The 12 Best Rose Perfumes Aren't Your Grandmother's Stuffy Fragrance
The classic note is more in demand than ever, and for good reason.
Ah, rose perfumes. They sometimes get a bad rap thanks to headache-inducing cheap body sprays and the old-school vibes that accompany them. But today's best rose fragrances are anything but outdated. With modern twists and intriguing note pairings (think leather, incense, fig, and lychee), they can appeal to any fragrance fan's scent aesthetic.
"Rose-based perfumes are suited and appropriate for any occasion and time of the day," agrees Anne-Lise Cremona, CEO of Parfums Henry Jacques. "The rose has always had a place in the heart of any good perfume collection; her scent is attractive and represent, for many, an absolute essential in perfumery."
MEMO Paris co-founder Clara Molloy adds that there are a variety of rose perfumes on the market and that the best option "depends on your mood and personal taste." Some feel fresh and light; others are heady and balanced by leather, woods, or spices.
So how to choose? I've done the hard part for you. Below, I rounded up 12 of the best rose fragrances you should consider adding to your collection. Trust me, the rose perfume of your dreams is well within reach, and a few might even change your mind about what a rose scent can be.
The Best Rose Fragrances
- Best Rose Fragrance Overall: Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum
- Best Fruity Rose Perfume: U Beauty Proem Eau de Parfum
- Best Solid Rose Perfume: Dior Miss Dior Mini Miss Blooming Bouquet Solid Perfume
- Best Spicy Rose Perfume: Matiere Premiere Radical Rose
- Best Airy Rose Perfume: Byredo Rose of No Man’s Land
The ultimate rose fragrance, Delina has some of the best floral and fruit notes to take you on a delectable scent journey. You’ll find rhubarb, lychee, and rose mixed with vanilla and musk to balance out the sweetness with something warm and more grounded. As far as rose perfumes go, this option is as close as it gets to perfection.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Rhubarb; Lychee; Damascena Rose; Vanilla; Musk
Size: 75ml
What I Love: Long-lasting; Warm and sweet
What I Don’t: It may be too sweet for some
Review for MC: “Should I give up my city life and escape to the south of France to live in a cottage surrounded by roses and peonies, wearing nothing but white flowy caftans and writing poetry all day? If I do, this is what I’m wearing. It’s sweet and ultra-feminine; it smells like a fruity floral garden that I want to spend all day in. I’m admittedly partial to aesthetics, and the limited edition version comes with stunning rose artwork drawn on the bottle to make it even more special.” — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble tests and names the Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum best rose fragrance overall.
Be warned: this is a bold scent—but in the best way possible. You’re immediately enveloped with notes of rhubarb and lychee for a strong fruity opening before settling down with rose and peony accords to get that floral feel. To make it more modern and sophisticated, earthy notes of vetiver round out the perfume. This is for the girl who may have grown up to wear Róhe and Leset minimal basics but keeps her Juicy tracksuit in a special place in her closet (and her heart).
Fragrance Family: Fruity Floral
Key Notes: Centifolia rose; Chinese peony; Rhubarb; Lychee; Vetiver
Size: 50 ml
What I Love: Delectable scent; Feminine; Long-lasting
What I Don’t: It might be too fruity for some
Review for MC: “As a child of the early aughts where fruity florals reigned supreme, I am instantly drawn to anything to bring me back to those fun bold scents. This is a more sophisticated version of the fragrances that raised my nose, thanks to the vetiver, which gives it a subtle woody and smokey tone. It’s strong yet sweet, which is how I hope people would describe me.” — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble tests and names the U Beauty Proem Eau de Parfum as the best fruity rose fragrance.
How does one take their beloved Miss Dior Blooming Effect without going over the TSA liquid limit? With this Dior solid perfume. You get the same sweet floral notes of rose, peony, mandarin, and musk in a jelly-like solid that blends easily into the skin and lingers on nicely for hours. Plus, I’m a sucker for the chic packaging.
Fragrance Family: Fresh Florals
Key Notes: Italian mandarin; Damascena rose; Peony; White musk
Size: 0.11 oz.
What I Love: Long-lasting; Cost-effective; Easy to travel with
What I Don’t: It’s smaller than we’d like
Review for MC: “Luxe and practical? Sign me up ASAP. This solid perfume makes it so easy to smell like a dreamy floral garden (you’ll find notes of rose, peony, mandarin, and musk) while on the go and it lasts for hours. A little goes a really long way, and for when I need a refresh from running around the city, I rub the jelly-like texture on my pulse points. You'll never find me without this in my purse.” — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble tests and names the Dior Miss Dior Mini Miss Blooming Bouquet Solid Perfume as the best solid rose perfume.
Balancing spicy, smokey, and sweet notes is no easy task, but Radical Rose does it seamlessly. It opens with a soothing incense smell before drying down to a sweet floral. Yes, it's intense but deliciously hypnotic at the same time. Overall, it would be an intriguing addition to your floral fragrance collection.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Rose centifolia absolute; Saffron; Pepper berries essence; Patchouli
Size: 3.4 oz.
