts until the warm, musky, woody base comes to play.

Undoubtedly, this perfume has a magical dry down. It’s soft, leathery, smoky, and spicy all at once. Much like Shalimar, the creamy vanilla flavor here stands out among all the warm accords.

The powderiness is finely tempered by the spicy aroma adding a sensual touch to it.

In a word, Roja Dove Haute Parfumerie 15th Anniversary is just gorgeous. Other than this beautiful aroma, its super longevity and strong sillage make it even more desirable.

Although this Shalimar alternative is a bit pricey, its unbeatable aroma with eternal longevity is worth it.

When To Wear

Roja Dove Haute Parfumerie 15th Anniversary works brilliantly in colder weather, but you can also wear this versatile fragrance in spring or summer to some extent.

This is definitely a formal scent. So, wear this beautiful fragrance to impress everyone with your elegant aura, whether you’re going to a party or a formal dinner.

Why Should You Buy

4. Le Lion de Chanel

The next Shalimar dupe on my list is Le Lion de Chanel by Chanel. Although this fragrance came out very recently, in 2020, it captivates the rich ambery Shalimar aroma so well.

It also begins with a refreshing citrusy aroma of bergamot and lemon. But this tangy opening is not as strong as the original.

However, after a few minutes, labdanum with amber gives the fragrance an aromatic, resinous heart.

As the perfume reaches the dry down, it suddenly transforms into a rich, smoky, slightly sweet aroma with musky base notes. And the dominating creamy Madagascar vanilla essence gives the aroma a sense of sexiness to it.

When To Wear

As a warm woody oriental fragrance, Le Lion de Chanel is best for colder days of winter and fall.

Wear this luxurious perfume on special occasions like dates or office parties to leave a strong, classy impression on everyone.

Why Should You Buy

5. Shalimar Eau de Cologne Guerlain

Shalimar Eau de Cologne is another Shalimar iteration that has also been around for 100 years. It’s more like a lighter and smokier version of Shalimar Parfum.

So, if you love Shalimar’s gorgeous aroma, but want a bit more spiciness in it, go with this one.

This perfume also starts with the unique Shalimar citrusy opening backend with a subtle woody aroma.

As the fragrance develops, the tart, citrusy aroma subdues, and the beautiful floral notes start to become more prominent. The blend of powdery iris and rich roses, along with an earthy undertone, gives the perfume a refreshing fragrant core.

It keeps getting warmer and cozier as the woody musky base accords begin to emerge.

The mix of creamy sweet vanilla with leather, incense, and sandalwood will envelop you with a strong sensual aroma in the dry down. Finally, Intense opoponax gives it a lovely warm spicy finish.

Overall, Shalimar Eau de Cologne smells like sophistication to me that lasts more than a day. It’s such a fragrance that you don’t wear for others but for yourself.

Also, it projects so well that everybody in the room will get your elegant sensual vibe for sure.

Buying classic perfumes like Shalimar Eau de Cologne can be a bit tricky. So, to save yourself from such a fuss, read our article on how to buy vintage perfumes.

When To Wear

Shalimar Eau de Cologne is ideal for cold weather with its cozy texture, yet you can wear this gem all year round.

Such a classy fragrance should be worn on formal or kinda exceptional occasions where you need to smell extraordinary all day long.

But the best thing about this Shalimar alternative is it’s so versatile to wear as an everyday fragrance as well.

Why Should You Buy

6. Obsession Calvin Klein

If you are looking for an affordable Shalimar dupe, then this perfume on my list is your best option.

Launched in 1985, Obsession by Calvin Klein may not be an exact Shalimar clone, but it smells very similar to this legendary oriental perfume.

Right from the first spray, you will get the signature vanilla aroma of Shalimar. And the lemony bergamot aroma is also there in the opening, which gets a pinch of greenness from the basil.

This perfume also has an aromatic core with a rich blend of refreshing floral notes. But it gets spiced up with spices, and sandalwood gives it a soft powdery touch.

Much like Shalimar, this perfume has a woody and smoky base. Sweet vanilla blends perfectly with incense and musk, creating a strong sensual aroma.

Despite its very low price, Obsession comes with a super long-lasting power of more than 12 hours. And the projection and sillage are also very impressive.

So, as a budget-friendly Shalimar smell-alike, Obsession is a perfect option.

When To Wear

Obsession is very warm and woody, so it will be a perfect option for winter or fall. It’s more like a night scent but can be worn in the daytime as well.

Wear Obsession on formal occasions because I don’t think such a strong fragrance goes well with casual outfits.

Why Should You Buy

Final Words

Shalimar is a timeless fragrance that’s very hard to replicate. So, you won’t find a perfect alternative to this gem that easily.

Yet, after long market research and trying, I finally got my hands on the best perfumes that you can use as a substitute for Shalimar.

So, don’t wait too long to smell elegant. Just pick the most suitable one from my list.