Star rating: 5 stars--outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars--very good, 3 stars--adequate, 2 stars--disappointing, 1 star--poor.
If you enjoy musky floral fragrances like L’Artisan L'Été En Douce (Extrait de Songe), Philosophy Inner Grace or Le Labo Ambrette 9, Bath & Body Works Cotton Blossom will be a lovely discovery. I already reviewed a few BBW fragrances, and as I mentioned before, exploring the collection is very enjoyable. While the fragrances are not particularly complex, they have a cheerful simplicity and an impressive diversity. I really think that anyone can find at least one fragrance to enjoy in the BBW lineup. So far, my favorite choices have been Velvet Tuberose, Twilight Woods, and Moonlight Path. Cotton Blossom is my most recent discovery-- a sophisticated soft orange blossom composition that I would reach for whether it came in a bottle from L’Artisan or from BBW. The price point of $10.50 for an 8 ounce bottle does not hurt either.
The most appealing aspect of Cotton Blossom is a lovely plush softness, which invariably makes me think of fluffy terry cloth towels and other such clean, comforting associations. The floral heart of sheer rose and orange blossom is accented with green notes and orange, while the mellow drydown of musk and heliotropine further explores the idea of a tender, caressing sensation. The effect of Cotton Blossom is between that of a soft floral musk like Marc Jacobs Splash Cotton and the lush orange flower notes of Rochas Tocade.
While it is a rather simple composition, it has a suave, gentle character, which makes Cotton Blossom quite versatile. Those who do not like the powdery, hazy notes will probably not find Cotton Blossom appealing. I only wish that it came as an EDT, because its light body splash formulation has rather poor tenacity. Overall, however, Cotton Blossom is a great example of a fragrance that smells much more expensive than it really is.
Cotton Blossom (body splash from Signature Collection Classics) includes notes of grass, sun-dried linen accord, mandarin blossom, jeans accord, peony, cotton, musk and baby powder. Available from Bath & Body Works, $10.50 for 8 fl oz/236 mL spray bottle.
Do you have any favorites from BBW?
Sample: my own acquisition
My current favourite from B&BW is Sea Island Cotton, but have been thinking about testing Cotton Blossom -- now I'm convinced I need to! :)
Posted by: LadyShine | March 23, 2011 at 10:10
I haven't tried Sea Island Cotton yet. BBW collection is so large, sometimes I find myself overwhelmed by it, so I try it in increments. So, I am curious what others like.
Posted by: Victoria | March 23, 2011 at 10:25
Cotton Blossom! I've had a bottle since I was seventeen! Bath and Body Works used to make a body oil formulation of this (in a frosted glass bottle) with better lasting power. They also had a peony scent that I liked very much. Both are gone. I miss them!
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 23, 2011 at 10:27
The body oil sounds great. I tried Cotton Blossom at my gym one day, and my first thought was of a lighter version of Rochas Tocade or perhaps Armani Code. I love these kind of soft, warm orange blossom scents.
Posted by: Victoria | March 23, 2011 at 10:31
The only one I really like is Japanese Cherry Blossom but I haven't tested anything in awhile. I do like their Sandalwood Vanilla wallflowers. I wish they made it as a scent.
Posted by: Jen | March 23, 2011 at 12:11
I liked Japanese Cherry Blossom too, very pretty and uplifting. Anyone who likes fresh citrusy florals should find it lovely.
Posted by: Victoria | March 23, 2011 at 12:28
I only tried it once, but I was surprised by their Butterfly Flower fragrance, which had a similar effect to Bronze Goddess in my memory, kind of a honeysuckle floral with a warm coconutty note. I've been meaning to go back and try it again, and I'll smell the Cotton Blossom too!
Posted by: Elisa | March 23, 2011 at 13:10
I like Butterfly Flowers for the first 30min, but then it becomes too musky on me. However, overall it is very pretty, and I can see the link to Bronze Goddess (the new Soleil version is even closer.)
Posted by: Victoria | March 23, 2011 at 13:33
I like the Kitchen Spice and Creamy Nutmeg wallflowers, and the anti-bacterial hand soaps are deligthful (and useful during flu season!) I enjoy a number of their scents personally as well, and the True Blue hand and foot care items are also amazing. Good pricing, friendly service - not all of their scents work for everyone, but the store is definitely worth (frequent) visits!
