Escape by Calvin Klein

Once again, Calvin Klein doesn’t disappoint. So far, every perfume I’ve bought has pleasantly surprised me. This one was a blind buy thanks to the great price. I have to say, it smells very similar to Anick Goutal’s Grand Amour, but it’s more persistent and intense, which I absolutely love because Grand Amour felt too light on me, like a cologne. The Escape on my skin feels powdery and slightly floral; honestly, I don’t know or distinguish the notes well, so I get confused when people say it smells like certain things. But overall, the word that defines the Escape is SPECTACULAR.

The Escape was my introduction to the world of Calvin Klein. I was surprised by the sheer number of notes it has. It marks progress in that powerhouse perfumery from the 70s and 80s. It’s outrageously fruity. The top notes are cheap-tasting and melon-like, feeling juicy. As for the florals, the carnation takes center stage, while the valley lily plays a secondary role; its carnation is much more modern than contemporaries like Eternity, though it doesn’t stop from being sharp. During the dry-down and throughout its evolution, it always circles back to the melon and carnation notes. Personally, there’s something in the opening that makes me think it contains aldehydes because a few minutes in the air it smells like fruity hairspray, which sparks some debate… I tested it on a summer day and it works perfectly; I’ll have to try it in winter and spring to see how it evolves. Longevity: about 7 to 8 hours. Projection: good. Sillage: you’ll definitely radiate a very fresh fruity aroma, as if you just took a fruit juice shower. It’s versatile; I don’t see any negative aspects, nor do I think it’s hard to wear or smell like other classics. L’Eau D’Issey Miyake and Sunflower smell similar to the Escape, but while LDM feels aquatic and watery, and Sunflower is warmer and cleaner, the Escape is much fruitier.

The Escape is my eternal pleasure, it’s also a luxury, never reserved. If you don’t have character, stay away; I’m a Capricorn, and while I might not mix easily, you’ll surely remember me or my perfume. People either love us or hate us, but the latter only happens because they don’t know how to read us; we are firm, yet intensely loving, and that shows when you are reflective, attentive, and analytical. Otherwise, how would you discover every note in us?

This perfume is unbearable! Invasive, suffocating, cloying, a true olfactory nightmare. Fortunately, it’s no longer in fashion, and I rarely have to endure it now on the bus or in public transport. Thank goodness the years passed and people stopped using this unbearable scent along with some similar ones, like the horrible L’Eau D’Issey, Sunflower, and a similar Kenzo scent that fortunately also went out of style.

I gave it to my mother in 1991; she loved it so much (and so did I) that it became her winter perfume from then on. She was faithful to it until she passed away in 2012. I want to buy a bottle because it’s her scent, just like Eau de Rochas was hers in the summer too. I need to smell it, I need it desperately. Since I don’t have her embrace, which I miss so much in this difficult time of my life, I’ll have her most characteristic scent. I have to find a reliable website so they don’t sell me a fake, because I haven’t seen it in a physical store. What a wonderful perfume! I never used it despite how much I liked it; I lent it to her.

I’ve always been a fan of L’eau d’Issey, but now it smells everywhere, even at Mercadona. Thanks to this site, I discovered that Escape is its twin and bought it blind: what a hit! Turns out L’eau is the copy of Escape, only this one is cheaper, lasts longer, and leaves a stronger trail. The only downside is that everyone around me smells the same, so I’ll remain the scent of old, hehe.

I used it for many years and I’m sure I’ll buy it again… it’s like first love, you never forget it.

I recently acquired it and at 42, it transports me back to 15 or 16, when wearing it was the trend: platform shoes with peep-toe details, Levis jeans, and sunflower t-shirts, with guys absolutely infatuated by the scent. I recommend it without hesitation: it’s citrusy, fresh, and smells like the 90s summer.

CK Escape was one of my first perfumes; I loved it and held it dear. I stopped wearing it during my first pregnancy because it irritated my throat. It didn’t give me nausea, but I felt like my nose was running like I had a cold. I missed it because its trail and longevity felt eternal. I bought it again for the nostalgia, and to my surprise, I actually like it, though it still triggers that allergic reaction. It’s a shame because I adore it and don’t want to give it away. Maybe I’ll wear it only on clothes or spray it from a distance. It’s an excellent perfume, lasting forever on skin with an impressive trail and longevity that rivals expensive brands that promise and fail. I’ll update later if I find a way to wear it.

To me, it’s superbly constructed, a true ‘escape from monotony.’ I consider it a brilliant example of harmony among all its ingredients; thanks to this design, I discovered the scent of chamomile within the fragrance—it’s detectable and interesting. It was a great creation from the 90s that I discovered with my neighbor. Super feminine with an impressive projection that left trails, like the scent in Patrick Süskind’s book. It’s a pity it’s discontinued or heading toward eternal oblivion. Projection: 10/10, Scent: 10/10, Trail: 10/10. I greatly admire master Dir.

