Samsara

Samsara by Guerlain is a feminine-leaning eau de parfum from 1989 in the premium price tier. It opens with bergamot, lemon and peach, moves into ylang-ylang, jasmine, narcissus and iris and dries down to mysore sandalwood, tonka bean, vanilla and amber. Expect around 10 hours of wear, and it projects strongly.

Notes, explained

Opening

Bergamot Sharp citrus with a faint bitter edge. The opening of about half of all men's fragrances.
Lemon Clean, sour, instantly recognisable. Bright but burns off fast.
Peach Fuzzy, warm and slightly creamy. Soft rather than sharp.

Heart

Ylang-Ylang Banana-custard floral. Rich, tropical and slightly rubbery.
Jasmine Heady, sweet and slightly animal underneath. Rarely subtle.
Narcissus Green, hay-like and slightly animalic. Strange and beautiful.
Iris Cool, powdery, slightly carroty and expensive. The luxury note.

Dry-down

Mysore Sandalwood The legendary Indian sandalwood. Richer and butterier than any substitute.
Tonka Bean Almond, hay and vanilla in one. Warm and slightly nutty.
Vanilla Sweet, creamy and warm. The most comforting note in perfumery.
Amber Warm, golden and resinous. Not a real material — a blend that glows.

Smells like this

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