As timeless fragrance goes, rose perfume is the undisputed champion. The genre itself has a very classic, nostalgic rep but don't let the old-fashioned, powdery blends of the past put you off - this floral note has endless potential.
There's a reason why so many of the best long-lasting perfumes and best perfumes for women contain hints of rose. "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 can lead or be layered with other notes - truly, a rose fragrance can be anything you want it to be. So, whether you're already a fan, seeking a new signature or looking to dabble for the first time, our top perfume picks include something for everyone.
The best rose perfumes of 2025, per a Beauty Editor
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Whether you typically gravitate towards fresh floral fragrances or more spicy, wood blends, there's a rose perfumes to suit all - as these 12 prove...
RRP: from £104 for 50ml | Notes: Bergamot, rose, patchouli and 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.
RRP: from £82 for 50ml | Notes: White rose oil, lemon peel, rose absolute and cedarwood
Jo Loves has crafted a stunning rose perfume with subtle strands of peppered citrus, 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.
RRP: from £153 for 30ml | Notes: Turkish rose, clove, raspberry, cinnamon, patchouli, frankincense, sandalwood, amber, musk and 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.
RRP: from £150 for 50ml | Notes: aldehyde, Rose Centifolia, peony, violet, musks and sandalwood
Blanche captures and presents rose in a different way from what most might expect. It's not heady or overly perfumey (like some can be), but soft and delicate. It mirrors the scent of clean sheets and a cool spring breeze against your skin - making it one of the freshest blends on this list and very wearable indeed. If you're someone who loves a 'skin'-like perfume, this Byredo number offers just that but with a floral, rosy twist.
RRP: from £63 for 30ml | Notes: Rose centifolia, geranium bourbon, Heart of Musc and 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.
RRP: From £66 for 30ml | Notes: Mandarin, bergamot, geranium, Damascus rose, grass and 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.
RRP: From £29 for 10ml | Notes: Bergamot, angelica leaves, rose, jasmine, pear, Sichuan pepper and 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.
RRP: £160 for 75ml | Notes: Bergamot, blackcurrant, lychee, Damask rose, centifolia rose, musk, cedar and 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.
RRP: from £150 for 50ml | Notes: Pink pepper, Turkish rose petals, raspberry blossom, Turkish rose absolute, papyrus and white amber
As the second one of their rose blends to feature, it's safe to say 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.
RRP: from £85 for 30ml | Notes: Hazelnut leaf, almond oil, cinnamon, red lily, rose centifolia oil, rose absolute, vetiver, musk and 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.
RRP: £30 for 100ml | Notes: Lemon, green apple, pink pepper, Bulgarian rose, magnolia, violet, musk, cedar and 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.
RRP: from £180 for 30ml | Notes: Sichuan pepper, turmeric, may rose, Turkish rose, Bulgarian rose, patchouli and 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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