It’s impossible not to compare it to Sunflowers, which I never liked. I see it as a precursor to that overly fruity, people-pleasing, synthetic, cloying style—a real torture for melon haters like me. I don’t get why so many people love Sunflowers when Escape exists. But I do understand: Escape’s complexity and intricacy make it hard to love at first. The crowded notes, the weirdness of those wild, bitter flowers, and that old aftershave-like aromatic accord can scare off anyone. But that’s exactly what makes it so fascinating to my nose. It’s not my favorite scent, but I appreciate its intention and merit in trying to differentiate itself from the conventional and supposedly acceptable. Despite its flaws—which might stem from a reformulation—I admire that it chose paths that aren’t easy. Deconstructing it is a very complicated task. There’s no single standout note; rather, it’s an incredibly interesting mixture where elements, well-integrated, emerge intermittently. The opening is very fruity and liquorish, showing an astringent greenness from cassia and early hints of mossiness. Among the fruits, more than the melon (discreet and fresh, praise be to Mr. Dir), it’s the peach or apple that stands out, with the most perceptible being the aquatic, metallic air of lychee, accompanied by the herbaceous and bitter nuances of calendula and chamomile. It continues floral and honeyed, briefly highlighting a valley lily before joining with carnation, cloves, and peach to create sweet yet slightly prickly nuances. It finishes mossy, slightly musky, woody, and very ambered. This amber, combined with a lingering green residue, gives that old aftershave vibe I mentioned earlier. Its projection and longevity are notable, and as hours pass, it takes on a very aromatic yet sophisticated air, without lacking femininity. Escape reminds me of those liqueurs you happily accept from kind hosts until horror sets in when they reveal they made it themselves from their pantry and garden. You drink it, squint through the burn, and tell them it’s delicious while thinking your Aunt Rita could have swallowed the potion. But then you start to enjoy the taste, ask for more, and another, and another. Before you know it, you’ve had a very pleasant buzz and are asking them to gift you a bottle. It’s still impossible not to compare it to Sunflowers. There’s plenty of evidence that the latter owes a lot to the former, and the egg-and-chicken dilemma is clear here: Escape came first, then Sunflowers. However, despite their similarities, they are very different in attitude. What Sunflowers shouts, Escape whispers. What Sunflowers wants to show off, Escape suggests. The brushstroke Sunflowers smashes onto the canvas, Escape dilutes and nuances. So, what’s the problem with Escape? That to modern noses, it can seem bizarre and convoluted. But it’s much subtler than Sunflowers and at the same time more challenging. And I like challenges, especially olfactory ones.

To be honest, the first time I smelled it, I didn’t like it. It felt heavy, very spiced, with a vintage vibe. However, I kept giving it chances, and today it’s the perfume I use the most. I love that non-typical fruity scent it has. Plus, its longevity is immense, and its trail is impossible to miss. I find it incredible for evening wear or a summer or autumn day. Just a heads-up: it’s not a fragrance for everyone; you need to know how to wear it.

I like the fragrance; it’s sweet, fruity, and moves away from classic aldehydes, having a more modern and youthful touch while retaining the quality of those classics. This is achieved thanks to the experience of the Master Perfumer who created it. Another perfume I have by him that I like is Kim Kardashian’s Honey. It’s very good and affordable.

This perfume reminds me of a few 90s romances, parties, vacations, and dance nights. It’s impossible to ignore. It hails from the era when teenagers and young women weren’t afraid of perfumes with presence and personality, and we didn’t say, ‘run away, mister.’ Contrary to what one might think, the melon note doesn’t make it tropical at all. On the contrary, it’s more suitable for cold climates due to its potency. Sexy, complex, and distinct. Escape never goes out of style.

Finally, I got a little bottle. Even though it’s a fragrance directed at women, I dared to buy it for myself because I like challenges, I feel very confident in my sexuality, and I believe a fragrance should adapt to the person wearing it, regardless of gender (the person defines their gender, not the fragrance they use). It’s one of the few truly strong fragrances that imposes itself. It has kept its DNA intact this decade, and I’m fascinated by it. On my skin, the fruity notes mixed with flowers stand out, with hyacinth and carnation taking the lead. Later, strong notes like sandalwood, cilantro, musk, and cloves emerge, competing with the floral notes which refuse to die, creating a war of floral and spicy notes trying to prove who is more dominant. It has a surprising trail, like few others, and its longevity is excellent. What more could I ask for? I’m amazed…