Kalimantan smells amazing. It reminds me of Black Orchid (initial pepper), Tobacco Vanille, and even the incense and a slight floral from Chanel 22. It lasts forever 12-24 hours. It's strong at first and has a brief sharp herbal note that I'm assuming is the thyme, but just wait for that pass if it's not your thing. In a few moments it becomes a not sugary vanilla with heavy spices. Could be unisex. This is different than the other Chantecaille fragrances; so if those are too flowery or light and not for you, give this a try.
Way too woodsy for me...not a fan of patchouli so can't warm up to this scent at all...smells medicinal on me...more masculine....love Tiare but not this...will try frangipane and petales next...
After a couple decades of being an avid Nordstrom's customer and always meaning to write reviews, finally this perfume is the reason I am writing my first review. I bought this fragrance based entirely on the reviews here and especially on a website that is devoted to fragrance (which I guess I can't mention here.) I was terribly excited by the description; it sounded like exactly the combination of effects I was searching for in a signature scent. I couldn't wait for it to be delivered.
When it finally arrived, I confess that at first I was appalled and even considered sending it back. It was not at all what I had expected and I went back to read all the reviews again, trying to figure out "what did I miss??" This fragrance was unlike anything I've ever smelled before and certainly did not, initially, seem to even have any of the qualities I love. Worse than that, it was actually unpleasant at first sniff-- I recoiled, a reaction I never have to any perfume (I can always find something to love in any perfume. Not this one though......... not at first.)
I wish I could explain what happened; what changed, and why, and when. I can't! All I can say is that I decided, almost against my better judgment, to spritz some on me before sending the fragrance back.
I am SO GLAD I DID. At first it was sharp, intrusive, even acrid on my skin-- and then suddenly-- something happened to it. Magic, is what happened. Something about my chemistry and or the warmth of skin, catalyzed some gorgeous alchemy or final-step in the process or something, I can't explain it properly. All I know is that this eau de parfum hit my skin and everything changed. The "incense" note evolved in mere seconds from acrid smoke to sacred woods, the cedar went from medicinal to earthy, and the sensual vanilla started to rise up through the smokiness like a benediction, curling around and through every other note, sweetening and deepening them. Truly the incense notes speak to your spirit, the eternal part of you that yearns for something holy, while the vanilla beckons you to return to earth and turn your attention to more carnal matters.
It is intoxicating. I am drugged by this magical juice. My descriptions cannot do it justice. It's just magic. Shocking and challenging and magical. It's not for everyone. I was certain, upon first smelling it, that it absolutely was not for me. I am so glad I was wrong. This is a perfume that makes me feel when I am wearing it that I am capable of greatness, that I have been slacking and have not been pushing myself toward my full potential. It's that inspiring. I have never had anything like this kind of emotional and spiritual reaction to a fragrance before in my life; the closest would be when my mother let me wear her Joy perfume on a trip to Rome when I was 12. I felt transcendent, as if I had become somehow deeper, wiser, and older just from smelling it-- to be wearing it was just beyond expression. That experience was the closest to the transcendence I feel when wearing Kalimantan.
