I don't know about you but right before the season changes, I like to start wearing fragrances that remind me of the upcoming season. It's like a boost to help get me in the mindset of the new season--sort of like a little "weather cheerleader."
I realize that I'm fortunate to live in sunny San Diego where it's warm and sunny a bit before other parts of the country, but even if you're in a region that's still experiencing snowy, rainy, chilly weather in March, you can always smell like spring and summer.
And what's my favorite way to do that? Well this darling fragrance from Yves Rocher is sure to get you in the tropical mood in no time. It's a new favorite of mine (I purchased it back in December as part of my happy-birthday-to-me haul). And it just so happens to currently be 50% off on the Yves Rocher website (if you're a regular Yves Rocher shopper, you know they're constantly having sales, so if you miss this one, don't worry--another one will swing around shortly!).
Yves Rocher Monoi L'Eau des Vahinés Eau de toilette
(retail: $32, currently $16 on the Yves Rocher website; 3.3 oz)
If you're new to Yves Rocher, they're an international beauty brand that is probably best known for their extremely affordable, unique and very lovely fragrances (although many people love their skincare, body care, makeup, etc. too). If you don't like wearing fragrances that make you smell like every other person walking down the street, Yves Rocher can be a wonderful little "secret go-to" for unique, high-qualify fragrance without the high-quality price tag. I've been wearing Yves Rocher fragrances for over a decade now, and I'm actually disgusted in myself that it took me so long to discover L'Eau des Vahinés.
Keep reading for my full review...
Made in France, this fragrance comes in a simple, yet cute, bottle:
Standard spray nozzle:
This is a generous size for the price (3.3 oz for $32 but remember it's currently 50% off, so make that $16 for 3.3 oz):
So what is "monoi"? Here's the Wikipedia definition:
Monoï oil is an infused perfume-oil made from soaking the petals of Tahitian gardenias (best known as Tiaré flowers) in a semi-wax coconut oil. Monoï (pronounced Mah-noy) is an ancient Tahitian word meaning "scented oil" in the Reo-Maohi language. Monoï is widely used among French Polynesians as a skin and hair softener. It is also popular in Europe and gaining recognition in the United States.
And what does "L'Eau des Vahinés" mean? Well "vahiné" means "A woman of Central Polynesia" (thanks, Webster), so "L'Eau des Vahinés" translates to "The water of the women of Central Polynesia."
What does L'Eau des Vahinés mean to me? How about a "tropical, creamy mixture of gardenia, vanilla and coconut"? Works for me, because that's exactly what I get whenever I wear this fragrance. It is true heaven in a bottle. It instantly transports me to a white sandy beach and I can almost feel the cool breeze and tropical drink in my hand whenever I spritz myself with this fragrance.
The staying power of this fragrance is fantastic--I can get about six hours of wear before it fades away. I also love to use it to layer with other fragrances (it works beautifully with many of my other vanilla-based and fruity fragrances).
FINAL VERDICT: There's nothing I don't absolutely love about this fragrance from Yves Rocher. It's a delightful fragrance that I'm willing to bet any of you gardenia lovers out there will instantly fall in love with. This one ranks right up there with all of my favorites from Yves Rocher--it smells like you could have paid triple the price for it, and it's not one of those fragrances that everyone-and-their-mother is wearing. I almost want to say, "Shhhhh! Let's keep this our little secret, OK?" If you love creamy, vanilla-based, tropical, floral fragrances, pick one up for yourself but don't tell anyone else about it. Let's keep the rest of the world wondering why we smell so fabulous.
Do you own this, or any other fragrance, from Yves Rocher? I'd love to hear from you!
This is going to be mine for sure...I've been adding gardenia essential oil to my coconut oil and using it as a moisturizer for a long time now...I also live the combo of magnolia and coconut!!! I can't wait for this to arrive :) thank you for sharing this and don't worry your secrets safe with me lol
ReplyDeleteBased on whet you said, I think you're gonna LOVE this! :)
DeleteAnd PS: thanks for keeping our ”secret”!! ;)
DeleteThis sounds like such a pretty fragrance! Which other Yves Rocher fragrances do you like?
