Product Review: Burberry Body Eau de Parfum Fragrance

This month British fashion house Burberry launched it's latest perfume, Burberry Body. I was lucky enough to get a sample of this fragrance via their special Facebook offer. Before I delve into describing the sample I received from my own point of view I'd like to quote from Burberry's September 1st, 2011 press release discussing the inspiration, range, distribution, fragrance and packaging.

“Burberry Body is the next chapter in our history, and a launch we are all so excited about. It’s the Burberry world translated into a scent, embodying every facet of the brand including our music, collections, scent, platforms and communities.

We wanted to create something very British, feminine, timeless, distinctive and effortlessly sensual, with the attitude and energy of our iconic trench coat at the heart of it.” - Christopher Bailey, Burberry Chief Creative Officer

The press release goes on to describe the fragrance as being the brand's "most sensual fragrance for women to date." If the ad campaign is any indication, this is an accurate statement. The body behind the fragrance's ad campaign is actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who appears in only the iconic rose gold Burberry trench, and the fragrance. For the videos the music is provided by British band The Feeling and suits the mood perfectly.

Burberry body is now available globally in over 150 markets, but will not be available in China until December, 2011. The product range for the launch includes Eau de Parfum, Eau de Parfum Intense, Body Milk and Body Oil.

The Burberry Body bottle has pleased all Burberry fans and clients thus far. The slim glass bottle is multifaceted with a rose gold cap, engraved with the classic Burberry check pattern. The packaging itself is also multifaceted and shades of rose gold and nude. The bottle is enclosed in a bag reminiscent of that iconic trench coat.

The fragrance contains notes of freesia, green absinthe, peach (top notes); rose, iris, sandlewood (heart notes); cashmeran, musk, amber and vanilla (bottom notes.)

First off, I really liked the sample's packaging. The spray top on the vial was a pleasant surprise. It was probably a necessary one, the fragrance can be pretty potent in that first spray. Though not unpleasant. It does have a very "sensual" scent, and the musky bottom notes almost over-power the rest. However I can detect some of the rose and freesia. The peach seems completely hidden however, and I honestly have no idea what green absinthe smells like (I thought absinthe was a drink?) so I couldn't tell you about that.

It does have a scent that invokes a warm feeling though, and will be perfect for fall and winter when it needs to penetrate many layers of clothing. There's also a bit of spice to it that goes well with holiday parties.

It is a lovely scent, and I will likely use up the sample, however I probably won't buy it. Not only does it vaguely remind me of my grandmother (must be the musk and rose) but it's a little too strong for my more sensitive nose.

Burberry Body Fragrance is available in 3 sizes ranging from 1.1oz to 2.8oz, and the prices range from $55.00 to $95.00