Perfume Review: Strange Invisible Perfumes Aquarian Rose + Passion Play Draw

Alexandra balahoutis strange invisible perfumes hydrodistilled rose

Alexandra Balahoutis and hydro distilled roses

Strange Invisible Perfumes released Aquarian Roses in 2009, my first and favorite of the house.  I intentionally sought it out on a trip to LA and my first time at the original boutique on Abbott-Kinney.  How fitting a name for the definition of something “Aquarian” can mean something related to New Age thought or metaphysics and the hydro-distilled rose a precious staple of Alexandra Balahoutis, perfumer and founder. Artisan distillation of both aromatics and alcohol all combine to create the alchemy behind the deservedly praised offerings.

vogue Andrej Pejic

Andrej Pejic's iconic Androngyous rose fashion editorial for Vogue Paris 2010

The perfume itself is a paradox of rose and marjoram, aphrodisiac and anaphrodisiac, yin and yang, cold and hot meeting, melting into each other and the steam such occurrences produce.  Rose is the ultimate symbol of romance and sensual passion; marjoram is an herb scientifically proven to reduce libido- the combination of these strange bed fellows is as sizzling as a droplet of water into a hot frying pan. Symbolic of the thought that “opposites attract”, Aquarian Roses unifies two sexual extremes and allows us voyeuristic privilege when desire trumps frigidity.

 

Coco Rocha fashion editorial roses

Model Coca Rocha in “Agua Caliante” for Numero by Sofia Sanchez & Mauro Mongiello

Aquarian Roses opens with a presentation of the two main ingredients, catalyzed by orange into an olfactory reaction. Austere marjoram wrestles with the sensuality of rose- the chaste herb used to be woven into crowns for marriage couples (although this is rumored to ensure a romantic evening, it was probably used to calm the nerves of the proposed during the ceremony or a slight of old crone wisdom to prevent the bride from rushing into motherhood) and it is this small gesture which must fight the urgency of the marriage bed. It is a losing battle and the consumption of the marjoram by the fires of rose is a glorious death. As the marjoram evaporates into the rose, there is a marine note which rises from the passion play not saline exactly, but fresh like a breaking wave or a boat's wake.

ben hassett rosie huntington  whiteley

Photo: Rosie Huntington Whiteley Ben Hassett for Violet Grey.com (Glamour Magazine UK)

Eventually the marjoram is no longer; something lost in the heat of the moment. What remains behind is afterglow attar of rose and sandalwood and perhaps the feeling you have experienced through scent what seduction is and the role play of resistance and submission.  Aquarian Roses is eroticism without pornography; it tells its tale of sensuality without ever becoming vulgar or verbose.  In fact, all the while, it could be a fairy tale, with hidden meaning behind the rose and the marjoram, which taken at sniff's value is merely a beautiful love story between an odd couple who find love despite their differences.

Notes: Hydro-distilled rose, orange, marjoram and sandalwood

Einsof, Natural Perfume Editor

(disclosure: my sample was provided by SIP for review.)

Editor’s Note: Now is a great time to stock up on your favorites; with every purchase of $150, you will receive a body lotion valued at $75.000 (while supplies last). Might we recommend the Sage and Rose?

strange invisible perfumes  aquarian roses 15 ml

Thanks to Strange Invisible Perfumes we have a draw for 15ml bottle of Aquarian Roses for a US reader.  Please leave a comment with why you would like to win this yin and yang of rose botanical perfumes, Aquarian Roses and if you have a favorite Strange Invisible Perfume. To be eligible you must be a registered CaFleureBon reader. Draw closes April 17, 2015

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.

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21 comments

  • I’ve always wanted to sample this line every time I do research its recommended to me, but these notes are different – I’ve not read about such a combination before its sounds blissful.

  • This sounds marvelous as I ADORE the smell of marjoram and am a big rose lover. The combo? Wow!!! I have not have the pleasure of trying any SIP even though I’ve read Alexandra Balahoutis’ “In Defense of Natural Perfumery. . .” here on CaFleureBon a number of times. Thanks for the chance. Cheers! I presume I’m a “registered” user of this site. . .!!!

