07/09/2023
PetitePinup
26 Reviews
PetitePinup
3
Sexy, smoky rosebush for the confident (wo)man
Way back most Lattafa Perfumes used to come in a nicely designed carton box with plastic seal, as we're used to from the average designer perfume and other Middle Eastern juices. But ever since the Arabian perfume house hit popular status it is obvious they have some tricks up their sleeve. Showing designers and niche alike how it is done.
Velvet Rose got this special box treatment too with a packaging that truly honours the fragrance name. The bottle itself reminds me of a mini crystal decanter for whisky and that decanter comes in a wide cylinder made out of a dusky rose velvet material. The name of the fragrance is set in an even darker dusky pink faux leather label. The perfume bottle fits exactly in the small leather bottom “cap” and then a cylindrical cap in velvet closes the box.
It's JPG but prettier and more elegant - and it raises expectations.
When it comes to the actual fragrance the name is chosen well. Velvet Rose is an obvious rose perfume. It's a relatively straightforward fragrance in both scent and scent pyramid. The latter being built in such a way that there won't be too many surprises along the way. The rose is supposed to shine and not be put aside by other flowers or notes. I think Lattafa wanted heart and base to support this luscious flower & strengthen the overall perfume with a warm, sexy bed where the rose itself could eventually soften as part of the background.
I surmise this based on the fact even the 2nd of two topnotes is one that's more often than not a base note. The rest of the pyramid is base note territory as well. Since they're missing in the Parfumo description I'll give you what the Middle Eastern seller gave me:
T: Rose, Patchouli
H: Muskus, Labdanum
B: Amber, Musk
The end result is a powerful perfume that's suitable to a wearer who knows who she (or he. It is sold as unisex, , though slightly femme leaning *on my skin*. Anyway, I will talk "she" from here on out as that's easier). She doesn't give a damn that rose is considered an “old lady" perfume choice - I detest those labels btw - because she's secure in her own skin and doesn't believe in boxes. Besides... she's hot, and Velvet Rose confirms it.
Let me take you on a scent journey. First we have the opening. Despite the very nice price tag there is little to no alcohol woosh attacking your nostrils. After a few sprays, and an even amount of seconds, you'll immediately get the dried down perfume itself.
Top: The opening smells like being in front of a gloriously blooming red rose bush. Imagine yourself, having done a bout of gardening. You've been on your knees on the ground, the sun warming your face. Taking care of the flowers, cutting, weeding... with the idea to have a nice vase of roses on the table for when company arrives. That scent of a deep, red rose under the sun is already firmly in your nose.
You stand up with a freshly cut bouquet in your hands, and dust off any dirt before going inside.
Heart: You take off your gardening gloves and while you organise the luscious and soft petalled roses into the vase, crystal sparkling in the daylight, you still smell a bit of damp earth coming from the gloves on your kitchen counter. You clean kitchen and yourself up and take the vase of roses to your living room.
Base/Dry Down: The earthy scent slowly dissappears, creating space for those roses to give your room an intoxicating, slightly smoky flower scent. While you hang on the couch in front of your fireplace you constantly get a whiff of rose that sweetens with every scent cloud, and has gotten some extra definition you can't fully pin down. But that your house now smells delicious and ready for your date at home is a sure given!
Velvet Rose is, as said earlier, an obvious rose perfume. But if I'd call her 'typical'...? Maybe not. While quite linear there is some evolution, growing from an earthy heavy, almost spicy rose to a smoky rose phase, and then eventually into a delightfully sweet flowery musky amber. Both musk and labdanum show themselves in the heart, but it's probably the musk combined with the amber that creates the interestingly sweet dry down I ended up with on my skin.
On 1st spray Velvet Rose made me think of Chopard's Love, a rose perfume if there ever was one. But Love is much spicier, sweeter, woodier and more layered – with different Rose types that all show themselves step by step. And where Chopard eventually let's Jasmine and gourmand notes have a noticeable role, for the Lattafa the rose remains central. They both add to a collection.
