Calyx
Calyx by Clinique is a feminine-leaning eau de toilette from 1986 in the designer price tier. It opens with grapefruit, passionfruit and mandarin, moves into lily of the valley, rose and jasmine and dries down to oakmoss, sandalwood and musk. Expect around 7 hours of wear, and it projects at a moderate level.
Notes, explained
Opening
- Grapefruit Bitter, slightly sweaty citrus. More grown-up than lemon.
- Passionfruit Sharp, tropical and slightly sulphurous. Vivid and modern.
- Mandarin Soft, sweet, almost powdery citrus. Gentler than orange.
Heart
- Lily of the Valley Clean, green, dewy floral. Reads as 'fresh laundry' to most people.
- Rose Can be jammy, green, peppery or soapy depending on the type. Not one smell.
- Jasmine Heady, sweet and slightly animal underneath. Rarely subtle.
Dry-down
- Oakmoss Damp forest floor. Bitter, green and the backbone of every chypre.
- Sandalwood Creamy, milky wood. Soft and almost edible.
- Musk Warm, skin-like and slightly sweet. Makes a fragrance feel like you.
Smells like this
- Paco Rabanne Calandre
- Balmain Vent Vert
- Floris Edwardian Bouquet
- Tiziana Terenzi Borea
- Penhaligon's Artemisia
- Floris Bouquet de La Reine
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