It's Official: These Coveted Perfumes Prove Rose Has Outgrown Its Grandma Label

Key fragrance notes: Grasse rose absolute, damascus rose, Italian mandarin, white musk accord

I get sick of fragrances exceedingly fast, but this featherlight rose perfume from Dior has held my attention since it first launched. It's classic and rosy but, thanks to the subtle tang of mandarin, doesn't feel stuffy or outdated. 

Customer review: "This is the most beautiful scent. Very feminine, long lasting, lots of compliments."

Key fragrance notes: Sicilian bergamot, cassis, hyacinth, freesia, ylang-ylang, lily of the valley, rose, lacewood, violet musk, Sulawesi patchouli

The first time I smelled this new perfume, I was sitting opposite the iconic creator (Monique Lhuillier) at one of West Hollywood's most exclusive clubs. And this stunning, well-rounded floral scent fit right in. It's sophisticated and sweet but not too sweet. I'm of the opinion that even people who don't typically identify as the floral-fragrance type will find this perfume divine and exceedingly wearable. 

Customer review: "Good job Monique, this is such a beautiful sophisticated floral scent, very unique, this was a blind buy but it is so worth it!!! I have over 150 perfumes, this is so unique, Perfect for night out or special occasion (wedding, Diner en Blanc), please do not discontinue this scent, amazzzzing, love love love it."

Key fragrance notes: aldehydes, water accord, rose, peony, jasmine, cedarwood, sandalwood, musk

If you're looking for a stunning rose number that's also clean, this lovely perfume is my best recommendation. The best words I can find to describe it are rich and dewy—not at all old-fashioned or powdery like so many other rose perfumes on the market. The brand describes the scent as similar to dipping into a warm bath filled with rose petals, and I agree.

Customer review: "Clean and soft fragrance at a great price!"

Key fragrance notes: mandarin, musk, violet, rose absolute, peony, lily of the valley

Velvety, vibrant, and soft, this highly rated perfume from legendary perfume house Acqua di Parma is one of the best options out there if you're looking for a well-balanced scent that still drips with the distinctive smell of rose. It's basically an Italian oasis, bottled. 

Customer review: "I fell in love with this fragrance when our family went to Epcot's Italy pavillion during the art festival. Acqua Di Parma has a venue there and they were demonstrating this fragrance as well as their other fragrances. I wanted to buy it then and there, but decided to wear the fragrance for a while to see how long it would last and to see if I still liked it hours later. It is so feminine and has great staying power. I was curious to see if I could find it on Amazon and sure enough, there it was. It was also at a better price than at Disney. If you want a feminine and long lasting fragrance, this one is it."

Key fragrance notes: freesia, rose from Grasse, cedarwood

Designed to evoke the floral and bustling scene of a Parisian flower market, this luxurious rose perfume is far from your grandma's signature scent. It's sweet, fresh, and delicate, wrapped into one very artful bouquet. 

Customer review: "The perfume is everything, it smells so good. It's a 10 out of 10!"

Key fragrance notes: pink pepper, Turkish rose petals, raspberry blossom, Turkish rose absolute, papyrus, white amber

Compared to other iconic perfume brands like Chanel and Dior, Byredo is a relative newcomer. Therefore, the fact that this signature rose perfume is one of the most highly coveted perfumes (rose and otherwise!) is telling as to how truly delectable and special it is. It's the kind of scent that racks in the compliments. (So prepare yourself.)

Customer review: "Indulgent, rewarding, rightfully selfish for the price… can't live without it. Treat yourself!"

Key fragrance notes: lychee accord, damascene rose oil, peony accord, Centifolia rose absolute, musks

Prepare yourself because this delicious rose scent from Maison Francis Kurkdjian is in a league of its own. Not only does it feel like a sparkling accessory in its own right due to how pretty it smells, but each bottle is made from 400 freshly bloomed roses. 

Customer review: "This did not disappoint. I’ve been looking for a traditional rose scent like I remember it as a child and something my mom would wear. A lot of the androgynous scents these days have added some putrid Patchouli or Olibanum (take note House Le Labo and Tom Ford) to the rose and it kills that nice clean scent that would have been reminiscent of you actually putting your nose to a very nice and healthy bouquet of red roses and breathing in deeply. This does it. Good job on this MFK."

Key fragrance notes: orange, patchouli, Turkish rose

If you're a fan of warm, earthy notes like patchouli but want something that still feels light and floral, then famed Chanel perfume Coco Mademoiselle will probably be your poison of choice. The mix of delicate rose and jasmine is brought to life with vibrant hits of orange and patchouli to create a robust and memorable scent. It's lively while still chic and sophisticated.

Customer review: "If I had to estimate how many bottles I have gone through I would say 15-20 bottles since it came out the year after I graduated high school. It's a staple. It's a vibe."

Key fragrance notes: lemon, red roses accord, honeycomb

Jo Malone fragrances work well solo or mixed with the brand's other iconic scents. This particularly romantic aroma smells sweet and fresh with a rich base of honey and roses.

Customer review: "I wanted a true, single-note rose scent, and this is it. It smells to me *exactly* like what you smell when you stick your nose into a bouquet of fresh cut roses. It smells like the heady, floral rose flower with a bit of the green stems and leaves. It's a clean rose smell. Just roses; no bergamot, no ambergris, no sandalwood, no vanilla...nothing that detracts from the rose smell, which is consistent all the way through to dry down. On me, it fades on my skin by midday, but I am OK with that. It has been my signature scent for almost a year now. Great in the summer, not too heavy. Nice in the winter, not cloying. I will be getting a larger bottle this Christmas."