On my inner elbow & cleavage sweetness comes through most. Almost as if vanilla was a note – probably the amber doing its job? On my wrist and rest of skin the perfume remains more earthy, slightly woody, with a hint of spice and smoke. Both are nice, but usually my elbow gives the real deal - and in this case I thus assume Lattafa's goal (and my fave).
Velvet Rose is a perfect addition to my Fall & Winter collection - I can already see myself wearing an elegant 50s inspired burgundy swing dress with a high heel, curls in my hair, while having spritzed this perfume on my lingerie clad body. It'll suit everyone's version of sophisticated and will do well on a date, and maybe during business hours depending on sector. Whether you're 20yo or nearing "elderly youngster" stage. Velvet Rose speaks a very clear language: I'm sexy, but don't f with me. Did I say she was straightforward? Yeah, I did, didn't I? ;).
Into rose perfumes and don't need a gourmand sweetness? Then you'll most likely appreciate this Lattafa creation. Velvet Rose is an elegant creation that'll suit a more self-assured mature (wo)man who can carry something with earthy –spicy- smoky accents on top of a heavy and/or sweet musky monochrome bouquet.
If you consider its price point and the added bonus of getting a quality box Velvet Rose is truly a major steal. Because her Sillage, Longevity and all that? Good! Lattafa's Queen of the Flower-concoction has an intermediate-plus sillage and projection on my skin when I've properly moisturised. Beyond a stretched arm. It truly depends on how much you spray, but just a spritz on wrist, inner elbow and shoulder made me sit in a constant cloud for about 3 hours before I needed to get my nose closer (I've no idea if that actually meant others couldn't smell me anymore) and as a skin scent it stayed for the same amount. Because my skin is one perfume eating bsuch a scent cloud & longevity means good things for other people. But of course climate & chemistry might alter your experience.
Even though VR isn't a beastmode perfume, the first hour it can come across as slightly heavy; overspraying almost guarantees you'll have all your colleagues/ fellow travellers/students in a chokehold of sorts. Want a repeat of the first few stronger hours, simply RE-spray in the bathroom when no-one is there.
I can't wait to wear this perfume out and about, because I have an inkling that it might well be a compliment getter. And if not: *I* feel sexy in it, regardless.
Velvet Rose got this special box treatment too with a packaging that truly honours the fragrance name. The bottle itself reminds me of a mini crystal decanter for whisky and that decanter comes in a wide cylinder made out of a dusky rose velvet material. The name of the fragrance is set in an even darker dusky pink faux leather label. The perfume bottle fits exactly in the small leather bottom “cap” and then a cylindrical cap in velvet closes the box.
It's JPG but prettier and more elegant - and it raises expectations.
When it comes to the actual fragrance the name is chosen well. Velvet Rose is an obvious rose perfume. It's a relatively straightforward fragrance in both scent and scent pyramid. The latter being built in such a way that there won't be too many surprises along the way. The rose is supposed to shine and not be put aside by other flowers or notes. I think Lattafa wanted heart and base to support this luscious flower & strengthen the overall perfume with a warm, sexy bed where the rose itself could eventually soften as part of the background.
I surmise this based on the fact even the 2nd of two topnotes is one that's more often than not a base note. The rest of the pyramid is base note territory as well. Since they're missing in the Parfumo description I'll give you what the Middle Eastern seller gave me:
T: Rose, Patchouli
H: Muskus, Labdanum
B: Amber, Musk
The end result is a powerful perfume that's suitable to a wearer who knows who she (or he. It is sold as unisex, , though slightly femme leaning *on my skin*. Anyway, I will talk "she" from here on out as that's easier). She doesn't give a damn that rose is considered an “old lady" perfume choice - I detest those labels btw - because she's secure in her own skin and doesn't believe in boxes. Besides... she's hot, and Velvet Rose confirms it.
Let me take you on a scent journey. First we have the opening. Despite the very nice price tag there is little to no alcohol woosh attacking your nostrils. After a few sprays, and an even amount of seconds, you'll immediately get the dried down perfume itself.
