Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.
The rose is indelibly associated with Lancôme, given its founder Armand Petitjean’s strong passion for this flower. An avid rosarian, he cultivated roses in his garden in Ville d’Avray, outside of Paris and as a result, not only has the rose become an important symbolic representation of the house, but it has also found a central place in the Lancôme fragrances from Conquête (1935) to Trésor (1990). To commemorate the millennium, Lancôme chose its symbol to shine in a fragrance composed of several different types of roses, such as dune rose, musk rose and Bulgarian rose. The fragrance was named 2000 et Une Rôse (now called Mille et Une Rôse).
The task of creating an outstanding rose fragrance is complicated by the fact that the theme has seen many variations, from the dark chypric to the light citrusy roses, from the languidly seductive to the coyly delicate interpretations. Composed by Christine Nagel, Mille et Une Rôse is a rose that tantalizingly straddles the line between natural and abstract. …
If the art of a perfumer is an illusion, Mille et Une Rôse is its excellent example–one moment, it is a freshly picked blossom, the next it becomes an ornate pattern on a piece of sumptuously brocaded silk. It is a fantasy that makes the rose more real than it is in nature by exaggerating its radiant and opulent elements.
The composition pairs jewel-like iridescence of sweet honeyed notes with the warmth of amber that glows through the rose notes. The effect is akin to simultaneously being dazzled by the sun and caught in a whirlwind of falling petals. Beautiful crimson rose foiled by the dryness of black pepper cascades into a heart of pink and apricot roses. Delicate creamy notes interspersing the layers of the composition create a complex and soft effect, as if the radiance were refracted through a hazy veil. Velvety quality of wooded amber provides a perfect backdrop for the slow rainfall of rose petals, which does not cease even well into the drydown.
Mille et Une Rôse can be compared to Stella McCartney Stella (2003), which is another rose fragrance I enjoy. However, on the basis of a side by side comparison 2000 et Une Rôse wins easily, being more full-bodied, more complex, with a warm peppery touch that seems to enhance its radiance. While Stella sustains the same note and then vanishes, Mille et Une Rôse continues to unfold into gorgeous layers of silky petals.
I should also mention the original’s stunning blue bottle, which a reproduction of Georges Delhomme’s 1952 “teardrop.” The current packaging is a plain, square shouldered bottle, but it is still very elegant. Although it can occasionally be found online, Mille et Une Rôse is exclusive to the Lancôme boutiques.
43 Comments
annieytown: This review was beautiful and perfect. You have made my day.
I am going to wear with such pride today!
Massive bear hugs V!
Annie November 1, 2005 at 5:54am
Patti: Thank you for this beautiful review of one of my favorite scents. I take full responsibility for addicting our Annie to this fragrance.
It was my first true rose scent. One spray on my wrist from my SA at Lancome, and out came the credit card. A week later I went back and purchased her other two remaining bottles. That’s how crazy I went for this scent! I now pretty much save it for special occasions, the last one being a Tony Bennett concert in our area on Sunday. It’s magestic, elegant, and the pepper is perfect as an accent note. I’m so glad you reviewed this today! November 1, 2005 at 8:13am
kaie: Such beautiful writing! I have never heard of 2000 et Une Rôse, but I will stop by the Lancôme Institute to try it. Although I don’t wear many florals, I love roses. I also like that blue bottle in the advertisement! November 1, 2005 at 9:19am
Laura: I know Annieytown loves this scent. I have never tried it,not realizing that at long last, it can be found at the Lancome institute! I may have to sniff some of yours, V ;D. You make it sounds so stunning. November 1, 2005 at 5:21am
linda: Oh, this sounds gorgeous! Too bad it is exclusive to the Lancome institute in Paris. 🙁 November 1, 2005 at 11:09am
mreenymo: This is one of your best reviews, V! Just a gorgeous, sumptuous description of this fragrance.
I know several non-perfumeistas who love this fragrance, too. A former colleague of mine rarely wears perfume, but when I asked her what her favorite perfume purchase would be, she did not hesitate. It was, of course, 2000 et une rose.
