My Bath Is An Explosion of Roses

That is not me in the bath.

I love to languish in a hot steamy bath. I am lucky enough to have a really deep tub, and my bathrooms have huge skylights, so I can lie back and look at the sky while I soak. A scented bath really ups the ante for me, and given my rose obsession of late, LUSH bath bombs really fit the bill. One of the best things about a LUSH bath bomb, is that if you leave the bathroom door open, the scent travels out and perfumes the house. I love that, of course. 

LUSH Rose Queen

The rosiest of rose baths can be had just by tossing a Rose Queen bath bomb into your bath. We all know that LUSH bath bombs are full of water and skin softening goodness, so even plain old hot water feels better. But Rose Queen ups the ante with rose blossoms, petals and rose fragrance to die for. It's like somebody said "This bomb needs MOAR ROSE EVERYTHING!" and LUSH listened. What more can I say? Get this, and luxuriate in it's rosy goodness.

LUSH Tisty Tosty

Another rose bath bomb I adore is the sweetly named Tisty Tosty, which is full of sweet & sexy rose along with orris root. Orris root is often called "iris" in scent, and has a calming & sensual earthy aspect that I adore. Along with wee little rose buds that float around the tub, this one brings a softness to the water that is excellent for dry or rough skin. The scent is a calm and happy one, which makes sense as LUSH calls this one "an enchanting love potion". Tisty Tosty is English childish slang, historically used to refer to a ball of flowers and even pine cones. Sweet and charming.

Both of these leave a soft gentle scent on the skin after bathing and are soothing for dry irritated skin. Love it.

Bath Bombs are available at LUSH stores and online for between $5-$8.

Everything Is Coming Up Roses...In My Living Room

I love the smell of roses. On my skin, on my hands and in my house. Crabtree & Evelyn Rosewater Home Fragrance is a gorgeous and delicate way to make your environment smell like a fresh bouquet of roses. I would say it smells like how I imagine a pink rose smells like. A red rose would be headier and heavier, and a white rose perhaps wouldn't smell as sweet. Crabtree & Evelyn Rosewater Home spray comes about as close to smelling like true rosewater as I've found. The main thing I love about this home spray is that it doesn't smell like chemicals (Glade...Febreeze...) or cheap (Glade...Febreeze...) or plastic (...well, you know). The Crabtree and Evelyn Rosewater spray smells gentle and natural and a little goes a long way.

They also have a lovely candle which I may go back and get.  Oh, and of course, rosewater scented drawer liners. Don't they sound lovely? Bringing the scent of gorgeous scented rose petals into all the rooms of your house? It's like it's spring already....wonderful.

Available from Crabtree & Evelyn shops for around $20. The website has a lovely little set of mini room sprays with Iris, Lily, Rosewater and Lavender for $28, which would be a neat way to try them all! 

Givenchy & Liv Tyler Make Rosy Sweet Music Together

Givenchy has released a new version of Very Irresistible for Spring 2012, Electric Rose, on counters this month. Kind of a tricky name, if you ask me, as the rose in this perfume is actually soft, gently fruity and sweet. The gorgeous and stunning Liv Tyler rocks the house in the new single and video she released along with Givenchy to accompany the perfume. But the perfume is more Arwen from Lord Of The Rings than tough rocker babe. Needless to say, I love it. 

Very Irresistible Electric Rose is fresh and airy, very easy to wear and smells like you've taken a bath in a forest stream full of rose petals. Really. The gentle berry and citrus notes keep the rose from being too powdery, and the dry down is sweetly sexy, with cedar and musk. This is a simple scent, not too complicated or strange, and easy to wear. Electric Rose will be a perfect warm weather perfume and will make you smell lovely, not "perfumed". People will want to know who smells so pretty, not who is responsible for their migraine or sneezing fit. I am actually so surprised, in a good way, as the ad copy for Very Irresistible Electric Rose had me expecting something loud and possibly nose-hair singeing. Not so....at all. This is a perfume for strong perfume haters, and would actually be perfect for a young girl. And not in a cupcake teeth curling sugary way. Just a fresh gentle good smelling way. I don't usually categorize scents, but something in this is bringing back memories of something I wore as a teenager. And I like it.Leave a comment on this post to be entered in a draw for a bottle of Givenchy Very Irresistible Electric Rose. Draw ends at 6pm on May 4th, 2012.

