Tom Ford Rose d'Amalfi Perfume Review
Tom Ford Rose de Amafali Eau de Parfum is mostly a sweet, somewhat jammy rose paired with creamy almond and soft, powdery undertones. There were short-lived citrus notes in the opening, but after the first half hour or so, there were very minor shifts through the remainder of the perfume’s wear.
It is described as a “discreetly sensual rose” that is “kissed by Italian bergamot” and includes “heliotrope.” These are the notes:
- top notes: pink pepper, Indian mandarin, Italian bergamot
- heart notes: rose
- base notes: heliotrope, almond
Scent Development
It opened with spicy bergamot, slightly bitter and fragrant with citrus, with soft rose over subtly-sweet mandarin. The citrus didn’t linger for long, almost wholly consumed by sweet rose and the beginnings of creamy almond with a powdery facet. Over the first 20 minutes, there were whispers of citrus sweetness against the rose blooms, almost keeping the rose from becoming jammy.
The soft, velvety rose turned more jam-like as the citrus waned and seemed entirely dissipated by the hour-mark. The rose melted into the almond and heliotrope, which gave the perfume more body, some creaminess, and a little powderiness. By the fifth hour, the rose was more of a whisper of a powdery, sweet almond base.
Application
For testing, I used two sprays to the underside and topside of my wrist area on my left arm. I used an unscented moisturizer prior to applying the scent as this is also my swatching arm (aka, incredibly parched at any given moment) as I found scent did not hold well here otherwise.Ā
Longevity
It lasted for eight hours until it was a skin-scent and about 14 hours before it was quite difficult to detect on my skin. The sillage and projection were light-to-moderate and drew closer to my body within two hours of application.
Personal Thoughts
This perfume had less nuances compared to some of Tom Ford’s other rose-inspired perfumes, so it was less up my alley as a result. I also prefer more of an aromatic green note paired with my rose, rather than a jammy rose–so Rose Prick or Rose de Russie are ones I’d reach for ahead of this one myself.
Available Sizes
- 50ml for $270
Why do I get the feeling that this is an “old lady” fragrance? Oh, and I am technically an “old lady”, so please don’t come for me! It just seems too sweet and powdery for my personal tastes. Because this little old lady loves herself some Tom Ford Black Orchid, YSL Black Opium Nuit Blanche and Avon x Christian LaCroix Absynthe!
I feel like we should retire a phrase like that, since it’s really more about what was popular when we were growing up and it was what women in our lives were wearing (moms, grandmothers, etc.), but I feel like it is too often used as an insult rather than just saying it as you said – too sweet and too powdery.
This is true in many instances that some people say it in a mean way, yet even then, I’m not insulted or hurt at the phrase because to be honest, it’s an absolute MIRACLE that I have made to almost 63. I’m proud of my age. And with how hard I partied from 15 to 34, I’m seriously wearing my age as a kind of badge of honor (horror to some!). This once “wild girl” has mellowed and become more refined and patient than the party animal who once inhabited (possessed?) this body. But, this Granny does still rock out to some Depeche Mode, The Cure, Siouxsie Sioux and The Banshees, Joan Jett, Duran Duran, Patty Smith. And I probably still will if and when I see 80!
I’m glad you take it as a compliment, Nancy! š
Thank you for the review, Christine.. I had the rose trio travel size sitting in my basket at Big S. This does not match up with the descriptionā¦ I was expecting something more intoxicating and exotic. This sounds rather pedestrian. Rose de Russie remains of some interest.
No problem, Wednesday! I’d say this is a bit “boring” with respect to past Tom Ford Private Blends – not bad, just simpler and on the linear side. Rose de Russie definitely ended up being the most interesting and complex between the three releases.
Iām tossing around the idea of Ebene Fume as well and I know they have absolutely nothing in common, but cannot swing both. Which would you try first?
I prefer Ebene Fume between the two, so given the widely different options, I guess that one! I’d probably say contrast with what you already have, too, and whether one seems like something you’d wear more often in the next few months (if you pair your fragrance to the season).
I agree. The leather note with the rose note is interesting and complex. The Rose Chine almost has a fresher scent.
Bought the sampler with the travel atomizer just so that I could sample them on me. Ended up buying this bottle, the ‘de Amalfi’ because I loved this one the most. I like that each one has an element that makes them different than just roses. This one is a much sweeter rose, which took me by surprise since it stated ‘de Amalfi’ which usually conjures up citrus fragrances for me. But I believe this will be the only bottle from the three that I will purchase.