Spark For Women by Liz Claiborne, 2003

For a perfume I found at Goodwill for $3, this isn't that bad. It's -strong-, so not for the faint of nose. While the boozy, spicy vanilla-musk that flares out of the bottle can be quite strident and slightly plasticky, with measured (read: LIGHT) application Spark can be quite cozy and comforting. I prefer the smell of it on clothing/linens and as a room spray over the smell of it on my skin, though. If Chanel Coromandel is cozy like a favorite cashmere sweater, then Spark is cozy like an old over-sized t-shirt lifted from an old lover.

Somewhat like Obsession, but a little brighter and more cheerful. A bit like Organza Indecence, but much less vanillic. The spice plays a minor role and the floral elements are very subtle. Overall, the feeling of Spark is warm and comforting.

I am surprised that Spark has not been reviewed more (or loved more) because it really is a very nice fragrance. But then again, this style is a bit 'out of fashion' at the moment. It will be back again, I'm sure.

It does remind me somewhat of Obsession its sweeter, but its in the same ballpark. Spark is quite spicy and for several minutes Im thinking that maybe there IS a Liz Claiborne scent that I can find worthwhile. No such luck. The drydown is, as takemyhusbandplz says, dull and uninspired.

I found Spark by reading reviews of Organza Indecence on other websites. I loved Indecence but was crushed when I discovered that it 'turned' on me after approx. 2 hours of wearing. Like another poster that I read elsewhere, an odd Play Doh accord surfaces on my skin. I read that Spark is similar but does not have that note that some people encounter. Spark does work much better on me. I believe it is sweeter but it may be because I am using the parfum. I recently noticed that, comparing Indecence to Spark, the Liz Claiborne fragrance seems to have a breeze blowing through an openness inside of the fragrance in the same location as the Indecence has that problem note that comes out on my skin after the drydown. It is sweet, at least in the parfum version, so I have to be careful in application not to overdo it. I just discovered by accident that a little citrus scented body butter (Delohn+ Mango) near the fragrance on my skin also tones down the sweetness nicely.

I did not find spark super warm, but in saying that, it is definitely not cool at all. The honey-caramel top notes seem to parallel eachother and complement the rose petals which smell fresh rather than dried. Someone remarked that it is hard to enjoy the florals, well I wouldn't call it a floral fragrance by any means- it seems more of an amber to me, or maybe thats the slight warmth to it. I think the fragrance manages to be well-balanced and still have all of the notes distinguish themselves somewhat. I don't own any other fragrance like this, so I will keep it around, but I'm not sure where or what I will wear it too.

With so much honey and cinnamon in it is hard to enjoy florals and champagne in it. That is why i do not like spicy scents. spices are too strong so spicy is only spicy and cannot be have any other colors. the base contains some woods and that is the best part of it.

I really like the opening act of Spark: Spice, vanilla floral & a very nice what smells like a cherry note. The dry down comes fast and the cherry note got more subtle which disappointed me a bit. Then after about 30 minutes Spark has dried down to a very boring and flat syrupy vanilla smell. If you like this one you'd probably like Hugo Boss' Deep Red as well.

Sparks reminds me quite a bit of Obsession, which I love. LizClaiborne.com claims that Spark is the "elixer of love. A sensual blend of rose petals, champagne, caramel honey and exotic orchids wrapped up with warm woods." I definitely smell caramel honey notes beneath powdery gentle rose, and the whole thing seems enveloped in white vanilla. The "champagne" notes, to me, are evoked but not definitely smelled. This is sweeter than Obsession, but really very much like it on my skin. Those who like Sheer Obsession, or Organza Indecence, will enjoy Spark. For the price, it cannot be beat - it's a very enjoyable, warm, long-lasting fragrance.