Guerlain brand story - luxury perfume house
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Guerlain

Scento states that each decant is hand-poured from an original full-sized bottle sourced through authorised European retailers — never a clone, dupe or inspired-by version. Manufacturer batch codes belong to those original bottles and are not printed on Scento decant vials.

Every Guerlain decant and perfume sample at Scento is hand-decanted from a sealed, original bottle — never a clone, dupe or inspired-by version. A house from France founded in 1828, Guerlain is known for signature notes like Bergamot, Petitgrain, Rose; explore 12 fragrances in 2ml, 5ml, 8ml, 30ml sizes from €6.90 – €14.90 and test a scent properly before committing to a full bottle.

  • Authentic · hand-decanted from sealed bottles
  • Sizes: 2ml, 5ml, 8ml, 30ml
  • Tracked shipping to 27 European markets

Founded in 1828 by pioneering perfumer Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain, the House of Guerlain stands as one of the world's oldest and most prestigious fragrance and beauty maisons. With nearly two centuries of artisanal expertise, Guerlain has crafted over 1,100 olfactory masterpieces while maintaining its signature Guerlinade accord and producing every creation in France using exceptional raw materials. The house's legacy of innovation, from inventing the modern lipstick to creating the iconic Shalimar fragrance, represents the pinnacle of luxury craftsmanship and refined elegance.

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Founded Year:1828
Country:🇫🇷France

All perfumes from Guerlain

About Guerlain

Established
1828
Origin
Paris, France

Guerlain is one of the world's oldest perfume houses, founded in Paris in 1828 by Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain. Across five generations of in-house perfumers it has authored more than a thousand fragrances, including the legendary Shalimar (1925), and is renowned for the warm, powdery, ambery signature known as the "Guerlinade."

Guerlain's olfactive DNA is the "Guerlinade" — a warm, refined ambery-powdery base of bergamot, iris, tonka bean, vanilla and woods that lends its perfumes a velvety, instantly recognisable signature.

Signature notes

  • Bergamot
  • Iris
  • Vanilla
  • Tonka Bean
  • Rose
  • Opoponax / Amber
  • Vetiver
  • Bourbon Vanilla

History & heritage

The house began in 1828 when Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain opened a perfumery at 42 rue de Rivoli in Paris. His custom compositions drew Parisian society, and in 1853 his Eau de Cologne Impériale for Empress Eugénie earned him the title of official perfumer to Napoleon III — the origin of Guerlain's emblematic bee bottle.

Successive generations defined modern perfumery: Aimé Guerlain's Jicky (1889) was among the first fragrances to weave synthetic materials into naturals, while Jacques Guerlain composed L'Heure Bleue (1912), Mitsouko (1919) and the house's flagship oriental, Shalimar (1925).

Guerlain joined the LVMH group in 1994. Today master perfumer Thierry Wasser leads creation, stewarding a heritage of roughly 1,100 fragrances while sourcing rare raw materials and continuing lines such as the radiant, citrus-fresh Aqua Allegoria collection.

How to choose your Guerlain

Guerlain rewards exploration because its range spans two moods. If you love depth and warmth, begin with the ambery classics — Shalimar and Spiritueuse Double Vanille reveal themselves over hours, which is exactly why a 2ml or 5ml decant is the smart first step before a full bottle.

For everyday wear and warmer months, the Aqua Allegoria line and Mon Guerlain lean fresher and more versatile. Sampling a citrus Aqua Allegoria beside Shalimar in 5ml sizes is the clearest way to feel how broad the house really is.

Newcomers often find the vintage-style orientals bold at first; live with a decant for a few days to let the Guerlinade settle on skin. Layering a vanilla-forward Guerlain under a citrus one is a classic way to make a scent your own.

