Chloe Signature Eau de Parfum

I have a tradition on Wednesdays: I like to go into Boots on my way around the shops, and treat myself to a spray of perfume. I find that testing perfumes out in this way makes my next perfume decision-making process a lot simpler. Sometimes they make me balk - 'Daisy' by Marc Jacobs being a stand out example - and often they are forgettable. One day however, I picked up a pretty square bottle with a ribbon around its neck and found myself enveloped in a heavenly embrace. That is when I found Chloe.

~PACKAGING~
Chloe eau de parfum comes in a square box that is comprised of two parts. The lid is a pale cream/nude shade, with the Chloe logo in dark chocolate brown across its centre. The words Eau de Parfum, in a similar shade, sit in a smaller font beneath it. The nature of the product, 'Natural Spray Vaporiser' and the quantity - in my case 50ml - is printed at the bottom. The lid lifts off to reveal the bottom section of the box, which is white in appearance and fashioned from cardboard, like its upper counterpart. On the bottom of the box is a list of ingredients, the barcode, the manufacturer's contact details and notes on recycling. Inside the bottom portion of the box there is a depression fashioned from heavy, textured card complimentary to the shape of the perfume bottle, and in said depression the bottle lies face-up. On removal of the bottle you will find a small folded card on which is printed an introductory message to the Chloe fragrance a paragraph long. This message is printed in six languages. It states that the perfume itself, the bottle and packaging are created using a mixture of natural and couture materials, and goes on to describe how said materials contribute to capturing the spirit of Chloe in its effortless chic and femininity. The box is resilient, and will sustain some bumping without exhibiting damage. The lid, however, with its laminated surface, is prone to collecting surface scratches should it rub up against any object with a sharp edge. It will not dent easily though, and I keep mine in my travel bag where it frequently bumps against the books I keep in there.

~THE BOTTLE~
The bottle is square in design and has a flat bottom, so if you wish to store it out of its original box it can stand vertically on any flat surface. The body of the bottle is glass, with a thick, ribbed design. Sitting on top of the glass base is a silver-plated lid with the word Chloe embellishing it. On top of this is mounted the nozzle in blazing silver, and a circular glass cap to prevent said nozzle from being inadvertently depressed. Tied around the neck of the nozzle is a slim ribbon, coloured the same shade of cream/nude as the upper portion of the presentation box. You can detect the quality of craftsmanship from the weight of the bottle, whose simplicity belies its excellence. Similarly, the contrast between the hard lines of the base and the smooth corners of the glass cap provides a subtle contradiction that is pleasing to the eye. The hand-tied ribbon and classic design of the bottle give the product an air of vintage glamour, and you could very easily imagine it sitting on Holly Golightly's dressing table.

~THE PERFUME~
The perfume is magnificently feminine, and the blend of floral notes and aromatic extracts seems to unfold fresh nuances as it sits on your skin. When you depress the plunger the mist of perfume that emerges is enough to coat an ample area of your skin so that you will not immediately feel it is necessary to opt for a second spray. The fragrance hits you immediately - a heavenly, moderately floral scent that has a hint of powderiness about it. The perfume is classic, without being reminiscent of the kinds of perfume worn by older ladies. It is a fresh smell, and rose is easily detectable in the blend. There is something musky about it too, and just a hint of spice as it begins to settle. The perfume is ideal for wearing during the day, as it is effortlessly chic yet subtle at the same time. When it has been on your skin for about fifteen minutes it begins to develop a richness that you would associate with timeless perfumes created by Chanel, yet it still manages to retain the freshness that it exhibits on first application.

TOP NOTES: Pink peony, freesia and lychee

MIDDLE/HEART NOTES: Rose, magnolia and lily of the valley

BASE NOTES: Cedar wood, amber and honey

The one big gripe I have about the perfume, and it came as a huge disappointment when I got it home and began using it, was how quickly it wears off. Being a fairly heady fragrance when it first emerges from the bottle, you would expect it to be detectable on the skin for most of the day. I own a bottle of Coco Chanel, similarly rich, which I wear for going out. I can apply just one spray at, say, eight o'clock in the evening, and it is still detectable on my skin at eight o'clock the following morning. This is not true of Chloe at all, though. In the beginning I used just one spray before leaving the house, and its effect lasted a mere 2 - 3 hours. A few days later I began applying two squirts instead, and found that this experiment did not fare much better, as the fragrance was detectable for only 3 - 4 hours. Now I carry a sample spray to 'top up' in the afternoon, but even so I remain disappointed by the meagre staying power of the perfume. One of the reasons I do not mind forking out the extra money for a designer perfume is because in general - Coco Chanel being a prime example - they display increased longevity, and so a single bottle will last for many months, or even years. However, the fragrance is so beautiful I will continue to wear it, even if I do have to repeat the application several times a day.

~AVAILABILITY~
Also in the range there is an eau de toilette spray and a body lotion, available in similar packaging. Chloe eau de parfum can be purchased from larger pharmacies such as Boots, as well as department stores including Debenhams and John Lewis. It retails at £41 - £55 for a 50ml bottle. Alternatively, it is available online from the following sources:

£41.95 from fragrancedirect.co.uk
£48.50 from scentstore.co.uk
£50 from johnlewis.com

~CONCLUSION~
I loved this perfume from the moment I released a mist of it onto my skin. It is a youthful take on the kind of classic perfumes that have been around for decades - elegant, fresh and sophisticated. I have received many compliments on my choice of fragrance, with several people I know of going on to purchase their own bottle soon after enquiring about mine. The bottle is very pretty and of a beautiful quality. So much so that you will find you are unable to part with it once all the perfume it contains has been used up. It is lovely as a decorative item however, and is versatile enough to fit in with most colour and design schemes. The box, being fashioned from cardboard, is recyclable, too. The only downside to this product is the perfume's limited staying power. If you are going out for the day it may be wise to purchase a Chloe sample spray, which is available as a small vial containing 1.2ml of the perfume. This is very small and lightweight, and will slip into you bag unnoticed. However, as there is no cap on the nozzle you should be mindful of the fact that it is easy to inadvertently depress the nozzle when you are on the move. I purchased my sample spray for £2.95 off eBay (including postage), but prices vary. If you are looking for a scent that is a classic in the making, one that will not overpower you, but will leave you feeling fresh and flirtatious, this is it. Just remember to keep applying it.

FRAGRANCE:
5/5

PACKAGING/BOTTLE
5/5

LONGEVITY:
3/5