Camelia Chinois

An under-rated gem from a house that does not get nearly the love it should, despite having one of the best late 20th-century amber scents ever made in its collection (the legendary Ambre Precieux, which in the minds of many a perfume reviewer is up there with Oncle Serge's Ambre Sultan, Profumum Roma's Ambra Aurea, and Andy Tauer's L'Air du Desert Marocain. Luca Turin gave it four stars and an orgasm). (Eau de) Camelia Chinois is a cool citrus--and when I say cool, I mean frozen, with little icicles dripping off the word. There is a delightful air-conditioned, florist-fridge, summer-slushy-drink quality to this scent that I have never experienced before, out of dozens and dozens of hot-weather "refreshing" citruses. I half-expect to need to wipe away frost from the bottle when I take it off the shelf. Is it a clean-shirt white musk scent? A grapefruit scent? A tea scent? Yes, yes, and yes--but not in the way you THINK of fruit juice, or laundry day, or a cuppa. Perhaps it's the basil, or the "nulu balsam" (whatever that is) that is skewing this scent in a different direction than your standard green-tea Bvlgaris and Elizabeth Ardens (which I also own). I find 99% of citrus scents a snoozefest (the 1960s version of Eau Sauvage excepted). However, the chilly, almost crisp treble notes of this fragrance are not sharp and mouth-puckery the way a lemony eau de Cologne is, and furthermore, Camelia Chinois's citrus notes are balanced and deepened by its un-sweet powderiness and unusually long-lived sillage. In sum, it's a very French, cerebral, serenely contented sort of scent . . . it calls to mind expensive-but-tasteful silk chiffon scarves fluttering artistically in May breezes (in shades of seafoam green, yellow, and aqua), and classic literature being read peacefully under a tree on sunny June afternoons (icy cocktail in hand--in glass, not plastic. And a real book, with yellowing pages and leather binding). Can be found at reasonable prices for niche (circa $80-100 USD for 100ml) online at the usual Evil places . . . but it is rare-ish, so if you see it, give it a try if a somewhat unusual, but classy, summer scent appeals! (P.S. I am a woman, but this is not a very sweet frag, and is not particularly floral despite the name . . . I can see it being a summer go-to office or casual scent for a brainy guy with a slightly reserved personality who can rock a button-down linen shirt! He has eyeglasses with tortoiseshell rims, owns a bow tie, knows decent wine and craft beers, and can talk about Hemingway, Sartre, or F. Scott Fitzgerald.) Cheers, Friends.

I can not agree with perfumeaddict. This is one of the best "aquatic" scent I ever had. Very unique and sensual perfume appropriate for every season and occasion. Yes, I can agree that this is not complex perfume, but I dont care - I like it as it is (sometimes less is more)! I also had Bvlgari , but it is totaly different interpretation of tea. This is the best "everyday" scent for me!

camelia, grapefruit, tea, bergamot, musk in that order; powdery citrus floral and loving it

This is not entirely bad, I have to admit this IS very boring and doesn't inspire any thoughts in me, but it's kinda pleasant and refreshing, full of tea and delicate floral notes and of course citrus. There is some synthetic smelling white musk in the heart and drydown that makes this a tiiiny bit weird on me, but nothing too groundbreaking. All in all non creative and boring everyday scent that you should buy if you see it for 30$ and not a penny more. Silage mediocre, staying power very good - 8 hours, for this type of scent that's at least something a bit more unique.

I appreciate a clean scent and that is exactly what this is. Watery soapy floral like you just got out of a bath. Not a ton of projection but that's what I'd hope this type of scent would do. Just a clean intimate aura. That being said, it doesn't wow me and I dont want a full bottle, but I might get a small decant to keep for those days that I'd just like to feel cozy and clean. 7/10