I would love to test this one to see how it stands up to my favorite Rosines, like Ecume de Rose.
I like Stella, too. But after wearing Ecume de Rose, there is just no comparison!
Hugs to you, V! November 1, 2005 at 11:33am
Robin: It is such a gorgeous fragrance, and I dole out my little sample since I know it will never be replaced. They told me at Lancome that it is no longer sold in the original bottle, but I have no idea what the new packaging is. November 1, 2005 at 12:24pm
mreenymo: Hmmm, that’s funny, because Ecume lasts all day on me.
Guess the Rosines love me! Lol!
And, thanks to you, I am loving good rose fragrances more and more. Who knew?? November 1, 2005 at 12:36pm
mreenymo: Yep, that lasts all day, too, V. :):)
All four Rosines that I have (Ecume, Poussiere, Zest de Rose, D’Argent)lasts and lasts. I also have carded samples of La Rose and Un Folie de Rose. They lasts all day, too.
Cristaline gave me a spray decant of Rosa Flamenca. How much do you want to bet that that one, too, lasts all day on me? Are you a gambler? Heh, heh. November 1, 2005 at 1:30pm
Sisonne: Dear V, as you know I´m no big rose lover, but of course your review made me curious 😉
I´m always searching for a rose fragrance I like, the only ones I´ve found so far are TDC Rose Poivrée & Hermès Poivre Sarmakant. November 1, 2005 at 1:53pm
Sisonne: V, well, I´d love to test 2000 et une Rose – if I ever get the chance. It really seems to be a special scent!
No, I mean Poivre Sarmakant, I find it to be rather similar to TDC Rose Poivrée – perhaps I should re-test it, my impression might be wrong 😉 !
To me Rose Ikebana is more of a fruity rose. I do like it – it doesn´t get as strong on me as other rose fragrances which I´m thankful for. November 1, 2005 at 2:20pm
BoisdeJasmin: Laura, you are of course welcome to mine. It is a stunning rose fragrance, because it is so rose that it almost becomes abstract. I am not sure how else to put it. November 1, 2005 at 9:59am
BoisdeJasmin: Annie, you are the one who introduced me to it. Thank you! You were right that I would fall in love with it, despite the fact that there are lots of roses fragrances in my collection already. However, one can always make room for more! November 1, 2005 at 10:01am
BoisdeJasmin: Patti, thank you for your kind words and for introducing Annie to the fragrance. It all become part of a chain event process. 🙂
I simply love its warmth, elegance, silky-velvety feel given by the ambery background. I understand why you would buy it on the spot! November 1, 2005 at 10:03am
BoisdeJasmin: Kaie, thank you. I love the teardrop shaped bottle too. I think that its blue hue is a perfect hint as to the lush abstract nature of the rose. Please report back when you try it! November 1, 2005 at 10:04am
Marina: Sounds incredibly gorgeous…new lemming is born! Thank you (I think), Vikochka! November 1, 2005 at 10:11am
BoisdeJasmin: Marinochka, it is incredibly gorgeous, especially if you already love roses as much as I do. November 1, 2005 at 10:12am
BoisdeJasmin: Linda, yes, I wish it were available more widely. It is such a lovely fragrance, and if you are a rose lover you should not pass up a chance to test it. November 1, 2005 at 12:13pm
BoisdeJasmin: Thank you, dear R! It is a very sumptuous rose, and I can see you enjoying it. I find that unlike Ecume de Rose, 2000 et Une Rôse lasts and lasts. Ecume de Rose lasts ok, but not spectacularly. I like both very much.
I love roses, there is no doubt about that! November 1, 2005 at 12:23pm
BoisdeJasmin: R, oh, I wonder what the packaging is like now. I only saw the original bottles. I am a little disappointed that they changed the packaging, although maybe the new bottles are interesting as well. It is a beautiful composition! November 1, 2005 at 12:36pm
BoisdeJasmin: What about Un Zeste de Rose? I love it, but I cannot get it to last on me. I still wear it often, but I just have to refresh it everynow and then. I do not mind it, because this gives me a chance to experience the lovely top notes.