Givenchy Very Irresistible Electric Rose is exlusive to Macy's in the US, and at The Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart and Sephora in Canada. Maybe Sephora in the US too, but I'm not sure.

The draw is closed- thanks to all who read commented and entered! The winner is Tamara J! My email is here.

I'm All Soft & Silky Thanks To LUSH Ro's Argan Body Conditioner

Skincare fanatic that I am, how could I NOT try LUSH Ro's Argan Body Conditioner? A cream you apply in the shower just before hopping out then rinse off to feel all moisturized and soft? Yes please. In spite of the silly name. 

Firstly, the "Ro's" is a play on words and by that I mean ROSE. This product has rose coming out the yin- yang, even though it was created by a lovely lady named Rowena. Rose, as we know, is basically heaven for your skin and senses and is full of all kinds of goodness. It's also one of my favourite beauty ingredients, perfume and skincare-wise. Combined with a skin beautifying cocktail of coco butter, almond oil and the miraculou argan oil, the scent becomes like a sort of candied rose but also warm and comforting. I love it. Unlike many LUSH products, Ro's Argan Body Conditioner is actually softly scented and the scent stays close to the skin. It is uber concentrated so one needs only the tiniest amount to spread head to toe to reap the benefits. Trust me- I applied way too much the first time. I was doubtful that this product would actually deliver what a million drugstore body washes promise to and fail to do. You know, moisturize in the shower? Before rinsing off? How does that even work? Well, it does. Amazing, frankly. 

Rose Harvest ~ Henry Siddons Mowbray 1887

This product would be perfect for someone who doesn't feel like putting on lotion after the shower (hello- most men?!) or if your skin is so dry you need to seal in that moisture. This is serious moisture therapy and I am loving it. No itchy dry skin! LUSH Ro's Argan Body Conditioner comes in a big tub for around $30.  My only complaint would be that it would be better in a squirt bottle. I hate repeatedly dipping my fingers into any beauty product, and it gets water in it in the shower. But whatever, not a deal breaker.

Stick Your Nose Into A Bouquet of Jo Malone Red Roses

Funny - I realized the other day that I had never tried Jo Malone Red Roses. I always have so much fun at the Jo Malone counter, trying this with that, and trying new combos on my skin. I'd likely sniffed a Red Roses tester bottle at Neimans or Holts, but it has never been on my skin. Thought it was high time to rectify that. Especially given my recent penchant for rose here & here...

Jo Malone is known for her soft and simple perfumes, and Red Roses is about as simple as it gets. It is just rose, and somehow it does manage to communicate a "red" rose. There are some supporting notes, a hint of lemon, mint and violet leaves. And by hint, I mean hardly. The lemon is the only note that stands out to me in the top, and its the one note I could do without. I don't really understand why one would put lemon with rose- rose to me is rarely overly sweet and if anything, tends to a sour note all by itself if done wrong. Suffice it to say, I am happiest with Red Roses when the lemon dissipates. Which thankfully, doesn't take long. Once the lemon is gone though, Red Roses is a lovely, elegant and simple rose. It smells like the kind of scent worn by someone who doesn't have to try to hard to be sleek and stylish. Someone who throws on a man's white shirt over her jeans with aplomb, wears little or no make up, and can pull her hair back without a hairbrush and look fabulous. Minimal but classic accoutrements - red nails, maybe a red lip too.

I like wearing Red Roses. It appeals to my recent need to wear simpler and lighter fragrances. It layers beautifully with any white floral scent as well. I love it with JM White Jasmine & Mint, and it is particularly beautiful with Keiko Mecheri's Jasmine. The Jo Malone site recommends layering it with  Grapefruit or Nutmeg & Ginger. Hm. Maybe...I have samples of those so I must give those combos a try. I love the sweet touch of making the perfume itself pink- it just looks so pretty on your dresser. 

