Romance in a bottle

NEW YORK—When it comes to eye-catching accessories, I don’t discriminate between costume sparklers and real gems.

In fact, the ratio of which on my dresser is 15 to 1—as in chunky glass cocktail rings and shiny enameled beads outnumber the delicate trinkets. (My go-to “diamond studs” are actually cubic zirconia.)

The same goes for my beauty indulgences. Drugstore finds peacefully coexist with department store treasures.

But every now and then, certain products catch my attention and merit a little shelling out of extra hard-earned cash: There’s Guerlain’s covetable cosmetics and fragrances; Clarins’ tried-and-tested skincare lines; L’Occitane’s aromatherapy candles and so forth.

Recently added to this list is Ralph Lauren’s Romance Always Yours, the latest fragrance celebrating the 10th year anniversary of the original Romance.

I was initially blown away by the packaging of the Limited-Edition Parfum, which literally rocks: a gigantic bauble caps off a glass bottle filled with fragrant notes of freesia, ginger and fresh daylily, made sophisticated with hints of patchouli, creamy musk and oak moss.

Further studying the literature, I discovered that the latest take on the 10-year-old bestseller was actually concocted by Harry Fremont, the olfactory genius responsible for aromatic hits like CK One, Armani Sensi, Kenneth Cole Black and Lancôme Miracle—scents I’ve all appreciated at one point or another.

Asked what sets apart the update from the original, Freemont says, “Romance is a classic transparent floral, while Always Yours is a sophisticated sensual chypre.

By eliminating the original fruity elements of the top note, Always Yours creates a more refined, elegant introduction to the complex, finely crafted signature of Romance. The dry down [of] sensual musk, patchouli and oak moss gives it a deep, rich chypre impression.”

He adds, “Some Romance users of 10 years ago feel they have outgrown the fragrance. The juice reminds them of a former boyfriend, their junior year of college, or a relative who first gave them the gift of Romance. Always Yours gives these former Romance lovers a new, complex juice to suit to her next phase of life.”

And as for the bling-y packaging, the handcrafted glass dauber and “diamond” is “a modern symbol of commitment and love-an intimate gift for 10 years of marriage,” according to the brand’s press release.

Now I seriously plan on gifting myself with one of these. It’s a good thing it’s the holiday season. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Mariel Chua is the former beauty editor of Cosmopolitan, Seventeen and Ok! Magazine. She is now based in New York City. Visit NyMinuteNow.com.

(Illustration by Claude Rodrigo. Image courtesy of Ralph Lauren Fragrances. Original Inquirer article link here.)