Charlie Red
Revlon (1993)

It is a "classic cheapie" that serves it's purpose well enough. Charlie Red former formulation was distinctly flamboyant, heavy in luxurious flowers and the dominant and loud female spirit in a bottle. It might be a bit old fashioned but honestly i think it's time to bring those heavy feminine florals back. I can understand different tastes - not everyone wants to leave a scented trail behined them, but even for those who do like to make a strong statement with a perfume that is particularly impossible with most of today's fragrance unless you shower yourself with them. Charlie Red is a lovely vintage soapy woody floral fragrance. Sure, it's a blast from the past. But it's very nice. It is a strong fragrance that either works with your body or doesn't.

A powerful tandrm of carnation and aldehydes with a touch of peach and plum do appear rather overpowering during the initial application, and some might not be patient enough to give Charlie Red a chance. Which is a shame because it does later on develop into a very elegant scent where carnation is softened by honey, and the strong almost sharp aldehydes reveal to be aslightly soapy rose. And as time goes by, notes of jasmine and orange blossom become more evident, and they rest on a strong sandalwood base. The core definitely turns more woody, and the soapiness disappears. It is a gorgeous fragrance that's up there with the likes of Giorgio Beverley Hills, Estee Lauder Beautiful, Lou Lou, White Diamonds et al. Charlie Red gets a bad rep from women who overapply. It definitely choking and unpleasant when overapplied. A bit shocking and cheap but again alluring in moments..

This was one of my first ever "adult" perfume purchases in the late 1990s. I found it recently again in a shop and tried it again for nostalgia's sake. . .and was pleasantly surprised. It is well balanced floral with an amber-honey base accord. A perfectly pleasant, casual scent. Not sure it has a place in my wardrobe now, but I'm glad it's out there. Would suit someone who is looking for an inexpensive floral that can go with just about anything.

I have one right in front of me and it feels simple and well blended. At times, I feel it might be cheap, but I just like it a lot. I don't find it particularly Red or spicy, but it's got a sensuality that's undeniable. Flowery but not “cute”, the sillage is surprisingly strong and the longevity is very decent. It does have a certain charlie-ness to it so I am happy that they respected that. Not as pretty as charlie white, but I just feel like it's a very attractive scent, and it just smells great on a woman. For a scent that was made in '93, it feels rather older than that, not that there's anything wrong with that, in fact, I think it adds to the allure of it. I believe if this were bottled in a chanel-guerlain-younameit flaçon, it would get much more fans, I do think it falls victim of snobbery.

My first serious love gave me a bottle of the Charlie Red. I did like it and it smelled quite nice and spicy on me. I wouldn't repurchase but it was a good blend. Great for an older teenager or young adult girl.