Water Calligraphy – By Kilian Perfume Review (Georgette – Two-Post Day)


This review will be for this new scent by Kilian Hennessey. The perfumer who created this is Calice Becker. i received my sample, courtesy of the By Kilian website. 

To me, the open is fairly green, somewhat watery and there is a metallic tinge there, which could be due to the grapefruit. The jasmine sambac and magnolia feel very well-blended to my nose, though the magnolia seems to come to the fore on my skin. As it wears on, the cardamom peeps in and out from time to time.

There is a backdrop of something just shy of dustiness, but pleasantly so, probably due to the vetiver in the base.

In my opinion, this would be an excellent summer evening scent; perhaps fitting for a leisurely stroll and a relaxed dinner on the San Antonio Riverwalk, or someplace similar. I picture the woman who wears this scent, dressed in a colorful, tropical print dress and ankle strap shoes. Definitely flashy, but with lots of class.

  • Welcome Georgette and thanks for a great review!

    I wanted to recommend to everyone on FB to join The Kilian Club. The very gracious Kilian Hennessey has been sending samples of their new releases out to those in the club.

    Hope to hear from you more! 🙂

    • loverdoll78264 says:

      thanx, Sherri. So sorry it took so long to answer you. We had a thunderstorm here last night, and my internet was down. Ah, the joys of living in the boonies!

  • AWench says:

    Yes, according to NST and others, Bernard is JCE’s brother. Along with daughter Celine, that’s quite a dynasty! Looking at Bernard’s photo though, he looks decidedly firm jawed and steely eyed. Be careful before dumping the cuddlier looking Jean-Claude in his favour :All-I-See-is-Love:

  • Ann says:

    Hi, Georgette, and welcome! Glad you tried this one for us. I saw it the other day but had run out of test space, so had to settle for it on a blotter card. I’m glad now to hear about it on actual skin. Thanks!

    • loverdoll78264 says:

      Hello, Ann and thanx for the warm welcome. I have always enjoyed reading other folks impressions of scents though it has created a great many lemmings for me. I hope I can do a passably efficient job at the reviews I submit since y’all are so talented at description. Hope I can keep up! . . . .G

  • nozknoz says:

    Just when I was thinking I maybe didn’t have to sample this one!

    • loverdoll78264 says:

      Well, we all hope to Not have to sample so many beauties but that is the price we perfumistas pay! Wish I could afford this!

      • nozknoz says:

        Often the 5 ml travel vials show up on ebay – that and the original exploration set are what I have of most of them.

  • Joanna says:

    Oooh, I’ve been waiting for a review on this one! Thanks! Sounds like another lovely Kilian that I won’t be able to afford a fb of but maybe will splurge on a sample or decant. As soon as you mentioned dustiness I was sold.

    • loverdoll78264 says:

      I found it a very nice scent for the climate here in San Antonio. It has a freshness I didn’t expect, even with the dustiness. . . .G