Top 7 Rose Perfumes of 2025 : List Ranked by Longevity, Compliments & Style
The quest for the perfect rose perfume is a journey through a garden of endless variety. From the fresh, dewy petals of a morning bloom to the dark, velvety whisper of a midnight rose, this iconic note offers a fragrance for every mood and moment.
But in the real world, a beautiful scent is only as good as its performance. That’s why we’ve moved beyond the scent strip, diving deep into firsthand testing and community feedback to rank the best rose perfumes of 2025 not just by their scent profile, but by their longevity, projection, and the compliments they garner.
This curated list considers the classic legends and modern masterpieces that are making waves this year. We’ve evaluated their staying power through hours of wear and their sillage in various settings to give you a true sense of how they’ll perform in your life.
Mini Fragrantica: A Quick Comparison of the Top Rose Perfumes
| Perfume | Longevity (out of 5) | Projection (out of 5) | Compliments (out of 5) | Rose Style | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nahema – Guerlain | 4.5 | 4 | 3.5 | Classic Powdery Rose | $155.00 |
| Lyric Woman – Amouage | 5 | 5 | 4.5 | Spicy Oriental | $380.00 |
| Portrait of a Lady – Malle | 5 | 4.5 | 5 | Dark & Sultry | $100.00 – $470.00 |
| Rose 31 – Le Labo | 3 | 2.5 | 4 | Woody Unisex | $107.00 – $335.00 |
| Paris – YSL | 4 | 3.5 | 3 | Vintage Powdery | $70 – $100 |
| Miss Charming – Juliette HG | 3.5 | 3 | 4.2 | Fruity Sweet | $115.00 – $150.00 |
| À La Rose – MFK | 3 | 2.5 | 3.8 | Airy Floral Rose | $275.00 |
What Makes a Great Rose Perfume?
The modern rose perfume is a far cry from the linear, singular rose scents of the past. Today’s master perfumers are artists who paint with a palette of natural and synthetic rose notes to create complex, multifaceted fragrances.
Natural vs. Synthetic Rose: Natural rose oils and absolutes, often sourced from Bulgaria, Turkey, or Grasse, offer an unparalleled depth and complexity that is difficult to replicate. However, they are also costly and can vary from batch to batch. Synthetic rose molecules, on the other hand, provide consistency and allow perfumers to create novel interpretations of the rose, from hyper-realistic dewy notes to abstract, futuristic florals. The finest perfumes often blend both to achieve a balance of natural beauty and artistic innovation.
Modern Blends: The contemporary rose is rarely a solo act. It is often paired with a variety of other notes to create unique and captivating scent profiles:
- Fruity: Berries and lychee can lend a playful, sweet, and youthful feel.
- Spicy: Notes like saffron, pink pepper, and cloves add warmth and an exotic twist.
- Woody: Cedarwood, sandalwood, and oud ground the rose, giving it a sophisticated and often unisex appeal.
Types of Scents: Fragrance Families Explained for Perfume, Candles And More
Use Cases: The versatility of the rose means there is a perfect rose perfume for every occasion:
- Date Night: A dark, sultry rose with notes of patchouli or amber creates an unforgettable and alluring aura.
- Summer Days: An airy, floral rose, perhaps with citrus or aquatic notes, is refreshing and elegant in the heat.
- Signature Scent: A well-balanced rose that can transition from day to night is a hallmark of a timeless signature fragrance.
Top 3 Editor’s Picks
The Luxury Icon: Portrait of a Lady – Frédéric Malle
For those seeking the pinnacle of opulent rose fragrances, Portrait of a Lady remains the undisputed queen. Its rich blend of Turkish rose, patchouli, and incense creates a scent that is both powerful and profoundly elegant. This is a perfume that announces its presence and leaves a lasting, sophisticated trail.
The Everyday Elegant: Miss Charming – Juliette Has a Gun
Effortlessly wearable and consistently charming, this fragrance is a delightful blend of Moroccan rose, sweet lychee, and musk. It’s a bright, optimistic scent that is perfect for daily wear, garnering compliments without being overpowering. It’s the kind of perfume that becomes a second skin.