What I Love: Complex composition; Well-balanced
What I Don’t: It might be too intense for some
Review for MC: “I’ve recently gravitated towards smokey scents, so this grabbed my attention right away. I love how the rose and pepper berries add a subtle sweetness and some depth to such an intense smell. It’s complex and sophisticated, like that proverbial childless aunt who travels the world and has many stories to tell. There’s nothing like it in my fragrance library, which just calls to my unique Aquarius heart. — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble tests and names Matiere Premiere Radical Rose as the best spicy rose fragrance.
An ode to the nickname that soldiers gave to the nurses who saved thousands of lives during WWII, Byredo's Rose of No Man’s Land is a beautifully soft floral. It's made with Turkish rose petals, amber, and raspberry blossom for a sweet smell that wears very subtly and lingers for hours.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Turkish rose petals; Raspberry blossom; White amber
Size: 3.3 oz.
What I Love: Refreshing; Long-lasting; Sweet
What I Don’t: Might be too subtle for some
Review for MC: “This isn’t a complicated scent, but I love it regardless. Its lovely composition creeps up on you and the longer you wear it the more you love it, kind of like that one person with whom you’ve always had some sexual tension. The longer you’re in each other’s orbit, the more you want to stay together forever.” — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble tests and names the Byredo Rose of No Man's Land as the best Airy Rose Fragrance.
The lemon notes and citrus essential oils brighten up the sweetness of the Damask rose, but the warm tonka bean in this Orebella fragrance gives it a powdery vintage feel that takes me back to when I was five, observing my mom curate her collection of perfumes. One sniff, and it just gives me all the good feels. Plus, I love a fragrance oil that seeps into the skin so easily.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Lemon; Damask rose; Tonka bean; Essential oils
Size: 1.7 oz.
What I Love: A lovely mix of lemon and floral scents; Has a vintage feel
What I Don’t: Not as long-lasting as others
Customer Review: “This smells like the first breath of summer as spring begins to fade away. My inner goddess smiles as this fragrance caresses my body.” — Ulta
For the oud-averse, I suggest you give this a try. You still get that smokey warm base oud is known for, but a softer version that is energized by lemon and Bulgarian rose. It’s strong in the best way possible without being too overwhelming. It’s a perfect intro to the world of ouds.
Fragrance Family: Warm Floral
Key Notes: Lemon; Rose; Oud
Size: 1.7 oz.
What I Love: A lovely balance of rose and smokey scents; Long-lasting
What I Don’t: May be too strong for some
Customer Review: “Heavenly, sexy dark feminine smoky vanilla. I am not normally a fan of oud, but it is gorgeous in here.” — Sephora
Simple and sweet, this is the quintessential rose scent. It’s flirty in a demure way and makes me want to grab my most whimsical dress made of tulle and silk and frolic the streets of New York like the main character of Nancy Meyers's rom-com.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Bulgarian rose; Grasse rose; California orange; Cedarwood; Musk
Size: 2.4 oz.
What I Love: Lightweight; Sweet; Classic
What I Don’t: Pricey
Customer Review: "This scent is absolutely lovely. When I first was introduced to this beautiful scent I was at a grocery store and a lady walked by, it was soft and refreshing. I asked what she was wearing and she actually had a picture of it bc she got asked so many times. My first time wearing the scent I was told how incredible I smelt. I love this perfume. It was a fantastic purchase.” — Nordstrom
Like a slow-burn romance, this Tom Ford fragrance grows on you the longer you wear it. It opens with classic floral notes from the Turkish and Bulgarian rose, but you get some added spice from the coffee and cardamom as time goes on. It’s romantic and grounded without being too over the top, just like how real love is supposed to be (or at least that’s what I'm told).
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Turkish rose; Bulgarian rose; Coffee
Size: 3.4 oz.
What I Love: Lightweight; Sweet; Not Overwhelming.
What I Don’t Love: Coffee may be too faint
Customer Review: “This perfume transported me back to a coffee shop in Africa where we had cappuccino & the place was owned by people from India; wonderful memory. This is a beautiful scent, crazy because I don’t actually like rose.” — Sephora
I came for the name (Lady Vengeance might be my dream title) and stayed for the scent. Though the notes are straightforward—rose, patchouli, and vanilla—its composition is complex and alluring. It’s lightweight but you still feel the depth of the vanilla notes, which give it a very sensual allure and balance out the fresh greenness of the patchouli and rose. It’s calm, cool, and collected, like an idealized version of myself.
Fragrance Family: Chypre Floral
Key Notes: Bulgarian rose; Patchouli; Vanilla
Size: 100 ml
What I Love: Light; Warm and sexy feel
What I Don’t: Not as long-lasting as we’d like
Customer Review: “She looks like anyone and smells like no one. She is sweet and alluring and when they ask her name they did not think it would be vengeance. Stunning and enticing with a hint of danger.” — Juliette Has A Gun
If I wanted to stroll in a garden of roses in southern France, I’d imagine it would smell as chic as this. A true rose fragrance, this mixes the rare essence of rose centifolia and Bulgarian rose with warm notes of musk and ambrette seeds. It’s fruity and sweet, with a second-skin-like dry down to really elevate it.
