Ciara

Ciara comes from the Irish male name Ciaran, which means “little dark one” or “little black one.” This is also the meaning behind the name Ciara, the feminine version. Back in ancient and medieval times, the name Ciara would be given to babies born with dark features like hair, skin, eyes, etc. This was quite common in those times to name children after their features. An example would be the name Fionn or Fiona, which means “the fair one.” That said, yes, after flirting with it for a long time, I launched myself into buying this vintage perfume in the dark. I never sampled it in a drugstore and honestly I do not remember it during the ‘70s and ‘80, Chalie and Chaz were more famous. Although I ordered the 100% strength on the Notino website, I’m not sure if it’s 80% or 100% because this value does not show anywhere on the package or bottle. Perhaps in recent productions, only one concentration is no longer reported. On the bottom, the sticker with the brand reports EDP, so I surmise, but I am not sure I’ve got 100% strength. First things first, right off the bat, the fragrance reminds me of two other perfumes with the same vibe: Vanderbilt EAU DE TOILETTE and Charlie Blue EAU DE TOILETTE. A medley of notes in all the perfumes mentioned reaches my nose, creating a similar and recognisable accord. If I had to arrange my perfumes in containers, this would go together with those two, Tabu EAU DE TOILETTE and Obsession EAU DE PARFUM. Besides, this is cheapie, but the ingredients, the quality, and the performances are everything but cheap. From the first notes, I perceive the amber structure of the perfume as vintage but not old, dated, or stale. Not a dame, ma’am, or granny kind of scent. Maybe the original 1973 release targeted women, but contemporary Ciara is gender-neutral, a sweet, heady and opulent perfume thickly laden with notes of syrupy amber, incense and wood. The opening notes can be overpowering in large doses, so a light hand on the nozzle is enough to cocoon you in a soft, warm, luxurious, and sensuous cloud for many hours. It opens with floral spiciness, dense, lavish, and a little balmy. Although it features berries and citrus fruit, I don’t get them dominant or too harshly, just a hint of muted citrus in the background. A sort of raspberry syrup is detectable from the sprayer, more than in the mix, akin to Cough Soothe Syrup for children. Instead, the output is a pleasant cloud of floral and spicy aldehydes, bohemian, reminiscent of retro hair sprays but darker than Chanel N°5 opening, for instance. Likewise, the neroli is there with a supporter role but does not come too bitter and vivid as in solinote fragrances. Thus, on my skin, the opening is smoky, a tad powdery and hairy. Going past the opening, I catch a rosy nuance in the heart, albeit it does not mention rose blossoms. It might come from the Brazilian rosewood and palmarosa woods, which both have a rosy, green smell. Now the scent grows, softens a bit, and takes a powdery slant, which I can match with Vanderbilt EAU DE TOILETTE because of the orris butter. But it is nothing more than a nuance far from a lipstick or makeup vibe. Other than the iris, there’s also the particular slightly bitter mimosa-like note present in Vanderbilt, which I also find here. The bouquet comprises a mix of flowers that match dark incense. There is honey-like ylang-ylang and sweet jasmine. Even so, none is prevalent or overpowering. And an abundant resinousness, very rich, from the opoponax grains. The middle stage, which comes out about half an hour after the initial application, is where Ciara shines and reveals all its allure. The dry-down is all about dark amber and smoky incense, and the latter is the most dominant note in the brew, not overbearing, albeit noticeable. Ouch, the base is really complex, with resinous, sappy, leathery, musky, and amber notes. Leather is not as crude as in Tom Ford's creations; I get smoky leather and suede like soft gloves. The reformulated cologne is modern and the incense accord with a floral touch keeps it away from the contemporary oud and dark leather marriage. I can find a similarity with the floral incense sticks or cones I usually burn during my leisure and working time. So, not an opulent or churchy incense. It’s mind boggling at first hit, and the initial experience is almost intoxicating, but on my skin it softens quickly, and becomes soon practically a skin scent. Ciara is a non-linear cologne that changes according to the skin chemistry, the weather, and the time passed, a genderless scent that fits well on anyone who likes amber and somewhat animal scent, with no feminine or masculine slant. There is nothing fruity-floral, gourmand or light and refreshing about this scent. Instead, this rather unique and recognisable perfume is quite thick and possesses a complexity and longevity that belies its low price. This is not a safe blind buy despite its affordability, as it seems to be a love it or hate it kind of scent. A cheap vintage anyone should check once in a time in its life and have in its wardrobe. Get away with Ciara during the fall and winter days with just a couple of sprays, but even evenings and nights if you extra-spray it without exaggerating. For being an EDP, I don’t find him extremely strong nor with a huge throw. I wish it was stronger and longer lasting. I base my review and formulate my opinion on a bottle I have owned since November 2022 (Batch 22010, 2022-01-10).

