My tea is rich (Bvlgari: Eau Parfumee au The Rouge Men, Eau de Cologne)

Member Name: lillamarta

Product:	Bvlgari: Eau Parfumee au The Rouge Men, Eau de Cologne
Date:	09/08/09 (119 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lovely, unusual and unique blend

Disadvantages: Price, staying power

Launched: 2006
Group: Oriental woody

INTRODUCTION

I have a mini collection of nine assorted Bvlgari fragrances that includes Eau Parfumée au Thé Rouge (RedTea) Eau de Cologne designed as a unisex fragrance. This fragrance was lanched in 2006 as the house's last addition to their tea-themed colognes following Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert in 1992 and Eau Parfumée au Thé Blanc in 2003.

THE PACKAGING

Bvlgari's tea-themed cylindrical bottles are tall and elegant the heavy glass lending a luxurious feel. Thé Rouge also has this characteristic bottle but this time the colour theme is transparent with the bottom and top of the glass being deep red.

THE FRAGRANCE

Top notes: bergamot, orange, pink pepper

My first impressions of the scent are warm and fresh, aromatic notes of Earl Grey tea with hints of bergamot and orange. Being a unisex fragrance, the opening isn't too feminine, nor too masculine however, it is gentle and caressing. I actually like this phase most, it's a shame it disappears quickly, in about 10-15 minutes, when the stronger, more powdery fig note start to mingle with the fresh, aromatic ones.

Middle notes: fig, tea

The appearance of the middle notes temporarily breaks up the composition, it almost loses its unisex nature. the light, fresh notes are still there but has subdued a lot. What is more prominent is a a powdery and slightly bitter tea note that make the composition somewhat feminine and this accord will dominate for about 3 hours before the lighter, muskier base finally emerges.

Base notes: walnut, resins, musk

I was looking forward to a woody drydown, however the last phase of Thé is soft and musky. I do get some of the earlier fresh tea note again which lifts and brightens the final accords. I didn't catch a lot of sillage, the aroma lingers close to the skin and then fades into a gentle and very quiet musk.

The scent only lasted for about six hours on me and was very subtle, especially in the last phase. Having said that Thé Rouge has an even lighter concentration than an eau de toilette which means substantially less staying power.

CONCLUSION

With Thé Rouge Bvlgari has managed to create a much acclaimed cologne that explores the complex beauty of tea aromas that smell realistic, calming and interesting at the same time. A beautiful and well-blended unique scent that can be enjoyed by women and men especially for those who like aromatic / woody / tea scents.

PRICE / AVAILABILITY

You'll find the cologne in department stores though you'll have to pay the full RRP of £40 / 100ml Eau de Cologne there. I recommend Ebay or online perfume discounters to get it for less (£15 - £19.99 / 100ml EDC)

Thanks for reading.

©powered by lillybee also posted on Ciao! UK

Summary: A lovely and exotic black-red tea themed unisex cologne