Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Chloé Chloé Eau de Parfum review



           French fashion house Chloé was founded in 1952 by Egyptian-born Parisienne Gaby Aghion. The brand is best known for creating designs that were 'prêt-à-porter', or ready-to-wear, at a time when luxury brands were producing 'made to measure' clothing. Chloé is beloved for its clean, free-spirited, and feminine designs. Karl Lagerfeld launched the original Chloé perfume in 1975. The tuberose heavy fragrance was reformulated in 2008 into the powdery rose version of Chloé Chloé Eau de Parfum that most of us are familiar with today. The barely blush toned packaging is contrasted by a stalwart square bottle; the combination hints at the feminine, yet bold perfume that is Chloé. Chloé has an enigmatic personality; it's a signature scent for some, but a complete turn-off for others. I've spent some time investigating the polarizing nature of this perfume; here's what I discovered:
Notes: pink peony, freesia, lychee, magnolia flower, lily of the valley, rose, cedarwood, amber, honey.
            Chloé Chloé Eau de Parfum is a delightful rose scent with hints of powder, sweetness, and a surprising pungency. Chloé opens with a beautiful watery peony and rose burst that I want to hold on to forever. That moment is quickly broken up by a sharp scent that resembles the pungent aspect of lily and the woodiness of magnolia stuffed into a single note. It is the precarious intermixture of these clashing scents that rides the line between  interesting and intolerable. I think skin chemistry is a strong factor as to the sort of smell you will get.  For those lucky enough to get light amounts of lily and magnolia, the mixture will add a redolent dimension. On the pulse of my wrists, however, these elements are unbearably strong. As the scent progresses, the rose hugs a sweet lychee, resulting in a juicy floral. A light amber concurrently prickles my nose. Towards the conclusion of Chloé , there's not much development or jostling of notes. It seems as if all the notes just trail off in a gradual diminuendo. I'm left with rose, a pinch of powder, lychee sweetness, amber, and a mild amount of the contentious lily and magnolia note.

          Chloé Chloé Eau de Parfum is like a beautiful chiffon gown wrapped in a well worn leather jacket; it's a rosy floral with an edge that matches the confident and free-spirited femininity of the brand. The opening florals are beautiful, however the scent's success does depend on skin chemistry. Unfortunately it wears poorly on me, but I can see why it's well loved by others. It's a scent with potential, but I'd recommend trying before buying! Thanks for reading! Have you tried Chloé Eau de Parfum? Do you have a favorite out of Chloé's fragrance lineup?

Love, Dovey.

P.S. This month's issue of InStyle (February 2013) has a nice feature on Chloé designs. The 2004 Phoebe Philo dress is absolutely stunning!

18 comments:

  1. I totally know what you mean about this perfume wearing well on some but poorly on others. On my mom, it smells absolutely beautiful. On me, I'm not so sure I love it.

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    1. Hi Annick, It's great to hear your perspective on Chloé, and how it smells differently on you and your mom :-)

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  2. This is a rather unusual scent for me but I like it! Never would have thought it developes into something I like on my skin ph. I'm usually wearing scents with a heavier base. Love your description, as always Dovey :) / Claire

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    1. Hi Claire, Thanks for the thoughts and sweet comment! It sounds like Chloé develops into a good scent on you :-)

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  3. I'm in love with this perfume. It's perfect :) xo

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    1. Hi Judy, wonderful! Thanks for the comment :)

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  4. Great review, Dovey! I can't begin to separate all those floral notes but my story is that when I was on the hunt for a fragrance a handful of years ago, this was one of the top contenders based on the initial whiff off the bottle. But it wears very powdery on me and induces a severe headache. My tastes have changed a lot since so I was glad that I didn't give in to the pretty visual and idea of Chloe. It's wonderfully feminine but not for everyone.

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    1. Hi Liz, Ooh, what a good story; it's always interesting to look back on previous loves (or almost loves). I'd love for Chloé to be more powdery on me, however not at the price of a headache!

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  5. Chloe is unique. I can ID it right away. It don't like it on me as much as on many others I know. A bit too strong for me but it's a timeless classic.

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    1. Hi Joanne, It sounds like you have a good nose! It is a pretty classic and well loved scent :-)

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  6. You know, I think I've smelled the original Chloe before but I can't remember what it was like. I do wear the Love, Chloe perfume though and I adore it! It's so sweet and feminine without being cloying. It's a perfect year-round perfume for me!

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    1. Hi Becca, I think I have a little spritzer of Love, Chloé. I think that works better for me too--- it's powdery if I remember correctly? Def a pretty one too!

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  7. This is my fave fragrance ever :) I have finished my first bottle and I am on my 2nd bottle. Love the young and fresh smell! It lasts on me for more than 6 hours

    xx Meryl

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    1. Hi Memoiselle --- wow, that is love! It must smell pretty amazing on you :)

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  8. Chloe EDP is my signature scent :D I loved it so much I wanted to buy a backup. I do notice that the scent is the nicest when its first sprayed! I tried Love, Chloe but it turned so vile on my body chemistry :( I guess skin chemistry matters A LOT though!

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    1. Hi Jenni, It's awesome to hear that Chloé is your signature scent --- oddly Love, Chloé works better for me!

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  9. I have not tried this perfume previously on me but I do like the smell on others.. now a bit scared as I went full steam ahead and ordered the 75ml bottle! hopefully it suits me :) love your blod by the way. Just stumbled upon it looking a Chloe perfume review. Much love from Melbourne, Australia,
    Regi.

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    1. Hi Regi, Thanks so much for the sweet comment! I hope you enjoy your new bottle of Chloé :-)

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