Cristalle Eau de Toilette (1974)
by Chanel

It must be said that some of my best friends are Chanel (Bois des Iles, Cuir de Russie, No. 19 & Coco). At a department store I tried No. 5 edt, Allure, Chance, and Coco Mademoiselle and couldn't stand any of them, but Cristalle struck me as lovely. I don't think of it as particularly challenging, but fresh-faced -- the perfect antidote to the heat & humidity of summer due to its so sharp, lush greens and pungent citrus. As with most Chanels, Cristalle smells of quality, sophistication, and perfumer's vision. But unlike Cuir de Russie or Bois des Iles, this isn't particularly sexy to me. It's big green like Ivoire, clean like Ma Griffe, but not as metallic chic a chypre as Calandre or Rive Gauche -- which have a smart wryness to them. Cristalle reminds me of a restrained but socially confidant, no-nonsense woman in tennis whites at the country club, stopping for a sparkling mineral water with a twist of lemon on a hot July day. There isn't even a hint of Bohemianism or indulgence here at all--just squeaky clean, bitter green soap. Pretty. Refreshing. Tight. Maybe face-lift tight! Still, I'll wear it happily in July/August to cut the heat... even if it does feel like someone else's perfume.

Cristalle EdT is the closest I have got to Ma Griffe, who was the first fraganse I ever owned, many, many years ago. It is a pitty I can´t compare them, as I don´t own Ma Griffe today, but they must be very similar. The feeling of freshnes and brightnes Cristalle gives me is the very same feeling I remember so well from wearing Ma Griffe. I can´t find Ma Griffe, it is not for sale in my country, so I am really very happy for having found Cristalle EdT instead.

The top note is very harsh. But once this scent warms up it is delightful. Very sophisticated green, citrus scent with a warm undertone. One of my favorites, but my hubby and friends think it is just so-so.

I bought this in the early eighties, and it became my second fave ( first being No 5). I always associate it with having lots of fun as it is sparkling, light green and quite cheeky. Longevity is fantastic for such a light fragrance. I do find it similar to Diorella, but as this fragrance has poor longevity on my skin, I will choose Cristalle every time. This always attracts comments when I wear it, but sadly mostly from women!!

This is a great bitter floral with a sparkly zing (the lemon probably) that makes it one-of-a-kind. It is well-balanced and dries down to a soft woodsy-powdery smell, fresh but restrained. One of my top three favorites.

Cristalle is a truly beautiful fragrance. It is so gentle and delicate but at the same time strong and powerful. It's a little sharp at the very beginng but after a while it calms down and shows its incredibly sexy and subtle face. I absolutely adore EDT version, EDP as a "modern" "refreshed" version is just different and - in my opinion - has nothing to do with the original EDT Cristalle. A real masterpiece together with "Libertine" by V.Westwood!