Imagining the scent of Red Roses wafting through my bedroom if I had the Red Roses Bath Oil...Not to mention the Jo Malone Red Roses candles. They smell divine, and I dearly want the David Hicks designed version! Elegant, understated and beautiful.

In Which My Rose Water Obsession Continues...

So further to my post on rose water last week, my journey continues with some fancy schmancy rose waters. My research told me that there are basically two lovely high end rose waters worth trying if you want a) super luxe skincare and b) a soft gorgeous rose scent.

There is no question that both of these products perform beautifully as toners/refreshers/make up setting sprays. They are probably the softest scented of all the rose waters that have been in my study. Soft of scent and very soft and comforting on the skin. Interestingly I've been trying a glycolic toner out for the past week, and using a rose water spray post toning is amazingly soothing. Quite often the old "you get what you pay for" adage is not really true. In this case it may be, at least in a few cases. The only unknown is what are the exact ingredients, how do they compare, and the costliness of obtaining said ingredients, perhaps ionized or spring water vs something else...its hard to say really. We also know that there are definitely differences between the cheap roses offered for sale at your local grocery store (no smell!) and the more expensive roses from a reputable florist that can fill your home with fragrance. However, what counts in the end is how the products make us feel and how they perform. 

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist: At around $35 for a 100ml bottle it certainly is more costly than the others I tried. It has cult status though, and is well loved by many. It has a lovely soft rose scent with a gentle fresh green scent as well. It also contains glycerin, aloe and grapefruit seed which likely explains the fresh green-ness. The bottle is glass and has a lovely feel in your hand. The spray is gentle and mist like which makes it perfect for setting make up or for a little pick me up midday. The scent disappears within a minute or two of application. I love the Jurlique and find it really makes my skin feel soft and "glowy". Funny how rose does that! Would I repurchase? The jury is still out on that one...it is very luxurious and I enjoy using it so...maybe...

Chantecaille Flower Waters Pure Rosewater: Well, Chantecaille isn't messing around with this over $60 bottle of rose water. I was really expecting some liquid gold when it arrived (thanks to @PrimaDonaLounge for ordering in to my local Holt Renfrew!). One thing they use is "the purest organic extract of the entire Rose de Mai" so I'm thinking organic roses will definitely be more costly than otherwise. And, apparently this rose water will help balance me by helping restore my electromagnetic field. Who knew! This is a gorgeous and super luxurious product in heavy etched glass bottle, and I really enjoy the way it smells and feels and makes my skin feel. I notice that "rose glow" that I am pretty addicted to, and this one really does make skin feel hydtrated and plumped. It is also a soothing post glycolic toner treatment. The sprayer is a soaker, meaning I would not use this over my make up, I'd be drenched. So I soak my face in this post wash, let it soak in, and then moisturize. I have tried, unsuccessfully, to resist a head to toe spraying post shower. Wow. Amazing! I won't do that often obviously, but what a treat. Will I repurchase this one? Again, the jury is still out. I'd like to get through the bottle and see how I feel then.

One thing I will say about both the Jurlique and the Chantecaille. Since they both come with spritzers, I've been spraying the backs of my hands regularly since getting them. And, a dear perfumista friend of mine, Joe, gave me this little gem of advice. He keeps rose water in his kitchen to wash his hands with after cooking. Seriously how awesome is that! So, after dinner, I have wandered to my ensuite bath and spritzed my hands, one with Chantecaille and one with Jurlique. Just one spritz on the back of my hands and maybe one on my finger tips. My hands seriously look 10 years younger than they did. I noticed this the other day and was thinking- hey, these are almost hand model material! My cuticles and fingers look less dry, and the backs of my hands look less, well, old. I have the occasional scratch from my cat and they heal markedly quicker with the rosewater. 

