herbaceous, regular strength
well… it got too herbaceous, the “eau de rose”, discussed a while ago, featuring thyme and chamomile in its top. Especially the chamomile did not work and blending/maturing worked against the composition. The base is lovely, but maybe a somewhat average take on Tonka, Ambergris, Orris and Sandalwood.
Hence, another trial: less chamomile, almost no thyme. Kind of bringing the mixture down from herbaceous jungle to a regular strength composition.
To be honest: I prefer sniffing the mandarins with their ambra shade these days….
Picture: A herbaceous Alpine rose, seen 2008 in the woods above Sils.
February 10th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Must be pretty hard (frustrating sometimes?? :) ) to get the right mixture..to get the right balance..to actually materialize what you have in your head! So..cheers!!! (and, yup, the base sounds great..I just loooooove tonka bean!)
Greetings from Spain!
(by the way..that plant looks like a rhododendron!)
February 10th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Pity that chamomile didn’t work with the rose. In dilution I find Roman chamomile possessing such an attractive sweet honey-like odour that Pickwick enhanced with caramel in one of their tea.
And thyme… well I think it still might work, but with a leathery base, but it might not be the rose you are making :o)
So, is there still any herbal twist? Or it didn’t work at all? It’s so inspiring to read about the way you are making a rose…
February 10th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
You are working with a Roman chamomile, right? You might try a different chamomile, too - the Roman is pretty intense, and chamomile can be very warm and earthy - it could be like tea with rose petals.
But you know I don’t know squat - just like to think about it.
February 10th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Dear Tama
Me too.. .right now I just think about it. Tonight: No more mixing or stuff. Just easy relaxing after a busy day ;-)
Dear AromaX
It may be a concentration issue. I hope to find a minute to try the mix with less camomile and a touch ambrein (indeed, might add a hint leather). But as I have said to Tama… tonight we rest.
Dear Silvia
I am not good in botanics, but maybe the alpine rose is related to rhododendron?
And : Yes, it is (rarely) frustrating. Usually it is just annoying and a kick from behind to go forward. and be brave.
Have a lovely evening
February 10th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
What would marjoram do- discreetly proportioned - for `eau de rose`? Might it balance the cami & thyme? It works w/ rose in the aromatherapy line of thought, as in relaxing. And if you`re in the mood for amber/fruit, don`t fight it!! Go w/ it for now, yes?
February 11th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Dear Silvia, the Alpenrose is indeed a small rhododendron bush from the alpine regions. It is not related to the Rose, though the name Rhodos actually means rose, maybe due the similar colour of the flowers.
February 11th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Hey, Danke Stephan!! Botanics from my first year at the University seems pretty far away now!! I actually think I saw something like that last year, when I last went hiking in the spanish “picos de europa” (nice little mountain region here in the north…worth a visit btw!)!
Have a great day everybody!