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The Beauty Gypsy review: Michelle Pfeiffer’s Henry Rose perfumes

I have this curious way of imagining people as perfumes (yup, I never claimed to be sane). So, what comes to mind with Michelle Pfeiffer? 

A smoky, slightly resinous fragrance, swirling with a dash of darkness, enveloped in an icy white fog. 

A creation that stands at the crossroads where White Oleander meets Scarface. 

Where the romance of sunset meets the edge of twilight.

A perfume that I would want to wear for calling upon some inner reserves of strength. 

Perfume for a day when I need to be bold and stand out from the crowd. 

When I want to look life straight in the eyes and take control of a situation.

And then a discovery set from Henry Rose perfumes landed on my table.

Henry Rose perfumes: A moniker that combines the names of the Hollywood legend’s two children.

Henry Rose perfumes: Five gender-neutral perfumes based on Pfeiffer’s favorite memories. And each one as unusual as the woman herself. These categorically differ from generic perfumes that would get lost in a crowd.

Henry Rose perfumes: The first fragrance line to be endorsed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). This agency monitors toxicity in the beauty industry very, very carefully.

The perfumes are also certified by Cradle to Cradle, which vets ingredients and products for environmental sustainability.

henry rose perfume reviews

What’s the big deal about a “safe” perfume?

Why is this last one so important?

Ever since I started consciously reading a beauty product’s ingredients before giving it real estate on my skin, one particular aspect has always stood out: “Fragrance.”

Since the FDA doesn’t ask brands to disclose precisely what materials go into a “fragrance,” it’s a word that can hide almost 4,000 ingredients.

So, this simple term has become the most exploited in the beauty industry, having become a catch-all for everything in the formula a brand would rather keep hidden.

Perfume houses, in themselves, never disclose their ingredients, hiding behind the iron gates of “trade secrets.” 

Therefore, we create most of our perfumes using a potentially toxic blend of ingredients like petrochemicals and phthalates, which have known links to hormone disruption, allergic reactions, and many other health issues.

Which is what led Pfeiffer to stop wearing perfumes more than a decade back. This mindfulness was the joint result of becoming a mother who was worried about her children’s health and having her father and best friend simultaneously diagnosed with cancer.

The awareness sparked a decade-long journey, replete with disappointments, rejections, and rude awakenings, as even her celebrity power failed against an industry that refused to change. To become more transparent.

She joined hands with International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) — a fragrance house that designs scents for many of the world’s largest brands. IFF agreed to work with EWG and Cradle to Cradle, carefully weeding out all unsafe ingredients to help her create Henry Rose.

Which was definitely not easy. 

Usually, perfumers can draw upon a palette of more than 3,000 ingredients; now, they were left with less than 300. Ingredients that are safe and sustainable.

Though, one has to note that Pfeiffer hates calling Henry Rose perfumes a “natural” fragrance line. As she explains, it’s not about being “natural,” “clean,” or “organic” — these having become the most clichéd terms that the beauty industry tosses out at the drop of a hat.

Instead, Henry Rose perfumes disclose 100% of their ingredients on their website and bottles, setting a new standard for the beauty industry. 

And in keeping with the EWG code, every single ingredient is free of substances banned or restricted by the US or international government agencies or other authoritative public health bodies, such as the World Health Organization.

So, in short, a Henry Rose fragrance is not trying to be natural or organic. It’s being transparent, safe, and sustainable.

Which is a first for the perfume industry.

But what about the Henry Rose perfumes themselves? Are they good?

Thankfully there’s utter gorgeousness here.

Because, ultimately, we want to smell good. It’s OK to be evangelical, but I also don’t want to limit myself to essential oils or crunchy-granola-type scents.

I want to feel good. Feel luxurious. Pampered. Indulged.

Basically, beautiful inside and out.

henry rose fragrance

All Henry Rose perfumes tick all these boxes. And more. 

The bottles are clear, super-sleek, and come packed in a chic gray box — the elegance belying their environmental-friendly creds (90% recycled glass with soy-based caps, all packed into bio-based, biodegradable boxes).

And then there’s the wearability and sillage (the trail of scent left by a perfume). Natural fragrances are not known for either. 

However, a Henry Rose fragrance gives me an average wearability of 5-6 hours, which is impressive in my book. As a comparison, Chanel’s No. 5 would give me a wear-time of 6-7 hours.

Fog — which Pfeiffer describes as “San Fransisco in summer” — has become my clear favorite. And just today, I have been stopped four times to ask what I am wearing. Once was in the middle of a busy Starbucks!

Pfeiffer’s favorite is Torn, which is all about summer sunsets and notes of vetiver and patchouli. And 39 other ingredients — each of which is clearly listed on the website.

Go, take a look for yourself and tell me what you think.

via GIPHY

Comments

  1. Josephine Catherine Sprinkel says

    July 13, 2019 at 00:13

    I’ve always loved michelle pfeifer. She is so beautiful and talented. Now , I love her even more. I wish the world would catch on!

    Reply
  2. Karen Dini says

    September 17, 2020 at 18:42

    I love them all!!! I can only buy one

    Reply
  3. Beth Mendillo says

    October 13, 2020 at 03:24

    The sample package is the way to go! My favorite is Fog because it’s completely unique. LOVE IT!

    Reply
  4. Jess says

    April 2, 2021 at 04:30

    I’m living for the Queens and Monsters scent!
    It soooo intoxicating!

    Reply
  5. Rachel E says

    April 8, 2021 at 22:48

    Just ordered the full sample kit!! It’s a relief to have finally found a fragrance brand that’s transparent about its products’ ingredients. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Cathy Lichtig says

    July 8, 2021 at 04:51

    I got the samples and love more than one! I do love u r expanding to making body cream too! Do

    Reply
  7. Linda W says

    July 20, 2021 at 03:37

    I ordered the sample set of warm and one of fresh. One of the bottles came damaged and try as I may, I cannot get anyone from HenryRose to reply. Of course they have no phone number, and all I get are Robo replies to my e-mails. I am certainly not impressed with their customer service and would probably not order again simply because of this.

    Reply
  8. Deborah Moore says

    July 24, 2021 at 07:54

    I am going to order your perfumes, but I was wondering if you make perfumes, my husband really likes crave by Calvin klein, and they don’t make it anymore, and I want it made toxic free, thank you so much for your time, debbie moore

    Reply
  9. Pam says

    August 4, 2021 at 09:28

    After buying and using the full sample kit for a few months, I bought full size bottles of Smyth and Windows Down and layer them together. My next bottle will be Jake’s House. It wasn’t love at first smell for me, but over time, I found myself reaching for the Henry Rose fragrances over and over. When the sample bottles were empty, I decided to pull out my credit card again for the full size bottles.

    Reply
  10. Sunny Beehler says

    August 21, 2021 at 16:52

    Still waiting for my order to arrive.

    Reply
  11. Charles Caputo says

    September 18, 2022 at 01:57

    If all this about her products being non toxic is true; then michelle P is doing a lot for the fashion/beauty industry. People should take note. Go girl!

    Reply

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Anubha Charan is a luxury beauty blogger who has worked at some of the world's leading lifestyle publications, including Marie Claire, Vogue and Cosmopolitan. Read More…

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