Glad that I inspired you to try more rose fragrances! 🙂 November 1, 2005 at 12:48pm
BoisdeJasmin: R, I am not a big gambler, but I have some statistical training. Surely, the odds of it being indestructible on you are great! 🙂 November 1, 2005 at 1:44pm
BoisdeJasmin: Dear C, I wonder what you would think of it. I know several people who are not big lovers, yet they really enjoy this fragrance. It is a beautifully composed perfume.
Do you mean Rose Ikebana? November 1, 2005 at 1:56pm
BoisdeJasmin: C, oh, that is very interesting, and I will compare them later as well. I was a little surprised at first though as Poivre Samarcande did not strike me as rosy, but I am sure that you are right. I have not been wearing much of either lately. A good chance to revisit!
As much as I love rose, Rose Ikebana is not a favourite of mine, as it has too much grapefruit. I like it, but not nearly as much as other Hermessence fragrances. November 1, 2005 at 2:31pm
Tania: I’ve never smelled this, but I see bottles of it selling for well over $200 on eBay. Yikes! Thankfully, I am not a rose fanatic, or I’d be tempted to buy unsniffed, just to know what it’s like. November 1, 2005 at 3:05pm
BoisdeJasmin: T, yes, the prices on Ebay are just crazy, especially for 1oz bottle of the EDP. I am a rose fanatic, but $200 is a big deterrent for me, especially if I have not tried a fragrance before. November 1, 2005 at 3:36pm
Campaspe: Well, that settles it … I am visiting the Lancome Institute on my next Paris visit. November 3, 2005 at 6:40pm
BoisdeJasmin: Oh, you would love it! I know it. November 3, 2005 at 8:25pm
MorceauxDeCiel: I have worn 2000 et Une Rose (oh-so-sparingly!) since it was introduced in 2000. I was in Macy’s one day around Christmas, and I tried it on. I walked away, but before I got to the escalator, I had turned around to go back to the counter — it *is* that amazing. Everyone who has posted here seems to like roses already – and BoisdeJasmin is right – you would love it, and you could buy it without smelling it – you know you can always resell it. It is simply intoxicating. Heady. I am about halfway through my bottle, and have been searching so hard to find it. When I did, it was – as has been said – $250! I almost choked. I tried to find something similar, but to no avail. And my husband just melts for the original (I wore it on our wedding, all through the honeymoon, and now on birthdays and anniversaries, holidays, or any day that I think needs a little something more). I have found it on Italy’s ebay, but still at 79 or 89 euros, it’s not cheap! At least it’s in the original bottle, if that’s what you’re looking for. I bet you could get them to ship overseas. I’m Grenobloise, and I get back to Paris every now and then. Thank you so much for the information that it is at the Insitut. I will definitely fly through Paris next time! And your description was simply sublime. Just like the scent itself! November 7, 2005 at 10:26am
BoisdeJasmin: Thank you for sharing such a wonderful experience with this fragrance. It is truly special, and I can completely understand why it touched you the way it did. I had a similar experience trying it for the first time.
