Absolue Hell Of A Rose

I love this. Chanel Sycomore is one of my all time favorite fragrances and THIS is Sycomore with rose.

Think of Chanel Sycomore and Encre Noire as the backbone, then picture a natural rose absolute threaded through their smoky vetiver heart. The rose doesn’t sweeten the scent, it deepens it. It feels like walking through a burned garden where beauty has survived the fire. There is earth, ash, and quiet elegance in equal measure.

I don’t like the opening but the dry down is better you can definitely smell the Vetiver which I love

I’ve been going through the Lancôme rose sample set. I’ve tried six so far and Hell of a Rose is my least favorite of the 6. Favorites so far are 6am rose and 1001 Roses. But I also like Flaming rose and Storm and rose. When I’m all done I’m going to try and rank them.

Well, eventually it does get better, ...but it never gets that good. The opening is horrendous. The foulest mix of dirty leather, stale smoke, gasoline, and other auto fumes. Why would Lancome make a scent that smells like this? Is this meant to to appeal to the hopelessly hip (or gullibly trendy) segment of their market? Or maybe they are taking a page from the edgy niche playbook: "Bad smells generate attention". The name 'Hell Of A Rose' does strongly suggest this diabolical odor is intentional. Eventually the petrochmical-like fumes do burn off, but they leave a greasy taint... The heart notes of this fragrance are indeed rose and vetiver, and they aren't bad, if you like that combination. Personally i find the rose and the vetiver to be a little too combative with each other, ...but if one is seeking an earthy, green-woody, (but still a tad too pungent) rose this might be adequate.