Rose Prick

Olfactory Experience

Fragrance World's take on Rose Prick opens with a blast of peppery spice – more like chili flakes than Sichuan pepper, frankly. There's an odd medicinal bitterness akin to cough syrup initially, which thankfully dissipates quickly. The rose heart is prominent, a velvety mix of jammy sweetness and sharper, green rose notes. It lacks the sophisticated depth of the original; there's a slight play-doh undertone here. The drydown leans heavily on the patchouli, which becomes a bit muddy, almost like damp earth. The tonka bean adds a comforting vanilla sweetness, but the overall effect is less refined. It diverges with a synthetic cedar note in the base not present in the original.

The Verdict

Wearing this is like opting for a high-street version of a designer outfit. You get the general idea, the silhouette is similar, but the fabric doesn't quite drape the same. There is a loss in the subtle nuances, the elegant complexity. It is certainly wearable for everyday situations where you want a rose-forward fragrance without worrying about depleting a far more expensive bottle, but it sacrifices a certain luxurious quality.

How Long Does it Last?

This Rose Prick imitation sticks around. I get about 6-7 hours on skin, with a moderate projection for the first 2 hours, settling closer to the body after that. I wore it during a casual brunch and found it suitable, though it might become cloying in high heat.