The 17 Best Rose Perfumes Aren't Your Grandmother's Stuffy Fragrance

The classic note is more in demand than ever, and for good reason.

woman in a rose shirt wearing a rose fragrance
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

Ah, rose perfumes. They sometimes get a bad rap thanks to headache-inducing cheap body sprays and the old-school vibes that accompany them. But today's best rose fragrances are anything but outdated. With modern twists and intriguing note pairings (think leather, incense, and lychee), they can appeal to any fragrance fan's scent aesthetic.

"Rose-based perfumes are suited and appropriate for any occasion and time of the day," agrees Anne-Lise Cremona, CEO of Parfums Henry Jacques. "The rose has always had a place in the heart of any good perfume collection; her scent is attractive and represent for many an absolute essential in perfumery."

MEMO Paris co-founder Clara Molloy adds that there are a variety of rose perfumes on the market and that the best option "depends on your mood and personal taste." Some feel fresh and light; others are heady and balanced by leather, woods, or spices.

So how to choose? I've done the hard part for you. Below, I rounded up 17 of the best rose fragrances you should consider adding to your collection. Trust me, the rose perfume of your dreams is well within reach, and a few might even change your mind about what a rose scent can be.

The Best Rose Fragrances

Best Rose Fragrance — Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum

Audrey Noble tests and names the Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum best rose fragrance overall.

(Image credit: Audrey Noble)

Best Rose Fragrance — U Beauty Proem Eau de Parfum

Audrey Noble tests and names the U Beauty Proem Eau de Parfum as the best new rose fragrance.

(Image credit: Audrey Noble)

Best Rose Fragrance — Dior Miss Dior Mini Miss Blooming Bouquet Solid Perfume

Audrey Noble tests and names the Dior Miss Dior Mini Miss Blooming Bouquet Solid Perfume as the best solid rose perfume.

(Image credit: Audrey Noble)

Best Rose Fragrance — Matiere Premiere Radical Rose

Audrey Noble tests and names Matiere Premiere Radical Rose as the best spicy rose fragrance.

(Image credit: Audrey Noble)

Best Rose Fragrance — Byredo Rose of No Man's Land

Audrey Noble tests and names the Byredo Rose of No Man's Land as the best Airy Rose Fragrance.

(Image credit: Audrey Noble)

Other Rose Fragrances I Love

What to Look for In a Rose Fragrance

The best rose fragrance is the one you naturally gravitate towards to. There are three ways to think about the note:

Occasion

You should wear whatever you want, whenever you want, but conventional wisdom advises many of us to opt for light, bright scents during the day while going with muskier, heavier options at night. That may lead one to believe that rose perfumes should be relegated to one or the other, but Molloy reminds us that's far from the case.

For daytime, she suggests to not hesitate to embrace the lightness and freshness of a delicate rose fragrance, while reserving the deeper, more intense variations for the allure of evenings or special events. "Whether you prefer to imagine a special day adorned with the intoxicating blend of Damascena rose and its captivating intensity or the embrace of woody, spicy notes, it's up to you," she says. Don't forget that rose is a resolutely unisex ingredient whose timeless charm appeals to men and women alike.

Other Scent Notes

When shopping for perfume, the brand lists top notes, heart notes, and base notes. It's rare for a fragrance to be composed purely of rose, patchouli, or any other element. "The artistry lies in the adept blending of various elements to craft a harmonious and exquisite fragrance," says Molloy. "Roses have a way of playing well with other ingredients, enhancing and complementing the overall olfactory masterpiece."

More specifically, she explains that whether it's the "timeless rose violette for a classic hint, the sweet touch of rose with fruity pear notes, the comforting embrace of rose vanilla, the earthy richness of rose entwined with woods like oud, patchouli, and cedarwood, or the daring mix with leather, each combination unveils a realm of possibilities to craft perfumes that are both unique and utterly captivating." Cremona adds that rose can be combined with oud elements for an earthy, heavy scent.

Rose Type

Did you know that there are many different kinds of roses and that the type you choose changes the fragrance profile of your perfume? "In the world of perfumery, artisans often weave the essence of two kind of roses: Rose Damascena, renowned for its intoxicating blend of intense sweetness and spice, and the delicate Rose centifolia, also known as Provence rose, imparting a breath of lightness, greenness, and freshness to the magic of fragrances," Molloy explains.

So, next time you're shopping for a new rose-based scent, pay special attention to the rose type listed on the ingredient list. Before long, you'll have found your favorite new rose fragrance and realize that the timeless note can work for any occasion, like the little black dress of your perfume collection.

How We Tested

To compile this list of the best rose fragrances, we scoured the internet and combed through countless customer reviews to find the top-rated options on the market. We also asked the Marie Claire team to share their holy grail picks and asked independent and staff testers to try a mix of cult favorites and new launches.

For each rose fragrance we tested, we assessed the fragrance's notes, how long it lasts, and its overall scent as the day went on.

Meet the Experts

Anne-Lise Cremona
Anne-Lise Cremona

Anne-Lise Cremona is the daughter of Parfums Henry Jacques' founder, Henry Cremona. She now sits at the helm of the brand as CEO.

Clara Molloy
Clara Molloy

Clara Molloy founded MEMO Paris is 2007 with her husband, John. Currently based in Paris, she is also a poet.

Why Trust Us

Marie Claire is a perfume authority, having tested over 500 fragrances for the Marie Claire 2024 Fragrance Awards. We have reviewed every fragrance family, reported on fragrance trends, and are constantly staying up to date on emerging notes and innovations.

Audrey Noble has more than a decade of experience in the beauty industry and has reported dozens of fragrance stories, including the best woody fragrances, the best vanilla fragrances, and the best citrus fragrances.

TOPICS
Audrey Noble
Contributing Beauty Writer

Audrey Noble is a freelance beauty editor and writer with 10 years of experience in the industry. Previous to going freelance, she has held editorial positions at Vanity Fair, Allure, and Refinery29. Now, along with Marie Claire, she regularly contributes to Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR, and more. 

In her spare time, she is either catching every Lakers game on TV (time difference be damned) or binging the latest season of Love Island (both UK and US). 

With contributions from