I had high hopes for Rose Gourmand, especially after all the glowing reviews i kept seeing and hearing everywhere. Since I don't shy away from notes such as white flowers, caramel, rose and vanilla (notes that Zara highlights) I gave it a try but unfortunately, my experience wasn't as pleasant as I had hoped.
I made the mistake of trying it on a hot summer day, and that first impression was a major letdown. It wasn't the longevity that bothered me (although when you dislike a scent and it is a powerhouse it can be a nightmare), but it was the scent itself. On that sweltering day, the perfume came across as repulsive. I was overwhelmed by an overly synthetic, heavy and cloying sent that left me confused. There was this sharpness to it that led me to believe there might be some coffee and/or some green note buried in the mix. Unfortunately, to my nose and preferences, the notes clashed horribly, making it an unbalanced/unpleasant experience that managed to be headache inducing.
However, since I didn't toss it out, I decided to give it another go when the weather changed. And wow, the difference was huge! While it still isn't to my taste, it no longer feels nauseating, and in fact, I began to appreciate it more. In winter, the notes seem to blend more harmoniously, evoking the scent of coffee and rose Turkish delight. So, I'd recommend wearing this in cooler months, perhaps even fall if you live in places where it's not too hot during that time.
