Tuvara by Tuvache c1948

Tuvara by Tuvache: launched in 1948. The name Tuvara was trademarked in 1965 by Tuvache. The name Tuvara comes from a species of the cassia plant and was also the name of Mme. Tuvache's daughter.


Tuvara was available as:

• Perfume
• Skin perfume
• Bath perfume
• Soap
• Dusting powder
• Talc

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? It is classified as an oriental fragrance for women. Comprised of tantalizing aromatic spices for a dramatic, bold, sparkling fragrance. It starts off with a spicy fruity top, followed by a spicy, exotic floral heart, layered over a sweet balsamic base. Intensely, electrifying - a spicy fragrance as magnetic as it is lasting.

• Top notes: aldehydes, mandarin, orange, fruits, cardamom, allspice, cassia, ginger, nutmeg
• Middle notes: jasmine, orient rose, spicy carnation, cinnamon bark, ylang ylang, orris
• Base notes: patchouli, vanilla, vetiver, benzoin, Tolu, incense, amber

Vogue, 1965:

"This is sexy. Well, if a determined mix of cardamon and cassis, ginger and nutmeg, is sexy, Tuvara is. Named after the daughter of the late Mme. Tuvache, author of Jungle Gardenia (the pet, remember?, of one of our most alluring movie queens), Tuvara comes in fifteen forms, starting a couple of months ago ranging from perfume to purse sprays through skin perfume through powder through soap.."

Mademoiselle, 1966:

"Tuvara by Tuvache is all spices. Lentheric bottled a country lane and called it Tweed. Finally, sniffed from Dana, a mingling of delicate flowers, a high note of red, red roses called Platine."

Harper's Bazaar, 1967:

"Spicy scents, traditionally tantalizing, include Intoxication by D'Orsay, adventurous and elusive; 20 Carats by Dana, sparkling, bouyant, pulse-quickening; Tuvara by Tuvache, spiciness with brilliant clarity — purposeful, persistent. Surely not to disappoint."

Mademoiselle, 1967:

"Patchouli, allspice, rose, and jasmine: the sexy seasoning Tuvache calls Tuvara"

The Victoria Advocate, Apr 5, 1968:

"TUVARA PERFUME . Try Tuvara, a bold and shimmering blend as immediate as tonight! Tuvara stays and stays,, with a freshness and clarity that never flog. A travel flacon of Tuvara Skin Perfume is yours as a gift with the $3.50 purchase of Tuvara from Tuvache. Priced from $3.50 to $40.00."

San Diego Magazine, 1974:

"Jungle Gardenia and Tuvara by Tuvache jungle Gardenia frees the spirit, liberates the mind and encourages memorable moments of pleasure that linger long after you leave. Tuvara is a piquant blend of rose, jasmine, patchouli, vetiver and sweet balsam. It delivers a promise of better things to come. Spray Mist 2 oz. 6.50, Creme All Over Lotion 8 oz. 6.50 Perfume 1/3 oz. $10."

Vintage 1960s bottle of Tuvara skin perfume, photo from ebay seller iconpix

Fate of the Fragrance:

Discontinued, date unknown. Still being sold in 1981.

Reformulated and relaunched by Long Lost Perfumes/Irma Shorell, Inc. around 1995?

So what does the reformulation smell like?  It has been described as "rich, herbaceous and spicy. " and is classified as a Spicy Oriental perfume for women.

• Top notes: chamomile, bergamot, lavender and aldehydes. 
• Middle notes: ylang-ylang, geranium, jasmine, patchouli, incense. 
• Base notes: sandalwood, myrrh, vetiver, labdanum, oakmoss, musk, patchouli and vanilla.