Voleur de Roses

My perplexity: ravishing yet fleeting when applied sparingly, only to lose its allure when overindulged. A light spritz yields a saccharine rose infused with the damp, earthy undertones of patchouli. However, excessive application brings out the boozy or doughy note that I perceive as yeasty. The sweetness in the background creates an illusion akin to a spoonful of sugar, masking the medicinal quality of the camphorous and boozy notes. It's infuriatingly close to perfection.

This perfume whispers the mystique of an enchanting rose, transporting me to a whimsical world where the Queen's decree is paramount. The scent exudes the essence of a real rose bush, with notes of dewy freshness, earthiness, and bold, blood-red petals. It's a dark, alluring fatale that beckons me to indulge in its forbidden allure, evoking memories of secret rose thievery in childhood. However, an unexpected, wine-like undertone occasionally emerges, disrupting the spell and leaving me wavering on whether to commit to this mysterious fragrance.

I took a chance on this perfume as a blind buy, despite reading concerns about longevity and sillage. Thankfully, I don't regret my purchase! While it may not be overpowering, it lasts around 4-7 hours on my skin, sometimes longer if I'm still. The older formulation with the red label is what I have, not the newer one pictured. The opening is dominated by a bold patchouli and sweet rose, accompanied by a cool plum note. The scent remains linear, balancing the patchouli and rose nicely. While the patchouli can become slightly earthy, that's what I appreciate about it – it doesn't have the typical bright or feminine rose quality, nor is it as dark as oud. Someone likened this to roses after a rain shower; I agree, but with the added twist of these roses having sat on a forest floor for a few hours. This fragrance is undoubtedly unisex. While it leans towards being more masculine than other rose perfumes, it's perfectly suited for both men and women.

I purchased a sample of this perfume a year ago and was immediately captivated by its somber, introspective charm. I would often forget I had applied it only to discover its subtle presence hours later. The sample was quickly exhausted. Fast forward six months and I acquired a full bottle at a great discount, but after just a few wearings decided to part with it as the scent is too elusive for my taste. It's possible that I'm misremembering, or perhaps I've simply grown less tolerant of understated fragrances lately. Nevertheless, those seeking a quiet perfume with an abundance of atmospheric depth will likely adore this. As others have noted, VdR seems to focus primarily on patchouli rather than rose or plum, and it has a very unisex quality that makes it suitable for most weather conditions, particularly dark and stormy nights.

I'm drawn to its allure - a rich, inky darkness that exudes a sense of mystery and seduction. The scent is intensely alluring, with a sultry, sensual quality that's both captivating and provocative. While reminiscent of Lady Danger and Fille de Berlin, this perfume takes on a distinctly unique character with its prominent patchouli notes.