NEW FRAGRANCE REVIEW Diptyque Eau Rose + Simple Draw

I love complexity; the ability to dive deep into a fragrance full of notes, to tease apart the strands and dissect it down to its last molecule. If the world was full of only complex fragrances I would happily find myself within the maelstrom. Thankfully there are fragrances which come along to remind me that simplicity has its charms. One perfume house which seems to have a great track record at finding beauty in simple constructions is Diptyque, the latest bit of simple beauty from them is Eau Rose.

I was lucky enough to be able to experience a real rose garden as a child and I was always surprised at how it would change character throughout the day. The way it smelled in the morning was different than the way it smelled in the afternoon and the evening seemed to bring out something different, too. The press materials for Eau Rose mention that the idea behind it was to capture a rose as “….in its natural state, as it blossoms over time.” Eau Rose succeeds in doing just that as it captures rose in its dew covered morning coat, to its brightest aspect at high noon to finish at its sultry evening dress. It is never not rose but in Eau Rose the rose shifts with time.

When I first spray Eau Rose on it does remind me of daybreak in that rose garden of my youth. I spent a lot of my early mornings wandering among the flowers and the combination of the slightly watery dew combined with the attenuated smell of the roses is captured perfectly here. The central rose accord of Eau Rose is bracketed by currant and lychee which serve to add an earthy sweet lushness to the early stages. As the sun rises the dew evaporates and the rose and the green quality of the garden becomes more pronounced as the heat of the day dries things out. Geranium is the green aspect and hedione adds the sunniness. Finally the sun sets and as the evening cools the rose becomes more concentrated, mostly sweet. Honey is used in Eau Rose to accentuate the sweetness and a light application of musk adds a bit of sensuality to the ending of Eau Rose.

Eau Rose lasts from morning until evening and has average sillage.

Eau Rose is a study in simplicity which reminds me of a lesson from my youth in the rose garden. Sometimes you just need to stop and smell the roses. In lieu of a rose garden Eau Rose will do just fine.

Disclosure: This review was based on a sample purchased from The Perfumed Court.

We have a sample vial of Eau Rose to giveaway. To be eligible just leave a comment telling us what your favorite simple fragrances are. We will draw one winner via random.org on February 29, 2012.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilt perfume.

Mark Behnke, Managing Editor

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30 comments

  • My favorite simple fragrances are Marc Jacobs (the original one) which is primarily gardenia (my favorite flower) and Lavanila Pure Vanilla which is a beautiful simple take on vanilla.

  • In terms of simple fragrances, I like rose essential oil. I am also a fan of Jo Malone fragrances, particularly Orange Blossom and English Pear & Freesia.

  • Years ago, I enjoyed wearing rose fragrances and somewhere along the road, I got away from them. You have reminded me why I liked them so much. I think it is time to make a return visit. Also anything with a sandalwood note would please me—-ahh, the simple things!!!!

  • At my old house, I had a peony bush under the kitchen window. While I washed dishes in the sink, the opened window would bring in their lovely scent, my favorite simple fragrance.

  • I don’t know if any fragrance I like is ‘simple’
    But O de Lancôme and Guerlain Acqua Allegoria Pampelune might qualify

  • I think Yves Rocher does some beautiful simple, affordable scents like Fleur d’Orangers and Lilas

  • I love Eau de 4 Reines – L’Occitane, Pur Desir Gardenia – Yves Rocher, Yardley’s April Violets, if you mean mono-fragrances. I think that lots of Issey Myake’s perfumes are simple and beautiful that way. Few months ago I found that A Scent Soleil de Neroli was the perfect orange blossom/neroli aroma to me.
    Thanks for the draw! Eau Rose sounds promising. I hope it has a good longevity.

  • My favourite simple fragrance is Iris Silver Mist, by Serge Lutens. And De Profundis comes as a close second.

  • Michelle Hunt says:

    Sometimes I like a simple drop of diluted rose absolute on my wrists, beautiful, simple, though not terribly long lasting. I would love to enter the draw.

  • I love Aqua Allegoria Jasminora by Guerlain and Annick Goutal La Violette. They’re both simple yet beautiful fragrances.
    Thank you for the drawing!

  • it doesn’t get much more simple than essential oils. some of my favorites are lavender angustifolia, golden champa, and of course, patchouli.

  • My favorite simple fragrances are rose water, Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic, Sarah Horowitz Perfect Veil and Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Lavender.

    Thank you!

  • When I was young (and poorer) I used to wear Tea Rose. I remember it smelling really good and true to life. I’m not sure what I’d think today. I probably haven’t smelled it in 20 years. I also love simple lavender. So bracing!

  • Not a Botanist says:

    My favorite simple fragrance is Tobacco Vanille, I also like some of the other scents from Tom Ford’s private collection; they tend to be straight up and linear.

  • I am a big believer that some of the most “seemingly” simple fragrances are actually quite complex. It takes artistry to make them seem so effortless.
    on the other hand, in the case of hay absolute, it it just amazing and makes me wonder how this one thing can be so delicious and complex.

  • My favorite simple fragrances are YR Pur Desir de Lilas, DEMETER Fireplace, KL Kapsule Light & Lords Jestrer Aphelia (concrete de parfum).

    LOVE Diptyque, thanks for the sample draw! 😀

  • In terms of single natural perfume materials, some of my favorites are labdanum, frankincense, bourbon vanilla, eucalyptus (which I’ve never used in a perfume), and ponderosa pine. I also love the smell of live linden blossoms, gardenia flowers, and cattleya orchids, and hardy cyclamens. I could go on and one, since I’m not one to have single favorites.

  • Korres Jasmine-Gaiac scent and Joe Malone’s Orange blossom are two simple and absolutely unisex florals I like

  • Victoria Casey says:

    I love the scent of the mesquite blossom. It is one of the things I enjoy most about spring in the desert.

  • My favorite simple fragrance is Cypress Musk, by CJ. It’s true to its name, and so very nice. I’d love to try Eau Rose, as I’m currently on a rose kick! Thanks for the draw.

  • Favorite simple fragrances:
    Vanilla (in a lotion, perfume, or just a bit of extract from the baking shelf)
    Patchouli, sandalwood, frankincense, bergamot and lime essential oils… They’re simple in that they are natural single-note oils or fragrances but upon reflection I think these are maybe more complex in their original forms, so I enjoy them without any ornament.

    DSH had single notes a while ago, there were Sweetgrass, Hay, and a few others that I really enjoyed (got a bunch of samples in a swap). Attar Bazaar Black Rose also worked really well.

    I remember loving Yosh’s Winter Rose which was just rose and cardamon to my nose, simple but well balanced, but I couldn’t get it to last on me (which was good because I couldn’t afford it anyways).