CH (2015) by Carolina Herrera

I’ll be brutally honest: I was looking for something for everyday wear, floral-citrus-woody, elegant and feminine, and I found it. It’s a perfect balance, neither loud nor invisible. It reminds me of L’EAU by Carolina Herrera (now discontinued); I’d say CH is its older, more intense, and characterful cousin. I chose between 20 options thinking of autumn; I wanted a sweet floral-woody scent. The saleswoman showed me everything, but most were heavy vanilla or musky roses. Upon smelling, CH stood out. The others, like Ninna Ricci Venus or Fame Parfum, had that tropical fruit and sweet wood vibe I wasn’t looking for. If you buy it, clarify what it is NOT: it’s not gourmand, not vanilla, not tropical, not synthetic, not cloying. It’s not a typical pink musk. It starts citrusy, then evolves into a complex sweet floral-woody accord. That sweetness isn’t dessert-like; it’s elegant, thanks to praline and orange blossom. The citrus notes (lime, grapefruit, bergamot) provide freshness and acidity. Then come the woods and flowers (jasmine, rose) for femininity and sophistication. The woods, patchouli, and leather add intensity and sensuality, ideal for cool weather. The musk cleanses and envelops. The longevity holds up, lasting even after a shower. It works for day and night, work or gatherings, without going overboard. In person, it’s a woman with presence, elegant, mysterious, powerful, and leaving a mark without raising her voice.

I owned it years ago and people complimented me a lot; longevity was excellent. Now that I’ve repurchased it, it smells the same, but the opening is strong and the leather is noticeable, though it fades very quickly (or maybe my skin does). In conclusion, on my skin it becomes soft, pleasant, and feminine, but very close to the skin and faint on clothes.

Very rich and elegant. Lasts 4 hours on skin with soft sillage. You can detect the musk with praline and a dry-down of rose and jasmine. Really good and no longer in production. I wouldn’t trade it for any Good Girl, which smells the same. CH has personality, making it unique. Good Girl doesn’t last, which is a turn-off for me. This is a gem; it lasts and is noticeable from afar. Plus, it doesn’t have as many imitations as the famous Good Girl.

Years ago my sister had the first version of CH, back in the 2000s; I thought it was super elegant and always wanted one for special occasions. Now that I have a collection, it seemed indispensable. I found this 2015 version on sale and it still seems elegant, though not as unique as before. It’s quite fresh with a well-marked citrus opening, but not just for summer, because at the same time it’s sweet to my taste, making it versatile: ideal for night, but not overwhelming during the day. The sillage is fantastic; it lingers in the air for a long time. It lasts for days on clothes and quite a while on skin; I apply it in the morning and get through the day relaxed. Personally, I use it at the office on cold days and when I need a mood boost.

A perfume bomb. Elegant, serious, yet absolutely not invasive. For me, it’s the ideal perfume for a bank executive who needs to look presentable and inspire respect. If you’re looking for something sexy, I don’t think this is for you. The citrus notes are beautiful and delicious. I clearly detect the classic Carolina Herrera DNA, the same as in 212 Sexy.

So handsome! What a pity I forgot how great it makes me feel! I ordered a spray with it at a perfume shop after years of not using it, and it didn’t disappoint. As others have mentioned, it’s elegant without being boring. Personally, I see myself wearing it to shine at events or at night, because that leather and wood note is on full blast. You can also feel the creaminess of the praline. For a reason, it brings back memories of Christmas parties and gives me goosebumps. I want to try CH Privée to decide which one to keep, although this one has a huge advantage. I’m a leather fan in perfumes, and Carolina Herrera uses it with a richness I’ve never heard before.

A classic jewel. An elegant and refined perfume, though not serious, more cheerful, ideal for someone looking for their first perfume. It never fails. It’s a citrus-floral blend with a patchouli that gives it sweetness and woods that provide a fabulous dry-down. Too bad I couldn’t smell its predecessor with the silver cap and suede notes, which were changed to leather. It’s one of the few I feel is perfect for mid-season, spring or autumn, especially on cool days. I’d love an EDP version because the EDTs don’t last long on my skin, although this one lasts about 3 hours. After that, it’s only detectable up close.

