The first time I smelled this perfume was on a fellow student of mine. She was incredibly elegant—she stood out among the rest of us twenty-somethings. She wore a Chanel scarf, used a Dior eyeshadow palette, and her clothes always looked amazing on her tall, slim silhouette. Her look was completed by this musky, warm, sweet scent. The sillage was unbelievable; I could smell her perfume throughout the entire six-hour workshop. I NEEDED to know what she was wearing. That’s how I discovered Carolina Herrera 212 NYC. I found it, bought it—this was back in 2009—and 16 years later I’m still in love with it. It has never left my shelf. I always keep a backup bottle tucked away because I can’t let myself run out.
This perfume ticks every box for me. The design is great—two bottles in one. Apparently, it was created for busy New York women: one bottle stays at home, the other goes in your bag to keep up with your hectic city life. It’s affordable, so I don’t hold back when spraying it. Not that you need to; it’s strong and long-lasting. Not quite beast mode, but a solid eight hours. Here’s the thing, though: I can only smell it on myself for about an hour. After that, I go completely nose-blind. But that’s when the compliments start rolling in—hours later.
The opening is this wild burst of fresh florals. It took me a few weeks to warm up to it, and it’s still my least favorite part, but I’ve learned to appreciate it. I can’t pick out any specific flowers—it’s like a huge mixed bouquet right in your face, practically shouting “Happy Birthday!” No roses or lilies, though—those I could never enjoy. The magic happens in the next half hour: the florals settle into a clear, fresh, soapy note. It feels like standing under a cold shower. And that’s the last part I can actually detect. For the next eight hours of my work shift, I smell nothing. But people still ask what perfume I’m wearing—so clearly it’s there, projecting beautifully. And when I grab my coat at the end of the day, I get this warm, sweet, musky, elegant whiff—and I fall in love all over again.
I’m tempted to describe my relationship with this perfume in poetic terms. It’s my lifelong partner: attractive, strong, consistent, reliable, supportive, and low-maintenance. I can be completely myself with it. When I get a little bored and crave something new, I might flirt with other scents. But I always come back—because this is true love, for life. :)
I swear, I’ll have a full-blown anxiety attack if they ever discontinue 212 NYC.
