I was introduced to the Duchess Marden line a few years ago, when I received a facial treatment at a spa that used natural and organic products; since then, I've occasionally purchased Duchess Marden Pure Rose Water and Crème Cleanser to use at home. I like these products because they're plant-based, they don't contain any parabens, petrochemicals, or chemical preservatives, and — not the least of my reasons — they smell like roses.
With its recently launched Body Serum, Duchess Marden has moved beyond the face and neck to address the rest of our skin. I know that serums have become very popular in the skincare market over the past few seasons; now, apparently, the term is being applied to body products as well. (A quick internet search brings up "body serums" at various price points, from La Mer to Boots.) Duchess Marden's all-over serum is packaged in a stunning gold-on-black bottle that a beauty editor would no doubt describe as "luxe." It's intended for use on damp skin after a bath or shower, in place of lotion or body cream, and it could also be incorporated into a massage.
Looking at the list of ingredients, I'm not entirely sure what differentiates a body serum from a body oil, but there are certainly some nice things in this elixir: old stand-bys such as apricot kernel oil and jojoba oil are joined by the more esoteric sea buckthorn fruit extract and candlenut oil. The serum's fragrance is delightful. It's described as a blend of linden, mimosa, frangipani and rosa damascena; when I wear it, I notice a distinct and very fresh linden note, similar to green tea, over the dewy rose. I also think I smell some geranium leaf, although that might be another side of the linden. The rose notes smells like a rose still growing in a garden, with its petals ruffled, rather than a perfectly cultivated bloom in a florist's arrangement.
Duchess Marden's Body Serum absorbs quickly, with no oily residue, and leaves the skin soft and smooth for the rest of the day or night. I've been rubbing a few drops into my arms and shoulders at bedtime, because the fragrance feels soothing and restorative to me. I've enjoyed my tiny sample bottle thoroughly. My one reservation about this product would be the price, since it's quite expensive. In the words of Duchess Marden's founder, skincare can be "an experience that engages your olfactory and limbic systems, enlivening emotions, memory and behavior." This lovely product will also engage your wallet, but if you're in the mood for something indulgent (or you're dropping hints for birthday gifts, etc.), it's worth keeping in mind.
Duchess Marden Body Serum sells for $68 (I warned you!) for 6.7 oz at the Duchess Marden website, Beautyhabit, and Aedes.
Note: top left image is Damask Rose "Omar Khayyam" [cropped] by amandabhslater at flickr; some rights reserved.
Oh noes! I want! ….I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to just go look at the stuff….right?
Jessica–you’re evil…you know that, right?
Hah!
Well, there *are* other rose-y body oils and lotions out there, so don’t jump *too* quickly. 😉
Right now I’m even more smitten with Duchess Marden’s facial serum. My sample is almost finished! Oh dear.
There’s a small boutique not far from me that carries this line, and I’ve been interested in it for a while—I love roses! I also love everything skin-care… but my qualm is obviously price related. I suppose I should ask if they have a sample that I can take home…
But, as you said, this would make a great birthday/christmas/holiday of your choosing request!
Thanks for the lovely (as always) review Jessica!
🙂
Dee, You should give the line a look/sniff, at least…! (I know, I’m no help!) 😉
I like the Dr.Hauschka line of skin care, especially her rose day cream. I started off with a trial kit, which isn’t too bad cost wise. You can find it on evil bay now and then, as well as Amazon. (Not affiliated in any way, I just like it!)
Joliefleurs, Dr. H is one of those tried-and-true lines that isn’t too outrageously priced! Thanks for the recommendation.
Well, if you think of this as something to use just now and then rather than on a daily basis, the price isn’t *too* bad… 🙂
It’s definitely better than the AG Rose Splendide line I’ve been lusting over. I keep thinking I should try to find samples of the line to use on special occasions, but odds are I’d fall in love with it and talk about pricy.
But I’m a sucker for anything bath and body that has a nice and fairly accurate rose fragrance, and the idea of AG making rose facial care just revvs my motor before the realization of cost promptly kills it. 😉
Thanks for the review, Jessica. You always find the loveliest products.
AS, I’ve gone through more than one sample of Annick Goutal Creme Splendide… it did smell wonderful!
Well, I’m gonna be the contrarian and say that rose oil sounds unpleasant to me! So, $68 saved. . .does that mean I can buy $68 of fragrance and it “doesn’t count” on my budget? 😉
Well, that’s between you and your checkbook! 😉
of course it does!! 🙂
in case that was confusing it means of course you can buy other stuff and it does not count….besides, didn’t we recently establish that if it’s under $100 that that is FREE??
What!? Just because we haven’t yet found you your perfect rose fragrance doesn’t mean you can’t lust after this line with the rest of us! 😉
This sounds so beautiful! I would love to test it. I always have to take a step back from luxe body products – my skin is sooo dry, that I would go through this bottle in about 1 weeks. (I can go through a standard bottle of Curel in one month.) But it would be nice to use on the hands and neck area. Thanks for the review. I’d never heard of this line.
Hi, AnnS — I don’t have super-dry body-skin, just average (more dry in winter, obviously), but this oil certainly did feel good on my legs and elbows. It’s a special treat!
Oh, I want some of these! Love rose body products….
At first I was a tiny bit skeptical about this line — why the aristocratic name? why all the gold ornament? but once I tried the products, I was convinced!
do try the burts bees facial serum…awesome stuff!!
Hongkongmom, I have a friend who swears by that serum… the one in the lavender box, right?
I’ve gotten a few emails about this line from Saffron Rouge, an e-company that carries several natural and organic lines. BTW, for anyone interested, they ship free over $100 and have samples.
http://www.saffronrouge.com/duchess-marden
Not affiliated.
Rappleyea, That’s another great resource, especially for natural body/skin/scent products. Thanks!
yup…i would second ur friend!!