FRAGRANCES: Kris Aquino EDT by Bench (2007)

Kris EDT by Bench (2007)

2015.10.12 - Published

2023.12.20 - Updated

Kris EDT by Bench

Introduced: 2006
Concentration: Eau de Toilette
Net Volume: 50mL
Retail: PhP 250.00 (2007)

Accords - Gourmand, Nutty, Soapy, Floral, Powdery

Smells Similar To: Lancome La Vie Est Belle/Life Is Beautiful (2012)

'Kris Aquino' Eau de Toilette by Bench. This fragrance was bought in 2007 and it was a new release around the time. Wala pa ako experience sa perfumes at the time other than with Avon and Bench.  Bench was more budget-friendly for students. Noong 2001 ang mga binibili ko sa Bench was their fruity body sprays which are still available in 2023 (Strawberry, Kiwi, Green Apple, Grape... those were 50 Pesos in 2001 and 75 Pesos for the big one). 

My first bottle in 2007. The opening produced a strong milk-chocolate-vanilla scent with almond undertone and sparkling berries (could be plums and berries). An hour later, the fragrance changes into something powdery and soapy (sandalwood). An hour later, the fragrance changes into something powdery and soapy (sandalwood). Lancome's La Vie Est Belle / Life Is Beautiful smells similar to this but without the soapy drydown that annoys people around me. (Bench could have been inspired by Britney Spears' Fantasy from 2005.) People were very mesmerized and it was a very strong opening blast.

Fast forward to 2015 when I wrote this review. Years after my first bottle, the performance changed alot. The delicious gourmand opening that I cherished now smelled mild and diluted. I goes straight into soapy/powdery mode. That is why I stopped buying after my fourth bottle in 2015. Fragrance companies do that alot. They change formula or materials and it completely changes the perfume's identity.

Considering that I bought it for 250  Pesos in 2007, it wasn't cheap and gave a premium feel. It made great sillage that filled the room with a single spray, and lasting power is good for this eau de toilette which lasted me 4-6 hours. However, I am speaking for the first bottle. The subsequent bottles were, if I may say, inferior. 

In 2007 this perfume was 250 Pesos. It went to 350 in 2015, and USD 18.00 in 2019 on their website. As of 2023, the price dropped to USD 14 on their website. http://shop.benchbody.ph/shop/kris-aquino-edt/

Ingredients: Ethyl Alcohol, Water, Fragrance Oil, Trichloromethyl Phenyl Carbinyl Acetate (Rose Acetate), Red 33 (Cl 17200), Violet 2 (Cl 60725), EDTA.

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