Kaleidoscope has been a very elusive prey for me. I first received notice of the launch in Fall of 2018. For unknown reasons, the only Kaleidoscope item available in my area was a dry shampoo and I just could not tell what the perfume was going to smell like it. I knew Kaleidoscope featured iris and I wanted to smell this for myself. (More about the illustrious iris below.)
I spotted Kaleidoscope in stores for the first time this weekend. You should see the fragrance mist, perfume, body cream and lotion, and shower gel along with a rollerball fragrance all in stores now.
Fragrance Notes
A store associate told me a little about the Kaleidoscope. The scent is made with 7 natural fragrances. Get that, SEVEN! (I don’t know how they can do that at this price point!) The natural fragrances allow Kaleidoscope to develop differently on each wearer. Kaleidoscope is a chameleon.
Iris
Iris is a high-end note. When I say high-end, I mean expensive. One of the most notable iris scents is Iris Poudre by Frederic Malle. It is roughly $70 an ounce. I would also call iris high-end because it can be an acquired taste. Iris changes depending on the wearer’s chemistry and even the ambient temperature and humidity. She can be cold and metallic, powdery and soft, or earthy and rooty. The changes depend on the source material and the wearer.
Cedarwood
Cedarwood is an intriguing addition to the fragrance. Usually, cedarwood is featured only in men’s fragrances. The wood is warm and even a little spicy. It adds a cozy backdrop to a fragrance that makes you want to get your nose closer to it. It is exciting to find it in a women’s fragrance.
White Musk
Kaleidoscope also has white musk. BBW’s white musk is featured in other fragrances like their Fresh Gardenia. It is clean and airy like freshly laundered linen. It adds a sophistication to a blend while giving it depth and longevity.
Pink Pepper
Pink pepper is a very modern addition to a fragrance. The note has been in some of the best fruity and floral fragrances of the last two decades. Pink pepper veers towards rosy, not spicy. It can even smell a bit fruity. The most notable, and arguably best, use of pink pepper is in Estee Lauder Pleasures.
Product Packaging
Kaleidoscope beautiful iridescent packaging. The bright, metallic finish reflects the light into rainbows. This is a wonderful choice because it hints at the origin of the iris flower’s name. The name iris comes from the Greek Rainbow goddess Irida. This has to do with the way an iris’ petals play with the light, revealing many different tones of color. BBW’s packaging also hints at the chameleon way the fragrance changes with each person’s unique body chemistry. Well done, Bath & Body Works.
Try for Yourself
At the Woodfield store, the store associate had beautiful little blue and white BBW ribbons scented with Kaleidoscope. She tied one around my wrist so I could walk around the store, getting a feel for the fragrance. The ribbon warms up with your body heat and gives a good idea of what Kaleidoscope will smell like with your body’s chemistry. What a great idea!
I also sprayed some of the scent on my wrist so I could see how the notes changed as I wore them. For me, Kaleidoscope smells like a cedarwood hope chest, full of clean linen and hints of floral perfume. On other people, Kaleidoscope smells more fruity, sweet (probably the pink pepper) or powdery (probably the iris and white musk).
Check out this fragrance unicorn for yourself!
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