Posted by: maggiecat | March 23, 2011 at 13:52
Oh, thanks, I am not familiar with those products, but I will be sure to try them.
You are right, not everything will work for everyone, but BBW sure has plenty of choices!
Posted by: Victoria | March 23, 2011 at 14:07
I have 2 young daughters, so we are covered up with BBW products at my house. The girls are big fans of Sweet Pea, Cherry Blossom, and Sea Island Cotton, and I like White Citrus and Rain Kissed Leaves in the bodywash. I really like Cotton Blossom too, and I will restock when they bring it back to the stores in June. I wish that they would bring back Velvet Tuberose too so that I don't have to sneak little sprays from my daughter's bottle. I have small bottles of Cherry Blossom and Moonlight Path stashed in my car for freshening up because they are so pleasant and light.
Posted by: KathyT | March 23, 2011 at 14:19
I noticed that they do not carry their full stock year round, although most of it is available online. Maybe, Cotton Blossom was available as the EDT at some point.
Posted by: Victoria | March 23, 2011 at 14:33
I like that Tutti Dolci (?) chocolate scent they used to have, and possibly still have...:)
Posted by: Marina | March 23, 2011 at 14:34
Sounds like one of their seasonal scents to me. I really liked their Christmas collection launched last year. For those who love gourmands, it was a nice range.
Posted by: Victoria | March 23, 2011 at 14:37
I started using BBW stuff back in high school (and that was a long time ago) - went through many bottles, usually shower gel and body lotion, of freesia, honeysuckle, juniper breeze, seaspray, flowering herbs, coconut lime verbena (still like this one), rice flower & shea, white tea & ginger, white citrus, exotic coconut, etc.
My real favorites are the ones that they discontinue - tangerine spice, white ginger and amber, and rich citrus cream. I still pop in whenever they have their big sale and pick up a few things.
Posted by: julie | March 23, 2011 at 16:02
I am not familiar with those discontinued fragrances, but they sound so good, especially White Ginger and Amber. Coconut Lime Verbena shower gel is among my favorites.
Posted by: Victoria | March 23, 2011 at 18:02
Throughout my teens, there were always multiple incarnations of B&BW products around the house. It's actually been a while since I bought anything there (though Love Spell and Twilight Woods did tempt me), but many years ago I went through quite a bit of Plumeria and Moonlit Path (neither of which, by the way, appeal to me now!).
Fun poll! I love inexpensive pleasures :)
Posted by: dee | March 23, 2011 at 21:35
I also went through many BBW shower gels, my favorite being White tea & ginger and Coconut lime verbena. I recently got an Orange sapphire one and loved it, also picked up the triple moisture (or something like that) body cream and it layers beautifully with light/citrusy/flowery fragrances. Also, even though it's rich, it doesnt leave a film on the skin, which their regular lotions seem to do, unfortunately. I have Twilight woods in bath bubbles form and I am so in love with it! Ah :) Never tried their eau de toilettes though, next time will check them out :)
Posted by: Natalia | March 24, 2011 at 00:24
A friend likes to layer Twilight Woods with various florals, and it makes for interesting combinations. I agree, inexpensive treasures are to be cherished! :) I will take Cotton Blossom over L'Ete en Douce any day.
Posted by: Victoria | March 24, 2011 at 13:25
My gym had plenty of the BBW bath and body products, so I got to try quite a few of them this way. They do seem like good quality products.
Posted by: Victoria | March 24, 2011 at 13:29
I did not like Coconut Lime verbena in EDT or body lotions, but I tried Coconut Lime Verbena shampoo and hair conditioner while staying at a hotel and I loved it! Very lovely and gives good volume to my hair.
Posted by: Warum | March 24, 2011 at 15:12
My gym seems to sell coffee and smoothies.. Maybe I should give them an idea, we all will benefit :)
Posted by: Natalia | March 24, 2011 at 15:48
Sounds wonderful! It is now on my to try list.
Posted by: Victoria | March 25, 2011 at 13:01
The one I used just kept free testers in the showers. It was great.
Posted by: Victoria | March 25, 2011 at 13:02