Ciara (1973) – Vintage First Release Review Bottle reviewed: This review is based on a first-release 1973 bottle of Ciara Concentrated Cologne (100 strength). • Splash bottle with dark amber juice, similar in depth and tone to Calvin Klein Obsession • All lettering on the bottle is dark reddish burgundy • Back of bottle is minimal: only the size (23⁄8 oz—those unusual volumes are often indicators of a pre-1976 bottle), brand information (Charles Revson Inc., N.Y. 10022), and “Made in U.S.A.” with periods as written • Cap is a dark amber tortoiseshell plastic column, finished with gold-tone metal on both ends Bottles with all-gold metal caps are later iterations of Ciara; I can’t speak to those, as this review reflects the original release. ⸻ I’ve been wearing this all day - aside from briefly sampling a couple of new fragrance arrivals - I kept catching whiffs of Ciara lingering inside my sweater and found myself returning to it again and again. It’s like basking under a warm winter sun wrapped in a fuzzy blanket! Ciara is a full-bodied amber, incense, and balsam fragrance, but it’s also deeply comforting and instantly relaxing. The amber doesn’t just sit there - it hums, warm and decadent, in a way that feels quietly sexy rather than aggressive. The opening has a brief green bite (likely bergamot), but it dissipates quickly. As it settles, rosewood, spices, and florals bloom, though in my opinion the florals are soon swallowed by the woods. Thankfully, these are creamy, warm woods, not the sharp, bitter woods so common in modern fragrances. Around the 30-minute mark, the heart fully melts into amber, incense, balsams, vanilla, and soft musks, and from there it simply lasts... and lasts... and lasts. Reapplication is unnecessary. I don’t tolerate leather or smokiness in fragrance; and while those notes appear in some Ciara pyramids, I personally don’t experience them as distinct players here. If they are present, they feel structural and supportive, not front-and-center. Incense is definitely there, but it’s smooth and non-cloying, never churchy or heavy. This is a very warm fragrance. If you gravitate toward fresh, cool, or airy scents, Ciara is honestly not worth your time. It’s also not remotely related to the “fresh shampoo” herbal-floral style that dominated much of the 1970s (think original Halston). Ciara lives in a completely different emotional and olfactory space. For me, this is a cold-weather scent; the kind that warms the soul like those random sunny winter days. I love wearing it at home or on weekends, but I would not consider it office-appropriate. As lovely as it is, it’s important to be mindful of others. This fragrance was conceived in a world where most adults either smoked or lived with secondhand smoke, and yes, it is powerful. If you’re lucky enough to find a first-release vintage bottle, I recommend starting with the tiniest dab and letting it develop on your skin. I initially found it a bit cloying - but only because I totally underestimated its strength and went overboard with the sampling 💀. Now, my favorite way to wear Ciara is one light spritz on the solar plexus, letting the warmth stay contained within my clothing. It becomes something intimate and personal—a secret just for me. When I’m feeling low, it’s an instant comfort and mood-lift. ⸻ Final verdict: Ciara (1973) is a plush, unapologetically warm amber - powerful, comforting, and beautifully old-school. Not for everyone, but unforgettable for the right wearer.

This is one of those "defining perfumes" which definitely "makes a statement". I wore this in Junior High School...along with "Heaven Sent"... which is also a perfume that I would recommend. The only way that this flew under the radar with my mother and her discerning nose - was that one of her very favorite perfumes was "Youth Dew" by Estee Lauder. This has a spicy, woodsy, incense smell - which goes on strong with the first blast... As this wears throughout the day, the sweetness becomes more apparent - and the final dry down of this was the reason why this became my signature perfume. I used to experiment with the 80% vs the 100%. Just tried this again during Covid and couldn't believe how STRONG this goes on...and the fact that I wore this in Junior High School! Oh My Heavens! Well... I still love strong perfumes, even today... only have toned it down just subtle-y, recently after Covid and going on a non-stop perfume hunt to find a new "signature perfume". ------------ I revisited Ciara during Covid. Ciara has more of an alto incense woodsy, sweet smell to it. It smells more spicy, incens-y... if that makes more sense. Heaven Sent is sweeter... from what I remember of the two. I haven't smelled them side by side in awhile. I don't own either perfume now - and only sampled them when I wrote the previous reviews. They are BOTH really GOOD perfumes though. My mother had extremely GOOD TASTE in perfumes - and I can assure you, that if I were wearing these in junior high school... it met my mother's approval! She wouldn't let us leave the house if we were wearing perfume or makeup that didn't meet her expectations. She had a discerning eye and nose. If she didn't approve of how we were wearing perfume or makeup, literally - she wouldn't let us walk out the door. Both of these are good. Keep in mind - my mother's favorite was Youth Dew by Estee Lauder - She also wore Beautiful by Estee Lauder and Pleasures. Ciara is potent and powerful. When I tried this again, when I wrote the review... I was shocked that Ciara was so strong - and it registers much more mature than my junior high self. But I must thank my mother for this. She would probably have liked this better than the sweet cotton candy type perfumes of today. If you like Ciara - and the Incens-y type perfumes... Try Passion by Elizabeth Try Avon's Far Away (the Vintage Version) And Far Away Gold Far Away Infinity Try Joop Femme These are all very good perfumes - Far Away - the original vintage is sweet and has an incense note... I get constant compliments from that one, but they recently discontinued it. Passion by Elizabeth Taylor is fabulous - it has a similar resonance to Ciara - a smokey incense vibe to it... very good perfume. Great value. Joop Femme is probably the most similar to Ciara - if you like incense and sandalwood, you will love this one - too!

