Rose Rugosa photo for BLUEHILL Fragrances Beach Rose by Sandy Carr ©

It’s fair to say that Massachusetts artisan perfumer Sandy Carr is a woman impassioned. Her zest for life is apparent from the moment you meet her; she crackles with energy from the tips of her hair down to her toes. We share many fascinations – and nose, palate and Nature provide ample inspiration for us both. I appreciate her perfectionism, how tirelessly she works until satisfied with her efforts. Some fragrances take years to complete, and Sandy is very choosy about the aromatic materials employed: yet one more admirable facet of her character.

Sandy Carr courtesy of BLUEHILL Fragrances

Sandy Carr’s BLUEHILL Fragrances Beach Rose celebrates the humble-yet-magnificent five-petaled rose which adorns coastal areas and beaches peppered throughout New England all summer long. Its Latin name is rosa rugosa, aka ‘rough’ or ‘wrinkled’ rose (a nod to its textured leaves). This little rose may go by the title Japanese rose, Ramanas rose, saltspray rose or letchberry. Whatever you choose to call them, these hardy, vigorous plants thrive in sandy soil – but I’ve seen them flourish in shady urban areas as well. Whether they are varying shades of pink, red or white – each smell swoony. I’ve lived by the Boston Harbor for 48 years and I never weary of their luscious scent. When dating my husband, a long time ago I braved bleeding gums and lips in an effort to bite through their very prickly thick stems so that I could awaken him with my fragrant trophy (bleeding gum romantic?). That’s how enticing they are…

Buzzaboutbees.net

Imagine yourself a bee: you have no photo-receptors for the color red (thus perceiving red as black), but you are attracted to the colors white, blue, purple, violet and yellow. Your olfactory antennae are acute; you can sense the electrostatic fields emanating from flowers. As a pollinator, you are also aware that where you land on a flower makes a difference: when you land on the edge of a petal it often smells different from its center. Beach roses are white, so you’re easily attracted – but why also the red/pink? Aha! The flat shape (as it’s referred to when categorizing) of older strains of rose is very welcoming, ensuring bees an easy landing. There are plentiful pollen grains on their anthers (which are usually a vibrant yellow hue, another plus) which tantalize with their fulsome aroma. Be like the bee.

Photo: a tributetolife.tumblr.com

Aroma is in the nostrils of the beholder. I had several questions for Sandy regarding the composition: how long it took to develop and hone Beach Rose, what sort of experience did she wish to convey, why she chose certain components. Apparently there have been a few iterations which span a total of three years – the current revision having taken six months.  Sandy’s mission was to evoke burying one’s face right in the flower in full bloom; the intricacies of its varied facets with classical grace and veracity. In order to achieve this there would have to be a measure of salinity (but not overwhelming, more an undercurrent), the citrus notes which characterize rosa rugosa, voluptuous sunniness provided by orange blossom. Tart tomato leaf adds a stemmy astringent note eased by hay-like murmurs which mirror beach grass. Ambergris is perfection when a faithful marine environment is desired, sweetened with the promise of honey and beeswax (I adore this material) and Peru balsam. The creamiest sandalwood melds so beautifully with all the other players, a seamless swath of brightly hued silk.

via BLUEHILL Fragrances

Our perfumer craved a rounded sensual rose and added a bit of the outrageously costly Wardia rose to her blend – and what a scent it possesses, a thing of dreams. If you are a rose lover, BLUEHILL Fragrances Beach Rose is a must-sample: rich, sun-and-sea infused, honeyed roses which smell natural and fill the heart with longing for rambles along the shore. All that’s missing is the sand.

Notes: bergamot, grapefruit, orange blossom, rose, new mown hay notes, tomato leaf, ozonic accord, ambergris, beeswax, sandalwood, Peru balsam, honey.

 Sample provided by the perfumer – so many thanks! It’s gorgeous.  My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Senior Editor and Natural Perfumery Editor

BLUEHILL Fragrances Beach Rose

Thanks to the generosity of Sandy Carr of BLUEHILL Fragrances, we are offering one 50 ml flacon of BLUEHILL Fragrances Beach Rose for one registered reader in the USA ONLY. You can register here. Please leave a comment regarding what appealed to you about Ida’s review. Have you tried any of the BLUEHILL Fragrances? Do you have a favorite? Draw closes 6/6/2020

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