Zadig & Voltaire Fragrance review
Zadig & Voltaire This Is Really Her! Review: Rose & Honey
A honeyed rose-patchouli gourmand that turns up the volume on the original

In this review
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
The first 15 to 30 minutes belong to pink pepper and basil. It is a bright, slightly green, peppery lift — drier than you might expect from a honey-and-vanilla gourmand. The basil reads as a fresh herbal edge rather than a kitchen note, and it keeps the opening from tipping straight into syrup. Rose is already visible underneath, but at this stage it is a suggestion rather than the main event.
Roughly one to two hours in, the heart takes over and the fragrance becomes what its name promises: a full, jammy rose wrapped in chestnut. The chestnut adds a creamy, nutty sweetness that bridges the floral centre and the gourmand base. This is the most 'perfume-y' phase — rich, dense and clearly floral, with the pink pepper fading to a faint tingle in the background.
From around the four-hour mark, honey, patchouli and vanilla take control. The honey is thick and slightly animalic rather than clean-sweet, and the patchouli gives it an earthy, slightly balsamic backbone that stops the composition from becoming a straightforward dessert. The vanilla smooths everything into a warm, close-to-skin finish that lingers longest on fabric.
Performance Dashboard
4-6 hours on skin, noticeably longer on clothing
moderate; strong for the first hour, then intimate and close to the body
moderate — leaves a clear trail without filling a room
When to Wear
Pros & Cons
- Distinctive honeyed rose that stands apart from generic sweet florals
- Patchouli and honey base gives it depth beyond a simple gourmand
- Moderate projection makes it wearable in most social settings
- Lasts considerably longer on clothing than on skin
- Longevity of 4-6 hours on skin is modest for an EDP Intense
- Opening basil note can read sharp or unusual to some noses
- Patchouli in the base will not suit those who dislike earthy notes
- Community rating of 3.57/5 suggests a polarising reception
Price & Value
“Fair value at the lower end of the range. At full retail it competes with stronger performers, so buying at discount is the smarter play.”
Reformulation History
No significant batch variations reported.
Who It's For
Ideal For
- Fans of the original This Is Her! who want a richer, more floral version
- Anyone who loves rose paired with honey, patchouli and vanilla
- Wearers who prefer warm, sweet gourmands in cool weather
- People who want a noticeable but not overwhelming signature for evenings
Not Recommended For
- Those who dislike patchouli or earthy bases
- Wearers looking for a fresh, clean or citrus-forward scent
- Anyone who needs 10+ hours of longevity from a single application
- People who prefer very light, skin-scent florals for daytime office wear
The Family
This Is Her!
Zadig & Voltaire
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Layering Ideas
- Apply over an unscented or lightly vanilla-scented body lotion to slow the drydown and extend skin longevity past the six-hour mark
- Layer with a plain amber or benzoin oil to amplify the balsamic warmth of the honey-patchouli base
- Pair with a single-note rose body mist in warm weather to keep the floral heart lifted without adding more sweetness
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