WHAT I SMELL: This latest release from Les Parfums de Rosine opens with a rush of what reminds me of honey cough drops. It’s like rich honey dripping down into a hot cup of lemon water. The honey is thick, full-bodied and incredibly edible; so much so that I just want to lick the honey off of my wrist. After a couple of minutes a cinnamon note is added to give the honey a little kick of spice. This literally smells like I have just rolled myself up in a sticky warm honey mess and I keep thinking that I need to wash my hands off so I don’t get my keyboard all sticky. After around the ten minute mark, the honeyed aspects of the fragrance start to calm down and the beginning bloom of the rose starts to make an appearance. Due to the spice of the cinnamon and nutmeg, the rose just adds a nice light touch to the somewhat heavy spice which when sniffed fills the back of your throat with a heavy warmth. But overall at this point, Majalis is almost like a honeyed piece of hard candy as it seems more suited for enjoying in your mouth rather than on the skin. Again, the rose is there, but it’s really kind of overtaken by the spice. Thankfully after around an hour, Majalis backs off the super cinnamon aspects of the fragrance, but overall, it ends up being a pleasant and somewhat dry and woody cinnamony rose that should only be worn in cool months. I can’t imagine what would happen if you wore this in the middle of summer!
From the Les Parfums de Rosine website:
A seductive and sophisticated fragrance
The Rosa Majalis is a rose native from Asian mountains. This simple flower develops an amazing cinnamon scent. This is why we name it the Cinnamon Rose, and it is also considered as the “Love Rose” because of its soft and slightly captivating scent. This natural and exquisite rose gave birth to a new fragrance: Majalis.
Soft Oriental, Majalis offers notes of cinnamon, pink pepper and nutmeg based on a precious wood background. The rose is of course present. We have chosen a Bulgarian absolute to envelope the fragrance with its both bright and heady scent.
Top note : Bergamot, Mandarin, Grapefruit, Nutmeg, Cinnamon bark
Heart note : Cinnamon leaves, Taif Rose, Tea Rose, Rose Absolute, Jasmine, Black and red pepper, Coriander seed
Base note : Vetiver, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Amber, Musk
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Honeyed cinnamon ribbon candy.
THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE MAJALIS: deep, rich, honeyed
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT MAJALIS: Perfume Shrine
BOTTOM LINE: I really liked the gourmand honey opening, but never having been a big fan of cinnamon I can’t say that this is my favorite rose. However, if you do like cinnamon and nutmeg, I would recommend giving this a try. Actually, worn next to a fire with a hot cup of cocoa on a cold winter night might make for a very nice warm and fuzzy comfort moment.
- Bone Rating: 3 out of 5 possible bones
- Scent: Oriental Floral
- Classification: Leans feminine
- Expense: 125 Euros for 100ml EdP from the Les Parfums de Rosine website
Disclosure: Product for review provided courtesy of Les Parfums de Rosine.