The Uniquely Unisex: Rose 31 – Le Labo
Challenging traditional notions of a rose perfume, Rose 31 is a masterful blend of Grasse rose, cumin, cedar, and amber. The result is a warm, spicy, and woody fragrance that is confidently unisex. It’s a scent for the individual who appreciates artistry and isn’t afraid to make a statement.
1. Portrait of a Lady – Frédéric Malle
Brand: Frédéric Malle
Price: $470.00
Availability: In Stock
Editor’s Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
The Vibe: Widely regarded as a modern masterpiece, Portrait of a Lady is less a perfume and more an aura of undeniable sophistication. It’s the scent of intellectual confidence and dark, romantic mystery, evoking the image of its namesake—a woman who is intelligent, elegant, and entirely her own.
Why It’s a Standout: The genius of this fragrance lies in its dramatic composition. Perfumer Dominique Ropion used an opulent dose of Turkish rose, but then anchored it with a powerful, earthy base of patchouli heart. This isn’t a simple floral; it’s a baroque symphony of notes, with incense providing a smoky veil, and blackcurrant and raspberry adding a touch of jammy, dark fruitiness that makes the scent utterly addictive.
Performance & Our Take: With legendary longevity and a sillage that is both powerful and elegant, this is a fragrance that announces your presence and leaves an unforgettable trail. It is, without question, one of the biggest compliment-magnets in modern perfumery. Best for the confident individual seeking a powerful, unforgettable signature scent for evenings and special occasions.
2. Lyric Woman – Amouage
Brand: Amouage
Price: $380.00
Availability: In Stock
Editor’s Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
The Vibe: If Portrait of a Lady is a novel, Lyric Woman is a grand opera. This is a majestic, dramatic, and unapologetically luxurious rose. It feels ancient and futuristic at once, evoking images of crimson velvet, flickering candles, and a timeless, tragic love story told through scent.
Why It’s a Standout: Amouage is known for complexity, and Lyric Woman is a prime example. It masterfully sets a beautiful, dark rose against a chorus of warm, fiery spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger. This spicy heat is then cooled by a resinous, smoky base of incense, sandalwood, and vanilla, creating a breathtaking balance that is both fiery and smooth.
Performance & Our Take: The performance is, in a word, eternal. A few sprays will last all day and into the night, with a projection that fills a room without ever becoming harsh. It’s a statement fragrance that commands attention with pure elegance. Best for the fragrance aficionado who loves bold, spicy oriental scents and wants to make a lasting impression.
3. Rose 31 – Le Labo
Brand: Le Labo
Price: $335.00
Availability: In Stock
Editor’s Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
The Vibe: This is the ultimate “cool-girl/cool-guy” rose. Rose 31 throws the traditional floral rulebook out the window, presenting a rose that is woody, spicy, and perfectly androgynous. It’s the scent of a leather jacket, a confident stride, and an artistic, independent spirit.
Why It’s a Standout: Its genius lies in a clever paradox: the Grasse rose is present not as the star, but as a supporting actor that enhances everything around it. The fragrance is built on a warm, sensual base of cedarwood and guaiac wood, with a famously controversial note of cumin adding a sweaty, human-like spice. It transforms the rose from a symbol of femininity into a raw, textural, and musky experience.
Performance & Our Take: The performance is more intimate, wearing closer to the skin than the previous two entries. This isn’t a flaw but a feature—it invites people closer and garners intrigued compliments rather than loud declarations. The cumin note can be polarizing, but for those who love it, it’s irreplaceable. Best for the minimalist or creative individual who wants an unconventional, woody scent that feels personal and modern.
4. Nahema – Guerlain
Brand: Guerlain
Price: $155.00
Availability: In Stock
Editor’s Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
The Vibe: Nahema is a legend; a fiery, abstract rose that feels like a classic oil painting. It’s a whirlwind of passion and emotion, capturing a side of the rose that is neither fresh nor dark, but intensely vibrant and almost metallic. It represents the pinnacle of classic French perfumery and daring artistry.
Why It’s a Standout: Created in 1979, this fragrance was revolutionary for its use of a dizzying number of notes to create a hyper-realistic, yet totally abstract, rose. It opens with a rush of aldehydes and a rich, velvety peach note that blends seamlessly with the core rose accord. Hyacinth adds a green sharpness, while ylang-ylang and vanilla create a plush, almost honeyed base.
