In the art of perfumery, two of the noblest and oldest ingredients are rose and jasmine absolutes: two elements that symbolise the body. Rose, often used in soaps and body lotions today, is said to represent the scent of purity and cleanliness. Jasmine, on the other hand, represents impurity. Mark was curious to see if he could develop a scent which would bring about a perfect balance of rose and jasmine, as a metaphor for two hearts beating as one. He is a person fascinated by relationships and by parallels and their dilemma of choice. The book, or the film? The ballet, or the opera?

Interestingly, this perfect symbiosis of jasmine and rose balance refused to work. Initially, jasmine won through hands down proving, perhaps, that it’s difficult to maintain an equal balance between purity and impurity. Initial results had the stunning impurity of jasmine with a rose veneer. We concluded that passion could not often be suppressed by purity.

Mark wanted to find a way of returning some of the more delicate qualities of the rose so that the metaphor of two hearts could be maintained. Some months later he worked on pushing the rose scent by adding some new materials, and shifting the balance.

This is a glorious, full-on floral fragrance that could be worn for the joy of it. But if you want to read the perfumery tealeaves, this scent expresses an olfactive yearning for wholeness and the experience of being as one with another person. Two hearts that beat as one.

Two Hearts Beating as One is loaded with precious absolutes. More than 10% of jasmine and more than 3% of rose. But there’s a lot more besides. Wild orange blossom neroli and neroli flowers and ylang all make Two Hearts fabulous, full and sensual. Celery seed adds transparence. Vetiver and sandalwood bring their woody warmth that makes the scent linger and the battle of the roses, rose over impure jasmine, lost forever...

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