The best rose fragrances for people who swear they hate rose
words by lara daly
Consider this your rose awakening.
Rose perfumes have never really done it for me, if I’m being honest. I’ve always found them too powdery, too old fashioned, or maybe just too predictable. I’m not particularly enamoured with the flower itself, either – I wince walking past florists near Valentine’s Day, when buckets of red roses replace my favourite rustic natives.
Something changed after a friend introduced to me to Body Oil of Winter by Bruxa, a honey-coloured oil infused with Bulgarian rose. The scent is subtle yet sexy, exactly how I’d imagine Aphrodite would smell. I’ve found it’s perfect for layering underneath the smoky, masculine-leaning fragrances I’m usually drawn to, like Le Labo’s Tabac 28.
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Since then, I’ve kept my senses open to rose, exploring its many different interpretations in niche perfumery. According to Steven Ross Glyde, Mecca Category Education Lead for Fragrance and Hair, rose has “an entire bouquet of expressions: dewy and delicate, green and earthy, or velvety and mysterious.”
“Rose can feel fresh and invigorating like cut stems, classic and powdery, deep red or soft pink, honeyed and spring-like, or brightened with fruity notes such as peach or lychee,” he says. “Rather than a single note, rose is an entire world of scent [that’s] endlessly expressive and timeless.”
It’s also one of perfumery’s most versatile ingredients, reportedly used in around 75 per cent of modern feminine fragrances and 10 per cent of men’s scents. As far back as Ancient Egypt, rose was revered not only for its beauty and aroma, but for its therapeutic properties. Herbalists prize rose essential oil for its calming, mood-lifting effects, and in aromatherapy it’s used to help ease stress, anxiety and even heartbreak.
As contemporary fragrance houses continue to push creative boundaries, I believe there’s truly a rose scent for everyone, whether worn on skin or enjoyed in your home, bath or even on freshly-washed sheets.
Yes, adding a rose fragrance to your life feels especially apt around Valentine’s Day. But really, it’s for any moment you want to tap into the flower’s rich, romantic history. Below, our edit of modern, rose-forward scents that are bound to appease sceptics, sweet-lovers and everyone in between.
If you like sweet, musky scents, try…
Rose Whip by Phlur
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Like being dunked in maple syrup and wrapped in lush velvet. Phulr’s Rose Whip is smooth, leathery and warm, thanks to base notes of amber, cashmere wood and musk. It lends a sensual and unmistakably main-character energy to its wearer.
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Sage’s Rose by Tsu Lange Yor
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Hypnotic and feminine, Tsu Lange Yor’s Sage’s Rose combines Damask rose and Egyptian geranium with smoky facets and a resinous base. It’s an ultra-modern take that can convert even the most committed rose sceptics.
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If you like earthy scents, try…
Vikasa by Tulita
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Bright and reassuringly grounding, Tulita’s Vikasa is the most ‘floral’ rendition on the list, but still feels modern. Top notes of Italian bergamot and pink peppercorn are infused with rose, distinguished with the woody warmth of cypress and cedarwood. To top it off, it’s said to cultivate love and empathy, which we all need more of.
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Rōzu by Aesop
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Unmistakably rose, yet nuanced and genderless. Rōzu leans green and spicy, with vibrant shiso, woods and a whisper of smoke.
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If you like fresh scents, try…
Rose Saltifolia by Maison Crivelli
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A contemporary take on classic rose, Maison Crivelli’s Rose Saltifolia pairs crystalline petals with a salty seaside breeze. The result is a light, bright and effortlessly wearable – beautiful alone or layered.
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L’Eau À la Rose by Maison Francis Kurkdjian
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Flirty yet delicate, L’Eau À la Rose feels like stopping to smell the roses on a sunny morning walk.
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If your like green scents, try…
Body Oil of Winter by Bruxa
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A subtle, sexy entry into rose, this hydrating oil smells like dewy mornings and petals after rain. Add a few drops into your bath (or enlist someone for a massage) and it’s close to heaven.
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Rose Atlantic by D.S. & Durga
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Crisp and green, Rose Atlantic highlights the sharper facets of the flower. Think freshly cut stems, salty ocean air and the warmth of a sun-drenched peach orchid.
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If you like bright, fruity scents, try…
Little Flower by Régime des Fleurs
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Created in collaboration with actor and ultimate cool girl Chloë Sevigny, Little Flower has been dubbed ‘the rebel’s rose’. It leans green and dewy, with tart citrus, dry palo santo and incense reframing the classic rose.
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If you’re not into wearing rose, try…
Roses candle by Diptyque
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If you appreciate rose but don’t want to wear it, a home fragrance is the perfect starting point. Diptyque’s Roses candle is quintessential: dewy petals with a syrupy fruitiness and unmistakable French elegance. Its limited-edition Valentine’s Day release speaks to rose’s enduring link with love and romance.
You could also try layering home fragrances, burning Roses alongside Baies, the cult classic that smells like fresh-picked blackberries. I like to burn sandalwood incense for an earthy, smoky layer, or lighting Flamingo Estate’s Olive Tree candle to add a subtle peppery twist.
Get it here.
For more on rose fragrances, try this.
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