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Thursday, January 21, 2010

Sweet/Tart Part Two- Roxana Illuminated Perfume Chocolate Natural Perfumes ..and a draw

By Tom

Previously I had covered Blossom, Roxana Villa delightful ode to the Eau de Cologne. This time I'm talking about her new line of solid perfumes based on chocolate, "the food of the gods"

My personal journey with perfume with chocolate notes started of course with Angel, which I instantly loathed. Like "get that s&(t away from me" loathed. Then I smelled in on a co-worker on whom it was a total delight. Still is ghastly on me, but a gateway drug is a gateway drug. Then there was Borneo 1834, which was an instant love and my first Bell Jar. There have been others, but I do have to write that Chocolate (or Cacoa more accurately) isn't the first thing I think of when I think of perfumes. When Roxana told me that her new line was all Cocoa, all the time I thought "Hmmm" Then she explained that while they're solid perfumes that stand alone, they're almost to be used as body butters, to be layered with themselves and other Illuminated Perfumes.

Figure 1: Noir is pretty Noir: dark woods, dark spices (I smell cinnamon bark and patchouli?) and dark chocolate. The chocolate is the hero ingredient for only about 50% of the time. The other 50% is the woods and musk. I'd love to see a perfume version of this with say 80% woods and 20% Cacao to layer it.

Figure 2: Cerise is described as cherry and chocolate. It's not. Which is my opinion is no bad thing: I;m not sure that a literal interpretation is something I'd like. It does suggest cherries, but in a whisper, as is the chocolate.

Figure 3: La Forêt is a "dense conifer forest meets and ocean of chocolate". It's definitely dense conifer but the chocolate is more like a pond, and arrives late to the party. It also arrives with a bit of saltiness that's not only fascinating but works extremely well with the piney opening.

Figure 4: L'Orangerie is not immediately choco-tastic. It opens bright with citrus peel, sort of like ripping into a fresh mandarin. The Cacao is never intrusive, it seems like a base to the citrus. She writes that "this perfume is VERY fleeting", but I got a decent lasting power out of it and think it would be great with a citrus scent on top.

Figure 5: Bois de Chocolat is "smokey woods and chocolate". First, I think that there is nobody who does smoke better than Roxana Villa and this is a wonderful example of it: it has the smokiness of her Chaparral supplanted with the smoky sweetness of the cocao bean. Of any of these this is the one I'd like to own, hands down.

Figure 6: Épices is spices, vanilla and chocolate. To me it smells sort of like a chai latte with a hit of Sharffen Berger (the brand she uses to make the line). It's the one that I find the least interesting in the line. But having written that, I have a feeling that a little of this rubbed behind your ears and you'll have boys eating out of your hand.

I have a sampler of all six available for one reader, if you wish to be included in the draw please leave a comment.

Available at her Etsy shop, in various combinations. She provided me with my small samples and the samples for the draw.

Labels: ,

105 Comments:

Blogger tmp00 said...

I know that our dear Columbina will fix the title but it should read as "Illuminated" Jeesh. I should spell-check before sending these..plate

12:48 AM EST  
Blogger Jean said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

1:40 AM EST  
Blogger Janet said...

Immuminated sounds good too. Chocolate, perfume and protection against disease! Lovely.

Please enter me in the draw.

1:41 AM EST  
Blogger Jean said...

These definitely sound intriguing. I would love to be entered into the draw!

suchaveronica@hotmail.com

1:41 AM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It would be nice to try them all, please enter me! Many thanks - Alica, alica@cleis.net

1:41 AM EST  
Blogger Tama said...

These sound so interesting!
I'd love to be in the draw.
matadecoco2001 at hotmail

2:41 AM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've been craving chocolate lately so the timing of this review is perfect. I'd love to be entered in the draw. extemter [at] hotmail [dot] com

4:49 AM EST  
Blogger Kristen said...

I'd love to be entered in the drawing.

