The 7 Virtues Vetiver Elemi, Amber Rose and Lotus Pear + The Three 7 Virtues Perfumes You Should Be Wearing

 

 Barb Stegemann of the 7 virtues

Barb Stegemann © The 7 Virtues

I find it gratifying when those who put their best foot forward and strive to enable struggling communities around the world are acknowledged publicly. As befits the character of such souls, accolades aren’t the reason they began in the first place – which makes success that much sweeter. Social and business entrepreneur Barb Stegemann of The 7 Virtues was recently awarded Cosmopolitan Magazine’s 2022 Holy Grail Beauty Award for their latest fragrant release 7 Virtues Lotus Pear, the proceeds of which benefit women in Nepal (Days For Girls), helping to promote education and eradicate ignorance and poverty.

 

The 7 Virtues Rose from Afghanistan

Roses harvested from Afghanistan©

For The 7 Virtues, this is not a one-off: they’ve supported suppliers in hopes of promoting the cultivation of jasmines, orange blossoms and roses in lieu of opium poppies; assisting Haiti, whose vetiver plants help control soil erosion during tropical storms, feed animals and provide essential oil for perfumery. Through the diligent practice of upcycling perfectly beautiful by-products of rose and jasmine production, they help eliminate waste. Since 2010, The 7 Virtues has managed to enable us to smell good while doing good – all for an affordable price. I’m hard-pressed to think of comparable lines (especially as regards accessibility for the general public). When considering which three 7 Virtues fragrances to choose, I ended up with three very different scents:  The 7 Virtues Vetiver Elemi, Rose Amber and Lotus Pear – in short, hopefully something for everyone.

The 7 Virtues Vetiver Elemi (2018, Angela Stavreska and Barb Stegemann): why one doesn’t hear much about The 7 Virtues Vetiver Elemi is a bit of a mystery to me, frankly. It’s such a graceful earthy scent – piquant and tangy in the opening due to the employment of bergamot, grapefruit and lemon-peppery elemi. Spices are both warm and cool: cumin and nutmeg are joined by cardamom as the rosy/jasmine heart is seasoned with herbal rose geranium. Lightly smoky Haitian vetiver surrounds itself with dulcetly dosed, well-balanced quantities of cedar, patchouli, moss and a delicate amber, creating a classical base which seems to float. Refreshing, elegant and tonic, The 7 Virtues Vetiver Elemi is a perfect go-to. The 7 Virtues Vetiver Elemi Notes: bergamot, grapefruit, elemi, cardamom, cumin, nutmeg, jasmine, geranium, rose, vetiver, cedarwood, patchouli, amber, moss

The 7 Virtues Vetiver Elemi is composed with ethically sourced organic and fair-trade Vetiver essential oil from Haiti.

The & Virtues Rose Amber

The 7 Virtues Rose Amber (2018, Angela Stavreska and Barb Stegemann): romantic rose which whispers ‘souk’ – The 7 Virtues Rose Amber is a skillful study in East meets West without resorting to syrupy sweetness. When you introduce rose by way of a sparkling pink pepper accented with bergamot and neroli, toss in a pinch of dusky cinnamon and the sweet/tart quality of cassis, you’re already ahead of the game. Let’s layer nuance upon nuance sans heft: liquorish, intoxicating davana, powdery silver orris, non-indolic jasmine consorting with a more-floral-than-herbal lavender. Rose Amber’s base may appear loaded with heavy-hitters such as amber, sandalwood, vetiver and patchouli (not to ignore vanilla), but don’t be fooled: there exists a spacious, airy quality which is very appealing.

 Rose Amber Notes: pink pepper, cassis, neroli, bergamot, davana, rose, cinnamon, orris, jasmine, lavender, amber, sandalwood, vanilla, vetiver and patchouli.

Ethically sourced rose natural essential oil from Afghanistan

The 7 Virtues Lotus Pear(2022 CPL Aromas and Barb Stegemann): juicy, joyous, sophisticated and playful – Lotus Pear is a fruity floral which gives this genre a good reputation; it also doubles as a non-cloying gourmand. Pulpy peach and limpid pear notes complement rose, orange flower and jasmine, with a sweet sprinkle of softly indolic gardenia in tow; geranium imparts a tender leafy herbal touch. A woody vanillic base grounds and comforts, as well it ought. Don it when you seek lightness of heart. Lotus Pear Notes: Williams pear, peach, upcycled rose and orange flower, jasmine, lotus flower, Egyptian geranium, gardenia, vanilla.

