The Beat

This is Blake Lively's signature perfume. This perfume has a light reactive type chemical dance that happens when you spray this perfume. It has a cedar note which smells earthy and grounded. The more I have sampled this, the more I am really enjoying this perfume. The general essence of this is autumnal - there is an earthy-ness to this that is quite appealing. This perfume has a subtle sensuality to it. It isn't an "in your face" type sexiness, but something that leads with more of an earthy, out-doors type essence. This perfume is feminine, but this could also be unisex on the right man. This is a versatile fragrance, it could be worn for any number of occasions and events. This is office friendly, I don't find anything in this that would be perceived as being too heavy or overly bold. The chemical dance is very similar to what happens when I have sprayed other perfumes like "Eternity Now" by Calvin Klein, Madonna's Truth or Dare "Nude", and a softer interaction than Flower Bomb's "Nectar". The closest of these to "The Beat" would be Madonna's Truth or Dare "Nude" and "Eternity Now by CK would be a lighter almost strawberry lemonade type spring/summer blend. The cedar note in this perfume is very similar to Calvin Klein's "Beauty" - however, "Beauty" smells more spa-like and the dry down smells similar to Alien's (the original) last phases of wear. I bought a small purse size sample of this to see how this wears with my chemistry. This is nice, the more that I have worn it, the more I have enjoyed it. Another great Burberry "find"!

This is my perfect summer fragrance. I've had this a while - it's the sort of perfume that you have on the back burner, always reliably delicious, but sometimes eclipsed by other, more punchy scents. I have often thought of this as my office and daytime staple, always loved it, but it hasn't ever been one of my absolute favourites. Enter the current heatwave... this scent has been absolutely indispensable. There is both freshness and rich depth here, which is a combo all too rare in summer-appropriate perfumes. The ceylon tea note gives a deep, complex aroma that hangs around for a remarkably long time on my shirt, and it is this that really makes this perfume so great. Cardamom also gives a deep spice along with the pink pepper that raises this scent head and shoulders above my other 'summery' scents, like Elizabeth Arden Mediterranean or Calvin Klein Reveal. The depth of spice and tea makes this so flexible; fresh as a long island ice tea for daytime, but rich enough to add a little mysterious je ne sais quoi to your summer evenings. The top notes are fresh and fruity with the orange and bergamot, beautiful alongside the tea note. There's an intermittent wave of the iris, which gives a slight powdery depth, just enough to add interest and complexity. The vetiver and ceder are quiet and well blended, so I don't 'hear' these notes loudly, they just hum in the background. All in all, an impressive blend of notes that make this cool, refreshing ice tea scent an absolute must for warm weather. I have been enjoying it immensely!

I had previously written a negative review where I called this scent boring and plain, but I have changed my mind. It has grown on me and I found myself reaching for it a lot. It is a very versatile, easy-going scent. There is an underlying musty tone in it that I am finding addictive (probably the musk interacting with the cardamom?). Otherwise, it is quite a well blended composition, creamy-powdery scent, with citrus, flowers, tea, and reminds me of expensive body lotion or body milk. This ‘musty’ undertone saves it from being just another soft musky floral I think, makes it more memorable and distinctive. I still think the scent itself is pretty innocent and feminine (the bottle color reflects this well). It is not edgy like the name or marketing implies. It does smell ‘youthful’ though, like when I smell this, I imagine a sweet girl-next-door type in her 20s (but really, any age can wear this). Not particularly sophisticated, not diva, but well-rounded, comfortable and feminine (with an interesting soft-spicy touch). Longevity and sillage are both pretty moderate, nothing to shout about. I like it. I don’t know if I’ll repurchase, but I am enjoying it for now. A good one for spring, early summer, and fall, very versatile, wear it to the office, on a first date, family gatherings, brunch with the girls, etc. It’s not crisp or fresh enough for hot days, nor thick or warm enough for cold winters.

This smells like me, if you can say so, even I wouldnt call it my signature scent. Even I had so many perfumes in my wardrobe I end up using this most of the time, alone or layered. Easily the best layering scent I've had. It sits close to the skin and always need to have it. It's one of the few I can wear even I had migraine, and it makes me feel cozy and happy. I always end up having compliments when I wear, especially when layered, for some reason this + Givenchy Play got me greatest compliments and 3 guys from the office came to ask what I wear so they could buy it for their wives. I went for a while I didn't own it and now when I have it again I never want to go without again, so I guess I need to buy few bottles. I already used 4 bottles before. Interesting thing is, that I'm more chypre/rosy/spicy/oriental/gourmand/orchid-type of woman who enjoy darker and more interesting scents and always search for something special, but there is just something in it and I just love it but can't explain why.

At first, I wasn't wowed by this because it smelled so generic, but time went on and I actually found that The Beat smells much more unique and lovely when I wore it during colder months. In the winter, the cedar, oranges, and vetiver are the most prominent on me. There was something very sassy yet classy about it. I also loved how versatile it was; I can wear to work, with dresses, or with a casual outfit. (I wouldn't say it's a nigh time fragrance, though.) I also found it lasts all day on me in the fall and winter. My boyfriend has also stated that this is his favorite fragrance on me. During the summer, it's a completely different story. The Beat smelled a lot soapier and plain in the heat. Longevity was weak and it reminded me of a perfumed magazine strip. This really goes to show why I need different fragrances for different seasons. One important note: Burberry is discontinuing The Beat, so it may be a little difficult to find now.