Rose samples for women

We list 16 samples for women whose notes include rose. This guide walks through 8 of them using only what is on record: names, concentrations, note lists and tags. Read it as a map, not as a top list.

The selection

Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady

From Frederic Malle comes Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady, an Eau de Parfum. On paper it lists Rose, Blackcurrant, Raspberry, Clove, Patchouli, Sandalwood and Frankincense. Its family tags read floral, woody and spicy. The listing names autumn and winter as its season. What reads as sweet on one person can read as dry on another.

Velixir Aphrodite

With Velixir Aphrodite, Velixir has an Eau de Parfum for which Bergamot, Lychee, Ginger, Peony, Rose, Cocoa and Patchouli are on record. It is tagged floral, gourmand and woody. Season on record: autumn and winter. Write down what you notice after a few minutes and again after lunch, and you will see how it moves.

Mykonos Sparkling Rose

Mykonos Sparkling Rose is filed as a Parfum from Mykonos; the note list on record reads Grapefruit, Watermelon, Aldehydes, Bergamot, Powdery Notes, Jasmine and others. By family it is filed as citrus, floral and woody. The listing names spring, summer and autumn as its season. A paper strip shows the outline, skin shows the detail.

Argos Birth of Venus

Argos Birth of Venus, an Eau de Parfum from Argos, has Bergamot, Peach, Orange Blossom, Grapefruit, Lavender, Narcissus and others on record. Its family tags read floral, fruity and woody. For season the tags say spring and summer. Notes on a list are a map, and what you notice on your own skin is the territory.

Bujairami Red Static

Bujairami Red Static is an Eau de Parfum by Bujairami. The notes on record are Cherry, Pink Pepper, Bulgarian Rose and Turkish Rose. The scent families on record: floral, fresh and oriental. The listing names autumn, spring and summer as its season. Smell it right after applying and again later in the day, because the first minutes rarely tell the whole story.

Arabiyat Prestige Safa

From Arabiyat Prestige comes Arabiyat Prestige Safa, an Eau de Parfum. On paper it lists Lychee, Hazelnut, Red Fruits, Rose, Magnolia, Cypriol Oil (Nagarmotha) and others. It is tagged floral and gourmand. Season on record: autumn and winter. Notice how close it stays to the skin and how much of it others pick up.

Frederic Malle Lipstick Rose

Frederic Malle Lipstick Rose is filed as an Eau de Parfum from Frederic Malle; the note list on record reads Grapefruit, Violet, Rose, Iris, Raspberry, Vanilla and White musk. By family it is filed as floral, fruity and musky. Season on record: spring and summer. Clothes hold a scent differently from skin, which makes a scarf or sleeve a useful second test.

Frederic Malle Iris Poudre

Frederic Malle Iris Poudre is filed as an Eau de Parfum from Frederic Malle; the note list on record reads Rose, Violet, Ylang-ylang, Iris, Sandalwood, Musk and Tonka bean. By family it is filed as floral, musky and woody. The listing names spring and autumn as its season. Pay attention to what is still there by the evening, since that is the part you live with longest.

Also in this selection: Argos Pallas Athene, Penhaligon's Luna, Surrati Dream Valley, Naseem Hypnotic Passion, Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise, Arabiyat Prestige La Di Da For Her, Juliette Has a Gun Lady Vengeance, Diptyque Eau Rose.

How to test them

Leave other perfumes off that day, so nothing interferes. Keep the rest of the vial for a second and third try in other weather. Wear it on at least three different days before you decide. Start light; you can always add a spray on the next wearing.

The small size, 2, 5 or 10 ml, is meant for exactly that: a few honest wearings before anything bigger. Two or three samples at a time is plenty; more than that and the impressions blur. A decant gives you time with it, which a quick spray on a paper strip never does.

Where to go next

• Rose samples
• For women
• all samples
• how we fill your sample
• frequently asked questions
• all brands
• decant, tester or sample
• what a decant is
• how to build a sample set

Questions

Are these samples made by the brands?

No. They are decants: FragranceGems fills each one from the original bottle into a glass spray vial and labels it. They are not official brand samples.

Which sizes do the samples come in?

Every sample comes as 2, 5 or 10 ml in a glass spray vial. The smallest is enough for a first impression, the larger ones for many wearings.

How many samples should I try at once?

Two or three is a good number. Wear one per day, on clean skin, and write down what you notice in the morning and in the evening before you move to the next.