As classic fragrance goes, the best rose perfume is the long-reigning champion. This scent provokes memories, but don't let the old-fashioned, powdery blends of days gone by put you off – a rose perfume can be anything you want it to be.
So many of the best perfumes for women contain rose notes, from traditional floral fragrances to clean, unisex fragrances. "We adore rose, as did the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans," explain Sarah McCartney and Samantha Scriven in The Perfume Companion: The Definitive Guide to Choosing Your Next Scent. "Even if you don’t think you like rose perfumes, do give them a try. They are all so different: rich, light, dark, citrussy, sweet, sharp, soft. There are roses for men, women, and everyone."
We couldn't agree more. Rose is incredibly versatile: It’s suitable for blending with other notes or holding a fragrance on its own. And whether you’re a rose fan on the hunt for a new signature scent or looking to dabble for the first time, our top perfume picks include something for everyone.
The best rose perfumes 2024
Top note: Bergamot
Heart note: Rose
Base note: Patchouli, tonka
Nothing says timeless more like a Chanel perfume, and this one is a sexier version of 1984's Coco Eau de Parfum. It has the note of the hour rose, added to great effect, creating a headier more romantic aroma. Exceptionally well-balanced, the rose also lasts well on the skin, although what you have left at 4pm is more creamy tonka and patchouli than rose, per-say.
Top notes: White rose oil
Heart notes: Lemon peel, rose absolute
Base notes: Cedarwood
Jo Loves has crafted a stunning rose perfume with subtle strands of peppered citrus, to craft a floral scent with a citrus infusion. It's a lovingly balanced blend that dries down to a mellow, warming, and unique aroma, with the lemon bringing a summertime twist to a traditional scent.
Top notes: Bergamot, angelica leaves
Heart notes: Rose, jasmine, pear
Base notes: Sichuan pepper, juniper berry
A vibrant, modern take on rose, this flower fragrance is youthful and incredibly clean smelling. If you like fresh, green scents and would love to find a rose scent that suits you, this will be it. It's a more affordable option on this list, but our tester found it won't last as long on the skin for its lack of deeper accords.
Top notes: Mandarin, bergamot, geranium
Heart notes: Damascus rose, grasse
Base notes: White musk
This rose scent is warm, sweet, and unmistakably feminine. It might appear a more youthful scent, but if it's a noticeable rose petal aroma you want, this is straightforwardly the best Dior perfume for you. If you're worried about it being too sweet, know that the touch of grass cuts through just enough to avoid it smelling too soap-like.
Top notes: Turkish rose, clove, raspberry, cinnamon
Middle notes: Patchouli, frankincense, sandalwood
Base notes: Amber, musk, benzoin
Choose this for a unique signature rose scent, with notes of Turkish rose sitting right at the top rather than layered in the middle of this perfume, making for a big scent impact. This unusual mixture lasts incredibly well on the skin, and one spritz really will last all day and night, which we suppose goes some of the way to justifying the cost.
Top notes: Bergamot, blackcurrant, lychee
Heart notes: Damask rose, centifolia rose
Base notes: Musk, cedar, honey
Modern, bright, and light, this fragrance is for those looking for the classic scent of rose without it feeling dated. Added green notes make for a slight botanical leaning and in general, it's a very fresh, light, true rose scent. With incredible lasting power, we'd say this combines the brightness of Floral Street Neon Rose with the day-long wear of Chanel Coco Noir.
Top notes: Clove
Heart notes: Damask rose
Base notes: Oud
This beautiful scent perfectly demonstrates the synergy between rose and the best oud perfumes. These two perfume notes get along famously well, combining trad florals with resinous woods to create a heady scent. We love how long-lasting this perfume is too, particularly the rose notes which linger on the skin for hours.
Top notes: Pink pepper, Turkish rose petals
Heart notes: Raspberry blossom, Turkish rose absolute
Base notes: Papyrus, white amber
This luxury fragrance lasts for hours and the blend of fresh rose with spicy pepper and heady amber makes this deeper than your average rose scent. In terms of lasting power, this fragrance dries down to a more powdery finish but is still beautifully modern.