Angel as a gateway drug -- apt. I loved it dearly in the mid-90s, but could only put on the very lightest semi-spritz before it got overpowering. Then I lost my bottle while visiting friends in The Big City, and couldn't afford to replace it. I'm not sure I'm ready to go back to Angel; perhaps these perfumes would be a more sensible next step.

6:33 AM EST  
Blogger lutefisk said...

As a chocoalte lover they all sound wonderful to me.
I would love to try the sampler to determine my favorites.

7:12 AM EST  
Blogger Ines said...

I never thought I might like chocolate in perfume until I discovered Piment and Chocolat by DSH and now I'm no longer scared of smelling it but actually can't wait to try new perfumes that feature it. :)
Please enter me in the draw.

8:00 AM EST  
Blogger womo531 said...

I want some! lol... I tried to order some too except she hasn't answered on Etsy...

8:18 AM EST  
Blogger krnszn said...

Would love to try these. Thanks, Tom! (BTW, I LOVE Angel!) :-)

8:53 AM EST  
Blogger Lora said...

I have yet to find a chocolate perfume that I liked ... I would love to try this. Please enter me in the draw.

9:10 AM EST  
Blogger Carol said...

ooh yummm...a coupla of those sound very delightful!

9:25 AM EST  
Blogger Sweet Pea said...

Thank you for the review and the drawing. I would love to give these a try. Pati
patir@insightbb.com
patir.etsy.com

10:06 AM EST  
Blogger Proximity said...

These sounds like the sort of chocolates that I could love ... Borneo 1834 was my gateway drug, and it's still a favorite of mine, as well!
Please enter me in the draw.

10:08 AM EST  
Blogger Kater said...

Oh please please include me in the draw! These sound scrumptious.

Cheers,
Kater

10:11 AM EST  
Anonymous sybil said...

Please enter me in the drawing. i'm checking out her Etsy shop!

10:37 AM EST  
Anonymous lilacskin said...

certainly intrigued...ive been flirting with her site since yr last review.i'd like to be included in the draw.

10:48 AM EST  
Anonymous Alyssa said...

Thanks Tom for the review! I have had my eye on these solids for some time now and just wanted to hear a review on these little goodies before buying a sample set! Please enter me in the contest!

10:52 AM EST  
Blogger Janet said...

Bois de Chocolat sounds wonderful!!! Please enter me in the draw :-)

11:29 AM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

how absolutely divine- chocolate perfumes!!! OH HOW I DO LUV ME SOME CHOCOLATE and oh how so non fattening ina fragrance please please enter me for the giveaway -this too awesome for words shaon mason

11:44 AM EST  
Anonymous adriana said...

I love Roxana's Lyra. This new chocolate series sounds fantastic. Count me in the draw!

12:13 PM EST  
Anonymous dleep said...

These sound very interesting -- I would love to be in the drawing. Thank you.

12:35 PM EST  
Blogger Balutakat said...

I know just what you mean about Angel. It smells great on me, but I can't bear to wear it - too many of the girls at my University are drowning in it. I've been looking for something with that feel that is pointedly different enough not to be mistaken...the woods and chocolate combination sound ideal. Thank you for being brave enough to bring up the name Angel, which is a useful signpost to me - please enter me in the draw!

12:58 PM EST  
Blogger The Bloated Ewe said...

Ooh...I've been browsing around her site before! It's not often that you find natural perfumes with more gourmand notes.

Sadly, it has taken a draw to drag me from lurker to commenter, but here goes:

thebloatedewe [at] gmail [dot] com

Thanks!
-Cat

1:38 PM EST  
Blogger Bethane said...

I'm always hungry for chocolate, I'll bite!

1:57 PM EST  
Blogger Anatole Lebreton said...

hum, this sounds really interesting and I'd be curious to smell those chocolates.. I am myself a chocolate maker and run a chocolate shop. Please enter me in the draw!

3:28 PM EST  
Blogger lovethescents said...

How delicious! Roxana's range is all the hype now, and discussed on all perfume blogs. Please enter me in the draw as I'd love to be able to sample them :-)

4:05 PM EST  
Blogger Vinery said...

