Long, long ago — 10 years, I should say — on an island far, far away — Great Britain, if you really must know — our hero, young Sean O’Mara, was on holiday in the bustling village of London when something wondrous happened. 🙂
Sean, now the creative director for Los Angeles-based Royal Apothic, was browsing a Notting Hill antique stall when he saw the most amazing thing. It was squirreled up high upon a shelf, an Eighteenth Century apothecary manual filled with recipes for scents and other concoctions, many of which had long ago been made for great monarchs of Europe.
“Jackpot!” he must have thought.
Seriously? Dude, the only things I ever get on vacay are tchotchkes and food poisoning.
When Sean returned home to the US, he set to work conjuring the long lost recipes. Et voilà , Royal Apothic was born.
I just love a good story, but I’m also a fiend for clean, elegant designs, like the regal packaging (LOVE the font and the crown logo!) of Royal Apothic’s new line of summery roll-on scents. They’re called The Extracts ($16 each), and you should be able to find them at Anthropologie stores.
The Extracts are each single note fragrances, and they come in seven different scents: Orange Blossom, Marigold, Green Tea, Fig, Violette Pastille, Hydrangea and Iris. They’re designed to be worn alone or combined any number of different ways to create your very own signature scent.
The two I’ve been wearing are Hydrangea and Green Tea. Hydragnea smells fresh and … how should I put it? Optimistic? Like a mix of crushed flower petals, warm spring rain and fresh-from-the-shower skin, while Green Tea smells crisper and even more invigorating, like a warm cup of — you guessed it — green tea sweetened with a dash of honey and lemon.
Both scents are light and fleeting, lasting no more than four hours, max. I guess that’s where the convenient rollerball comes in… The small bottles easily fit into a pocket or purse for quick touchups anywhere, but I’ve been keeping both of them in my desk drawer where I can reach them while I work.
Wouldn’t these make cute summery gifts for a friend? Perfect for that certain someone who needs a little cheering up.
Good on ya, young Sean O’mara! 🙂 I like The Extracts a lot, and I bet that girls who love light, simple scents will dig ’em, too. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
HC says
April 16th, 2010 at 5:03 pmOooo I’m interested! Does Sephora have these babies? 🙂
.-= HC’s last blog post… 30% OFF! =-.
Karen says
April 16th, 2010 at 5:06 pmNope, it’s only at Anthropologie.
Catherine says
April 16th, 2010 at 6:42 pmOH MY GOD FIG AND GREEN TEA?! I have to check this out ASAP!!!!
Thanks for the info!!!!! 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… Collective Birthday Haul =-.
Catherine says
April 16th, 2010 at 6:45 pmEr, in a slightly less spastic comment – I love light, simple scents and I’ve been looking for a nice, affordable fig and/or green tea scent forever!!!! Especially the fig!! It is so hard to find fig fragrances! I have tons of samples of each (my favorite fig is unfortunately from Satellite and I think around $300 … and Diptyque and Jo Malone aren’t cheap either and I can’t even count the number of green teas I’ve tried only to be disappointed. I don’t like the Bulgari one at all) so I have to try these ASAP! So excited now hahaha.
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… Collective Birthday Haul =-.
make_up_maven says
April 16th, 2010 at 6:45 pmHi Karen – thanks for the article! I’m missing Tabs! Where is he? No pictures lately 🙁
LOL
Polish Earthgirl says
April 16th, 2010 at 6:53 pmOnly $16 dollars! I will SO have to check them out. 🙂
.-= Polish Earthgirl’s last blog post… All About Dazzle-Dry! =-.
Glosslizard says
April 16th, 2010 at 7:07 pmOk, you had me at “violet pastille”! Actually, I’ve been trying to find those (the candy version) for a while now, but I’m currently slightly (heh.) obsessed with violet scents! I have an Anthropologie very close to me, so I think I have a hot date with these babies coming up soon! 🙂
Nina says
April 16th, 2010 at 7:13 pmOh wow….and from Anthropologie at that. I love love love that store but try to avoid going in because its just so goshdarned temtping to buy all that I want when I walk in.
But these babies are easy on the wallet….I might just cave in and order them online. Ive always loved green tea scents and have fallen hopelessly in love with Korres’ fig body butter… so those would be my choices.
I do love my CLEAN fragrances but sometimes, they tend to smell like well … a shower; and im not 100% sold on the staying power…
amy says
April 16th, 2010 at 9:45 pmohhh I would love to get my hands on these because I love to mix and match scents. The single notes make it easier and the roller balls are a bonus. My favourite perfume packaging.
.-= amy’s last blog post… EOTD Smokey Teals: MAC Bough Grey, Birds & Berries, Vex and Shroom =-.
marisol says
April 16th, 2010 at 9:48 pmOf course they would be at Anthropologie. I love the design.
And I had no idea that’s how you spelled tchotchkes.
.-= marisol’s last blog post… Europe here I come! =-.
Kypris says
April 16th, 2010 at 9:58 pmOhhh, that’s so cute, and the scents sound really natural and perfect for spring/summer. I’d love to get these for a friend…
Karen B says
April 16th, 2010 at 11:32 pmThese are just too adorable! I LOVE the stripey packaging. Really nice.
Do you know if they’re available somewhere in Europe?
.-= Karen B’s last blog post… Friday Fame =-.
ally says
April 17th, 2010 at 6:12 amhi there! thanks for the info. i just checked out anthro’s site, and they don’t have the hydrangea version…any idea where i can get it?
thanks!
love the blog, lots of helpful info!
Jen says
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:45 amI went to the Anthropologie store in Chevy Chase, MD and picked up the Marigold scent (it was between that and Fig). Unfortunately, that store didn’t have Hydrangea or Iris. I keep smelling my arm at work today– it’s lovely! Thanks, Karen, for telling us about these!