A Manlier Rose — the New Gender Neutrality Of a Feminine Fragrance Note - Men's Folio
Grooming, Fragrance

A Manlier Rose — the New Gender Neutrality Of a Feminine Fragrance Note

  • By Bryan Goh


The classic rose scent – quiet confidence, layered complexity, and pleasing greenness – is the new gender-neutral of olfactory pleasures.


From top clockwise:
Goutal Paris Rose Splendide: This fresh bed of roses keeps the subtle muskiness of rose while green- smelling pear and rainforest-floor musc gives it a heavier olfactory weight.

Chopard Rose Seljuke: Reminiscent of the luxuriant garden of the royal palace of Babylon, the scent is powdery Damascena rose wrapped in a blend of oriental woods, dark tonka bean and warm Peru balm.

HERMETICA Patchoulight: Lemon rose molecule – a combination of zesty lemon and rose blooms alongside earthy violet absolute and earthy-musky patchouli essence.

Christian Dior Oud Ispahan: Creamy rose, leathery labdanum, and musky patchouli peek through smooth sandalwood and the incense whiff of cedar at its base.

Acqua di Parma Essenza: The soft scent of rose lies in the middle of this fragrance with zesty Italian citruses on the top and a vibrant woody base of patchouli and amber.

Photography Jeff Chang.
Styling Bryan Goh.

This story first appeared in the February ’20 Issue of Men’s Folio Singapore.