À la rose by Maison Francis Kurkdjian has been on my wish list for a while so I was delighted to recently receive a deluxe sample. It has one of the most beautiful openings I’ve come across and, to me, seems to forgo the top notes by getting straight to the heart with a hit of mesmerising rose. However, there are some more traditional top notes of crisp bergamot and orange in the mix too which add a little edge to the rosy softness.
There are two types of rose in À la rose – Damask from Bulgaria and Centifolia from Grasse. The other notes include the aforementioned Bergamot and Orange along with Violet, Magnolia Blossom, Cedar Wood and Musk. As the scent develops it becomes more smooth and velvety with a hint of honey-like sweetness. Interestingly, Francis Kurkdjian’s inspiration for this perfume is a 1783 painting of Marie Antoinette holding a rose. This might give the impression that this an old-fashioned and decadent fragrance but I find it modern, radiant and up lifting. This is not a complex scent but one which celebrates the beauty of rose and uses the highest quality ingredients blended to perfection.
Recently launched is the À la rose body line – a body cream and shower cream –  and I’ve been testing the former. Using one or more body care products with the same fragrance as your perfume is the easiest way to make the scent last longer. To me, it’s also about the luxury and ritual of using a lovelyÂ...