Seamus Hammond
Royal Secret, a fragrance by Germaine Monteil, was first released in 1935. It is a popular perfume with a unique scent that combines white floral and resins with bergamot, menthol, and geranium. The perfume has a mysterious, spicy, and woody character with a hint of sweetness. The formula for Royal Secret was closely guarded, and it became a favourite fragrance of Hollywood stars and European royalty. The perfume is also noted for its longevity and rich, luxurious scent. Over the years, the brand has changed hands several times, and the original formula has been altered, leading to mixed reviews of the newer versions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Germaine Monteil |
| Fragrance | For women |
| Released | 1935 or 1958 |
| Scent | Spicy-woody, sweet, floral, resins, herbs, greens, rose, geranium, jasmine, patchouli, tuberose, orange blossom, menthol |
| Longevity | Above average |
| Value for money | Good |
| Rarity | Rare |
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What You'll Learn
Royal Secret by Germaine Monteil: a review
Royal Secret by Germaine Monteil is a mysterious and charismatic fragrance with a long shelf life. It is a chypre fragrance with a floral heart, featuring jasmine, tuberose, and orange blossom. The scent is also described as dark, spicy, and green, with notes of patchouli and vetiver. It is a unique blend of white floral and resins, with touches of amber and musk.
The perfume was first released in 1958 and has been a popular fragrance for women. It is said to be long-lasting, with above-average longevity. The production of the original formula by Germaine Monteil has been discontinued, but it lives on as a beloved vintage perfume, with prices for well-kept bottles reaching 300 USD. The high price tag is due to the scarcity of the secondhand collectors' market.
The scent is described as spicy-woody, with some comparing it to other perfumes like Emeraude, Interlude, and Shalimar, and Opium. It has a unique fragrance that stands out from other perfumes. One reviewer mentions that it is a wonderful fragrance for chilly days, exuding warmth and comfort. It dries down to an expensive and luxurious body powder-type scent.
The top notes of Royal Secret are described as thrilling, with a fusty-floral bergamot and unlit menthol cigarettes. The colour of the juice is said to speak for itself, suggesting a rich and opulent fragrance. The perfume is opaque and stuffed with herbs, greens, rose, and geranium, as well as resins.
Overall, Royal Secret by Germaine Monteil is a distinctive and captivating perfume. It has a complex blend of spices, florals, and resins that create a mysterious and elegant fragrance. The scent is long-lasting and leaves a lasting impression, making it a favourite for many. For those seeking a unique and classic fragrance, Royal Secret is a timeless choice.
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The scent: spicy, woody, floral
The original Royal Secret perfume by Germaine Monteil is described as having a unique blend of white floral and resins. The scent is said to be spicy, woody, and floral, with notes of jasmine, spices, and possibly tuberose or orange blossom. It has been characterized as mysterious, with a long shelf life, and is said to be a chypre fragrance with a floral heart.
Reviews of the perfume describe the scent as old-fashioned, sweet, and loudly sweet. It has been compared to celebrity fragrances and is said to be suitable for a young teen or clubbing crowd. The perfume is also described as having a dense, spun sugar scent, though not in a cheap way. It is said to be reminiscent of older perfumes such as Emeraude, Interlude, and Shalimar, with a unique fragrance.
The original Royal Secret perfume by Germaine Monteil is highly regarded, with some reviewers expressing disappointment in subsequent versions produced by other companies. The formula for the original perfume was closely guarded, and it is said to have taken years to perfect. The perfume was popular among Hollywood stars and European royalty, and it is reported that at one time, every woman in France wore Germaine Monteil's fragrances.
The scent is described as warm and comforting, with a rich and luxurious dry-down. It is said to be pleasing and dependable, even for those who typically find that scents turn sour on their skin. The perfume is also noted for its excellent longevity, with one reviewer mentioning that it lasted through nights of dancing.
Overall, the Royal Secret perfume by Germaine Monteil is a well-loved fragrance with a unique blend of spicy, woody, and floral notes, leaving a lasting impression on those who wear it and those who encounter it.
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Longevity and value for money
Royal Secret by Germaine Monteil is a popular perfume for women that was first released in 1935. The scent is described as spicy, woody, floral, and powdery with notes of jasmine, spices, and orange blossom. It has a mysterious quality with dark, smoky traits and a very long shelf life.
In terms of longevity and value for money, some reviewers have noted that the perfume has above-average longevity and is worth the price. One reviewer mentioned that the scent lasts a long time and dries down to an expensive and luxurious body powder type of scent. Another reviewer commented that the perfume is elegant and rich-smelling, indicating that it offers good value for money.
