Caractère 1989 Eau de Toilette

Caractère (Eau de Toilette) by Daniel Hechter
Bottle Design Pierre Dinand
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7.7 / 10 186 Ratings
Caractère (Eau de Toilette) is a popular perfume by Daniel Hechter for men and was released in 1989. The scent is spicy-woody. It is still in production.
Pronunciation
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Main accords

Spicy
Woody
Leathery
Green
Earthy

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes Top Notes
ArtemisiaArtemisia BergamotBergamot LemonLemon
Heart Notes Heart Notes
CarnationCarnation BasilBasil JasmineJasmine
Base Notes Base Notes
CedarwoodCedarwood OakmossOakmoss CastoreumCastoreum LeatherLeather
Ratings
Scent
7.7186 Ratings
Longevity
7.5158 Ratings
Sillage
7.0157 Ratings
Bottle
5.8156 Ratings
Value for money
9.276 Ratings
Submitted by Seglein, last update on 06.04.2024.

Reviews

5 in-depth fragrance descriptions
7
Bottle
7
Sillage
7
Longevity
8
Scent
Salva

71 Reviews
Translated Show original Show translation
Salva
Salva
Top Review 45  
Where would the fragrance world be without you...?
Currently, like so many people, I just sit at home and pursue my professional obligations from there, in the so-called 'home office'. Home Office'. (Yes, another great English term, which one must necessarily introduce. As if there was nothing nice in German...).

But if you sit for hours and hours on end in some video conference (and I mean non-stop; so non-stop that you don't even have time to eat a snack, then your head will burst at some point).

So it happened to me the whole week again and I took the opportunity a few days ago for a little trip to my favorite drugstore (fortunately it is still open). In fact, I've been there the last time just before Christmas, which is by my standards an already longer time...

I use these visits not only for various purchases, but also to look for new treasures, especially on the lower stoop shelves.
And I was again found, namely with Daniel Hechter Caractère EdT.
[...]

I had never seen or heard of the brand or the fragrance itself. The dark brown small 50ml bottle appealed to me right away; also because he was just so unknown to me. Of course I tested it; first on the test strip, then on the skin.

My first thought: "Yes man, you are really good!" So from the top note, I was very taken. Citrusy-spicy starts the fragrance, a great mix of hesperidic notes as well as clearly perceptible Artemesia. This provides a spicy-tart and aromatic start, but where I can catch an immensely warm and comforting nuance.

To let the fragrance linger and explore its evolution, I strolled around the shopping mall for a while. This intensely spicy beginning is then further strengthened by the basil in the further course, where I perceive a slightly pungent accord.

Towards the base, the spice decreases and leaves in particular the cedar wood the stage, which I perceive strongly. Here the fragrance becomes more earthy and woody with a hint of sweet smear.
[...]

The dark brown bottle, as well as the composition of the notes, suggest a fragrance that fits perfectly into the colder months of the year. And that's how I see it. In the fall or winter I think he comes into his own very well, but also on cooler spring days he can show off his strengths.

On occasions, you can wear him mMn easily throughout the day. If you want to wear fragrances of this kind at work, that goes dosed just as if you want to go out in the evening (which is of course currently not possible, but eventually we return to normality again ... i hope so at least...)
[...]

Since the Caractère on my skin with about 6h about a decidedly decent durability and radiates well in the first 1-2h, remains me among other things therefore also the current price of 5,99€ (50ml) a mystery.
I would bet that many in a blind test - without knowing brand, price, etc. - would guess at a minimum of 10 times higher amount, because I find he smells qualitatively quite high-quality.
[...]
Conclusion:

Again and again is spoken of fragrances and so ne things like bspw. Prada L'Homme EdT (according to Influenzann and Kriejtif-Kontänt Männedschan THE "office fragrance" par excellence; just as a tip for those who do not know it yet).
Or Oud Wood (according to various Räppan the best TomFord, since you MUST get him but logically).
And of course not to forget de Marlys Layton (according to the Aristotelessen and Sokratessen here THE Pantydropper on the universe, there is probably no hotter shit in this regard; well, with me in Aldi it has net worked with the Pantys).

These are only three so-called. "Have-Musse", for more hurt me now slowly but the fingers, sorry, want to come to the end (the "Holy A" I have disregarded; think that was deliberate).

But every time I stand beaming in front of the lower stoop shelves, I ask myself "what would the fragrance world be without these little golden treasures..."
Yes, for me still exceedingly exciting to search there further, as it just gives me a lot of pleasure.
[...]

Oh yes, only yesterday the user MCPS wrote a blog on the subject of names of fragrances.

Here the name of the fragrance fits like the well-known fist on the eye.

A fragrance with real character, with soul and with heart.
[...]
Thank you for reading!

36 Comments
7
Bottle
7
Sillage
8
Longevity
8
Scent
pudelbonzo

689 Reviews
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pudelbonzo
pudelbonzo
Very helpful Review 25  
For Character Heads
Actually, my husband is a scented abstainer.

That's why I had to laugh when he was given three flacons of Charactere for a birthday - from different corners of the family and circle of friends.

He also looked indignantly whether this abundance of " Character "
.
Yes, I wonder what that means, I amused myself - maybe a sign?

He actually tasted the fragrance, and I found it very appropriate for his strong-willed, often difficult character.

If you know scorpions better, you know what I mean.

