Clean Fragrance

I feel silly writing a review about a fragrance called Clean, as the name written on the perfume bottle is a nomenclature in and of itself. Over the years I’ve come across many maligning reviews on it which makes me shake my head, unable to understand the negative reactions to it, let alone the “industrial disinfectant” references used when describing it. However, after recently wearing it when grocery shopping and being pulled over in the store by a gentleman who couldn’t compliment me enough on how “so fresh and so sexy like I just walked out of a shower” I smelled (...yeah, I know... sweet but kinda creepy...) that I’ve decided it was time to offer a different perspective on this polarizing fragrance. I first tried Clean EDP right after it was released quite a few winters ago. One spray on the tester blotter and I’ve wrinkled my nose, wondering by whom and why on earth this perfume was created in the first place. It smelled like anemic, generic musk that you can usually find on supermarket or pharmacy shelves for a handful of dollars. The thing is, I tried this fragrance right after I’d tested “Dior Addict (2002)”, which at that time was also a new release and sported the old heavenly formula. Okay... Honestly, who could give Clean a fair shot on a cold winter day after trying the delicious, spicy soufflé that is Addict?? Obviously, I was smell-drunk from the vanillic goodness that just permeated my nose and so I chucked the bottle back on the shelf and returned to the Dior stand. Fast forward to a few summers ago, I’d dedicated a good block of time in my day to dork around at my local Ulta to find out if I can ever like the allegedly *Clean* line and whether the flankers were also full bottle worthy. And now the truth comes out: Clean is undoubtedly a warm weather fragrance. In the dead of winter, it turns into a mixture of chlorinated pool, tap water, and a facial astringent on me. In the heat of the summer, however, this cold composition turned into a pure and wholesome aroma that gives me the feeling of having just washed from head to toe with a luxurious perfumed soap. In the opening, I detect a light but sharp citrus blend that persistently continues throughout its lifespan. I don’t get any floral notes other than a faint whiff of lavender in the heart phase. At the end, which arrives about a good six hours later, I am left with a citric, cool, musky drydown that is still refreshing with no detectable hints of going off the rails. Suffice it to say that Clean agreed to love my skin, which I believe is a phenomenon that is a prerequisite before anyone says, “Oh yeah - I like this!” about any perfume. So to be fair to the numerous reviewers who pooped on this fragrance, I can see how, with the wrong chemistry, this fume can make you smell like someone just gave you a swirly. I’ve tried another very similar fragrance called “Les Senteurs Gourmandes - Musc Blanc” by Laurence Dumont. The only difference is that Clean utilizes a lavender accentuated heart instead of the faint rose note Laurence Dumont used in his composition. Both fragrances, however, are startlingly similar on my skin. As far as longevity and projection goes, Clean is the winner. It projects about at least 3 feet and stays on me for a good 6 hours. I don’t think Clean or its flankers (“Shower Fresh” is my favorite!) are meant to be a crowd-pleaser, as are most designer or celebrity fragrances. I see this collection more as a progressive, niche style creation that just happens to be mass produced. It isn’t for everyone, as the copious negative reviews all over the internet would suggest. Nonetheless, those who love sheer florals, light musks, or citric aromas could be in perfumista heaven as long as their skin loves this icy juice back.

I get so frustrated by people not really understanding what Clean fragrances are meant to be. They are not "perfume". They are not supposed to smell like perfume. They are anti-perfume. If you go into it expecting perfume, no wonder people are so disappointed. Clean is not for people who want perfume...it is for people who do not. I went for a couple of years not being able to wear ANY perfume. It all made me sick. I had some health issues that affected my sense of smell and I just could not tolerate anything that smelled "perfumey" and could not stand to be around anyone wearing perfume. It made me gag. During this time, I noticed that a client of mine always had this wonderful clean smell, like her clothes were always fresh from the dryer. I asked her how she kept that wonderful, clean smell in her clothes all the time and she said it was "Clean" perfume that she sprayed on her clothes. I had never heard of such a thing. So, I tried it and fell in love with the Clean line (give or take a few). It was the only thing I could wear for quite some time because of the anti-perfume issues that I was having. In the process, I noticed that I was getting complimented constantly on how good I smelled. It was never "what are you wearing"...people just told me that I smelled good. And I realized they thought of me like I thought of my client. Just a clean, fresh smelling person, completely unrelated to perfume. I only spray it on my clothes, not my skin. I think that makes a difference as well. My perfume issues went away (as you can clearly see by my profile) but I still go through periods where I have to cleanse and "reset" my nose and just need a break from perfume. Maybe it is hormonal, I don't know. This is one of the very things I reach for - Clean Original. It is clean, lemony and refreshing and allows me to smell good without smelling like perfume. I especially like it in the summer. I don't think I have ever had it on without receiving a compliment - EVER. I can assure you that if I smelled like a toilet bowl nobody would be telling me how wonderful I smelled. Clean is exactly what is claims to be...a clean smelling fragrance line that is NOT classic perfume, for those who just do not want to smell like perfume. It is for those who like to extend that shower fresh or fresh from the dryer scent all day long. It is also great for refreshing bedding, curtains and blankets. I just love it.

