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classic!
by Kaitlyn on Mar 27, 2019
this is such a classic and bold scent, i love it
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It grew on me
by Jennifer on Jan 26, 2019
At first sniff and first application, I wasn’t crazy about this scent. It smelled kinda weird to me. But after wearing it for a while, I started to love the smell of the dry down. It eventually turns into a sweet and powdery scent. Even thinking of getting a full bottle in the future.
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Smells more floral than sexy or spicy to me
by Kaitlyn on Nov 18, 2018
Not entirely what I expected, comes off as a feminine floral that doesn't stand out
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A new favorite
by Jennifer on May 15, 2018
I don't usually like the 80s fragrances, so I wasn't sure I'd love this one, but it was very much love at first sniff.
Powdery, sharp, clean, deep, and awesome.
I didn't get much vanilla, but I do get a lot of the florals. It's so beautiful and sophisticated and mature without being dated or old-fashioned.
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No
by Heather on May 14, 2018
If you like sandalwood then this is for you. I however have discovered I do not like it. Glad I could try it out here before buying a bottle.
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Warm 'n' fuzzy
by susan on Dec 15, 2017
Spices and sandalwood give a harmonious buzzy feeling that's so cozy in the winter. Though this can be a strong fragrance, it somehow comes across as cushiony and soft at the same time. Today's Samsara smells a bit simpler than I remember from the past, and it doesn't seem to last quite as long. Still, Samsara is a distinct and iconic classic. Everyone who loves perfume should know this smell. My husband finds it sexy, but I like it more for times when I want to stay home and snuggle up with a good book. A little goes a long way, so don't overapply.
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A favorite
by KATHY on Jun 3, 2017
This was my favorite out of five ordered.
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Sensual
by MrsD45 on Mar 20, 2017
The combination of fragrances blends perfectly together in this scent. The drydown is AMAZING and long-lasting. I've worn it for decades.
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Classic Sandalwood
by Denette on Feb 17, 2017
Samsara is a Guerlain classic fragrance that features sandalwood. I was on the hunt for an HG sandalwood fragrance, but unfortunately, this one is not it. It is very strong, and there is a powderness to it that really turns me off. It has to be a classic for a reason...it is just not for me.
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The Strangest Smell
by KE on Feb 14, 2017
I honestly cannot begin to explain why this smells so strange on me. It is a classic. It is a classic among classics. But I can say that it smells so intensely indolic on me that for several years I was not even able to believe that others could stand it. As time goes by it doesn't seem so strong of indoles, so perhaps in another few years I will really like it! Something tells me that it just reacts strangely with my skin, though.
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A Guerlain Classic
by Anna on Oct 11, 2016
I feel Samsara gets overlooked due to Shalimar, Jicky, and Mitsouko. I love those perfumes, but Samsara is just as beautiful. It's a powdery Oriental. Straight off the bat, it's sandlewood, iris, and spices. Despite it being created in the 1980s, I don't think it's as overpowering as other perfumes from that decade.
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Woody and Clean
by Ashley on Jul 18, 2016
I can't really describe it, but I get two different impressions each time I smell this perfume. The first impression was this clean, seemingly citrus scent, which I don't really care for. The other is this warm, spicy, woody scent, which is entrancing. Something also comes off like cinnamon. A complex perfume that I decide whether or not I like.
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More of an experience than a scent
by Sharon on Jun 10, 2016
You'd be hard-pressed to find a Guerlain fragrance that isn't a spectacular on some level. Samsara is no different. Starting with the name, it's perfect and indicitive of the forthcoming experience. Samsara transports you to another plane - nowhere in reality, exactly, but to the far-away lands young minds conjure up when day-dreaming of travel - exotic, creamy florals with the sweet smell of spice just hanging in the humid air as you wade through it. Rich, spicy, sensual and exotic. More of an experience than a scent, which is a telltale trait of a classic fragrance.
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Spicy jasmine
by michelle on Jun 8, 2016
Starts out spicy then turns into jasmine on me. Pretty.
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I'm not getting it!
by MrsPress on Jun 6, 2016
I am not getting this scent yet. It's Guerlain, it's classic, it's well loved, but I am not there yet. I just get overwhelmed by the sandlewood. I can't detect anything else in this. I will continue to try it and hope to understand it some day but right now I just do not. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty (once it calms down, which takes a while on me) and could be a good every day scent, but I don't get what all of the fuss is about...yet!!
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Masterpiece
by Alicia on May 8, 2016
A classic masterpiece: beautiful, elegant, perfect for all seasons (except perhaps the hottest summer days). Together with Chanel Bois des Isles and Serge Lutens Feminité du Bois, it forms the trio of the superb woody fragrances. Samsara is sandalwood at its best, enveloped in jasmine. Fit for a queen.
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Rich and creamy
by Rose on Apr 12, 2016
This is one of those perfumes people describe as 'creamy'. which is due I think to the milky/velvety sandalwood notes alongside ylang ylang, which reminds me a little of banana milkshake. The jasmine note is soft (sambac jasmine)
Samsara is such a classic combination of exotic wood and florals. The florals never totally take over though, as they often do in this summery eastern-inspired style of perfume. Having said that, Samsara can smell a bit odd on first spray, to me it's a bit like furniture polish, but then after half an hour it's this gorgeous smooth floral/sandalwood combination that's sultry yet pretty, very tropical/eastern in feel.
It's an 80s classic though, so if you're looking for something unique you might prefer something more obscure. I'd liken Samsara to Chanel's Bois des Iles (also sandalwood and tropical florals), but where Bois des Iles is covered up, Samsara lets her hair down.
If you want a niche version of this Indian summer feel, try 'Trayee' by Neela Vermeire (findable on Google searches) or save your money since Samsara is a quarter of the price. An understated classic!
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Lovely
by Nazia on Mar 20, 2015
A lovely breeze of a fragrance. Slightly dry, almost dusty but sweet floral - the kind of fragrance that wafts throughout the day.
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Oriental lovely
by Emily on Dec 29, 2014
This is a nice enough perfume, but I would never buy a full bottle. It doesn't smell bad, but it doesn't smell natural either.
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Wow, I found it
by Rebecca on Sep 16, 2014
This was given to me two decades ago, and I've never found it since. I'm ecstatic to find it on this site. I've been looking for a replacement that I love as much for years with no success. This is the most classy exotic alluring and sexually mature scent I've ever experienced!
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Great
by Adrienne on May 20, 2014
I enjoy smelling this perfum, but I got tired of it.
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Loud jasmine
by lls on Mar 24, 2014
Very nice, rather loud jasmine/sandalwood scent. Try it if you like Alien. Great longevity.
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A classic Guerlain!
by Heather on Jul 21, 2013
Samsara is a sophisticated, sensual, creamy-woodsy perfume. I believe it can be worn at any time during any season. It's simply lovely! It's not only timeless, classy, and elegant, but also modern. This is one of Guerlain's best! It's sweet, floral, warm and rich and not too strong. I almost find it potently subtle! I find the base note mixture intoxicating in a mature feminine way! This fragrance makes me feel like a valid and special person and puts me in a good mood from the very first spritz! Samsara is an important recent addition in my perfume collection!
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classic and elegant
by elena on May 9, 2013
This is my favorite of all time. It smell exotic ,so creamy woody last long .I've never get tired of this frag. Just classic.