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.

I was born in the late 60s and remember this fragrance from my youth. I never wore it but smelling it now reminds me of my relatives, specifically in the 70s. I'm remembering wood paneling on the walls, the kitchenette at my great uncle's house, my grandma and grandpa's house that was next door to his. What I was too young to understand is that Ciara is a little beast and it has more than one dimension. No fragrance that is as inexpensive as this should be this complex. But then again, many of the perfumes that were drugstore in the 70s and 80s are still available but at a higher price point. Cacharel's Anais, Anais, for example. Ciara opens briefly like a traditional chypre but immediately a strong, smoky, slightly sweet incense punches you in the face in a good way. Next comes the woody notes and man, they are something else. A tiny bit of a sharp leather peeks out from behind the cedar and then the orris shyly says hello. For hours I get this incense, smoke, and woody blend. Maybe a little ylang can be picked up but I'm note certain because the smokiness with the incense and woody note are the stars. Around hour 6, that powdery orris pushes her way to the front of the line and brings something sweet with her. This completely caught me off guard the first time I tried Ciara. I kept getting a sweet and powdery note but I couldn't figure out where it was coming from until I realized it was me. I have to explain that this experience is incredibly unusual for me. I have an autoimmune disease that causes my immune system to attack endocrine glands in my body that create moisture. My skin is so dry that it makes the desert look like a rainforest. Fragrances don't last for more than about 4 hours on my skin. Ciara is an exception. This fragrance is not for freshie and gourmand girlies. I think maybe a few goth, witchy girls under 35 might be able to enjoy Ciara occasionally. Otherwise this fragrance is pure nostalgia for those of us over 45 and for people that like really odd, niche fragrances. Yes, Ciara is a bit dirty and old but I will be wearing it on crisp, fall evenings and in the colder months. I might wear it on the 4th of July. Who knows? Projection: 2-4ft Sillage: nonexistent with a light touch, prominent if heavy handed Longevity: until the Sun burns out in 5 billion years Overall: with the right person 8-9/10

Reviewing an 80 strength bottle that dates from the early 90s or before (I can tell because of the short ingredient list on the box). Right off the bat I didn't like this one, but it very quickly turned into a love. I was jarred by the powdery, semi-aldehydic opening because I had seen Ciara recommended as nag champa adjacent. I had something completely different in mind. I now understand that comparison, specifically in the dry down, but it's not apparent at first. I really enjoy both the opening and dry down. Normally I find synthetics or something icky after the top notes fade. But this one really does smell like the sweet ash dropped by your burnt Satya incense stick. What I also really began to appreciate about Ciara was that it was spicy and sweet without feeling medicinal, which is what I did not like about Shalimar. (Though I probably owe Shalimar another testing since I've now become more interested in vintage fragrances and because it was super hot when I tested it). I don't like straight vanillas or ambers that are too smooth and not spicy, so Ciara has been a real winner. Have I already bought some more 80-strength Ciaras off eBay to replace my quickly-diminishing .5 oz bottle? Yes! I'm so excited to spray this stuff super liberally. Update: My Ciara bottles came. They are from 2008. I was hoping they would be a bit older but then I'm reminded that they are still like 20 years old (!) From what I can tell, they smell about the same as the older bottle. If there are any differences, they are so minor and also could be attributed to the aging process. I do think that the newer bottle is not as strong. It's like the 80-strength of the original 80-strength. Note: I have not tried the brand new version. My recommendation for buying Ciara is making sure that that the bottle includes the 80 strength or 100 strength text on the front of the bottle. I'm seeing that brand new ones listed on Amazon no longer include the strengths. So my guess is that some sort of reformulation happened there. Also, on eBay, be very careful, as I found many listings of new bottles being sold as vintage or 80-strength falsely. Be wary of stock photos!

