Her Majesty the Rose

May 8, 2021

Rose Perfumes

"Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose..." Gertrude Stein. You either love roses or you hate them. The feeling unleashed by their scent knows no middle ground and has always divided perfume lovers. Niche rose perfumes are perfect if you are looking for an unconventional, sophisticated, and refined fragrance. In fact, rose is one of the oldest olfactory notes used by master perfumers. The rose encompasses many different nuances, with each variety having very different olfactory characteristics. In perfumery, the most used are centifolia rose (Grasse rose), Damask rose (Bulgarian rose), and Taif rose (a precious variety of Damask rose). Furthermore, it cannot be overlooked that the rose itself can reveal both warm and velvety facets, as well as green and fresh ones. The fragrances, in fact, can be very different from each other...Green, fresh and vegetal, or dark, opulent and oriental, when the rose is combined with woods or resins. They can also take on gourmand nuances, when combined with delicious fruity or sweet notes. It is certainly known as the "perfume of femininity", but when worn by masculine skin, it completely changes its appearance and reveals an elegantly new, very fascinating reflection.

Origin, Flowering, and Extraction Method

Originally from Asia Minor, the rose has been cultivated for over 3,000 years. The ancient Persians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans already used it as a main ingredient in perfumes and cosmetics. From 700 A.D., the Berbers and Arabs of Morocco distilled it to obtain rose water. Today, the main producers of this precious essence are France, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Morocco. In Grasse, the Rosa Centifolia, also known as the May Rose, reaches the peak of its bloom between late May and early June. The flower harvest is strictly done by hand, by expert hands. Rose essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of fresh flowers collected in the early morning, quickly to prevent fermentation. Absolute and concrete are obtained by distillation with volatile solvents. It takes 300 to 400 kilograms of flowers to obtain one kilogram of rose concrete, 4,000 to 5,000 kilograms of flowers to obtain one kilogram of rose absolute, and 4/5 tons to obtain one kilogram of rose essential oil.

We celebrate this precious flower by recommending a selection of fragrances.

Here you can find the renowned fragrances of Montale, in particular Roses Musk, an absolutely divine and surprisingly airy rose fragrance. The most precious roses are expertly harmonized with white musk and the seductive touch of jasmine and amber notes. Another cornerstone of the collection is Intense Café, a very original and gourmand fragrance, where the rose is combined with sweet vanilla notes and the aroma of coffee. Rose America by Une Nuit Nomade, is a tribute to a very particular rose, with an intense and salty scent. The Rosa Rugosa blooms on the dunes of Montauk, continuously hit by ocean water, offering a unique spectacle. There's a Place by Francesca Dell'Oro is a special place. A lively and contemporary perfume with carnal roses that saturate the air, accompanied by spicy and pungent notes. Wearing Rose Atlantic by Ds & Durga, you will feel like sipping a spritz overlooking the ocean. Sinatra's summer, wind, sand, wild rose, a white lighthouse in the distance. A rose that embodies the spirit of summer. In Rose Magnetic by Essential Parfums you can find all the facets of the rose: playful, captivating, and modern. A hint of bitter grapefruit and fresh peppermint contrast with the lush femininity of the rose. Layers of lychee, natural cedarwood, musks, and natural vanilla add to its intoxicating charm. Finally, we could not miss the perfumes of Etat Libre d'Orange. Eau de Protection is a magic potion made of thorny, blood-red roses, with a penetrating note that leaves the taste of fire on the lips. 500 Years is a must-have from the Orange Extraordinaire collection. Here, Rose is the protagonist of a unique gourmand fragrance, a new olfactory perspective of exceptional intensity. If you are a lover not only of roses but of all floral notes, don't miss our article on spring perfumes!