Istanbul Rose

It's been a while since I've felt inspired to do a review, but as I'm wearing this scent, I think it would be good. First of all, I am not a huge fan of pure rose scents. I like some powder, some oud, some leather, some SOMETHING. Anything really, to cut out the sharpness that is rose. Sometimes I feel that rose and vanilla are the most synthetic notes flooding the perfume industry. I tried PW's Tea Rose, and could not handle the sharp, overbearing yech that I got. Sure, it smelled like roses, but sort of like those velvet roses you can buy at questionable convenience stores that are dusty and smell WAY too much like rose perfume was sprayed on them and left to "simmer." Istanbul Rose is not that. It is sharp, and it is "pure" rose, but there's something else here. There's depth. Yes, it's probably synthetic, but I don't get the burned plastic note in other rose scents. I can actually stand this. It's not something I'd chose to wear every day, but it is lovely. I think that the strength of this scent is in layering. I feel that it is brilliant layered with powdery, leathery, gourmand scents, or really with any scent that is too "nice" and needs a bit of a kick. I find that most of the Al-Rehab scents are much better layered than worn alone. For me, this is a winner, and the one of this genre I'm likely to ever own.

I have the Perfumer's Workshop 'Tea Rose' parfum (and Jo Malone's 'Red Roses') but in comparison, Rasasi's 'Istanbul Rose' is very synthetic. It's not a true rose like PW's 'Tea Rose' as this is so citronella smelling that it's certainly not rose absolute nor rose that they have used to create this budget fragrance but geraniol (not to be confused with geranium). Gereniol is the primary part of rose oil, palmarosa oil and citronella oil. It also occurs in small quantities in geranium, lemon, and many other essential oils and as a result, smells too citrusy and sour. Although this is a cheap fragrance, I was hoping for a realistic soliflor as Rasasi's 'Full' is a stunningly realistic and impressive rendition of jasmine. Sadly, 'Istanbul Rose' is not in the same league to impress me with it's synthetic attempt at a Turkish rose.

I bought this because it was cheap and I was after something that smelled like Turkish Delight sweets. Not the commercial chocolate covered bars by ‘Fry’s’, but the rose and lemon cubes, covered in a fine icing sugar powder that come in boxes. First whiff, I do think it smells like that. The combination of citrus and rose, the rose in Turkish delight is a bit ‘synthetic’ anyway, because they are rose flavoured sweets, not actual roses. I thought the silage wasn’t that great but maybe I need to be careful and I just can’t smell it anymore. I do have the spray and not the oil though. It is a bit basic, like a product my gran would use (not saying that is bad btw, I love ‘old fragrances). I topped up with a bit of Mon Guerlain Intense to give it a bit more depth. Ok for the money.

I've tried this on and off and today I gave it another go. If you want rose with a citronella touch, I think you'd like this. I cannot stand wearing it on my skin. It is too reminiscent of old ladies doused in some cheap rose scent. However, I sprayed the bed linen and clothes in drawers and everywhere except myself. A lovely bedroom freshener but nothing more for me.

Well, my husband would tend to agree with ChaiLatte2009! The reaction was priceless. I put it on sat down beside him and within seconds he said, "what the h--- did you put on", LOL. He said it smelled like bug spray to be specific "Cutter Deep Woods Off". I like it ok it is very strong so go easy if you happen to get a bottle. I bought the oil.

I bought this with the purpose of layering the oil with some of my spicier orientals. Perfect for that purpose.

A fresh, watery, quite realistic rose. I don't get any citrus, just the rose. Good sillage, so use in moderation. Reminds me of Lush Rose Jam. Update. I have worn it a few times, and I also got two rose oils by Abdul Karim Al Faransi (Sundus and Kayseri), and now I am much less fond of Al Rehab. In comparison, Istanbul Rose is too harsch and chemical. Now I cannot wear it close to my face or on my wrists. When it's further away, the whafts I get are nice, but not special. Update-2. I finally smelled the citrus! I started using this oil as a room perfume (I put a bit on a napkin and place it on the heater). When heated up, the citrus became very noticeable. I think I will continue using it this way, I don't like it on myself.

It's not rose whatsoever. It's not Istanbul either. It's just pure, citrusy overbearing, syntethic even smell of geranium. I would not recommend it to enyone. It's cheaper to just get natural geranium essential oil. If you are looking for something that smells like rose- look somewhere else.

