What is rose in perfume? Where it comes from and the main types
Rose is the most loved flower in perfume. Where it is grown, why real rose is costly, and how its types differ.
What it is
The rose note comes from the petals of a few kinds of rose, mostly the damask rose (Rosa damascena) and the May rose (Rosa centifolia). The petals are distilled or extracted into rose oil.
Where it comes from
Bulgaria (the Rose Valley near Kazanlak), Turkey (the Isparta region), Iran, Morocco, Grasse in France and Taif in Saudi Arabia. It takes thousands of kilos of petals to make one kilo of rose oil, which is why real rose is so costly.
What it smells like
Soft, petal-like and slightly sweet, sometimes honeyed, green, fruity or spicy depending on the type. It feels romantic and elegant, and it is not only for women: it often appears in men’s and unisex perfumes too.
The main types
- Damask, Bulgarian and Turkish rose: rich, honeyed and a little spicy. The classic perfumer’s rose.
- May rose: lighter, fresh and honey-like.
- Taif rose: a damask rose from Saudi Arabia, known for a deep, rich scent.
- Rose otto and rose absolute: otto is distilled with steam and smells lighter and fresher; absolute is extracted with a solvent and smells deeper and more honeyed.
Rose in our shop
- Alexandria II Rose and lily of the valley with cedar, over oud, sandalwood and amber.
- Pink Diamond Sakura Lily, rose and cherry blossom over white musk and sandalwood. Light and floral.
- Miss Laverne Garden Lily of the valley, rose and orchid over cedarwood, musk and vanilla.
- Arrogate Pink Diva Rose, iris and gardenia over sandalwood, musk and patchouli.
- Jean Lowe Vibe May rose with apricot and basil, over fig, ambrette and dates.
- Oud Maracuja Turkish rose with saffron and passionfruit, over oud and benzoin. A dark take on rose.