ReplyDeleteMy other current obsession is Comme une Evidence! I'll be reviewing that one soon. I've had women stop me on the street and beg me to write down the name of it for them...no joke! I even pulled up the website for a waitress on her smart phone in a restaurant before, because she had to know where to get it! :)
DeleteI also love Comme Une Evidence! That particular frag has had sooo many different varities/incarnations it became hard to keep up after awhile, lol.
DeleteWell you sold me, I've never smelt it but I'm going to buy two because the way you described it sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteYay!! my fingers are crossed that you love it! Please keep me posted? :)
DeleteI also just purchased it online because of the desciption! Should be here in 10 days :)
DeleteWell shucks, after reading your rave review I just went and spent $50 on their website!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh!! What else did you get?? :)
DeleteA word of caution to anyone who isn't familiar with ordering from Yves Rocher: your order will take a *minimum^ of 3 - 4 weeks to arrive once it's processed. (No logical reason for it either, as they ship US orders from a domestic distribution center.) So don't be mislead by the "shipped within 10 days" claim on their website; I found this out the hard way back in January. It's also not possible to track your first order with Yves Rocher unless you call to get a customer number, which is not provided to you when you order online.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I do love several of their fragrances (Voile d'Ambre being one of my signature scents), but their unfortunate lack of American-based customer service and the significantly long wait time for delivery is a deterrent. =(
How strange! I've been ordering from them since about 2000 and I've never had it take more than two weeks for an order. I wonder if it has to do with where you live within the US?
DeleteI've been an Yves Rocher customer since around 2000-2001, and while I don't care for their facial care products I do looooove the fragrances, body washes, bath oils, etc. I used to really love a discontinued perfume called Ode de Reve and Ode L'amore. I acually have a bottle of a weaker version of this stashed in my fridge for the warmer weather months called Jardins des îles de Polynésie. If you can find it, they also used to make a hair/body shampoo in this same line. I cannot wait to purchase this newer stronger version! I would also like to try pairing it w/ my Suds de Pacific Vanille Abricot, as I find it to be too faint but very pretty nonetheless. I agree about finding unique scents that aren't run of the mill...ya know, not to sound like a frag-snob, but who wants to smell like everybody and their mother?! At the same time its nice to spread the word about lesser known companies. :)
ReplyDeleteWe've been fans for about the same amount of time!! :)
DeleteThanks for all the recs...do you remember Vanille Pistache? I think it came out around 2000 and I loved it so much that I rarely used it (just coveted it). I still have about 80% left in my bottle but it recently ” turned” and i'm sooi bummed! :(
Sweet! I think it was around the time I got my first credit card and placed a catalog order w/ another company and from there on I was flooded w catalogs of all kinds...so I think YR may have found me, it was an intro catalog thingy. Aren't they just great w the way they honour your birthday etc.? Unfortunately I never saw Vanille Pistache, sounds vaguely familair tho...did you ever post about it? I imagine it was from the fruity based Les Plasirs Nature line?.. sorry to hear that your VP had turned, that sux when you're trying to preserve something rare and precious...if you have the space try to keep near and dear frags in the fridge, dark and cold will help preserve them.
DeletePs- for anyone who enjoys the scent of lilacs, they used to make a perfume called Lilas something-or-other in a light purple bottle (not sure if they still make it as it has been 2yrs or so since I've placed an order...the horror, lol). Anyway, it smells just like the real thing! I would also reccomend another frag called Cédre Bleu (blue cedar) and it is so fresh, clean, annnd unisex...my bf and I actually share bottles of it! Blue cedar also comes in a shower gel, if you want to try out the scent w/out spending blindly on the perfume. I also gotta say that the Oat body lotion (from the organic line) works well, and smells even better!
ReplyDeleteI've had my eye on that oat body lotion!! Lol! Thank you sooo much for the rec. I know what i'm getting the next time I order!
