Rose Perfume
Passion, envy, jealousy, hope, but above all, love: roses are undoubtedly the most symbolic flowers, serving as a source of inspiration for artists of all kinds. Think of the poems in which they are mentioned, the paintings where they are depicted, and—last but not least—the fragrances where their unique scent is reproduced to evoke their olfactory magic. Roses are flowers with a unique emotional power, and their fragrance has fascinated humanity since the dawn of time. For example, during the Roman Empire, the banners of triumphant armies were adorned with roses, and Emperor Nero famously filled banquet halls with them. In Islamic tradition, it is said that this sacred flower was born from the sweat of Muhammad. In short, the rose and its enchanting scent are deeply ingrained in the collective imagination, especially captivating our artistic sensibilities. It’s no wonder that the famous perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena writes in his Atlas of Perfumed Botany: " The rose is to perfume what love is to songs: a recurring theme that composers work on throughout their lives." Ellena's quote perfectly captures the importance of roses in perfumery: they are elements that stimulate creativity and inspire reflections on the power of scent.
Rose Perfume: Flower Types and Extraction Techniques
Dog rose, desert rose, antique roses, blue roses, yellow roses, white roses—there are thousands of varieties of this flower, both natural and cultivated by humans. But which ones are used to create fragrances? Surprisingly, only two types of roses are commonly used in perfumery, as they offer the best results for extracting absolute and essential oil:
- Rosa Centifolia: Also known as the "May rose," it originates from the Rosa Gallica (or French rose), native to Central Europe and Asia Minor. Today, its main production hub is in Grasse, France. This rose yields a light yellow absolute with an intense floral scent and pronounced sweet notes. It pairs wonderfully with other flowers like neroli and jasmine.
- Rosa Damascena: Commonly referred to as the Damascus rose, it also derives from the Rosa Gallica. It is mainly cultivated in Bulgaria, Turkey, and Morocco. Both its absolute and essential oil are extracted. Its aroma is more delicate but no less captivating. It is also widely used in Arabic Perfumes because it is a local and traditional ingredient, and also in cosmetics for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and soothing properties.
Ever wondered how rose petals transform into bottled perfume? The techniques for extracting rose essential oil or rose absolute are varied and have ancient origins, each narrating how this flower and its scent are fundamental to our culture:
- Aphrodite in the Iliad: In the epic poem, the goddess of love uses rose oil, obtained through maceration, to heal Hector's wounds. Rose oil was already in use during Ancient Greece, prized for both its fragrance and its skin-beneficial properties.
- Pliny the Elder’s Method: The Roman writer and naturalist provides the first technical insights into rose oil production. Roses were macerated in oil (palm or olive) under the sun, and the resulting oily substance was filtered through a specific cloth.
- Enfleurage (from Ancient Egypt to the 1950s): This ancient cold-extraction technique, originating in Ancient Egypt, remained popular until the 1950s. Rose petals were pressed onto a glass tray coated with animal fat. The fat (called “pomade”) was then washed in alcohol and filtered. Due to its complexity, this technique has fallen out of use.
- Modern Methods: Distillation and Extraction: Today, vegetable oils or animal fats are no longer needed to produce rose essential oil or absolute. Rose essence is obtained through steam distillation, while rose absolute is extracted using solvents or supercritical carbon dioxide. Although today’s methods are faster and less expensive, roses remain a precious ingredient in perfumery: producing 1 kg of essence requires 3,000 to 4,000 kg of flowers and about 1,500 to 2,000 kg for 1 kg of absolute.
Best Rose Perfumes for Men: Discover Them with 50 ml!
Who says Men’s Perfumes (or Unisex Perfumes) must all be rugged, sharp, smoky, or leathery with no hint of flowers? Rose perfumes prove otherwise. Here are five artistic fragrances featuring rose, perfect for men and boys:
- Tobba Rose on the Shore Eau de Parfum. A rose defying the ocean—fresh and wild, ideal for modern, bold masculinity. Fresh and woody notes combine for those who want to stand out without losing a natural touch.
- Laboratorio Olfattivo Nerosa Eau de Parfum. Part of the Laboratorio in Nero collection, Nerosa is sensual, spicy, and enveloping, with oud and spices whispering virility and enigmatic allure—perfect for sophisticated masculinity.
- Matiere Premiere Radical Rose Eau de Parfum. An ode to the Rosa Centifolia, Matiere Premiere’s fragrance features a high concentration of Rosa Centifolia Absolute, giving intensity and mystery to the scent—perfect for daring men.
- Aedes de Venustas Amnesia Rose Eau de Parfum. Refined and mysterious, this vintage rose celebrates timeless elegance and charisma.
- Maison Crivelli Rose Saltifolia Eau de Parfum. Maison Crivelli presents a fresh, marine-inspired rose—a salty rose that embodies youthful dynamism and adventure.
The Best Rose Perfumes for Women: Discover Them with 50 ml!
When we think of Women’s Perfumes, we often imagine sweet, delicate, and romantic scents. The fragrance of roses perfectly fits this image, but it goes beyond, expressing other characteristics such as sensuality, mystery, and strength, depending on how the perfumer chooses to work with it and pair it with other olfactory notes. Below, you’ll find five feminine rose perfumes, each unique in its own way.
- Thameen Patiala Extrait de Parfum. Arabic perfumes for women often feature Damascus rose, a local and traditional ingredient, making the flower’s scent as sensual and luxurious as ever. Thameen’s Patiala is a brilliant example: inspired by the magnificence of the Maharaja of Patiala's diamond necklace, it opens with bright notes of orange blossom, resting on a seductive velvet base of rose and musk, creating an opulent and magnetic harmony reminiscent of a 1,000-carat necklace.
- Diptyque Eau Rose Eau de Toilette. A floral women’s perfume that captures every aspect of the rose: not just the petals, but also the green leaves, stem, and buds. Fruity and green acidulous accents make Eau Rose a truly unique rose eau de toilette.
- Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum. This list wouldn’t be complete without one of the most famous and beloved rose perfumes for women: Delina by Parfums de Marly. The rose scent here is seductive, warm, and sophisticated, thanks to the pairing with tangy notes of lychee, rhubarb, and bergamot, and the velvety, creamy touch of vanilla. Delina represents a contemporary femininity that is both delicate and sensual.
- Goutal Rose Pompon Eau de Parfum. Discover the delicate charm of roses with Goutal’s eau de parfum. This fragrance reimagines the scent of roses in a light, fresh, and airy form, just like a pompom.
- Kilian Roses on Ice Eau de Parfum. Cheers to roses with a gin on the rocks: a splash of lime, a subtle slice of cucumber, and here’s toasting time! Roses on Ice is like sipping a gin infused with roses, where floral notes merge with the freshness of cucumber and the aromatic touch of juniper. Cheers to us!
Rose fragrances are perfect for those who love Floral Perfumes, refined and intriguing, but also for those enchanted by Arabic Perfumes, which often contain Damascus rose essence or absolute. Whatever fragrance you’re looking for, at 50 ml you’ll find a wide selection of Niche Perfumes: Women’s Perfumes, Men’s Perfumes, Unisex Perfumes, Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette and much more, such as Skincare Coreana! Want to learn more about artistic perfumery? Subscribe to our Newsletter. We look forward to seeing you!
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