Rose Alba by Alexandre.J

The only thing that saved it for me was the longevity. On my skin, the woody notes don’t work; the rose smells dusty and vintage, and there’s a smoky or coffee-bean touch that just doesn’t sit right. I couldn’t bear it. The presentation is beautiful, though, and the longevity is a solid 10/10.

Finally, I have it! I love it. It feels soft, and I don’t detect the roses, just a makeup-like scent at first. The dry-down is the best part. I don’t think it has much sillage; I’ll test it on a cooler day. It’s brilliant for daytime and work, and it doesn’t bother anyone.

I’ll start at the end, because sometimes we don’t have time to read long texts. Rose Alba has brutal performance: on my skin it lasts forever, it doesn’t come off clothes even with hot water, and its trail is noticeable. Considering it’s a niche perfume, the price is reasonable; it seems like a definite buy. What does it smell like? Sandalwood and a fruity, vanilla-infused rose. Unlike the previous review, there’s nothing smoky here; it’s not smoke, it’s wood! With a slightly spicy opening, it quickly turns creamy and velvety thanks to the sandalwood, which I adore and is very prominent, along with the fruits that give it a velvety texture. I know many women fear the dominance of woods for fear of it being too ‘masculine’, but that’s not the case here; it’s feminine from start to finish. The rose isn’t natural or fresh like one in a vase; it’s slightly powdery but surprisingly youthful. The vanilla is noticeable, but not gourmand; it has spicy facets. I feel its bottle should be nude pink to hint at what’s inside; I detect touches of makeup and ‘cuteness’. I think anyone who likes Delina Exclusif will enjoy this; they are distant relatives, although Rose Alba seems more wintry and lacks the luminosity of Delina. It’s supposedly inspired by the romance of Cleopatra and Mark Antony, but I can’t find Cleopatra here, neither romantic nor tender; I imagine a Charlotte Casiraghi instead. She asks to be dressed up (no stiletto heels or sequins). In short, it’s a gem that I wouldn’t recommend because I’d want it only for myself. @malasnotas on Instagram.

A delicious, sweet and woody rose with an almost smoky touch that adds warmth and depth. Ideal for autumn and winter, day or night, it feels elegant and sensual. Its trail is not intrusive; it’s present at a close distance, perfect for intimacy. It could be unisex, but it leans more feminine to me. I love it! I tested it skin-to-skin against L’Extase Rose Absolue by Nina Ricci and they are very similar in scent and performance; the latter is slightly more affordable. A great alternative.