DeleteBtw, the almond body lotion smells divine and the formula is lovely as well. :)
You're welcome. I think you really will like it, they gave the "Oat" a very linden like scent. I actually pair this lotion with my Jo Malone French Lime Blossom. In reality, it smells nothing like oats or oatmeal or anything remotely oatsyish. Almond you say...that does it, I'm placing an order, lol! Did you happen to notice that YR has a BB cream now? Kinda also interested in the Sexy Pulp mascara b/c the brush looks a lot like one of the popular Dior mascaras.
DeleteLilac, blue cedar and G.'s review? Too many temptations this morning!
DeleteWonder if this smells like the Monoi haircare line from Carol's Daughter. I have the deep conditioner and it makes my shower smell like a vacation whenever I use it. I would *love* to be able to spray on that scent any time I like! For $16 I think I'm going to check it out!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be surprised if it did since they're both monoi. Please let me know what you think if you give it a try! :)
DeleteWell, I just went to their website and purchased a bottle of it! Thank you, I think? Not supposed to spend anymore money on beauty products this month but I can't resist tropical coconut/vanilla-y/monoi smelling products and a good deal. ;) Always looking for the perfect combination of these elements (because sometimes coconut and vanilla can smell cheap or plastic-like). Love your review and hope I enjoy it as much as you do! Thank you for all your wonderful reviews.
DeleteOmg, you did? I am so keeping my fingers crossed that it's everything you want it to be!! Please come back and tell me what you think when it arrives, ok?
DeleteMr. G just took a big whiff of my neck a minute ago and asked me if I could wear this fragrance every day. Lol! ;)
Fragrance is so funny like that! Everyone's chemistry is different. :( I put this on at 4pm and its almost 11pm and I can still smell it!
ReplyDeleteDo they offer samples? I'd like to order my mother had some fragrances back when they sold on QVC. But unfortunately I am sensitive to perfumes need to sniff first to know if I can tolerate them.
ReplyDeleteDo they offer samples on their site? I am so tempted but do not buy fragrance online since I am sensitive to perfumes I need to do a sniff test to see if I can tolerate it.
ReplyDeleteI have one of their fragrances and love it so I'd happily try this! x
ReplyDeleteDo they still carry the Monoi de Tahiti body oil? I used to slather myself in that stuff back in the late 90's. I wonder if it's a similar fragrance.
ReplyDeleteMonoi is heaven! Been using the oil since the 80's, they also have a body wash along with the fragrance...have everything! Yves Rocher is a staple in my house, they have THE best body washes-bar none, creamy, non-drying & amazing. I am an ex Bath & Body Works mgr, Clinique CM and Sally's DM, I take that stuff seriously...lol.! I could type 8000 words on this company, they also have cute freebies. Try Pure Calmile Face and Body Comfort Cream, it's what the German Nivea formula is like, *swoon*. I haven't experienced the delayed shipping, 1 week max. They are/ always throwing free samples in with their orders too!
ReplyDeleteThank you G- I have been wanting the Monoi fragrance for a while now, and your glowing review (along with the $16 price) made it a no-brainer. The last time I ordered some shower cremes, they sent me a sample of the So Elixir Purple fragrance, which I really loved. Very unique. They have a great travel size for $5, which I included in my order today. It takes a LONG time to get orders from them here in Michigan as well. I will count on 3-4 weeks. --Pam
ReplyDeleteI have become obsessed with your site over the last couple of months and love everything you've recommended so I just placed an order. I tried ordering from them last year and has issues - was charged and items never came after 1 month/had to call for refund. Fingers crossed this comes quickly. I could use a dose of summer in Denver.
ReplyDeleteI have become obsessed with your site over the last couple of months and love everything you've recommended so I just placed an order. I tried ordering from them last year and has issues - was charged and items never came after 1 month/had to call for refund. Fingers crossed this comes quickly. I could use a dose of summer in Denver.
ReplyDeleteDoes this smell like Island Gardenia by Jovan? I'm in the market for an island-y fragrance and I'm wondering what to get...
