Rose Absolue (2006)
by Yves Rocher

Read the reviews and thought that this would be my next rose. Unfortunately on my skin the rose evaporated too soon and left the spices, these were not so bad actually but not what I was looking for. On paper strip the rose lasted much longer.

I just purchased this, and although I am very impressed with it, I just don't know if it is for me yet. I gave my bottle to a friend who fell in love with it, but I think I will try it again sometime when I am in the mood for a scent that is more challenging than the comfort ones I usually wear. I adore the cinnamon-rose blend at the top, and wish that combination lasted longer. It makes me think of Gigi's grandmother, one of my favorite characters in literature and film, in that it is very old-fashioned but with a definite edge, and so very French. I had some bad experiences with rose on me in the past, and I think if I can get past that and remember that this is NOT one of those overly sweet, fruity, gag-inducing roses, I will not only salute it, but embrace it. It really is a work of art.

Excellent. This is not an attempt at infusing some avant-garde concept into a rose perfume, but no more and no less than an extremely well-executed traditional, oriental-style, spicy-warm rose. It has a very restrained citrus elements in the top and a disinct cinnamon note, which I happen to like a lot. The soft rose focuses on blossom-notes, there is only little green and no damp earthiness here, and that meshes nicely with a warm vanillic base, which is saved from tooth-aching sweetness by a dose of patchouli. The quality shines through in that this perfume lacks the sickly sweetness, infantile fruitiness and sledghehammer artificiality that characterize so many contemporary florals and I therefore find this eminently wearable for anybody with good taste, regardless of gender. I couldn't think of a better introduction to haute parfumerie on a small budget. On a side-note I find it quite different from Flechier's Une Rose for Malle, which is much greener, ethereal and slightly urinous.

High quality, natural rose. This one will be enjoyed even by those who eschew rose soliflores. I thought I couldn't wear a rose perfume until I tried this. A great bargain.

A clear, spicy rose; reminiscent of Frederic Malle Une Rose. Cinnamon topnotes are delightful, and the overall rose is pure, and very natural. This isn't a sweet rose scent, nor is it powdery. It's rich and elegant, and quite distinctive. Some perfumes just smell expenisve, whether they are or not, and Rose Absolue smells expensive. It's obviously of high quality, and masterful blending. It's alluring, and the lasting power is excellent. Don't let the "rose" scare you away if you're normally not a rose fan - this is not a violet-rose, or a powdery-rose, or a rosewater rose...it's along the lines of Gres Cabaret, or a spicy Stella...sensual, and striking.

I love roses. These are sweet and wonderful. And I especially love them whenever they include any wood notes, because it increases their lasting power and gives them some earthiness and warmth.
Rose + patchouli is one of my favorite combinations of all time, so I'm always looking for variations on the theme, and this one is scrumptious.
Nowhere near the heavy dollop of patchouli as in Voleur de Rose, and not even close to that of the sweeter, more feminine Une Folie de Rose, this little beauty is almost ediby sweet.
Rose Absolu opens with a delicious cinnamon note and quickly reveals its base of vanilla-like tonka. Within this deliciousness rests a huge, fabulous blend of Turkish, Bulgarian, and Moroccan rose absolutes. This perfume is much more opulent than the other rose + patchouli fragrances mentioned. It is sweet, deep, rich, smooth, and dessert-like. Honeyed roses hold a hint of patchouli that never overcomes either the roses or the sweetness. It is only later that the patchouli issues forth, creeping delicately through the tonka, and making its presence known mainly because of its contribution to the lasting power of this fragrance, which is excellent.
So, if the beauty of rose + patchouli attracts you, but you have had little luck due to the strength, mustiness, or harshness of the patchouli, I say, "Look! I found one for you."