How to buy Guerlain samples in Europe

To buy Guerlain samples in Europe you have a few honest routes: official Guerlain boutiques and authorised retailers for full bottles, or Scento for authenticated Guerlain decants in 2ml, 5ml, 8ml, 30ml. On Scento, Guerlain samples start at €6.90 — and a 2ml decant is only about 2–4% of a 50–100ml bottle, so you can try the scent properly before committing to a full size.

Best way to buy Guerlain in Europe

Ways to buy Guerlain in Europe, compared by commitment, EU delivery and what each route is best for.
RouteSmallest commitmentEU delivery & customsBest for
Official Guerlain boutique or siteFull bottle (50–100ml)Set by the brand; varies by countryOwning the full bottle, sealed and gift-ready
Authorised retailer or department storeFull bottleIn store, or online where the retailer ships in the EUTrying in person before buying a bottle
Scento authenticated decants2ml / 5ml / 8ml decant — from €6.90Ships from the EU to 27 European markets, no extra customsTrying Guerlain before a full bottle, at the lowest entry price
Official Guerlain discovery set (where offered)Brand-curated mini setOnly where the brand ships it to your countrySampling a themed range chosen by the house

Routes and availability vary by brand and country — always confirm current stock, sizes and prices with each seller before buying.

Guerlain sample prices & decant facts

Origin
France
Founded
1828
Scents in stock
12
From (2ml)
€6.90
From (5ml)
€12.90
Sizes
2ml, 5ml, 8ml, 30ml
Signature notes
Bergamot, Petitgrain, Rose
Authenticity
Original-bottle sourcing; the manufacturer code is not printed on the decant vial
Last reviewed
2026-06-18

Guerlain decants & perfume samples — your questions answered

What is Guerlain known for?

Guerlain is one of the oldest perfume houses in the world (founded 1828, Paris) and is famous for warm, ambery, powdery fragrances built on its signature "Guerlinade" accord of bergamot, iris, tonka and vanilla. Its most iconic scent is Shalimar (1925).

Which Guerlain fragrance should I try first?

If you want the definitive Guerlain, start with Shalimar — the house's signature oriental. For something softer and modern, try Mon Guerlain; for a fresh daytime option, an Aqua Allegoria such as Mandarine Basilic. Sampling in 2ml/5ml decants lets you compare before committing.

Is Guerlain a niche or designer house?

Guerlain is a heritage luxury house rather than a niche label, but it occupies a prestige tier above most designer brands. Its exclusive L'Art & la Matière and prestige bee-bottle lines sit closer to niche perfumery in quality and price.

What does Shalimar smell like?

Shalimar opens with sparkling bergamot, moves through a floral iris heart, and dries down to a rich, sensual base of vanilla, amber and opoponax — the original ambery oriental and the template for the genre.

Are Guerlain decants and perfume samples authentic?

Yes. Scento states that each decant is hand-poured from an original full-sized bottle sourced through authorised European retailers — never a clone, dupe or inspired-by version. Manufacturer batch codes belong to those original bottles and are not printed on Scento decant vials.

How many sprays are in a Guerlain sample?

As a rough guide, a perfume atomizer gives about 10–15 sprays per millilitre, so a 2ml Guerlain sample is roughly 20–30 sprays, a 5ml about 50–75, and an 8ml about 80–120. Exact counts vary with the atomizer and how heavily you spray. Available sizes: 2ml, 5ml, 8ml, 30ml.

Do I pay customs or VAT on Guerlain samples in the EU?

No extra customs for EU orders. Scento ships Guerlain decants from within the EU to 27 European markets, so EU buyers pay no import duties or customs charges and usually receive their order in 1–5 business days. Orders to non-EU European countries may be subject to local import VAT set by your country, not by Scento.

Should I buy a Guerlain decant or a full bottle?

Buy a decant to test or rotate a scent, and a full bottle once you know you love it. A 2ml decant is only about 2–4% of a 50–100ml bottle, so it lets you wear Guerlain for days before committing to full-bottle price. For sealed presentation or gifting, an official boutique or authorised retailer is the better route.