Givenchy Eaudemoiselle Rose à la Folie Review: A Sweet Take
A deep dive into the sweet, modern rose scent that challenges the classic.
Givenchy's fragrance portfolio is vast, containing everything from timeless classics to modern blockbusters. The Eaudemoiselle collection, launched in 2010, was the house's attempt to capture a modern, aristocratic femininity. In 2016, they introduced Eaudemoiselle Rose à la Folie, a flanker designed to inject a dose of playful rebellion into the otherwise prim and proper lineup. This is our comprehensive report on the fragrance, breaking down everything you need to know before you buy.
The original Eaudemoiselle de Givenchy was a sophisticated, dewy rose with citrus and shiso leaf, aimed at a refined, elegant woman. Rose à la Folie, which translates to "Rose to Madness," discards that polite subtlety. It was launched into a market increasingly dominated by sweet, gourmand scents like Lancôme's La Vie Est Belle and YSL's Black Opium. Givenchy's response was to take their classic rose and drench it in candied raspberry and molten caramel. This positioned it as a direct competitor for a younger audience—one that values fun and immediate appeal over complex, vintage-style florals.
The concept is clear from the name and the bright pink juice. It’s a fragrance about letting go. It evokes the feeling of a spontaneous dessert, a burst of laughter, or a carefree afternoon. While the original Eaudemoiselle might attend a garden party, Rose à la Folie is at a vibrant brunch with friends, unapologetically sweet and full of life. It’s less about aristocracy and more about joyful indulgence, a scent that doesn't take itself too seriously.
In the fragrance community, Rose à la Folie is generally regarded as a successful designer gourmand. It doesn't pretend to be a niche masterpiece, and that's its strength. It’s a well-blended, easy-to-wear sweet floral that delivers on its promise of a fun, youthful rose. Though now discontinued, it remains a sought-after scent on the secondary market for those who fell in love with its charming, uncomplicated sweetness. This review will determine if its performance and profile still hold up and whether it's worth tracking down.
The Nose Behind the Scent
Developed by the in-house fragrance team at Givenchy. No single perfumer is publicly credited for this flanker, a common practice for major design houses.
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
A bright, candy-like burst of sweet raspberry and crisp red apple. The opening is unapologetically fruity and cheerful, setting a playful tone.
The fruitiness softens as a modern, jammy rose emerges, sweetened by the top notes. A soft, powdery violet adds a touch of sophistication and prevents the scent from becoming overly simplistic.
The fragrance settles into a warm, comforting gourmand base. A creamy caramel accord becomes the main feature, supported by a clean, gentle musk. It becomes a soft, sweet skin scent.
Performance Dashboard
Lasts 5-6 hours on skin. Moderate for an EDT, requiring reapplication for all-day wear.
Projects at arm's length for the first 1-2 hours, then settles into a more intimate, personal scent bubble.
Leaves a light, pleasant trail. It is noticeable to those nearby but is not overwhelming or room-filling.
When to Wear
Community Verdict
High compliment factor. Its sweet, pleasant, and mass-appealing nature makes it very approachable and often praised.
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Beautiful, modern sweet-rose scent
- ✅ Youthful and playful without being childish
- ✅ Excellent for everyday and casual wear
- ✅ Good value when purchased from discounters
- ❌ Can be too sweet for some tastes
- ❌ Longevity is moderate, typical of an EDT
- ❌ Lacks the complexity of niche offerings
Price & Value
“Worth the investment if you enjoy sweet fruity-florals and can find it at a discounted price. It offers good quality for its category.”
📜 Reformulation History
No significant batch variations or reformulations have been reported for this fragrance. Its production cycle was relatively short and consistent.
Who It's For
✅ Ideal For
- Women aged 18-35
- Fans of sweet, fruity-floral, and gourmand fragrances
- Those looking for a playful, modern, and easy-to-wear daily scent
⚠️ Not Recommended For
- Individuals who dislike sweet or gourmand notes
- Those who prefer classic, mature, or complex niche fragrances
- Anyone seeking a powerful, long-lasting 'beast mode' perfume
The Family
The original 2010 fragrance, a dewy, musky rose.
A lighter, fresher, more citrus-focused version of the original.
A deeper, richer interpretation with oud and rose.
Explore More
🔍 Similar Fragrances
Shares a sweet, gourmand, and fruity-floral profile with a similar 'à la Folie' theme.
Features a similar vibrant, sweet fruity top note (strawberry) over a floral heart.
Another playful fruity-gourmand with a prominent sweet apple and praline combination.
💡 Clone Alternatives
Captures a very similar sweet, candied rose and warm amber vibe at a budget price point.
Shares the same playful, sweet, and fruity rose character, making it a good affordable alternative.
❤️ You May Also Enjoy
For those who enjoy a sweet, patchouli-based floral with strong performance.
A more sophisticated take on the fruity-floral, with blackcurrant and vanilla.
Features a similar raspberry note in a lighter, airier, more whimsical composition.
More from Givenchy
🧪 Layering Ideas
- A simple vanilla fragrance (e.g., Kayali Vanilla 28) to enhance the caramel base.
- A clean musk scent (e.g., Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume) to add depth and improve longevity.
- A tart citrus spray to cut the sweetness and add brightness for warmer weather.
🏆 Final Verdict
Givenchy Eaudemoiselle Rose à la Folie is a direct and honest fragrance. It promises a fun, sweet, youthful rose, and it delivers exactly that. It is not a scent for the fragrance intellectual seeking a complex olfactory puzzle. It is a scent for someone who wants to smell delightful, modern, and cheerful.
Its blend of candied raspberry, jammy rose, and creamy caramel is both addictive and easy to wear. While its performance as an Eau de Toilette is moderate, it is perfectly suited for its intended use as a daily driver for casual and office settings. You should buy Eaudemoiselle Rose à la Folie if you are a fan of gourmand florals and are looking for a high-quality, non-cloying sweet scent. It’s a perfect entry point into rose fragrances for those who fear the note is too mature or stuffy. For the price, it offers a slice of Givenchy's quality in a bottle full of joy.