Good things are worth the wait and that’s the case with Liz Earle Botanical Essence No. 1 $78.00 1.6 fl. oz. The Advice Sisters have reviewed, and loved, Liz Earle skincare products for years now. But this is the first fragrance from the line that launches tomorrow, July 1, 2010. As an Advice Sisters reader, you’re getting the first look!
My personal opinion is that it’s a winner!
Liz Earle is an English company, but they worked with Jean Charles Neil, an expert nose and distinguished French perfumer, who hand-crafted this complex scent, working with the team at Laboratoire Monique Remy in Grasse, France (Grasse is known as one of the most celebrated perfume producing regions in the world). One of the things that makes Liz Earle Botanical Essence No. 1 so special, is that it has over 98% of its formula directly derived from natural ingredients from a virtual United Nations of countries.
The packaging is pretty, but fairly simple. I like the hard-sided, pristine white, carboard presentation “case” with a graphic of a green vine, that slides out to reveal a sea blue lining lightly printed with the notes. The bottle itself is a classic, chunky, clear, glass rectangle with an elegant, round, clear plastic disk held fast to a shiny, silver collar, over the silver spray diffuser. Subtle, white lettering and the Liz Earle Logo are printed in white on the front of the bottle, so as not to mar the elegance of the glass and the slightly greenish gold juice, within.
…but I know you’re wondering: what is the scent like?
As you might imagine, it is a fresh, herbal scent but it’s so complex, it takes a while at dry down to appreciate the floral notes include a heart of rose, and “floriental” spices at the finish. This lets me know that the perfumer really knows what he is doing, and has created a modern masterpiece. I think it is the type of scent that will translate uniquely to each person’s skin temperament, but for the most part, it’s light and fresh. You really smell the sparkling citrus to start. But eventually I got to the rose which was subtle and feminine, not obvious and blowsy as some rose scents can appear. After wearing it for a few minutes, I finally got to the sexy spices and woods which could almost make this a unisex scent, if not for the strong, florals in the mid section (or “heart”). It’s a good, everyday scent and it’s quite unique and lovely. I couldn’t help smelling my wrist, over and over…and smiling!
Here is a break down of the fragrance notes:
Top notes:
Bergamot Fresh, bright, zesty, sparkling, spicy, multifaceted, complex citrus.
Mandarin Intensely sweet followed by a neroli-like floral note.
Orange Bigarade Fresh and bitter with a rich and lasting floral undertone.
Lemon Light, citrus fresh note.
Cardamom Warm, spicy aromatic note
Middle notes:
Rose absolute Extremely rich, deep, spicy floral with sweet almost honey like undertones
Lavender Fresh, herbaceous floral with a balsamic-woody undertone.
Geranium Intensive floral aroma, reminiscent of rose but with herbaceous undertones
Coriander A smooth peppery / woody top with floral balsamic undertones
Nutmeg Light, fresh, warm, spicy and aromatic with a rich, sweet-spicy body note.
Base notes:
Cedarwood Pleasant, woody, balsamic
Vetiver Heavy, almost earthy with rich undertones of ‘precious wood’.
Tonka Bean Very rich, sweet, warm with prune or caramel like undertones (vanilla-ish)
Patchouli oil Extremely rich, aromatic spicy and woody-balsamic with a delicate earthiness.
Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare is available in a few fine stores, and online at www.us.lizearle.com or call customer service: 1-800-515-5911