Rose is probably my favorite fragrance note, and fragrances with rose as one of the main notes often get my attention and go onto my “to test” list. Of course, it is all about the overall composition, and fresher and greener rose-based fragrances have completely different characters from those of woodier and smokier ones. Elizabeth Arden‘s White Tea Wild Rose Eau de Toilette was launched earlier this year, and I tested it a couple of times. I decided to add it to my fragrance stash, and today I will be sharing my thoughts on it.
Elizabeth Arden White Tea Wild Rose Eau de Toilette (伊麗莎白雅頓 白茶花綻野玫瑰香水, 100ml, £36 in the UK, $56 in the US) was launched in March this year. (In the US, it is also available in 30ml ($26) and 50ml ($42). It is only available in 100ml in the UK.) The launch followed that of White Tea Eau de Toilette in January 2017.
According to Elizabeth Arden’s official US and UK websites, the fragrance notes of White Tea Wild Rose Eau de Toilette include:
- Top notes: white tea, pear tree blossom, red currant, palmarosa
- Middle notes: Bulgarian rose, Turkish rose, blush peony, clary sage
- Base notes: musk, mate absolute, tonka bean, amber
The fragrance can be categorized as a green floral. It opens with a fresh pear-like fruitiness which is not overly sweet. Then it smoothly and seamlessly ushers in the rose. The rose note in this fragrance is light, delicate and lilting. (It is not a deep or velvety rose note.) The lightness of the rose is subtly grounded by the earthy white tea. This combination of rose and white tea lasts through the rest of the wear. The drydown is clean and fresh (not particularly nutty or musky).
What I like about this fragrance is the interaction between the rose and the white tea. The star is undoubtedly the rose, but the white tea is always there in a supporting role. Every now and then during the wear, I get a stronger hint of white tea. Its herbal, mildly earthy and slightly dry feel is very pleasantly soothing on its own and it also contrasts (and therefore showcases) the brightness of the rose. Even though the fragrance doesn’t develop very much after the initial stage, the interplay between the modest and subdued white tea and the more vibrant and showy rose keeps the scent dynamic and interesting.
The fragrance has a decent lasting power as an eau de toilette, but one issue I have with it is that it is almost too light for me. It deepens very slightly when the top notes wear off, but overall it remains light and fairly subtle throughout the wear. The lightness does go with the delicate character of the fragrance, but I wish it had just a little more depth.
The bottle of the fragrance is simple and structured. The gradation from opaqueness to translucency helps soften the angular look of the bottle.
On the whole, I do like the fragrance very much. It is bright and cheery, and it is also elegant and feminine. For me, the best aspect of it is how well the uplifting rose and the soothing white tea work together. They dance as one without losing their individual characters.
Related posts:
Can’t Live Without: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream
Stash Focus: Stella McCartney Stella Eau de Parfum, Stella Eau de Toilette & Stella Peony Eau de Toilette
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, I love rose fragrances (if done well), and tea too. Maybe I’ll be lucky and find a bottle of this somewhere.
Have you smelled Shiro’s White Tea? I tested that one a while ago and might buy it – it smelled lovely.
Hi Julia,
It is great to hear from you again! :)
If you like rose-based fragrances that are fresh and clean (as opposed to those that are deep and intense), then this one might appeal to you. Also, I feel that its rose and white tea notes work very well together, and this particular aspect of the fragrance composition might appeal to you too. Hopefully you will be able test it soon!
I might have tested Shiro’s White Tea Eau de Parfum in one of Shiro’s boutiques in London a few years ago, but, at the moment, I can’t recall exactly how it smelled. I think I will certainly have to test all the Shiro fragrances that are available in the UK when I am able to.
By the way, I do like what I got from Laurel (Shiro’s former brand name). I am not sure if you have come across my post on the Laurel items I have, but here is the link for your reference:
http://www.atouchofblusher.com/2016/07/stash-debut-15-laurel-verbena-body-cologne-sakura-219-body-cologne-savon-body-cologne-yuzu-hand-cream.html
Thank you very much for posting your comment again, and stay well!