A La Rose

Totally unimpressive. I tested it carefully in the shop and with the official sample for an entire week, falling in love with its beautiful scent so much that I finally purchased it at MFK shop. What a letdown. The scent is much lighter, it seems the core of the perfume has been altered, replacing the tender rose with the scent of geranium. Even my 12-year-old son can detect the differences. This is a blatant rip-off. Batch code is 21055A.

This perfume boasts a lovely, crisp quality, reminiscent of fresh greenery, with no hint of being overly feminine or old-fashioned. Its bold, pungent character can be attributed to the prominent bergamot and citrus notes, which impart a tangy, slightly sour sensation. While I appreciate its unique charm, I do wish there was a variation that incorporated peony as well. On balance, this is an excellent perfume; however, it may not be particularly innovative in terms of its composition, and the price feels somewhat steep. Moreover, during the drydown phase, the scent takes on a slightly soapy quality that's not entirely to my taste.

If nothing else, MFK's consistency stands out. Even with a soft, light fragrance like A La Rose, he achieves respectable projection and impressive longevity. This fragrance is truly beautiful, soft, and elegant. Its playful, fairy-like quality is undeniable in my opinion. On my skin, I detect a fresh, dewy pink rose with subtle green undertones. The scent resembles strolling through a garden after a rain shower. The citrus notes (predominantly orange) are discreet but add a touch of sweetness when applied to the skin. Interestingly, it wasn't until I wore it on my own skin that I fell in love with A La Rose. While I appreciated its charm on the blotter card, it's only on my skin that I truly loved it. The projection is quite impressive on me. It may not be as robust as BR540 or some of the ouds, but for a light floral, it's excellent. Even in hot, humid weather, I get around 8-10 hours of wear from this fragrance. In fact, I think warmer temperatures enhance A La Rose's character. To me, it's an elegant, refined, and high-quality version of the Marc Jacobs Daisy perfumes. It was worth every penny, and I'll repurchase when my supply runs out! It's surprising to me that more people don't discuss this fragrance.

I know I know, A La Rose from Maison Francis Kurkdjian is widely regarded as one of the most popular fragrances, but to me, it falls short. On my skin, it has a synthetic quality that reminds me of plastic. Although it's gentle, romantic, and soft, it doesn't evoke the scent of fresh roses for me.

The opening is truly captivating, offering a vibrant blend of freshness, cheerfulness, and rose that avoids overwhelming the senses. As the fragrance dries down, it transforms into a soft, powdery rose scent reminiscent of classic Turkish delight. Overall, this perfume exudes a calming aura, lacking the boldness to turn heads. While pleasant, it inadvertently evokes the image of an elderly scent, possibly due to its nostalgic connection to childhood memories of holiday gatherings and traditional Turkish delights served with tea or coffee. This fragrance would be more suited for the winter or fall seasons. I would advise against a blind buy, as individual preferences may vary.