Top notes: Hazelnut leaf, almond oil, cinnamon
Heart notes: Red lily, rose centifolia oil, rose absolute
Base notes: Vetiver, musk, wood
Known for making some of the best perfumes for women, Penhaligons offers a truly classic rose fragrance. Delicate rose absolute and spicy cinnamon give this floral fragrance an elegant scent. It’s grounded by vetiver and musk and will linger on the skin for hours, making it worth the investment.
Top notes: Blackcurrant, Violet leaf
Heart notes: Bulgarian rose, Peach blossom, Freesia
Base notes: Musk, White tea, Amber
While you may associate Fresh with some of the best face moisturisers, the brand's rose line also extends to a beautiful, and reasonably-priced, perfume. Light and breezy, with calming base notes of white tea and musk, we love how this scent combines soothing, warmer notes with a freshness that can take you straight into spring and summer.
Top notes: Lemon, Green Apple, Pink Pepper
Heart notes: Bulgarian rose, Magnolia, Violet
Base notes: Musk, Cedar, Amber
If you want a true rose scent, Paul Smith's Rose perfume confronts you with hearty floral scents, topped with heady summery notes of lemon and pink pepper. Elegant and timeless, this is a long-standing woman&home favourite that has excellent staying power.
Top notes: Bulgarian rose extract
Heart notes: Sweet musk
Base notes: Wood
It's eye-wateringly expensive, but this special fragrance bottle is also something of a collector's piece. The fragrance inside could easily work as one of the best men's colognes as well as a floral option for women, as it’s not too sweet or hugely floral. Plus, the base of wood and musks make for a deep, intoxicating scent, that will certainly stand out from the crowd.
Top notes: Sichuan pepper, turmeric
Heart notes: May rose, Turkish rose, Bulgarian rose
Base notes: Patchouli, Tonka bean
Due to including two roses and bags of patchouli, this powerful unisex fragrance isn't one for the faint of heart and might be a little much for some. But if you want a standout scent that is instantly identifiable, Rose Prick will come up trumps. Plus, as with most Tom Ford fragrances, this looks the part and has an memorable name that'll stand out on your vanity.
Top notes: Pink pepper essence, geranium essence
Heart notes: Bulgarian Rose, Taïf Rose, Raspberry
Base notes: Patchouli, Oak Moss
Van Cleef & Arpels, a brand better known for its timeless jewellery selection, has crafted a rose-heavy perfume that will warm and intrigue, especially thanks to the infusion of spices and honey. It's pricey, yes, but this chypre scent is bound to impress you over and over again.
Notes: Wild Rose, Mirsalehi Honey, Argan Oil
We love a hair perfume to give a long-lasting scent, and the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume Floral Edition will also nourish dehydrated locks. We're fans of the original scent, but the new wild rose floral edition is romantic and elegant, perfect for date nights or holidays.
How we tested the best rose perfumes
A small selection of the fragrances we tested for this guide
Perfume is incredibly subjective. So while there's no 'apples for apples' testing method for scent, we have personally spritzed on and worn every fragrance in this guide – and many are personal favorites we have loved for years. We wore each for at least a full day to check how it changed as it dried down, as well as how well it lasted. Finally we considered who might like to buy each rose perfume we tried, taking into account the brand, packaging, price, as well as the mood it best suits.
How to choose the best rose perfume for you
If you already know you love rose perfume, there's no going wrong with any scent on this list. However, if you need a little more guidance as to the right rose perfume for you, there are a couple of things to look out for when shopping.
- Base notes: To get a rose perfume you really love, pay attention to the base notes of each fragrance. These are what determine how your perfume will smell after it has dried down, indicating what the lasting smell will be throughout the day. If you like a truly floral fragrance, look for base notes of patchouli. For a slightly more mature or day-to-night rose perfume, go for woody or musky base notes.
- Sweetness: Many people assume that they don't like rose perfume because they don't like sweet scents, but it is possible to find a rose perfume without an overwhelming sugary smell. Consider which end of the sweetness scale you want your perfume to be at, and pay attention to the top notes of each scent. Fragrances like Diptyque Eau Rose, with fruity top notes, will come across as sweeter. Those with peppery top notes will have a more neutral smell that can work for everyone.
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