Roja Parfums Creation-E Essence de Parfum, photo by The Perfumed Dahlia
Painstakingly handcrafted, comprised of rare and exotic materials—this is the expectation engendered by the word “luxury,” and Roja Parfums is a luxury perfume house. Roja Parfums fragrances are poured into striking glass bottles, topped with bespoke, 24 carat gold-coated caps, and nestled into handmade, silk-lined boxes. Founded in 2011 by British perfumer Roja Dove, Roja Parfums is renowned for using highly sought-after ingredients such as Rose de Mai and Jasmine de Grasse. “I believe a perfumer is a poet or a storyteller who creates the tangible from the intangible, abstract images that strike at our core,” explains Roja Dove via the brand website. “We are painting pictures but we just don’t use paint. We are telling stories but we don’t use words. Instead we allow raw materials to express our ideas, our vision, using the language of perfume. ”
Jasmine, photo by Beverly Buckley via Pixabay
In the United States, this fragrance is called Creation-E Essence de Parfum, but in Europe it is called Enigma Essence de Parfum. The star of Creation-E Essence de Parfum is jasmine, a flower often used to represent hope, love, and/or spirituality. After a sharp, bright burst of bergamot and geranium, Creation-E Essence de Parfum settles quickly into a darker jasmine that is rife with dense, damp, and animalic indole. As the fragrance opens further a ripe peach emerges, all furry velvet skin and sweet juices.
Marilyn and Jane Russell filming “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (1953) /getty images
Though the indole at first suggests a fragrance that will have enormous sillage and projection, Roja Parfums Creation-E Essence de Parfum is harnessed, tamed, and gentled by its heart notes. Rose de Mai, heliotrope, orris, and sandalwood step forward to temper the soaring jasmine with a creamy, slightly powdery softness. Underneath that jasmine, rose, and lingering peach, the core of Roja Parfums Creation-E Essence de Parfum is a salty ambergris and musk. The base notes showcase the spotlight-stealing jasmine even as it is softened by a powdery rose. It brings to mind the 1953 classic “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” which paired the ambitious and effervescent Marilyn Monroe with a sultry and fiercely loyal Jane Russell.
Wearing Roses photo by Ratna Fitry via Pixabay
Roja Parfums Creation-E Essence de Parfum is both opulent and ambiguous. It is familiar but at the same time strangely exotic, sensual but also aloof. It wears closer to the skin, but it is not a skin scent. Though it is very long-wearing, Roja Parfums Creation-E Essence de Parfum remains a powdery, softly floral. It’s an enigma. As the Roja Parfums website suggests—“unravel the mystery.”
Notes: Bergamot, geranium, rose de mai, neroli, jasmin de Grasse, ylang ylang, heliotrope, peach, patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla, orris, ambergris, musk.
Disclaimer: A bottle of Roja Parfums Creation-E Essence de Parfum was provided by Eden Square for this review. My opinions are my own.
Dalya Azaria, Senior Contributor
Roja Parfums Creation-E Essence de Parfum, photo by The Perfumed Dahlia
Thanks to the generosity of Euro Perfumes/Eden Square, ÇaFleureBon has a 100 ml tester bottle of Roja Parfums Creation-E Essence de Parfum for one registered reader in the USA only. To be eligible for the draw, please leave a comment describing what appeals to you about Roja Parfums Creation-E Essence de Parfum based on Dalya’s review. Do you have a favorite Roja Parfum? Draw closes 3/28/2021
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