New Perfume Review: Tambela Perfumes Dark Moon Rose (Elise Pearlstine) + September SuperMoon Draw

voguehelmut newton dancing cheryl tiegs rene russo

Cheryl Tiegs & Rene Russo by Helmut Newton for Vogue, December 1974 (colorized MC)

The moon’s cycles have been used to mark the passing of time, for planning of agriculture, and choosing fortuitous times to engage in activities or work on tasks.  The waxing or growing moon is a time for starting new projects and seeing their growth with the moon to fruition.  The full moon signals times of bounty and harvest.  The waning or shrinking moon is good for working towards removing unwanted presences, obstacles, or habits.  The dark moon or new moon though, that is a time of quiet, of self-reflection, a time to choose what seeds you want to sow and wake those dormant sparks of life from slumber.  With her new release of Dark Moon Rose, perfumer and senior contributor Elise Pearlstine of Tambela Natural Perfumes honors the magic in the lunar cycles with a heady and seductive perfume of rose on amber that is sure to fan those sensuous sparks into hot glowing fire.

moonandrosepetals

Moon and Rose Petals image Sailormoonnews.com

Dark Moon Rose was originally created by Natural  perfumer Elise Pearlstine in January 2014, a very busy month for lunar events.  January began with not only a new moon, but a super moon, followed by a full moon falling on our perfumer’s birthday, then ending with a second new moon.  This made for quite an auspicious month, and Ms. Pearlstine began work on New Year’s Day laying the foundation for the perfume.  On the full moon, she began making modification and adjustments to the formula to help it sparkle.  Then on the final dark moon of the month, Elise finalized and polished the perfume into a stunning release.  Wanting this perfume to be a labor of love and an opportunity to spread joy.

blood moon photograph 2015

Blood Moon cracked.com

In response to the requests for more lunar fragrances, Ms. Pearlstine set to work with the moon cycles and reformulated this jubilant perfume to round it out a bit further and improve its longevity.  On July 31st, a blue moon (second  full moon in a single month) and August 1st, the day of the full moon, she made some adjustments and is releasing the new version of Dark Moon Rose  for the Blood Moon September 28, 2015.

helmut newton roses moon cheryl tiegs rene russo

Cheryl Tiegs & Rene Russo by Helmut Newton for Vogue, December 1974

Dark Moon Rose opens with a fleeting citrus note, then quickly introduces a rich, lush, narcotic rose that swallows you up in sensory bliss.  The rose is captivating, alluring, and continuous, revealing new facets of the scent much live the petals slowly opening to a full bloom.  Musky notes keep it a very dark rose scent true to its name, with spices interweaving and giving an easy and enjoyable transition into the amber.

fashion photography jewelry

Oh, the amber!  It is a delectable base, spicy, sweet, and almost edible.  The addition of a gentle patchouli and cocoa note keep the amber on the drier side, so it avoids the cloying and the powdery facets of some amber fragrances.  This makes for an amber that can be enjoyed even on warmer evenings. Dark Moon Rose has good sillage and above average longevity for natural perfumes.  It can be worn easily by men as well as  women.

Notes:  four kinds of roses, jasmine, neroli, sandalwood, a traditional amber base of aged labdanum, benzoin, and vanilla, tonka, chocolate, aged patchouli, a touch of tarragon, and a bit of Meyer lemon. (so many of these notes and ingredients have been featured in Elise’s  popular ÇaFleureBon Perfume Notes & Ingredients returning this month)

Disclosure: I received my sample from Tambela New Perfume Review:  Tambela’s Dark Moon Rose + Super Moon Draw

Michael Singels, Senior Contributor

Editor’s Note: A rare supermoon eclipse will take place on September 28,2015.Art direction Michelyn

darkmoonrose750px

Tambela Perfumes Dark Moon Rose

Thanks to the generosity of Elise, we have a 7 ml bottle of Dark Moon Rose up for draw to a registered user anywhere in the world. (You must be registered).  To be eligible, please leave a comment on  why you want to try Dark Moon Rose by Tambela, where you live and your favorite perfume ingredients post from Elise!  Draw will close 09/4/15.

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

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30 comments

  • Kim M. says:

    Anything rose to me is lovely — from spicy roses, to dusty roses, even boozy roses. Honey is one perfume ingredient I’d like to see someday with rose, just because. A warm amber rose, however, sounds positively sexy. Loving the thought behind this fragrance! US resident. Thank you!

  • madeleine gallay says:

    “A rich, lush, narcotic rose …” Most of all, the language of perfumery, so romantic and then the gorgeous photos of girls dancing, captivated by the moon (ok, supermodels).

    Love this. love the seduction of roses. Roses, and jasmine, so sensual. In the USA, thank you.

  • Michelle U says:

    I am really curios to try Dark Moon Rose not just because of the mysterious, alluring name but mostly because it has a story and a a special astronomic meaning. I perfume inspired by the moon’s cycles is a perfume I would really like to try because it seems to be a very special perfume.

