Fragrance Notes
From the first impression to the lasting trail.
Top notes
The first impression
Heart notes
The character of the scent
Base notes
The lasting impression
Notes unfold and overlap differently on every skin.
Occasions & Seasons
Climate Performance
Avg 6.8 / 10Expert Analysis
A famously unconventional take on rose, blending it with spicy cumin and dark woods for a 'dirty rose' effect.
Its woody and spicy warmth suits cooler climates; the cumin can become quite amplified in humid heat, making it challenging for some.
The antithesis of a traditional 'clean' rose, often contrasted with classic, feminine rose perfumes.
The prominent cumin note can sometimes be perceived as body odor by some, leading to polarizing opinions.
Le Labo Rose 31: A Considered Review
There is a category of fragrance bought once and remembered for years, and Rose 31 sits in it for a measurable reason. This EDP from Le Labo, built on woody, rose, warm spicy, musky and released in 2006, was composed to be distinctive first and agreeable second. The data below shows exactly where that trade-off lands.
A famously unconventional take on rose, blending it with spicy cumin and dark woods for a 'dirty rose' effect.
Rose 31 Notes Breakdown
Rose 31 opens with rose and cumin — an assertive first impression that carries across a room. Give it twenty or thirty minutes and the middle act arrives: rose, vetiver and cedar. Hours in, what remains is the foundation: musk, guaiac wood, agarwood (oud), olibanum and labdanum.
Strip it back to the bones and the profile reads woody, rose, warm spicy, musky — the kind of profile that rewards a second and third wearing.
How It Performs: The Numbers
Longevity (8/10): Rose 31 delivers strong longevity for EDP. On most skin types expect 8–12 hours. A single morning application typically carries through well into the evening without reinforcement.
Sillage (7/10): Rose 31 projects as a confident aura, detectable by those nearby. Application to pulse points — wrists, neck, and behind the ears — maximises projection without overwhelming the room.
Versatility (7/10): Rose 31 is context-aware, performing well across a range of situations without feeling mismatched. From casual daytime to formal evening, it adapts without feeling out of place.
Value (6/10): Pricing at around $200 feels appropriate for what you get — neither a bargain nor an overreach.
How Rose 31 Handles Heat, Humidity & Cold
Of the five climate zones we score, Rose 31 does best in mild (Islamabad, San Francisco) at 9/10 — it keeps its shape there instead of turning sharp or fading fast. The number to watch is extreme heat (Riyadh, Phoenix) at 4/10, where you are better off reaching for something else.
Its woody and spicy warmth suits cooler climates; the cumin can become quite amplified in humid heat, making it challenging for some.
Its average across all five zones is 6.8/10 — broad enough to wear most of the year without second-guessing the weather.
To see how it ranks against every other fragrance for your conditions, run the Climate Matcher.
When to Wear Rose 31
Rose 31 is best suited to Evening, Special Occasion, Casual, Artistic. Its projection is calibrated for the occasions listed — confident enough to register, controlled enough to remain appropriate in close quarters.
Seasonally, Rose 31 performs best in Fall, Winter, Spring. The climate data supports this range, though performance at the extremes — deep cold or intense heat — may vary.
The antithesis of a traditional 'clean' rose, often contrasted with classic, feminine rose perfumes.
Rose 31 Price Guide
Internationally, Rose 31 sits at $200–$320. That puts it in the premium designer bracket — a meaningful spend, but well short of niche-exclusive pricing.
Regional pricing: PKR 55,000–90,000 in Pakistan, AED 725–1,150 in the UAE, ₹17,000–₹27,000 in India. The currency switcher at the top of this page converts every price on the site — EUR, GBP, SAR and more — using current rates.
Where to buy: Internationally: Le Labo Boutiques, Nordstrom, Sephora. GCC/UAE: Le Labo Boutiques, Harvey Nichols, Bloomingdale's. Pakistan: Exclusive Boutique, Select Niche Retailers.
Verdict
Rose 31 earns its premium through genuine distinction rather than marketing mythology — a fragrance that rewards the wearer rather than impressing bystanders.
An overall 6.8/10 puts Rose 31 in solid-but-situational territory: strong where it is strong, ordinary elsewhere. Match it to the right season and occasion and it pays off.
The prominent cumin note can sometimes be perceived as body odor by some, leading to polarizing opinions.
Still deciding? Put it head-to-head against anything else in the database — scores, notes and prices side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Rose 31 last?
Rose 31 has a longevity score of 8/10. On average skin, expect 8–12 hours. Performance can vary with skin type, application method, and ambient temperature — heat accelerates diffusion while dry skin absorbs fragrance faster.
Is Rose 31 worth the price?
At around $200, Rose 31 by Le Labo is fairly priced for what it delivers. Its performance scores, climate range, and composition quality make it a considered purchase — evaluate your priorities against the alternatives before committing.
What does Rose 31 smell like?
Rose 31 is characterised by woody, rose, warm spicy, musky accords. Opening with rose and cumin, the heart revolves around rose and vetiver, settling into a base of musk and guaiac wood.
Is Rose 31 good for hot or humid weather?
Rose 31 was not designed for extreme heat (score: 5/10). In genuinely hot climates, reserve it for cooled indoor environments or evening wear.
Is Rose 31 for men or women?
Rose 31 is marketed as a Unisex fragrance. In practice, its character is better defined by its composition than by any marketing category.
