Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.
Until I started working in the fragrance industry, I automatically assumed that the terms “niche, expensive, Paris-exclusive” guarantee quality, originality and elegance, while the big designer brands and mass market would offer exactly the opposite. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Some niche brands do indeed spend a lot of effort on fragrance, as do some large popular brands, while others spend less money on scent than do detergent companies. And believe me, it is quite little for fine fragrance. In this light, it is liberating to forget about labels and simply look for interesting discoveries in venues other than high-end boutiques. My most recent discovery of this sort is Bath & Body Works Velvet Tuberose.
Bath & Body Works has an overwhelmingly large collection of fragrances, and while not everything deserves attention (Sun-Ripened Raspberry is a jarring, chemical berry, Cucumber Melon reminds me of what malls used to smell like in the 1990s), some fragrances are quite lovely. Moonlight Path is a gentle Chanel No 5 type; Black Amethyst is an interesting patchouli framed oriental; Butterfly Flower is a strikingly pretty floral. For the most part, they are uncomplicated compositions, with a few dominant features that provide enough interest without being dramatic. The ethos of Bath & Body Works is underscored by its appeal to the younger age group, which means that one will not find polarizing or unusual blends in its portfolio. Yet, while the fragrances are hardly avant-garde, they are done quite well. Moreover, priced at $13.25 for 2.5oz, they are definitely affordable.
Velvet Tuberose is perhaps my favorite of the lineup, if only because it is one of the few successful uncomplicated tuberoses I have encountered. Airy and sheer at first, Velvet Tuberose gains depth from coconut and amber. As it dries down, the petally, green flower impression gives way to a creamy, sweet and spicy accord. In fact, this contrast between the floral heart and the musky-woody drydown provides an interesting aspect to Velvet Tuberose, even if the musk is much heavier than I would have liked. While it by no means rivals Carnal Flower and Fracas, Velvet Tuberose is a good everyday fragrance that is undemanding and easy to wear.
Velvet Tuberose is available from Bath & Body Works. It includes notes of citrus, magnolia, apricot, ylang ylang, tuberose, freesia, cyclamen, gardenia, jasmine, fig, musk.
11 Comments
Zazie: There are many expensive/exclusive/fancy perfume houses that my nose places into that “household” product quality…
But I would love to hear you name names… Though it might not be appropriate to ask! 😉
You made it mandatory to try Velvet tuberose, even if it might not be easy for me to find: 1) I am a tuberose addict, 2) from your review it sounds lovely, 3) I always enjoy a cheap thrill!
Going back to your initial point, I find myself drawn more and more often to the same houses or noses… Where I feel reasonably safe from being cheated by a luxurious image (concealing a cheap juice). Today I am wearing Chamade extrait, and I feel the quality and magic of the composition vibrating under each complex layer of the fragrance… Maybe it is not so, but I feel some of these classics are worth every single penny… August 3, 2010 at 2:39pm
sweetlife: I remembered that you liked this one, V., and actually braved the BBW near my grocery store to take a quick sniff. It was nice, but it’s hard to smell anything in that store, you almost have to just pony up for a trial size and take it to a more neutral spot…
I received a sample of Dawn Hurwitz’s Tubereuse in a swap and have been enjoying it. It too is a sunny, straightforward, beachy tuberose, with a relatively sheer, coconut facet to the drydown. It begins with a nice big burst of tuberose absolute, though. Nice! And very reasonably priced. August 3, 2010 at 3:30pm
sweetlife: I remembered that you liked this one, V., and actually braved the BBW near my grocery store to take a quick sniff. It was nice, but it’s hard to smell anything in that store, you almost have to just pony up for a trial size and take it to a more neutral spot…
I received a sample of Dawn Hurwitz’s Tubereuse in a swap and have been enjoying it. It too is a sunny, straightforward, beachy tuberose, with a relatively sheer, coconut facet to the drydown. It begins with a nice big burst of tuberose absolute, though. Nice! And very reasonably priced. August 3, 2010 at 3:30pm
Boisdejasmin: C, I am completely in agreement with you–the classics are worth every penny for me. Chamade extrait is a symphony, so perfect and so moving. Classical Guerlain is simply magical.
Velvet Tuberose is not vintage Guerlain, of course, it is simply pretty, but pretty done well (and inexpensive too.) 🙂 August 3, 2010 at 3:14pm
Timothy: No doubt. Classics are the best!!! August 3, 2010 at 7:17pm
Boisdejasmin: Ah, yes, I forgot to mention that. The main reason I actually never smelled anything BBW until recently is actually because of the smell inside. It is just too much, especially if anyone is testing that Cucumber Melon! August 3, 2010 at 4:09pm
Boisdejasmin: Timothy, I cannot agree more! August 4, 2010 at 1:16pm
Lynn Morgan: I’ve never tried the eau de toilette form of Velvert Tuberose, but the shower gel and the body cream are yummy. Especially the body cream or body butter (I am not sure what the distinction is except one comes in a jar and it’s much handier- I always end up slicing up the tubes with scissors to get out the last bit, and it’s shocking how much is left over after you can no longer squeeze the tube…. such a waste.) Anyway, the body cream is wonderfully hydrating and softly scented and great for anybody with dry skin. It’s not the Carnal Flower body butter which reigns supreme, but at least you don’t have to get your parents to co-sign a loan to get a tube of Velvet Tuberose! September 23, 2010 at 8:22pm
La Coquette: After seeing this review last night, I headed off to Bath & Body Works this morning & bought the EDT. It has been 3 hours since I sprayed it, and sadly I can’t stop smelling myself-in a good but stalker way 🙂 September 28, 2010 at 3:28pm
Maryam: I absolutely loved this scent and still hold hope that it might come back. But does anyone know the recipe? April 6, 2021 at 3:10pm
Zette: I’m also hoping velvet tuberose will be back soon. Does anybody know if there is a similar scent among the available BBW fragrances nowadays? July 23, 2021 at 4:45am