ORIGINAL REVIEW: I purchased this based on everyone's reviews saying it's balsamic, spicy, woody, leathery, incensey, strong... all of the things I love. I was looking for something a bit like Tabu or Passion. But on first spray, all I got was imperial leather soap. Plus more soap. And then some more soap. Old soap. Then I smelled my Grandpa. I loved my Grandpa, but I don't want to smell like him. I guess he smelled like imperial leather soap?! Then the leather part disappeared and it was just non-sweet soap. After about an hour, the incense and spice and leather came out, and I got excited and I enjoyed that part. But another hour later, that disappeared, then it was back to soap and powder, unfortunately not the nice sweet makeup powdery sort of smell, and when it's just soap and no sweetness, I feel nauseous. So I had to get it off. All in all, a disappointment for me. EDIT - EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED!: It's 6 months later and I have to backtrack completely on everything I said. My tastes have changed and I was looking at wanting a soapy perfume. I thought about how I initially hated Ciara and figured if I didn't like it because it smelled soapy, I might like it now. I bought from Amazon and the bottle that arrived was DUSTY (but unopened). Well, it smells AMAZING. But funny enough it doesn't smell soapy at all. Not even a little bit. It smells strongly of raspberry, smells resinous, with a hint of incense. The raspberry goes for hours! When I tried Ciara the first time, I couldn't smell even a hint of raspberry. It's crazy! This is a lovely perfume! I can only assume this perfume had a lot of time to mature sitting on Amazon's shelves somewhere and this is what it was meant to be all along. If you buy a new bottle of Ciara, open it and give it some time before you judge it. Don't throw it out on the first day like I did!

I have two bottles of this, one a current reformulation cologne spray (100% strength) produced by Revlon, and a vintage concentrated cologne splash (100% strength) by Charles Revson with a black cap, from around the 1970s based on some research. I purchased the modern spray first, back in October, and have already written a (positive) review for it. Nag champa, raspberry, and opoponax dominate; my friends often tell me I smell like a headshop. It's not as edgy as I would hope, but it does seem to carry a slight bad girl hippie atmosphere to it. It opens powdery and smoky, and gets sweeter over time, though the syrupy raspberry is prominent throughout. A safe wear when I'm low on other choices. The Charles Revson vintage is recognizable as the same scent, but is indeed stronger and different. The modern version smells more "old lady" than the vintage! While the current formulation begins with slight moth ball associations, the vintage opens with a boozy blast of leather and saccharine raspberry, more raspberry liqueur than raspberry cough syrup. Leather and incense show themselves as the main stars in this version, whereas the leather seems quite lost in the newer editions. Less new-age-spiritual shop, and more a booth at a speakeasy. There's a surprising amount of youth to this edition that isn't in the new ones; something spunky and lithe. Both versions last eons on me. I've put the reformulation on before a night out, and woken up the next morning smelling creamy raspberries and powdery vanilla. The vintage dries down to a gun moll's leather jacket. Great for fall evenings, I will continue to repurchase as needed, but both are more of a secondary scent than something I crave wearing every day like other favorites.

INCREDIBLE fragrance. So overlooked and this is such a sad loss for so many of us! While this debuted in 1973, and Revlon now makes this and not the original Revson...the scent has basically stayed the same, and this is a VERY good thing! This fragrance is made in 80, 100 and 200 Strength. I have never smelled, nor seen the 200 Strength. I have the 80 and the 100. To be honest, they smell about the same...yet I always reach for the 100 Strength. I do not find the 100 "stronger", but it does last longer and yet I always feel the 100 Strength is softer, more rounded and just wears incredibly well throughout the day (or night). Ciara is spicy, warm, sexy, smooth. If you like scents like vintage 1977 Opium, Shalimar, Youth Dew, Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille, Tom Ford Noir de Noir, Original CK Obsession, Tabu, Angel...you will FLIP over Ciara. It might be one of my most favourite and cherished scents. It lasts and lasts, and you really need 1-3 sprays MAX!!! My formula is one spray on my bare chest, 1 spray on a wrist and then gently touch my wrists together and if I want it to really last and project I will do 1 spray on the back of my neck (on the skin). For daytime, I usually just do my wrists and chest! I genuinely cannot recommend Ciara enough. If this was sold in Department stores, and had a nicer bottle...it would easily sell for $100.00 usd. The box it comes in is beautiful, but the bottle and cap is very generic and kind of cheap...but very functional. This is available on Amazon, and many times stores like Walmart, Rite-Aid, CVS, Walgreens and sometimes Target carry it. I order my 100 Strength on Amazon, whereas most stores only carry the 80 Strength!!!

