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The Very Best Rose Perfumes For Every Mood
This classic fragrance note is endlessly versatile: no wonder it's a must-have in every perfumer's palette
If there's one ingredient that's synonymous with perfumes, it's the rose. While other florals such as tuberose and ylang-ylang are trickier to come by on a daily basis, roses are easily accessed from the supermarket aisles to the blossoming gardens of country manors.
The very best rose perfumes right now
- Best classic rose: Jo Malone London Red Roses Cologne, £55
- Best elegant rose: Lancôme Absolue Rose On The Moon EDP, £230
- Best citrusy rose: Fresh Rose Morning EDP, £82
- Best grungy rose: Dries Van Noten Rosa Carnivora EDP, £260
- Best romantic rose: Byredo Rose Of No Man's Land EDP, £150
But the abundance of roses also means that not every rose scent is created alike. Some may emit a jam-like waft reminiscent of Turkish Delights while others have a gentler, 'tea'-like scent that feels airy and soft. In perfumery, the most commonly used varieties are the Rosa Centifolia, which is generally fresher with nuances of citrus, and Rosa Damascena, which tends to be more opulent and velvety.
The versatility of roses mean that they're widely used in fragrances in various ways. A perfume doesn't have to be an obvious 'rose scent' in order to contain roses, as the ingredient can also be used in smaller amounts in order to balance a fragrance composition or bring out certain facets of other notes.
David Seth Moltz, perfumer and one half of the fragrance brand D.S & Durga agrees: 'Distilled rose oil or otto is one of a few natural materials that can enhance all genres of perfume without explicitly announcing itself. Even small amounts of rose otto create a soft petal-like freshness - a round warm heart note that can bolster most accords (a blend of various notes).'
As a perfumer, rose is his 'desert island' flower - something that's always in his arsenal. 'They vary so much - I smell every rose I pass. Depending on the varietal and the time of day, they may be citric, spicy, fruity, and much more,' shares Moltz.
How to find the best rose perfume for you
Rose perfumes vary from pretty, Marie Antoinette-esque spritzes that feel gentle and fluffy to richer, darker versions that command a room.
The best way to sample a fragrance is to try it, but with so many options available, you might find it easier to narrow it down by asking yourself a few simple questions: do you prefer a light splash or something that saunters into a room before you do? Do you prefer something sweet or something a little more outdoorsy and green? Do you want something long-wearing or something lighter? It's a helpful way to gauge which rose scent is right for you.
Ahead, the best rose perfumes for every personality
The beauty of Red Roses lies in its simplicity. It's a straightforward bouquet of freshly-picked, bright red roses. A clean, translucent interpretation that's easy to wear and feels right for all occasions.
Despite its name, this rose perfume feels very grounded thanks to its sandalwood base. It's warm and elegant, with just a hint of roses, the plush kind you'd find at a fancy florist like McQueens.
If it's an endlessly bright splash of floral you're after, you can't go wrong with Rose Morning. There's a lemony zing here that uplifts the composition, making it a brilliant option for those who prefer their fragrances with a sweetened edge. One to reach for for an instant mood boost on grey Monday mornings.
A sugar-free, rock n' roll take on a rose perfume. The perfectly balanced composition has plenty of earthiness for depth, with a touch of greenery to keep it feeling decidedly cool and modern.
A watercolour rose with soft edges and a dreamy, ethereal mood. Such a diaphanous composition can easily be a fleeting spritz, but the clever addition of amber base notes lends an impressive longevity to this scent.
Givenchy's Irresistible range is known for its sparkling, sugary compositions but there the clever addition of powdery iris petals brings a creamy smoothness to this rosy scent. There's a rose milk tea vibe here that's unapologetically pretty and romantic.
If rose is your poison, it's worth keeping this generous bottle of cologne in the bathroom. It's airy and fresh, like a tall glass of icy rosewater on a hot day. Spray after a shower for a lightweight veil of scent, or layer with a perfume for added longevity.
This carefree rose plunged head first into the blue ocean and emerged with salty, dewy skin. An airy spritz, it's the complete opposite of heady, floating gently around you and promising to keep you smelling good without interfering too much with your personal scent.
Matiere Premiere by perfumer Aurélien Guichard cultivates its own roses on an organic farm in Grasse, giving the brand access to some of the best raw materials out there. Radical Rose is grown-up and spicy, with generous amounts of saffron and patchouli. This darker take on rose feels especially glamorous come winter.
I'm not sure if it's because my skin doesn't hold on to scent or if I don't spray as much as I should, but it's rare that I get stopped on the street for my perfume (much to my chagrin). But Akro Night was a game changer, and never fails to garner compliments from strangers. Inspired by all things sexy that happens after sundown, Night is sensuous and decadent, with a muskiness that lingers for hours on end.
Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.
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