The best rose perfumes that will transport you to an English garden

As classic fragrances go, rose perfume is the undisputed and long-reigning champion. But you shouldn't let memories of old-fashioned, powdery scents put you off—modern blends and complementary notes bring out the best of what rose perfumes have to offer.

An olfactory favorite, rose fragrances are some of the best perfumes for women who want to project a more feminine aura. It’s a scent that often provokes memories, whether it’s reminiscent of your grandmother’s classic perfume or brings you back to an English summer garden, rose perfume seems to be the ever-stylish little black dress of the perfumery world. 

It can be tricky to find a rose perfume that you love without knowing how to buy fragrance online. Rose scents often get a bad reputation for being old-fashioned, cloying, or outdated, but rose is actually incredibly versatile: It’s suitable for blending with other notes or holding a fragrance on its own and while it can be powdery, with the right blend, it can also be fresh, light and uplifting. 

So, if you’re searching for a new rose perfume to become your signature scent or you’re looking to dabble in this classic fragrance for the first time, these are our picks for the best rose perfumes, from classically powdery to fresh and modern. 

The best rose perfumes, as chosen by our experts

Modern, bright, and light, this fragrance is for those looking for the classic scent of rose without feeling dated. Added green notes make for a small botanical leaning but in general, it's a very fresh, light, and authentic rose scent.

The mix of juicy lychee and herbal artichoke give this a more varied scent than your average rose perfume so if you're looking for a very floral offering, you may want to try something else. This is a true icon for the brand, with a whole range of the best Diptyque candles based around the new eau de parfum.

Just like a bouquet of fresh red roses, this fragrance is the epitome of rose perfume. One of the best Jo Malone fragrances for flower fans, it’s floral and romantic but the hint of lemon cuts through the powdery-ness for a more up-to-date take on a traditional rose scent.  

Traditionally rose does tend to become powdery on the skin but the additional sharpness of the honeycomb base, as well as the citrus notes, give a lot more depth to this cologne without being heavy. It's truly a special, romantic fragrance that's a very common scent for brides on their big day—and it also comes in a candle form for anyone looking for the best Jo Malone candles.

A luxury fragrance but one that will last for hours. The blend of fresh rose with spicy pepper and heady amber makes this a bit deeper than your average rose scent. All Byredo scents are designed to be worn by both genders and although this scent is traditionally feminine it does have a touch of rebellion about it too. 

Although this fragrance does dry down to a more powdery finish, it is still beautifully modern and the added depth of fragrance means it should last a bit longer on the skin. The on-trend Byredo bottle also means that this would probably be a greatly-appreciated 30th birthday gift.

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. The crisp bergamot, juicy pear, and fresh rose petal notes make a lovely blend. 

The benefit of this fragrance is that it is contemporary and playful but not overpowering in the slightest. The only drawback? It probably won't last as long on the skin for its lack of deeper accords.

Known for making some of the best perfumes for women, Penhaligon's 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. 

According to the brand itself, "The Tudor rose, a symbol of Elizabethan England, is immortalized in this airy scent." And we couldn't agree more. It certainly has an air of regality and has amassed a cult following since it first graced the shelves in 2018. 

Dior’s younger sister, Miss Dior, has taken rose scent and made it warm, sweet, and unbeatably feminine. This might be considered more of a youthful scent but if you are looking for a fragrance that's sweet, musky, and full of rose petals, this is the one for you. 

It can become quite powdery when dried down and this does make for a clean, soapy-smelling perfume, but the touch of white musk and grass cuts through just enough to avoid that powdery edge. The fun scent and more affordable price also make this a great option for an 18th birthday gift or 21st birthday gift.

Just like the best Chanel perfumes, this Gucci offering might be eye-wateringly expensive, but this special fragrance bottle is 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 it’s not too sweet, and the base of wood and musks make for a deep, intoxicating scent.

It's most notably a bold and modern take on rose perfumes and has a depth that could be considered quite manly—which is ideal if you're after a fragrance that isn't sickly or too feminine.

An unmistakably feminine scent, Rosa Nobile instantly transports you to a sunny, Mediterranean garden with beautiful blooms. The citrusy blend of tangerine, earthy cedarwood and classic rose make this a formidable rose fragrance, which will be loved by most but could be a little overpowering to some noses. 

If, however, you like a touch of powdery-ness and the iconic smell of rose mixed with some freshness, you will love this. We think it's best suited to a hot summer's day where its citrus notes can really stand out. 

Lively Sichuan pepper and aromatic turmeric have been blended with notes of rose to create a scent that lingers on the skin for hours. It dries down to a musky base with patchouli and Tonka bean giving an earthy, seductive base. 

This unisex fragrance isn't one for the faint of heart and might be a little overpowering to some, but if you want a standout scent that is instantly identifiable, Rose Prick will come up trumps. A iconic offering that would make a great 40th birthday gift.

A headier twist on the rose perfume, this luxury fragrance boasts a fruity opening that packs in delicately juicy tropical notes which blend with a hint of vanilla for a layer of gourmand, making this a good option for those who can't choose between something floral and the best vanilla perfumes.

The use of Turkish rose gives this spritz a darker rose scent than other floral options—and it works well with the clean mossy evernyl notes that ground this in a woody musk base. What makes this fragrance really special though, are the heart notes of vetiver and incense that give this the smoky twist of an oud perfume. A great rose perfume option for those who prefer the headier side of the scale. The elegant bottle also means it would work as a 50th birthday gift idea or 60th birthday gift.