Budget Pick of the Month: Paul Smith Rose Eau de Parfum
Paul Smith Rose is an elegant, sofisticated, natural smelling rose scent. If this rose had a color it would be light pink. This flower would have been picked in a classic English garden like the rose on the photograph. The photograph was taken in the famous Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Kent. Sissinghurst Castle Garden was created by the writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband. Vita Sackville-West is generally known as well for her relationship with writer Virginia Woolf.
There is not really an interesting story to Paul Smith Rose in contrast to the life story of Vita Sackville-West. Virginia Woolf was inspired by Vita’s life to write the novel Orlando, made into a movie in 1992 with Tilda Swinton as Orlando. Paul Smith presumably had Rose created for his wife.
Paul Smith Rose is a very natural uncomplicated quite linear scent. On my skin it smells in the beginning like rose lemonade. Giving the impression of a fresh, light pink rose with some dew on its petals. On paper I clearly smelled the tea note in the beginning but I could not smell this on my skin at all. After a few minutes Rose develops on my skin into a slightly warmer red velvet rose.
I have been testing different natural rose oils lately and interestingly some of them do not smell the way you would expect a rose to scent. But this Rose eau de parfum really smells like a natural rose. It is best used sprayed lavishly.
Paul Smith Rose is not an Eau de Parfum I would recommend to anyone who does not like the scent of rose. But I have found reviews online from people who did not like rose scents in general and like this Paul Smith Rose scent.
Do not be put off by its boring name or uninterestng bottle as the fragrance Paul Smith Rose is really worth a try. It would make an excellent gift to a lover of rose scents and for its price it is an absolute bargain.
Notes: top green tea, violet heart rose, violet, magnolia base cedarwood (according to basenotes)
Perfumer: Antoine Maisondieu
Date of introduction: 2007 (In 2006 it was introduced at the Chelsea Flower Show)
Olfactory family: Floral/Soliflor
Disclosure: I bought my bottle online at the Dutch discount webstore Parfumdeo and paid 22 euro for a 100 ml tester bottle.
More information about Sissinghurst Castle Garden (link embedded)
Did you try Paul Smith Rose? What do you think of the bottle or story (lack of it)? Does this influence you when deciding to buy or try a scent?
January 28, 2017 @ 10:21
Until today I had no idea either that designer, or the perfume existed. Now I see that Fragrantica has 40 perfumes from this brand in the database – just amazing. Being perfume snob to some extend, I doubt I’ll ever test this perfume – unless I smell it on somebody without knowing what it is, like it, ask about the name, and then decide to find it. But if you enjoy it, it’s a great perfume. And the fact that you got it “practically free” makes it even better :).
I don’t think I need a story… Maybe even the opposite. It’s an interesting question – I should think about it more (and maybe even make a post out of it).
January 30, 2017 @ 18:28
It is quite a famous designer here, Undina. I had not thought Paul Smith is not very well known in the US or outside Europe. He has a shop in our most expensive street next to Cartier where Rose is sold as well. Quite a contrast to the bargain prices!
Glad to have inspired you. I might do a post on this subject in the future who knows 😊 Looking forward to yours!
January 30, 2017 @ 18:58
I’m that people who are into fashion would know the name. But I do not remember seeing either boutiques, or even sections with his clothes anywhere where you’d expect a luxury brand to appear. But maybe I just wasn’t paying attention? 🙂 I’ll look around.
January 30, 2017 @ 18:59
It was supposed to be “I am sure”
January 30, 2017 @ 19:41
Hi Undina! He is most famous for his stripes. I know him through a former fashion conscious colleague. Maybe he is most known around this part of the globe 😊 I wanted to include a photograph here but it is not possible.
April 8, 2017 @ 00:33
I’ve been wondering what this was like. Your description is great- I shall seek it out. What a great price! xx
April 9, 2017 @ 22:42
Yes, you should try it! Great scent and spectacular price xxx