 

MAKE PERFUME, NOT WAR® photo by The 7 Virtues

 

Samples of The 7 Virtues Vetiver Elemi and Rose Amber provided by Barb Stegemann in 2019; bottle of Lotus Pear provided this past March – many thanks!  My nose is my own…

 

~ Ida Meister, Deputy and Natural Perfumery Editor

Barb Stegemann Dragon's Den

Barb Stegemann appeared on ‘Dragon’s Den’ (The Canadian Shark Tank) in 2010 and realized her dream to pitch her business: a perfume company which sourced its ingredients from Afghanistan. Kevin O’Leary, aka Mr. Wonderful on Shark Tank didn’t even give Barb any chance 

 We were introduced to The 7 Virtues by Deputy Editor Tama Blough in 2013 (RIP), she wrote, “The words “sustainability” and “fair trade” are bandied about quite often lately, mostly in the area of food and farming. But what do they mean for perfumery? A new Canadian-based company called The 7 Virtues is working to bring those practices to the manufacture of scent”. In 2022 sustainability has become a buzz word for so many companies, but few have made it their mission for over a decade. –Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Thanks to the generosity of Barb Stegemann and The 7 Virtues we have one 50 ml bottle of either Lotus Pear, Rose Amber, or Vetiver Elemi available to one registered reader in the USA or Canada. Be sure to register or your comment will not count. To be eligible for the draw, tell us where you live and what appeals to you about Ida’s reviews of The 7 Virtues Vetiver Elemi, Rose Amber and Lotus Pear and where you live. Draw closes 5/26/22

Available at The 7 Virtues – Natural Perfumes 

Also available at Sephora

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial, @the7virtues @barbstegemann and @idameister

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26 comments

  • I’ve been meaning to try this line for a while! I didn’t know vetiver helps control soil erosion; that’s interesting. Personally I love naturalistic fruity scents, so I am most intrigued by Lotus Pear. I live in New England, USA.

  • hshinkoda says:

    Hi there! I really enjoy Ida’s review! 7 Virtues fragrances are all very good, great prices and for the cherry on top the brand is sustainable!!!! What else could you ask for? I think the three fragrances she chose goes yo different directions. One green, other a little dark and rich and my favorite Lotus Pear is fruity and girly !!!! I only have a rollerball and I would love to have a full bottle of Lotus Pear!!!!! Massachusetts, US.

  • What an amazing collection Barb Stegemann and the 7 Virtues has made. I loved reading about these 3 different fragrances, each one is so unique. The one I got interested the most was Lotus Pear because of its fruity and floral notes and how it is tamed by a woody vanillic base. Would totally love to try it.
    USA here.

  • I really enjoyed reading about all 3 . I see this line all over Instagram. I’m interested in the Rose Amber. The notes sound wonderful. Thank you for this Chance USA

  • I think I would pick Lotus Pear, it sounds lovely this time of year. I also really appreciate the idea of a pear scent. It also appeals to me that they are available at Sephora.

  • Gosh, so excited for this review as I love the ethos behind 7 Virtues !
    I really enjoyed the review, as it also gave some newsworthy information – the award and the charity. It is so awesome to hear when a brand and the entrepreneurs behind the company contribute to the world in these ways.
    As usual, always appreciate the description of the scent Ida provides.
    Thanks and hello from Canada!

  • GennyLeigh says:

    I have 7 Virtues Middle East Peace and it’s a very wearable, uncomplicated citrus/herbal blend. I always get compliments when I wear it. I love the ethos of 7 Virtues, focusing on sustainability and ethically sourced, high quality ingredients. All three perfumes sound lovely, but I would most like to try Rose Amber. The addition of davana got me. MD, USA.

  • What appealed to me about the review was that these are available at Sephora. If picked I’d like the Vetiver Elemi. US

  • sephrenia300 says:

    Wonderful review Ida! What appeals to me about Ida’s reviews of The 7 Virtues Vetiver Elemi, Rose Amber and Lotus Pear is learning that brand is devoted to giving back to communities around the world, with proceeds benefiting organizations such as Days for Girls that helps promote education and eradicate ignorance and poverty, as well as being dedicated to sustainability and upcycling. I love to support socially conscious brands like this, and knowing that The 7 Virtues does this consistently and conscientiously is amazing and really makes me want to try all their fragrances.

    I live in the US. If I were to win, I would love to pick Rose Amber.

  • Ida!!! ❤️❤️❤️ I LOVE my 7 Virtues perfumes!!! I wear them all the time! They are gorgeous and such a wonderful go-anywhere, crowd-pleasing reach! I get so many compliments! ❤️❤️❤️ No need to enter me in the contest, just wanted to say how much I adore this house! They are making quality fragrances and doing seriously good work in the world – it IS possible!!! ❤️❤️❤️

  • It also doubles as a non-cloying gourmand. I love goumands but not over bearingly sweet fragrances, so this sounds great. I live in Georgia USA. Thanks!

  • Jasub Ojeda says:

    Ida’s review is no nonsense and goes to the root of what to expect in the fragrances. The added benefit is the knowledge that the sources materials are ethically harvested and sustainable. That being said, Rose Amber looks extremely enticing to me.

    I live in Arizona, USA. I am following both @cafleurebonofficial and @the7virtues.

  • I don’t remember hearing of this brand previously and now am dying to try it. Smell good while doing good. This is a wonderful philosophy and I’m going to check them out next time I’m in Sephora. In the meanwhile, I’d love to win Vetiver Elemi!

