Botanical Essence No. 20
Created by perfumer Domitille Bertier for Liz Earle, this daytime floral scent pairs Damask rose with Indian jasmine and grounding sandalwood. Bright citrus top notes give way to a soft, powdery finish with subtle spice. It fits women seeking a clean, natural rose for office wear or casual weekend outings in spring and summer.
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Performance Metrics
89 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Expect 4 to 6 hours of longevity on skin, with the first 45 minutes offering moderate projection within arm reach. Beyond the first hour, the fragrance softens into an intimate skin scent. It thrives in mild spring and summer temperatures between 15°C and 24°C, where light warmth brings out the sandalwood base without causing the rose to turn sour.
Notes Pyramid
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Botanical Essence No. 20 presents a fresh, powdery floral scent profile built around Damask rose, mandarin orange, and pink pepper. The texture feels soft and airy at first, like crushed petals dusted with citrus zest, before drying down into a creamy, ground layer of sandalwood and vanilla bean.
Main Accords
10 MAPPEDThe top citrus accord delivers an instant burst of clean mandarin orange and bergamot that fades after thirty minutes. Next, the woody and powdery accords emerge, transforming the initial sharp pink pepper into a smooth sandalwood skin scent. A subtle rosy heart lingers throughout, keeping the woody dry-down soft rather than dry or splintery.
Community Data
146 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
OWNERSHIP STATS
GENDER APPEAL
REVIEW SENTIMENT
When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in summer and spring. The vote picture leans most toward daytime.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Clean Damask rose opening with bright mandarin orange.
Earthy carrot seed note adds a unique botanical edge.
Polite sillage makes it safe for open plan offices and healthcare work.
Creamy sandalwood dry-down softens the spicy pink pepper.
Great value when purchased on high street discounts or Boots deals.
Over 87 percent natural ingredients feel easy on sensitive skin.
Ideal daytime companion for spring and early summer weather.
Non-cloying profile works well in warm indoor environments.
Balanced sweetness that never leans into heavy gourmand territory.
Easy blind buy candidate for classic floral enthusiasts.
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Modest 4 to 6 hour longevity requires afternoon reapplication.
Soft projection radius stays very close to the skin after an hour.
Lacks heavy amber base notes needed for cold winter nights.
Linear dry-down might feel too simple for niche collectors.
Sandalwood can overpower the rose on certain warm skin types.
Pink pepper note fades rapidly within twenty minutes of spraying.
Bottle atomizer delivers a somewhat dense, wet spray stream.
Not suited for evening wear or high-energy night occasions.
Harder to sample outside of UK retail outlets and Boots stores.
Discontinued in some markets, making full bottles harder to source.
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Liz Earle Botanical Essence No. 20 Review: Clean Damask Rose”
Botanical Essence No. 20 opens with a crisp burst of mandarin orange and bergamot. Within seconds, a spray of rose water and pink pepper cuts through the citrus brightness, giving the top notes a peppery fizz. The opening feels clean and outdoor fresh, like stepping into a damp greenhouse on a April morning.
As the initial citrus sharpness calms down over fifteen minutes, the floral heart takes control. Damask rose appears front and center, supported by a gentle touch of Indian jasmine. An earthy carrot seed note adds a subtle vegetal greenness underneath the petals, preventing the rose from turning sugary or dense.
During the second hour, the woody and powdery accords begin to warm on skin. Sandalwood and amyris smooth out the herbal edges of the rose, creating a soft, creamy texture. Vanilla bean sits low in the base, contributing just enough warmth to round off the spicy pepper without turning the fragrance into a heavy dessert floral.
Performance stays realistic for a natural heavy composition. You get about four to six hours on skin, with projection staying within arm reach for forty minutes before hugging the skin closely. It performs best on mild spring days and sunny summer afternoons when warm air helps the soft rose notes lift from wrists and collarbones.
This bottle appeals to buyers who want a understated, fresh floral for daytime wear. If you work in an open plan office, hospital, or school, its polite bubble ensures you will never offend nearby colleagues. It suits fans of traditional English garden scents who prefer dry wood and pepper over syrupy modern gourmands.
