Sheer Beauty

The Verdict

Calvin Klein Sheer Beauty arrived in 2012 as a fresh, lighter interpretation of the original Beauty from 2010. Positioned as a fragrance for young women who embrace naturalness and self-confidence, it delivers exactly what its name promises -- a sheer, transparent take on fruity-floral femininity. It is pleasant, inoffensive, and entirely forgettable, which is both its strength and its limitation.

The fragrance has found its audience among those seeking a clean, approachable daily scent that won't offend anyone. It does this job adequately. But for anyone hoping for more -- more longevity, more complexity, more individuality -- Sheer Beauty offers precious little to hold onto.

What It Smells Like

The opening is bright and cheerful. Bergamot provides sparkling citrus energy, while red berries add a sweet, fruity warmth. The Bellini accord -- a peach cocktail note -- contributes a juicy, slightly boozy freshness that makes the first moments feel like a fizzy spring afternoon.

The heart is delicate and floral. Peony leads with its soft, rosy freshness, supported by pink lily for clean, waxy elegance and jasmine for a touch of classical femininity. The florals are transparent rather than rich, creating an impression of petals caught on a breeze rather than a dense bouquet.

The base is where opinions diverge most sharply. Musk and vanilla create a soft, cozy warmth, while sandalwood provides woody depth. However, several reviewers report the sandalwood as overtly synthetic and unpleasantly loud, dominating the drydown in a way that undermines the delicate floral heart. For those whose skin agrees with the base, the fragrance evolves from fresh and fruity to warm and comforting over its short lifespan.

When to Wear It

Sheer Beauty is a quintessential spring and summer daytime fragrance. Its light, fruity-floral character suits offices, classrooms, brunches, and casual outings where a pleasant, clean aura is all that is required. It makes no demands on the wearer or those around them.

Avoid it for evening events, formal occasions, or any setting where you want your fragrance to make an impression. It simply lacks the presence and longevity to contribute meaningfully after the first couple of hours.

Longevity & Projection

Longevity is Sheer Beauty's most significant drawback. Most reviewers report 2-3 hours of wear time on skin, with some noting it fades even faster. One reviewer described the lasting power as laughable, comparing it to laundry detergent. Others with more favorable skin chemistry report moderate staying power, with the fragrance becoming cozier and more musk-forward near the end of its life.

Projection is intimate from the start. This is a skin scent that barely projects beyond arm's length, making it suitable for close-quarters environments but essentially invisible in larger spaces. Only one Basenotes reviewer reported that a minuscule spray lasted six hours as discernible pear, lilac, and musk.

The Community Says

The fragrance community is divided but largely lukewarm. Positive reviewers call it a "wonderful office scent" that stays fresh from beginning to end, and some appreciate its shape-shifting quality as it becomes cozier near the end of wear. Others are more critical, describing it as "middle-of-the-road, banal, bland" and comparing it to "a clean and fruity shampoo" -- pleasant but hardly worth paying for. Several reviewers had issues with the synthetic sandalwood, calling it "very loud" and off-putting enough to return the fragrance. The Fragrantica community notes it may be "severely lacking in originality" but acknowledges this "simplistic and fresh floral blend is perfect for summer and compliments almost every skin type." Fragrantica, Basenotes, Parfumo, FragranceNet, and Influenster all contain user reviews.

Who Should Buy This

Sheer Beauty is ideal for young women shopping for their first fragrance or those who want something inexpensive, clean, and entirely safe for daily wear. If your primary requirement is not offending anyone and smelling freshly showered, this delivers at a budget-friendly price point.

Fragrance enthusiasts, anyone over 25 seeking a sophisticated signature scent, or those who value longevity as a basic requirement should look elsewhere. There are many competitors in this price range that offer more personality and better performance.

The Bottom Line

Calvin Klein Sheer Beauty is an honest, uncomplicated fruity-floral that does exactly what it promises -- a sheer, pretty, easy-wearing scent for young women who want to smell clean and pleasant. Its fatal flaw is performance, with longevity so brief that the attractive peony-jasmine heart barely has time to develop before it vanishes. For an affordable, inoffensive daily spritz, it serves its purpose. For anything more, look beyond.