The Scented Hound

Perfume blog with abbreviated perfume reviews & fragrance reviews.


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Vintage Samsara by Guerlain

samsaraWHAT 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

scarfWHAT 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.