Clinique (Prescriptives) Calyx





When Calyx was first launched by Prescriptives in 1986, it was a nostril-flaring oddball. A fruity-floral before the term existed, before the prospect of a flower with a schmear of melon could incur instant withering contempt from fumesnobs, Calyx excited with its differentness.



Now branded by Clinique, it still excites, because it's still different. Perfumer Sophia Grojsman wrangled Calyx's lily, peach, grapefruit, jasmine, and the aforementioned melon into a lively choir that stops short of shrieking. The result is a neon glow of tart, sweet, juicy F to the U to the N.

One of my favorite things about Calyx is its sillage. It mellows to the wearer's skin enough to allow for the person under the initial cacophony.

As I discuss in my video review, I will always associate Calyx with Lynne Easton, the premier makeup artist to pop stars whom I met when I danced on the Pet Shop Boys' 1991 world tour.

Lynne Easton: make-up artist and Calyx lover.


Lynne, who died unexpectedly in 2006, was a woman of verve, who lived life set to "vivid", who summoned maximum joy in any situation. Calyx met its match in her.

For more on Lynne's fascinating career, click here.

Calyx is available from Perfume.com and FragranceX.com, starting at $47 for 1.7 oz


10 comments:

  1. I was going to ask you what perfume she wears now? but then I read that last paragraph, so if she was still here which perfume she would be wearing?? I would like to try calyx but I don't think our dep. store carry this brand. Hessa

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    1. Hessa, I think Lynne would be wearing Frédéric Malle Carnal Flower. I'm sure of it!

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  2. Katie, I'm thrilled that you've done such a bang-up review of one of my very favorites! I remember smelling Calyx for the first time and thinking, 'wow, there's nothing like this!'. I love your remembrance of Lynne, too. You really illustrate why I love perfume so much: there are countless memories and stories packed into the good ones, aren't there? In my dotage, I tend toward big, glamorous, and sexy fragrances, but there's still a soft spot for Calyx. Maybe I should get a bottle for auld lang syne, huh?

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    1. There are plenty of genies packed into a bottle of Calyx for those who loved it in the 80s/90s, I'll warrant!

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  3. When I was, um, "launched" - the doctors told my parents that I was a nostril-flaring oddball as well.

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  4. Nostril-flaring oddball.

    I like that. I'm going to use it!

    Thanks for this nice review and lovely tribute to your friend. You verbalized melon in a way that has defied me, and you describe my sense of it perfectly.

    Calyx is so distinctive and unlike anything then or since. Love it.

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    1. phlegmfatale, your challenge is to see how many times you can work n.f.o. into normal conversation.

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  5. Katie!

    Clinique have snapped this one up for their own. Sniffed it yesterday, no doubt heavily reformulated but if it's anything like the original it doesn't smell at all dated, and totally relevant and passable as a nowadays fruit bomb. If glowsticks had a smell....

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  6. I love Calyx! You describe the grapefruit/Technicolor effect better than I do, so I'm going to link your awesome review.

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