I Thought I Hated Rose Perfumes, Too—Then I Met These 16 Modern Takes on the Scent

Key notes: Sichuan pepper, ambrette, rose, iris, musk

Let's start with the rose perfume that converted me. I've already touched upon what, in my opinion, makes Young Rose so special; however, indulge me by going a little deeper.

Alongside Damask rose, an especially fragrant variety, it also contains notes of iris and musk, which lend it a powdery quality, while amber provides a warmth. What makes this rose scent especially exciting, however, is the addition of Sichuan pepper — the inspired addition brings life to this scent, ensuring the rose feels vibrant and sharp rather than heavy and cloying. This is a youthful rose scent which even the most ardent rose-hater should try at least once.

Key notes: Rose, shiso, pink pepper, guaiac wood, sandalwood, patchouli, musk

Once I'd found my footing with rose fragrances, I chose to dive headfirst into the note, and that's when Aesop's Rozu came into my life. A heady, bold rose perfume, it's not for the faint-hearted, rich with notes of earthy shiso and patchouli alongside pink pepper and sandalwood as well as a pungent rose heart.

The first time I wore this scent, a friend complimented how expensive it smelled, and I have to agree, it's indulgence bottled. An indulgence that I can't get enough of.

Key notes: Rose, raspberry, cinnamon, patchouli, sandalwood, amber, musk

Frédéric Malle's Portrait of A Lady may have turned 15 this year, however, it's still an incredibly modern interpretation of a traditional rose scent. Blending notes of patchouli, sandalwood and frankincense alongside fragrant Turkish roses, it's warming and elegant with plenty of depth. Plus, it's even rumoured to be one of Madonna's favourite scents, so you know it's got to be good.

Key notes: Rose, geranium, cardamom

If you're looking for a scent that delivers the simplicity of rose yet with plenty of freshness, The Body Shop's Full Rose is for you. Rather than taking you on a journey as the fragrance settles, it takes a more simplistic approach, simply blending together rose and geranium with a subtle hint of cardamom. The result is a rose perfume that smells fresh, green and slightly watery without too much sweetness. A refreshing option for those who love green floral scents.

Key notes: Rose, grapefruit, amberwood, sage, labdanum

Rose is traditionally referred to and utilised as a feminine note, so when I read that this fragrance was a rose scent for men, I was intrigued. It's a really fresh, crisp take on rose—elegant, uplifting, perfect for summer and definitely the type of fragrance you could gift to (then steal from) a man in your life. 

Key notes: Lychee, bergamot, blackcurrant, rose, geranium, musk, honey

Unsurprisingly from the name, Diptyque's Eau Rose takes you on a literal walk through a rose garden in spring. It's fresh and floral yet also sweet and soft at the same time. Staunch haters of rose perfumes will most likely recoil from this scent, not because it's heavy or headachingly pungent (in fact, it's incredibly light and airy), but simply because all the other notes are simply there to amplify the rose's potency. To me, it's delicious and the perfect scent for bright sunny days.

Key notes: Rose, pink pepper, bergamot, vanilla, amber

Initio's Atomic Rose is a perfume that surprised me, as I'll be honest, the opaque purple bottle left me with the impression that it was going to be one of those rich, heavy rose scents of days gone by. Instead, Atomic Rose is zesty and bright thanks to notes of pink pepper and vibrant bergamot, while vanilla seeps in to give it a comforting creaminess rather than an overarching sweetness.

There's also a sexiness to this scent which I haven't felt from the other rose fragrances on this list, so save this one for date night and you won't be disappointed.

Key notes: Rose, bergamot, salt, lime, grass, seawater, oakmoss

D.S. Durga is well known for its unconventional interpretations of classic notes and their rose interpretation is no different. Rose Atlantic perfectly balances fragrant rose with fresh marine notes of lemon, salt, seawater and lime blossom. I know, it's a combination that sounds like it shouldn't work but, trust me, the result is fresh, juicy and truly special.

Key notes: Blackcurrant, pink pepper, bergamot, rose, patchouli, geranium, vetiver

This multi-layered fragrance is packed with powerful notes like patchouli, vetiver and bergamot, so it's a real head-turner. There's a really balanced blend of fruity and floral thanks to the pairing of rose with geranium and green davana leaf. Choose this if you like perfumes that really make a statement.

Key notes: Yuzu, grapefruit, rhubarb, rose, mint, vanilla

An expertly balanced rose perfume, Molton Brown's rhubarb and rose is tart and crunchy yet soft and soothing in equal measure. It's a summer perfume for those who don't want to be wrapped in florals but rather skirt by them before moving on to fresher things. It's juicy, elegant and incredibly moreish, especially when worn on hot days when you want a summer scent that smells fresh and invigorating.

Key notes: Lychee, rhubarb, bergamot, nutmeg, rose, vanilla, cashmere, cedar

While the notes may lead you to think Parfums de Marly's Delina would smell similar to Molton Brown's Rhubarb and Rose, the two couldn't be more different. If Molton Brown's scent is crisp tart rhubarb with a hint of rose, Delina is creamy rhubarb and custard sweets. It's sweet and powdery with subtle rose notes blended in for a delicately fragrant addition.

Key notes: Pink pepper, blackcurrant, rose, nutmeg, cashmere, amber

Gourmand perfume lovers looking to move into rose fragrances will find Rose Whip a welcoming, almost familiar scent. While it doesn't contain any of the sugary-sweet notes commonly found in gourmand fragrances, it does have a creamy quality that smells reminiscent of ice cream and sweet desserts. Combined with rose and blackcurrant notes, it's a delicious scent to spritz and wear.

Key notes: Rose

BVGlARI's magnifying rose is designed to be worn both alone and layered with other fragrances to add an extra floral dimension. For that reason, it features a singular rose note that's intensely rich and pure in its execution. I love this scent layered with my favourite clean perfumes, like Acne Studios par Frederic Malle, as it takes on a fresh, soapy aroma that smells unlike anything else in my collection.

Key notes: Rose, blackcurrant, orange, patchouli, cashmere

To me, Rose Silence is a sparkling glass of sweet rosé wine sipped amongst a beautiful rose garden. It's juicy and fragrant yet airy and sparkling at the same time with just enough delicate rose notes to make it more of a floral scent than a fruity one. If you've been burnt by heavy rose scents in the past and are looking for something lighter, add Rose Silence to your basket ASAP.

Key notes: White rose, lemon leaf

You can always count on Jo Malone CBE to find a perfect (if unconventional) pairing for every classic fragrance note. In this blend, velvety rose is balanced out by fresh, green lemon leaves to create a scent that's summery and fresh.

Key notes: Pepper, saffron, cumin, rose, patchouli, amber, oud

With spicy notes of cumin, pepper, and saffron, Who Is Elijah's rose scent is far more than just a fragrant floral. It evokes the feeling of actually being in a rose garden, surrounded by earth and greenery. A true rebel rose scent by both name and nature.