Strictly Go Dancing! Rosa de Rio by Karen Timson Fine Fragrance

Karen Timson is something of a treasure. Like many of my favourite perfumers, she does it herself, she gets her hands dirty and she sources her own ingredients. Just like Sarah McCartney, Ruth Mastenbroek, Liz Moores and Marina Barcenilla, she has the courage to truly create and to fly solo. Rosa de Rio is further proof that there are no weak links in the Karen Timson Fine Fragrance Collection.

The fragrance story is one of samba, roses and romance. It is as exuberant as it is romantic. Roses and magnolia are everywhere, petals on the dancefloor, flowers in your hair. There are cocktail notes with caipirinha (so hard to spell) and cachaça . If you could add music to perfume, there would be a samba beat with every spray. Sillage and staying power are both excellent.

What really made me fall head over dancing shoes for this was the musk. It’s ambrette, which is a plant based musk, and here, it has its shy yet sexy volume turned right up. I’m always on the look out for a floral musk and I hardly ever find the perfect balance between the musk and the floral (although 4160 Tuesdays Dandelion Musk is a good example of when it does).

Rosa de Rio strikes the balance perfectly. Like a good orchestra, one section doesn’t drown out the other. The musk has a maribou feather-soft feel and the roses (and side kick patchouli) meet in the middle. The patchouli stamps its feet Paso Doble style, the rose is opulent and abundant and that fluffy soft musk whispers around your neck like a zephyr as you throw up your skirts and dance until dawn.

Rosa de Rio is a stunningly beautiful scent and is firmly in my top ten. I was so addicted to my sample that I now own a full bottle. Lasting power is dawn til dusk. It was my Christmas 2022 perfume from Santa (aka my husband).

Where to buy it

You can buy Rosa de Rio from the Karen Timson Fine Fragrance website. It is available as part of a discovery set (£20 for five) or in a 50ml bottle of eau de parfum for £80.

Disclosure

I was sent a sample of Rosa de Rio by Karen Timson for my consideration as a blogger. My opinion of it and my decision to write about it are both my own.

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