When you think of rose perfumes, chances are you'll associate them with the sweet, sometimes cloying, floral fragrances often worn by your granny. As touching as this may be, I understand this might not be the signature scent you want for yourself. Please, however, allow me to change your perception. You see, I was once just like you—skipping past the floral note when I perused the fragrance aisle in favour of earthy, woody offerings and lighter, softer scents. I've always been able to appreciate rose fragrances for their classic, timeless quality, but luxurious? Expensive-smelling? Modern? I wasn't convinced.
Then, I came across a fragrance that turned everything on its head, and what followed was a complete re-evaluation of everything I thought I knew about rose scents. The fragrance that did it? Byredo's Young Rose. A fresh interpretation of the floral note, it's powdery yet light, perfumed yet clean and gentle in its application, allowing the delicate rose notes to sing alongside fiery pink pepper and rich amber.
Now, I'm not just a fan of rose fragrances; I proactively hunt them out. And it turns out, rose fragrances aren't a one-trick pony like we've been led to believe. Rose works well with citrus notes for a light and fresh summer fragrance, or it can create a sultry, sexy vibe when combined with musk or oud. My favourite rose combinations, I've realised, are those which pair it with something unexpected, like the pepper Young Rose. When approached as more than just a floral, the best rose perfumes can take you somewhere unexpected.
To prove this, I've collated the 16 of the best rose perfumes I've tried below. These are scents that are not only fresh, fun and modern, but are also bound to earn you compliments like they have me. Thank me later.
The Best Rose Perfumes, Tried and Tested
- The best modern rose perfume: Byredo Young Rose Eau de Parfum (£150)
- The best long-lasting rose perfume: Aesop Rōzu Eau de Parfum (£145)
- The best realistic rose perfume: Diptyque Eau Rose Eau de Toilette (£135)
- The best affordable rose perfume: Maison Margiela Replica On A Date Eau de Toilette (£53)
- The best sweet rose perfume: Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum (£165)
1. Byredo Young Rose Eau de Parfum
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.
2. Aesop Rozu Eau de Parfum
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.
3. Frédéric Malle Portrait of A Lady Eau de Parfum
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.
4. The Body Shop Full Rose Eau de Parfum
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.
5. Maison Francis Kurkdjian L'Homme À La Rose
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.
6. Diptyque Eau Rose Eau de Toilette
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.
7. Initio Atomic Rose Eau de Parfum
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.
8. D.S. Durga Rose Atlantic Eau de Parfum
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.
9. Maison Margiela Replica On A Date Eau de Toilette
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.
10. Molton Brown Delicious Rhubarb Rose Eau de Toilette
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.
11. Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum
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.
12. Phlur Rose Whip Eau de Parfum
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.
13. BVLGARI Allegra Magnifying Rose Eau de Parfum
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.
14. Miller Harris Rose Silence Eau de Parfum
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.
15. Jo Loves White Rose Lemon Leaves
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.
16. Who is Elijah Rebel Rose
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.
How We Tested
As I mentioned, my journey to find the best rose perfumes hasn't been a simple one. As someone who previously shied away from rose scents, I felt it was important to start at the beginning, trialling and testing as many different fragrances as possible. As a result, for every great rose scent on this list, there were two that didn't make the cut, whether down to their scent, longevity or simply an approach to rose that didn't feel modern. What this means, however, is that every scent on this list really is the best of the best, as if it was able to convert me to falling for rose, you know it's got to be good.
Why Trust Us
AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
