Back in the day, I was part of a writing team called Mood Scent Four. Four of us, from all corners of the world, would write about perfumes based on a theme we had chosen. One month we chose roses. I always loved to see what the others had written because we all learned from each other and it was often a lovely surprise to see their picks. I was intrigued to see that Portia, Chief Australian Perfume Junkie, chose Calvin Klein Contradiction.
“Here we have a space age, crystalline rose. It’s dewy and cold, like a cold spoon in your mouth, and has hints of snow about it. Never has a rose bloomed on earth with this fragrance but it is brilliant and fun to wear.”
-Portia Turbo, Australian Perfume Junkie and conduit of joie de vivre.
The description was so intriguing that I simply had to go and buy a bottle. Prior to this, it had never been on my radar. I had seen it and heard of it and assumed it wouldn’t be my cup of tea. I was wrong.
Portia’s words had me at hello and within about ten minutes of reading the above words, I had ordered a bottle. Reader, I was not disappointed and Portia’s description was absolutely spot on.
This indeed a chilly rose, perfect for summer. Sugar seekers need not apply. This is like an unsweetened rose cordial in a frosted glass with the aforementioned metal spoon. Where does that metallic note come from? Eucalyptus? There’s not a lot but just enough to give the rose petals (and I see them as pale pink) a silvery vein through each one.
There is a huge bouquet of flowers in the opening notes: lily of the valley, peony, roses and jasmine. The eucalyptus splices any sugar out of them and leaves behind the chilly elegance. The messy bunch is now a sculpted bouquet in an unaffordable vase in an unaffordable penthouse. A nuzzly musk finale still clasps the flowers to its bosom. This is an ice maiden with a tender heart. Maybe that’s the Contradiction? Whatever it is, this is excellent value, a beautiful fragrance and I thank Portia for tempting me!
Where to buy it
Calvin Klein Contradiction is widely available online, less so in the shops. I used up my first bottle and recently bought an even bigger one from Perfume Click for £22 for 100ml of EDP
Disclosure
I bought this myself. Opinions are mine. I use Awin on my blog, so if you use the urls in my posts, I may sometimes get a small commission. A version of this article first appeared in 2021. I have updated it for 2026.
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