I can’t think of a better time to wear rich and pure rose fragrances than fall and winter. Rose is one of those scents that smell better in colder temperatures, that way the bitter notes are more subdued, making it a refreshing and modern note. Molton Brown Rosa Absolute collection was released in time to celebrate the turning of the seasons, and I couldn’t be happier to give these products a test run. As you know, I’m already a big fan of Molton Brown body care, especially their indulgent body washes. This luxury line releases new fragrance collections regularly, so you will never be bored with the same old scents. One of their latest creations – Rosa Absolute – pays homage to sub rosa [under the rose], an ancient Italian tradition signifying secrecy. Ceilings covered with rose murals hinted that words spoken under them should remain confidential.
Molton Brown Rosa Absolute celebrates red rose in its purest form, using concentrated absolute from flowers gathered in Lombardia region of Italy. Rose absolute is created by extracting the fragrance at low temperature, which helps protect the delicate petals and produces the most natural aroma. That would explain why all products from this collection smell like a real bouquet of fresh roses!
The collection includes three products:
- Rosa Absolute Body Lotion
- Rosa Absolute Bath & Shower Gel
- Rosa Absolute Eau de Toilette
To begin my indulgent ritual I hopped in the shower with Molton Brown Rosa Absolute Bath & Shower Gel [how cute is that red bow on the packaging?]. I don’t know if you can tell, but the color of this body wash is really dark, it’s like the darkest ruby red, just like the gem. Most rose-scented body washes I used before had this pinkish color to them, but this one looks so regal. As soon as I put a little product on my loofah and lather it up, my entire shower fills with this pure rose fragrance. It’s not even smelling a bouquet of roses at that point, it’s more like you are laying down on a bed of roses with petals softly raining down. Even though to me it smells like a one-note scent, the bouquet actually includes Italian rose oil, blackcurrant, geranium, and patchouli. The fragrance is very strong, and it clings to the skin even after you rinse off the foam, which is perfect for those who love this note. You know me, I’m obsessed with all things rose, and I currently use rosewater toner [with petals in the bottle!] and rosewater eye cream in my beauty routine. Like all Molton Brown body washes, it’s quite nourishing and never makes my skin feel dry.
After the shower I like to immediately moisturize my skin while it’s still a little damp, so I usually keep my body lotions close by or right in the shower caddy if the product comes with a tight-shutting lid [we don’t want bacteria growing in there]. Molton Brown Rosa Absolute Body Lotion complements the wonderful fragrance of the body wash beautifully, so I always use these two together now. All Molton Brown lotions I’ve tried so far have a pleasant silky texture and consistency that is not too thick and not too runny. The lotion spreads on the skin with ease, especially if it’s still slightly damp, so I never need to use too much to keep my skin hydrated. You might have noticed that unlike the body wash, this lotion is actually white. This ensures that your clothes will never be stained from the coloring, which is something I appreciate. Rosa Absolute Body Lotion contains Molton Brown’s signature pampering complex that instantly firms and delivers hours of comfortable moisture to the skin.
As far as fragrance goes you can just leave it there, because Molton Brown’s body washes and body lotions are very strongly scented so you may not even need any additional products to smell great for the rest of the day. I am hardcore though, give me all the roses! 😉 Molton Brown Rosa Absolute Eau de Toilette takes your love of roses up a notch with this refreshing bittersweet fragrance that couldn’t be more perfect for F/W season.
- Top notes – blackcurrant, pink pepper and raspberry
- Heart notes – rose, violet leaf and geranium
- Base notes – patchouli, labdanum and vanilla
As you can see, the bouquet differs slightly from the body lotion and body wash, there are several extra notes that elevate the fragrance and make it more complex. On the first spray I can immediately smell the blackcurrant and raspberry, both of which complement the rose so well, since they also have this bittersweet fragrance. These top notes don’t linger on the skin very long, so for the next couple of hours all you can really smell is rose and geranium. Both are so beautiful and pure, and really well-balanced. As you might know, rose and geranium are such strong notes on their own that you can almost always identify their presence in perfume, which is why I think Molton Brown did a really great job with Rosa Absolute. Geranium could have easily overpowered rose, but here they are in perfect synergy and complement one another well. Finally, 2-3 hours in rose and geranium dry down and the fragrance reveals its base notes that will subtly keep you company for the rest of the day.
I can’t say enough good things about Molton Brown Rosa Absolute collection! I know that rose fragrances can be a little dated sometimes, however this one is anything but. It’s a very sophisticated, and most importantly current rose blend that smells like it actually belongs in this century, if you know what I mean. The body products are as fabulous as ever, and the EDT complements them beautifully. If you have a person in your life who adores the smell of roses, definitely introduce them to this collection.
Do you enjoy rose fragrances? Have you tried Molton Brown products before? Let me know in the comments below!
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