As timeless fragrance goes, rose perfume is the undisputed champion. This scent has a classic, nostalgic rep, but don't let the old-fashioned, powdery blends of days gone by put you off – a rose perfume can be anything you want it to be.
So many of the best perfumes for women contain rose notes, from traditional floral fragrances to clean, unisex fragrances. "We adore rose, as did the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans," explain Sarah McCartney and Samantha Scriven in The Perfume Companion: The Definitive Guide to Choosing Your Next Scent. "Even if you don’t think you like rose perfumes, do give them a try. They are all so different: rich, light, dark, citrussy, sweet, sharp, soft. There are roses for men, women, and everyone."
We couldn't agree more. Rose is incredibly versatile: It’s suitable for blending with other notes or holding a fragrance on its own. And whether you’re a rose fan on the hunt for a new signature scent or looking to dabble for the first time, our top perfume picks include something for everyone.
The best rose perfumes 2024
Top note: Bergamot
Heart note: Rose
Base note: Patchouli, tonka
Nothing says timeless like a Chanel perfume, and this one is a sexed-up version of 1984's Coco Eau de Parfum. It has bags of rose, which creates a headier more romantic aroma than the original Coco. Exceptionally well-balanced, the floral heart note also lasts well on the skin, although what you have left at 4pm is more creamy tonka and patchouli than rose, per-say.
Top notes: White rose oil
Heart notes: Lemon peel, rose absolute
Base notes: Cedarwood
Jo Loves has crafted a stunning rose perfume with subtle strands of peppered citrus, to making this a surprisingly fresh and zippy blend. It's nicely balanced and dries down to a mellow, warming, flower-forward aroma that'll be welcomed by anyone who wants a non-traditional rose scent.
Top notes: Turkish rose, clove, raspberry, cinnamon
Middle notes: Patchouli, frankincense, sandalwood
Base notes: Amber, musk, benzoin
Our beauty editor's signature scent, with fleshy notes of Turkish rose sitting right at the top rather than layered in the middle, giving this what we'll call BRE (Big Rose Energy.) There's also lots of spice and musk for balance, which helps it last unusually well on the skin and certainly goes some of the way to justifying the cost.
Top notes: Bergamot, Cardamom, Saffron
Heart notes: Rose, Blue Poppy, Himalayan Fir
Base notes: Sandalwood, Cashmeran, Incense, Myrrh
This is one of those perfumes that, while expensive, you can see (and smell) where that investment goes. Crafted by niche London-based perfume house Ormonde Jayne, this is comforting, woody, soft and skin-like all at once. It's inspired by high altitude Himalaya and blends the rose heart with poppies as well as lots of musks and woods to intoxicating effect. The fragrance inside could easily work as one of the best men's colognes as well as a floral option for women, plus there's a handy - and more affordable - 10ml size available, too.
Heart notes: Rose centifolia, geranium bourbon
Base notes: Heart of Musc, sandalwood
Saying a perfume is a crowdpleaser sounds like damning with faint praise, but that could not be further from the truth with this rose perfume. What we mean when we say it here is that we can't imagine anyone not liking this. It's got a lovely balance between the floral and woody notes but also enough interest from an unusual geranium bourbon accord to stand out a bit. Add to that a pleasingly affordable price point and you've got yourself an excellent scent for gifting loved ones.
Top notes: Mandarin, bergamot, geranium
Heart notes: Damascus rose, grass
Base notes: White musk
This rose scent is warm, delicious, and unmistakably feminine. That fruity top note may seem like it's best suited to a youthful wearer, but if it's a straightforwardly rose petal aroma you want, this could be the best Dior perfume for you. And if you're worried about it being too sweet, know that the touch of bergamot cuts through enough to stop things getting cloying.
