Skip to content

Comparison Luxury perfume for women

Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait vs Guerlain Shalimar EDP: which one should you buy?

Quick answer

Buy the Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait if you want the richest N°5. Buy the Guerlain Shalimar EDP instead if you want a classic oriental.

We research products independently. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we earn money

Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait
Buy

Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait

Best for Pure perfume

Typically $350–$550

Check Price on Amazon Paid link
Guerlain Shalimar EDP
Buy

Guerlain Shalimar EDP

Best for Oriental legend

Typically $130–$180

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

FeatureChanel N°5 Parfum ExtraitGuerlain Shalimar EDP
VerdictBuyBuy
Typical price$350–$550$130–$180
Best forPure perfumeOriental legend
Key featureN°5 parfum extractVanilla and iris oriental from 1925
ConcentrationParfumEau de parfum
NotesAldehydes, rose, jasmineBergamot, iris, vanilla
Lasts10+ hours8+ hours
Size30 ml90 ml
Where to buyCheck Price Paid linkCheck Price Paid link

Main differences

Concentration

Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait: Parfum; Guerlain Shalimar EDP: Eau de parfum.

Notes

Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait: Aldehydes, rose, jasmine; Guerlain Shalimar EDP: Bergamot, iris, vanilla.

Lasts

Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait: 10+ hours; Guerlain Shalimar EDP: 8+ hours.

Size

Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait: 30 ml; Guerlain Shalimar EDP: 90 ml.

Why buy it

Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait: N°5 parfum extract; Guerlain Shalimar EDP: vanilla and iris oriental from 1925.

Made for

Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait: pure perfume; Guerlain Shalimar EDP: oriental legend.

Usual price

Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait: $350–$550; Guerlain Shalimar EDP: $130–$180.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait if you

  • you want the richest N°5
  • value rich
Check Price Paid link

Choose the Guerlain Shalimar EDP if you

  • you want a classic oriental
  • value heritage
Check Price Paid link

If neither feels right

Neither is the only answer. See every piece we would buy (and the ones we would skip) in our list of the best luxury perfume for women.

Not sure about either? Consider these

Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum

Chanel · Luxury perfume for women

Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum

Buy it if you want the most famous perfume.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
The icon
Typical price
$140–$190

Pros

  • Iconic
  • Long-lasting

Cons

  • Powdery for some
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle EDP

Chanel · Luxury perfume for women

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle EDP

Buy it if you want a versatile signature scent.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Modern Chanel
Typical price
$140–$190

Pros

  • Versatile
  • Long-lasting

Cons

  • Very common

Frequently asked questions

Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait or Guerlain Shalimar EDP: which should I buy?

Buy the Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait if you want the richest N°5. Buy the Guerlain Shalimar EDP instead if you want a classic oriental.

Is the price difference worth it?

The Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait usually costs $350–$550 and the Guerlain Shalimar EDP $130–$180. Pay more only if the differences above matter to you.

Opulique Editorial Team

Part of the Opulique research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait or Guerlain Shalimar EDP: the full reasoning

Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait or Guerlain Shalimar EDP? Both are strong luxury perfume for women, which is exactly why the choice is hard. The short version first: buy the Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait if you want the richest N°5, and buy the Guerlain Shalimar EDP if you want a classic oriental. The rest of this page explains why, with usual US prices.

Where they differ

The Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait wins on N°5 parfum extract. The Guerlain Shalimar EDP answers with vanilla and iris oriental from 1925. Concentration: Parfum on the Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait, Eau de parfum on the Guerlain Shalimar EDP. Notes: Aldehydes, rose, jasmine on the Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait, Bergamot, iris, vanilla on the Guerlain Shalimar EDP. Lasts: 10+ hours on the Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait, 8+ hours on the Guerlain Shalimar EDP. Size: 30 ml on the Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait, 90 ml on the Guerlain Shalimar EDP.

Reasons to buy the Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait

Rich, Lasting. What to accept: pricey. Usual price: $350–$550. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Chanel N°5 Parfum Extrait review.

Reasons to buy the Guerlain Shalimar EDP

Heritage, Rich. What to accept: heavy for some. Usual price: $130–$180. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Guerlain Shalimar EDP review.

Neither one?

Our list of the best luxury perfume for women has every other piece with its own call. Concentration: extrait and eau de parfum last longer than eau de toilette; check before comparing prices.

Also consider the Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum ($140–$190): aldehydic floral first launched in 1921. Buy it if you want the most famous perfume.

Also consider the Chanel Coco Mademoiselle EDP ($140–$190): fresh oriental with orange and patchouli. Buy it if you want a versatile signature scent.

Buyer tip

Buy from Amazon, the brand or an authorized retailer: fragrance is one of the most counterfeited categories, and prices far below retail are a warning sign.

Buying in Europe: perfume is often cheaper in Europe than in the US, and EU rules require the full ingredient list on the box. Wherever you buy, buy from authorized sellers: luxury fragrance is heavily counterfeited.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.