    This part of the review makes it even more interesting “Dark Moon Rose opens with a fleeting citrus note, then quickly introduces a rich, lush, narcotic rose that swallows you up in sensory bliss.”.

    Favorite ingredient:rose

    I am a registered reader from the EU.

    Thank you for this opportunity! Wish you all the best!

  • julesinrose says:

    Why do I want to try this? Well, I’m both a rose and amber lover and this sounds absolutely stunning!

    And on another topic, I didn’t know what a blue moon was. Thank you!

    In the US. Cheers!

  • pursejunkie says:

    I would like to try because I’ve recently enjoyed other chocolate and patchouli combos.
    Saffron was my favorite.
    US.

  • Maya says:

    This perfume was created during the super moon in the beginning of January 2014. My birthday is in the beginning of January which adds to my interest in Dark Moon Rose, which sounds absolutely wonderful. I would love to try it. The perfume ingredients post that I really liked was the ylang ylang one. I learned the most from it. Live in the US.

  • fazalcheema says:

    Rose is again enjoying mainstream popularity not only among women but also guys and I have been exploring some rose perfumes again. I am particularly interested in this because it is relatively dense rose composition due to the presence of patchouli among other notes. This may be another surprise after another dense rose perfume i smelled recently which is Sarah Barton King Darkly Audacious.
    Some of the notes I love in this perfume are jasmine and sandalwood. I am in the US> thanks for the lovely draw.

  • Kelly Rose says:

    Rose is not only my name, but one of my favorite scents in the whole world. I want to try the new perfume because everything Elise makes is incredible. Her descriptions of the scents are almost as enticing as the scents themselves.
    I remember a post about musks, but not the details…..I think that was my favorite.
    I am in the USA.

  • Joyce says:

    The Amber and Rose notes described here make me imagine this world of perfumes that Elise has created to be a world I would highly prize to enter.The world of the Dark Moon sounds as if it will take us to a place where sensuous sparks are all around us and fire will surely be the outcome! Rose is still my favorite note from Perfume Ingredients. I am a registered US reader. Thank you for the review and draw.

  • Francesca says:

    That moon so sooo big down here in the South of the planet. I’m liking the descriptions in this review, very dark but in a mysterious and safe way. Safe darkness? can I say that? I enjoyed Elise’s descriptions for want of a better word, of the botanicals- nothing in particular because I liked them across the board.She has a beautiful way with words and a deft hand at perfumes.A dark rose would be one to watch and one to wear I bet! Thanks for the worldwide draw- the world is elated!! I’m an International. Registered too 🙂

  • Sharon says:

    I am fascinated by the moon’s influence in our lives, so to combine that with the creating of perfume is powerful indeed.
    I live in South Africa
    Mimosa, Cassie and Acacia

  • Timea says:

    Wow! Amazing review. I would very love to try Dark Moon Rose by Tambela, because I love roses, and the scent of roses of course. And from the article is sounds incredible fabulous. My favorite perfume ingredient is: Rose
    I’m a registered reader. Thank you for this wonderful draw. I live in Europe.

  • ringthing says:

    I want to try Dark Moon Rose because I love rose perfumes (my other perfume name online is rosarita) and I prefer my roses dark and mysterious! This sounds just perfect. I have enjoyed the perfume ingredients series very much; patchouli is one that stands out. I’m in the US. Thanks so much for all your hard work Elise, and to you and CaFleurebon for the amazing opportunity. Great review, Michael.

  • Iphigenia says:

    I adore roses and amber is also a favorite note and you can I imagine how much I want to try this perfume !!!
    I live in EU and I thank you for this exquisite draw

  • Patsi says:

    I would really like to try Dark Moon Rose firstly to appreciate its scent and secondly to experience how special it is because of the specific time it was formulated. We are all made mostly of water; much of the world is made up of water and so the Moon is responsible for ebb and flow, emotions, darkness and light. Fascinating…… I’m in the UK and hope i’m chosen. PS my favourity perfume ingredient post from Elise was on Ylang Ylang! thanks. P

  • Judy says:

    I’m sure the fragrances have little in common, but as a lover of Eau de Lalique (which features a dill note), and Aqua Allegoria Hierba Menta (think I have that right), I’ve become intrigued with unusual herbal notes and unexpected contrasts in a fragrance. The idea of tarragon in this scent — along with the sweeter and richer notes — really sparks my interest. That said, I’m also happy to be introduced to the perfume ingredient essay by Elise. They’re really rich and interesting! Although I haven’t read them all, my current favorite of the perfume ingredient posts is the one on Iris (orris) root. Until I’d read it, I had no idea the lys in fleur de lys was an iris, and no idea that it was thought to have aphrodisiac qualities. I always think of it as such a cool note…

    I’m in the U.S. Thanks for the draw.

  • JazzBelle says:

    I have an intense fascination with the moon. The moon reflects our innermost hidden emotions. The moon is magical, mystical.

