Yardley English Rose, eau de toilette
Yardley English Rose, eau de toilette is a classic scent by Yardley of London. It’s been a favorite of mine since childhood. Yardley is known worldwide for quality bath, body, and fragrance products. Launched in 1913, English Rose by Yardley still retains its timeless charm.
A vintage take on the typical rose perfume …
This fragrance isn’t merely a rose; it’s a stroll through an English garden. It starts with bright pink rose and zesty green geranium in the top notes. Soft white flowers with a touch of patchouli make up the heart notes. The lingering base is a velvety white musk. The result is a brisk, herbal, and impeccably clean scent. It’s what I’d call a floral freshie, suitable for all genders.
Geranium gives Yardley English Rose its retro appeal …
Geranium is a familiar note in toiletries, imparting a soapy scent linked to roses. Used to blend top and base notes, it enhances all other rose elements in a composition. Geranium oil, obtained from distilling leaves and stalks, exudes a sharp, herbal green scent with sweet, minty-rose undertones. While rose has a sweeter aroma, geranium has an aromatic quality akin to lavender, making it suitable for traditionally masculine accords. (Or granny’s bath salts if you want to be cheeky.)
The resemblance between geraniums and roses in their scent profiles is mainly due to the aromatic compounds geraniol and nerol. In perfumery, geraniol is employed to prolong the essence of roses and infuse blends with a sheer, floral freshness. Nerol, also found in lemongrass, gives geranium delightful lemony notes.
Longevity and sillage:
Yardley English Rose gradually fades after about three to four hours on the skin, what you’d expect for an eau de toilette. It wears gracefully in sweltering heat and humidity yet stays light and bright. The projection is modest, close to the skin, and exceptionally well-behaved. You won’t offend anyone with this fragrance. The musk becomes more prominent in the dry down as the bright rose and sharp geranium notes gracefully fade. Simultaneously floral and herbaceous, it’s particularly refreshing after a shower or bath.
Packaging and presentation:
The packaging and presentation of Yardley English Rose is simple and serviceable, perhaps a bit dowdy. The bottle design of Yardley English Rose varies depending on your location. You’ll find the tapered bottle with a gold flanged top in Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Middle East. This differs from the rectangular bottle available in the United Kingdom and the United States. Although, I have seen both on offer on Amazon. The notes listed for Yardley English Rose in the UK/US are different than the Australasia/Middle East version, so I don’t think they are the same formulation. Wipro, an Indian multinational corporation, owns all divisions of Yardley of London now. None of Yardley’s divisions seem to update their website or labeling much.
The Final Whiff:
Yardley English Rose is an excellent choice for spring and summer wear, especially in hot and humid weather. Surprisingly elegant and timeless, this inexpensive fragrance is versatile enough for daily wear and ideal for situations where you don’t want to overwhelm others. That’s why Yardley English Rose will always have a special place in my fragrance wardrobe.
What’s your favorite rose or geranium fragrance?
Any Yardley products you have fond memories of?
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