This was my mom's signature scent. She loved the original opium and a few others but this was her staple. She had it in every strength and every year I would always get it as a Xmas gift but it only in the 80% because that's the one she would finish in a year. My mother passed away in 2017 from bone cancer but I still have a bottle of Ciara. I have the bottles that she had when she passed and I bought a bottle right before 2018 began. I don't use her bottles, I bought a bottle specifically to use for when I want to smell her. Also my son was super close to his Nana and he likes that I spritz it on a few different blankets every once in awhile. Also my girls were babies when she passed so I am making sure that they will have an olfactory connection with her. Like I said I will spritz it in on throw blankets that are on the couch or just a spray into our hall closet so that not only myself, son and husband feel close to her by the fragrance but so that my girls feel more close to her through it. My older daughter already loves the scent and says it's comfy, she also will say "I smell Nana" and tell me that she likes her smell. My mom gave me a hugh priceless olfactory memory book with all the scents from actual flowers to oils and incenses. I love that I thought to keep my mom's memory alive with the help of her signature scent. Ciara is really not quite like anything else out here and I'm not just saying that because of how close I am to it. It really is a head turner and not for the faint of heart. That doesn't at all mean it's not a comforting scent because the dry down is most definitely the equivalent to a hug from a fragrance.

Wow, Ciara is so deeply familiar to me, but I can't quite place it. I know I never owned a bottle of it, so it's odd that it triggered so many vague scent memories. My mom must have worn it when I was a kid, or another fragrance very much like this one. I love the leather note, which hit my nose right away; this reminds me a bit of a spicier, more oriental-amber version of Avon Unforgettable. I like the cinnamon (?) and the musks and the balsams--it smells clean somehow, like the Herbal Essences shampoo and conditioner from the 1970s that I'm always referencing. I like Ciara (I bought the full-strength version because why not? I'm brave) all the more in the context of the contemporary olfactory landscape, with all its gourmands and fruity-sweet celeb scents and such. This smells like my mom's coat used to smell when she picked me up from my grandma's after she got off work, a scent that encapsulates comfort and beauty to me. A rich golden-brown autumnal scent. Update: wearing today, just two sprays, I left a noticeable trail on my second floor, which my husband noticed after I walked through a room. It has calmed down quite a bit since then--it smelled of unburned incense, or like a clean health-food hippie shop, perhaps in the Ayurvedic soap section. The leather note comes through reliably for me, and I love it. The unburned incense smell lingers, but it starts smelling soapier, perhaps like a soap made of incense emanating from the skin of a clean person wearing a vintage leather jacket. To me this reads unisex, in a great way, but I don't think my husband agrees. He seems to prefer a traditional fougère.

I have made a mistake. Having owned Ciara, a budget wonder, for years, I have seldom found myself in the mood to wear her. She was a little sharp, harsh, and unblended to my nose and required just the right mood for ' sharp raspberry incense funk'. ;) Today I know WHY. I have always worn her in winter, assuming that incense based scents were better in cold weather? Wrong! This particular beauty is far better on my skin in summer, when warmth and humidity take one spray of sharpness to immediate charm and powdery goodness. In short, if you enjoy the mimosa smelling note (possibly ylang ylang) in Vanderbilt, it is here also. So that I am reminded of a darker cousin of Vanderbilt, complete with dreamy dusting powder... Unabashedly old fashioned - not recommended for anyone who dislikes powder, boudoir, musk, woody notes, or incense. But if you already enjoy Tabu or Bal a Versailles, then Ciara might be your kind of scent. Ciara instantly proves that you do not have to spend a fortune to obtain long lasting, powerful Vintage Beauty. Today she would be released by an Arabian or Niche house. Recommended! Update: There are still days when I consider Ciara's one-two PUNCH of sharp incense and resin/soap notes too harsh to be enjoyable. On those days a little trick works wonders. Layer! Spray a bit of Ciara with a lot of something sweeter or more floral. Instant richness added to your floral or other... The smoother and sweeter the fragrance you layer, the better. Ciara is the queen of layering!

