These Rose Scents Are Nothing Like Your Grandma's Perfume

Elle

4 days ago

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There's just something about roses that has made me want to smell like them from a young age. Maybe it's because they're beautiful and I want to carry that beauty with me. Perhaps it's because, as Jessie Dawes, the chief marketing officer for Diptyque Americas, says, 'Rose scents evoke a sense of delicate sensuality both visually in nature and in its fragrance form.' Or maybe it's as simple as the fact that roses smell so darn good to me. Whatever the reason, I've invariably had an affinity for rose fragrances, whether it's spring, summer, winter, or fall. The best compliment I've ever gotten: 'You always smell like roses.'
Much to my dismay, not everyone shares my obsession. And honestly, I get it—many of the rose perfumes of yore had that suffocating powdery quality that strikes people as old-fashioned. Or, as several of my friends have put it, 'old lady-ish.' But I stand here today to solemnly swear that I've found over a dozen rose perfumes that smell fresh, modern, and chic. Not all of them are going to suit everyone. But give one a sniff, and you might be delighted by the olfactory garden that greets you. 'While often a polarizing note, I believe there is a rose-based fragrance for everyone. Rose scents can either be soft and sweet or lean bold and spicy,' says Autumne West, the national beauty director at Nordstrom. I firmly feel that to be true, too.
If you're ready to begin your own romance with rose fragrances, all you have to do is keep reading. ELLE editors tested a bouquet of rose perfumes to find the 17 best rose fragrances you're bound to fall in love with.
Cappadocia draws from its namesake, a region in Turkey renowned for its stunning rocky terrain, colorful hot air balloon rides, and 'fairy chimneys': tall, naturally formed pillars of rock sculpted by the elements over millennia. The scent itself is a symphony of florals, saffron, and sandalwood that transports you to the Turkish destination.
Notes: Saffron, sandalwood oil, myrrh resinoid, Turkish rose
Size: 2.5 oz.
Memo Paris rating: 5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'Saffron gives fragrance a unique, sexy, smell. This fragrance is delightful and always leads to many compliments from strangers. I'm running low on my sample, so I layered it with a pure rose scent—and wow! It amplified the Turkish rose, creating a lovely aroma.' —Danielle James, beauty expert
If you ever wake up and think, 'I just want to smell like roses today,' this is the one. Although it contains other notes, like lychee, chamomile, and artichoke, that complement the main scent, the rose shines through—without a hint of powder. 'If you prefer something bright and sweet, look for rose fragrances that are blended with fruity accents, like Diptyque's Eau Rose,' says Dawes.
Notes: Rose damascena, centifolia rose, chamomile, litchi, artichoke
Nordstrom rating: 4.8/5 stars
An ELLE contributor says: 'There are few things in life I find more beautiful than a classic bouquet of red roses—and being able to smell like one, too. This masterful Diptyque scent is great for rose purists (featuring three types of rose extracts, including one that's upcycled for an earth-friendly touch), with an interesting tinge of chamomile and artichoke for a romantic yet balanced finish.' —Sam Peters, Hearst senior commerce editor
This unisex scent has an inherent sensuality that rubs off on the wearer, a credit to the masterful mingling of saffron, rose, and amber. You can trust that it'll stick around once you apply it—even if you're out partying all night long in Milan.
Notes: Saffron, blackcurrant, rose, jasmine, ambergris, moss, dry amber, maltol, musk, cedar
Size: 3.4 fl. oz.
Glasshouse Fragrances rating: 4.7/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'If you want to be on the receiving end of a plethora of compliments, this is the fragrance for you. Intertwining rose with saffron, this spicy floral lets you know it's polished, not square. Romantic with an edge—it's the perfect scent when you want to stand out at any occasion. Some say this is a Baccarat 540 dupe, which I disagree with—but it does give off that 'I am wealthy' aroma.' —Danielle James
This fragrance marries the sweet scent of rose with the earthiness of vetiver and patchouli, and the truffle adds an inescapable muskiness. It's the kind of captivating perfume that will grab everyone's attention when you walk into a room.
Notes: Rose, truffle, vetiver, patchouli, castoreum
Size: 3.4 oz.