  • I love to hear about a company that is trying to do good in the world and not solely out for profit! I’ve been struggling to find a vetiver that I like but this one sounds unique and with 2 notes I really enjoy; elemy and cumin this could be the one! My pick is Vetiver Elemy. In US

  • The mission of 7 virtues to be environmentally sustainable is very noble. I appreciate Ida’s review of the three fragrances from 7 virtues – Lotus Pear, Rose Amber and Vetiver Elemi. Ida highlighted the feel and composition of each fragrance. If I had to pick one of three, I would pick Rose Amber.
    Greetings from Maryland, US.

  • joetelegram says:

    I really appreciate the green/environmental consciousness of Barb Stegemann and “The 7 Virtues.” I especially love how the folks that make perfumery possible, the producers, are dealt in, as it were. All too uncommon, no? Thank you for bringing that to my attention, Ida.

    I appreciate the connection with “Rose Amber” and the Middle Eastern “souk”. I used to live in Saudi Arabia; I can still close my eyes and smell the land and the open air souks.

    Thank you for the opportunity & keep doing what you are doing!

    Joseph O’Brien–Roseburg, Oregon (USA)
    Instagram: @joetelegram

  • It is nice to hear about a company using organic products and making a difference in the lives of under-privileged people. I have not tried this brand, but from Ida’s reviews, it seems any of their perfumes would be enjoyable. For the draw, if I were to win, I would choose 7 Virtues Rose Amber, as it is heavy, Middle Eastern, smoky type (which I like) but also spacious and airy. From USA.

  • Regis Monkton says:

    If I win the draw, then I choose “Vetiver Elemi”. I haven’t tried anything yet from this company, but I appreciate being reminded about this company because they seem to be more conscientious than most other fragrance companies and because they seem to release high-quality fragrances. I hope that I win. I live in the U.S.A.

  • Huge congrats on winning the Cosmopolitan award! I love that the proceeds are going towards promoting education and assisting Haiti. The notes in Lotus Pear sound so good! Love the addition of herbal geranium and base vanilla. I would love to win Lotus Pear. I am in CA, USA.

  • Kudos to Stegemann and The 7 Virtues for emphasizing the importance of education and doing what they can to promote it among women worldwide. More impressive was the long list of additional steps the brand takes to practice sustainability.

    Of the three fragrances Ida reviewed, I’m really drawn to Vetiver Elemi, and I love the way Ida described the “dulcetly dosed” cedar, patchouli, moss, and amber. I can really imagine a base “which seems to float.” Wonderful reviews, as always.

    I’m in the midwest, USA.

  • Michael Prince says:

    I’m interested in Ida’s review of The 7 Virtues Vetiver Elemi, Rose Amber and Lotus Pear. I loved learning about the brands all natural and sustainable ingredients and how each fragrance proceeds money to a charitable cause around the world to bring money and awareness. All these fragrances sound amazing. I am from the USA.

  • msnitechemist says:

    I live in Maryland, USA. I have liked 7 Virtues since I tried them in a Sephora store. I thought I’d like Santal Vanilla but it turned out that and Vanilla Woods weren’t for me. I have Blackberry Lily, it’s so wonderful and unusual that when I heard they were debuting Lotus Pear, I went the week after to try it on in the store. The combination of the fruits and flowers are soooo nice. I think Ida captured this scent well in her writing. I would like Lotus Pear if I win. To answer Ida’s question, why doesn’t anyone anyone hear about Vetiver Elemi, I don’t think it’s available in Sephora stores, or at least I haven’t seen them in the 3 stores near me, so the only people who have tried it are those who bought the discovery set and then bought it from the brand website. Rose Amber sounds like an intriguing scent but still, I would like the Lotus Pear. Thanks for the draw.

  • foreverscents says:

    I appreciate companies like The 7 Virtues that are sustainable and that work with communities. I would be interested in winning Vetiver Elemi. I love a vetiver fragrance that is tangy and earthy, yet elegant.
    I live in the USA.

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thank you the nice review Ida. Congratulations to Barb on her award.

    I enjoyed learning about this brand. Having a cause is something that I find quite important when choosing a brand and having a brand that is thinking about sustainability, fair trade, watchful about animal cruelty and the types of chemicals involved in their fragrances is quite impactful, especially since the world of perfumery is dominated by fashion, status and profit.

    I was drawn to Vetiver Elemi because of it’s refreshing quality and their commitment to preserving Haitian Vetiver and allowing the local people to benefit . I remember that a cyclone or some sort of storm had completely wiped out the Haitian vetiver industry, affecting a tremendous number of livelihoods.

    All the best to this brand.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • It’s good to read a piece that puts these scents in perspective both as scents and in relation to the company’s business principles. I’m most interested in Vetiver Elemi. (USA)

  • Thank you so much for writing about these! I ordered samples and ended up ordering the Blackberry Lily. A perfect jammy gourmand for summer.