Ciara (100 Strength Concentrated Cologne) 1973

Ciara (100 Strength Concentrated Cologne) by Revlon / Charles Revson
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8.0 / 10 65 Ratings
A popular perfume by Revlon / Charles Revson for women, released in 1973. The scent is resinous-spicy. The longevity is above-average. The production was apparently discontinued.
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Main accords

Resinous
Spicy
Oriental
Floral
Sweet

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes Top Notes
NeroliNeroli BergamotBergamot LemonLemon RaspberryRaspberry
Heart Notes Heart Notes
PalmarosaPalmarosa IrisIris JasmineJasmine RosewoodRosewood Ylang-ylangYlang-ylang
Base Notes Base Notes
FrankincenseFrankincense OpoponaxOpoponax CedarwoodCedarwood LeatherLeather MuskMusk VanillaVanilla
Ratings
Scent
8.065 Ratings
Longevity
8.456 Ratings
Sillage
8.056 Ratings
Bottle
5.754 Ratings
Value for money
9.428 Ratings
Submitted by DonVanVliet, last update on 01/10/2025.
Variant of the fragrance concentration
This is a variant of the perfume Ciara (Perfume Concentrate) by Revlon / Charles Revson, which differs in concentration.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to
Ciara (Perfume Concentrate) by Revlon / Charles Revson
Ciara Perfume Concentrate
Ciara (80 Strength Concentrated Cologne) by Revlon / Charles Revson
Ciara (80 Strength Concentrated Cologne)
Bal à Versailles (Eau de Cologne) by Jean Desprez
Bal à Versailles Eau de Cologne
Bal à Versailles (Parfum) by Jean Desprez
Bal à Versailles Parfum
Bal à Versailles (Parfum de Toilette) by Jean Desprez
Bal à Versailles Parfum de Toilette
Antilope (Parfum) by Weil
Antilope Parfum

Reviews

3 in-depth fragrance descriptions
10
Pricing
6
Bottle
5
Sillage
5
Longevity
8.5
Scent
Elysium

859 Reviews
Elysium
Elysium
Very helpful Review 8  
All My Childhood Memories
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 rugged 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. Only towards the end and a few hours after wearing it did I perceive that characteristic shade of cherry that accompanies my beloved Joop! Homme Eau de Toilette I looked around to see where that familiar smell was coming from, only to realize that it was coming from the back of my hand where I had sprayed Ciara. By this, I am not saying that the two are similar, but that one resembles something of the other.

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).

-Elysium
1 Comment
10
Pricing
8
Sillage
8
Longevity
9
Scent
ElAttarine

61 Reviews
Translated Show original Show translation
ElAttarine
ElAttarine
Top Review 38  
You Turn Me On, I'm A Radio
Oh honey you turn me on
I'm a radio
I'm a country station
I'm a little bit corny
I'm a wildwood flower
Waving for you
Broadcasting tower
Waving for you

This is no shy girl flirting, this is someone drawing attention to herself, and doing it properly: I won't be silenced, I'm sending my message out into the world, and if others think it might be trite or cheesy, I don't care at all. And it's also clear who I mean, namely you... I want you, I want to be there for you... The subliminal longing is not expressed here, but it resonates the whole time, and it is capable of awakening longings...
The song by Joni Mitchell "You Turn Me On, I'm A Radio" was in the international charts in 1973, the same year Ciara came out. I didn't get to know it until much later, but for me it fits perfectly with this fragrance's attitude to life. The attitude to life in the 1970s - many things were not at all right in terms of world politics, and yet there were feelings of new beginnings, of rebellion, ideas of finally leading a life freed from old norms... Joni Mitchell sings with her high, clear voice - and yet the words have depth, great power and plenty of chutzpah - just like this fragrance.

If you're lying on the beach
With the transistor going
Kick off the sandflies honey
The love's still flowing
If your head says forget it
But your heart's still smoking
Call me at the station
The lines are open

If your head says forget it, but your heart's still burning and smoking... then give in to it... You know where to reach me! Here there is spicy soap, exotic flowers, great incense in exuberance - not sacred, but for me downright orgiastic, slightly psychedelic-incense-stick-like, and very self-confident magic powder, not princess pink, but strong orange. Back then, my parents had ultra-modern terrycloth curtains in the bathroom with large orange concentric circles on them - when I looked at them for a long time, I felt quite different, but it was fascinating. I also find this expression here.
Raspberry doesn't show up for me (thankfully). Everything else is great and not too sweet for me: after the opening with neroli and tart citrus notes, it quickly becomes powdery-soapy in a beautiful vintage form and stays that way for a while before exotic flowers come through. In true vintage style, however, none of them stand out individually, but jasmine and ylang-ylang blend to create the impression of an oriental bouquet. Iris root keeps the impression dry and powdery and prevents it from becoming sticky. Gradually, the whole thing becomes more balsamic and cinnamon-spicy on the basis of beautiful woods and later the strong incense. Unfortunately, it doesn't last quite as long on me as the Bal à Versailles, Shalimar Vanille or Opium mentioned in some statements. Never mind, it's so cheap, I just spray it on!
I'm a little bit corny
I'm a wildwood flower
Waving for you...
Wonderful fragrance for little money!
Thanks to @Makr for the sample! I have now also ordered a bottle.

Joni Mitchell, You Turn Me On, I'm A Radio:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP1hEPRYBQs
37 Comments
7
Bottle
8
Sillage
8
Longevity
9
Scent
Minigolf

458 Reviews
Translated Show original Show translation
Minigolf
Minigolf
Very helpful Review 13  
Herber flower powder with resinous-balsamic draught
Charles Revson/Revlon is mainly known by the still present "Charlie" in different variants with us.
Most other fragrances are not known to most people. I have now had the pleasure of getting to know one of them.
"Ciara", launch year 1973, production and public distribution meanwhile discontinued.
First sniff, full favor. Powdery, tart, slightly fruity citrus notes.
First woods appear. As powdery as fragrant, fresh sawdust from conifers. Ylang and Jasmin in the background. Iris root ahead.
Then it becomes balsamic. Resins come to the fore and let the fragrance appear soft-herbal and quite "deep".
"Leathery, cedar, with very long reverberation, Now fine powder with "magic power". Cinnamon spicy finish with clove powder, very fine and almost waddy.
The iris is still clearly perceptible. The "echo" are the balsamic-resinous woods.
Or is the iris their echo?
I can't see that clearly. But "Ciara" is always wondrous.
And mysterious and profound.
1 Comment

Statements

1 short view on the fragrance
ElysiumElysium 2 years ago
6
Bottle
5
Sillage
5
Longevity
8.5
Scent
Vintage but not dated, it is gender-neutral, a sweet, heady and opulent perfume thickly laden with notes of syrupy amber, incense and wood.
0 Comments

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