Rose Oud

I love this fragrance, despite polarizing reviews - it is truly lovely, feminine and very well blended. Opens like a very creamy lush lily-of-the valley with soft rose petals, rather than rose itself on background. At first I didn't get oud or castoreum at all, enjoying this unusual blend of tender florals. I don't wear white florals normally, I love rose. Yet this fragrance smells like no other rosey one. It is velvety and sensual, yet fresh. It has really rich, melting on skin base, like a physical touch or like when you would dip your finger into wipped lily-of-the valley and rose souffle. Oud is late to the party here, it is tamed and thinned nicely. All the way fragrance remains silky-smooth, no edges, very liquor-like, suits to posh outfits for special events, I am really glad I went for this blind swap. I know it is not easy to give hints for ppl, whether to go or not go for it, especially when you can't compare it with anything on the market. I personally never came across anything similar at all and that is why I treasure my bottle.

Such an unusual and mysterious wonder, this lovely scent. At first it is bewildering because the rose is very pale and hidden, and the 'oud' almost seems non-existent. In its place there is a lovely and strange soapy note that has some wood and very, very indistinct flowers in it. Basically what you have here is pure abstract perfume making, in which the parts have created a greater whole that is more than the sum. It's alternately creamy, sharp, floral, soapy, jade-like, smooth, sultry. It is also a very intense scent (one that lasts all day - something which I admire about all the Illuminum scents is their incredible longevity). This is also a very modern creation, extremely wearable in any instance, unisex, cool and sleek and sophisticated. It really embodies a lot of qualities. If you're expecting a powerhouse type middle eastern rose-oud combo, this would not be it. Illuminum's Rose Oud is a much subtler creation, nuanced with many elements. Worth a try for anyone interested in sublime floral unisex scents.

This fragrance is my 2nd in the line (White gardenia petals being the first)and upon first sniff my memory was immediatelty transported back to 1992, a period when i wore Dolce and Gabanna for women, of which i used to love although nowadays find it rather harsh hence suspicions of a reformulation perhaps? Comparatively, Rose Oud is a more stripped down, pure, soft and timeless rendition...innocently leaving spaces between its notes, evoking perceptions such as; 'I am a Rose, a creation of delicate beauty - Please feel free to admire, smell, and even touch me albeit gently. Therefore, given my armour of defence, you may experience pain should you ever attempt to harm me. Bearing in mind these sharp thorns surrounding the stem beneath me are indeed part of who i am. After all, i love life too.' ;o). All-in-all smelling is believing with this heavenly scent. Kudos to Michael Boadi. x

I think this fragrance is one of the most interesting in this line. The fragrance is very clean and soapy due to the lily-of-the-valley note.

Aldehydic but somewhat warm, animalic, soapy to me. My bedtime perfume... it stays all day long, my best illuminum perfume.

I'm giving Illuminum Rose Oud another wearing today. It smells fantastic. Just goes to show, our evaluation of perfumes has more to do with us than with them! I also noticed that the picture at Fragrantica is of a clear liquid, which does match the liquid in my vial, while the picture at another place is a dark gold color. Who is right? Does it matter? This smells good. As I am not an oudy, you won't find me complaining about the lack of true oud in this beautiful oriental floral composition. I still find that it smells more like marigold (tagetes) than rose, and more like suede than oud, but today I'm finding the composition so enticing that I've added it to my wish list. Maybe my perception is partially temperature dependent? This is definitely appropriate for frosty winter weather! Having sniffed my way through quite a few of the Illuminum perfumes, I now agree with jeca: this is definitely one of the best of the line.

This is the first of Michael Boadi fragrances that I have tried and I am in love. I like very simple clean fragrances during the day and this hits the mark. It's clean, soft, and alluring. Definitely on my wish list for 2012! Plus every time I wear it I always get compliments from guys..try it Edit: Just bought it off luckyscent and I can't wait to get it!! :) Update: I gave it to my mom - after smelling proper middle eastern ouds I could barely stand it. In love with Homage from Amouage

Suspiciously, my carded sample of Illuminum Rose Oud really does not smell like either rose or oud. Mistakes were made???? Surprisingly, I like whatever this is, but what is it????? I'd have guessed marigold and suede...

Update: Tired of it and it's lacking a lot of character and development that I am now looking for. Although decently long lasting this is not my signature fragrance.

The first four hours smelt very aldehydic like a cleaner version of Chanel 5 (not my type of fragrance at all): very soapy very clean very powdery and nothing special. After this phase goes away, you can start to smell a beautiful rose-iris mix that is utterly feminine and very classy. It still smells very clean but in a more Timelessly beautiful and classy fashion compared to what it used to be. This lasts for ages and is slightly similar to the Narciso Rouge to my nose. The projection is very good as well. The biggest shock was that is called Rose Oud!?!?! Where in the world did they see this name fitting this smell. It smells so much more French/European/Western than Middle Eastern (oud). The name and the scent are polar opposites.

How odd... this smells nothing like the sample I once smelled. Like everyone says, feels like the wrong thing was put in this bottle. The colour is yellow and I don't remember the juice in the sample being that colour either. First impression: not my kind of thing. Cloyingly feminine and I'm not used to that from this brand. Smells like a sort of laundry softener, I truly hope this gets better. I'm more into the unisex things and the brand has truly good perfumes.

The best fragrance I've tried from this house. Great scent, no doubt. One problem though: This fragrance should be named Lily Oud. Tons of green, minimal woods, and a moderate amount of white florals. Just a hint of rose to enhance the clean nuances.

I agree with Bacall that this fragrance reminds a lot of D&G. I got a 50ml bottle today and I've been thinking all day what fragrance it reminded me of. The rose is very subtle, confused in the oud and the stronger lily of the valley.

I agree with Bacall that this fragrance reminds a lot of D&G. I got a 50ml bottle today and I've been thinking all day what fragrance it reminded me of. The rose is very subtle, confused in the oud and the stronger lily of the valley.

Definitely a lot of lily in here, a hint of rose, overall a powdery white floral to me. With a hint of bugspray to be honest. Not a like for me. Smells cheap. Scrub.

accutally I wanted to review Taif Rose and Black Rose. Can you add the rest of the line from this fragrance house, cause half is missing....

Review for indian oud perfume, which was not in the list. Soft, with some sweet touch,light, ok.

Its a divine smell but doesn't this remind you of nina ricci le air de temp ?