Edited/Updated to reflect my current observations. :) To help with comparisons of Al Rehab rose scents: Taif Rose is tangy, (read - zippy!) and Sharp citrus/sour lemon rose. Bulgarian Rose is an almost bitter rose with a bit of wood. Clearly related to Istanbul Rose, but somehow less approachable. Roses is a traditional Tea Rose, similar to Perfumer's Workshop Tea Rose (which I now adore!) but less refined and gorgeous. Pungent at first application, becoming rapidly softer. Moroccan Rose is a floral shampoo kind of rose, smelling more of peony than rose. Softer than those above. Red Rose is a dupe of Kenzo Flower, a Violet-Powder-Rose blend that smells like a clean powder puff. Also soft(er) and easy going. ISTANBUL ROSE is a rosy soliflore, without tea or powder. Geraniol and Citronellol are here in abundance. Good sillage, if fleeting cologne longevity. The oily/green/bitter aspect of tea rose is not present. Instead we have a sour lemon opening that quickly subsides to simple rose geranium. In agreement with a previous reviewer, it would have been wonderful had they included cloves (eugenol) in Istanbul to enhance the spicy side of rose. That is my sole and only criticism. It's hard for me to find roses that meet all my criteria. No matter what the price tag, I have not as yet found the Perfect Rose. I might add that this review is for the spray version of Istanbul, which I went through at a terrific pace one long and endless winter! Note - In agreement with Ptilda, please Do have fun layering your Arabian rose scents. They were meant to layer and create fabulous aromas in combination with musk, sandalwood, powder, amber, vanilla, etc. The sky is literally the limit. If you can dream it, you CAN Layer it.

A very realistic rose. I first became acquainted with the original scent as a child roaming through my maternal grandmothers personal garden full of all sorts of rosy blooms. What always attracted my attention was her deep,dark red velvety rose blooms,almost enigmatic, aromatic and precious. And this scent is as close as I can remember. Ignore the initial bug spray impression, it will go. It reminds me for some reason of the green flies on those roses! Within 15 minutes the scent shows its strength. A more sweet, Turkish delight kind emerges which goes alongside the greener side but totally delicious and mesmerizing. Overtime the most seductive realistic rose appears, like a wonderful bud on a Spring day, full of energetic vibe and aroma. The greeness subsides and in it's place you have the most delicious juicy rose ever! Pure bliss for rose lovers! You can wear this gem on its own or layer it over Red Rose, or any other perfume/ oil you see fit. This IS gorgeous! Not to be missed!!

If Yankee Candles decided to market a citronella candle, it would smell like this. I have to concur with reviewers below and say this smells more like citronella or geraniol essential oil than it does rose. More like a chemical extraction of rose than a rose perfume. However, I have not tried layering this. Layering can work miracles. Yes and no to this one. No as far as being a wearable fragrance on its own; yes as far as making a decent mosquito repellent for skin. Deet makes my skin red, but I can use Istanbul Rose on my skin and deet on my clothes to keep away mosquitoes. That's not a bad thing.

Opens with a burst of litchi, then settles to a modestly soapy rose petal with a hint of green freshness. Good longevity of 3-4 hours. Not overly sweet. Not as soapy as Roses, not as realistic as Moroccan Rose, or the redder and spicier Red Rose. Not my favorite of the Al Rehab roses, but good for layering. Red Rose and Moroccan Rose are better standalone scents by Al Rehab.

There's a zing of citrus as it goes on, but after that on me it's pure rose, and a very specific rose at that, like a vase of full blown old fashioned roses. It veers towards potpourri but it's not over powering. It reminds me of a rose scent that Boots sold many years ago which seemed to me to be the quintessence of perfume at that time.

I like this a lot and for the price it’s very good. I have a vial of pure Bulgarian rose oil and can confirm this really does smell like pure Damascus roses. If you like that strong fresh geraniol rose jam by lush Turkish delight type rose this is a great perfume to build a layer with.

I have been trying to find a perfume that smells like Pond's Cold cream. I have looked and looked. Oddly enough, I found a perfect match in this forgotten little bottle of Istanbul Rose. It isn't complex or challenging. It smells exactly like cold cream and nothing else. It's perfect.

ROSE! loud overpowering rose, awful scent. i like rose scents but this is terrible. for the price i don't mind throwing it away

fresh sharp ginger minty lemony roses