Happy Valentine's Day lovelies ♥♥♥ I'm one of those gals who believe every day should be Valentine's Day - why be extra loving and romantic on just one day of the year? But I appreciate the reminder every February 14, and of course, any excuse to introduce a new fragrance is always welcome ♥ This review is somewhat unusual because I bought this bottle of Elizabeth ArdenTrue Love (blind) at the end of Autumn last year, and didn't like it at all. I don't think I've EVER seen a tester for this perfume, but it sounded (and looked) lovely, plus it was half price, so I figured I couldn't go wrong. Well my heart sank at the first spritz, so I stuck it in a drawer and promptly forgot about it. But I rediscovered it during my holiday clean out and decided to give it another go. Delighted to say either my taste has changed, or it's a warm weather scent - either way, something's different, and I'm loving it ♥...
Being pastel pink, and with a name like True Love, I was expecting a soft powdery floral, but it's actually quite sharp, spicy and almost sour. Classified as an oriental floral, listed top notes are peach, apricot, green (whatever that is) and freesia, and then there's a whole bunch of flowers in the middle (iris, jasmine, lily-of-the-valley and rose - very strong on the rose) plus orris root, and the base is sandalwood, vanilla (can't pick it at all), cedar and amber. My overworked (lol!) nose can't detect any fruit whatsoever, and with so many on-line reviewers saying it smells like baby powder, I can only assume it just reacts differently to individual skin chemistry because there's nothing powdery about this at all to me. I find this fragrance unique, woody and yet crisp and fresh, and for an EDT, it lasts an incredibly long time (up to 4 hours)...
Some folks call this vintage or old fashioned or old-ladyish - I wouldn't call it modern, but there's nothing musty or dusty about it. More like innocent with the charm of a bygone era - makes me think of long floral dresses and big hats, a picnic blanket and blush champagne for two ♥
The bottle is somewhat of a plain jane, but I love its simplicity, and the colour is ever so girly and feminine. In summary I'd call it spiced rose. I've never been all that interested in Elizabeth Arden perfumes, but I just might have to investigate the others...
To celebrate Valentine's Day, I'm giving away a 100ml bottle - because it's perfume and I can't post it OS, this is for Australian residents only. No Rafflecopter this time, just comment below why you think you might like this, and I'll choose what I reckon is the most creative answer next Friday (19th February) ♥
Take care of you,
kats xxx
P.S. Have you checked out Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up Party yet? Starts at 6:30am every Monday morning ♥
Edit: after much deliberation, the winner is...
Candice Needham ♥
Thanks to all you lovelies who entered - but don't stray too far as I have more giveaways coming up very soon xxx
Both rose & jasmine are migraine triggers for me, so I'll pass. I look for lily of the valley in my "hunting" perfumes. My nerd trivia from my science newsletter: LotV contains bourgeonal, which is the only known scent which men are more sensitive to than women. It attracts sperm in a petri dish, but I'm not sure if it helps when dating. It sure doesn't hurt!
ReplyDeleteBummer about the migraines neurotic - they're ingredients in so many perfumes, especially the jasmine. BUT never discount the petri dish scientific evidence lol!
DeleteI won't enter this time, but it's so interesting how we can completely change our minds about a fragrance or beauty product, isn't it? I often give something a second go and end up liking it! :)
ReplyDeleteYes very interesting Di - I think a lot of it is mood related, well it is in my case any way. Which is why I always avoided those ladies that would stand at the store entrance and thrust a perfumed card in my face - I have to be emotionally ready to try a fragrance ♥
DeleteLucky you didn't toss this fragrance out when you first tried it and didn't like it! Good luck to everyone entering your giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAh yes Ingrid, I've learned from past experiences - my nose can be very fickle at times ha ha. I've even had it happen the other way around - LOVED a perfume at first, and then had to retire it at a not much later date, only to switch back again xxx
DeleteI was part of a testing panel for a range of beauty products and perfumes and this was one of my favourites. At the time I didn't know what brand it was or the perfume notes but it just smelt like 'me'. I am glad that you didn't throw it away and gave it a second chance :-)
ReplyDeleteOooh love blind testings Kate - it's amazing how much we can be influenced by names and labels hey ♥♥♥
DeleteI love that it's a bit of a 'plain Jane' packaging, but that totally ties in with the way the scent is described - innocent and simple. Sounds very pretty!
ReplyDeleteAgreed TP - definitely uncluttered and clear. I like the entwined circles symbol on the box too xxx
DeleteWell...I think you are very aware that my life is dedicated to the pursuit of a certain Mt George Clooney. Yes I know he is now married but that can be dealt with. Once he meets me he will say what a major mistake he has made and of course he will fall madly head over heels in love with me. "True Love" ...Im sure if i switch from emailing him 838 times a day and send him some snail mail...sprinkled with "True love" thats bound to get him interested...right? So...please help my cause...I very much need the perfume. My love life depends on it.
ReplyDeleteLol Fawn, this is such an entertaining read - thanks for the giggle hon ♥
DeleteI love the way you described this perfume! So romantic and you have photographed it beautifully! <3 I recently had to do a major perfume purge and get rid of about 90% because they were just WAY too old and had gone sour. I used to buy so many but now my life has changed and I just wait for birthdays or Christmas, but still quite enjoy just having a few special ones to appreciate. :) This would make a refreshing addition to the other bottles I have who think just because they have busy exteriors they are more special. Never judge a 'book' or scent or anything for that matter by it's cover right?! ;) Everything has beauty in some way, we just need to take the time to find & appreciate it. x
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said Candy - I have some amazingly glamorous and intricately adorned bottles on my shelf, but I can assure you this is the one that stands out xxx
DeleteI have never seen this perfume before and I don't know why but it sounds beautiful!! The minimalist packaging is so so lovely. I had a giggle at 'your overworked nose' lol you definitely describe perfume notes well so don't worry about that!! Good luck to everyone entering, you're so generous as always Kats xx
ReplyDeleteI've only ever seen it at Chemist Warehouse Monique, and interestingly my eye skimmed over it so many times before I eventually bought it (online) xxx
DeleteElizabeth Arden's Red Door was my signature scent for many years and many bottles!
ReplyDeleteYour description of True Love is intriguing
'....innocent .... charm of a bygone era ..... long floral dresses and big hats, a picnic blanket and blush champagne for two' That is so me!
All the notes and flowers described sound wonderful but your summarised 'Spiced Rose' says it all to me and I think it's one I would love!
Yes it's tricky to find a perfume - spraying it onto a piece of card is meaningless but the joy of having two daughters, three sisters and a mum, is that if I buy a scent that's not for me, there's someone who will love it!
Like you, I should check out EA fragrances!
Hmmm I don't think I've ever given Red Door the sniff test Karen - must give it a try. Actually I think the only one that has ventured up my nose is the Green Tea one, which isn't to my taste, and that's probably what's put me off sampling the others. But after this experience, I might just have another go xxx
DeleteSo great when you find a new love right amongst your stash!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just? I loathe wasting anything, so I was delighted with this turn around ♥
DeleteI'm crazy about anything that has a rose scent so I think this is one for me to try! beyoutyfulyou.com
ReplyDeleteDefinitely lots of rose Louise xxx
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