212 Carolina Herrera 1997

Bottle Design Fabien Baron

See Prices

More

We may earn a commission when you buy from links on our site, including the eBay Partner Network and Amazon.

See Prices

7.2 / 10 105 Ratings

A perfume by Carolina Herrera for women, released in 1997. The scent is fresh-floral. It is being marketed by Puig.

More

We may earn a commission when you buy from links on our site, including the eBay Partner Network and Amazon.

Main accords

Fresh

Floral

Citrus

Woody

Synthetic

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Cactus blossom

Bergamot

Orange blossom

Mandarin orange

Heart Notes

White camellia

Freesia

Gardenia

Lily

Jasmine

Rose

Base Notes

Musk

Sandalwood

Perfumer

Alberto Morillas

Videos

Watch video

Ratings

Scent

7.2105 Ratings

Longevity

7.281 Ratings

Sillage

6.274 Ratings

Bottle

6.280 Ratings

Value for money

7.523 Ratings

Submitted by DonVanVliet, last update on 13.04.2024.

Reviews

5 in-depth fragrance descriptions

01/09/2012

5
Sillage 7.5
Longevity 7
Scent

Missk
1165 Reviews

Missk

Very helpful Review 6

212 ways to smell unique

I really, really like this fragrance. Surprising, because I never expected to.

It's slightly fruity, it's fresh and it's powdery. Three qualities that I usually detest in fragrances, however this scent is bliss for me.

I actually adore the cactus note, strangely enough. I suppose it is to be expected seeming that my mother collects many rare and interesting cacti for her garden. I'm practically surrounded by the scent of cactus whenever I go home, so perhaps this scent sparks sentimental value for me.

Apart from the cactus note, I also sense the mandarin orange and orange blossom notes which are subtle yet divine. The floral notes which make their first appearance after the initial 10 minutes, are quite powdery and strange, not at all what you'd expect. The flowers are somewhat plastic and artificial smelling, however I believe it only adds to this fragrance's appeal.

The sillage is actually quite strong, which surprised me because most scents of this nature are soft and intimate. The lasting power is also fabulous.

I would recommend 212 as a unique Spring/Summer fragrance for women that long to stand out in a crowd.

03/02/2018

7
Bottle 7
Sillage 8
Longevity 8.5
Scent

Fabirss
11 Reviews

Fabirss

Helpful Review 8

The reason why I became a perfume lover

212 was my first international designer fragrance back in the 90s so I thought it would be nice my first review to be about it. I clearly remember the day when I made acquaintance with 212: it was a hot summer day; I was working and entered a drugstore with a friend in order to get her some painkillers. While she was shopping for the medicine I started browsing the store, specifically at the perfume counter. I was immediately attracted to the silver package with the crystal clear liquid in it. The sales attendant offered me to try it, which I did. The rest of the afternoon I spent sniffing my wrist and feeling cooled down in face of the brazing heat. A week later I went back to the drugstore and acquired my first bottle of 212. It became my first signature fragrance and I recall receiving many compliments, both from men and women. One in particular was from a male friend who stated 212 was how I should always smell like. My passion for this fragrance lasted until international designer fragrances became more accessible in my country, due to globalization. And globalization was also one of the reasons I started smelling 212 in many other women around me. I kept it as my main scent for a while, but later became bored both with its linearity and popularity, so we parted ways. Twenty years later, revisiting the fragrances that started my love for the perfume world and not smelling 212 around me so often as in the past, I decided it was time to own a bottle again. When my bottle arrived and I eagerly applied it I immediately recollected why I fell in love with it in the past: a soft, clean, slightly powdery fragrance, with lovely white flowers that, together, compose a soothing aura for me. It still has great longevity and a projection that allows you to smell the fragrance constantly for at least 4 hours. After so many years I can state that my passion grew into love and I'll keep 212 in my collection not only for the sake of fond memories, but also because it smells simple and divine to me.

06/13/2023

Stacia
134 Reviews

Stacia

3

Pleasant surprise.

This one quickly became a favorite. I think it would be a perfect work scent, especially in the springtime. It is so mild and almost skin like. The mixture of Easter lily and camellia with a little cactus juice is an amazing combination. It has similarities to Lulu Guinness with the white lily (but not as loud as LG) and J-Lo Glow with the soapy haze of just-showered feeling. 212 gives me options! Some days I just want to smell clean and pretty. I can't always be a harlot.

02/29/2024

7
Pricing 7
Bottle 7
Sillage 7
Longevity 6.5
Scent

Parfumelli
60 Reviews

Translated Show original

Parfumelli

1

Unfortunately not a must-have

At the beginning of my perfume journey, I discovered this perfume at my cousin's house. When I was 15, I was allowed to put it on when we went out partying together.
She is 10 years older and liked to spend more money on fragrances than I could back then.
So finally going out to party and not just wearing drugstore fragrances.
I felt more grown up and more confident with the fragrance.

10 years later I remembered the fragrance and ordered it online without smelling it again.
By then, I had become much more involved with perfume and had a small collection.

I was delighted when the package arrived and sprayed it on. The first thing that came over me was a very strong alcohol note, which I was able to perceive for about 15 minutes.

This was followed by citrus fruits and white flowers. The latter remained until the end. It also becomes slightly woody towards the end and after 5 hours it's all over.

Perhaps it was the memories and associated expectations or the experience with other, more sophisticated fragrances that caused the disappointment, but I wouldn't get it again.

I have used it up and you can definitely wear it if you love all white bloomers, but there are far too many other great fragrances for me.

02/03/2024

6
Pricing 8
Bottle 5
Sillage 5
Longevity 6
Scent

MrsGuerlain
288 Reviews

MrsGuerlain

2

For summer nights

This is a lovely, musky experience. It starts out really fresh but there is a musk note from start to finish. Through the citric start and via the floral heart it keeps sending out musky whiffs and I actually think this is what keeps it from disappearing very soon, since the rest of the notes are light and volatile. It is great for summer nights.
The bottle is quite interesting. The design is quite unique, looking like an item from a laboratory.
207/365