Samsara Shine (2001)
by Guerlain

Kudos to the last two reviews. Samsara Shine is one of my favorites for the late summer months.

I find this, as with Samsara, to be a fully bodied fragrance thanks to its intense signature base - vanilla, tonka bean and sandalwood. Blended on top of that is a compendium of fig and red fruits, and I find that the red fruits are dominant. In particular, the pomegranate - simultaneously tart and powdery - and the redcurrant, with its sweet, vaguely hot warmth - really rule the composition. The fig and citrus topnotes are perhaps the most low-key elements here, which gives some idea of its overall richness since fig in and of itself can often be a dominating note. I get many, many compliments on this fragrance and it is indeed lovely in small doses, though it can quickly overpower if applied too liberally. I enjoy it most in the cooler months and also enjoy layering it, from time to time, with other fragrances to play up a certain aspect of the Shine; one very nice combination in particular is this with Molinard's Senteurs Vanille, either in fragrance or body lotion form.

Lighter, fruiter version of Samsara. More suitable for day/summer wear.
Much niceness!