Killer Rose

For me, the most prominent of the top notes is violet and, as Land Shark 321 says, the violet lingers in the mix as Killer Rose moves more into the heart notes. It isn't as strong as the initial blast of Parma violets in Guerlain's Insolence but is more prominent than the other top notes. I have to inhale really deeply with my nose up against my wrist to get the peach and I don't get the yuzu at all. The geranium is fairly prominent in the floral heart. For me, this doesn't evoke a rose growing in a garden but a rose-scented cosmetic such as an expensive lipstick. I don't own Frederic Malle's Lipstick Rose so I can't do a comparison test, but it certainly comes to mind when I smell Killer Rose. On the 4160 Tuesday's site they reference Estee Lauder's Knowing, which I do own. While both sit on the floral chypre spectrum, I'd say Killer Rose is somewhat closer to the floral end and Knowing closer to the chypre end, with its prominent mossy note. Overall, this perfume manages to update a classic and make it contemporary. It stands out from the tidal wave of sweet, fruity, gourmand perfumes everyone seems to be pushing out at the moment. It's a bit different and a bit quirky. On me the sillage is quite moderate and I would have no qualms about wearing it to the office. This is not a modest and retiring floral perfume. In fact, this would work very well in a boardroom as a counterpoint to a sharp suit and killer heels. Finally: great name! But 4160 Tuesdays's perfumes often do have great names.

I love this one, but it's not for every day. I have to be in an opulent, luxurious mood for it to feel right. It's 'big' and challenging, though not shouty or aggressive, and there's a softness that smooths it out eventually in the dry down to something more friendly and comfortable.

Not a fan, and I say that as a rose and violet and iris devotee. On me it's all bitter, amber resins and vanilla-esque sweetness, with just a smidge of rose. I haven't had much luck so far with 4160 Tuesdays so take the above with a grain of salt!

Sampling 4160 Tuesdays Killer Rose, an appropriately-named sharp, intense floral experience centered around rose, but with a strong bit of violet that’s emphasized at the onset especially but does last into the dry down a bit. Labdanum and musk mainly mix in to give a creamy, slightly sweet, smooth finish to an otherwise fairly powdery floral opening. Definitely an interesting mix, more stereotypically feminine but certainly one that anyone who likes florals can appreciate. Particularly after the opening, I find it rather accessible and balanced, and very high-performing! I do feel like it might be missing something that would make it more workable for me, personally, like a gourmand touch of booze or fruit or chocolate but in its actual incarnation it’s more of a versatile floral offering for non-gourmand fans, one that I suspect works reasonably well for most women and some men. It performs quite well and feels a bit more like a cold weather scent given its density, its power, but I’m open to the idea that lots of scents can be pulled off on summer nights even if they feel like winter scents. Killer Rose is sold at boutiques like Krystal Fragrance and Perfumology and is one of the more modestly-priced offerings from the line, at $90 for 50ml and an outstanding $130 for 100ml. 6 out of 10

I will always have a bottle of this. It was a kind of riff on Raw Silk and Red Roses which was love at first sniff for me, but Killer Rose is more daring and packs a punch, or more like a slap (think Alexis Carrington in Dynasty). It's big roses and violets and a big dab of patchouli and has great lasting power all night and on your pillow the next day. Portrait of A Who?