It is amazing how little pleasures can color one’s mood: spreading a fragrant chestnut honey on my morning toast, reading a few lines from a favorite book on my morning commute, wearing a soft red scarf knitted by my grandmother. When I get home after a long day at work, what I crave most is some low-key indulgence, preferably something deliciously scented. Among my favorite everyday luxuries are rose scented creams. I find the fragrance of rose to be relaxing and soothing. As I rub the cream into my skin, all the worries of the day vanish and somehow starting it all over again tomorrow does not seem quite so daunting.
For a classical tea rose scent, Crabtree & Evelyn Rosewater has few rivals. Citrusy and verdant, its rose opens on a bright note, while its drydown is caressing and musky. A leafy twist lightens up the floral sweetness. Both Rosewater body lotion and cream retain a pleasant freshness from top to drydown.
The scent is not overly strong in the lotion, which might be a good choice for those who prefer a light moisturizer that would not compete with their daytime perfume. The cream is richer and silkier, with a pronounced rose scent that lasts well on the skin. Both products are excellent moisturizers that do not leave a sticky finish on skin. Occasionally, I like to layer the lotion with the Rosewater dusting powder and one of my favorite simple rose fragrances (any of Rosines or Serge Lutens Sa Majesté de la Rose).
While Crabtree & Evelyn Rosewater is a traditional crisp tea rose, Roger & Gallet Rose is a modern fruity rose reminiscent of Stella McCartney. It is so airy and tart that it comes closer in character to a pink peony, rather than a red rose. Coquettish and lighthearted, Rose suggests both the softness of flower petals and the honeyed sweetness of amber. There is nothing remotely old-fashioned about this blossom, and although it does not have the voluptuous richness that rose fans love, Roger & Gallet’s effervescence is appealing. The formula of all body products is excellent, with great moisturizing properties, tenacious scent and a pleasant finish. Being surrounded by this delicious scent gives the phrase “everything is coming up roses” a whole new meaning!
Crabtree & Evelyn Rosewater is available in a range of excellent body products, and the body moisturizers include Body Cream (7oz, $36) and Body Lotion (8.6oz, $24.) They can be found from Beauty.com or directly from www.crabtree-evelyn.com and stores.
Roger & Gallet Rose is available as Gentle Fragrant Moisturizing Body Cream (7oz, $30) and Gentle Fragrant Moisturizing Body Lotion (6.6oz, $24) as well as a host of other fragrance and body products. Online boutique and retail locations can be found via www.rogerandgalletus.com.
20 Comments
Suzanna: I agree! I have a few rose creams, including the C & E (this has no rivals in the mass market). Two others I like are discontinued. One was L’Occitane and the other was from a now-defunct company called Ruben’s Remedies. This last had a rosewater cream that was delightful.
I also will seek out facial serums that smell of rose. REN makes one plus a shower gel that is straight-up rose otto and should please all rose purists. December 27, 2011 at 9:06am
LadyShine: I use Perfumer’s Workshop Tea Rose, and mix with unscented lotion to make my own. Burt’s Bees daily moisturizer has a light, fresh rose scent (to me) which is a lovely facial softener. Both are relatively inexpensive! December 27, 2011 at 9:49am
Brooke: Another gem is Tokyo Milk’s Rosewater and Gin hand cream. This is lovely, effervescent, and moisturizing. The convenient tube makes it handbag and travel friendly. December 27, 2011 at 10:02am
rosarita: One of my favorite new cheap thrills is the rose hip body lotion from Salma Hayak’s Nuance line @ CVS. It has a true rose scent that smells great while you use it and doesn’t linger too long to interfere with your perfume choice. It’s a high quality lotion that absorbs quickly and leaves my skin velvety – sorry, I sound like a commercial now! I would highly recommend it, though. December 27, 2011 at 10:19am
Martyn: I have Crabtree & Evelyn’s rose-fragranced glycerine soap in my bathroom at the moment. It’s so expensive that I buy it only occasionally, using supermarket glycerine substitutes most of the time. So when I come to unwrap the C & E it is with real anticipation. December 27, 2011 at 6:00am
zazie: While I am not a fan of rose scented body products (fine fragrances included!), I love Roger&Gallet soaps!
