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

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 It's classic and rosy but, thanks to the subtle tang of mandarin, doesn't feel stuffy or outdated. 

Pros: Lasts long and has a natural floral scent.

Cons: Dries down quickly, making it harder to rub on.

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

Size: 1 oz

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

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. 

Pros: Has strong lasting power.

Cons: Scent can be overwhelming at first.

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

Size: 3.4 oz

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."

If you're on the hunt for a clean scent, look no further than this option from Ouai. It contains sweet notes like berry and lychee in addition to more bitter notes like champagne, white musk, and cerdarwood. The blend creates a light and flirty scent that's perfect for warmer months.

Pros: It's affordable for the size of the bottle and has a clean scent.

Cons: The hint of berry and lychee may be too sweet, and it doesn't last as long as others.

Key fragrance notes: champagne, pink peppercorn, berry, lychee, peony, rose, freesia, jasmine, bergamot, amber, sandalwood, white musk, cedarwood

Size: 1.7 oz

Customer review: "You feel more beautiful wearing it. It's light, flirty, and clean. I smell the bergamot more than roses, which is nice."

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. 

Pros: Has a light scent and lasts over seven hours.

Cons: Pricey.

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

Size: 1.7 oz

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."

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. 

Pros: A modern, sweet scent that's perfect for summer.

Cons: Bottle is fragile.

Key fragrance notes: freesia, rose from Grasse, cedarwood

Size: 3.4 oz

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

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.)

Pros: Genderless and over 70 percent naturally made.

Cons: Scent may be too heavy for some.

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

Size: 1.7 oz

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

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. 

Pros: A very light scent with good longevity.

Cons: May not be ideal for those who don't like lychee.

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

Size: 2.4 oz

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."

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.

Pros: Lasts all day long.

Cons: The bottle is small for the price.

Key fragrance notes: orange, patchouli, Turkish rose

Size: 3.4 oz

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."

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.

Pros: It smells like pure rose.

Cons: Some say it has a powdery after-scent.

Key fragrance notes: lemon, red roses accord, honeycomb

Size: 3.4 oz

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."

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." 

Pros: Has a sweet and fresh scent.

Cons: Some say it's best for an older demographic.

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

Size: 3.4 oz

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

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!

Pros: Has a sweet yet spicy scent that's long-lasting.

Cons: Pricey for the size of the bottle.

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

Size: 3.4 oz

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. 

Pros: Scent is both modern and sophisticated.

Cons: May not be ideal for those who don't like a powder smell.

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

Size: 1.7 oz

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."

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. 

Pros: Sweet and long-lasting.

Cons: The floral scent can be overwhelming for some.

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

Size: 1.7 oz

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."

"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."

Pros: Has warm notes that create a sophisticated scent.

Cons: A bit expensive for a small bottle.

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

Size: 1 oz

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."

"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."

Pros: A spicy, floral scent that stands out compared to others.

Cons: Cap can be difficult to remove from bottle.

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

Size: 1.7 oz

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."

"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.

Pros: Reasonable price for the size of the bottle.

Cons: Sweetness can be overpowering for some.

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

Size: 1 oz

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!"

"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."

Pros: The bottle size is perfect for travel, and a little goes a long way.

Cons: Not ideal for those who don't like musky undertones.

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

Size: 1 oz

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."

"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."

Pros: Affordable for the size of the bottle.

Cons: May be too strong for everyday use.

Key fragrance notes: raspberry, rose, ambery woods

Size: 3.3 oz

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!"

Phlur has built a cult-like following over the years and with good reason. Who What Wear beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock is a big fan of this perfume because of its warm and velvety rose scent, thanks to the addition of cashmere wood. The combination of notes create a darker smell that's on the sexier side. It can be paired especially well with your favorite vanilla fragrance.

Pros: The notes create a balanced scent that isn't too floral.

Cons: Still has more floral than leather to it, making it lean on the sweeter side.

Key fragrance notes: pink pepper, black currant, rose, osmanthus, nutmeg, amber, cashmere wood, musk

Size: 1.7 oz

Customer review: "This new scent is so delicious! I think it leans more rose than leather but it's a darker floral scent for sure. It's a standout!"

No surprises here: you don't need to splurge to smell amazing. Fine'ry's Body Mist Fragrance Spray is an easy buy for less than $20 and you get five ounces of product (significantly more than what you get with more expensive options on this list). The mix of sparkling lychee, velvet rose, and cashmere musk​ create the perfect balance that closely mimics our Maison Francis Kurkdjian pick.

Pros: Lasts longer when applied on damp skin.

Cons: Smells a bit like alcohol at first.

Key fragrance notes: sparkling lychee, velvet rose, and cashmere musk

Size: 5 oz

Customer review: "This is such a gorgeous body mist! This was my first time trying Finery, and I’m absolutely loving it. It’s a great price point, and the scent is beautiful without being overwhelming. It’s definitely a perfect scent for spring!"