I love this line of fragrances, and agree with you that her smoke accord is out of this world. Please enter me in the draw. Thanks.

4:08 PM EST  
Blogger ahsumaker said...

I appreciate all of Roxana's scents that I've tried so far, and love a good half of them. Cocoa perfumes is not usually my cup of tea, but I trust she has done them well. It's the piney one that has me most interested! I would love to be entered in the draw. Thanks for reviewing each of these!

5:12 PM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'd love to try these--I am not yet familiar with the scents but from the descriptions here they sound wonderful! Thank you for offering this giveaway--my fingers are crossed!

Marci
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

5:15 PM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered for this giveaway--thank you for the review and the chance to win.

bethnaf at hotmail dot com

5:17 PM EST  
Blogger Heather Y said...

These look great... please enter me for the giveaway!

click4cash4me(at)gmail(dot)com

5:31 PM EST  
Blogger Jessica cobb said...

I'd love to be entered, they sound amazing!

5:54 PM EST  
Blogger Beth Schreibman Gehring said...

Oh Tom...I love these!!!!! I want to slather them all over my body....maybe she'll make a wonderful massage oil !!!!!! My favorites are e'pice (maybe because my husband does love to kiss and nibble the nape of my neck when I'm wearing it and La Foret, which is just lovely. Actually ,they're all pretty wonderful. Chocolate is a note that seems to love me as much as I love it and the presentation of these alone should make anyone hungry for a wonderful Valentines Day gift happy!!!!!!!!!! What a fabulous review!

6:31 PM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Put me in the drawing.

6:32 PM EST  
Blogger Jenn Milt Art said...

Figure 1. Noir sounds fabulous, as does the rest! :)

jrerwin6 at gmail dot com

7:17 PM EST  
Blogger Little Waltz said...

These sound wonderful. I'd love to be entered in the draw!

7:53 PM EST  
Blogger Unknown said...

What chocolate lover wouldn't love these! All your products sound amazing. I've added you to my favorites.

8:16 PM EST  
Anonymous Steff Metal said...

I would love love love to win these. Please add me to the draw.

steff AT steffmetal DOT com

8:29 PM EST  
Anonymous Tammy said...

I've been on a huge perfume kick recently and have avidly been sniffing anything I can get my hands on! I'd love to try these, too!

brinnet [at] gmail [dot] com

8:47 PM EST  
Blogger Gabriella said...

These sound wonderful! I would love to be entered.

sully_fidelis@yahoo.com

9:08 PM EST  
Blogger Rachel said...

I love chocolate anything! Thanks for the giveaway!!

Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

9:23 PM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

These sound fantastic! I wonder if I wear a chocolate scent, it will keep me from eating it...that may backfire, though :)

karinleight at hotmail dot com

9:26 PM EST  
Blogger helloheath said...

they all sound great! i hope im the lucky winner :-) helloheath@yahoo.com

9:28 PM EST  
Anonymous PhinClio said...

Please enter me in the draw!

9:35 PM EST  
Blogger Bachuchay said...

I would love to try that scent. Please count me in on your giveaway

huggie0109@yahoo.com

10:03 PM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've never heard of chocolate perfumes, but I'd love to try them!
e.estt[at]yahoo[dot]com

10:24 PM EST  
Blogger Dixie said...

Chocolate lends such intrigue to a fragrance. Thanks for this review and introduction to this line. I'd love to be included in the draw!

10:29 PM EST  
Blogger PixelatedMushroom said...

wow, these look amazing! great descriptions - and i love the little bottles too!

pixelatedmushroom at gmail dot com

10:29 PM EST  
Blogger Holden's Landing said...

Please enter me in the drawing - thank you!

bonnie@holdenslanding

10:43 PM EST  
Blogger Amber said...

These perfumes sound lovely - I can almost smell them from your descriptions!
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

10:47 PM EST  
Anonymous Its Free lol said...

