WHAT I SMELL: Samsara contains a lovely thickened and slightly sweet creaminess which to me becomes cravable. Yummy! Fragrantica lists the top notes as bergamot, lemon, ylang-ylang and peach. They exist, but only for a few seconds. Samsara quickly moves into the lovely stage where the subtle florals are seamlessly entwined in a way that makes it hard to distinguish between the notes. It’s warm and intoxicating. If I didn’t know this was a classic fragrance, I would say that it is. After a bit, a woodiness arrives with almost what I would call a hint of a hair spray smell, but it doesn’t detract nor is it noticeable unless you’re really trying to sniff it out. Samsara finally warms to a wonderful sandalwood where it becomes incredibly calming with just a lightly spiced floral. It doesn’t take long for Samsara to reach it’s destination, but all roads lead to loveliness!
Samsara Notes (from Fragrantica):
The top notes are juicy and fresh: bergamot, lemon, ylang-ylang, peach and green notes. The heart is blooming in opulent flowers: elegant jasmine, cold woodsy iris, luscious narcissus, violet and delicate rose. The base is composed of sandal wood, vanilla, Tonka bean, amber, and musk
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A luxurious and exotic scarf.
THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE SAMSARA: smooth, elegant, timeless
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT SAMSARA: Bois de Jasmin, Perfume Shrine, Yesterday’s Perfumes
BOTTOM LINE: I picked this beauty up on eBay and managed to get a great deal on an unopened bottle at a great price. I have no regrets and I have the feeling when this small bottle is emptied, a larger one will be on my list of “to buys”.
- Bone Rating: 5 out of 5 possible bones
- Scent: Oriental Woody
- Classification: Leans feminine
- Expense: Varies. Review based on vintage EdP.
May 23, 2013 at 9:03 pm
5 OUT OF 5! Impressive and sounds like a must try for me! I don’t want to assume so I will ask – did you buy vintage?
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May 23, 2013 at 9:06 pm
Yes m’aam. Thankfully, you can buy some small bottles on eBay for not a lot of money. There seems to be plenty of offers. I got a 7.5ml unopened vintage bottle for $11 bucks. Even if it didn’t work for me that wouldn’t break the bank.
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May 24, 2013 at 3:06 am
Reading your review, I am completely sure when I say I’ve never tried it. 🙂 It certainly sounds lovely.
I have tried the Samsara flankers though, Un Air and Shine and enjoy wearing both.
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May 24, 2013 at 4:46 pm
That’s an impressive rating! And I’m glad you found another perfume that works great for you.
I’ve never tried vintage Samsara but I like the current one (in both EdT and extrait versions). Not sure if you’ve seen my last year’s Déjà vu post. If you tried any of the other two perfumes I used for comparison I’d be curious to know what you think – is there any similarity for your nose or do you perceive them completely differently?
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May 25, 2013 at 5:44 pm
I have not tried the others. I’ll have to check them out for sure. Great post btw.
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May 24, 2013 at 8:19 pm
It gives me great glee to see the extent to which you’ve fallen down the vintage rabbit-hole. GREAT glee! With every additional review for a vintage fragrance, I just grin even more to myself. I can safely say, now, “Mission accomplished!” 😛 😉 xoxox
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May 25, 2013 at 5:46 pm
Down the rabbit hole fast. I have been an eBay hound as of late. You’ll hear more about some of my other finds soon. For the most part I have been very happy with my new purchase 🙂 Part of me wants to thank you. The other part wants to give you a kick in the pants as my wallet keeps draining! xoxoxox Steve
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May 25, 2013 at 8:38 pm
ROFL!!! I’ll gladly and happily take that kick in the pants! 😉 😛 *smooch*
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May 25, 2013 at 12:21 pm
I have been flirting with Samsara for ages…now I have to have it. I really enjoyed reading your take on it.
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May 25, 2013 at 5:47 pm
Lanier – I have no idea how I missed this beauty in the past. I say go ahead and make that purchase. You won’t be disappointed. 🙂
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May 25, 2013 at 6:08 pm
I am goin shopping tomorrow!
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May 28, 2013 at 9:44 am
I’ve heard that the vintage Samsara is very nice sandalwood fragrance. The new version is far from the original. I’m so happy for you to have found this bottle.
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May 28, 2013 at 7:28 pm
I decided to put some on tonight after work. It’s very calming and I needed that after a crappy day at work!
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May 29, 2013 at 4:40 am
Very nice! Oh, what a remedy!
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December 15, 2013 at 5:58 pm
i”ve started wearing vintage from the time it came out.When i started having trouble finding it in late ninetys i quit wearing it.I tried the new it is definantly not in the same relm,I now find myself craving that vintage smells.Men and women alike have followed me and ask what i was wearing;and when a gentlmen ran me down in the mall and said”u r wearing SAMSARA,r u not? Why yes i replied, he then told me it was the sexiest smell he had ever come to know,also the most expensinve, I said if u shop u can find reasonably, he said “u don’t understand, it as my xwifes signature sent” I can;t help but smile when i wear it.
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