Some of my experiences with Yves Rocher have been rather disappointing— Pur Désir de Lavande was rather insipid, Gardenia and Lily were quite removed from the flowers that inspired them. In this light, I was not prepared for the loveliness of Rose Absolu. Not only is it an elegant rose with gourmand touches, but also a fragrance marked by the kind of quality that I miss in the latest prestige launches. Created by the talented perfumer Christine Nagel (Fendi Theorema, Lancôme Mille et Une Roses, Narciso Rodriguez for Her) in 2008, Rose Absolu from Secrets d’Essences will be a wonderful discovery for any rose lover.
The composition is marked by the ambery and fruity warmth of rose, its velvety softness accented with an oriental touch. Although Rose Absolu has a classical rose character, it is also quite a modern rendition. The roses are rendered in vivid and rich hues. At one point, I am reminded of rose jam—crystallized petals suspended in translucent honey; however, the woody notes temper the gourmand sweetness. A dark note of patchouli colours the rose bouquet in even deeper hues. As a result, Rose Absolu never loses its sophisticated aura, even if it is lighthearted and vivacious.
Contrary to many modern florals, Rose Absolu possesses a plush quality. It is a heavy silk, rather than a nylon blend. It is warmer and softer than classical rose themes like Stella McCartney Stella and sweeter than Les Parfums de Rosine Ecume de Rose. The oriental motif lends an appealing twist. Pretty and easy-to-wear, Rose Absolu nevertheless has a distinctive personality.
Secrets d’Essences Rose Absolu is available in the Eau de Parfum and Parfum concentrations, both of which are excellent. The tenacity is exceptional, with a lovely sillage (trail left in the wake of perfume wearer), much like that of Nagel’s other creations. Rose Absolu contains cinnamon, Bulgarian rose, Moroccan rose, Turkish rose, patchouli, and tonka beans. It is available from Yves Rocher UK. It should be launched on the Yves Rocher US website in the future.
Dear Victoria,
I am now going to be on the lookout for this beautiful new "rose" parfum. While I have never worn any Yves Rocher scent - its everpresent ads have , in the past. caught my peripheral vision.
Now, based on your lovely review I will explore other Yves Rocher fragrances, while awaiting this one.
I really adore rose in fragrance . I even created my own rose garden. Every rose has its unique fragrance from the soft Chicago Peace rose (pink-yellow) to the spicy Tropicana.(orange colored).
I am forever in search of that perfect rose. maybe now I've found it.
Posted by: Madelyn E | February 19, 2007 at 01:29
Hello V, I purchase many good things from Yves Rocher but I wont risk ordering this one since rose is my least fav scent..although your review sounds very lovely! :)
I really enjoy Néonatura cocoon,it is very comforting..have you tried it?
Posted by: ~vanilla girl~ | February 19, 2007 at 07:46
Sometimes Rocher create something quite unexpectedly lovely, don't they? I love how you say that it is a heavy silk. Must try!
Posted by: Marina | February 19, 2007 at 08:27
Must. Have. Since I seem to be turning into such a hard core rose fan, this sounds absolutely ideal. Thanks for the review! Off to the website.
Oh, and that photo is just stunning.
Posted by: Elle | February 19, 2007 at 08:37
I was lucky enough to have had sampled the YR Rose Absolu and I was beyond pleasantly suprised! I actually liked it alot and found it to be surprisingly good! I can't wait for them to carry it for U.S. customers to order. Thank you for a lovely review.
Posted by: Christina H. | February 19, 2007 at 10:15
I was lucky enough to have had sampled the YR Rose Absolu and I was beyond pleasantly suprised! I actually liked it alot and found it to be surprisingly good! I can't wait for them to carry it for U.S. customers to order. Thank you for a lovely review.
Posted by: Christina H. | February 19, 2007 at 10:15
I will definately have to be on the look out for this when it comes out in the US; this sounds so lovely.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 19, 2007 at 10:28
As a rose lover, I must try this! It sounds like a beauty. Since it's from Yves Rocher, it will be affordable to boot!
Posted by: newproducts | February 19, 2007 at 11:08
Dear Victoria
Thanks for the review - lovely, as always. Is it a good or a bad thing that I'll soon be visiting my parents in the UK, I wonder? Hmm...
However, I must object (as they used to say in the House of Lords) to your comment about Gardenia's having no relation to the flower itself. While I can't speak for Lys, and perhaps the bushes in my garden are some odd form of the genus, to my nose YR's is the most true-to-nature rendering of the gardenia I've ever smelled. It's an absolute HG for me, in fact - and I'm not too proud to say it! Can you say why you don't find it true?
(Now going to YR UK site while you reply!)
Posted by: Tommasina | February 19, 2007 at 11:36
Do you know, I have yet to try any Yves Rocher scents. Well, it sounds as if this is the one I must try! Thanks so much for the review!
Posted by: Judith | February 19, 2007 at 13:02
Too many of the YR scents qualify as "just pleasant" -- this sounds worth a trip to the boutique though! Wish they didn't take so long to bring the new launches to the US.
Posted by: Robin | February 19, 2007 at 14:21
I used to love YR's Ispahan. But Rose Ispahan wasn't similar to it at all. Lovely review as always! Thanks!
Karin
www.savvythinker.com
Posted by: Karin | February 19, 2007 at 15:41
Congratulations, dear Vika, on your award !
No surprise-
You are generous with your knowledge and lyrical in your delivery.
Enjoy your successes !
Posted by: chayaruchama | February 20, 2007 at 11:55
Madelyn, I loved Rose Absolu for its richness and warm, silky quality. It was such a wonderful surprise, and I am looking forward to it coming to the US soon.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | February 20, 2007 at 12:48
S, I have tried Néonatura cocoon a while ago, but it struck me as a bit sweeter than what I normally enjoy. I should revisit.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | February 20, 2007 at 12:50
S, I have tried Néonatura cocoon a while ago, but it struck me as a bit sweeter than what I normally enjoy. I should revisit.
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | February 20, 2007 at 12:50
Tommasina, when I got my sample, I was taken aback by its harshness. It had a strange synthetic quality that I did not remember from my last trials. Perhaps, it has been changed. Or perhaps, my own tastes have changed. Have you tried it recently?
Posted by: BoisdeJasmin | February 20, 2007 at 23:48