Rose Absolue (2006)
by Yves Rocher

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."

Suprisingly good rose fragrances - lovely mixture of 2 absolues at a very low price, very good alternative to Annick Gotal's Rose Absolue or to Lutens' Sa majeste la rose...