ReplyDeleteI jumped and ordered some! I'm a self proclaimed perfume/body spray/wash junkie! Can't wait to get it!
ReplyDeleteI would love to try it, but im really picky. What's their return policy like? They aren't clear about it on the website. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI bought this fragrance last April from my local Yves Rocher store and I love it! Their makeup is amazing too.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried anything from this brand, but I just placed a $40 order :) I got this fragrance (it sounds too good to pass up!), Argan balm, and a sample of Comme une Evidence, plus a few other little things. I can't wait to try everything!
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ReplyDeleteI just got my order in today and for $21 I got 7 body washes, eye cream, and samples-icluding the monoi shower gel. On the site i seen the toilette spray and body wash set for $19. My order took about 2 weeks and Im in the midwest...but for the price and quality, Im okay with that.
ReplyDeleteIf you use the code WELCOME, you get $5 off a $25 order. :-)
ReplyDeletedo you think this smells at all like the old bath and body works ile de tahiti tiare flower fragrance? my parents are obsessed with that scent but it's hard to find now.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Yves Rocher is wondering why the sudden spike in interest? :-) I ordered this perfume, plus a travel-size of Comme une Evidence; and a body wash/lotion duo in Candied Mallows. :-)
ReplyDeleteJust put in my order for Monoi as well! Aaaanndd I got myself a bunch of other little things too, including the matching hair & body wash! Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteNote: if you spend at least $25 and you use the code 'WELCOME' you get $5 off!! Sweeeet!
My order came yesterday (ordered immediately after you posted this!!) , I'm in OH, the shipping speed wasn't bad!! Anyway, I absolutely LOVE the Monoi, what a steal!! My husband loves it too!! This will definitely be my go-to spring/summer scent, thanks so much for posting about it!!!!!! I also got a travel sized Comme une Evidence, also very nice, makes me nostalgic for my grandma, it smells very much like something she used to wear - in a GOOD way, not a harsh old lady scent. I also purchased a 3-minuted pomegranate healthy glow mask which is fab, tried last night. My free gift was a full-size Moroccan clay face AND hair mask, which I'm totally intrigued by and will try tonight. Thank you so much for all you do to bring our attention to these awesome finds!! You are my #1 fave blogger, by FAR!!!!
ReplyDeleteG, just wanted to let you know that I got my order already...I just placed it 6 days ago! This perfume is fabulous...exactly as you described. I love everything I got. Thanks so much for the review!!
ReplyDeleteI just got my order today and I ordered the night of this post. I haven't opened up the perfume yet, but if its anything like the smell of the monoi body oil it might be too cloying for me. I ordered the EDT/body wash gift set and the monoi body oil as well as a full size EDP of Comme une Evidence. I can't wait to try that one, and I'm also excited for your review! Also the GWP I chose was the Intense Look Duo and is it sad that I'm almost more excited about the makeup? =D. At $40 you get free shipping and at $50 you get a free pink sports duffle (which is pretty nice quality for a freebie). The only problem I had with my order was that the body oil leaked quite a bit during transit. Should I contact their customer service or not bother about that? When you register you get sent the $5 off $25 cpn 'WELCOME'. I didn't get to use it because I didn't check my email after ordering but hopefully someone can make use of that. THANK YOU G! for introducing me to this brand!
ReplyDeleteMy bad, free shipping with $40 purchase, pink bag with $45. =)
ReplyDeleteGot mine in the mail today AND I FREAKING LOVE ITTTTT!!! Takes me back to my childhood in Hawaii! <3
ReplyDeleteI've got to thank you for this review. I knew I'd love this based in your review but I never dreamed how much. This scent brings in Spring. I top it with the Monoi oil and must stop to smell myself. My husband loves it and my 18 year old son says it smells like "girl." It is now my signature scent for Spring. I love, love this blog!
ReplyDeleteOmg sadly cant get my hand on this and it makes me really sad as i own the monoi de tahiti body dry oil :(...and am not in the US and in morocco we dont have this :(....omg i want it sooo baaad!!!
ReplyDelete