WHAT I SMELL: Shalini opens beautifully with an initial rush of neroli that’s lush, juicy and lightly sun sweetened. A lovely tiare buzzes above a lightly sharpened hair spray note of sandalwood and there’s a slight soapiness that encompasses the somewhat large, but rather tame florals. The perfume lives in this slightly soapy, lightly warm cocoon for some time. After around 20 minutes, the perfume seems to warm considerably, as if the heat of skin is a catalyst to start a chemical reaction. The tuberose then starts to make its entrance, but in a very soft and deliberate manner as if it’s in no rush. The tuberose is restrained with all its pungent attributes removed and what you’re left with is the soft and comforting light waxiness from the flower. At the same time, Shalini starts to turn towards the green as the floral stems add just the right amount of color to make the perfume feel as if it’s a bouquet rather than just a collection of flowers. As the perfume slowly progresses, the neroli comes forward once again with a light dew to rest on the green. Here the perfume resides, so restrained, so beautiful and so refined. Shalini is a lady in every sense of the word.
From Shalini Parfums:
A bouquet of white flowers – tuberose, neroli and tiare – this precious fragrances evokes an intoxicating sensuality. The rare and pure scent of neroli blooms above the heart of tuberose and tiare while the depth and mystery of sandalwood and musk permeate the senses.
Saks 5th Avenue, Los Angeles- 1940
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Beautiful, classic Hollywood interiors. Architectural masterpieces designed for creating dramatic settings. The scene: Sak’s 5th Avenue, Los Angeles, 1940… in comes a beautifully dressed, regal and gracious lady and all eyes are transfixed.
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE SHALINI: warm, approachable, refined
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT SHALINI: CaFleureBon, Perfume-Smellin’ Things
BOTTOM LINE: Shalini is an ethereal beauty that glides into a room. The perfume doesn’t develop as much as it transcends. Shalini is like a dream.
- Bone Rating: 4.5 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Floral
- Nose: Maurice Roucel
- Classification: Feminine. Confession: As feminine as this is, it’s a beauty that I would have no problem wearing myself.
- Expense: $3,000 for the limited edition Lalique flacon pictured above. $250 for 10 ml version. Parfum extrait.
The Scented Hound 
June 6, 2016 at 10:22 am
Wow, this sounds gorgeous. But dammit, tuberose! Eek! I wonder what that bottle feels like. It’s beautiful, but for some reason I imagine myself snapping that cap (must be the wrong word) in half.
I love that picture of Saks – what a different era, huh? I don’t think there’s anything comparable these days, but if there were I probably would feel too intimidated to venture within. Then again, there would probably also be lumbersexuals roaming around the premises …
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June 6, 2016 at 4:02 pm
Holly, this is as about the least offensive tuberose that you will find. All the sharp edges are gone and you get this beautifully mild and soft essence from the flower. Like you, I probably would destroy that 3k bottle. I’d go for the non-assuming bottle myself!
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June 6, 2016 at 4:04 pm
I guess that should read “unassuming”…my English suffers sometimes 🙂
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June 6, 2016 at 6:00 pm
Omg. $250 for 10ml? “THEY ARE JUST GIVING IT AWAY,” says girl and Hound who spent more than that on THREE ML 😉
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June 6, 2016 at 6:40 pm
You just need to keep reminding me of how crazy we are don’t you!!
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June 6, 2016 at 9:47 pm
Sounds good despite tuberose. And 10 ml beautiful bottle somehow doesn’t scare me – though probably it’s not a perfume to try testing “remotely” (I’m afraid that “just a drop” offered for sampling might not survive the road).
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June 7, 2016 at 11:18 am
Yes please. It’s so economical!
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