La Rose by Le Galion

I’m relatively new to the perfume world and this is the first niche I fell in love with (since then, more have come, what an addiction this is). To me, La Rose is elegant but nothing like an old lady; on my skin, the rose dominates with a watery touch that makes it cheerful and youthful, ideal for wearing from morning at the office. It’s the kind of scent everyone praises, especially curiously men, and I think it’s because it’s extremely feminine. I’ve worn it for a year, now alternating it with other niches I’ve fallen in love with with varying degrees of passion, but this one will always be in my vanity because it’s the classic you reach for when you don’t know what to wear.

I’d rather hate a perfume than have it provoke absolutely nothing, which is what happened with this supposed ‘rose’ by Le Galion. A fragrance can be plain and pretty, like Chanel’s Beige from Les Exclusifs, but what I can’t forgive is being a flat, one-note mess without a single distinguishable note or nuance. I’d love to describe the notes, but with this fragrance, I can only distinguish a strong alcoholic opening and a cheap kids’ cologne aroma that disappears instantly.

When I first received this simple bottle, my initial thought was Chloé, but it was just a fleeting impression; soon I saw the differences, especially since Chloé has been my favorite for the last five years. Rose de Le Galion isn’t a typical rose perfume nor a fresh green citrus cologne. You can smell the rose, the lily, and a hint of sweet vanilla mixed with that feeling of just stepping out of the shower and total cleanliness, probably from the musk and watery notes. The star is still the rose. I love it and it’s become one of my favorites for spring and summer. It’s not meant to turn heads; longevity is moderate at 4-5 hours with low sillage, especially after the first hour. At its normal price, I wouldn’t buy it even if I was crazy about it, simply because when I wear it, I don’t smell perfume, just a mist clinging to the skin.