Read on into my insanity....
When I was told by my other half (affectionately known as the ball & chain or Beautyqueenuk) that one of her PR contacts was going to send me an aftershave to sample from Yves Rocher my response was quite blunt (the expletives have been removed) - “who are Yves Rocher”.
Fast forward (weird flashback to my last job there) a couple weeks and a 50ml bottle of Ambre Noir popped through the letterbox. After looking for the aftershave online to do a bit of research and seeing that the same bottle could be picked up for £16 here my expectations were low - lower than a world champion limbo dancer in fact.
This is what the Yves Rocher folk have to say about Ambre Noir:
‘The intensity of dark woods, the sensuality of amber.
Assert your seductiveness with AMBRE NOIR, which combines the intense and woody character of patchouli and vetiver with the sensuality of tonka bean. At the heart of this fragrance, the subtlety of cedar and lavender accentuates its elegance.’
First impressions were good, it was very light and fresh. To me, I was sure that the main top note was a light and very subtle lavender which blended with the mandarin to give a rather fruity citrus aroma (if you really do keep sniffing away you can pull out the sharpness of the mandarin just momentarily).
Within fifteen minutes the top notes die down yet the aftershave becomes sweeter on the nose - weird, but a good kind of weird. This sweetness remains for moments, less than five minutes.
At this stage, the amber and tonka beans blend beautifully. It’s almost a weird union of the warmth of the amber and the sweetness of the tonka bean. Without the amber this would probably have the same sweetness as Versace Eros, Joop or Valentino Uomo, instead it starts to dry down to a lovely warm reliable fragrance very much on a par with Fahrenheit by Dior.
As I have said, the fragrance on dry down has the warmth of Dior’s Fahrenheit, it has a depth of both spice and wood to make this probably a bit too earthy and masculine for me to wear out and about at night, but perfect for daywear on a regular basis. That depth and the dry down base keeps Ambre Noir sitting on the skin really well and for over ten hours which is always a plus.
At every stage of wearing this what I found was a series of ingredients that blended so well it was a pleasure to wear Ambre Noir, and I rarely say that. Take into account the excellent, and I mean astounding value for money and the lack of burn when applying after shaving then I can’t sing it’s praises enough. Top notch stuff - one does doth ones cap to the perfumer who came up with this baby (sorry, I think I added this line after a night out).
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Have you picked up a beauty bargain recently?
You can keep up to date and follow Beautykinguk.co.uk using the various social media below:
Google+
Bloglovin
Sounds like the sort of aftershave my hubby likes - and at £16 is a bargain!!
ReplyDeleteSounds great and affordable too.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a warm musky aftershave, my father likes aftershaves like this. My husband likes light fragrances. It's a great price, one for Father's day perhaps?
ReplyDelete£16.00 for an after shave sure is a bargain. I am sure a lot of men would like something like this for everyday wear and save their expensive after shaves for when they socialise.
ReplyDeleteThat is a fab bargain. It sounds like the sort of thing my hubby would be wearing for work
ReplyDeleteWho would have thought you could get an aftershave for just £16.00? Sounds let one that to try out that price
ReplyDeleteMy aunt always used to get my nan Yves Richer gift sets for Christmas. I didn't realise they were still going. I know one complaint about cheaper aftershaves is that they don't last as long but this one seems to be the complete package.
ReplyDeleteThorough review, many thanks, now I know what to get hubby for Valentine's Day ;-).
ReplyDeleteI was surprised it smelt so nice I have to admit x
ReplyDeleteSounds like a nice aftershave. Good to know around Valentines day!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really appealing, and great value too :)
ReplyDeleteI have a load of YR perfumes, they really are surprisingly good for the price xxx
ReplyDeleteMy husband doesn't use an aftershave so have no idea what is good and what not. Looks pretty expensive though.
ReplyDeleteThe husband has this aftershave and he says it lasts all day, but the scent isn't really for him. It's a nice product though :)
ReplyDeletex
One of the most positive, hard selling aftershave reviews I have ever read and yet I've never heard of it. Like you hadn't. At that price, you can't go wrong with trying for yourself. I think I will.
ReplyDeleteYves Rocher is a brand I was introduced to the end of last year and I have to say I am pleasantly surprised with their products. Not only are they super affordable but they are such great quality. Amber Noir sounds lovely.
ReplyDeleteSophia Meola | A Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
This looks nice, great gift idea for sure - Simple but elegant packaging and lovely price :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing :D
Charlotte
This sounds lovely and excellent value. My husband doesn't war aftershave though so I wouldn't buy it!
ReplyDeletewhat a great price.
ReplyDeleteand the bottle has bold lettering on it
yves rocher seems to have a great variety of scents for both men and women. this one doesnt sound too bad
ReplyDeleteSounds like a nice perfume! I love perfumes and I think my OH needs more of them too :D
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so lovely, I really Yves Rocher products so it's great to hear the men's range is up to scratch too!
ReplyDeleteJess xo
http://just-jesss.blogspot.co.uk
This sounds like it's right up my alley. I'll see if I can find this for a Vday gift.
ReplyDeleteAwww I wish I saw this earlier, could have picked it up for my boyfriend! Great review though :)
ReplyDeleteCreepers & Cupcakes
love the packaging too!
ReplyDelete