Rose 31

Rose 31, inspired by Le Labo Rose 31 (2006)

Cumin arrives with the rose, and it is the spice that most people register first: dry, savoury and faintly skin-like. The rose itself is centifolia, kept muted rather than dewy, and it recedes behind cedar, vetiver and olibanum (frankincense). What remains is an earthy woodiness with rockrose resin and a pale streak of oud. Up close it reads more as spiced wood than as a flower.

About the original

Daphné Bugey created Rose 31, one of the fragrances Le Labo opened with in 2006. The brand describes it as assertively virile and ambiguous, an unusual way to present a rose and a fair summary of its character. It remains in the permanent Classic Collection as an eau de parfum; Le Labo also uses the Rose 31 scent for body and hair products, which are separate from the perfume.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Le Labo stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Le Labo sells it as unisex, and its dry, spiced character suits wearers of any gender who have avoided rose because it seemed too floral. The feel is dry and woody rather than lush. Cumin is the sticking point: it stands out at the start and some people find it reminiscent of sweat.

Related scents

• Le Labo Tonka 25
• Le Labo Patchouli 24

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Top notes: Cumin, Rose Essence

Heart notes: Cedar, Vetiver, Rose Absolute, Olibanum

Base notes: Labdanum, Cistus, Guaiac Wood, Oud, White Musks, Cetalox

Cumin and rose essence open together, the spice giving the flower an almost savoury edge.

In the heart, rose absolute sits among cedar, vetiver and olibanum, so the floral note stays muted and smoky.

The base is resinous and woody: labdanum and cistus with guaiac wood and a touch of oud, finished by white musks and cetalox, a dry ambergris-style material.

How noticeable is the cumin in Rose 31?

It stands out in the opening and gives the rose a spicy, slightly savoury tone. It settles as the woods take over, but if you dislike cumin this is not the rose to choose.

Is Rose 31 a feminine rose?

Not in the usual sense. Le Labo markets it to everyone and calls it virile and ambiguous; the rose is dry and woody rather than sweet.

Is this the perfume or the Rose 31 body range?

It is inspired by the Rose 31 Eau de Parfum. Le Labo's body and hair products share the name but are not the reference here.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Le Labo and Rose 31 are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Le Labo in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.