Here is my hot take: the carrot seed note is actually the secret star of this composition, even if some reviewers mistake it for chamomile or dry tea. Without that rooty bitterness, No. 20 would collapse into a generic pink mall spray. It grounds the Damask rose in a way that feels intentional and botanical.
Liz Earle created a solid, easygoing rose fragrance to mark their twentieth milestone. While performance will not satisfy beast mode lovers, its balance of bright citrus, creamy sandalwood, and dew-drenched petals makes it a great daily staple for spring. Grab a bottle if you love soft, natural florals.
FAQs
What does Liz Earle Botanical Essence No. 20 smell like?+
Botanical Essence No. 20 smells like a fresh garden rose surrounded by bright mandarin orange and pink pepper. As it settles, earthy carrot seeds and jasmine emerge before drying down into a warm base of creamy sandalwood and gentle vanilla bean.
How does the opening of Botanical Essence No. 20 differ from its dry-down?+
The fragrance opens with a sharp, fizzing burst of bergamot, mandarin orange, and pink pepper. After thirty minutes, the citrus bright notes fade, allowing the Damask rose heart and smooth sandalwood base to create a soft, powdery floral texture on skin.
How long does Liz Earle Botanical Essence No. 20 last on skin?+
On skin, Botanical Essence No. 20 lasts approximately 4 to 6 hours. The vibrant citrus top notes dissipate within the first hour, while the sandalwood, Damask rose, and vanilla base linger close to the skin for the remainder of the wear time.
Does Botanical Essence No. 20 have strong sillage and projection?+
No, Botanical Essence No. 20 features moderate to intimate sillage. It projects about arm's length during the first forty minutes after application before settling into a quiet skin scent. It will not overpower a room, making it safe for enclosed work environments.
What is the best season to wear Botanical Essence No. 20?+
Spring and early summer are the best seasons to wear Botanical Essence No. 20. The fresh citrus top notes and damp Damask rose blossom in mild weather between 15°C and 22°C, whereas cold winter temperatures tend to mute its subtle floral nuances.
What occasions are best suited for wearing Botanical Essence No. 20?+
This eau de parfum is tailored for casual daytime wear, office work, weekend brunches, and outdoor garden parties. Its clean, non-intrusive profile fits professional settings where heavy oriental or rich gourmand fragrances would feel out of place.
Is Liz Earle Botanical Essence No. 20 masculine, feminine, or unisex?+
Botanical Essence No. 20 is marketed for women and leans feminine due to its core of Damask rose and Indian jasmine. However, the prominent sandalwood base and earthy carrot seed note give it a grounded, botanical character that rose lovers of any gender can enjoy.
Who is the ideal audience for Botanical Essence No. 20?+
This fragrance suits lovers of natural, botanical perfumes who prefer soft English garden roses over heavy synthetic florals. It appeals to wearers seeking an understated, everyday fragrance that feels clean, comforting, and easy to wear without being overly sweet.
Can you layer Liz Earle Botanical Essence No. 20 with other scents?+
Yes, Botanical Essence No. 20 layers well with single note citrus or woody colognes. Pairing it with a bright bergamot body lotion enhances its opening sparkle, while layering over a cedarwood or amber base oil gives the Damask rose extra depth for evening wear.
How does Botanical Essence No. 20 compare to Cerruti 1881 Pour Femme?+
Both share a dry, herbal floral quality, but Cerruti 1881 leans greener with chamomile and wood notes. Botanical Essence No. 20 offers a sweeter, softer dry-down thanks to Damask rose, Indian jasmine, and vanilla bean in its base.
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Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCOREIf you want a similar dry floral vibe, Cerruti 1881 Pour Femme offers a comparable herbal green rose feel, though it leans drier with chamomile. For lovers of deeper, woodier rose scents, Stella by Stella McCartney provides stronger amber depth, while Chloé Eau de Parfum delivers a punchier, soapier rose profile.
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