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More of a thinkpiece than a review
Disclaimer: Christina is my all-time favorite singer. I am a #Fighter and somewhat known within her fanbase for, shall we say, my honesty. My thoughts on this perfume do not reflect how I feel about Christina as a person.
Christina has a long history of releasing perfumes, with one coming out almost every year since 2007. I have fond memories of opening some of her CDs and smelling the perfume sample that was included within. I remember forcing my dad to drive me to Macy's solely so I could try the then newly released Inspire (2008). Since then, her fragrance line, while very popular in Europe, has been hard to find in the US. Even now, it's not likely you'll be able to test them out in person. They are now available on An. I generally avoid blind buying anything. I made an exception for this one. At $18 for a 1 oz bottle, it's not a huge investment or risk.
Upon discovering that oakmoss is in some of my favorite perfumes, while simultaneously searching for a replacement for YSL Mon Paris, I was pleasantly surprised to find Xtina included on the list of perfumes with oakmoss. Many of the notes in Xtina overlap with Mon Paris, and with my recent interest in violet, I decided to go for it. The difference in quality is minimal (note to YSL: this is a read toward you, not a compliment). Xtina is much more sweet, with the sugared violet sticking out like a sore thumb. There is a smattering of fruit at first, but it quickly dissipates. I don't detect any jasmine or rose. The base notes provide some balance but it leans toward being a little too sweet. It doesn't take long for the notes to blend together. On freshly showered skin, pear, musk and patchouli jump out. With patchouli being a little more prominent, it does bear a resemblance to Mon Paris. Xtina sits intimately, so you won't get longevity or much of a sillage.
I have watched Christina for the last 25 years, and have seen every change in her image and branding, both drastic and miniscule. She is known for being quite the chameleon. She's also known for indulging in luxury, which is why her fragrance line has always left me feeling a bit perplexed. The design of every bottle and box has been questionable. It's what you'd expect to find at the drugstore. When I pulled the bottle out, the X on the back fell off. I suppose I got what I paid for. Fragheads will notice that the formulation quality leaves much to be desired. When I tested Inspire way back when, I felt similarly to how I feel today. I remember thinking Christina deserved a better team of people behind her. This felt especially insane considering this perfume line launched on the heels of a very successful era – Back to Basics, the album and the tour, were favored among critics, stans, and even the general public. Although this line changed hands from Elizabeth Arden to Revlon, there hasn't been much improvement. On a positive note, there has never been a decline in quality; it has remained the same, with only the price and vendors changing. I've noticed the aesthetic often doesn't match up with the scent or with what Christina is doing at the time of release. In this case, the advertisements align with how one might think of Christina, with her signature color (red). I can't imagine her wearing this type of fragrance at all, which is ironic considering it was given the name she often uses. I envy fans of Billie Eilish, whose perfume bottles are a work of art, modeled like an ancient Greek bust. That concept would have been perfect for Christina.
Fans are hoping for a huge rebrand along with new music this year. All things considered, it begs the question: What does Christina want?
If you like violet and raspberry, but crave something more decadent, try La Vie est Belle L'Elixir Lancôme.
Christina has a long history of releasing perfumes, with one coming out almost every year since 2007. I have fond memories of opening some of her CDs and smelling the perfume sample that was included within. I remember forcing my dad to drive me to Macy's solely so I could try the then newly released Inspire (2008). Since then, her fragrance line, while very popular in Europe, has been hard to find in the US. Even now, it's not likely you'll be able to test them out in person. They are now available on An. I generally avoid blind buying anything. I made an exception for this one. At $18 for a 1 oz bottle, it's not a huge investment or risk.
Upon discovering that oakmoss is in some of my favorite perfumes, while simultaneously searching for a replacement for YSL Mon Paris, I was pleasantly surprised to find Xtina included on the list of perfumes with oakmoss. Many of the notes in Xtina overlap with Mon Paris, and with my recent interest in violet, I decided to go for it. The difference in quality is minimal (note to YSL: this is a read toward you, not a compliment). Xtina is much more sweet, with the sugared violet sticking out like a sore thumb. There is a smattering of fruit at first, but it quickly dissipates. I don't detect any jasmine or rose. The base notes provide some balance but it leans toward being a little too sweet. It doesn't take long for the notes to blend together. On freshly showered skin, pear, musk and patchouli jump out. With patchouli being a little more prominent, it does bear a resemblance to Mon Paris. Xtina sits intimately, so you won't get longevity or much of a sillage.