I bought this blind based on comparisons to Bal a Versailles and because I generally love amber. When I took off the cap and sniffed it it was way too strong and I thought I would have to throw it out. I really disliked it and could not imagine anyone liking it. I sprayed some on a square of paper and again, it did not appeal to me. But I knew I had to try it on my skin. I did one spritz on my wrist before bed. It had been mostly powdery, kind of sweet, kind of spicy scent when I sprayed it. It reminded me of rum and coke and a dressing room at a theatre or burlesque show. The scent had mostly disappeared by morning. On my skin it is a more intense and slightly sweeter Tabu, maybe a less sophisticated, more playful Tabu. It actually smells exactly like how I imagined Tabu would smell before I tried it. I tried Ciara again in the morning and all the scents from last night were still there but this time I noticed it was also incense-y and reminded me of what a glamorous hippie might smell like. It comes on very strong, but after a few minutes it's lovely on me, just sweet and incense-y, and actually more like my favourite new age/botanica shop rather than a dressing room. My trick will be minimal sprays (1-2 tops) because it is almost too strong, especially at first. But it's funny that my most hated perfume at the time of purchase might actually be my favourite. It's a cool and crisp, slightly gloomy spring day today and I think cooler weather would be best for this.

She dances in warm rain soaked forests late into the evening, picks white flowers all the way to her candle-lit cottage home, then after tossing off her damp leather jacket she sips black lemon tea by the fire and casts spells all night burning vanilla and raspberry incense. Initially spicy, woody, earthy and clean (clean from the cedar, resin and rosewood notes , not like todays pink pepper or ambroxan versions of clean), it mellows down relatively quick into a warm spicy musk that is a little sharp and lightly floral. Finally a fruitiness of lemon, bergamot, and raspberry mellows into a soft and sweet vanilla-raspberry powder that persists for ages with a seductive smoky undertone. When it comes to ages, I want to say this is a mature fragrance but in truth, this is a fragrance for old souls. It is utterly addictive to smell, to the point that it can be quite puzzling because initially its introduction can be rather intimidating— it is supercharged and powerful, but keeps pulling you in further and further, and the further you go, the softer, more divine, and absolutely bewitching it becomes. This is an absolute steal at $15 and at the very least a fragrance experience you should try because even if it isn’t for you, it is very likely for somebody you know. FYI, my bottle is the new formulation, 2019. I am now determined to find a vintage bottle, because if this is so magical, I can only imagine what the original formulation must’ve been like.

I've always liked this scent for summer. I've found it to be a fruity and warm amber with a lot of feminine floral sweetness. Yesterday I wore it in 97 Fahrenheit with 74% humidity, and for the first time, the leather and incense were TRULY singing!! I was SO suprised. I kept sniffing my wrist in disbelief. I've worn Ciara plenty, and never have I smelled that woody suede base, it was almost mossy, or like vetiver. It's dynamite in the heat, and turns into something wild and bohemian! Update: my comments above were for the 80% spray I purchased in 2020, brand new from Discount Drug Mart. I recently purchased 2 smaller sprays in a gift set from 2004; there is a HUGE difference in the scent of these two formulations. The older bottles smell MUCH more of wood, moss, and suede, in any temperature and from the very first spray. It resembles Bal a Versailles MUCH more than the newer version. The fruity and amber accords are more prominent in the newer formulation. I love them both but I was surprised at the very noticeable difference. Some people hate oakmoss, vetiver, bitter accords, if that includes you, maybe go for this newer formula. Be warned though, it will NOT be a gourmand raspberry. Here, the fruits are not the star, but serve to lift the base notes in the style of a vintage oriental (overall fairly dry.) Similar to the way that peach and plum are in many vintage chypres but do not give the impression of baked goods.