I love the review and would love to try it too. Pls enter me into the draw. Thanks.
laili11harun(at)yahoo(dot)com

11:25 PM EST  
Blogger helen said...

Great giveaway I 'd love to win fingers crossed. Thanks Helen

malfie@care2.com

11:48 PM EST  
Anonymous Elizabeth said...

These sound interesting - I would love to be entered in the draw. I think I would love Bois et Chocolat...Thanks! enorena@hotmail.com

11:59 PM EST  
Blogger Olivia said...

Oooh, Noir sounds delicious... Now to run off and visit her Etsy page!

I'd love to be entered into the draw! :-)

oliviavk [at] gmail [dot] com

12:24 AM EST  
Blogger Unknown said...

I would love to win. Thanks for the giveaway!

12:25 AM EST  
Blogger Flora said...

OH YUM! These sound just delectable! La Foret is calling my name....

No need to enter me though, I don't need any more "gateway drugs" of my own....

12:39 AM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

as a chocolate lover these scents sound great. put me in the draw-thanks

12:52 AM EST  
Blogger Peg said...

Your review is very descriptive and provides great insight into the frangrances. They all sound lovely, but the Cerise sounds the most inviting to me.

Her beautiful packaging is incredible.

I'd love to be entered into your giveaway.

Thank you,
Peg
cwestpost {at} aol {dot} com

12:53 AM EST  
Blogger Snowflake07 said...

Goodness those descriptions sound wonderful! I wasn't much of a chocolate person before I was a Mom. During and after my pregnancy, I developed a craving for it. The idea of perfume with chocolate undertones is sublime.

1:02 AM EST  
Anonymous Justina said...

They sound yummy! Sign me up! justina1218 at aim.com!!
Thanks!

1:17 AM EST  
Blogger Cabootique said...

Awesome giveaway!

carethediva[at]hotmail[dot]cm

1:39 AM EST  
Anonymous AJ said...

Thanks for this giveaway ( :

A_C_E_ at hotmail dot com

2:56 AM EST  
Blogger janil said...

Please pick me up!!!
cal_rubies at yahoo dot es

3:17 AM EST  
Blogger MadeInCanarias said...

Thank you for a great giveaway!
I would like to be entered.
madeincanarias at yahoo dot es

4:11 AM EST  
Blogger waftbyCarol said...

Please include me in the draw , a girl can never have too much chocolate !

4:18 AM EST  
Anonymous Chris G said...

Chocolate is perfect for a solid perfume...please include me in the draw.
Chris G

6:04 AM EST  
Blogger Terri Dell said...

These sound nice, I'd love to win.

9:40 AM EST  
Blogger AlisonWonderland said...

so...hopefully these are non-toxic. because if I win, I'll be sorely tempted to try a lick!

gemini5757.etsy.com
gemini5757 at hotmail dot com

10:58 AM EST  
Blogger Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Count me in please!

12:13 PM EST  
Blogger makeworkproject said...

They all sound so delicious!

12:49 PM EST  
Blogger Lauren said...

Sounds yummy!

1:04 PM EST  
Blogger cornlily said...

Yes, include me in the draw. I'd like to explore chocolate in perfume. I'm automatically unnerved by the idea, but I loved Borneo, not realizing it had cocoa undertones.
Cornlily

1:13 PM EST  
Anonymous laura said...

i'd love to be in the draw!

laurita_naranjo@hotmail.com

1:17 PM EST  
Anonymous Julie said...

I've never played with chocolate notes in perfume, but I would love to try. Please enter me in the draw.

julier6@yahoo.com

4:07 PM EST  
Blogger Stephanie Grant said...

These sound so good I'd love to try them please accept my entry.
thegrants(at)live(dot)com

5:28 PM EST  
Blogger picnut1512 said...

Sounds wonderful! Thanks!

picnut1512@yahoo.com

5:54 PM EST  
Blogger cls said...

