FREDERIC MALLE Lipstick Rose Eau de Parfum

Looking at the notes, I should love this. I adore violets, iris, vanilla, and rose. The raspberries, musk, and amber all sound lovely with the composition and raspberries and violets always play together nicely. The note that I think clashes with the composition and gives it an orange juice and toothpaste experience for me is the grapefruit note. It doesn't belong here and for me, it really creates a strong disaster on my skin and makes this scent so unappealing to me. I actually had to wash it off because it was making me nauseated; hence the comparison to the dreaded OJ and toothpaste experience we all know and loathe. It made me really question whether or not I liked powdery makeup scents, but I know I do. I absolutely love my violet perfumes and Insolence is one of my top 5 perfumes. I really hate that in perfumery, when there's this absolutely beautiful perfume made almost to perfection and then they stick that one note in there the ruins the whole thing. Usually, it's in the base notes with something like tobacco or leather for me, but this time it was the citrus and he's here to ruin the party and make me go home sad and disappointed. Between that and the musk used here (reminiscent to that T. Terenzi musk) this scent is not for me. My search for my perfect violet fragrance continues.

Summery floral fragrance with nostalgia. Bubbly girl’s night out with dancing and giggling. Seductive in a girly way. Beautifully mixed fragrance, that gives high quality feeling. I might wear this for a night out or to a garden party in the summer. Not a big fan, but I can recognize the specialty.

This perfume evokes a vivid memory of an adolescent girl opening her grandmother's drawer; old lipsticks, bijoux and almost finished perfumes - a rather a cool lady back in her days. Mature elegance meets playfulness just like the young girl re-establishes her sensuality through a lived-in one. That makes me believe that it can be worn by all ages without it being polarising or controversial. Very chic and feminine but doesn't lack a soul.

Layered this with JHAG's Lipstick Fever and I feel like it really brought out the lovely rose... smells vintage yet elegant

I discovered Lipstick Rose while looking for a replacement for my beloved and sadly discontinued Bvlgari pour Femme. While certainly not a "dupe", Lipstick Rose has very similar notes and instantly became a favorite within my collection, helping to fill the void left by the loss of one of my long-time signature scents... yet with a glamorous twist. Lipstick Rose envelopes me with a beautiful and flirtatiously feminine bubble of violet/iris/rose and a confectionary touch of powder. There is nothing whatsoever "baby powder" or "baby wipe" about this fragrance to my nose. While Lipstick Rose and Bvlgari pour Femme could be sisters, they are not twins. Lipstick Rose is what I envision Marilyn Monroe should have worn in "Some Like it Hot" while cooing "I wanna be loved by you" in her barely-there sequined dress. Jane Mansfield would have reached for Lipstick Rose while coordinating outfits with her poodle in "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter." It's flirtatious, va-va-voom, the ultimate Old Hollywood Bombshell scent. On the other hand, Bvlgari pour Femme is a cool Hitchcock Blonde.

As much as I love Lipstick Rose, another scent I recently discovered and love equally is Perlerette by Volnay, which is a cooler, more refined "Hitchcock Blonde" violet/iris/rose. It too won my heart instantly and is currently tied with Lipstick Rose in my quest to replace Bvlgari pour Femme.

Another similar scent that is vying for my attention is Rose Chérie by Guerlain. It is very similar to Lipstick Rose, but it has a distinct cherry/almond note that is preventing me from loving it as much as Lipstick Rose. I received a generous sample of Rose Chérie along with my last Guerlain purchase (L'Instant Magic... now THAT is a baby powder scent!) For a week, I've been wearing LR on one wrist and RC on the other in order to compare them. LR is a bit "sharper", stronger, and it is definitely longer lasting. RC is sweet, lovely, and girlish... I rather wish the cherry/almond was not so strong. I haven't yet decided whether or not to purchase a full bottle of Rose Chérie because I find the two scents so similar (and expensive!), and I prefer Lipstick Rose.

In summary, Lipstick Rose is a masterpiece I am delighted to have as a favorite within my collection! It makes me feel oh so glamorous and feminine. It's long lasting and projects beautifully, enveloping me with an Old Hollywood Bombshell aura of bygone days.