Vanilla Fragrance

The Rose fragrance draws its inspiration from a demanding floral ingredient. Aurélien Guichard grows the Rose Centifolia himself in Grasse, exclusively for MATIERE PREMIERE. He places it at the heart of each creation in this family, creating a distinctive signature.

The rose: A key ingredient in perfumery

The rose occupies a central place in the history of perfumery. Two species feature most frequently in compositions: the Centifolia Rose and the Rosa Damascena. They are used in a wide range of accords, from the sweetest floral compositions to the deepest fragrances.

Rose absolute and rose essence

A single flower yields several different ingredients. The essence is obtained through steam distillation. The absolute is obtained by extraction from the flowers and is the most concentrated form of the ingredient. It captures nuances that distillation does not always retain. It is this form that MATIERE PREMIERE has chosen for Radical Rose.

The rose at MATIERE PREMIERE

Each of our collections centres on a unique natural ingredient, used in overdose, with the entire composition built around it in a short formulation. The Maison works with Centifolia Rose Absolute, extracted from the flowers grown by Founder and Perfurmer Aurélien Guichard in his Ecocert-certified fields in the Grasse region. In May, the flowers are hand-picked every morning, then processed to extract the absolute. The entire harvest is reserved for the Maison’s creations. Aurélien Guichard also cultivates tuberose and lavandin. The fragrances contain 85 to 92 per cent ingredients of natural origin. They are vegan and formulated without phthalates or colourants.

Radical Rose, a floral, woody, and spicy rose

Radical Rose is the Maison’s creation centred around this ingredient. Aurélien Guichard sums up his intention as follows: “A rose like no other. Genderless, dark, luminous.” Centifolia Rose Absolute is used at its highest possible concentration to express the full complexity of its floral, woody and spicy facets.

The Radical Rose collection comprises:

  • The Eau de parfum
  • The Extrait de parfum, featuring Immortelle Absolute Croatia as a special ingredient that brings out a deeper, more full-bodied aspect of the rose note
  • The moisturising hand and body lotion, which absorbs quickly and leaves the skin soft and scented with spicy rose accords
  • The hair perfume, light as a fluid veil of Radical Rose
  • The hand and body cleansing gel, a rich, foaming gel that rinses off easily

The moisturising milk and cleansing gel contain 88–92 per cent naturally derived ingredients, whilst the hair perfume contains 95–98 per cent. All products are vegan, phthalate-free and free from artificial colourants.

The scent of a rose fragrance

Radical Rose combines floral, woody and spicy notes. The result is a gender-neutral rose, both dark and luminous. The minimalist formulation allows the ingredients to take centre stage, without artifice, and the signature scent remains vibrant from start to finish. The scent lingers for hours after application. The spicy rose accords are also found in the moisturising milk, cleansing gel and hair perfume, available in the MATIERE PREMIERE boutique, ensuring the same signature scent on both skin and hair.

A rose fragrance for women and men

The woody and spicy facets of Radical Rose are suited to both men and women. MATIERE PREMIERE creates its fragrances without a predefined gender; the choice is based on how the scent develops on the skin, which varies from person to person.

Eau de Parfum and Extrait de Parfum

The intensity of a fragrance depends on its concentration of essential oils. The Rose Centifolia Absolute contained in Radical Rose is used at its highest possible concentration. Aurélien Guichard has also created Radical Rose Parfum Extrait, featuring Immortelle Absolute Croatia as a special ingredient that lends a dark, mineral quality. Radical Rose Eau de Parfum is perfect for everyday wear, whilst the Extrait de Parfum is ideal for occasions when you’re looking for a more pronounced scent.

Wearing Radical Rose on the skin, hair and clothing

The bottle features the Maison’s signature design, inspired by the perfumer's bottle, an everyday tool of the perfumer. It should be stored upright, away from light and heat. The atomiser delivers a fine, precise spray; just a few presses are enough. On the skin, warm areas yield the best results: the inside of the wrists, the base of the neck and the crooks of the elbows. Clean, moisturised skin retains the fragrance better. The hand and body cleansing gel scents the skin whilst showering, then the hand and body moisturising milk prolongs the rose’s presence all over the body. The hair perfume should be sprayed 20 cm away from the hair. The fragrances can also be applied to clothing, where the scent lasts even longer. It is advisable to test the product on an inconspicuous area first when using it on delicate fabrics. If you’d like to try Radical Rose before buying a full-size bottle, the discovery sets allow you to explore this and other creations from the Maison.

Frequently asked questions about vanilla fragrance

What does a vanilla fragrance smell like?

The scent of vanilla is warm and sweet, with smoky, leathery and slightly fruity notes. A perfumery-grade vanilla is a far cry from the sugary note of a dessert. The absolute adds depth and a subtle exoticism, derived from the pods grown in tropical climates. For Vanilla Powder, Aurélien Guichard envisioned dark vanilla bean painted white, using modern white powders to highlight the luminous and addictive facets of vanilla. This ingredient is used in overdose within a concise formulation, making the signature immediately recognisable from the very first application.

Where does the vanilla used in perfumery come from?

It comes from the fruit of an orchid, Vanilla planifolia, native to Mexico. The main growing regions are now found in Madagascar, Réunion and Polynesia. ‘Bourbon vanilla’ refers to pods from Madagascar and Réunion. MATIERE PREMIERE uses a Fair for Life Vanilla Absolute Madagascar, selected by Aurélien Guichard, Founder & Perfumer, for its olfactory profile.

Is a vanilla fragrance suitable for men?

Yes. Vanilla is a warm, woody note that works on all skin types. How it develops depends on the skin, not on gender. The Maison’s fragrances are created without any predefined gender and can be worn by anyone.

How can you make a vanilla fragrance last longer?

Apply to clean, moisturised skin, focusing on warm areas such as the wrists, the crook of the elbow and the nape of the neck. The cleansing gel and moisturising lotion from the range prepare the skin for this. Fragrances can also be applied to clothing, where the scent lasts even longer. One spray is usually enough; the House’s high concentration does the rest.