While we all love the smell of fresh roses, wearing a rose fragrance has always been associated with the scent of old ladies.
However, the rose note is one of the most prominent and widely used scents in the history of fragrances, dating back to Ancient Greece where it was used to make intoxicating aromatic oils for both sexes.
Now, perfumers are tapping into a different side of this scent, combining it with other notes to create fresh, modern, androgynous, and even sexy scents.
Here, we curated a list of our 10 favourite rose fragrances that are sure to turn the heads of more than just our grandfathers.
Fresh & modern rose fragrances
Byredo Rose of No Man's Land
This fresh yet subtly rich scent — thanks to the white amber and papyrus wood base notes — was developed as a tribute to the fearless nurses of World War I. Just like these women, this fragrance offers a soothing experience through its sophisticated pink floral top and heart notes that can be worn at any time of the day.
Byredo Rose of No Man’s Land Eau de Parfum (50ml) retails for S$274.
Maison Margiela Replica Flower Market
Combined with a multitude of floral compositions, this fragrance takes you through a Parisian flower market from its delicate notes of freesia, sambac jasmine, and grasse rose. The hint of green, crisp leaves brings a welcome refresh, balancing out the sweetness of the blooms.
Maison Margiela Replica Flower Market Eau de Toilette (100ml) retails for S$185.
Diptyque Eau Rose
Straightforward and authentic, this fragrance is spring in a bottle with a trio of flowers — rose, geranium, and jasmine — as its heart. While it is light and airy, the fruity top notes of lychee, blackcurrant, and bergamot lend a playful touch that suits all moods and seasons.
Diptyque Eau Rose Eau de Toilette (100ml) retails for S$194.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian À La Rose
À La Rose is a light and sensual fragrance that captures the feminine essence of a rose bouquet. Showcasing two varieties of rose — Bulgarian and Grasse — the perfume is mixed with subtle fruity notes of grapefruit accord, and then tempered down with a woody base.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian À La Rose Eau de Parfum (100ml) retails for S$280.
This romantic fragrance puts a fresh and vibrant spin on a classic note, brightening up the rose scent with fruity top notes of red currant, green apple, and mandarin orange. The drydown of musk and sandalwood gives it a slightly mature finish and prevents the fragrance from becoming overly sweet. Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Rose Eau de Toilette (50ml) retails for S$131. 
Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Rose
Androgynous & sexy rose fragrances
Aēsop Rōzu
Inspired by modernist designer Charlotte Perriand, this unisex fragrance is a unique interpretation of roses that evokes a sensual smokiness through its heart note of guaiac wood. The spicy allure of sandalwood, musk, and patchouli blends perfectly with the floral brightness of the jasmine and ylang ylang, making it a perfect fragrance for those who cannot choose between a floral or woody perfume.
Aēsop Rōzu Eau de Parfum (50ml) retails for S$235.
Elizabeth and James Nirvana Rose
Nirvana Rose smells unlike any other rose fragrance you’ve smelt before. At the first spritz, the scent hits you with sharp and spicy notes of geranium and subsequently dries down into a warm, earthy rose that gives this a sexy and sultry feel.
Elizabeth and James Nirvana Rose Eau de Parfum (100ml) retails for S$90.
Le Labo Rose 31
Another unisex fragrance, Rose 31 is a spicy-woody floral scent that opens with very strong notes of cumin and leaves a lovely woody rose dry down on your skin. Its perfect blend makes this extremely versatile to wear, hence becoming one of the most popular Le Labo fragrances.
Le Labo Rose 31 Eau de Parfum (100ml) retails for S$305
Serge Lutens La Fille de Berlin
Jammy and fruity, this strong fragrance embodies a deep, red rose and dries down to a lusty amber and musk scent, with hints of patchouli and honey lingering at the backend. It is definitely not a fragrance for beginner rose lovers.
Serge Lutens La Fille de Berlin Eau de Parfum (100ml) retails for S$302.
Frapin Nevermore
Inspired by writer Edgar Allan Poe, this spicy rose scent smells like something out of a dark fairytale. This gothic offering combines the slight sweetness of rose with animalic notes of pepper, nutmeg, saffron, and aldehydes, which makes it perfect for a night out.
Frapin Nevermore Eau de Parfum 100ml retails for S$210. The website does not currently ship to Singapore, however, you can use vPost to do so!
Source for header image: Aesop and @diptyque on Instagram
