Cristobal by Cristobal Balenciaga

Amarilia

I found a small sample of this and how I wanted to like Cristobal Balenciaga, but no, it is just pure patchouli, patchouli, with a hint of vanilla in a drydown.Nothing else.
I'm so disappointed. I find it very outdated and it reminds me of my grandmom's boudoir or something.Maybe it's just my skin chemistry, but the patchouli seems not suite me at all!
It is so dominant from the initial spray untill the drydown.Incredible lasting power though.I've been trying to wash it away from my wrists, but still after 10 hrs wear and a shower, I can smell the patchouli! OH NO!!

soulsong

I had a devil of a time finding Cristobal. The harder it got the more determined I was to find it, like a hidden treasure. Zilch success on the internet, but a small perfume vendor in the middle of the mall had one bottle. He swears it is very popular in Europe, but if Macy's doesn't sell a frag. it doesn't move. See SANDRAS's review, says it all. It is autumny as I hoped, perfect for what it is, an oriental with some mellowing vanilla underneath.

guest_sweet ladie

Definitely the best fragrance i have ever used. Love to use it in any occasion. So feminine and elegant it has a presence. I just love it.

a bit vintage

Warm, creamy, sweetness. Surprisingly I can't really idenitify any of the top or middle notes at all. For certain I don't pick up on any spicy carnation whatsoever. I do smell the patchouli, sandalwood and vanilla. Cristobal becomes quite sweet on me after the dry-down, and I find it yummy and lovely in the cooler weather. I think that I would not tolerate it well in warmer temps though.

Halvah

This is not an easy one for me. It resemles a little bit to YSL Cinema, but Cinema is softer, and seems to be a younger, more playful version of Cristobal. cristobal is bold, flovery at first, and then it turns into a heavy vanilla-base. It is expensive-smellng, and beautiful, long-lasting, but on my skin it doesn't show all it's beauty, but after the first 10 minutes only the strong vanilla left.

Channah

I am fully and completely IN LOVE with this perfume!I love the bottle,it's so elegant and the scent it's just perfect! I received it as a gift years ago and since then it's my favourite perfume of all times.
I want to have it again,but unfortunetly I can't find it anywhere.
Actually I can't seem to find any Balenciaga product in my country. :(

guest_djibuti

OK.I have had this perfume 12 years ago...but it was pure perfume, not eau....and im not able to find him anywhere since 1998...i live in croatia...if anyone knows where can i buy CRISTOBAL pure perfume, please let me know...

DaisyQ

Hmmm, I don't get the hype about this one.

It's a strong, sweet non-descript scent. Plus, there is a note or combination of notes that smells really artificial on my skin. Reminds me of the bombastic category of scents that were released in the 1980's, but not as good.

litldove7

This starts off bright, slightly green (I'm assuming from the fig), and sparkly. The bergamot definitely shows off at the beginning, but is quickly tamed by the powdery carnation. The floral notes don't stand out individually on me, but they add a lovely, feminine blend that definitely appeals to me and others around me. The sandalwood-patchouli combo arrives rather quickly. I'd say they decided to show up when the flowers did, but took their time to open up completely. By then, the vanilla appears---keeping the woodsy notes from strangling the others & the wearer---adding a tender touch of sweetness---never turning this into an Oriental-Vanilla. The drydown consists mostly of a woodsy-musky aroma on my skin, with just a hint of sweetness. On some days, I might prefer a bit more vanilla, but most days I think the dry down is rather sexy & elegant. From a passionately flirty beginning, to a tamed vixen of a dry-down....I like it a lot. 3 sprays (on skin & clothes) lasted most of the day on me. The wafts of Cristobal were wonderful!

rebella

This is so pleasant, sensual and nice that I can´t imaging anyone not liking it. It´s sweet, creamy, and so full-bodied it´s hard to figure out how so much rich, luxurious and enjoyable scent can get room in just one perfume? Well, it can and without being to much that is.

I think it´s really suitable to wear during autumn and winter, but maybe a little to much during the warmer months.

Almost covered by warm, oriental and golden aromas there is something cool and sparkling hiding. This make the perfume a little more interesting, even tough Cristobal is all about being non-edgy. It´s pretty much the opposite, and that is of course nice. Maybe just a little to nice... I really enjoy it, but maybe it lack some personality. Not really reminding of some other perfume, but still not really standing out in a crowd.

A perfume to wear when you´re looking for sensual, embracing comfort. Not much could beat it in that genre.

