One day, not too long ago, I wasn’t feeling well and for the most part of that day I stayed “perfumeless.” Since for me it’s a very unusual situation, I felt there was something missing. I was thinking for a while on the scent to choose: on one hand, I wanted something nice and comforting – so trying anything new was completely out of question; on the other hand, I was afraid to ruin one of my favorites by wearing them while I was sick. So I made a slightly cowardly choice: I chose perfume, which I knew was pleasant and which I liked when I wore it before. And at the same time I wouldn’t have been upset too much if I’d hated my $5 mini bottle afterwards. It hasn’t happened. The perfume got me through my bad day without living unpleasant associations. I’m grateful to it and ashamed a little. That day I’d chosen…
Voile d’Ambre – created in 2006 by Olivier Pescheux, notes include cardamom, mandarin, incense, myrrh, opopanax, patchouli, sandalwood and vanilla. This one smells for my nose like a real perfume (no curtseys “for the price”, etc.) Maybe because it doesn’t have any flower notes? I don’t know but I like it. I can smell some citrus in the beginning but after a short while it’s just a smooth and warm incense-sandalwood-vanilla scent.
Voile d’Ambre has a light to medium sillage (3.5 out of 5) and a good tenacity (4+ hours). It can be worn on its own or layered (I tried it with Linden by Demeter and found it to be a very nice combination). Yves Rocher website constantly runs one promotion or the other so if you’re curious you can have it really cheap. My suggestion: a 5 ml mini bottle or a 15 ml purse spray.
Vanille Noire – created in 2010 by Jacques Cavallier, notes include mandarin, mimosa, vanilla bourbon absolute, cedar, Tahitian vanilla absolute and Ugandan vanilla absolute. It’s a very nice and uncomplicated vanilla scent and, as with all perfumes from Yves Rocher, it’s inexpensive. I do not smell anything dark about it (I wonder, which notes in the composition were supposed to convey that “darkness”) but it’s not unpleasant. I wouldn’t wear it “as is”, it’s too simple for my taste, but it might be used for the layering, not to waste more complex perfumes.
As I was looking for real reviews for these two perfumes I came across Dee’s posting: it’s a curious coincidence that we both paired these two minis.
Read also a real review at Perfume-Smellin’ Things.
As always, feel free to post a link to your blog’s post(s) related to the topic.
Image: my own
See previous episodes:
Weeklong Test Drives, Season 2: Yves Rocher
WTD, Episode 2.1: Venice by Yves Rocher
WTD, Episode 2.2: Iris Noir, Tendre Jasmin and Naturelle by Yves Rocher
WTD, Episode 2.3: Rose Absolu and Pur Desir de Rose by Yves Rocher
WTD, Episode 2.4: In the Search of the Perfect Lilac
WTD, Episode 2.6: Nature by Yves Rocher
Undina's Looking Glass 
Hmm, I like the sound of Voile d’Amber, but it sounds similar to several perfumes I already have. It’s awfully hard for me to resist any incensey perfumes, and the price is ideal. Maybe I’ll give it a shot. :)
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I’m not sure if you’re you familiar with the brand and their website. From time to time there is free S&H with $25 purchase. And I could suggest some other products if you do not have your own favorites there.
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Undina, it is funny that we both paired these two scents together! They seem to go hand in hand.
Vanille Noire was something that I was splashing in my hair after a shower—it seemed like the perfect way to wear it! Ultimately, Voile d’Ambre was pretty, but I like my ambers with a little more zazz. Both were passed along, but I did enjoy them while I had them.
Yves Rocher kind of reminds me of Bath and Body Works—both produce some really nice scents, but even for easy, effortless wearing I go for something with a little more heft.
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Thank you for the shower idea! It will be a great use for Vanille Noire mini bottle. Even though I agree with you on principle (about “easy, effortless wearing” perfumes choice) I wouldn’t dare to use any of the better ones for that type of an application.
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I have the roll on thingy, and I’m glad I didn’t invest in an entire bottle. Like you said, it’s nice enough, but there’s nothing dark about. I wouldn’t mind owning the shower gel and the body lotion for late night showers after a long day – would be nice to be enveloped in a soft vanilla scent when going to bed. And it might work well as a summer scent as well.
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I used to like YR’s shower gels but then they discontinued one or two of my most favorite scents, I weren’t buying anything else from them any more so it was too much of a hassle to order just one or two bottles of gel – and I stopped buying from them altogether. There are still several things I can find a use for if I need to order something for a minimum purchase requirements for the free S&H, but I do it once every 2-3 years, I think.
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