"Tea. Earl Grey. Hot."
(Capt. Jean-Luc Picard)
I am a tea junkie. There is nothing like a simmering pot of tea. I am also a fan of fragrances that use tea as a note. I am a proud owner of TAK's T scent. This is not a fragrance that has a huge group of fans. Several of my MUA friends cringe when it is brought up. I am smitten and have been its staunch supporter since day one.
The new Elizabeth Arden fragrance called Red Velvet Door will have similiar troubles on getting a fan base. Red Door has a large group of loving fans. They also have a significant group of "haters".
This review is for the haters.
This is not just a reworking of Red Door. You can detect the subtle trace of it but the most powerful note is Earl Grey Tea.
Earl Grey tea is any tea blend with a distinctive flavour and aroma derived from the addition of oil extracted from the rind of the bergamot orange, a fragrant citrus fruit. Traditionally the term "earl grey" was applied only to black tea; however, today the term is also applied to both green and white teas that contain oil of bergamot. (wikipedia.com)
It is the most authentic tea note I have come across. It is combined with bergamot, tea leaves, pink peony, white freesia, jasmine petals, patcholi, honey, musks and vanilla.
It surprised me since I have never been a great fan of Red Door. Arden does tea fragrances very well but this one is the most authentic. There is just something about this note that makes me think of a pot of tea on a chilly day. It has subtle sillage and a suprisingly lovely drydown.
Beauty Addict did a great review of this fragrance several weeks ago.
http://beautyaddict.blogspot.com/2006/10/when-perfume-gods-close-door-they.html
The 3.3 fl oz EDP is $52.50 and the 1.7 size will be $42.50
It is available at your local Elizabeth Arden counter.
Great Earl Grey teas are available at:
http://www.englishteastore.com/earlgreytea.html
http://www.adagio.com/black/earl_grey_bravo.html
http://www.specialteas.com/category.aspx?cid=6769
http://www.inpursuitoftea.com/Earl_Grey_Tea_p/bi910.htm
http://www.tenren.com/earlgreytea.html
http://www.twinings.co.uk/SpecialityTea/Aromatics/EarlGrey.html
Ratings of the best Earl Grey teas:
http://www.tendingtowardtea.com/
photos: Blogdorf Goodman, wikipedia.
Disclosure: A press sample of this product was provided by Elizabeth Arden
Labels: Elizabeth Arden, Press Sample
posted by Annieytown @ 7:03 PM
4 Inspired Comments
4 Inspired Comments:
Because you were kind enough to introduce me to so many pretty things (and fourfour), I'm going to introduce you to my favorite tea's. Fortnum and Mason--
http://www.fortnumandmason-usa.com/
The organic peppermint infusion is fabulous, by the way. Enjoy! :)
Hey Anniegirl,
Red Door is a "run for the hills" frag for me. Or slap people. I'm intrigued by this one, though, and because of you I will give it a sniff. Anyway, just tried a saturated towelette sample , a plump towelette, not a creepy hard towelette, of Bulgari Te Rouge. Very, very tea. A must-spritz for the tea lover. Twice-brewed Liptons. ~chrisskins
Anon: Thank you!!!
I will check that out. I had planned to start a tea blog but never have time to play with it.
I *adore* FourFour. He makes me laugh and forget the little dramas of every day life. I read him before I start work. He puts me in a better frame of mind.
Chrisskins: It is worth a whiff. Just tell me what you think of the tea note. It is so realistic to me.
Whats new? Any new romances? How is Mr Erwin? He got back with J right? Write me C!!!!
Ack, I tried to give it a sniff the other day, but am battling a cold, so couldn't get much of it. It seemed nice though, and all the notes look beautiful... except for the patchouli (we don't get along!). Is it very prominent?
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