Absolue Rose Or Die

Oh my goodness, I am instantly in love with this one. An authentic tea note that can be traced from the start, and it pairs beautifully with the rose. I was honestly expecting this one to have a darker profile, as Lancôme’s own description implies a bit of smoke. Instead, Rose Or Die succeeds in retaining a melancholic touch without sacrificing its airy quality. I am utterly delighted, overall. Soft, fresh, light, cool— a touch damp. Evocative of having an evening tea next to a lily pond in a rose garden. Quiet, save the croaking of the frogs and the sound of wind on the misty water, the air fragrant with plants. Dark Academia’s spring dream. There’s a park I used to visit often for reminiscing, and it reminds me of that waterside, a line of florals creeping along, and the way the lights from houses and stars would reflect in the distance. The air was always cool and clean, and memories were made vivid. I liked to visit only when it was dark enough to barely see, creating a soft focus on everything immediately before me. Smelling this one captured one of my favorite places in such a lovely way. As I continue obsessing, the dry down reminds me of Poesie’s Soft— which has a warm and clean rice profile I can never get enough of when applied. This has me torn, as I can buy several bottles of Soft at Poesie’s price point. But the opening and journey in Rose or Die is why I’m here. If you’re a fan of rose scents, this one will not disappoint. Diptyque’s Eau Rose comes close, but that one is a true, realistic, nose-in-the-bouquet profile, whereas Rose or Die encapsulates a world in which the rose takes part. How saddening at the lack of a travel size and hair mist. I would gladly touch up on its soft sillage if these were available. I hope to find a similar profile where I can layer without straying too far from this one’s beauty, as I’d hate to go through it quickly. Gorgeous, yet costly. Worth it? I’d say so. I’m completely smitten.

I... Love... this.. perfume. The tea and rose. Oh gosh. I alson sensed some cardamom.What that scent is coming from (maybe from the Guaiac wood) i don't know, but I really love it. Anyway this perfume is on a price point i can't afford. But i have a simple cheep rose perfume from Aura me and Valentino BIR green stravaganza and together it got me a similar scent profile/vibe good enough for me 🤩

One of my top 4 favorite of this line. I love the black tea and rose

Beautiful dark tea smell. One of the most intriguing scents I own

Overall I was unimpressed with the Absolue line, but this one is an exception. Beautiful black tea and rose. There is definitely bergamot in there too. It's quite simple and linear but very well done. Very fresh, with a bit of depth from the lingering cedarwood. Overpriced for sure, but I ended up going for it anyway, taking advantage of a discount at a retailer. I have to add that the name is terrible. The whole line's names are just awful. I'll never understand why Lancome thought these off-putting names were a good idea.