Well, I must say its launch didn’t grab my attention; a ‘slob’ scent made me think twice, but a colleague bought it first and her rejection was without me saying a word. I tried it, let it dry on skin, and dry it was so formal, sexy, and different that it changed everything: more wood, slight sweetness, and citrus with roses… She offered it on installments, and that’s where I met its dry-down. That’s why I put it on half an hour before leaving, but I wouldn’t repeat it.

Super elegant, my mom uses it… On me, it feels strong, but on others, I love it. Hopefully, someday I can enjoy it. Great for winter, cloudy days, ideal. Very nice.

Possibly the only perfume with a leather note that I like. CH is a really nice perfume. Citrus, sweet, with a very inoffensive patchouli, perfectly mixed with flowers and woody notes. This is one of those perfumes that makes me think of successful and confident women. My sister and my mom love this perfume. It seems very familiar to me. CH opens up purely citrus: lemon and bergamot. They give that sparkling and alert character. Then, through a light floral veil, the protagonist leather note appears, along with sweet patchouli and cedar, which I love. They aren’t grating or annoying notes. This is really a quite calm perfume, perfect for the office or daily wear. It doesn’t have a beastly trail, but it’s the type of perfume where if you hug someone, you definitely feel it and get soaked in the essence. Plus, you can get it very cheap, which I like, of course. Smell good without spending much. It’s a great option, to gift or to have in your collection, if you’re a fan of this type of perfume.

CH is a perfume of floral and musky accords from woods and leather; its opening is slightly citrusy and its heart sweet due to rose tincture and praline. It was my favorite for 10 years, however, in my opinion, the reformulation (particularly the substitution of suede for leather) gave it a masculine tone that has a slightly ‘bitter’ transition for me, so I stopped enjoying it as before, when it was deep but absolutely feminine. Still, it’s an elegant and formal perfume, suitable for all seasons. Moderate to high trail, 8 hours longevity on skin and days on clothes. Good quality/price ratio. Who will like it: Everyone, it’s a totally balanced perfume.

What a shame they reformulated it; the previous version was unique. I saw they removed and changed some notes; the old one lasted the whole day. Such a pity.

A special fragrance with an interesting evolution: it starts very citrusy and fresh, becomes very woody after an hour, and ends sweet, woody, and anchored on my skin, behaving differently depending on the day. Sometimes I smell it for 4 or 5 hours, other times more than 7 or 9. It depends on many factors like skin type or weather. It’s super versatile, excellent for any climate except very cold ones, and works both day and night. Since it’s a bit warmer when it dries down, I don’t recommend it for working out or with very sporty clothes, though everyone can use what they want. A curious fact: it’s one of the few where my boyfriend can’t help but tell me I smell good. Yes, only if he smells me up close on the neck, because it’s not potent and doesn’t have much projection, but he’s given compliments even after more than 7 hours. Of all the ones I own, it’s not the one I’d recommend most due to the price. I think a fair price would be a maximum of $40 to $45. For what it costs, there are better options.

What a pity about the reformulation; there’s no trace of that great 2007 scent. They took away the suede and everything fell apart. I miss that morning aura; with this, its elegance is gone. I won’t buy it again.

I’ve always wanted to try this. I bought it a month ago after reading it was perfect for fall, and it was a total hit. It reacts beautifully with my skin, and even as an EDT, it lasts quite a bit—around 8 hours. The trail is moderate, making it ideal for enclosed spaces like the office; a great daily option. It smells sweet due to the praline, while the leather adds a warm presence; these are its dominant notes. The opening is fabulous—fresh yet sweet, with noticeable citrus that lasts about an hour. I wear it during the day and plan to use it in fall, winter, and maybe spring on chilly days. Scent: 9/10, Longevity: 8/10, Price: 9/10, Sillage: 7/10.