Nordstrom rating: 5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'If I apply Frédéric Malle's Rose Tonnerre in the morning, I find myself taking whiffs of my wrists all day long. It draws you in with the sparkling aroma of rose petals, but what I find more interesting is how the other elements of the perfume remind you of the soil in which a rose bush takes root. It's complex, it's gorgeous, it's everything a fragrance should be and more.' —Carol Lee
À La Rose is sweet but not cloying, floral but not powdery. It's essentially a bouquet of roses and other flowers distilled into a luxurious glass bottle; the crisp scent is kept grounded by the cedarwood and musk that also snuck into the mix. A truly contemporary-feeling take on the rose perfume.
Notes: Damascena rose from Bulgaria, Centifolia rose from Grasse, Calabrian bergamot, Californian orange, violet, magnolia, blossom, cedarwood, musk
Size: 1.1 oz.
Neiman Marcus rating: 4.7/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'A la Rose is a soft, beautiful, scent that reminds you of rose petals scattered across a bed with white linens. When it dries down, you get a little brightness, like an afternoon pick me up from a cup of coffee—thanks to the citrusy base notes. It's a rose perfume, not overwhelmingly so—and the scent is long lasting.' —Danielle James
Rose and aquatic perfumes attract strong reactions, both bad and good, and this fragrance bravely melds the two. It's one that recalls D.S. & Durga's co-founder David Seth Moltz's favorite summer destination: seaside in New England.
Notes: Bergamot, petals, lemon oil, linden, rose accord, dune grass, muscone, salt water, white moss
Size: 1.7 oz.
Nordstrom rating: 3.5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'I imagine the person wearing this perfume to be sitting by the sea in a white linen ensemble, sipping tea as a vase of light pink roses sits beside them. I aspire to be that person.' —Carol Lee
The creator of Kilian Paris, Kilian Hennessy, is a direct descendant of Richard Hennessy, who founded the Hennessy cognac company. Hennessey conceived The Liquors collection to pay homage to his family, and the rose fragrance in the lineup draws inspiration from gin. It smells sharp and fresh long after it first lands on your skin.
Notes: Cucumber, juniper berries, rose
Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'As our digital beauty director Danielle James pointed out, this fragrance reminds you of stems of just-bought roses briefly taken out of their vase. I'd say the name is pretty accurate, too; the scent is refreshing, like the first sip of an ice-cold drink.' —Carol Lee
Fruity and floral, Bond No. 9's New York-inspired perfume is as bright as a twinkling star. Yet it sits close to the skin, thanks to its musk base. And those who aren't the biggest fans of gourmands, don't be discouraged by the note of vanilla—it somehow completely avoids the pitfall of being sickly sweet.
Notes: Lychee, apricot, red apple, rose essence, watermelon, rose absolute, cedarwood essence, vanilla, musk
Neiman Marcus rating: 5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'I can't quite place why, but each time I spray on this perfume, I'm overcome with a wave of nostalgia. Fruity perfumes aren't usually my thing, yet this one's a very special exception. If I didn't have so many fragrances in my collection, I'd want to smell like this all the time.' —Carol Lee
This beauty from Narciso Rodriguez has all the makings of an alluring fragrance. As its name suggests, the scent is led by the sensual combination of rose and musk, but its true depth reveals itself when it dries down—the bottom notes of vanilla, suede leather, and patchouli linger behind for the rest of the day.
Notes: Bergamot, musc, tuberose, vanilla, suede leather, patchouli
Size: 3.3 oz.
Saks Fifth Avenue rating: 5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'As someone who loves musk, rose, and any scent Narciso Rodriguez produces, Musc Noir Rose is a perfect storm for me. There was no way I wouldn't fall for it, and yet I was surprised by how captivating it was. If you already adore Musc Noir and want to try your hand at a rose perfume, this will be the gateway scent for you.' —Carol Lee
Hèrmes' Rose Ikebana should come with a warning label—people will most likely come up to you and pester you with questions about what you're wearing. The moniker comes from ikebana, a centuries-old Japanese practice of constructing bouquets of flowers to create sculpture-like arrangements, while the scent is meant to evoke a dew-drenched rose.
Notes: Rose, rhubarb
Bloomingdale's rating: 5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'Fragrances from Hèrmes never disappoint, and this is no exception. It's so long lasting and smells like a floral tea—my favorite kind, next to barley. You just feel expensive wearing it.' —Carol Lee
Tom Ford's own private rose garden inspired this warm blend—combining Turkish and Bulgarian roses with patchouli, Sichuan pepper, and cabbage. Like many of his other fragrances, there's an edge to Rose Prick; it's unlike any rose perfume we've smelled before.