Top notes: Bergamot, angelica leaves
Heart notes: Rose, jasmine, pear
Base notes: Sichuan pepper, juniper berry
A vibrant, modern take on rose, this flower fragrance is youthful and incredibly clean smelling. If you like fresh, green scents and would love to find a rose scent along those lines, this could be it. It's also one of the more affordable options on this list, although it didn't last as long on the skin as, say, Portrait of a Lady, due to its lack of deeper base notes.
Top notes: Bergamot, blackcurrant, lychee
Heart notes: Damask rose, centifolia rose
Base notes: Musk, cedar, honey
Modern, bright, and light, this fragrance is for those looking for the classic scent of rose without it feeling dated. Added green notes make for a slight botanical leaning that'll suit fans of citrus-forward cologne-style perfumes. With incredible lasting power, we'd say this combines the brightness of Floral Street Neon Rose with the day-long wear of Chanel Coco Noir.
Top notes: Pink pepper, Turkish rose petals
Heart notes: Raspberry blossom, Turkish rose absolute
Base notes: Papyrus, white amber
Byredo know their way around a luxury fragrance that lasts for hours. This blend of fresh rose with spicy pepper and heady amber makes this deeper than your average rose scent. In terms of lasting power, this fragrance dries down to a more powdery finish but is still beautifully modern.
Top notes: Hazelnut leaf, almond oil, cinnamon
Heart notes: Red lily, rose centifolia oil, rose absolute
Base notes: Vetiver, musk, wood
Known for making some of the best perfumes for women, Penhaligons offers a truly classic rose fragrance. Delicate rose absolute and spicy cinnamon give this floral fragrance an elegant scent. It’s grounded by vetiver and musk and will linger on the skin for hours, making it worth the investment.
Top notes: Lemon, Green Apple, Pink Pepper
Heart notes: Bulgarian rose, Magnolia, Violet
Base notes: Musk, Cedar, Amber
If you want a true rose scent, the clue is in the name with Paul Smith's Rose perfume. Initially, you'll get a burst of fruit and tingly pink pepper, then in comes rose and a comforting musk base. Elegant and timeless, this is a long-standing woman&home favourite that has excellent staying power.
Top notes: Sichuan pepper, turmeric
Heart notes: May rose, Turkish rose, Bulgarian rose
Base notes: Patchouli, Tonka bean
What with that eye-catching name, three roses and bags of patchouli, this powerful unisex fragrance isn't for wallflowers. But, overlook it at your peril, this is nighttime perfume at its best, with tonnes of spice and comforting tonka amongst the smack-you-in-the-face headiness of the rose. As with all Tom Ford fragrances, this really looks the part too.
How we tested the best rose perfumes
A small selection of the fragrances we tested for this guide
Perfume is incredibly subjective. So while there's no 'apples for apples' testing method for scent, we have personally spritzed on and worn every fragrance in this guide – and many are personal favorites we have loved for years. We wore each for at least a full day to check how it changed as it dried down, as well as how well it lasted. Finally we considered who might like to buy each rose perfume we tried, taking into account the brand, packaging, price, as well as the mood it best suits.
How to choose the best rose perfume for you
If you already know you love rose perfume, there's no going wrong with any scent on this list. However, if you need a little more guidance as to the right rose perfume for you, there are a couple of things to look out for when shopping.
- Base notes: To get a rose perfume you really love, pay attention to the base notes of each fragrance. These are what determine how your perfume will smell after it has dried down, indicating what the lasting smell will be throughout the day. If you like a truly floral fragrance, look for base notes of patchouli. For a slightly more mature or day-to-night rose perfume, go for woody or musky base notes.
- Sweetness: Many people assume that they don't like rose perfume because they don't like sweet scents, but it is possible to find a rose perfume without an overwhelming sugary smell. Consider which end of the sweetness scale you want your perfume to be at, and pay attention to the top notes of each scent. Fragrances like Diptyque Eau Rose, with fruity top notes, will come across as sweeter. Those with peppery top notes will have a more neutral smell that can work for everyone.
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