I never throw the boxes away. I use them for storage (perfume samples, jewels, tiny notes).
My grandmother used to store the R&G decorated soap boxes in her drawers – and use them as jewel cases.
She would let me browse the contents – though not particulary precious, the contents (as well as the boxes and the time together) were and are unvaluable to me.
BTW, my favorite R&G scent is Bouquet imperiale! Happiness in a soap! December 27, 2011 at 11:05am
Victoria: I love their soaps too. They scent the entire room! Their iris scented soaps are also excellent. December 27, 2011 at 10:14am
Victoria: Annick Goutal face cream smells wonderful–of rose otto. It also is a great moisturizer.
Sometimes I like to spray my face with rosewater. Whole Foods carries a brand called Heritage Products, and their rosewater is excellent. It can also be used in food. December 27, 2011 at 10:16am
Victoria: I will have to check these out. Glad to see another fan of Perfumer’s Workshop Tea Rose! Such a lovely citrusy rose. December 27, 2011 at 10:16am
Victoria: Oh, it has been on my wishlist for ages. It sounds so good. Thank you for reminding me of it. December 27, 2011 at 10:17am
Victoria: See, I remembered your wish about more rose themed posts! 🙂
Thank you for this recommendation. I have never tried it, but I remember seeing the line. I almost never buy expensive body moisturizers. The mass market brands spent a lot of effort in researching just that right formula and their quality is comparable, if not better, than that of luxury brands. December 27, 2011 at 10:31am
Elisa: The Body Shop now has a rose cream that pleasantly surprised me. My manager had a tube on her desk and after borrowing it I was sorely tempted to go buy one for myself. December 27, 2011 at 12:31pm
noisome: I always have a bottle of Heritage rosewater to spray my face with! I’ll die if the company ever goes under. December 27, 2011 at 6:32pm
Victoria: Their soaps are very high-quality. Like you, I love the packaging. Even a simple soap container is made so nicely. I wish that some fine fragrance brands would take note. December 27, 2011 at 2:56pm
Victoria: Another one to add to my list! Thank you, Elisa. Some of TBS body products and fragrances are very nicely done. The only scents I avoid are the fruity ones, because they tend to be overly sweet on me. December 27, 2011 at 2:57pm
Victoria: Isn't it amazing? One of the best, purest and most fragrant rose waters. I feel the same way about this company and its products. December 27, 2011 at 7:29pm
Lavanya: When I started seriously ‘sniffing’ (perfume)- I never thought that rose would be one of my favorite notes- but I find that I do crave the note- especially when deep and dark and rich or spicy..
A rose body cream that I’ve been dying to try is the Velvet Rose shea cream from Sonoma Scent Studio- I’ve tried the edp and it is very lush and lovely, especially smelled right out the vial. December 28, 2011 at 2:44pm
Victoria: “deep and dark and rich or spicy…” sounds like my favorite rose notes!
And of course, now I have Velvet Rose shea cream on my wishlist. 🙂 December 28, 2011 at 10:50pm
Donna: My favorite handcream for my winter and work weary hands is C & E Rosewater in the pink tube. I bought 7 at TJ Maxx and gave as gifts. I also line my linen closet with the drawer paper with rosebuds although they have changed the design now and I don’t like it as much. Each winter, I try to find a set of pajamas with rosebuds on them. A popular catalog I received states that their rosebud nightgown was specifically “brought back by popular demand”. One bar of luxurious soap can make one feel rich in tough times and for little cost. December 29, 2011 at 4:39am
Victoria: Donna, I also bought many of C&E products from TJ Maxx. Sometimes it also carries excellent European soaps.
There is something soothing even about the sight of roses. 🙂 December 29, 2011 at 10:54am