Contradiction

EDIT, 11th Feb 2022: I've recently started adding tea-tree oil to my shampoo and conditioner and shower gel (in an effort to keep my Type 2 Rosacea in abeyance) and I'm finding that Contradiction does a fabulous job of 'masking' that rather clinical tea-tree smell that gets left on my skin.... it's as if the eucalyptus note in the Contradiction sorta swallows up the tea-tree smell and makes it part of the whole, in a very pleasing way, so that I end up smelling of Contradiction and not of tea-tree oil. I've tried other perfumes with the tea-tree residue, and I've been left with the two things both present on my skin and 'fighting' each other. The result is far more harmonious with the Contradiction than with other perfumes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Original review from 18th Feb 2021: My most exciting, wonderful discovery of 2021 so far: this fragrance is still made and sold (online, anyway, in the UK). I gave up on it about 15 years ago when it disappeared from the shops, and I did so with a very heavy heart because it had been my all-time favourite fragrance, and, for the years that I wore it (1998 onwards), it was the fragrance I wore every single day, to the exclusion of all others. Oh, how I loved it. It went down pretty well with the men I knew, too. And now I have a new bottle in my possession, and I'm beyond delighted. I've been wearing it for the last few days, and I feel like I've *come home*, after a decade and a half out in the fragrance wilderness. Just wonderful. It seems just as I remember it: all the facets of the fragrance; the way it develops on my skin over time; the length of time it lasts on me (basically 23 hours, until I have a shower). Glory be. The only change I can detect is that the old metal cap has been replaced by a lookalike plastic cap, which is a shame, but in the scheme of things I frankly don't give a toss. The juice smells like it should! And the bottle still pleases my minimalist sensibilities. [I did do some research online, by the way, and found the website of the plastics company who redesigned the metal cap in plastic, and they note that they did it for Coty - who as far as I can tell have owned CK fragrances since the early noughties]. For me, the eucalyptus is quite far forward in the mix throughout, but it's a 'smooth and cool' element, rather than a 'sharp and cool' element. And it's balanced by the warmth of the cosy sensuality of the sandalwood, tonka and musk. And then there are the flowers making me feel feminine (but never girly). And all the elements seem to meld into a single, if complex, impression. Back in the day, I felt like this fragrance represented who I was really accurately and, given my personality hasn't changed much since then, I'm just delighted to be wearing it again after all this time. They'd better keep making it, that's all!

Yeah got myself a 100 ml bottle finally! This one is gonna be my signature scent, how could I ever not know that.... I got my first 100 ml bottle from my ex boss about 11 years ago because she got it as a present and really really disliked it. I loved it at first smell! It was definitely my perfect scent! I emptied it aboyt two years ago because I have never been much of a scent wearer, just for special occasions. But since my boyfriend casually told me he would like it if I'd wear scents more often I decided to build myself a nice little collection for all occasions, but most importantly for daily life. And I had to get myself a big new bottle of Cotradiction of course! I really hoped I still liked it and I do so badly! My first two orders at different retailers never arrived (????) but today, finally, retailer no 3 made my day! When I sprayed it on again, it felt like coming home, like the final 2% of ME I did not know I was missing, came back to me. Seriously, this smell touches me. To me itis soothing, warm, home coming, special, contradictional (sweet but savory), bright, intelligent, honest, it is me :) I can't stop smelling myself.... I refound my signature scent! From analysis of the notes I like over the last few months I understand now why I like jasmine, sandalwood, tonkabean, peony scents... they all remind me of Contradiction but I never realized that until today :) It does remember me quite a bit of Womanity by TM, in that that it is sweet and savory/woody, exciting, unique, addictive. Womanity is sweeter, wet, more sensual, Contradiction is more fresh/herbal, powdery but they both tease my senses, leaving me wondering what the heck is smelling so good over and over again, tickling my nose.... If you like jasmine and sandalwood and daring, interesting, sweet with savory/woodsy compositions, get yourself a big bottle of Contradiction while you still can! I hope one of my first two orders arrives after all so I can keep a second bottle because faith decided I should... :p

Wow!!! a true gem!! I was looking for a perfume which doesnt resemble any of the perfumes available. I ordered Contradiction before checking out the notes on fragrantica and some of the notes scared me. I was eagerly waiting for it and when i got it i prayed that it shouldnt disappoint me. :) Ok. I opened it. Found the initial spray very unique, literally unique. I have been using hypnotic poison, poeme, shalimar, samsara, cinema, chanel no.5 and a lot more like curious, boudoir, purr, so many, <> this fragrance is totally different. I can feel orange, musk, and the eucalyptus note is in the drydown which is so amazing. I am sure, if used in moderation, every person will notice its magnetic charm.. There is something really mysterious about this perfume and that gives it the enigmatic aura which i dont see in any of the top fav perfumes. Its really my most loved fragrance. DISCLAIMER - to those buy perfumes online. check this website checkcosmetic.net and give the batch code to verify the product has been expired or not. And some reformulated version may be there online, always check this facts out before buying or using a perfume...

Complicatedly Simple I feel like me when I wear Contradiction. That's the best compliment I can give any fragrance. It is incredibly affirming to catch a whiff of the complex, musky, cool, herbal fragrance and to notice how it changes throughout each wearing. It has a perfect balance of maturity, softness, and intellection. The floral launch quickly gives way to the hours-long twinkling of fresh herbal breezes that appear over the warm sandalwood and musk base notes. To passers-by, Contradiction appears generic and overly simplified. Some who catch a glimpse of its complexity are confused by it. It takes a lot of work to convey that simplicity and perceived minimalism. There are so many things going on behind the scenes with Contradiction, and it takes patience and willingness to travel along with the scent throughout the day to gain a true appreciation of it. Funny side note: I've always been a little disappointed that I cannot easily travel with my bottle of Contradiction. It looks like a pipe bomb, and I don't think I could make it through security - - even if it's under 3.4 oz. I love my old friend, regardless. :-)

Contradiction is so interesting! I love the eucalyptus/aromatic opening, and just wish that part lasted longer, but then it dries down to this beautiful, vaguely vegetal, soapy, salty/spicy lily, which brings to mind the MUCH stronger Donna Karan Gold. But where DK Gold is warm, strong, and of a completely different character (aside from the lily note), Contradiction is cool and at once both watery/aquatic and dry/aromatic, clean floral and salty musky -- nicely full of contradictions! I love perfumes like this, that play around with different types of smell. To me, this one works beautifully, and it also seems like, even though it's a bit strange, it's also subtle enough that it won't bother anyone; it's fairly well-behaved in spite of its unusual nature. Longevity is around 4 hours -- neither great nor horrible -- and it plays close to the vest with the exception of the opening; my one wish is that it stay a little bigger throughout. But overall, this is one I think I may love!