Notes: Rose de Mai, Bulgarian rose, Sichuan pepper
Sephora rating: 4.2/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'The Sichuan pepper in this sneaks up on you like it does in your favorite spicy Sichuan dish—it's almost like it's not there, and then it hits you when you're least expecting it. It's always a delight when a scent can surprise in that way.' —Carol Lee
This mysterious scent is exactly what I imagine Victoria Beckham to smell like: peppery, slightly floral, with a hint of smokey tobacco. If you were a friend in the market for a going out perfume, it's definitely what I'd recommend.
Notes: Black cherry, red peppercorn, saffron, Centifolia rose, midnight violet, narcotic musk flower, patchouli fraction, labdanum, black leather, tobacco leaves
Size: 1.69 oz.
Neiman Marcus rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'If I'm being honest with myself, intense fragrances like these aren't typically my vibe. But Suite 302 makes me want to become its vibe. One whiff of it and I'm ready to throw a tailored black leather jacket over my shoulders, slip into a pair of black pumps, and waste the night away in a dimly lit cocktail bar on the Lower East Side.' —Carol Lee
Jo Malone doesn't beat around the (rose) bush—its permanent rose perfume hits you with the aroma of roses straight out of the gate, and the addition of lemon gives this classic rose perfume a luminosity that can't be ignored. The brand's scents are designed to be layered, so you can add more complexity by creating your own aromatic cocktail.
Notes: Lemon, scarlet velvet rose, honeycomb
Size: 1 oz.
Sephora rating: 4.1/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'This was my signature perfume all throughout college; in fact, I think I bought my first bottle during the first week of school my freshman year. It served me well throughout those years. That's not to say that it's juvenile in any way—I recently revisited it, and it's as delicious as I remembered. I gladly added it back into my rotation.' —Carol Lee
The original Miss Dior contained notes of rose, but the romantic flower takes center stage in this rendition. Its adorable bow-adorned bottle houses hints of citrus and musk too, which work in harmony to enhance the freshness and femininity of the scent.
Notes: Grasse rose absolue, Italian mandarin, white musk accord
A Sephora reviewer says: 'Love. Love. LOVE! This perfume has gotten me so many compliments. It's the perfect amount of floral and musk. Definitely a perfect perfume for a night out on the town!'
Autumne West is the national beauty director at Nordstrom.
Jessie Dawes is the chief marketing officer for Diptyque Americas.
Dawes recommends looking inwards first. 'Understanding what you love about fragrances and what draws you in is the best place to start,' he explains.
Then, you can get down to business: 'The best way to discover a new perfume is to go in-store to test and sample the fragrance on you. All perfumes initially smell a certain way but will dry down a bit differently as you wear it, which can help you determine if you truly love it,' West says. It's always a good idea to test as many as you can before settling on the one you choose to buy.
Dawes explains, 'A great way to layer rose perfumes is to first determine how prominent you'd like the rose scent to be. If you want rose to really shine, I recommend adding it as your final step in your fragrance layering, almost as though you're adding a velvety and smooth veil to your personal scent. Rose is a universal and often recognizable scent that complements most things—we love to pair Diptyque's Eau Rose with Diptyque's Eau Duelle, layered on top for a floral gourmand expression that evokes the spirit of a Parisian patisserie.'
But at the end of the day, there's no real pressure to layer your scent if you're more of a one-and-done kind of person—especially with rose perfumes. 'I find a lot of fragrances that have rose are already paired perfectly with the other notes within the scent, therefore it is great on its own! However, layering is always an option with no set rules. Fragrance is personal, so it is best to try out combinations until you create the version that is right for you. Rose pairs well with a bright note like citrus or tea, or alternatively with a hint of spice.' Essentially, the best way to figure it out is to play around until you find a combination that you personally enjoy.
It's a resounding yes from our experts. 'There are varieties within the rose scent category, and each one smells differently based on the region the rose note comes from. For example, tuberose-based scents can be warm and heavy with a hint of musk, while a more traditional rose will tend to be light, sweet, and of course very floral,' West says. There's so much variety that even if you like to change up your scent each season, you'll be able to find a perfume for each one.
'Roses are beloved, and the iconic nature of the flower and its scent makes it palatable all year round,' Dawes adds.
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee spoke with trusted fragrance experts about the rose perfumes, and she and other ELLE editors tested many out themselves. Lee also searched the internet for the top-rated rose perfumes, perused reviews for dozens of popular options, and evaluated each on their features and customer reviews.