Whoa! I've been passing by this one at TJ Maxx for months because I hadn't read the reviews as I assumed it was probably boring and weak (the simple packaging...although nice...is what didn't do it for me) I have never smelled anything....ANYTHING....with such a lemon/lime sharpness at first blast....in an IN YOUR FACE with an ice-pick sort of way! It was like being maced with ice cold 7-UP. After yanking my face away from my wrist at a speed that should have induced injury, I told myself not to worry...it was a short ride home and it wasn't all that expensive either.After maybe 2 minutes I dared to take another sniff. What's this??!! How could something morph so quickly into something SO different? I have never worn a perfume that was capable of this....going from zero to one hundred in a blink of an eye at application then back down to around fifty ( and something entirely different) within two minutes.Ok......so what did I get after all those sharp citrus notes?? Well....you can probably guess......soap. What's that gold soap......oh yeah...DIAL. Yeah....like DIAL and DOVE got together and had a baby! Just push a little harder Mam....I see the head...here it comes.Oh look! It's CLEAN! All joking aside, I really enjoy this fragrance. It's simple...in a complicated way...and for me...unique. It's a way to smell nice but not necessarily perfumed. Sure, you could just take a shower as other's have stated but isn't finding a new perfume that you really like alot more fun?! I also have to admit that when I read that this is Demi Moore's signature scent it somehow made it more appealing. She always looks so polished and well....clean....and I can imagine her smelling like this. Definitely worth a try if you're in the mood for something different in a fragrance and want to smell like the bath all day! EDIT: The more I use this, the more I absolutely LOVE it.....it's becoming one of my favorites. The sharp lemon/lime note in the beginning is either becoming less pronounced or I'm just getting used to it. I guess that's one and the same. Anyway....it' just a spectacular lemony, creamy, luscious, soapy, happy, clean smell! I agree that it is related to Avon's vintage Odyssey.....I wouldn't have even thought of it if it hadn't been mentioned. It is, however,soapier, more lemony and fresher and more modern. I like Odyssey though....reminds me of my Mommy and of my childhood!

Apparently there are two versions, reformulated and old one. Reading the reviews past the maybe a couple of first ones the reviews are mixed on how this perfume smells. Few stating that it smells lemony , detergent like and others say it smells like a bar of soap. There is also a skin difference factor, but I wouldn't go that far as to say it would smell that different on us. But, anyway, it's not my imagination, my bottle does indeed smell like a bar of a good, buttery, white soap. Not citrusy. Not like flowers or cleaners. Tested it again after reading the last review, checked my bottle to see if I made a mistake, but no. So if you're looking for a soapy version I strongly suggest not blind buying and testing it first. Edit: Checking it on their page it indeed does say and I quote: Reimagined 15 years later, it's back with a bright modern twist. Inspired by the faint scent of your favorite bar soap. So it is changed. Also, mine has The original written under Clean. Notes from their site: Top Notes: Aldehydic, Peppercorn, Aromatic Accord Middle Notes: Jasmine, Geranium, Peony Base Notes: Orange Blossom, Musk, Sandalwood No citrus here. We need an updated Fragrantica page.

Are we all smelling the same fragrance? I LOVE this fragrance for exactly what it's intended to be...CLEAN! I think if you're expecting a burst of florals, or anything other than a clean, "just out of the shower" smell...then you should move on because that's exactly what it's NOT intended to be. This was my signature summer fragrance until I graduated to niche fragrances but this will definitely make a reappearance this summer as a layering scent. I love this on my clothing rather than skin nowadays, as I think it enhances the smell of cleanliness (if that at all makes sense). This is also a good one on days when you don't want to wear any fragrance. It's just a clean hair-out of the shower-no/minimum makeup-relaxed maxi dress-flip flop-no fuss hairstyle fragrance. (If THAT at all makes sense???) I could never make out the exact notes of this scent until seeing the pyramid here and it makes complete sense! Definitely opens with a blast of clean citrus that is immediately and I mean IMMEDIATELY followed by a musky-lavender-and other astringent (but in a good way) floral notes. Longevity is moderate at (3ft) as is silage at 4-5hrs.