California-based natural perfumer JoAnne Bassett has released a new series of scents called the More Life Collection.  It was inspired by this quote from “The Science of Getting Rich” by Wallace Wattles:

Remember, however, that the desire of Substance is for all, and its movements must be for more life to all; it cannot be made to work for less life to any, because it is equally in all, seeking riches and life.

The collection is composed of a selection of fragrances that are mostly variations on rose, with differing effect. Each is a lovely perfume in its own right, and I would recommend giving each one the space to really bloom and make its personality known.

Yellow Roses by Vladimir Vogov

I was given the Eau de Parfum concentration of Intimacy to try, and it has magnificent sillage in this form. Of all the scents in the collection, this has the most vintage feel. It is dry and aromatic, which I know is an odd word to use for perfume. They all have aroma, of course, but some have more of an impact. A classic chypre, the translucent floral topnotes are held to the earth by a sturdy blend of moss and patchouli.

Notes: bergamot, vintage jasmine grandifolium, Bulgarian rose damask otto, rose de Mai, petitgrain, orris root, vintage Mysore sandalwood, oakmoss, vanilla, patchouli, amber notes, natural musk, others

Rose and Teardrop textile design by Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Serendipity is a graceful, gentle floral blend with an emphasis on the rose up top, gradually releasing the sweeter aromas of tuberose and neroli in the heart.  The drydown is redolent of sweet, dry grasses, and makes me feel very summery. This is the kind of perfume that is a nice choice when you want something that is simple and pretty, but that is also unique.

Notes: rose de Mai, tuberose, cassie absolute, cardamom, tangerine, neroli, vanilla absolute, balsam wood, frankincense, agarwood, sandalwood

Rose Red by Dawn LeBlanc

The deep rose aroma of Opulence is made brighter with the neroli and orange blossom. People looking for a dark rose that is not a patchouli-rose combo should try this one. The ambergris adds its distinctive depth and saltiness, and this perfume is quite sensuous, with a soft woody drydown.  I enjoyed it because it provides a rich natural rose scent without being vinegar on my skin, which can happen with some of the denser rose perfumes.

Notes: neroli, Bugarian white rose otto, orange blossom absolute, Bulgarian damask rose, ambergris, vintage Mysore sandalwood

Roses and Jasmine in Delft Vase by Jean Auguste Renoir

If you like to wear scents in the warmer months that are not necessarily spring florals or citrus colognes, Ecstacy would be a good pick. It has a soft yet spicy rose aroma that has a sweetly gourmand aura. Not overpowering, the scent stays close to the skin. The orange really shines at the heart, and the vanilla and benzoin make a lovely drydown.

Bulgarian white rose otto, vintage jasmine sambac, gingergrass, sweet orange, clary sage, red mandarin, wild lavender, vanilla absolute, balsam, benzoin

Wild Roses by Vincent Van Gogh

Vert opens with a fresh herbal note softened by lavender. The lavender comes forward in the heart, accompanied by a tender rose note.  This is a great fragrance for people who like the comforting aroma of the lavender flower, but I don’t find this to be a sleepy-time scent like some lavenders can be. This would be a pretty scent for springtime.

Notes: sweet marjoram, French lavender, cypress, rose oil, green mandarin, vanilla absolute, cistus, angelica root, black currant, balsam, pink grapefruit, cocoa absolute, lemon verbena, lavender absolute, white cognac

Bouquet of Flowers in a Vase Next to a Pot of Tobacco by Jean Baptiste Camille Corot

A companion to the Exotica candle we reviewed recently, Italian Smoke has a strong aroma of fine tobacco leaf enhanced with soft florals and vanilla. Of this group of scents, this is the most masculine-leaning, and contains no rose, but the florals and vanilla notes soften it up enough to make it very wearable by either sex.

Notes: neroli oil, sweet orange, vanilla absolute, vintage jasmine grandifolium absolute, sandalwood, tobacco absolute

JoAnne is a skillful perfumer who uses natural essences to their optimum effect and clarity. She also has a beautiful hand-blown bottle presentation available for the parfum concentrations of her luxurious fragrances. She graciously provided me with samples in a variety of parfum and eau de parfum concentrations. As is usually the case, the parfums sit closer to the skin, while the eaus have more projection. Longevity is good, but remember that natural perfumes tend to have shorter skin time than those that incorporate synthetics.

As a treat to readers, JoAnne Bassett is providing a sample set plus 15 ml bottle of eau de parfum in a reader’s choice prize. Let us know which scent you think you would like the best in your comments. Draw ends December 14, 2012.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

–Tama Blough, Senior Editor