A number of years ago, when I still shopped for most of my toiletries at drugstores, I received a gift of some fancy lavender-fragranced body cream in a prettily decorated tube. It was one of the first upscale bath-and-body items that I had ever tried, and it was made by Thymes — or rather, The Thymes, as the company was then called. I thoroughly enjoyed it, because it felt and smelled so different from my usual products, and since that time I've had a fond feeling for Thymes (even though the Filigree collection, my eventual favorite, was discontinued last year).
The Ambersweet Orange collection is a fairly recent addition to the Thymes range of body products and fragrance, and its Body Lotion sounded like an appropriate pick for early autumn. According to Thymes, in this lotion "the healing properties of creamy yogurt and the warm blush of honey combine to richly moisturize your skin while the harmonizing aromas of delicate orange blossom, creamy almond milk, tonka bean and vanilla swirl gently in the zest of nutmeg, sandalwood and cardamom for a natural goodness that radiates well-being." Ambersweet Orange Body Lotion gives off a gently sweet almond scent when it's first applied, and as it absorbs into the skin it has a consistent nutty-milky aspect with a light citrus-blossom note and a dash of warm spice. At this point, the lotion's fragrance reminds me of some tasty Indian dessert that involves condensed milk, rice, orange water, nuts, and a dusting of cardamom.
The end result of Ambersweet Orange on my skin is mostly a soft almond scent with a clean, soothing feeling. It's comforting partially because it seems vaguely familiar. I've been trying to think what it recalls for me. Burt's Bees Milk & Honey Body Lotion? A more sophisticated Jergens "Original Scent" Cherry-Almond lotion? Or some perfume that I can't quite pinpoint? It would layer well under certain fragrances, incidentally; I'd try it under a light almond or vanilla fragrance, like Acorelle Amande de Blé or Les Néréides Douceur de Vanille, or beneath the wonderful-weird État Libre d'Orange Like This, with its ginger-pumpkin and immortelle notes.
The only problem with Ambersweet Orange Body Lotion, as you may have already guessed, is its name. There's no discernible amber or orange in the Ambersweet Orange fragrance blend, which could be confusing to prospective wearers. I'm wondering why it isn't called something that more accurately reflects its notes, something like "Milkflower Almond" or "Almond Spiceblossom." Then again, what do I know? In any case, if you try this lotion and you enjoy its scent, then you can truly envelop yourself in Ambersweet Orange: the collection also includes bar soap, bath salts, body wash, cologne, hand cream, home fragrance, and more.
Thymes Ambersweet Orange Body Lotion is available for $24 (9.25 oz.) at the Thymes website.
Note: top image is John William Godward's Dolce Far Niente (1904), via Wikimedia Commons.
Well, darn, I was excited about this based on the name – I love orange combined with warm notes. However, I am leery of almond (too many almond bath products have been foisted off on me, I guess), so I don’t think this will stay on my radar.
Nice review!
Tama, I was confused when I first opened my little sample packet and tried it — had to reread the label. Not what I expected, but very nice — it just might have a hard time finding the almond-lovers!
Mmmmm, Jessica! You make this sound like something I need. I would have never chosen it based on the name. How strange that they named it that!
Hello!! I expected something like Agraria’s Bitter Orange… but no, not at all!
This sounds really good to me — I am a fan of almond! I really liked Thymes’ Filigree collection too, I’m sorry to hear it’s been discontinued! My sister gave me a rollerball of the Filigree EDT several years ago and I ended up going through two full-size bottles of it. I like Thymes’ packaging too.
Hi, Jill — The Filigree fragrance was such a nice one, and quite sophisticated, especially for the price. Of the current line-up, I prefer the body products to the actual fragrances/perfumes. I really like the Azur line in warm weather — a very refreshing sea-breeze scent. Thymes seems consistently good to me, in its scents and its packaging too.
I’ve been distressed about the loss of Filigree, too – it was my absolute, hands-down favorite. Any ideas about other perfumes that might be similar? I haven’t been able to come up with any.
Elizabeths, Just popping back to let you know that Filigree is being brought back, for a limited time:
https://nstperfume.com/2010/09/16/thymes-filigree-returns/
I never would have given this product a second glance given the name, but thanks to you, Jessica, I’m going to seek this out for sure! I need a replacement for some of the Victoria’s Secret Perfums Intimes lotions that have been discontinued. I’m always looking for soft, comforting, slightly sexy scents for bath and body, this one sounds just loverly!
Sweetonpink, was VS Intimes the line of four sweet scents… sort of sophisticated, in black packaging? I liked those more than I like most VS. In any case, Ambersweet Orange is definitely soft and comforting, so you may like it!
I tried this recently and was disappointed in it based on my expectations after reading the name and put it down quickly without applying any on skin. Next time I’m at the drugstore, I’ll sample it again since I now know there’s no orange OR amber to be found. I’m always in the market for a cream that will be versatile and a softly spiced almondy lotion could work as a base for lots of different cool weather scents! 🙂
What a great idea!
Rustic, It’s like when you drink from an opaque cup expecting one beverage, and it turns out be something entirely different… confusion/dislike changes to understanding/acceptance. Or something like that. 😉
I like their products generally, but it is difficult to get past the purple prose in their descriptions, sometimes. They used to have a coriander-scented body lotion that I loved.
Has anyone here tried the Goldleaf parfum? “Smooth jasmine, fragrant roses, hyacinth and creamy lily of the valley blossom on a background of oak moss and musk ” sounds kind of yummy.
Cupcake, Their descriptions aren’t even too purple, compared to many fragrance brands! I haven’t tried the Goldleaf, but maybe I should. Sounds nice.
I miss Fillagree, too. This sounds nice but I really wish they would bring Fillagree back.
Me, too!