Top: The opening smells like being in front of a gloriously blooming red rose bush. Imagine yourself, having done a bout of gardening. You've been on your knees on the ground, the sun warming your face. Taking care of the flowers, cutting, weeding... with the idea to have a nice vase of roses on the table for when company arrives. That scent of a deep, red rose under the sun is already firmly in your nose.
You stand up with a freshly cut bouquet in your hands, and dust off any dirt before going inside.
Heart: You take off your gardening gloves and while you organise the luscious and soft petalled roses into the vase, crystal sparkling in the daylight, you still smell a bit of damp earth coming from the gloves on your kitchen counter. You clean kitchen and yourself up and take the vase of roses to your living room.
Base/Dry Down: The earthy scent slowly dissappears, creating space for those roses to give your room an intoxicating, slightly smoky flower scent. While you hang on the couch in front of your fireplace you constantly get a whiff of rose that sweetens with every scent cloud, and has gotten some extra definition you can't fully pin down. But that your house now smells delicious and ready for your date at home is a sure given!
Velvet Rose is, as said earlier, an obvious rose perfume. But if I'd call her 'typical'...? Maybe not. While quite linear there is some evolution, growing from an earthy heavy, almost spicy rose to a smoky rose phase, and then eventually into a delightfully sweet flowery musky amber. Both musk and labdanum show themselves in the heart, but it's probably the musk combined with the amber that creates the interestingly sweet dry down I ended up with on my skin.
On 1st spray Velvet Rose made me think of Chopard's Love, a rose perfume if there ever was one. But Love is much spicier, sweeter, woodier and more layered – with different Rose types that all show themselves step by step. And where Chopard eventually let's Jasmine and gourmand notes have a noticeable role, for the Lattafa the rose remains central. They both add to a collection.
On my inner elbow & cleavage sweetness comes through most. Almost as if vanilla was a note – probably the amber doing its job? On my wrist and rest of skin the perfume remains more earthy, slightly woody, with a hint of spice and smoke. Both are nice, but usually my elbow gives the real deal - and in this case I thus assume Lattafa's goal (and my fave).
Velvet Rose is a perfect addition to my Fall & Winter collection - I can already see myself wearing an elegant 50s inspired burgundy swing dress with a high heel, curls in my hair, while having spritzed this perfume on my lingerie clad body. It'll suit everyone's version of sophisticated and will do well on a date, and maybe during business hours depending on sector. Whether you're 20yo or nearing "elderly youngster" stage. Velvet Rose speaks a very clear language: I'm sexy, but don't f with me. Did I say she was straightforward? Yeah, I did, didn't I? ;).
Into rose perfumes and don't need a gourmand sweetness? Then you'll most likely appreciate this Lattafa creation. Velvet Rose is an elegant creation that'll suit a more self-assured mature (wo)man who can carry something with earthy –spicy- smoky accents on top of a heavy and/or sweet musky monochrome bouquet.
If you consider its price point and the added bonus of getting a quality box Velvet Rose is truly a major steal. Because her Sillage, Longevity and all that? Good! Lattafa's Queen of the Flower-concoction has an intermediate-plus sillage and projection on my skin when I've properly moisturised. Beyond a stretched arm. It truly depends on how much you spray, but just a spritz on wrist, inner elbow and shoulder made me sit in a constant cloud for about 3 hours before I needed to get my nose closer (I've no idea if that actually meant others couldn't smell me anymore) and as a skin scent it stayed for the same amount. Because my skin is one perfume eating bsuch a scent cloud & longevity means good things for other people. But of course climate & chemistry might alter your experience.
Even though VR isn't a beastmode perfume, the first hour it can come across as slightly heavy; overspraying almost guarantees you'll have all your colleagues/ fellow travellers/students in a chokehold of sorts. Want a repeat of the first few stronger hours, simply RE-spray in the bathroom when no-one is there.
I can't wait to wear this perfume out and about, because I have an inkling that it might well be a compliment getter. And if not: *I* feel sexy in it, regardless.
PetitePinup
