Secrets d'Essences - Voile d'Ambre Yves Rocher 2005 Eau de Parfum

As a Yves Rocher collector, I absolutely had to have the miniature bottle of Voile d'Ambre. I had mainly read good things about it, so my expectations were quite high. So was my disappointment... I first detected a musty, powdery scent, then a piercing acidity, and immediately relegated the mini bottle to the shelf, not wanting to think about it for a long, long time. As a novice perfume junkie, I didn't think to give the fragrance a little time to fully develop.

A few months later, I gave it a second chance. I applied it and sniffed at my wrist. Baaahh! Another disappointment. Time for a gin and tonic as a consolation. While I sat there sipping my drink, something warm and comforting wafted into my nose... no, it couldn't possibly be the gin and tonic! I sniffed at my wrist again and was delighted! Myrrh and incense had vanished, leaving behind vanilla, patchouli, and sandalwood. I was especially taken with the vanilla. It is lovely, only subtly sweet, and exudes a heavenly warmth. A perfect companion on gray days. The name is fitting, as this fragrance truly wraps itself like a veil around the spirit! The cold is gone, and suddenly, oriental nights and fireplace flames appear before my inner eye...

Like Blauemaus, I managed to snag a bottle for free during the White Night promotion. Thanks to the dreary weather and bad moods, Voile d'Ambre has accompanied me these last few days. It takes quite a while for it to become what I love so much. But the patience pays off!