Didn't make me happy. Might make you happy though! (Clinique: Happy, Eau de Parfum)

Member Name: Sacheverell

Product:	Clinique: Happy, Eau de Parfum
Date:	09/11/09 (5 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It seems that it does smell nice on some people

Disadvantages: Doesn't smell very nice at all when I wear it

I received Clinique Happy as a very thoughtful present from my mum. The version I was given had special shimmer particles in it, leaving a subtle glittery sheen wherever it was sprayed. I'm not sure whether that version is still in production. I am reviewing this perfume as it smelled when it was new - I know that perfume can't be kept indefinitely, as it goes past its best!
The bottle is a simple glass cylinder with a smooth metal lid. It comes in a cheerful orange box. The bottle is an attractive, minimalist type design with the name of the fragrance printed on it. The edition that I had was full of tiny sparkly particles, which led to a lovely swirly silky liquid in the bottle when it was shaken.

The fragrance is described as having heart notes of Rose of Bulgaria, Patchouli, Iris, Ylang Ylang, Vetiver, and Camomile, with an overall floral scent.
I sprayed it on my skin and the glitter effect was very subtle and attractive - there were no big glittery bits or anything like that. There was a slight citrus scent from the perfume but nothing especially noticeable. I did not find it to be a floral scent and I couldn't detect any ylang ylang, patchouli or rose. Over the next hour or so I noticed that the smell was something akin to a dusty nothingless, and there were even slight notes of burnt rubber, which is not something you really want from a perfume. It wasn't overwhelming - it didn't really smell of much at all, unless you got close to the area it had been applied to.

I have read other opinions of Clinique Happy and it seems to divide people's opinions. Some people find it refreshing and gorgeous, and some people dislike it. Some pieces I have read suggest that this perfume is unstable and goes off very quickly in the wrong conditions, and that even when bought from a shop it could already have gone past its best. I know when I received it that it was newly purchased. I felt bad not being able to use the lovely gift that my mum had given me. I am sure that Clinique Happy doesn't smell bad to everyone - perhaps it reacted with my skin chemistry in the wrong way, or perhaps I had a faulty bottle. I would say it's worth trying in a shop, but be careful to see how it reacts with your chemistry before you buy it. It also may be a risky gift unless you know the recipient likes Clinique Happy.

Please note that I have also posted this review on Ciao.

Summary: It might just have been an 'off' bottle, or reacted badly with my chemistry, but it wasn't nice!