Ciara - another wonderful memory from my childhood. I knew that I used to love it, but couldn't quite conjur up how it smelled.I decided to trust my younger self and ordered an 80 EdT cologne spray. It arrived today and the moment I smelled it, the memories of that fragrance came back, just like when you can't remember a celebrity's name and then finally someone spells it out for you! Sort of a relief, isn't it? ;) The EdT is very strong insence and musk, with a good, but not overbearing amount of vanilla, strong jasmine on the sweet side, a bit of leather and a lot of woody notes as well as opoponax. The citrus notes are more noticeable in the beginning as can be expected. Orris blends together with the leathery notes for me and the Ylang-Ylang is also noticeable. What I cannot detect is the raspberry or let's say, if I hadn't seen that on the ingredients list above, I would never have guessed it. Ciara isn't fruity at all, nor very strong on the floral side. There's a bit of flower, yes, but it's not dominating the fragrance. It is smoky, woody, musky and quite complex, an oriental with good sillage and lasts a long time, at least it did back in the day. I'll edit, if I make different observations with this one tomorrow. All in all, this is a safe blind buy, if you're into this style of fragrance or if you'd like to test a perfume in this category, especially for the price starting at around 8 EUR.

Ciara Concentrations: I never thought I would be writing this. As a girl who has been from the heights of Creed to the flare of Bond to the chic of Hermès, I found my niche in the classics regardless of price points or snob appeal. It just so happens that Ciara is a classic. Ciara 100 and Ciara eau de parfum, they demand everything of the senses and leave one quivering in a warm little puddle. I had no idea there was an eau de toilette, and I thought it was just the most ridiculous thing to discover. Why? Everything about Ciara is big and sensuous and unapologetic. What if you one day want the essence of Ciara to extend only a few inches into your aura like an eau de cologne? I can’t imagine wanting that, but surely some can. The eau de toilette has taken everything about Ciara from the earthy incense to the tender florals and the touch of raspberry swirled with musk and whittled it into a delicate, fleeting, and beautiful rendition of everything that is Ciara with the exception of the enormity and the unapologetic sass. I need the enormity and the unapologetic sass, but some may want Ciara to be as delicate and beautiful as a tender spring morning. And so you have the eau de toilette. The eau de toilette is Ciara in miniature. I think I’ll stick to, well, the enormous unapologetic sass. 100 Strength and eau de parfum for me.

I have no idea how I missed this one! I kept seeing references to it in reviews and was curious, so I bought a bottle of the 100%. l love it! Very much in the same vein as Toujours Moi, but with less depth than TM. It doesn’t last on me as it seems to on others, but I took D.N.P.’s generous advice and layered it with something sweet - in this case a touch of Burberry Women. It was lovely and had the added benefit of extending the longevity of both. Thank you for sharing, D.N.P. Ciara was a great blind buy for me! Edit: I love Ciara so much. The more I wear it, the more I appreciate it. I have come to know how complex, sweet, and long-lasting it is. I get honeyed flowers. Just lovely! The vanilla has a supporting role, which is fine by me, I’m really burned out on vanilla drydowns. There is a big dose of beautiful patchouli and sandalwood. The drydown is powdery and even sweeter. Love, love, love, and more love! Insane longevity - I spray at wrists, inside elbows, base of throat, and small of back. When I REALLY don’t care what anyone thinks, I spray behind knees, too, and on torso. Lasts 12+ hours, sometimes all day and overnight, and it is still discernible. It is familiar and deeply satisfying like all the beautiful vintage types are to me. I have backups of my Ciara backups, while the cost is still so little!

I added this to a multi-buy frag haul to get free shipping, and, unbeliveably to me, Ciara 100% made in USA is the one out of 5 expensive Histoire de Parfums and Estee Lauders that I love the best! Of course it isn't refined or lasting, but the first spray gives me delicious dry vanilla, incense, and a hint of good 'ole Tabu if I remember correctly. If anyone knows of a dupe of Ciara that is newer and modern and with better performance, PM me and let me know what it is. I love this, but as it is, it lasts less than an hour with several sprays on skin and clothes combined. But I love it. I tend to gravitate toward these types of perfumes (Youth Dew, Boucheron, TL Creation, Tabu, White Diamond Nights, and the one to die for, Fendi Theorema.) they all have that Incense note. I am liking it more and more as I use it daily this week, and gosh-darn, it also reminds me of Boucheron, the latest formulation, which has more citrus in the top and no incense, but very similar florals to my nose. Who knew, I've been spending thousands on my collection, when I could have just gotten Revlon Ciara for $10 bucks! My box/bottle says made in USA and I checked production code on bottle, comes up as 2022-07-19.