Absolue I Flamed A Rose

The Verdict

Absolue I Flamed A Rose is Lancôme's 2024 addition to the high-end Absolue Les Parfums collection, composed by Daphné Bugey around a sensual rose-patchouli pairing. The concept, as Bugey describes it, is the duality of the rose — elegant on the surface, carnal underneath. Community reception is mixed, leaning positive among fans of dark floral-patchouli blends.

What It Smells Like

The opening is striking: Rose and Patchouli arrive simultaneously, grounded immediately by Vetiver and a warm Amber accord. This is not a soft, powdery rose — one Fragrantica reviewer described it as "spicier than the rest" with a sense of fire and edge. Another noted Javanese Vetiver introduces what they called a "noticeable tinge of gasoline," which will either fascinate or frustrate depending on your palate. As the fragrance settles, the rose becomes more prominent and airy while the patchouli softens and the amber warms. Those familiar with VCCA Moonlight Patchouli or Coco Mademoiselle EDP Intense will recognize the rosechouli genre but find this version darker and more earthy. The dry-down is warm, grounded, and lasts considerably longer than the opening projection suggests.

When to Wear It

Community voting runs 24% night vs 14% day — this skews evening. Fall and winter suit it best. The intensity of the vetiver-patchouli base means it projects clearly in cool air, and a single reviewer called it "very versatile" and wearable through a full day, though the projection is better suited to evenings or weekends than a crowded office.

Longevity & Projection

Fragrantica community ratings give longevity a solid 3.75 out of 5 and sillage 2.62 out of 4. Several wearers noted it lasts all day with a good moderate strength — one commenter mentioned you "don't have to spray a lot on." Expect solid longevity in the 8+ hour range, with moderate projection rather than a heavy cloud. The sillage is intimate without disappearing.

The Community Says

Fans of the Absolue collection call this one the standout: "the best of the new Lancôme rose scents by far," with one enthusiast who owns every version of the Absolue Rose series calling it uniquely spicy in the lineup. The main criticism comes in two forms — first, the vetiver note that some detect as "gasoline-adjacent," and second, a minority who find the whole thing "very flowery and overpowering." The polarization is real: roughly 25% of voters actively dislike it. For everyone else, the earthy, slightly smoky rose-patchouli character reads as a genuine point of difference in the Lancôme range.

Who Should Buy This

Dark floral and rosechouli fans who want something with more earth and edge than a typical department store rose. If you already enjoy Coco Mademoiselle Intense, Moonlight Patchouli, or any vetiver-forward rose, this is worth testing. Those with an aversion to gasoline-y vetiver should sample before committing — that note is real and divisive.

The Bottom Line

Absolue I Flamed A Rose delivers on its promise of a rose that burns rather than blooms. The vetiver and patchouli give it genuine character — this is not another safe Lancôme floral. The polarizing vetiver note means sampling is essential, but if it works with your skin chemistry, you get one of the more distinctive rose-patchouli scents at the department store level.