You are welcome for the information. I think that they do indeed ship overseas. November 7, 2005 at 10:48am
Lakisha: I thought I was the only one who was so insane about rose 2000. I hated perfume until I sprayed this on by chance. I left Macys only to turn my car around and go back to by it. I kept on buying it until I could find no more. I am down to my last bottle which I have been savoring for years. It not only makes me feel amazing but others who smell are enthralled. Nothing compares, its torture. I loved reading your comments. November 26, 2005 at 3:25pm
BoisdeJasmin: Lakisha, it is wonderful to discover something so perfect that stops one in their tracks. I have always loved roses, and 2000 et Une Rose was a perfect rose for me. I only wish it were more widely available. Perhaps, you can order it directly from Lancome. I have not tried, but it might work. November 27, 2005 at 12:54pm
Israël: Hello to all the 2000 et Une Rose lovers, as soon as I read this I knew it was as dear and close to your hearts as it is to mine. I now know that I am not crazy, or maybe just as crazy as everyone else about this… In any case I am happy that it will be relaunched! I will call my Saks lady and order more of it and this time I will definately get more than one! June 8, 2006 at 4:58pm
Angel: Guys, i just got mine MILLE & UNE ROSES
Eau de Parfum from lancome website at 125.00 a bottle, same this as 2000 et une Rose they just renamed it. Cant wait for my bottle to arrive:) July 4, 2006 at 11:23pm
svet: There is no on-line shop that I can find that sells Lancôme Mille et Une Rôse. Do you know of any? August 23, 2006 at 9:36am
Kathy Kenny: I just discovered Lancome has re-issued under Mille & Une Roses and I am so excited. Back in 2000 I fell in love with this scent and then when it was discontinued I almost cried. I tried to find it anywhere paying anything but I wasn’t successful. I didn’t know the blue bottles were collectibles. Too bad I moved and a lot of stuff was thrown out. It looks like only Lancome has this new scent at a steep $125. I may have to put it on my Christmas list! October 23, 2006 at 12:51pm
BoisdeJasmin: The teardrop bottles are indeed collectible. They are the old vintage design, and they are quite beautiful. I find the new version slightly less interesting than the older one, but it is still stunning. October 24, 2006 at 11:58pm
Tatyana: Do you believe that perfume can change life? When I tried 1000 et une Roses on myself, not right away but after couple of days of wearing it, I realized that it’s exactly the small piece that’d been missing from my puzzle all my life. I was always stubborny ignoring Venus in my horoscope (sorry, I don’t believe it neither) and identifying myself with strong geometrical fragrances smth like Ellipse (Jacques Fath) if you remember what I mean. How could I?
DEAR-DEAR V.! That’s because of your talented writing I stopped my attention on this gorgeous perfume! You really know what you do as well as Christine Nagel (God bless you both!)!THANK YOU SO MUCH!
GILFRIENDS, IF YOU WEAR ‘1000 ET UNE ROSES’ then YOU DON’T NEED DIAMONDS ANYMORE!
My warmest wishes to you all,
Tatyana March 6, 2007 at 9:02pm
Susie: After reading all of the rave reviews about this perfume, I looked for it. The only place I found it was on eBay for $450. I can’t afford it, but would still love to try it!
I guess I’ll have to go with Stella… Any other recommendations, PLMK. 🙂 November 6, 2012 at 9:19pm
ASL: Hello there, Victoria,
I realize this question is 11 years after your original post….but I consider you the queen of rose fragrances….so I’m asking in case you see this note!
I had the original tear drop bottle from 2000. Glorious. It made me gasp.
I then had about 3 of the square bottles. Still glorious, this scent has continued to make me breathless for 16 years now.
I am wondering if you are familiar with it’s current formulation, available right now on Lancome’s site – a taller bottle, 2.5 fl oz, for $180? Is the scent which is currently available almost as good as the square smaller bottles that I am about to run out of… I can’t live without this scent but don’t want to spend almost $200 to be devastated if it’s obviously inferior.
Many many thanks!
xxoo
Abigail February 20, 2016 at 7:44pm
Victoria: Hi Abigail, I know how you feel about it. It was such an exceptional perfume. I have smelled one of the intermediate versions, and I found it good but not as good as the original. It lacks the velvety heft that I loved so much. I’m not familiar with the most recent version, though, but I can’t imagine that it is close to the original given that the regulations have been what they are. February 22, 2016 at 5:52am
ASL: Thanks so much for your response, Victoria.
I am still wearing the last of my final square bottle (from La Collection) and contemplating buying Lancome’s latest if I find I just can’t manage without it… probably will weaken. February 28, 2016 at 3:57pm
Melissa Rosen: Does anyone have a sample of this that they would be willing to share with me?? March 23, 2016 at 3:08pm