  • Generally not a huge rose fan, however this reads well with the accompanying notes and description. Also the marine note makes me interested to try. 🙂
    (I never knew there was a place to register) USA

  • I am very fond of botanical and natural perfumes. I have not tried any SIP yet, but love roses and the idea of a yin and yang perfume. I am very curious as to how this fragrance comes together and plays out.

  • leathermountain says:

    I would love to win this precisely because it is a “yin and yang of rose botanical perfumes.” I love strong contrasts, such as in my newly discovered Mitsouko. I love rose scents, such as OJ Taif. And I especially love botanical perfumes, such as Providence Perfume Company’s Moss Gown, which I first learned about here on Cafleurebon. My favorite SIP so far is the only one I’ve tried: L’Invisible, which I loved. Thank you for the review and draw! I’m registered and in the US.

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    Einsof calls Aquarian Rose favorite creation from SI perfumes so that does intrigue me even though the ones i have smelled, Emerald Moss is my favorite. Have never smelled Aquarian Rose before. Besides rose, it has sandalwood, a note i really enjoy..

  • I might die if I don’t sample this scent. Seriously, I have been longing to try one of hers, but just don’t know which one. This is a very inviting review. Thanks for the inspiration. And the draw. I am in the US,

  • I have never tried any perfumes from SIP, but I love rose perfumes. I am also very curious about the aquatic note. I am in the US, thank you!

  • Marjoram and roses sound delightful. I did not know marjoram decreases libido which is why I will avoid it in preparing food. I own black rosette and would love to win Aquarian Roses
    The photos chosen were amazing too

  • I would love to try something with marjoram in it. And I’ve never tried any scents by this brand, but they always sound lovely. I’m in the US.

  • This sounds so unique – what an interesting twist on rose. If love to tut this as I don’t have enough herbs in my perfume collection. And I’m an Aquarius, if that helps lol. Thanks for the draw, I’m in the US!

  • I have wanted to try this line for some time. This rose sounds different and I love the herbal twist. I am in the US

  • Been intrigued by SIP and Balahoutis’s process for some time now, and I’d love to try Aquarian Rose! I love the idea that this perfume combines an aphrodisiac and an anaphrodisiac — I can’t really stand the thought of trying to be sexy, so this sounds perfect for me. Cut the sexiness with a bit of herbal realness… and trust that the sexiness will emerge in time, because after all, flowers are what they are, and human skin is what it is. I’d love to try this! I’m in the US.

  • i adore Roses and I am an enormous admirer of this Perfume House. Reading other reviews here has made me chaff at the bit as they say. I always mean to go to their store when I am in LA but never stop long enough. Please open a store in Hawaii or San Francisco…thank you for the draw, I am in the US.

  • I was just thinking the other day that marjoram isn’t in enough things. Now I’d like to see how it smells side by side with rose. I haven’t tried any SIP fragrances yet, but I enjoy all of the notes in the one. Thanks!

  • I would like to win this yin and yang of rose botanical perfumes, Aquarian Roses as I don’t think I’ve tried a fragrance that has a marjoram note. I have not yet had the pleasure of wearing a Strange Invisible Perfume.

  • The possible stories behind the ingredients intrigued me….but it’s the experience of the scent itself that attracts me–that’s why I want to try Aquarian Rose. ” As the marjoram evaporates into the rose, there is a marine note which rises from the passion play not saline exactly, but fresh like a breaking wave or a boat’s wake” It sounds very unique!

    Currently my favorite SIP is Fire and Cream; however there are so many I’ve yet to try. USA Thanks for the review and draw

  • I don’t believe I’ve ever tried a perfume featuring marjoram, but I love my roses, and an herbal twist would be an interesting change of pace. I have not yet had an opportunity to try SIP perfume, but I’d like to try. Thanks for the draw; I’m in the US.

  • I’m always hunting for the perfect rose and this sounds really good and would love to win it!
    My favorite is the Black Rosette , , I live in the US
    Thanks

  • Can’t say that I’ve ever tried an all natural, high-quality niche perfume. I’m curious to see how it compares to my non-all-natural niches, and my mom-and-pop etsy botanicals. And I’ll always want to try anything and everything rose. Thanks! I’m in the U.S.