Longlasting and huge sillage.

mypersonalharmonics

Pleasant, full of imaginary flavours like coffee, whisky, cream, pepper, chocolate.
The peony-freesia-jasmine theme, clears the air and keeps the scent elegant rather than childishly gourmand.
Vanilla and sandalwood seal the deal quickly.
A round scent in a bottle made for royalties. Not a signature scent though.

Spring25

I found the opening of this fragrance to be absolutely gorgeous. The fig, bergamot and flowers blend together beautifully. However, the drydown is far too sweet and strongly vanillic for me. It's extremely long-lasting, but I would only recommend it for colder days.

9154mf

At first this was like a sweet fizzy drink like creamy soda, with a hint of pepper, although i know thats not in the notes. Very soon the vanilla/patch/sandal base comes out and for me anyway, is the main course of this dish. I smell some figgy sweetness as well and that fizzy effect from the start is there faintly. I love vanillas so I enjoy this, however I was expecting something slightly more unique or amazing, probably because of the name, but this is quite generic. it reminds me of L'or de Torrente or Flowerbomb.

Malegria

I got a bottle today...bought it without testing. It is GOOD.The sweetness, the bitterness....the breeze of fresh peonie - everything is very well balanced. There is a delicious cherry note, kind of like in Samsara - thick, gooey cherry jam! Vanilla is elegant and not synthetic - just like vanilla dried beans, no less.

This fragrance will be loved by the fans of sweet fragrances - Hanae Mori, Tempore Donna, Samsara, Paul Smith London.May be it is not a breathtaking fragrance and probably not a Balenciaga masterpiece, - but it`s very feminine and will make you feel the same.

Adriana_87

I love it,very good combination of vanilla and patchouli.Sexy and soficticated.I will buy it again..

Annica

This has become one of my favourites.
Can´t stop sniffing my wrist. A vanilla-patchouli heaven. LOVE IT.

nathalieZ

I am not big on oriental scents but that one is very nice, fresh, classy..the vanilla is what remains on me, it isnt an unplesant scent..if you truly like vanilla..light and feminine..just not for me!

essija

Rich Scent! Love it, would really enjoy a FB of this. It is something that could be worn everyday and though it's not complex it's truely a star in it's own way. I get vanilla and patchouli on my skin..

mellybee

First of all the bottle is adorable. The fragrance itself is like a champagne, gold and fizzy, rich in aromas. I like SandraS' description about it. I know that there isn't besides the notes, but I taste quince in it.

CFKay

I was a bit disappointed with this one. Yes, Cristobal has its good qualities, and it doesn't smell at all bad .... but I'm getting way too much Eau de Cream Soda upon application. On my skin, it really smells like I've spilled a fizzy drink all over me. I feel that this fragrance does not do the beautiful bottle justice and it just lacks that "Wow" factor that I'm looking for in a perfume.

SandraS

to smell this perfume is like taking a walk in the park on cold fall days. The scent of crisp cold air mixed with dry leaves and dry fruits. Sharp at first, like a cold wind, it dries and softens to a warm spicy scent. When i wear it I always imagine coming home to a blazing fire, after a walk. As others said, its a classy perfume and stands on its own. It does make a statment.

guest_...

I was given a very small sample bottle of this perfume years ago, from that day it became my favorite perfume of all time, it took me at least 8 years to find it on the high street, so if you find it buy it! this perfume is rare to buy in the UK... I love it and always will, it has a very sexy scent and you don't need much as it lasts and lasts, every man I have met always say that I smell lovely... enjoy

liat

Definitely a classic worth knowing. I like the top notes which blend beautifully. After that it develops poorly getting dull and excruciatingly sweet (at least on my skin).

Rosevelwet

My first and most incredible scent. I love it till now, because of taste of dreamy Autumn flowers blooming - of which it gets me the reminescence still:) It has a very strong romantic blush of blooming flowers bouquet, mixed with sweet and weighed to the proportion vanilla spice. It reveals it's beauty in the moist and soft Autumn air most, when you get the first chilles and there the first traces of frost appear. It gives very feminine and a bit melancholic, yet sweet and pleasent taste. I loved it for my daily wear, and it gave me the most pleasure while wearing it on my skin and sensing it... Felt like extension of myself.

F_A

Sweet and elegant flowery fragrance, that's what Cristobal is for my nose. I use it when wearing business clothes, luv it!

SweetSwinger

The sandalwood, patchouli and vanilla base is too flat and gloomy.

Halvah

I'm in love with the bottle, one of the most elegant and beautiful ones I've ever seen. On the other hand, the fragrance seems to be very sharp: beautiful notes it has, but a somewhat agressive vanilla scent is all I can smell after a few minutes:(

kewart

This is my favourite perfume of all time.
It just makes me feel so at one with myself. I hope it is always available!