Lipstick Rose by Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, 2000

Name says it all. A waxy, lipstick-like concoction of rose and violet supported by a tamed down vanilla/vetiver base. Hints of musk and amber provide more consistency during the powdery drydown. Surely not groundbreaking yet very funny. If you like to smell like an high-end lipstick, go ahead. Nice.

Yes, it does replicate the smell of a certain type of lipstick, and to me brings back the memory of a very bright pink by - I think - Max Factor, that I wore many years ago. Happy memories! But although it's pleasantly nostalgic, I wouldn't want to splurge on an FB just for the sake of old reminiscences. Pretty and very girlie, this scent to me is pleasant but definitely not a must. Also, I found it quite linear with little or no development, and I prefer scents which tell a story, unfolding more delights as the hours go by. I'll pass on this. But it's nice enough.

This is exactly what a Guerlain divinora lipstick smells like. They nailed it.

The beginning of this is quite ferocious: A gorgeous blast of rose and violet powder, but it's shocking to me because I'm more of a subdued fragrance kind of gal. There's some raspberry jam in there too, which really comes out after the first twenty minutes or so. I really love the initial rush of fragrance, the witty evocation of vintage cosmetics. Any girl who sat fixated at her grandmother or mother's vanity will appreciate this aspect. The rest of the journey with the scent is much more wearable for me, however, when the rose and violet meet the freshness of grapefruit, sweetness of raspberry and a hint of vetiver. Divine.

This is very similar to the rose-and-violet combo of Bulgari's Pour Femme, but as it dries down the subtle "waxy" quality comes more to the fore, and bizarrely reminds me of Patou's discontinued Que Sais-Je? Que Sais-Je? is peachy-sweet, almost cloying, but with this wierd, wax/damp cardboard undertone that I find ADDICTIVE! I'm so glad that this scent replicates it, because I was hoarding Que Sais-Je?, afraid that I'd never be able to replace it. These Malle's don't come cheap, but.... when I've finished my bottle of Que Sais-Je? and used up my Bulgari Pour Femme, I may have to acquire this.

My 5 year old daughter said it smells like violet sweets. If you like violet sweets then Lipstick Rose will not disappoint you. I love the rose in this one- fresh, pink, young and sexy rose.

This is Doris Day bottled. Blond, ironic, seemingly naive yet conscious.
One of those playful fragrances that You can wear with a circle skirt and a sharp mind. It definitely has sense of humour. It is more funky and sugary respect the more bon-ton drole de rose. Violetty-sugary-fun-but-ladylike.
You need the right person to pull this off.

I have a thing for fragrances that smell of lipsticks and face powders. For me, that old-fashioned powdery smell is the absolute height of feminine glamour, and so I was very excited when Lipstick Rose first came out and ordered a bottle straight away. Well, it does smell like a Chanel lipstick, but it smells more plasticky and synthetic than a lipstick. It smells like all of the things the fragrance in the lipstick effectively masks; but here they're on show. Nice trick. Not what I was looking for. For pillowy powdery things, I much prefer N'Aimez que Moi, Arpege and Madame Rochas, to name but a few.

This fragrance is one of my absolute favorites. It starts off sweet with top notes of rose, honey, violet and lavender. The basenotes are cardamom and vetiver. The dry can come across a bit synthetic, but as it sets the notes come back together and serve up the experience of kissing in a rose garden.

Very accurate Lancome lipstick smell (circa 1980). If I was still a full-time make-up artist, I'd probably wear this to work for the comedy value! It's a pretty smell, doesn't offend, but it's perhaps not one to make you feel particularly sensual, serious or sexy. It certainly DOES make you feel frivolous! It also reminds me of old face powder and theatre dressing rooms. Nice olfactory story!