Chakra III Equipoise
Aveda (2000)

A gorgeous bergamot - lemon opening, gently refreshing with a hint of natural and pleasant sweetness that in the drydown adds lavender some balsamic notes. Simple, but very well blended of high-quality natural ingredients. Not a blast, more like a gentle mood-lifter. Longevity - given the citrus component - is quite good at three hours, and sillage and projection are adequate. For those who like their citrus milder. 3.5/5

If I had tried this blind, without interference from the inevitable spa / natural cosmetics connotations, I would have classed it as a benchmark classic English gentleman's citrus. It's all there in abundance: sparkling hesperides (with a stunning green bergamot), beautiful white florals, slightly harsh soapiness and powder. It perfectly takes its place between Dukes of Pall Mall Cotswold and D R Harris Arlington. Amazing, wonderful (and I would have never taken it to be entirely natural).

I did not discover this scent until recently, I found some old body cleanser hotel toiletries from the Venetian Hotel when I was cleaning out my bathroom cabinet. I was going to toss it but decided to try it when I had a sniff of it. It just smell so refreshing and good. After I used it in a shower, my whole room just smelled of the same aroma therapy scent that I love-loved so much when going to the spas. It made me feel so relaxed and really love love the smell;however, what a bammer!!!! Went to Aveda store and found out it had been discontinued>>>>>>>>.I was pissed too, I ended up buying the Chakra III spray but it is not the same scent. I want Equipoise Chakra III. Aveda..........please, please, can you bring back the product??????????

the original formulation had much more lemongrass or litsea cubeba, making for a much richer lemon aroma... although i was often asked if wore Pledge. This was my first (and fondest) 'signature aroma'... sweet, sweet memories. i still have a small glass Absolute version- it's gold.

The only fragrance to date that has managed to satisfy my greed for over-the-top Bergamot with citrus and sweet florals. When they discontinued this, I was very, very pissed off. And although I have always enjoyed having a full fragrance wardrobe, this was the scent I'd always default to. This is the problem about any kind of even slightly "niche" choice in these matters; you risk losing the thing you fall in love with.