I have watched Christina for the last 25 years, and have seen every change in her image and branding, both drastic and miniscule. She is known for being quite the chameleon. She's also known for indulging in luxury, which is why her fragrance line has always left me feeling a bit perplexed. The design of every bottle and box has been questionable. It's what you'd expect to find at the drugstore. When I pulled the bottle out, the X on the back fell off. I suppose I got what I paid for. Fragheads will notice that the formulation quality leaves much to be desired. When I tested Inspire way back when, I felt similarly to how I feel today. I remember thinking Christina deserved a better team of people behind her. This felt especially insane considering this perfume line launched on the heels of a very successful era – Back to Basics, the album and the tour, were favored among critics, stans, and even the general public. Although this line changed hands from Elizabeth Arden to Revlon, there hasn't been much improvement. On a positive note, there has never been a decline in quality; it has remained the same, with only the price and vendors changing. I've noticed the aesthetic often doesn't match up with the scent or with what Christina is doing at the time of release. In this case, the advertisements align with how one might think of Christina, with her signature color (red). I can't imagine her wearing this type of fragrance at all, which is ironic considering it was given the name she often uses. I envy fans of Billie Eilish, whose perfume bottles are a work of art, modeled like an ancient Greek bust. That concept would have been perfect for Christina.
Fans are hoping for a huge rebrand along with new music this year. All things considered, it begs the question: What does Christina want?
If you like violet and raspberry, but crave something more decadent, try La Vie est Belle L'Elixir Lancôme.
A solid debut
Picture this: It's 2004. I'm 16 years old and I'm watching TV with my friends. We collectively saw the commercial for Curious Britney Spears for the first time and sat in stunned silence. Given that I was (and still am) a huge Britney fan, I was shook. I knew I needed this perfume immediately.
I received a 3oz bottle with the atomizer for Christmas that year. I had always dreamed of owning a perfume with an old fashioned atomizer. The box design and charms attached to the bottle were different from anything I had seen before. Unfortunately, the atomizer was faulty, and I found it difficult to splash the perfume with a bottle that size. I didn't find the scent to be appropriate for me at that point in time. It had a soapy yet sharp quality. It was also way too similar to the Avon perfume my grandma had given me earlier that year. In terms of longevity and sillage, it was more like an EDT than a EDP. A common critique of Curious was the liquid turned from clear to a stark yellow within the first year. I can see why they later promoted Fantasy more heavily, as that was better formulated at launch. A few years later, I enjoyed Versace Bright Crystal, which I believe was formulated and launched to compete with Curious, given that they smell similar to each other.
I last tested it in 2020, when I was preparing to move. It smelled off and I had to throw it away. I would be willing to try it again, though it's my understanding that the current iterations of all of Britney's perfumes are now horribly watered down. Her brand was recently acquired by Give Back Beauty. It goes without saying that what happened to Britney and her brand is incredibly sad. She no longer owns her fragrance line, nor any trademarks previously owned by her. If there ever comes a day where she regains control, I'll be there to support her.
I received a 3oz bottle with the atomizer for Christmas that year. I had always dreamed of owning a perfume with an old fashioned atomizer. The box design and charms attached to the bottle were different from anything I had seen before. Unfortunately, the atomizer was faulty, and I found it difficult to splash the perfume with a bottle that size. I didn't find the scent to be appropriate for me at that point in time. It had a soapy yet sharp quality. It was also way too similar to the Avon perfume my grandma had given me earlier that year. In terms of longevity and sillage, it was more like an EDT than a EDP. A common critique of Curious was the liquid turned from clear to a stark yellow within the first year. I can see why they later promoted Fantasy more heavily, as that was better formulated at launch. A few years later, I enjoyed Versace Bright Crystal, which I believe was formulated and launched to compete with Curious, given that they smell similar to each other.
I last tested it in 2020, when I was preparing to move. It smelled off and I had to throw it away. I would be willing to try it again, though it's my understanding that the current iterations of all of Britney's perfumes are now horribly watered down. Her brand was recently acquired by Give Back Beauty. It goes without saying that what happened to Britney and her brand is incredibly sad. She no longer owns her fragrance line, nor any trademarks previously owned by her. If there ever comes a day where she regains control, I'll be there to support her.
Not as advertised
Having tried their Fresh Cream fragrance line previously, I was looking forward to this one. It is surprisingly long lasting, given that it's an eau de toilette.
Listed in the ingredients, but not included in the notes, are bergamot and lemon peel oil. This fragrance opens up with a sharp citrus scent, along with ginger. This doesn't give "soft velvet" to me. Perhaps a different type of fruit would have been more appropriate. Lily isn't a standout. It is more akin to a background dancer, with sweet vanilla being the star. There was not enough chocolate in this one. You really have to search for it.
I appreciate their approach to gourmand scents. This fragrance could be enjoyed year round, at any time of day. It's not too rich or heavy. Unlike most recent vanilla perfumes, this one isn't garish or nauseating. It also has potential for mass appeal; it's not overly feminine, though not quite unisex. However, I can't see myself purchasing this. I have perfumes in my collection with more decadent notes already. I found the advertising to be misleading, as citrus is nowhere in the copy. I might give it another chance in the future.
