Cristobal (1998)
by Balenciaga

Hmmm, I don't get the hype about this one.

It's a strong, sweet non-descript scent. Plus, there is a note or combination of notes that smells really artificial on my skin. Reminds me of the bombastic category of scents that were released in the 1980's, but not as good.

I bought this under the impression that it was for men, as the bottle says little about gender and I hadn't seen the men's rendition. I had only heard of the men's fragrance and didn't realize that I'd picked up the women's version until I looked it up after several wearings. It's a very warm mix of vanilla, sandalwood and lite patchouli. Very close to Allure men ...no tonka bean is listed, but has a slight chocolate/cocoa feel to it. The drydown is a peanut buttery miracle. Smooth and sexy, for men and women. Would be awesome on a hot, sweaty, musky woman, but it's good for men on autumn evenings for men, too. Try it, fellas.

I love this Cristobal - it has a lot of vanilla but it never becomes cloying on me. The opening is vanilla with creamy fig, but after 5-10 minutes a smoky incense note comes in and takes over, and for a very long time this is an incense & vanilla-scent on me. Not very many people have mentioned the incense in their reviews - so I guess it depends on your skin. I should add that I have only worn this in cold weather - and I think it is best to do so. The drydown is vanilla and wood, and absolutely wonderful!

Very sweet and figgy – sweet figgy – sweet figgy and jasmine: Cristobal comes on too strong with the sweet, as far as I’m concerned. There is a substantial green in the mix that doesn’t seem to be fig leaf. This is the sweet fruity fig that shows itself here. I get a little spice, but I think it comes from the carnation. I like the way the jasmine is presented, and I don’t really get any other floral than jasmine. There’s a light but nice presentation of sandalwood in the base but I get more patchouli mixed with vanilla than sandalwood. The base is a bit too sweet, but it is well balanced and has good longevity. In all, I can understand why this is an admired fragrance, but I would think it calls for a little less sweet and a little more character.

This is my new fall work fragrance. The zesty green fig notes say "I'm ready for business!" and the vanilla/woods are warm and approchable. The floral notes add a touch of romance and priss. The fig is very green like in BPAL's Eden. Someone said it smells like figgy creme brule, but these figs are are a technicolor image of a fresh fig skin, not cooked, creamy, brown figs. For $14 it can't be beat!

I did not know what to expect, but I saw quite a few women wearing it here and wanted to know what the buzz was about. Well, I must laugh, because it really reminds me of Realities Sweet Desire, only less fruity and more vanilla. When I first sniffed it I thought, wow, this smells so familiar, what can it be? Then...click. I smell fruit and flowers at the start, and woods, musk and vanilla in the bottom. It is very much like my memory of the woody orientals I have tried: Armani Mania, Valentino V and V Absolu, CK Euphoria, Prada...etc. What I like about Cristobal is that the woods don't beat me over the head and clog up my sinuses. And, the fruit is subtle, not a harsh jolly-rancher sour candy like some I have tried. It is a comforting and pretty scent.