ROSE WEEK 2019 – A Saffron Rose
It’s Rose Week on EauMG! This is the annual celebration of rose-centric perfumes! This week I’m reviewing 5 fragrances that display a different aspect of rose perfumes.
Viktor and Rolf Magic Dancing Roses is a fruity rose. Initially, I get a large swig of cherry-scented brandy. The opening is spiced with a leather-y undertone BUT it’s still airy, light and fruity. (and BOOZY because of that cherry). This is like a saffron rose shimmering in gossamer. The saffron and spice in this vaguely reminds me of things like Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540. The rose is like a rosewater with a sweet, fruity lychee. It dries down to a boozy brandy with a chewy, slightly-savory saffron. There’s also a generous amount of spiced amber. I initially had thought of Dancing Roses as a fruity rose but later realized it’s a full-blown spicy rose.
Here’s my story with the Viktor and Rolf Magic Collection. I sniffed them at a Sephora and loved this one. I threw something up in my Instagram Stories about it. I went home and later realized that this collection is their luxury line! I honestly thought this was a cheaper collection from Viktor & Rolf for layering…not their “luxe” line. ₁ Saying that, I like the perfume. If I had it, I’d probably wear it a lot. BUT the good news is they offer a travel size with a sprayer (I’m so sick of roll-ons).
Notes listed include pink pepper, litchi, rose, saffron and cherry brandy. Launched in 2017. PERFUMER – Sonia Constant
Give Dancing Roses a try if you like the idea of a fruity rose with some extra “body”. Or perfumes like Montale Candy Rose, Eric Buterbaugh FLORALS Sultry Rose, L’Artisan Safran Troublant or Ormonde Jayne Ta’if. By the way, I much prefer Dancing Roses over Tom Ford Lost Cherry, another cherry-centric perfume launched recently. Dancing Roses is less literal/sweet and holds my attention longer because of the rose paired with that savory saffron.
Projection and longevity are average.
The 2.5 oz bottle retails for $145 at Sephora. A travel spray is also available.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Fruity (cherry) rose with a huge dose of saffron. What I appreciate about this perfume is that these notes can come across as heavy but there is a transparency that makes this perfume seem “effortless”. However, it’s not so sheer that it disappears. It’s just a really pretty saffron-rose.
₁ I am confused because it’s like the brand has dropped the price. I remember it being close to $200 when I looked online after I first tried it and Saks has it for $190 but Sephora has it for under $150??? Anyway, I’m really tempted by a travel size.
Want more reviews? Try…
Brooklyn Fragrance Lover – video review
*Sample obtained by me. Product pic from Fragrantica. Carole Lombard mattsko.wordpress.com. Post contains an affiliate link.
Yessss, it’s the combo of cherry and saffron that makes this irresistible for me. I realized that over time because I kept being reminded of Ta’if as I wore it. I need to find my Ta’if sample and do a side by side comparison.
Thank you for confirming that I’m not crazy (or that we’re both crazy). When I left my comment on the other post, I swear the price was $190 for the FB, but when I checked a few days ago (dreaming of future gift cards), it was down to the $145. ♀️ Hooray?
Thanks also for mentioning what you thought compared to TF Lost Cherry. I didn’t see that tester at Nordstrom.
Looking forward to the rest of the roses! Ending this comment now because Snowpocalipse is about to take our power down for a second time!
I’ve noticed that the cherry is much more prominent when the temps are warmer. The last few times I’ve worn it, it’s been so cold and the perfume wears “spicier”. I have OJ Ta’if in the old and the new formula. I don’t notice saffron that much in the newest version. I still love it but it’s more “subtle” (if that makes any sense). It’s worth doing a side-by-side, I’ll try to do the same.
RIGHT?! I KNOW this was $190 when I looked at it when I got home that one day. I was shocked! That price wasn’t what I expecting. I could have sworn that when I did a draft for this review that it was the same. I look before publishing and it’s $145? That never happens! Lol. Also yesterday Saks sent out a beauty flier with this in it and it was also $145 (even though the site still has $190 up). I honestly can not think of another perfume in the history of me reviewing that actually dropped in price for the same size.
I wanted to love Lost Cherry because I think a lot of people expected me to. I have been on the hunt for a boozy cherry for years. But, it just wears as cough syrup and tonka beans on me. I will try it again (maybe I tried it in the “wrong” season), but I really didn’t like it. I rarely get headaches from scents but that one triggered something. It could have been a coincidence but I admit it makes me nervous to try it again.
I saw all that snow! Wow! The first year I moved to Seattle, we had a winter like this. It was wild! It was the first time in my life I had actually seen snow. Hopefully everything will be fine and you’ll still have power, water, etc. It looks really pretty so I hope you’re taking the time to enjoy it some too.