Perfume Review: Caramel Sunset by Comptoir Sud Pacifique
April 18th, 2007
Comptoir Sud Pacifique has been in business for as long as I’ve been alive producing tropical escapes in a bottle. The perfume names pretty much speak for themselves as do the scents they represent, from Vanilla Abricot to Aloha Tiare. In the past few years, it seems like every other new release by Comptoir Sud Pacifique (CSP, from now on) has been some version of vanilla. The news of Caramel Sunset were hardly shocking - we’ve exhausted the vanillas, let’s move on to caramel. Pardon my involuntary sarcasm but I’m afraid this is far from a favorable review. Just the other day I noticed another new offering by the popular (!) line Clean named Warm Cotton and couldn’t help but wonder if the creators’ real motive is to raise public awareness to increase personal hygiene - after all, you can never be clean enough in America. First, you work up major Lather, then spritz on some Clean, then douse in Shower Fresh, dry yourself with Warm Cotton making sure it’s been splashed with Fresh Laundry, and then you’re not only Clean, you’re Ultimate. For those who don’t know, yes, these are actual perfume names. But to get back to Caramel Sunset - what can it possibly have in common with Clean? Not much, I guess, other than to force us to not only consume way too much sugar in our daily diet (check those nutrition facts) but also wear it on our skin and then some. No, there’s nothing wrong with vanilla scents (or CSPs, for that matter), and I’m perfectly aware of the fact there are plenty of people who happily have been, are, and will be wearing them. I simply long for variety, even among liquid tropical paradises. As for Caramel Sunset, it is just that - warm, milky with a hint of coconut and cotton candy fluff. Does it take me to Hawaii? No, I’m still at home in windy Chicago, on my couch sipping some hot cocoa with extra marshmellows (to pack more sugar into my diet).
Caramel Sunset is available at Sephora, Beautyhabit.
Image source: comptoirsudpacifique.us
Entry Filed under: New Perfumes, Perfume Reviews
32 Comments Add your own
1. Leopoldo | April 19th, 2007 at 2:48 am
I have only one (sort of) word: barf.
2. benvenuta | April 19th, 2007 at 5:47 am
When I saw the name of the scent, I thought: Caramel Sunset - that sounds scary, like Sunset Heat with added caramel. Barf!
3. Elle | April 19th, 2007 at 6:56 am
I think CSP should just start marketing their scents in grocery stores next to the artificial sweeteners. Calorie free sugar overload. Stomach turning. And I’m w/ you on the clean scents. *Enough* already!
4. Judith | April 19th, 2007 at 7:00 am
Really funny review. Pass on the scent (of course:)
5. Marina | April 19th, 2007 at 7:43 am
Thank you for the rant. I love it when you are snarky
I read about Caramel Sunset and Vanilla This and That, and I think about Piroguier and I cry.
6. Jennifer | April 19th, 2007 at 9:06 am
You know I consider myself a vanilla and a gourmand lover and even i am getting sick of the over sugered vanilla gourmand scents being put out there. And this one sounds like a cavity in fragrance form.
7. Christen | April 19th, 2007 at 9:49 am
I’m semi-new to posting, but I have to say this review (fabulous, btw) made me go digging for my sample of Parfumerie Generale’s Aomassai. Now,* that’s* taking caramel to a better place, so hip and dark and woody. Ahhh, much better now!
8. tmp00 | April 19th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Ina-
I thought you were nice about it myself.
I’m with Christen on Aomassai: that’s the caramel I want.
9. Ina | April 19th, 2007 at 10:32 am
Leo, I love your directness.
10. Ina | April 19th, 2007 at 10:33 am
Benvenuta, LOL! I’ve pondered about the name myself - I don’t need caramel with my sunsets, thankyouverymuch.
11. Ina | April 19th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Elle, great idea! We should patent it.
12. Ina | April 19th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Judith, oh yes, a definite pass for you.
13. Ina | April 19th, 2007 at 10:35 am
Marina, a little snarkiness here and there doesn’t hurt, right?
I’m with you on your second sentiment - what happened? After all, tropical vacations aren’t all about coconut and vanilla.
14. Ina | April 19th, 2007 at 10:36 am
Jennifer, good to hear your point of view! Yes, a cavity or two, for sure.
15. Ina | April 19th, 2007 at 10:37 am
Christen, welcome to posting!
Good point! Aomassai is a perfect example of how amazing caramel can be if combined with something other than coconut and tropical flowers.
16. Ina | April 19th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Tom, you thought I was nice? Hmm… next time I’ll get my real claws out.
17. March | April 19th, 2007 at 11:10 am
That is so funny! Sorry, coming late to the party, I’ve been out of town briefly and our computer crashed (storm-related.) Hope you’re not still buried in snow!
There’s only one CSP I sort of like and I can’t even remember what it’s called. Which says it all, doesn’t it?
What IS the American obsession w/clean? I don’t share it (shhhh, don’t tell!)
18. Patty | April 19th, 2007 at 11:12 am
How did you do this with a straight face? Sorry, I keep looking at my CSP Malin calin or something sample, and I can’t work up enough energy to do more than sniff the cap and put it back.