However, it's important to note that the availability and pricing of Royal Secret may vary. The original Royal Secret by Germaine Monteil is considered rare and can be expensive on the secondhand collectors' market, with prices reaching up to 300 USD for well-kept bottles of the original formula. The brand and its perfumes have changed hands several times over the years, and some reviewers have noticed differences in the scent and quality across different versions and reformulations.
For example, the Five Star Eau De Royal Secret fragrance, which can be found on Amazon, has received mixed reviews. While some customers appreciate its value for money, elegance, and richness, others have expressed disappointment with the scent and quality, finding it drastically different from the original Royal Secret.
Overall, the longevity and value for money of Royal Secret may depend on the specific version or formulation you acquire. The original Germaine Monteil version from the late 1970s and earlier appears to be highly regarded for its longevity and scent, but it may be more challenging to find and could be more expensive due to its rarity. Newer versions, such as the Five Star formulation, may be more readily available but may not offer the same scent profile or longevity as the original.
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History of the perfume
Royal Secret is a chypre floral fragrance for women, launched in 1935 by Germaine Monteil. It features a distinguished mixture of lavender, galbanum, bergamot, lemon, and orange blossom notes. The top notes are thrilling, smelling like fusty-floral bergamot and unlit menthol cigarettes. The middle notes are orange blossom, violet, lily-of-the-valley, rose, and geranium, while the base notes are sandalwood, patchouli, vanilla, and vetiver. The perfume has a modest sillage and longevity, sinking into the skin and remaining there.
Over time, the scent develops a "dirty incense" effect, with notes of myrrh and olibanum, and a dusty sandalwood base. It is a warm, spicy, and pungent fragrance that has been described as both rococo and raunchy. The original Royal Secret by Germaine Monteil was loved by many, with some describing it as their favourite fragrance and receiving many compliments. However, at some point, the formula changed hands from Germaine Monteil to the Five Star Fragrance Company, and the new version was not as well-received.
The Five Star version of Royal Secret is described as "crap" compared to the original, with some noting that it is not as long-lasting and does not smell the same. However, it is still a beloved fragrance, with some wearing it for over 45 years and counting. The original Royal Secret by Germaine Monteil is a vintage fragrance that stands the test of time, with a unique and elegant scent. It is a special occasion fragrance, perfect for dinner parties and adding a touch of luxury to any event.
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Similar perfumes
Royal Secret, a fragrance for women, was launched in 1935 by Germaine Monteil. It is a closely guarded recipe, perfected over the years by French-born fashion designer and cosmetician Germaine Monteil and her husband, Guy Bjorkman. The perfume has a unique blend of white floral and resins, with top notes of bergamot and menthol cigarettes. It is described as a spicy, woody, and floral scent with a mysterious, charismatic, and long-lasting fragrance.
- Hasu-no-Hana Eau de Parfum: This perfume is described as having a sweet, romantic fragrance.
- Youth-Dew Eau de Parfum: This perfume has a unique fragrance and is long-lasting.
- Opium by Yves Saint Laurent: A fragrance that is described as "delicious" and "amazing" by a reviewer.
- Emeraude: This perfume is similar to Royal Secret, with a unique fragrance.
- Interlude: Another perfume with a unique scent, similar to Royal Secret.
- Shalimar: This perfume is also mentioned as having a unique fragrance, comparable to Royal Secret.
While these perfumes have similar characteristics, Royal Secret by Germaine Monteil remains distinct with its carefully guarded recipe, contributing to its high price tag.
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Frequently asked questions
The closest alternative to Royal Secret by Germaine Monteil is the Eau de Royal Secret fragrance by Five Star. However, buyers have expressed disappointment in the new formula, noting that it is not similar to the original scent.
Royal Secret is described as a sweet, floral, and woody fragrance with notes of jasmine, spices, and patchouli. It has a mysterious quality, with dark, smoky traits.
Some perfumes that are similar to Royal Secret include Emeraude, Interlude, Shalimar, Opium, and Hasu-no-Hana Eau de Parfum.
Germaine Monteil's first perfume was Laughter, released in 1941. Some of her other perfumes include New Love, Nostalgia, Fleur Savage, and Nouvel Amour. These perfumes often featured woodsy white florals with touches of amber and musk.
Royal Secret is expensive due to the rarity of the fragrance. The recipes for Germaine Monteil's perfumes were closely guarded, and the perfume was worn by Hollywood stars and European royalty.
