Best Things in Beauty : Lancome Tresor Midnight Rose

Following last year's Tresor In Love, Tresor Midnight Rose was recently released by Lancome as a more youthful take on Tresor, while retaining the romantic essence of the latter. Composed by perfumer Anne Flipo as a joyful upbeat fragrance embodying mischievous femininity, the sweet heart of rose is livened up with fresh blackcurrant bud absolute, raspberry, pink pepper and voluptuous vanilla notes over a cedar and musk base.

When I first received this press sample, I wasn't expecting to like the sweet fruity floral as the opening blast of sweet cassis/blackcurrant seemed too syrupy and obvious, drowning out the rose heart. It reminded me instantly of the chewy blackcurrant fruit pastilles coated in sugar that I used to love as a kid. The rose note does emerge after about ten minutes on my skin, developing with a soft sensual warmth rather than cloying headiness.

Midnight Rose proved to be far more lasting on my skin than Anna Sui Forbidden Affair, which is a lighter, more sparkling blackcurrant fragrance. For some reason, most fragrances completely vanish on my skin within two to three hours, even when spritzed liberally. However, Tresor Midnight Rose lingered on my skin for about four hours and catching the occasional whiff of it put me in a good, relaxed mood. It may be too sweet and fruity for some but this is a fragrance that I would wear for a romantic evening out with the husband, whose taste in fragrance is uncomplicated.