Perfume Review: Clive Christian X For Women
 In 1999 British designer Clive Christian purchased Crown Perfumery Co. (est. 1872). Mr. Christian was inspired by its history and “the classic formulae” and decided “to create a new level of luxury perfumes”. (The Crown Perfumery fragrances were discontinued and replaced with Christian’s own creations.) Naturally, the level of luxury the designer had in mind could only be achieved by using “the finest and the rarest” ingredients. Thus, to make X “the most seductive fragrance possible”, certain “exotic ingredients” were used, and the name “X” is in fact a reference to those luxury components. (From Clive.com)This supposed marvel of seductiveness, classified as a Chypre Fruity fragrance, has notes of ivy, peach, mandarin, bergamot, karo karounde, reseda, rose, jasmine, patchouli, cedar, vetyver, labdanum, and vanilla. It starts sweetly fruity (peach and mandarin) and softly green (ivy), goes through a delicate floral stage (nothing heady here, the flowers are quiet subdued), acquires a prominent patchouli note, and just when one thinks that it is going to dry down that way, dry, earthy and woody, X suddenly goes back to the top, green and fruity, notes and more or less stays that way till the very end. This makes the scent feel “rounded” and somehow complete, and I find that quality admirable. In general, X is very well blended, it is smooth, and it does smell sumptuous. Having said that, I do not find it extraordinary in any way, the “X factor” (heh) is missing for me. It is a very pleasant, very wearable scent, nothing more, nothing less. X is available at Saks, $225.00 for 1.7oz. Four Seasons also offer pure perfume, $695.00 for 1oz. *The image is from Saks.com. |
posted by Marina |
12:02 AM
25 Comments:
Christina,
Thank you! And thank you for introducing me to this one! You described it perfcetly when you said it is "appropriate". Definitely, I could see wearing it on a variety of occasions and in all seasons.
You know what I realized it reminds me of a little? Ciel by Amouage. They don't smell identical of course, but are green-fruity and very smoothly blended.
I tried this recently at NM and enjoyed it. If I remember correctly, it seemed to have a nice spicy accord. Could that be right? Or am I confusing it with another? At any rate, although I liked it, there was nothing about it that moved me to pay so high a price.
J,
I didn't get anything spicy from it *pouts*
Apart from that, I had the same reaction to it, it is lovely but did not wow me enough to pay the price.
Hi, Perfume Harpy here. Two and change for something that smells pleasant and well blended?
Puh-lease. A new level of luxury: rich and dull at the same time. 'Scuse me, I'm gonna go spray on something cheap and offensive. I've got a few to choose from....
March,
Perfume Harpy here too. I wonder if, whilst reading the first paragraph of this post, you could just picture me rolling my eyes and muttering "blah blah blah". :-)
Given the eventual bottom line price I can't imagine that this is ever going to hit the mark.
I'm curious to sniff though
Heather
Heather,
So nice to see you stop by! I hope all is well.
I don't think I will ever quite forgive Mr. Christian for discontinuing the Crown scents, especially the wonderful Eau de Russe. Hrmph.
V,
Exactly. I haven't even tried many of the Crown scents yet. And perhaps I never will, because of a certain Mr. CC
No X factor for me either! Just a nice scent. And also holding a grudge against CC, in my case for Eau de Russe.
R,
Eau de Russe is the reason behind my grudge too. I don't think I can ever frogive CC for discontinuing it.
C,
Nyakio, really? I must try! Thank you for the heads up.
I received this perfume as a gift, not knowing how expensive it was. It has turned out to be my favorite, (with Amarige, and Parfum d'Ete coming in second). I wonder if the varying results/coments are a result of a fragrance simply smelling differently on different individuals? Maybe...all I know is that when I spray it on me, I instantly feel sensational and sophisticated and I get tons of compliments - it's my signature fragrance.
Love the opening of this fragrance, which is pure labdanum at its very best, supported by subtle spice and wood. I have used and smelled labdanum absolute, and CC seems to have distilled off the very best top notes of labdanum to use as a topnote rather than a basenote for this scent, quite a feat! I agree with the other reviewers who say it dries down to a dimestore generic, kind of yucky ambery musk available in a lot of post-disco era cheapies. If it could stay in its opening, it would be my favorite scent of all time.
Have bought several bottles of X and loved it, but for the price the scent drifted away far too fast (like a cheap spray filled with alcohol). Loved the scent before it went away tho!!! Now I have deserted the big price tag and moved to a scent that is almost exactly like it - GUCCI RUSH (the original).
It's a beautiful scent, but it's gone way too soon. At this price it should last through a bath, but it's gone in an hour (on me).
This fragrance is great. Very basic but elegant. It did not last but half a day. I suppose the one I bought.
Fragrance that possesses a blend of pure mandarin, honey, fresh almond and other exotic fruits, accompanied by rich musk and amber.
Aurora dentist
If you are looking for an all-around great cologne for yourself or for the special man in your life, It is a wonderful choice and has a great scent and isn’t too intense for you to wear at any time. This five star-rated cologne is also a very affordable option for anyone who is interested in wearing a designer scent.
High end designer perfumes and colognes can be fairly expensive. This is actually fairly reasonable when taking into consideration that it is from a top designer.
In the last century, perfume has quickly become a beauty staple to most women in the world, as well as to men and children. However perfume`s claim to fame began thousands of years ago.
You described it perfcetly when you said it is "appropriate". Definitely, I could see wearing it on a variety of occasions and in all seasons.
Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
I am really impressed with the information you provided
Gave me a good chuckle and is also ever so slightly moving... oh great, I'm going all hormonal again.
wow! It has been a long time since I have heard somebody talk about something with such passion. I didn’t quite understand everything but the passion flows throughout the and it is amazing to see someone be so in depth about something. I can feel it.
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