    Dark Moon Rose sounds gorgeous. I love rose scents although most of them appear too linear to me. The combination of citrus with a deep dark musky rose sounds beautiful and complex.

    I am in the USA. My favorite ingredients note review by Elise was the clove post. Thank you!

  • Donna Spiegel says:

    I think for me, the initial pull is this “Oh, the amber!” The description of how this amber is makes this one a must try. Sounds really unusual and beautiful. I love a hint of the meyer lemon too – citrus can play nicely with perfumes, if done right. So this does sound very appealing. One of my favorite ingredients is cardamom, especially going into these cooler months. Seductive, sexy, inviting, warming. I’m in the US and registered. Thanks – and thank you for the heads up of a rare supermoon eclipse. Hope to see it!

  • Elise P says:

    Such beautiful words and art! Thank you Michael and Michelyn for all you do. You have captured Dark Moon Rose perfectly. As well, it really warms my heart to hear your favorite ingredients posts.

  • Anna H says:

    Dark Moon Rose sounds absolutely gorgeous! Rich floral gourmand fragrances are right up my alley. I am from the midwestern US and my favorite review by Elise was the one about saffron’s history and use in modern perfumery.

  • Valentine Girl says:

    I really enjoyed reading how each stage of the creation of Dark Moon Rose was influenced by lunar events culminating with its release on the final eclipse of the current lunar tetrad. While the rose supported by the amber base sounds “narcotic”, I was intrigued by the hint of Meyer lemon & touch of tarragon notes also included in the composition. I have found the perfume notes & ingredient posts fascinating, so it is hard to pick a favorite, but since this is a “lunar” perfume…I liked the post on honey and beeswax (honeyMOON)! I still have my fingers crossed that Elise will cover one of my favorite notes one day—basil. Perhaps a post on “herbal” notes; such as basil, cilantro, and tarragon. Oh, and I also happened to be born under a full moon too! Thanks for the draw – USA resident.

  • Deena says:

    The background story is fascinating, and the notes sound lovely. I loved Ms. Pearlstine’s article on saffron (it’s how I found this website, actually!).
    I’m in Canada, thanks for the draw!

  • Reg says:

    I have several spicy roses, and if the amber is not cloying I would love to try this one. And the name is just too dreamy. I live in the EU and although I think they’re all great my favourite ingredients post by Elise is the one about violets.

  • Marion Low says:

    A dark and dusky rose, but not a dirty rose, and lots of amber, that is a top combo for me. The name says it all, well chosen! I have many favorite essences, bergamot, gardenia, tuberose, orange blossom, spices all, plum, Bulgarian roses and amber, chocolate….. Meyer lemon…interesting! Thanks for the chance to win this perfume! I live in Arizona, hungering for autumn temperatures and autumn perfumes.

  • Greg Mayne says:

    I love anything rose related! I own numerous rose fragrances, but this one sounds superb. I love how authentic it is, and would be great in any collection. My favorite note review was the one about clove. Great review!

    Canada

  • Vick G says:

    Dark Moon Rose sounds so interesting. The name of it alone pulls me in. Rose fragrances don’t seem to go too well with my skin, but maybe this one changes that. I do like how there is also a musky vibe to it as well. I really enjoyed the post Elise made about iris. It’s one of my favorite notes and I learned a ton in that article. I am in Canada and thank you for the draw.

  • Jessica Ring says:

    Well, I pretty much think Elise is one of the most amazing people on the planet. She has such lively elegance: through her camera lens, her writing…..and her self-propelled advocacy work for pollinators only deepens my adoration. Elise understands perfume from the earth on up to the sky. She lives it. So of course i want to be covered in Dark Moon Rose, which I would share with my BFF, since we spent the SuperMoon lounging by the ocean, enfolded in a dark storm, drinking rose mead and uncorking a new perfume every hour. We would cherish this perfume and share it all over the place <3

  • Lyubov says:

    Rose-amber is a seductive combo, indeed! If I win it, I would use it as an afrodisiac!!!!!!
    I love violets, and consequently my favorite posting of Elise’s was CaFleureBon Violets in Perfumery: “No Shrinking Violet”!
    I am in Bulgaria (EU). Thanks for the chance!

  • DGambas says:

    Elise’s creation inspired and determined by the lunar cycle sounds magic. This review describes a very nice harmony of ingredients combined in Dark Moon Rose. There is a coherence between natural perfumery and a natural order. Notes in the perfume are amazing. I would love to feel its aroma, energy and vibrations. Elise’s articles are the respectable source of important information on ingredients. I read them here and on Elise’s blog. My favorite one is on cardamom because I had known almost nothing about it before I read that article. I enjoy reading her profile in Cafleurebon Profiles series. I’m in the EU, Croatia. Thank you.

  • Greg Sh says:

    Rose fragrances are always a delight to try. Some smell great to me, while others are just okay. This perfume though sounds incredible. I love the notes and feel that they blend perfectly together. I enjoyed reading the post about ylang ylang. I’m in Canada.