THOSE WERE THE DAYS... [short review] Ciara comes from the Irish male name "Ciaran", which means "little dark one". The name fits perfectly with a very Irish environment, as it was New York in the 60s, when and where Ciara was launched. Still, it's a funny name for a little fragrant star that has been shining for so many years. In the very Celtic Ireland of the Middle Ages, the name Ciara was often given to children born with darker features such as hair or eye colour and skin tone. At that time it was common to give children a name that corresponded to their appearance. Fionna, for example, means "very beautiful", and so this name was also chosen for Shrek's wife. I just cannot imagine her scent as a lovely one... I don't remember this Ciara perfume being more famous than "Tabu" by Dana, "Musk for Men (Cologne)" by Jōvan or "Charlie Blue" by Revlon / Charles Revson. All of them were famous fragrances in the 70s and 80s, although it is quite a genial fragrance bomb and deserves a lot of admiration. The scent reminds me of several other perfumes with the same kind of energy, though objectively it doesn't resemble any that I know of. It has a super complex blend of notes and lasts forever. I want to say that I can find everything in it except citrus (although lemon and bergamot notes are included), moss, oud and marine notes. It is very floral, fruity, oriental, spicy, coriatic, woody, resinous, balsamic and slightly sweet. In my wardrobe, this little flask has "Musk for Men" by Jōvan, "Tabu" by Dana" and "Obsession" EDP by Calvin Klein as shelf close buddies. It is also an inexpensive product and yet easy to encounter. However, the ingredients can be described as excellent both in quality and performance. The perfume smells expensive. Only the singularity of the bottle and box reminds me of its "antiquity". Finally, I would like to note that it smells exquisitely antique, but not at all old and dusty. I received the bottle with a concentration of 80%, which is the lowest concentration produced by Revlon. If this one behaves like it does, I don't even want to imagine what the others are like. I also have to say that it is much more wearable than Dana's intense Tabu. I very rarely wear Ciara. I probably only reach for it to remind me of its beautiful, if not very unisex, scent. But today, on this sudden spring day, I felt like something floral and cheerful. My daughter asked me if I was wearing her "Zara Bloom 02 - Gardenia". As this scent is one of Zara's best perfumes for me, I took the question as a compliment. My opinion: I strongly recommend that you try it at least once and then decide on its use. It is a perfume that triggers extremely opposite reactions.... but it always triggers reactions! Music: Mary Hopkin - "Those Were The Days" (1968)

It's time for me to talk about this perfume. I have it since three months now and I'm totally captivated. Perhaps before going any further, I can confirm that this fragrance is, if not masculine, at least unisex. Gentlemen, at first I was like you, hesitant to buy a perfume labeled as "feminine" (especially me, who claims virility as a public utility). Like you, I'd heard great things about this fragrance. I'd heard it was a beautiful incense, and when I saw the olfactory notes mentioned above, I found myself daydreaming about what it might smell like. So when I saw its price, I immediately blind buy it. The first time I smelled it, with my nose close to my skin, I immediately caught a strong, very singular soap scent, which I couldn't describe at first, but which I could now describe with certainty as a "smoky soap" (maybe because of the crossing between orris roots, opoponax, incense and leather in one way and musk, neroli and jasmin in the other). At first, I couldn't smell any incense, so strong were the notes of smoked soap. It was only after a few tries that I began to smell the incense notes. Since then, every time I wear this perfume, I can smell the incense notes more and more, which are quite simply exceptional for a perfume at this price (just for reminder, it's an eau de parfum!). Ciara is also a fragrance with a strong scent and projection, which is why you must avoid smelling it on your skin while it's open, otherwise you'll get a musk slap in the face. Forget about it, go for your journey, and you'll be rewarded with a drape of gorgeous incense. Also mention, while Ciara does smell of incense, it's not the Nag Champa which I'm very familiar with. Ciara's notes are much better than those of Nag Champa. Ciara is a fragrance originally designed for women, not for the home! Apart from raspberry, all the other notes are present in this fragrance (the person who mentioned raspberry should immediately stop consuming nasal acids and have a rhinoplasty as a matter of urgency). I can also confirm the comments that there are animalic notes during the dry down. However, this fragrance is indeed an incense bomb with a note of smoky soaps on a woody, leathery, ambery bed of jasmine and vanillic iris roots. To sum up, this is one of the best fragrances in my collection, and I'd highly recommend it to men who love incense notes and are looking for a signature winter scent. I also like to wear it in the evening, before going to bed, as the incense notes here are very comforting.