Red Roses

Red Roses, inspired by Jo Malone London Red Roses Cologne (2005)

Lemon gives the roses a clean, zesty lift at the start, and crushed violet leaves add a green, slightly watery note, like stems standing in a vase. The heart is a red roses accord, which the brand says blends seven roses, so it smells of a full bunch rather than a single bloom. Honeycomb in the base brings a waxy sweetness that rounds off the green edges as it dries down. It stays recognisably rose throughout.

About the original

Red Roses has been part of Jo Malone London's regular Cologne line for many years. Fragrance databases date it to 2005, though the brand does not confirm the year and some sources place it earlier. It is still on sale today and is marketed to women. The current official notes include a honeycomb base, while older note lists leave it out, which may point to a reformulation; this has not been confirmed.

Our version

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

Who it suits

Rose is the whole story here, so it rewards someone who already loves the flower. The honeyed finish is sweeter than the fresh opening suggests, which may disappoint a wearer wanting a strictly green, dewy rose.

Related scents

• Jo Malone Velvet Rose & Oud
• Dior Miss Dior Rose & Roses

Notes of the original fragrance, as published by the brand.

Top notes: Lemon

Heart notes: Red Roses Accord, Violet Leaves

Base notes: Honeycomb

Lemon and crushed violet leaves open it, zesty and green.

Roses take over in the heart, a layered accord of several varieties that smells freshly cut.

Honeycomb gives the drydown a waxy, honeyed sweetness beneath the rose.

Is Red Roses the same as Velvet Rose & Oud?

No. Velvet Rose & Oud is a Cologne Intense pairing rose with oud, as its name says. Red Roses is a fresher rose from the regular Cologne line. We make both.

Is Red Roses sweet?

The opening is fresh and green, but the honeycomb base listed in the brand's current notes makes the drydown noticeably sweeter.

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.

Jo Malone and Red Roses are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Jo Malone 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.