Performance & Our Take: Nahema has excellent presence and longevity, true to its Guerlain heritage. While some may find its aldehydic character slightly “vintage,” its sheer complexity and unique, fiery-peachy character make it a timeless masterpiece. Best for lovers of classic perfumes and anyone who wants to wear a true piece of fragrance history.
5. Miss Charming – Juliette Has a Gun
Brand: Juliette Has a Gun
Price: $125.00
Availability: In Stock
Editor’s Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)
The Vibe: This fragrance is exactly what its name promises: effortlessly charming. It’s a bright, cheerful, and flirty rose with a touch of youthful innocence. This is the scent of a sundress, a breezy afternoon, and an easy smile—uncomplicated and genuinely pretty.
Why It’s a Standout: Miss Charming’s appeal lies in its simplicity and perfect balance. It takes a delicate Moroccan rose and pairs it with a juicy, sweet lychee note and a touch of wild strawberry. The combination is then softened by a clean, gentle musk, preventing the fruitiness from ever becoming cloying. It’s a straightforward yet incredibly effective composition.
Performance & Our Take: With moderate longevity and a pleasant, noticeable sillage, this is a perfect everyday scent. It’s an easy-to-wear, fantastic compliment-getter that feels both modern and feminine without trying too hard. Best for those new to niche perfumes or anyone seeking a cheerful and versatile fruity-floral for daily wear.
6. À La Rose – Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Brand: Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Price: $275.00
Availability: In Stock
Editor’s Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.8/5)
The Vibe: À La Rose is the scent of a fresh, dew-kissed bouquet of roses on a crisp morning. It’s an ode to pure, unadulterated femininity, captured with modern clarity and incredible elegance. This is a bright, airy, and hyper-realistic floral that feels both graceful and uplifting.
Why It’s a Standout: Inspired by a portrait of Queen Marie Antoinette holding a rose, Francis Kurkdjian used two distinct types of roses to create this scent: fresh Damascena rose from Bulgaria and green Centifolia rose from Grasse. A sparkling top of bergamot and California orange gives it a bright, dewy opening, while a soft base of cedarwood and musk provides a clean, lasting foundation.
Performance & Our Take: The performance is intentionally delicate. It wears more like a luxurious personal aura than a loud perfume, with moderate longevity. It’s a masterpiece of subtlety, perfect for those who find most rose scents too heavy or cloying. Best for lovers of minimalist, elegant florals and anyone looking for a perfect daytime or warm-weather scent.
7. Paris – Yves Saint Laurent
Brand: Yves Saint Laurent
Price: $85.00
Availability: In Stock
Editor’s Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
The Vibe: A love letter to the city of its name, YSL’s Paris is pure, unadulterated romance in a bottle. This is a grand, powdery floral bouquet that feels nostalgic and joyful. It’s the scent of walking through the Parc de Bagatelle in the spring, with a classic, unapologetically feminine charm.
Why It’s a Standout: While centered on the rose, the true character of Paris comes from its iconic pairing with violet. This combination, created by the legendary Sophia Grojsman, results in a beautiful, cosmetic-like powdery accord that is instantly recognizable. Supporting notes of iris, mimosa, and sandalwood add to its lush, full-bodied floral character.
Performance & Our Take: As a classic Eau de Toilette, its performance is moderate, but its beauty is undeniable. For some, the powdery vintage profile might feel dated, but for those who appreciate classic perfumery, it is a timeless and comforting scent that has rightly earned its place as an icon. Best for those who love classic, romantic, and powdery florals with a touch of vintage elegance.
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FAQ About Rose Perfumes :
Which rose perfume lasts the longest?
Frédéric Malle’s Portrait of a Lady is the longest-lasting in this list, with top marks for longevity and projection.
What is the best unisex rose perfume in 2025?
Rose 31 by Le Labo stands out for its woody-spicy profile, making it a favorite among all genders.
Which rose perfume gets the most compliments?
Portrait of a Lady receives the highest compliments according to user polls and real-world testing.
The world of rose perfumes in 2025 is more exciting and diverse than ever. Whether you are drawn to the timeless elegance of a classic powdery rose, the bold statement of a spicy oriental, or the modern edge of a woody unisex creation, there is a rose scent waiting to be discovered. We’ve highlighted some of the best for their impressive performance and undeniable appeal.
Tried any of these? Comment below with your thoughts or request a review!
