Cruel Intentions Tempt Me Kilian 2007 Perfume

Of course, the name of this fragrance first made me think of the film of the same name with Ryan Philippe and Sarah Michelle Gellar, as I belong to the generation that watched it giggling far below the age rating with a handful of friends during late-night movie nights in Dad's hobby cellar.

My enthusiasm for the film only lasted a short time, but I still think the soundtrack is great. Who doesn't know the heartbreakingly beautiful song by The Verve from the dramatic closing scene of Cruel Intentions? I find the fragrance bittersweet as well, and it is undoubtedly dramatic. Here, in contrast to the song, the "bitter" is emphasized, not the sweetness. Those who can't handle this scent mood should better stay away from it altogether, because the opening alone is medicinal, herbal, and yes... in my nose, even a bit metallic. A heavy, dark rose only greets me after about five minutes of pharmacy feeling. The scent exudes a classic Gothic aura for me, or, if you prefer, it gets quite noir.

Mysterious and dramatic, it sneaks up on you without immediately making a loud olfactory statement. (Unlike "A taste of heaven". For Cruel Intentions, you definitely need more time to form a clear judgment. It is dark but not warm. It becomes increasingly sweetish but not sweet. This is more of a human, as they say, animalistic sweetness that becomes heavier over time. Behind the rosy romance, it slumbers resinous and bitter. The combination of rose and oud certainly has seductive qualities, as found in "Loukhoum parfum du soir". But this is a different caliber altogether. Cruel Intentions does not arrive on velvet paws, and delicious is something else. This fragrance is not for flirting and batting eyelashes. It bites you in the neck after the first twenty minutes. Not everyone appreciates that.

What I definitely want to express is the question of wearability. Of course, there are more intense, aggressive scents in this direction. Still, I seriously wonder whom I would really buy this fragrance from. I have a classic, seductive villain in mind. And yes, here we come to the "evil intentions" for which Ryan Philippe is clearly too boyish and well-behaved. With Cruel Intentions, you certainly won't get a prude virgin into bed, that much is certain.

Moreover, this perfume remains, despite its darkness, quietly and subtly in the broadest sense. I don't even think you would stand out or make an impression with it at first sniff. You would definitely have to get closer, as the sillage is quite polite by Kilian standards.
But the truly nasty villains, as we know, don't just barge in; they sneak up slowly. Can I identify with it? No. Therefore, this fragrance remains for me a kind of superhero dream to which I can occasionally escape. That's why the sample will also be saved for special occasions.