These items are so interesting! Would love to win the samples!

cassandrawebb82@yahoo.com

6:23 PM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Long before dark chocolate became popular I'd sneak into the pantry and lick the cooking chocolate. I hated Angel, but these sound lovely.

Please enter me in the drawing.

8:34 PM EST  
Blogger ACraftyKnitter said...

I'd love to give them a try- although they may make me hungry!

10:50 PM EST  
Blogger AmbreRose said...

Wow, you had me wanting to smell each and everyone of those scents. I had to go right to her shop and heart her so I can really look later. Thank you! ambrerose@aol.com

10:51 PM EST  
Blogger tina kelly said...

Lovely, sexy, delicious scents. Great idea, can't wait to see if it executes as well as it sounds. :)

11:43 PM EST  
Blogger Ida said...

Please include me in the draw? I'm still looking for the chocolate scent that I can fall in love with :)

12:26 AM EST  
Blogger elle said...

I would LOVE to be so lucky to win such a wonderful sounding product. This is my first introduction to Roxana but I am dying to try! The products look so beautiful and I love the line philosophy!
Thank you.

2:05 AM EST  
Blogger DWR said...

I, too, had the "YICK" reaction to Angel. I did like Il Profumo's Chocolat, so my hope is that I can find more. I'm trying to keep an open mind about the Cocoas, so this seems like a great opportunity. *crosses fingers*

5:46 PM EST  
Blogger Melissa Allesi said...

Would love a set!
missyt_2000@yahoo.com

6:17 PM EST  
Anonymous Lisa D said...

Wasn't a fan of Angel, either. I haven't managed to find a chocolate scent that works really well for me, which is a shame, because I really do adore the scent of chocolate. Please enter me in the draw, and thanks!

10:15 PM EST  
Blogger Jessica said...

The perfumes sound delightful! I also love the perfume necklace!

10:32 PM EST  
Anonymous crystal said...

I love trying new perfumes and these all sound lovely!!
cyclona66(at)aol(dot)com

2:54 AM EST  
Blogger avalonne83 said...

Great giveaway!

Please count me in. Thanks.

avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it

5:47 AM EST  
Blogger Unknown said...

've been curious about these - would love to be included in the drawing, thanks!

5:38 PM EST  
Blogger trixx said...

First time I've heard of chocolate notes being used in perfumes. I love chocolate, so these sound amazing! :)

10:28 PM EST  
Anonymous Lisa said...

I've heard of Roxana through the Peace Project. I've never tried one of her perfumes before, but they look wonderfully packaged. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
the_outsider01AThotmailDOTcom

1:13 AM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

borneo was also an instant love affair...sadly no bell jar, but a back up bottle instead..i do love chocolate in perfume..but not angel
these all sound great, please enter me in the draw
hongkongmom

5:38 AM EST  
Blogger Tylerpants said...

I have 'Angel' which I love! These perfumes sound wonderful, especially 'L'Orangerie'! tylerpants(at)gmail.com

11:36 AM EST  
Anonymous Lavanya said...

I'd love to be entered in the draw!

6:48 PM EST  
Blogger tmp00 said...

Please note that the drawing is closed.

8:50 PM EST  
Anonymous zeram1 said...

Oh chocolate. . . they do sound fascinating. Please enter me into the drawing as well.

9:22 PM EST  
Anonymous cheap perfume said...

ahhh... i love this fragrance thanks for sharing this with us...

12:44 PM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Please consider me for your draw.Thanks
Jill S

8:23 AM EST  
Blogger weegee said...

Well, slap my buns and call me Helen! Chocolates that please the nose without increasing the arse. I must try these! I hope I'm not too late for the draw.

1:11 AM EST  
Blogger fermium1 said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

6:52 PM EST  
Anonymous Hallie said...

Is the perfume overpowering with a chocolate scent? Love the smell of chocolate but also don't want to walk around smelling like a candy bar. Can you spritz inside a perfume pendant http://www.perfumejewelrystore.com/brown-perfume-scent-pendants-s/40.htm? Looking to combine a necklace with a good scent.

2:50 PM EST  

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