Greetings dear readers! Welcome to my first article on rose perfumes. Spring is here and there is no better time to see if a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. One notable feature of the rose is its varied scent profile. It can be sweet, green, fruity, woody and even spicy. A rose perfume can transport you to an English garden, a spice market in Marrakesh or even a Norwegian seaside. The scent of a rose can evoke feelings of love, relaxation, passion and even intoxication. So, I ask you, what is there not to love about the queen of flowers?

Although perfume is subjective, I believe there is a rose perfume to suit every taste. So here are some of my favorite rose perfumes that I think leave a lasting impression. Let’s start on our olfactory journey with Indult’s Manakara. Manakara is a rose lychee perfume with hints of vanilla. Sweet but not cloying, a young pink rose with creaminess, flirty and fun. A Turkish delight in a bottle for the gourmand lovers. 

If Manakara is an ingenue, Initio’s Atomic Rose is a femme fatale. Atomic Rose is absolutely gorgeous, fresh yet dark and seductive. Rose, jasmine supported by a vanilla base. All blended so well that it leaves you wanting more. A must for date night. An atomic bombshell. Another statement maker is Frederic Malle’s Portrait Of A Lady, a mature spicy rose. Think Meryll’s Streep character (Myranda Priestly) in the Devil wears Prada; classic, confident and refined. Someone who demands perfection. Don’t let the name fool you, I find this one perfectly unisex.

Subtle but powerful is Frapin’s Laskarina. The brand describes it as an “iron fist in a velvet glove”. Laskarina transports you to another place and time. An amber floral with depth and character. It starts off with fresh citrus and rose turning deeper and darker in the base, though not losing its initial rose appeal. A beautiful tribute to one of the heroines of the Greek revolution and to all women revolutionaries. 

Here come my middle eastern style picks for rose oud perfumes. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood and Ex Idolo’s Thirty Three. Two very different takes on this classic note pairing. Oud Satin Mood is very smooth and clean. The violet note gives it a sort of airiness where the amber and benzoin give it creaminess. Combined with rose and oud, it is classy and sophisticated like a well-dressed man or woman. On the other hand, Ex Idolo’s Thirty Three is a very unique rose oud. It has both cold and warm facets. Intimate and metallic at the same time. The mix of vintage oud, the fruits and the odd note of caoutchouc make it a must try for oud lovers.

If any perfume can make me like patchouli, it is Christian Dior’s Gris Dior. The epitome of a chypre: rose patchouli and oakmoss. Classic in style yet blended to fit modern times and tastes. A sophisticated lux perfume for the trend setter in all of us. When I want a refreshing but still floral perfume, I reach for Maison Crivelli’s Rose Saltifolia. There is something so sparkling about this one. An aquatic rose that transports you on a winter’s walk next to the seashore. I can almost taste the salt water, smell the roses and feel the cool air. 

Dark sensual and with a raw vulnerability is Jusbox’s Siren & Sailors. This perfume is a tribute to Amy Winehouse and captures the siren’s unique sound. Rose, whisky, vanilla and a plethora of other notes shine like the singer’s voice.  Her dreams, her demons and her vulnerability all captured in a scent the way she captured emotions in her songs. She sings “no, no, no” but I say yes, yes, yes.

To conclude, I would like to mention two rose perfumes I reach for all the time. Rania J’s Rose Ishtar and Vicktoria Mynia’s Hedonist Rose. Rose Ishtar is truly a jewel, a multifaceted ruby. To me, this represents the quintessence of femininity. This is a mature jammy rose with some tartness from the cassis and powderiness from the heliotrope. The vanilla, sandalwood and patchouli base bring out its sweetness and creaminess. A perfect mix like a woman with many attributes: warm like a mother, sexy like a lover and light and airy like a friend. At the same time intriguing and comforting. Victoria Mynia’s Hedonist Rose is so appropriately named. This is a pleasure-seeking rose perfume. A sparkling wine note, a tart juicy peach, an airy clean musk and spices make this perfume truly alluring. Indulgence, (not in a gourmand way) is the most fitting word for this ethereal scent. 

There are so many other rose perfumes that I could mention, alas this article would be pages long. So, I bid you farewell for now and might I suggest that you do yourself a favor and take some time to stop and smell the roses!

Your Perfume Cognoscente