Ciara by Revlon

I bought the EDT concentration last September and have had the opportunity to try it several times. At first, it’s a balsamic bomb with citrus that gives freshness. After a few minutes, it becomes crisp, with a sweet taste on the mouth that I perceive as smoked raspberry, reminiscent of vintage Revlon lipsticks. Upon drying, there’s a smoky note, like a hippie incense shop like Nag Champa, a cozy and peaceful aroma. A soapy jasmine incense cone note is noticeable. The final dry-down, after hours, leaves a smoky raspberry, talc-like, but think of that makeup talc, a pink blush. It seems mysterious, very retro but distinct from floral scents loaded with aldehydes. CIARA is different. I see it for a coquettish but strong woman, not tender or innocent. It’s a scent for someone with a marked personality. It resists tobacco smoke and is pleasant because it’s unique. I imagine it on a stylish, cool New York African American woman from the era, proud of her afro hair, going to discos on Saturday nights with a large crystal ball in the center, dancing to ‘Im Your Boogieman’ by KC. CIARA does her magic, making her coquettish. I know there are different concentrations, but my EDT is potent. The 100% or 80% ones must be total bombs. Would I buy them? Absolutely. CIARA, you are beautiful.

I hate it. It’s too masculine and heavy. It was a gift and I wore it once. If you like vintage, woody, and mature scents, it’s good for you, but to me it reminds me of my grandma and my mom, so it’s not for me.

On to another vintage/retro scent. Neither my mother nor my grandmother wore it; I didn’t grow up with that smell. I bought it blindly, and it opens with a slap from another decade. On my skin, it calms down quickly and dries to a finish I like better. It has something soapy, typical of the old days, though maybe I notice it less in Ciara than in others. I can’t discern any specific note (raspberry? where?), so it’s hard to describe. The perfect example of an era when perfumes were a smell ‘per se,’ without defined notes like today. Experts say that’s what characterizes a good perfume: longevity and projection. Don’t get excited about the sprays. I’m not going into whether it’s good or not… It’s vintage for a while, clearly not everyone will like it. I use it at home or when I know I won’t interact much; my family hasn’t complained. If I perfumed myself with pine-scented floor cleaner, they wouldn’t say anything either. Aside from the medium anosmics, they’re used to my olfactory experiments. Even the dogs don’t sneeze when I pass by, although they do with other perfumes. No joke. I don’t see it as informal for going to the grocery store or without makeup; that would scream ‘cheap’ in the bad sense. In formal situations, I can wear or smell it. You’ll smell exclusive, for better or worse, and I think for better. A reviewer suggested layering with sweet scents to modernize it. I tried, though I know I don’t master that art. Yes, interesting things come out. (Don’t try it with citrus, I did and it smelled like insecticide). I still prefer it as is. If you bought it blindly and don’t like it, it’s still a great option to play with. Great find at a ridiculous price. Worth it if you’re into vintage or want to expand your experiences. Or as a challenge: try to find the raspberry.

I’m a guy and just got it thinking it was unisex, and indeed it is. The first impressions were that it smelled like Joop Homme mixed with clean white soap and something balsamic, even recalling nuances of Grey Flannel. It’s a bomb in projection and longevity; I think these 70 ml will last me a long time.

Although some doubt it, you can taste the raspberry. That sweet-and-sour essence helps create an exquisite balance. I agree that the best time is at night, even better in winter. It smells great. Is it for seduction? It depends on how the woman or man uses it; tastes are colors. What I do say is that CIARA is a fragrance dream. It was very popular here in Puerto Rico in the 80s and 90s.

I take such good care of it because it’s no longer easily available. It’s radiant, seductive, and enveloping; it announces itself and is never overlooked due to its character and powerful, beastly sillage with extreme longevity and fixation. Nothing suitable for shy people or those who don’t like this olfactory delicacy. It’s only used for cold times or fresh nights after rain, never in hot weather because it would be unbearable. A vintage perfumery jewel.

I bought it blindly because it never came out in Mexico, was a good price online, and I was encouraged by good reviews. I agree with azuriita that it’s intense, but although I like strong, classic perfumes, the 80s and 90s bombs, and many that are no longer used or considered ‘stuffy,’ this really doesn’t like it, doesn’t convince me, and I don’t find it seductive. I think it doesn’t suit my skin; I feel very synthetic, stuffy, with a middle note I dislike that I associate with antifungal ointments and bad foot odor (undecylenic acid or zinc salicylate). I know it’s still appreciated by some, but I definitely haven’t had a good understanding with it. Since I don’t plan to use it, I’ll put it on my exchange list.

In Venezuela it has a loyal following. It’s relatively affordable, intense, long-lasting, and considered very sensual, even aphrodisiac; I remember a friend’s aunt recommended it a lot for seduction. Personally, I recognize it draws attention (impossible not to perceive its intoxicating combination of leather, opoponax, and jasmine, wrapped in a vaporous aroma of iris root interwoven with ylang-ylang), but I don’t love it. To my nose and taste, it has something sordid (I’m sorry). I irreducibly associate it with women with dark hair, very fair or light-skinned, with provocative clothing and looks, to whom CIARA seems to fit perfectly, giving them an extra boost of ‘security’ in their attractiveness.