Key fragrance notes: rose damascena, rose centifolia, litchi accord, ambroxan

This is a gorgeous rose-heavy perfume from one of our favorite fragrance brands, Diptyque. As it states on its website, "Eau Rose is composed like an infusion of the finest damascena and centifolia roses." 

Customer review: "Used a sample my friend got me, loved it, and ended up buying. A must scent for all rose lovers!"

Key fragrance notes: pink grapefruit, pink pepper, peach juice accord, rose water, Bulgarian rose, petalia, suede accord, white cedarwood, sandalwood

Spicy perfume lovers, take note. This rose perfume is right up your alley and so devilishly (see what I did there?) intoxicating. Unlike so many rose perfumes that are very straightforward, this one has twists and turns thanks to suede, grapefruit, and peach. Delicate but unexpected. Trust us. You'll get questions!

Key fragrance notes: grapefruit, violet, rose, iris, raspberry, vanilla, white musk

Any fragrance from Frédéric Malle is a work of art, but Lipstick Rose is known as one of the best and well-known perfumes within the industry, and it's a best seller within the Malle house. Created by master perfumer Ralf Schwieger, it's inspired by Old Hollywood glamour and, according to the brand, representative of a star's moment of privacy at their dressing table with their lipstick. 

Customer review: "I love this scent. This was a blind buy for me, but based on all the reviews and research I did, I knew I would love it. It definitely is a nostalgic, fun fragrance. It has an old Hollywood glamour about it (the powdery, sweet rose smell of lipstick and expensive face powder) mixed with the sugared violet candy. It's not a young girl's scent. It's a modern, sophisticated ride into total femininity. It's your mother in her best dress and a wrap, kissing you on the cheek and leaving her beautiful red lipstick on your cheek as she floats out the door for a night out on the town."

Key fragrance notes: rose, tuberose, jasmine, orange blossom, osmanthus, gardenia

Meet one of my all-time favorite perfumes. Yes, rose is a main player in the magic it creates, but it's also not the first note people will pick up on, which makes it all the more exciting and mysterious. 

Customer review: "This lasts all day I even smelt it in the morning. Boyfriend is a huge fan, he couldn’t keep his hands off me. Also plenty of compliments out in public. 10/10."

Key fragrance notes: rhubarb, lychee, bergamot essence, Turkish rose, peony, vanilla, musk

"I don't wear floral perfumes often, but when I do, I always reach for Delina," notes Who What Wear senior beauty editor Jamie Schneider. "It's soft and feminine yet has an earthy warmth (thanks to vanilla and musk) that makes it smell sophisticated and downright addicting. I always receive at least one 'You smell so good' compliment when I wear it out, so it's no wonder it won 'best overall' in our top perfume buying guide."

Customer review: "I'm a flight attendant, and I get complimented on this perfume at least 3-4 times a day. It's soft and clean. One of the nicest perfumes you can own."

Key fragrance notes: black pepper, saffron, rose absolute, passionfruit, ambroxan, sandalwood

"Think rose scents are one-dimensional? This fragrance will make you think again!" says Schneider. "The first word that comes to mind to describe it is interesting. You definitely get an initial whiff of fruity floral, but black pepper, saffron, and sandalwood also make their appearance known. It's a mysterious scent—one that I'd wear on a date, as it can't help but draw others in."

Customer review: "What a wonderful treat this scent is! A perfect spicy rose that is suitable year round! Wow, I am so impressed! I got the discovery set and I love all fragrances but this one is special."

Key fragrance notes: rose, strawberry, clean laundry accord, ambrette seeds, white moss, saffron

"I love a fresh and clean laundry element," lifestyle and beauty content creator Monet McMichael tells us about Rose Era, her collab fragrance with Snif. The perfume is at once bright, fruity, and fresh thanks to rose, strawberry, and that cozy, clean laundry accord. Snif is known for transporting the senses with its fragrance portfolio (honorable mention to Crumb Couture, a Beauty 100 Awards winner!), and this one is absolutely divine.

Customer review: "Before Rose Era, I never was a fan of floral scents. This was a total game changer for me! This is an elegant, light, clean scent that draws many compliments. This is my most favorite scent!"

Key fragrance notes: bergamot, pear, ambrette, aldehydes, jasmine, rose, rosemary, violet, orris, vanilla, musk, moss

"Merit's first fragrance surprised me," says Schneider. "I don't typically gravitate toward powdery notes, but I fell head over heels for this perfume at first whiff. It's like a powdery floral met a sexy gourmand at a bar, then tumbled together in some freshly washed sheets. I truly can't get enough. Not for nothing, the jewelry-inspired bottle is painfully chic."

Customer review: "Retrospect is an absolute delight! From the clean and fresh opening pear notes to the complex combination of florals that never overpower and the musk and vanilla that bring balance, this is so wonderfully layered. But it’s also so unassuming. It really is the quality of fragrance you’d expect from Merit. Quiet elegance that you can wear endlessly because it will never go out of style. This lasts around 12 hours on me overnight and a little less during the day if it’s cool enough. I’m going to be enjoying this one for a long time."

Key fragrance notes: raspberry, rose, ambery woods

"The brand describes this luxury fragrance as 'a breath of fresh air in early spring,' and I am totally aligned with that call," notes Schneider. "It's just so pretty. When I want to embrace a coquette aesthetic—or simply want to smell like a French Chloé girl—this is the perfume I reach for."

Customer review: "A very strong powerful feminine scent! I love the smell of this and it would be a great choose for a date night out, as for everyday wear it might be a little too strong. Found the scent stayed for quite a while, I notice some stronger scents don’t have the lasting effect this does in the best way! An absolute great choice for those special nights out!"