Listed in the ingredients, but not included in the notes, are bergamot and lemon peel oil. This fragrance opens up with a sharp citrus scent, along with ginger. This doesn't give "soft velvet" to me. Perhaps a different type of fruit would have been more appropriate. Lily isn't a standout. It is more akin to a background dancer, with sweet vanilla being the star. There was not enough chocolate in this one. You really have to search for it.
I appreciate their approach to gourmand scents. This fragrance could be enjoyed year round, at any time of day. It's not too rich or heavy. Unlike most recent vanilla perfumes, this one isn't garish or nauseating. It also has potential for mass appeal; it's not overly feminine, though not quite unisex. However, I can't see myself purchasing this. I have perfumes in my collection with more decadent notes already. I found the advertising to be misleading, as citrus is nowhere in the copy. I might give it another chance in the future.
The Star of JPG's Soiree
Classique Essence de Parfum was a limited release. I am grateful I was able to find an authentic bottle after it had been discontinued. I made my purchase in 2019. I was unsure about it at first, but I quickly came to realize this is a top tier perfume. It deserves to be a permanent fixture in Jean Paul Gaultier's line. Every JPG fragrance is a hit but this one is my favorite. It has the perfect sillage and it is long lasting. Everyone in my life has complimented my scent when I wear it. I often spray it on before going to bed and it's still there when I wake up. The choice of notes creates a balanced scent that can be worn day or night.
The prominence of each note can change depending on the season and climate. When worn in springtime, ginger and tangerine pop, with whipped cream and benzoin taking over after a couple hours. Orange blossom and jasmine, as well as amber, are more noticeable during cold weather. Sweeter notes are more detectable when this is paired with the right lotion or shower gel. Given that I live in California, I avoid wearing this during the extreme heat of summer, when this fragrance becomes entirely too cloying. I much prefer wearing it during the fall/winter period.
I typically avoid perfumes with any spicy notes, but the ginger in this one is not overwhelming to me. I also love that the vanilla is subtle, unlike some of the nausea inducing gourmands of today. I have compared this to Valentino Voce Viva, which is not bad, but I much prefer Classique Essence de Parfum. Voce Viva allows bergamot to take over, and although I do enjoy oakmoss when formulated correctly, it does not blend well. When compared to any version of Alien, well, Alien abducts and violates you, while all JPG fragrances embrace you in varying degrees.
Classique Essence de Parfum is different from most other JPG perfumes in the way she presents a playful yet experienced sensuality. This is in contrast to the original Classique, which projects a darker yet entrancing vibe, like a mistress awaiting her lover in her opium den. I love both but the former feels more like me. I think it's safe to say this has knocked YSL Mon Paris out of its long held status as my signature fragrance.
The prominence of each note can change depending on the season and climate. When worn in springtime, ginger and tangerine pop, with whipped cream and benzoin taking over after a couple hours. Orange blossom and jasmine, as well as amber, are more noticeable during cold weather. Sweeter notes are more detectable when this is paired with the right lotion or shower gel. Given that I live in California, I avoid wearing this during the extreme heat of summer, when this fragrance becomes entirely too cloying. I much prefer wearing it during the fall/winter period.
I typically avoid perfumes with any spicy notes, but the ginger in this one is not overwhelming to me. I also love that the vanilla is subtle, unlike some of the nausea inducing gourmands of today. I have compared this to Valentino Voce Viva, which is not bad, but I much prefer Classique Essence de Parfum. Voce Viva allows bergamot to take over, and although I do enjoy oakmoss when formulated correctly, it does not blend well. When compared to any version of Alien, well, Alien abducts and violates you, while all JPG fragrances embrace you in varying degrees.
Classique Essence de Parfum is different from most other JPG perfumes in the way she presents a playful yet experienced sensuality. This is in contrast to the original Classique, which projects a darker yet entrancing vibe, like a mistress awaiting her lover in her opium den. I love both but the former feels more like me. I think it's safe to say this has knocked YSL Mon Paris out of its long held status as my signature fragrance.
Hard pass.
I was excited when Dior announced their Miss Dior Essence along with the notion that it smells like blackberry jam with jasmine. My nose generally doesn't detect wood notes in most fragrances that are marketed towards women, especially as a base note. Sadly, the blackberry jam note lasted all of 5 minutes. There is no jasmine to be found. Oak wood completely took over, and to my complete and utter dismay, it stinks like tobacco. Over the next few hours, it began to take on a manure-like stench. Instead of washing it off, I left it on, and hoped for the best. I sprayed it at 11 AM; It is now 9:30 PM. It still lingers and smells a bit like ash.
It smells nothing like Lancome La vie est belle L'Elixir. I'll stick with that one.
It smells nothing like Lancome La vie est belle L'Elixir. I'll stick with that one.
