Illustration by Greg Spalenka for Impromptu Lookbook
In 2012, Roxana Villa of Roxana Illuminated perfumes released a botanical fragrance called Impromptu, which was limited to ten ounces and is now depleted. Working from a sample of the original for scent comparison, since there was no written formula, Roxana applied her considerable skills as a natural perfumer to blend and test several compositions until she created one that honored the original, which was, like its name, impromptu. Impromptu 2014 honors the spirit of the previous version and to my nose is a more complex and multi faceted fragrance.
"Divinus" by Greg Spalenka
Beginning beautifully, the new Impromptu surrounds with a lush shadowy forest vibe exhaling alternating breaths of balsamic bliss and earth-covered wood and bracken, while held aloft by breezes laden with aromas of lemongrass, tarragon and sage, brightening the heavier atmosphere of brooding woods. Delicate mimosa and sheer ylang-ylang add floral warmth and comfort to the mix, like warm evening sunbeams flooding over needle-laden branches and tangled thickets. The smooth leathery finish adds a whisper of sweetness; all-botanical animalic notes and a good dose of resins add a softly seductive feel. Composed of 30 botanical ingredients and three accords, this Impromptu is more complex than its predecessor; but Is also more finely balanced. Roxana has added a nonchalant grace and new depth to this reconstruction, showing inspiration can strike more than once, in the same place, and lead to two completely different mutually satisfying outcomes. Sillage: good. Longevity: very good.
Photo by Greg Spalenka
I reviewed Impromptu based on three versions: pure perfume, EDP, and solid. I favor the EDP most, due to impressive sillage and longevity. The perfume is deeper and darker, while remaining closer and more of a private pleasure. The solid perfume melts gorgeously into skin and has the added softness of beeswax and jojoba under a fine veil of woody/herbal and leather-clad sensuality.
Ingredients/notes: Chaparral accord, musk accord, woody/earthy accord, plus birch, cedar, cypress, balsams, benzoin, galbanum, labdanum, myrrh, styrax, Artemisia, bay leaves, citronella, clary sage, clove, geranium, helichrysum, myrtle, rhododendron, petit grain, tarragon, ylang-ylang, mimosa, ambrette seeds, choya, cognac, mushroom, orris and vanilla
My samples were provided by Roxana Illuminated Perfumes. Impromptu is available on the Roxana Illuminated website.
John Reasinger, Senior Editor and Natural Perfume Editor
Through the generosity of Roxana Illuminated Perfumes, we have one set of Impromptu pure perfume, EDP and perfume solid samples to give away to one US reader. To be eligible, please leave a comment stating your favorite Roxana Illuminated fragrance or what appeals to you about Impromptu. Draw will end May13th, 2014.
We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.
I would love to try such a successful reformulation. That appeals to me, among many other things, about Impromptu. I’m in the US, and thanks so much for the review and the draw.
Thanks for sharing your impressions of Impromptu botanical perfume dear John! Always a pleasure to read your inspired words.
I love the first formulation of impromptu and would love a chance to try the new one! I have a lot of favorites of Roxana’s~ Page 47, Too Bee, Q and Cimbalom. Thank you for the draw!!
I love Roxana’s perfumes. Vera solid is my favorite travel perfume, lovely lavender. Greenwitch is mysterious and beautiful. Sierra Gold is warm and comforting. I would love to try the new Impromptu!
I love woody, forest-y fragrances, and this one sounds like it contains every possible facet of an enchanted forest. I would love to try Impromptu, thank you! (I am in the US)
The only Roxana Illuminated Perfume I have experienced is Q and it is beyond beautiful. I hope someday to be able to fully sample the line as Greenwitch and Vespertina also intrigue me. I am in the US. Thank you for the draw.
I was fortunate enough to get some of the original Impromptu and it is deep, intimate and gorgeous. Good to know I can replenish now! Thanks as always for the review.
I think I would enjoy the shadowy aspects of Impromptu that you describe. I haven’t yet had the chance to try any of the perfumes from this line. I’m in the US.
I love To Bee and Q from her line. I am in the US… thank you!!
Lovely write up on such a talented artist! well, BEYOND artist… she’s also an ecological powerhouse.
so far in my experiences with Roxana Illuminated have been total lapses in time and space, so carried away by her art.
Aurora and i had a spring fling one year… so far, she remains my favorite Roxana Illuminated perfume.
Everything is appealing about Impromptu! and how lucky the winner will be to experience the same aroma in different forms… an experiment in scent in and of itself!
thank you for highlighting Roxana and her art, which leads to her bees and the pollination of the world. the circle is really complete when you look at her endeavors. and that, beyond the exquisite art she creates, is a beautiful thing to behold.
(i am in the usa, should you need to know.)
Have never tried a Roxanna Illuminated Perfume, although To Bee has been on my to-try list for a long time. I have enjoyed reading about her creations and her husband’s art.
Impromptu appeals to me because I have never tried a fragrance with a mushroom note!
Figure 1 is my favorite. I’d love to win this one. 🙂 US
Roxana does great work. I love her Chaparral and Aumbre. Impromptu looks fascinating just because it was created through the sheer force of inspiration. I’m in US.
Well, I would love to experience a “lush shadowy forest’
Thank you so much for this lovely drawing.
The finish sounds wonderful, wiht the leathery/muck/resin notes. I am a US reader.
This review was gorgeous in every way including the beautiful images by Greg Spalenka! What appeals to me about all of Roxana’s work is that she uses only natural materials. I would love to try Impromptu! Thank you!
I love Roxana’s fragrances. The ones I especially love are Chaparral and Aumbre. I cannot wait to try Impromptu . The best things seem to occur when they are unplanned. I’m in the US and thanks for draw!
the fragrance from Roxana Illuminated that may appeal the most to me is Fig 1: Noir. So far i have not tried any so let’s see how Impromptu turns out to be ..i am in the US
I was never tried any of Roxana Illuminated perfume, but I really want to try them. I am sure of it, those are miraculous. The review is wonderful.
I have not ever tried a Roxana Illuminated fragrance, but am drawn to the idea of fragrance that is literally, Impromptu. The ingredients and notes sound lush and wonderful for a summer evening.
The notes in Impromptu are unique in my experience, so yes, I’d love to try some. U.S.A.
Oh, the notes in this evoke not just a walk in a generic wood, but with the inclusion of Chaparral and Artemisia call to mind a walk in the Sierras. I have a couple of Artemisia tridentada shrubs flourishing among the sages in my garden, and the smell is intoxicating. I would love to try a scent that includes similar notes! I am in the US and thank you to Roxana Villa for the draw!
The floral-in-a-forest notes in Impromptu combined with the “smooth, leathery finish” sound unbelievably enticing. Thanks so much for the draw! I’m in the U.S.
I’ve long wanted to try these fragrances and I just love how beautiful her website is!! I’ve been wanting to try Greenwitch and Figure 1: Noir and would love to try Improptu! Thanks for the draw. I”m in the US.