PREAMBLE
You may gather, I am abit of a fan of Calvin Klein perfumes. Once, I only used the wear classics like my mother wore:
Chanel 5, Mitsouko, Shalimar ( still tops), Blue Grass ( absolutely love it- it smells of smoky wood and wind dried grass), L'Heure Bleue and Bal a Versailles.
Now though, some of these smell a little passe, especially Mitsouko- I mean who wants to smell of chrysanthemums any more?
I happened upon Beauty and was overcome by its slick bottle and oily greenish scents.

PACKAGING
Beatiful curvilinear bottle with usual Klein aluminium accents. The bottle is sculptural and elegant. The box is white and a bit boring, a beautician's idea of a nice box. I like a bit of glitz or colour. Howver, Kelin perfumes have this sort of clinical look, as though they have just been invented and poured by the parfumier.

THE SCENT
Modern white lily overwhelms the senses initially, a bit like Ysatis de Givenchy. However this lily is not grannyish, it has a hothouse smell. It reminds of a rather nice scent I used to get from Yves Rocher called Ispahan.
It has a base of cedar and 'ambrette', which is a warm synthetic.
I am thoroughly fed up with ambrette in modern perfumes. I much prefer vanilla.
It has a caramel undertone which I get bored with and something sharp which reminds me of Eau Privee by Estee Lauder, which I love in the bottle but not on the wrist.
Beauty also has accents of Tuberose and Jasmine which give it what I call a 'white' smell, like a good soap.
Actually, the top note smells like soap brought back to me from a Royal Caribbean Cruise- possibly the best soap I ever smelled and which I could never duplicate.
The exoticism of this scent is in the strong warmth of the middle notes which peter out to a basenote which is woodsy and a little bit blackcurrant-flowery. It is oily on the skin which predicts a great sillage.

The scent is not sexy like Euphoria, and as such can be worn on may occasions, although a little strong for the office. I am left a little let down.

SILLAGE
Lasts for hours and hours which may or may not be good, if you want to put on something different, this one overrides it.

WHEN TO WEAR
Casual daytimes, a bright evening at the theatre or cinema, to meet your friend in the park, dining out.

WHO IT IS FOR
As usual with Klein, thisis for a slightly older lady late 20's could pull it off. It is a cashmere sweater and jeans kind of scent. I would classify it as a'brunette' perfume, because it is warmish and sophisticated, a department store perfume.

SUMMING UP
I find this a lovely scent, but a little boring. You could wear it anywhere, which is an advantage, but it does not pass the Scarf Test. This is my own test; if I have worn a perfume with my scarf, the next time I put it on in a few days a lovely scent appears and I am thinking " That is Gorgeous!" - I know the perfume is a winner.
So not a winner. It is a bit too stable for me and lacks esprit.
It is a little like Cinema, but not as nice.
I like it, but only as a friend............
It is a nice polite perfume, feminine rather than feline.
I don't think any prospective lovers would like this, it is a bit too staid. I reckon it would be a lovely gift for a lady who lunches.



SIZES - 30, 50 and 100ml, along with accompanying products - 200 ml perfumed body lotion and 200 ml perfumed bath and shower cream. Price £35 up so expensive. Boots and Department stores stock it, but I only buy perfume on the net as it is cheaper. Try ebay or Amazon.