30 ml
10 ml
bundles
8.5 oz
50 oz
bundles
detergent + booster
Roses are known for their vibrant colors and unique scent. From a beautiful bouquet to a sidewalk lined with rose bushes, the smell of roses of well-loved — and for good reason.
Roses have been used for centuries for their aroma, but what do roses actually smell like? We're going to explore the floral fragrance and unlock the secrets of this iconic flower. You'll be ready to sniff and fall head over heels for the captivating scent of roses, and we have a few recommendations for you to try!
What Does Rose Smell Like?
Rose scents are timeless and cherished in the world of perfumery. It's also one of the most recognized floral fragrance notes. The flower is often associated with love, passion, and romance. Whether it's a single red rose or a bouquet of different shades, they express admiration.
A symbol for love wasn’t the first reason they became popular. Roses were revered initially for their therapeutic properties. In 2,500 BCE, ancient Egyptians cultivated and used roses in rituals, perfumes, cosmetics, and religious ceremonies.
During the Renaissance, European nobles valued rose-scented waters and perfumes. The Ottoman Empire welcomed European guests by sprinkling rose water on their hands to display their hospitality. By the 19th century, modern perfumery took the iconic rose fragrance to new levels, and we continue to use it today. Roses are versatile ingredients that can add a delicate touch, richness, or a light-hearted element. They work in everything from daytime scents to more seductive fragrances.
Now, let's get to the main question — what do roses really smell like?
Floral
Roses' scent is a blend of subtle sweetness, floral goodness, and slightly spicy notes. The aroma develops over time, like a slow burn. It can start fresh and spicy and turn into something sweet and floral before finishing with rich, soft notes — but because roses are flowers, all rose scents have a solid floral smell as their foundation.
Powdery
Roses can also smell powdery and musky, meaning they pair well with musk, vanilla, and even tobacco scents in fragrances.
Fruity
Roses also have a subtle fruity element that paves the way for a lighter touch. Roses and fruit scents share certain aromatic compounds that are better detected when used together. Pairing the smell of roses with fruits like strawberry or cherry, for example, can bring out the fruity side of the flower.
The smell of roses can evoke strong emotions and transport you to a different time, helping you to remember moments from your past. These memories make a rose fragrance much more than just a scent — it's sweet nostalgia.
And nostalgia isn’t just a feeling, it’s science! There’s actually a connection between your olfactory system — which helps you to smell — and the parts of your brain in charge of memory and emotion.
As a result, when you smell certain aromas that have been previously linked to past experiences, it can lead you to feel emotionally charged. The good news about roses is that they’re commonly associated with romantic, nurturing, or congratulatory moments.
For example, the whiff of roses could remind you of a memory of when you received your first bouquet at a dance recital. Or perhaps it will transport you back to when you were a kid smelling your mom’s perfume on the way out to dinner.
The fruity smell of roses is often described as nurturing and uplifting because it’s a scent that often leaves positive impressions on our minds both consciously and subconsciously.
Musky
The smell of roses is renowned for its depth and richness. Similarly, musk is a scent commonly perceived as warm and bold. Both associated with their earthy origins, when used together, rose and musk create a fragrance that is sensual and invigorating.
Certain types of rose are more likely to be described as musky. The rosa damascena, or damask rose, is among those. This flower naturally emits a rich, full-bodied scent comparable to a musky fragrance.
A second example is the rosa moschata, or musk rose. As its name suggests, the rose’s scent is often referred to as musky for its animalistic qualities. Animalic scents typically contain notes derived from animal sources.
Musk is animalistic because it was originally harvested from musk deer. Male deer have glands near their abdomens that secrete aromatic substances. The secretion was harvested, dried, and soaked in alcohol.
The result was a sort of essential oil used to create perfumes. However, in most instances, the musk found in current cosmetics and aromatic products is produced ethically and synthetically. We can guarantee that no deer have ever been harmed in the production of our musk fragrances.
Tea-Like
The smell of roses is often described as tea-like thanks to their shared characteristics. Just like the flower the fragrance comes from, rose scents are soft and delicate, somewhat similar to the smell of a warm cup of tea.
Roses are layered scents — they can be powdery, musky, floral, green, and fruity all at once. This complex scent profile is actually similar to those found in fine, high-quality teas carefully formulated to have more distinctive flavors.
The connection between rose and tea can actually be better understood if you’re aware of a rose’s aromatic compounds. Roses contain elements like geraniol and nerol that are responsible for the green, fresh notes. These qualities are also found in many teas, making the two easily comparable.
In fact, many herbal teas are rose-flavored. To make these teas, dried rose petals and rosebuds are steeped in boiled water. Sometimes other natural ingredients are added in like honey or lemon for an extra boost of flavor. These rose teas are beloved for their aromatic properties and calming effects.
What Scents Pair Well With Rose?
Pairing the right scents with rose can help you create your own unique signature fragrance. Whether you do this through layering or by choosing one of our high-quality fragrances at Snif, the right scent combos can make all the difference.
Vanilla
When rose combines with vanilla, the result is a sweet but natural scent. This combination doesn’t lean into the “childish” world of sweetness, but it also doesn’t smell overpowering like the perfume section of a department store. The natural elements of rose help balance out vanilla’s sweetness for a perfect middle ground.
Strawberry
Rose and cherry make for a sophisticated scent experience that’s perfect for big events, date nights, or everyday errands. This combination is decadent, but not overwhelming.
Musk
Pairing rose with musk can help add depth to the fragrance and balance out the more powdery side of rose’s scent. Rose and musk make for a complex, mature scent.
Tonka
Tonka bean helps add an almost nutty touch to the smell of rose, and this scent combination can help tone down rose’s light, bright floral elements for a deeper, richer fragrance.
What Are Some Scents That Use Rose?
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s talk about some of our favorite scents incorporating rose.
Vow Factor
A romantic scent for any occasion, Vow Factor is a fig fragrance that will have you ready to say I Do — or just run some errands.
The fragrance combines the fruity, citrusy notes of green fig, mandarin, and neroli with alluring hints of rose. The scent of orris, cedarwood, tonka bean, and ambrette seeds round out this unforgettable fragrance. It's a fruity, fresh, clean scent with warm, feel-good vibes that will sweep you off your feet.
Suganami
Looking for a rich, mysterious scent? Suganami is the way to go. It's a smooth, modern, genderless fragrance. It seamlessly blends natural, woody iris with rose, incense, myrrh, and amber. The result is a creamy and smooth scent with a slightly powdery after-effect.
Burning Bridges
Not every burnt bridge is a loss. Burning Bridges is a go-to smoky scent for many, and always makes a statement. The fragrance is infused with spices and tobacco while relying on rose, absolute, and iris for a boost. It's finished with a healthy dose of Madagascar vanilla to balance out the stronger scents. You'll become addicted to the fragrance with a single inhale.
Tart Deco
Tart Deco is a juicy cherry fragrance combining the sophisticated scent of muddled cherry and rose. It also blends birchwood, vetiver, and vanilla for a woody, sweet effect. It's a luxurious scent that feels slightly indulgent and fresh.
Wake Up and Smell the Roses
The sweet, floral scent of roses is a captivating aroma offering endless versatility. There are so many ways to infuse your life with the smell of roses, from candles to fragrances. There's a rose scent for everyone, and Snif has the perfect options to consider. You'll be sure to come up smelling like roses in any situation.
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