I’m going back a wee bit here on this one, Posse folks, as Armani Prive’s Rose Alexandrie has been out for quite a few years now. I’d forgotten how much I enjoy it, as I realized as I came across it on a recent outing to Neiman Marcus. I didn’t even think this fragrance was still in the line (thank you, Giorgio Armani!).
This demure, unassuming beauty holds a special place in my heart, as it acted as training wheels to get me up and pedaling on the rose love bike. I’d previously had baaad experiences with rose (one, courtesy of someone who was heavy-handed with the Perfumer’s Workshop Tea Rose scent for a long time), and I still cringe a bit when I smell that one (my apologies to those of you who love it).
What won me over about Rose Alexandrie was its delicate sweetness; it has a soothing prettiness about it that drew me in. It’s the softest of May roses mixed with a hint of citrus and perhaps vanilla, at least to my nose. The Posh Peasant calls it “a delightful rose fragrance with notes of bergamot, Italian mandarin, neroli, mimosa and benzoin.”
Now to a hard-core rose lover, it might not qualify as a true-blue rose scent, but it got me over the hump, so I’m counting it. Its gentle nature seems almost calming to me, and would work beautifully in a variety of situations, from an under-the-radar scent for the office, a garden party, or even as a demure wedding scent.
So I’ll be wearing my little bit of Rose Alexandrie in the coming week as a sweet closer to June, before welcoming the fireworks of July.
What about you? What soft-spoken fragrance are you enjoying this summer? Or are you going with lively scents with big personalities?
I have a tough time with rose scents, too, unless they’re blended with other things. But speaking of Armani Privé, one of the soft scents I’ve enjoyed this summer is their Iris Celadon — that, and Seville a L’Aube. Beyond that, I usually wear bigger smells in the summer.
Hey, Heidi! Hope you are doing well. So glad you are liking the Iris Celadon — it’s so nice for summer, and your S Aube, too. What bigger scents do you tend to go for in the heat?
I guess I like big scents year-round! But in the summer, that means Salome, SL’s Fleurs d’Oranger, Fracas, Rochas Femme.
What a lovely post. I too prefer roses in my garden to ones in my perfumes, although I have a few ridiculous exceptions to that rule, starting with YSL Paris, lol.
Hi, sweetie! Thanks; I’m right there with you on the garden. Guess I like spiced, sexy roses or soft ones the best. Haven’t sniffed the Paris in ages, though, so need to revisit.
The Mr. Lincoln rose in my yard decided to blossom yesterday. I am enjoying a bud in a vase today. I have a hard time with rose (love PW Tea Rose though!) because I have had migraine after wearing a few new-ish rose scents. Rose Alexandrie sounds like a good one to try. I like softer scents of every type. So far this summer I’m spritzing Eau des Merveilles almost daily. Infusion d’Iris and the Amande flanker smell great in the evening.
Oh, how lovely, Tiffanie! Such a treat! My DH used to grow the most gorgeous roses at our old house; sadly, our current home is not amenable to them. You smell great in your EdM and others — enjoy!!
Hey Ann,
Sadly i found this baby a little short lived on me. The scent is lovely and I wanted it to last but nope.
As close as I come to soft frags are the Hermes Jardin line. I don’t think they really count though.
Portia xx
Howdy, dear! It isn’t a powerhouse, that’s for sure, but for me, that’s a blessing. I just gently re-spritz now and then. I like the Jardin line, too, except for one (the Mousson, maybe?) that made me feel a bit ill. But the rest are lovely.