So, high vs low- whats the scoop? The scoop is I don't know yet. For scent, the winner is Thayers, without question. I carry a little atomizer of it in my purse and use it as perfume I love it so much. But as treatments these luxe babies are really spoiling me....

The Beauty of Rose Water

Lately I have found myself craving the scent of rose. Not a rose perfume, mind you, but soft sweet and simple rose. Rose water is perfect for this, but, not all rose waters are created equally. Rose, to my nose, can turn either sour or cloyingly powdery. A lot of rose soliflore perfumes can be stringent and sour on me- that is what happened with Creed Un Fleur de Thé Rose Bulgare and Crabtree & Evelyn Rosewater. Conversely I love the Crabtree & Evelyn Rosewater Hand Cream and Room Spray but the scent fails as soon as it becomes a perfume. Rose water is a by-product of the production of rose  oil for use in perfumes, is used to flavour foods, as a component for medical and cosmetic purposes, and also for religious purposes. In aromatherapy, the scent of rose is used in treatment of depression, mental stress and anxiety. It is also used to treat reproductive issues in women. I do find this interesting. Without going into TMI territory, I will say that after my hysterectomy a few years ago, I found myself craving rose perfumes- completely out of the blue. I had never really liked them, and usually wore sultry spicy woody delights. The shift to rose felt like my body telling me I needed to heal. Ok- new age moment ovah....

Rose water is soothing and gentle on skin. It moisturizes naturally without clogging pores, and soothes burns and rashes. It is said to reduct lines and signs of aging with regular use. You can actually see a measurable radiance to the skin immediately after applying rose water. Rose water can be spritzed or applied with a cotton pad, both methods work well. I love a spritz of rose water after applying moisturizer at night or after applying make up in the morning (pre mascara....) as it sets the make up beautifully and eliminates that make up-y powdery look. I keep a small refillable bottle in my purse for spritzes throughout the day- dewy skin in a bottle. However lately I have been on a search for a double threat rose water- one that works that rose magic on my skin and smells heavenly.

So I decided to turn to the 24 hour coffee break we call Twitter and ask my beauty mavens for recommendations! Turns out lots of these lovely ladies enjoy a nice rose water spritz too, so I have to thank them for their wonderful information! They are fun to chat with and share interesting stuff too so follow them for more gags & giggles! @HeatherInOttawa loves nail fun and perfume as well as rosewater- thanks Heather! @m0ff alerted me to wonderful holistic brand I never even knew I could find in Ottawa, thanks M! And the Uber Organic & Natural Guru @Glamology has told me about a lovely rosewater brand I will be ordering from her. She is relentless in her pursuit of all things healthy & safe, so thank you Charmaine for sharing that wisdom with us!

Essencia, Thayers, The Body Shop, Heritage & C&E hand cream

My first rosewater is the Essencia Eau Florale (Floral Water). It comes in an elegant cobalt glass bottle, which would also protect the rose water from light. Although frankly I go through this stuff so quickly that there is little chance of the product turning on me. Essencia is lovely, a basic and quiet rose water and only that. The only listed ingredients are roses and water, and this is the simplest purest rose water I've tried. The scent is very light and not quite as sweet enough. It feels wonderful post cleansing, but the sprayer is too powerful and focused to use after make up. I have it in a little spray bottle for travelling which is much better. After a day in the heat and sun in the summer I love to spray it head to toe, it just makes my skin glow. If you have very sensitive skin and do not want a strongly scented rose water, Essencia would be a perfect choice. It is available in most health food stores for around $15.

