Top Notes 
Hazelnut leaf
Laurel
Lavender
Heart Notes 
Atlas cedar
Oak
Base Notes 
Moss
Sandalwood
Vanilla
Elysium
898 Reviews
Elysium
Helpful Review
4
Forest-Surrounded Ancient Sawmill
I had gotten the perfume last June, blindly bought this, expecting somehow what follows, but after unboxing and a quick sniff, I realised it was more suitable for the humid and cold autumn months. Therefore, I put it away in the wardrobe, waiting for the season's arrival in which the temperatures drop, the leaves fall, and everything is coloured with yellowish, reddish, and amber reflections. And here it is, officially started a few days ago. Classic Gray is now part of my seasonal rotation; these are my feelings. Different from Lagerfeld Classic Eau de Toilette and Photo Eau de Toilette as three disparate perfumes, it is not a flanker, but all three are the same only in the bottle. Yes, because for this perfume, Karl Lagerfeld chose the same bottle, here in the smoky grey version, used for the Classic and Photo.
Classic Gray immediately reveals itself as a semi-fresh essence with woody solid, modern tones and polishes rich in Iso-E Super. It is slightly flowery and leathery, but the resinous, musky, dry woods are the dominant characteristic characterising this creation. Everything revolves around a mix of cedar woods from disparate places such as India and Africa and oak wood. It is unnecessary to read the olfactory pyramid; one immediately senses the presence of cedar in the concoction. In the background of this wooden accord, rather than in the foreground, the modest, slightly aromatic, and green notes of the foliage and ears are heard. The combination of laurel and hazel creates a beautiful semi-green effect with somewhat herbaceous and slightly creamy aspects thanks to the lavender. The hazelnut smell is smooth, modicum, nutty, but not gourmand. It is not the classic fougére or even a barbershop. Among the fresh, green and woody accords, a sweetish but not annoying touch is perceived, thanks to the vanilla present in the base.
As the notes supporting the opening calm down, the woods carved in the heart intensify, taking on even more shape and momentum, leaving a distinctive trail with that dry hint of freshly sharpened pencil shavings. Here, the sillage is intense and downwind; you receive all the nuances of cedar and oak woods, one fresh and semi-dry and the other a little musky. The wearer may become anosmic and not perceive its nuances after wearing it. But I assure you that those near it, especially downwind, receive this fragrance's woody beauty. Last night, I was walking behind my hubby, and I could smell his perfume. When I asked him what he had worn, he replied, "Karl Lagerfeld, the grey one with the ring on the cap, what else?". This confirms that the perfume smells better from a distance than directly from the skin.
After a few hours, two to three, the fragrance enters dry-down mode; it becomes a skin perfume, and you need to bring your nose closer to an application point to better feel the accords. The more pungent woods take a step back, giving way to a creamier sandalwood with musky and vanilla nuances. But all this remains virile; vanilla does not dominate the woods; it only adds a touch of sweetness without overflowing into powdery or sugary. The nutty effect is felt for the entire duration of the perfume.
Without mincing words, Classic Gray met my expectations. I confirm daily and evening use, ideal for both going to work and for free time. It's not too spicy or leathery but plenty woody. I find it unique and couldn't find a similarity with other perfumes. Moderate performance: it lasts quite a few hours, but it quickly moves close to the skin.
I'm basing my thoughts on a bottle I've owned since June 2023.
-Elysium
Classic Gray immediately reveals itself as a semi-fresh essence with woody solid, modern tones and polishes rich in Iso-E Super. It is slightly flowery and leathery, but the resinous, musky, dry woods are the dominant characteristic characterising this creation. Everything revolves around a mix of cedar woods from disparate places such as India and Africa and oak wood. It is unnecessary to read the olfactory pyramid; one immediately senses the presence of cedar in the concoction. In the background of this wooden accord, rather than in the foreground, the modest, slightly aromatic, and green notes of the foliage and ears are heard. The combination of laurel and hazel creates a beautiful semi-green effect with somewhat herbaceous and slightly creamy aspects thanks to the lavender. The hazelnut smell is smooth, modicum, nutty, but not gourmand. It is not the classic fougére or even a barbershop. Among the fresh, green and woody accords, a sweetish but not annoying touch is perceived, thanks to the vanilla present in the base.
As the notes supporting the opening calm down, the woods carved in the heart intensify, taking on even more shape and momentum, leaving a distinctive trail with that dry hint of freshly sharpened pencil shavings. Here, the sillage is intense and downwind; you receive all the nuances of cedar and oak woods, one fresh and semi-dry and the other a little musky. The wearer may become anosmic and not perceive its nuances after wearing it. But I assure you that those near it, especially downwind, receive this fragrance's woody beauty. Last night, I was walking behind my hubby, and I could smell his perfume. When I asked him what he had worn, he replied, "Karl Lagerfeld, the grey one with the ring on the cap, what else?". This confirms that the perfume smells better from a distance than directly from the skin.
After a few hours, two to three, the fragrance enters dry-down mode; it becomes a skin perfume, and you need to bring your nose closer to an application point to better feel the accords. The more pungent woods take a step back, giving way to a creamier sandalwood with musky and vanilla nuances. But all this remains virile; vanilla does not dominate the woods; it only adds a touch of sweetness without overflowing into powdery or sugary. The nutty effect is felt for the entire duration of the perfume.
Without mincing words, Classic Gray met my expectations. I confirm daily and evening use, ideal for both going to work and for free time. It's not too spicy or leathery but plenty woody. I find it unique and couldn't find a similarity with other perfumes. Moderate performance: it lasts quite a few hours, but it quickly moves close to the skin.
I'm basing my thoughts on a bottle I've owned since June 2023.
-Elysium
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RobbieX
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