Eau Dynamisante (1987)
by Clarins

Bleurgh! After reading so many praises I expected something good, but this was so strong and appaling that I had to leave even the test paper to the shop. How could anyone say this is refreshing? I wonder if there are different editions of this and I smelled something else than the others? (The name and the bottle look the same though.)

This is my absolutely favorite "eau de cologne," which always puts me in a good mood when I try it.
At first you are hit with a strong alcohol smell which quickly reveals coriander and other spices along with citrus. It is never overpowering and it lasts all day. I have tried the shower gel and deodorant and both smell great. I have mixed feelings about the shampoo, it doesn't smell the same but the consistency is creamy and lathers well.
It is delicious and refreshing during the summer months, but I am so addicted to it that I keep wearing it all through winter.

Hangover perfume par excellence! Lemony, bracing, smells as though you've just done 100 laps in the pool, showered, gone for a brisk walk and are ready to go. The smell alone is so convincing that colleagues may not notice how bloodshot and slouchy you are.

Very kind on the wearer; very simple cologne - absolutely lovely when the weather is unbearably hot, humid or otherwise drowsy. Great to take on holiday, great when sprayed on ankles and back of the neck after walking around all day (or flying).

Nothing extraordinary, but easier to get on with then some other colognes, I think. This will never make me feel nauseated, in fact, it can do the opposite and combat queasy feelings.

I would always like to have some around, but would not put this in the category of "perfume" at all.

Eau Dynamisante intrigued me for a long time, but I wasn’t sure if I could pull it of. Like with all unique fragrances this one is bound to have many haters and lovers. To me personally, this scent evokes classy, independent women like Greta Garbo. I can't help but love it for that.

Eau Dynamisante is all about natural, raw elements. It is not "perfumy", but it is without doubt elegant and expensive-smelling. On a right woman this can be mysterious, stunning and sexy. Unlike many vanilla-based "romantic" fragrances, this one is not aiming to sugar-coat your femininity and colour it pink. Instead it brings out what you have in there, your true nature, rawness and sensuality. But it does so in a subtle way. There's no in-your-face attitude in this. Creator of this fragrance certainly knew that the woman is meant to wear the fragrance, and it is not meant to wear her. I can't think of a perfume that expresses this idea better than eau Dynamisante.

Opening burst of notes is somewhat sharp and alcoholic. I can see why some reviewers compared it to men's cologne. But those who are patient will hopefully discover the beauty of this unique fragrance.

Right after the first burst, the magnificent citrus notes emerge. But this is by no means typical citrus fragrance. There's no fruit in eau D; so don't think lemon, think lemon grass. Middle notes are reminiscing of healing herbs and roots and they linger on, staying close to skin. This part of the scent is very uplifting, yet so comforting. Fans of Aromatics Elixir might find eau Dynamisante interesting as a lighter alternative for a spicy herbal.

The dry down is the most surprising (and addictive). This is when the scent turns earthy, spicy and slightly dirty. It could appeal to those who like Obsession or Youth Dew.

Eau Dynamisante stays close to your skin throughout all its stages, and will not offend anyone in the room, but it will intrigue those close to you.

The bottle is beautiful, but simple. It reminds me of cherry soap in both its shape and the beautiful deep red colour.

Lovely, lovely cologne, surely my favourite to date. Much too fleeting, though, and what's more, to my nose it has changed, become less zesty and citrusy in the opening (I've been wearing it for 8 years). Wouldn't want to be without a bottle, but find myself not wearing it much because it simply is not there for more than 15 minutes! Perfect for carrying in your purse in summer, then, I suppose, and the products are all marvelous, just as great as the cologne, especially the shampoo, body oil and sachets. Just try the shampoo, if nothing else, if you're traveling or sporty.