Fragrance Family: Woody Floral
Key Notes: Rose centifolia; Bulgarian rose; Rose absolute
Size: 3.4 oz.
What I Love: Sweet; Classic Floral; Nice Aquatic Tone
What I Don’t: Not as long-lasting as we’d like
Customer Review: “I adore this perfume. I went back and forth about this, unsure of whether it would be overly floral and heavy, as many rose-based perfumes tend to be. But I am so happy that I finally have this perfume, because it is beautiful. It is delicately floral, but not in a cloying way. It is sweet and light, but the scent lasts all day. It is definitely worth the price, in my opinion, especially since one spritz is enough scent for an entire day. This is one of those memorable, ‘signature’ scents that I am so happy to have in my collection. Highly recommend!” — Nordstrom
I’m personally obsessed with Aesop and all of their unique, unisex scents, so I was over the moon to discover that the brand boasted a rose perfume, too. This complex, nuanced take on rose was inspired by modernist designer Charlotte Perriand, and was created with the Japanese garden rose created in her name—hence the title “Rozu,” which means rose. In addition to rose, the fragrance’s top notes include bergamot, shiso, and petitgrain, while its heart notes include jasmine, cumin, clove, sandalwood, and, of course, more rose. Finally, it has base notes of myrrh, patchouli, musk, and vetiver.
Fragrance Family: Green Floral
Key Notes: Rose; Wood; Spice
Size: 1.7 oz.
What I Love: Complex; A little goes a long way
What I Don’t: Small bottle
Customer Review: "ROZU is so sensual, making it perfect for date nights. A total bombshell. Truly amazing on the skin but could be sprayed on your favorite teddy bear. Bougie, desirable, super sexy, warm & cozy but also very clean girl. I'm obsessed with it." — Fragrantica
What to Look for In a Rose Fragrance
The best rose fragrance is the one you naturally gravitate towards to. There are three ways to think about the note:
Occasion
You should wear whatever you want, whenever you want, but conventional wisdom advises many of us to opt for light, bright scents during the day while going with muskier, heavier options at night. That may lead one to believe that rose perfumes should be relegated to one or the other, but Molloy reminds us that's far from the case.
For daytime, she suggests to not hesitate to embrace the lightness and freshness of a delicate rose fragrance, while reserving the deeper, more intense variations for the allure of evenings or special events. "Whether you prefer to imagine a special day adorned with the intoxicating blend of Damascena rose and its captivating intensity or the embrace of woody, spicy notes, it's up to you," she says. Don't forget that rose is a resolutely unisex ingredient whose timeless charm appeals to men and women alike.
Other Scent Notes
When shopping for perfume, the brand lists top notes, heart notes, and base notes. It's rare for a fragrance to be composed purely of rose, patchouli, or any other element. "The artistry lies in the adept blending of various elements to craft a harmonious and exquisite fragrance," says Molloy. "Roses have a way of playing well with other ingredients, enhancing and complementing the overall olfactory masterpiece."
More specifically, she explains that whether it's the "timeless rose violette for a classic hint, the sweet touch of rose with fruity pear notes, the comforting embrace of rose vanilla, the earthy richness of rose entwined with woods like oud, patchouli, and cedarwood, or the daring mix with leather, each combination unveils a realm of possibilities to craft perfumes that are both unique and utterly captivating." Cremona adds that rose can be combined with oud elements for an earthy, heavy scent.
Rose Type
Did you know that there are many different kinds of roses and that the type you choose changes the fragrance profile of your perfume? "In the world of perfumery, artisans often weave the essence of two kind of roses: Rose Damascena, renowned for its intoxicating blend of intense sweetness and spice, and the delicate Rose centifolia, also known as Provence rose, imparting a breath of lightness, greenness, and freshness to the magic of fragrances," Molloy explains.
So, next time you're shopping for a new rose-based scent, pay special attention to the rose type listed on the ingredient list. Before long, you'll have found your favorite new rose fragrance and realize that the timeless note can work for any occasion, like the little black dress of your perfume collection.
How We Tested
To compile this list of the best rose fragrances, we scoured the internet and combed through countless customer reviews to find the top-rated options on the market. We also asked the Marie Claire team to share their holy grail picks and asked independent and staff testers to try a mix of cult favorites and newer launches.
For each rose fragrance we tested, we assessed the fragrance's notes, how long it lasts, and its overall scent as the day went on.
Why Trust Marie Claire
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
Meet the Experts
Anne-Lise Cremona is the daughter of Parfums Henry Jacques' founder, Henry Cremona. She now sits at the helm of the brand as CEO.
Clara Molloy founded MEMO Paris is 2007 with her husband, John. Currently based in Paris, she is also a poet.