This expressive masculine fragrance goes its way unperturbed.
He doesn't want to be everybodies darling - but is well aware of his effect.

Spicy masculine - but also charmingly bloomy he appears.
Oak moss and beaver's horny look a little rough to brittle - but smoky cedar and soft leather also lend elegance to this individualist.

Charactere is for men who have found their style - and also their place in life.

I'd like a little bit of that natural self-confidence too.

I should try a sprayer.
5 Comments
6
Bottle
7
Sillage
7
Longevity
7.5
Scent
Schallhoerer

56 Reviews
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Schallhoerer
Schallhoerer
Helpful Review 19  
An autumn character
The hunt for the Cheapie treasures of the perfume world continues. Often I ask myself lately why you spend so much money on expensive niche fragrances, when you can get such jewels for less than a dinner at a snack bar. The Caractère is again a representative of this "hidden Gems" category. In connoisseur circles no longer an insider tip, but many still do not know him.

The fragrance was released in 1989 and Alain Verjus is the perfumer. Verjus is an unknown perfumer to me and I can't associate him with any brands I've heard of. I would describe Caractere as spicy and aromatic. A look at the bottle unfortunately shows us why the fragrance is so cheap to get. It doesn't look very high quality, the design is a bit old-fashioned (which I personally like in a charming way) and the cap is one of the worst I've ever had in my hands. The sprayer is average and distributes a fairly short spray.

As befits a fragrance from this era, the fragrance pyramid is literally filled to bursting with ingredients. Artemisia, bergamot, lemon, basil, garden carnation and castoreum are thereby only short excerpts.

The color of the bottle anticipates the smell thereby wonderfully. We have here a classic old-school fragrance with a strong oak moss impact, which reminds you of a hike through a rainy forest in autumn. At the same time, a few fresh moments serve very briefly in the top notes to take some of the initial brusqueness out of the scent. Through the castoreum and the leather accord, however, the fragrance moves in the drydown again in this tart, masculine direction as you know it, for example, from a Santos by Cartier. The basic character here is relatively bitter and herbaceous and is then somewhat more conciliatory towards the end and ends in a tart-soapy chord which is supported by the leather.

The Caractère uses some of the representatives of this type of fragrances. Be it the creations of Jaques Bogart, Oscar de la Renta (Pour Lui) or the addressed Santos of Cartier. However, in keeping with the name, the fragrance has its own character and does not seem like a mere copy. Given the price (about 10€ for 50ml), you won't make a mistake here if you're into strongly masculine, tart scents of the late 80s and early 90s. However, I tend to see this type of fragrance on wearers aged +30 upwards
9 Comments
10
Pricing
6
Bottle
8
Sillage
8
Longevity
8
Scent
manlyscents

75 Reviews
manlyscents
manlyscents
4  
Taking a nap in the woods on a brand new expensive leather sofa
*I have the Caractere Édition Spécial, but as far as I can tell there is nothing spécial about this édition. I gather it's just a marketing ploy on the box, so consider this a review of the normal version.*

I have no idea what the current formulation smells like, but this vintage bottle is as far removed from modern designer fragrances as I can think of. The initial burst is huge, aldehydic, and harsh, but settles down within a couple of minutes. Citrus, basil, and artemisia kick in along with a powerful leather right from the get-go. A bit of oakmoss and a bit of musk come alive later on and some basil does hang around, but this is a leather show through and through. Imagine it's a sunny Spring day and you're taking a nap in the woods on a brand new expensive leather sofa. I think that's a fair way to describe Caractere.

From this 90s bottle projection is decent and longevity is good.

Masculinity Level: Someone who's well aware that a man's got to know his limitations: Dirty Harry
0 Comments
10
Pricing
6
Bottle
7
Sillage
7
Longevity
8.5
Scent
Stamatios

15 Reviews
Stamatios
Stamatios
2  
ΧΑΡΑΚΤΗΡΑΣ
-Caractère (French)
-Character (personality.English)
-Carácter(Spain)
-Charakter(German)
-Χαρακτήρας (Charaktiras,Greek)
-Χαρακτήρ (Charaktir, ancient Greek)

Yes,indeed!This perfume has a wonderfull character.He is manly,classy and discreet. He is not so famous but he has many loyal friends in parfume community.Of course,he is not mainstream at all. He is a classic one!
I dare say,that he is the epitome of early ‘90s.Not so powerfull as other gems from this era,but very elegant,almost calming but not boring at all.Complex blend but very well blended.I' m not sure I can detect all the notes,but the result is a fine orchestration of ingredients, that celebrating the entry of the spring.
In the opening I detect fine bergamot,less lemon and artemisia,followed by perceptible basil and geranium accord. The drydown is leathery-woody plus gentle soapy notes.The result is a fine citrus,spicy,herbal,green,woody and earthy blend totally masculine and classic.
For the price (about 10 euros for 50 ml) is a very safe blind buy,worthing every cent.
0 Comments

Statements

2 short views on the fragrance
RobbieXRobbieX 6 months ago
6
Bottle
7
Sillage
8
Longevity
7
Scent
Not bad - like OMS with more woods. OMS is nicer.
0 Comments
ZoikgreeceZoikgreece 4 years ago
6
Bottle
8
Sillage
10
Longevity
10
Scent
Caractere smells exactly like vintage One Man Show. Very spicy and a beast in longevity. Very cheap but not cheapy at all. Love it !
0 Comments

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