Thayers Rosewater is quite simply, amazing. It has a much more distinct rose scent, despite the witch hazel base. Burt's Bees has a Witch Hazel Rosewater which smelled yucky and medicinal to my nose (which is why it is not in this review...) but its listed midway through the ingredients which include goodies like aloe, glycerin and vitamin e, in addition to the sublime rose water. The aloe and glycerin combination adds a silky texture to this that is felt immediately on the skin. Dry skin, oily skin, sensitive skin, skin with blemishes or rashes will be soothed by this. It is *almost* enough to act as a moisturizer on its own. This one is the strongest rose scent of the bunch, but it is a soft gentle and true rose. It makes me think of pink roses, not red, if that makes any sense. The bottle is a generic plastic one but the label is charming & has retro appeal. Available at health food stores for around $10.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist is not "sold" as a rose water product but it does contain rose water, and has a delicate rose scent. This is one would be good if you want a light scent. There is a slight fruit note on the top that works nicely with the gentle rose fragrance. This one seems to perform quite well as a make up setting spray, and for thoughout the day pick - me - ups. I like the glow this leaves as it somehow makes your make up ( powder, concealer, whatever) appear look sheer and last a little longer. Love the small size spritzer bottle, and the spray is a soft even mist for even application. My only issue would be a stronger rose content perhaps. But I love it as a setting mist, it's a keeper. At The Body Shop for around $16.

Heritage Rosewater and Glycerin spray toner is another fave. I got this at Wholefoods in Florida and used it at the beach to stay cool, and post shower head to toe to re-moisturize beached out skin. It has 2 ingredients- essential oil of rose and "vor-mag" water- "water that has been vortexed and magnified to raise the energy to a higher vibration that we believe to be more beneficial". Huh? This is kind of where they lose me but doesn't take away from the simple loveliness of the product. It is one of the lighter scented rose waters, but it does still have a lingering perfume. The glycerin adds a nice moisturizing touch and I do love to spray this one head to toe after a shower before applying my moisturizer. It has a lovely sprayer mechanism and a charming 70s granola style label. The pink bottle is fun, too. At around $6 for a 4 oz bottle, it is a deal. I haven't been able to track it down at any Canadian retailers so if you know of any, please let me know! I am dying to try the Heritage Rose Petals toner which does not have glycerin and which I suspect has a purer rose scent.

come on... you know you want to...

I am waiting on a couple super fancy schmancy high end rose waters to review as well....very curious to see how a $60 rose water will stack up against a $10 one. Maybe they are made with magic water distilled from gold?



Photos of roses from distillery in Iran

Floris Snow Rose, A Beautiful Cool & Gentle Rose

I have been coming back around to rose scents lately. Interesting, rose is often associated in aromatherapy with "women's issues" and helping to balance moods. That's not to say men can't benefit from the calming and soothing benefits of the scent of rose, but I notice when there are fluctuations of the hormonal kind I often crave rose. In my powdery scent post, I mentioned my love for Talco Delicato. Floris Snow Rose offers a similar feel- gentle, powdery with a soft babyish musk. 

If you are familiar with Rochas Tocade, the iconic & beautiful rose vanilla perfume created by the wonderful Maurice Roucel, imagine Snow Rose as her sweet baby sister. If you aren't familiar with Tocade and love rose & vanilla, get some- stat! Snow Rose is clean and easy to wear with gentle notes of rose, jasmine, vanilla, musk and sandalwood. It is a calming scent and so aptly named. It has little hints of green freshness that shine through, like a little ray of sunshine in this cool powdery scent.

It is missing the violet note that is common in a lot of rose scents- I love violet but the rose-violet combo evokes lipstick and while lovely, not always what I want. Violet -rose scents like L'Artisan Parfumeur Drole de Rose and Frederic Malle's perfectly named Lipstick Rose come to mind. Rose and patchouli is also common- the "dark rose"- in perfumes like L'Artisan Parfumeur Voleur de Roses and Stella McCartney Stella. These are gorgeous but again, not what my sensitive nose has been craving. Then there are bombshell roses like YSL Paris. I love that too and wore it for years but again, looking for soft roses here...Simple rose soliflores can be lovely but for some reason they can end up with a sour note I cannot abide.

Floris Snow Rose is simply pretty and lovely. I adore it, and have received compliments each time I wear it. It is a snuggly skin scent, and could easily work in warm or cool weather. This has earned a top rating in my collection. Sadly, it was a limited edition perfume for Floris. I found it at a discounter, so keep your eyes peeled. It pops up from time to time. There are also a few on eBay right now. Worth getting if you are a rose perfume lover.