Rose de Siwa

This reminds me VERY much of Le Labo's Rose 31 when it finally settles on the skin. I get the same magenta rose dipped in chrystalized cinnamon candy. There is no mention of spice above, maybe that is an error? This is very spicy when first applied to my skin. Peppery at first, and then becomes more like the cinnamon candy I mentioned. As the perfume dries down, I smell the occasional whiff of woody cedar, anchored by an earthiness that seems indicative of vetyver. All in all, this is a GORGEOUS rose perfume. It smells much more complex than I expected of it. There is a layered effect to the scent, where I perceive individual notes in short bursts at different times, yet that lovely pink-magenta rose is alway prominent. Sillage is comfortable, not a skin scent, but still very appropriate in the office. A hard-to-resist-rose! Edit 10/26/14: Today I was walking in the park, and my boyfriend stopped me because he knows I love to smell roses. He led me over to a small bush with several small, magenta roses. When I sniffed, I was amazed, as they smelled IDENTICAL to this perfume--even the spice of the perfume, which I had never noticed in a real rose before.

I think the name of this perfume belies its true notes. I get much more peony and violet from this fragrance than rose. The rose becomes much more of a background note, and I think the words fresh, delicate, clean are the best descriptors of Rose de Siwa. This is a good everyday scent for daytime use. Good for office wear. I can't imagine anyone not liking its sweet, light odor. The cedar becomes much more apparent after wearing it for awhile, and it also becomes just the slightest bit soapy. I don't get anything animalic or dirty or bitter from this! The sweetness of cedar is the most nonfloral note that emerges. This is so light, in fact, you will definitely have to touch up during the day. Very low sillage. So if you're looking for a strong, earthy rose, this is the antithesis! I do love it, though, and did make a purchase. Just don't go off of the name for an idea of what it's like.

Rose de Siwa somewhat flies under the radar amongst the other MDCI fragrances, as do many of their feminine releases. I think it’s lovely though, I’m not usually the biggest fan of most rose-centric perfumes, but this one is lovely. I think because the rose never becomes to dense or jammy. The rose here is very light and airy, almost like smelling a rose flower in the air, with just a touch of sweet rose-water. Fantasy notes of pink peony and juicy-sweet litchi perpetuate this light airiness whilst also adding a delicate fruity aspect, with just a touch of powdery violet in the background. I think this is lovely, undeniably chic and feminine without doing too much all at once. Everything balances each other perfectly, which results in an incredibly refined scent. I’m tempted to get a bottle of this, we shall see.

Between this, chloe and indult, this is the clear winner. I got a VERY large sample pack from this line, and I kept this one in a spray decant. It is very potent and sweet (much more than the others with similar notes), smelling like a beautiful perfume based off of guerlain body products. The litchi and rose- with a hint of violet is gorgeous with great projection. It is very long lasting and likable, albeit expensive. I dont think it will be a FB for me, but I still have a large, full sample. If the price is too high, I would suggest a sample of Chloe EDP, which also has the lichi/rose. This is my favorite rose by a long shot, next being lady v- which is completely different. I dont love this combination of notes enough to own all 3, and the large sample will last me forever. I find it sweet and wearable.

Roses are not necessary my thing unless they are in combination with Oud. I have tried gazillions of rose fragrances and never found one that I loved, until now. Rose de Siwa surprises with its freshness and woodiness, slightly green and also powdery. The rose sparks with youthful sweetness, only to dry down to a more sensual scent where the violet and cedar become more prominent. There is some soapiness after all the juicy nuances are gone, but that always happens to me when musk is present. I like that this creation is more unisex, possibly with the help of vetiver, because it never becomes that classic rose scent that I get from most of the ones I tested before.