Fragrance Reviews by AdaVeen

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.