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 The only change I can detect is that the old metal cap has been replaced by a lookalike plastic cap, which is a shame, but in the scheme of things I frankly don't give a toss.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!

I agree with the reviewer below, “heavy, but light at the same time.” Maybe that’s why it’s called Contradiction. Though, I think it is lighter than it was back in the late 90’s, early 2000’s. This is one of my favorite 90’s scents, along with Benneton Hot and Pure Alfred Sung. If you’re a sandalwood lover, this is a good one to have in your collection. No pickle here. I think this one can be worn year round, but could be overwhelming in very high heat. It’s mostly lily, jasmine, tonka, musk and sandalwood. I’ve always felt it’s the perfume of a classy lady. Come to think of it, Contradiction was probably a mature scent for 20 year old me back in 2000, but I adored it. I layer it with BBW Sunrise Woods lotion, a sandalwood dominant scent. Good combo.

What an amazing frag! Incredible! Now one of my faves! Yes, yes, yes! I’m reminded of Meg Ryan in the movie When Harry Met Sally! I love this n it’s another I want to shoot up my nose! Will start hoarding 4 sure! Already have 4 big bottles lest I can't find!! LOL!! Love, love, love!! Multiple fragasms!!! I like Gosha’s description; CHIC METAL but I don’t get girl next door at any point perhaps SEXY TIGRESS so that would be the contradiction? A METALIC TIGRESS perhaps? I don’t get so much softness as sexiness and passion, lots of passion! Reminds me a bit of Secret Obsession CK (another fave). PN: I'm reminded of the riding stables, the mustiness n leather, the horses n sweat all in the best way possible!

Wow, this scent surprised me. Somehow I didn't know it before. I know it's been on the market for ages, but somehow I'm not in CK scents so much. I found it on a really good sale and tried. Actually I loved these first fresh and clean notes, so I decided to buy it. But I let it settle for a while. After 20 minutes of shopping I found on my wrist beautiful, creamy, powdery and extremly sexy scent. There were no more clean and fresh notes, but I loved it even more. It sits so beautifuly on my skin. Warm, quiet, creamy and sexy, but not screaming. Subtle and feminine. I love it. I got 100ml and will use it with pleasure. My scarf smells sooo good after I spray it with Contradiction. Warm, delicate and sexy.

This was my signature perfume back when this was first released. I found a new bottle recently by happenstance and was transported back to college days and the unique freedom I felt at that time. This is a lovely, clean, definitely metallic, and also abundant floral fragrance. Not a scent for seduction, though not off-putting either. Very pretty, perfectly balanced, minimal but not. I was happy to find I enjoyed it as much today as I did back then. Sometimes nostalgia doesn’t pan out, but this fragrance is timeless and wearable. To me it smells of youthful beauty, optimism and independence. (Maybe that’s the fog of memory at work, but I’ll take it.)

I finally arrived, too. I bought this perfume in 1999 during my visit to the U.S. Being a serious Calvin Klein perfume fan you have certain obligations :). However I managed to break the bottle (I guess I held it by the cap), and somehow poured it over in a reusable bottle, but never really used it. Why I don't know. Maybe I had a problem of this scent making me have a headache or something, and eventually lost that bottle too. Last week I saw a bargain and felt nostalgic so bought it again. We are still getting to know each other :). It's weird to see it in its original bottle. I haven't seen it in stores for a while.

LOVELY!!! I like it very very much! To me it's quite 'salty' and amberish. It reminds me of Due Donna by Laura Biagotti (which I have and wear a lot) very much! I know that their notes are not at all the same but this is what I got when sprayed it on me. It's just deeper, more pleasant and soft. I've never smelled eucaleptus in a perfume and I must say that this perfume is not what I imagined it to be. In fact I don't get an eucaleptus note at all. I get sault and amber instead, none of them is listed among the ingredients of the perfume. It's suitable for every age and mostly a day perfume, IMHO.

I cannot help it but I've always thought that Contradiction smells a bit like metalic (metalic-y) watermelon. I've been wearing this perfume since the late 90's (now I think I might have been a tad too young to wear it but it didn't stop me then) and it is still one of my favorites. Love the bottle, love the smell, and really like the TV ad. On me/my skin it smells very clean, more soapy and woody than floral and sweet - but that's the way I like it. And it really changes throughout the day which makes this perfume so extraordinary. Staying power is fantastic.

Update: I am in love with the scent. What I feel: I get orange note first which is so sophisticated not the tutty fruity type. then musk which really compliments the oranginess. Eucalyptus is really sugared down if not it would have dominated the whole scent and made it a medicinal syrup. During the dry down, i get the lily of the valley (usually i dont like it) which is quite cool. Overall this fragrance just blew me away. Quality: Unique I cant find anyother perfume smelling like this Silleage: 8/10 longevity : only cons (which doesnt last more than 4 hrs)

This is one of the few perfumes I bought more than once.I wear it regularly - I like its freshness of the eucalyptus, which is very prominent on me, and its floral musky character, which is the drydown on me.The tonka beans round the fragrance up: it's not sweet, not musky and flowery. Just everything molded together and the freshness gives it the extra kick I like so much.Lasting power is as well very good-at least 5hrs, depends on weather.I hope it won't become another disc. perfume... edit: it is officially disc. - why?

Love love love this. I find this perfume deliciously peculiar. There is something about this perfume, an it factor :) I did prefer the perfume on paper more than on my skin, but as the weather settles I can imagine this being such a comforting and powerful smell through Autumn and Winter. I'm excited to try it these colder months approaching, this is not a summer fragrance in my opinion as it loses its might against the heat... let's just hope my 50ml bottle lasts for at least another few months!

a pretty nose-tickling floral that is a bit aquatic; almost seems to have pepper in it; the main notes are rose, LOTV, peony with support from orchid, some white musk, a little creamy sandalwood and lilac in the base and that odd opening that does not smell like traditional eucalyptus but lends a little herbal quality to the opening that gives it a fresh ocean vibe. Not like Reveal but more of a spring floral and not salty. No vanilla detected. It is pretty for spring and summer for the $20.

There I was looking through pages of a fashion magazine back in the 90s. Suddenly stumbled over a thick page with a perfume sample. Rubbed my wrist and it was the first time I smelled anything CK, any designer perfume. It was fantastic, although smelled also of the magazine's ink and paper, and that's how I remembered it. 20 years later stumbled upon it in sales and could not resist. Beautiful bottle inside and out. Great scent, timeless and classic.

Just got mself another bottle, first in maybe five years since the last. After probably five bottles 😊. And I will continue buying it, because it’s stunning. It’s modern AND somewhat rebellious, even after all these years, it’s classy and clean, but sexy and warm. It’s woody, but not tangy. Like a silk blouse, like the softest autumn coat. If a fragrance was an object, this would be a rosewood jewellery box.

I've loved this perfume from the first time I smelt it. A friend of mine wore it in the early 00's and I remember falling inlove. It was alot more muskier then from what I remember. But it still has its unique smell that I loved. Smokey but light at the same time. The floral is not sharp like alot of recent fragrances. I've just layered it with Britney's Believe, they go well together.

I've just come back to Contradiction after a few years, and I'm pleased to say I still love it. From the sparkly, sweet opening of roses and peonies with a hint of pear through to the warm, slightly powdery base note it's a delight. I hope it isn't discontinued but I wouldn't be surprised because I've noticed a number of retailers selling it at greatly reduced prices recently.