I know, I know, CSP lovers everywhere will hate me, but how they charge what they do for what they are making just floors me. I’d rather bust out my vanilla extract and some Kraft Caramels and heat them up in my tart warmer to get the same effect.
Okay, I”m done.
19. violetnoir | April 19th, 2007 at 11:56 am
Why do I get the feeling, Ina, that you don’t like this line?
Hugs!
20. winterwheat | April 19th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: this whole foody trend in fragrances marketed at teen girls and young women reflects a cultural obsession with thinness, and the consequent, inevitable desire for overindulgence in sweets, if only vicariously. Fifty years ago a woman couldn’t imagine scenting herself as a dessert, but that’s probably because she permitted herself to EAT dessert–at least sometimes. If one is unwilling to grant oneself such permission, the next best thing is to SMELL like dessert, all day long.
When I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at only 8 weeks pregnant, I had to cut carbs drastically and follow a diet that was one step above the Atkins plan for 32 weeks. It sucked royally. During that time, I cannot tell you how good bread, pastries, chocolate, and other sweets smelled. Once I got back to normal, they just smelled like sweets — nice sometimes, cloying sometimes.
Obviously there are individual differences, but I think on an aggregate level, this national obsession with sweet fragrances reflects an ambivalent relationship with appetite and a longing for unrestricted consumption of desserts and other “naughty” foods.
21. Ina | April 19th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
March, you, skank-loving woman, I’m not surprised.
No snow here, all wind and sun.
22. Ina | April 19th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Patty, LOL about melting the caramels! Perfect! There’re plenty of cheap vanillas at Sephora alone, for instance, that would easily rival the CSPs.
23. Ina | April 19th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Robin, um, I hope I made myself clear.
24. Ina | April 19th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Kris, I like your academic approach to the matter.
Thank you! I can’t help but agree. I just hope they don’t start making perfumes that smell like hot dogs or beer. Eep!
25. Elena Singh | April 19th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
I still lament the days before the CSP’s entry into mass market and reformulation of their scents (didn’t they get bought or sold or something like that?)..They had some interesting scents like Harmonie Creole, Motu, The, Les Enfants du Soleil (a bit of a later scent) and others. What happened? Even their beautiful silver, orange and yellow metal or tuquoise glass bottles were done with in favor of some cheap-looking bottles targeting pre-teen audience.
And don’t get me started on puritan obsession with smelling “clean”. We are not supposed to smell “clean” all the time, in every way. We are not made out of plastic (even though glossy magazines tell us we should), we are flesh and blood.
26. Ina | April 19th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Lena, amen, sistah! Yes, CSP did indeed used to be much more versatile. Perhaps it is the result of being sold, I’m not aware of that. Harmonie Creole was indeed a nice scent.
27. Niney | April 19th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
I don’t think smelling like leather,wood,musk or incense is any more superior to smelling of sweet candies or fruits.If you think about it scenting yourself like leather(cow hide) is down right weird! I love a varietty of scents including perfumes with all of the above except leather.Lets keep an open mind.My family often think I’m strange when I wear some of my Lutens.It’s all about how you choose to scent your body.Some cultures think all perfumes stink prefer,au naturel.I’ve enjoyed this site but felt the need to comment for the first time.
28. Ina | April 19th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
Niney, thank you for your input! I truly appreciate it, and I completely agree with you. No, I don’t think smelling like leather or woods is superior. My frustration in this case was targeted towards the abundance of sugary scents from CSP. After all, the line didn’t start out like that. It’s always a matter of preference. I just wish certain lines offered more options.
29. Nicole | April 20th, 2007 at 6:18 am
I’m getting tired of all the CSP bashing. It’s a little clueless and yes, narrow-minded but mostly clueless. ‘Cheap vanillas’ at Sephora to rival Comptoir Sud Pacifique? You’re losing credibility. Disappointing.
30. Ina | April 20th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Nicole, where else have you see CSP bashing? I believe it’s the first time I mention them on this blog. Clueless doesn’t apply, I’m afraid, as I’ve smelled them all, well, with the exception of a few older, discontinued ones. Oh, and yes, Vanilla Abricot, for instance, can be easily replaced by L’Aromarine Vanilla. In fact, I much prefer the latter which I also purchased at Anthropologie for $18 and happily wear. Much better lasting power, too. It’s not about bashing, it’s about good, quality product.
31. Cara | June 22nd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I like many CSP scents…including and especially Caramel Sunset. :0) It is a tropical scent that doesn’t go plastic on my skin.
32. Sofia | June 28th, 2008 at 7:04 am
I have worn Abricot Vanille for several years. But when I bought a new bottle last month it didn’t smell the same, at all. I have smelled it at different stores after that, and it smells synthetic and not at all as good. Does anyone know if the have reformulated this?
So happy if anyone could give me an answer, because if it is not possible to buy a new bottle that smell the way I liked it, then I have better move on and find a new signature scent. Thanks!
Leave a Comment
Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>
Trackback this post | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed