Absolu Rochas for women

Rochas “Absolu” is gorgeous - on my skin. This is a YMMV fragrance that changes an unusual amount not just on different skin but on the same person at different ages. I used to get more powder but now the delicately sweet vanillic/tolu balsam aspects dominate. It is orange blossom, tolu balsam, powder on my skin. Richly beautiful, soft side of sumptuous, elegant, comforting. This and Ormonde Jayne’s Tolu are not only smellalikes but near twins. Tolu is a little drier, more resinous in my memory, but if they weren’t in a side by side I’m not sure I could tell the difference.

I have a bottle of this one for sale. It’s not for me. I love all the notes but there’s something not right, it’s badly blended.

Catherine Zeta-Jones
May be The Mask of Zorro
In RED dress

Sadly this is not what I expected and is very far from being anything I'd choose to wear. It's absolutely outside of my comfort zone. Not my type of scent at all.

I find this absolutely repugnant. Whatever it is that I find deeply disconcerting and unsettling in CK Obsession and Lancaster eau concentree is prevalent here in a mighty hefty dose. These scents are not my scents, not at all.
Oddly, I loved Obsession in the early Nineties. When it was still fresh. I don't feel that the scent holds up and all of the older bottles beating about the place are not as it was back then. Rochas Absolu is in that category, Must, Obsession, Moschino, Aubade, Lancaster. The only one of this ilk that I can stomach (to some degree, at least...) is the Moschino.
Considering the sheer number of scents this is similar to, the idea of any fragrance fan having the inclination to describe this as unique is pretty laughable to be honest.

Strong, sickly, generic.

This is a timeless fragrance and what I really like about it is that it's unique and doesn't smell like every bottle out there. It is sophisticated and not offensive at all. The silage is ok, I tend to like the oriental type of notes but this juice is on the lighter side to me especially with the mandarin going on in there. It is memorable, very pleasant and could easily be a signature scent, however it's been discontinued.

I got it today, after eyeballing it for 3 years, and i am sorry i did. It smells almost 100% similar to one of the absolutely most hated perfumes in my collection: Habanita L'Esprit Molinard.
Started nice enough, but it didn't take long for it to turn into HLE, under 20 minutes. I honestly can not say which one i hate more. ☹

I'm currently wearing the lovely Absolu by Rochas - I'd describe it as a velvety, rich, honeyed orange blossom with an amber, resin, balsam, tolu dry down. I wore this to bed last night and it was so deliciously cozy. The morning after, I'm smelling incense and resins.
I'm wearing it today, in the heat, and it's also gorgeous. I have two sprays, projection is moderate, staying power is excellent. This is a perfume that's so enjoyable in all phases, the first few hours are honeyed floral, which I can't get enough of. I could see a man wearing this perfume and pulling it off well, in fact, it'd be quite sexy.

I have a sample.

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Softly resinous, with vague notes of that sort of acrid traditional old yellow soap, and maybe woody notes? Maybe vaguely fecal floral notes? I am not sure.

While wet I can smell the fresher notes, but they are very fleeting for me. As it dries it becomes what I described, a resinous perfume that, on me, is not sticky nor sweet as many resins are. It's a skin scent that does not project on me, but when you sniff it there's something else under the resins, unexpected. I am not sure I can identify what I am smelling. It smells pleasant to me, warm human. I wish it did project more on me.

To re-test. There's clearly more that I am not getting yet.

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UPDATE: It changes! As it dried more and time passed, it became both more powdery and more sharply resinous, less soft, and projecting much more. I was working at my laptop and suddenly caught a waft of fragrance, something resinous and powdery, reminding me of something I used to smell when I accompanied my mother to the hairdresser years ago.

Intriguing.

I am new-ish to perfume, but I'm making an effort to expand my palette and search out inexpensive "masterpieces," as described by those with a far more sophisticated nose. This was cheap and Dana from A Nose Knows went on about it, so now it's in my hands.

Okay, I've apparently never smelled resin/balsam/tolu/amber before, because I have absolutely no reference point for this. No way to describe it. But I'll try.

It smells like perfume. (Ha.) Older perfume, grown-up. I almost want to describe it as powdery, but it isn't at all - I guess it reminds me of older-style perfumes that have a powdery accord. It's sweet, but in a natural way - like maple syrup but decidedly not maple. Tree sap, but not green. Heavy, sticky, feminine, but there's no musk or vanilla. There are florals here, some rose, but its hard pick out over the resin. I can definitely detect a touch of pepper and orange right at the outset, but that doesn't last at all (caveat - the juice in my bottle has gone deep orange, so it's likely changed with age). I want to describe it as warm, but I think the color is swaying me more than anything. It's a bucket of botanical, half-crystallized honey-esque sap next to a lil rosebush.

It's... nice. I think. No, it IS nice, I'm just not sure it's for the uninitiated. I may simply need time with it. Maybe I'll like it when I'm older and less stupid, but let's be honest, that last part is an open question.

Ah this is such a nice resinous perfume. I know this was discontinued and the bottle I bought is most likely very old as I can immediately only smell the base notes, not even the mid notes. Which is fine with me, it’s still very nice and for $35 for a 2.5ml it’s a good deal. I have been wracking my brain to figure out what this perfume reminds me of and I finally got it. It reminds me of Ormonde Jayne Tolu. Both have Tolu in the notes and I get a lot of Tolu on my skin, which I love. I’d say buy this one if you can’t afford OJ Tolu, it’s the closest I’ve found to the actual Tolu. Of course Ormonde Jaynes Tolu is stronger and lasts longer. But both are very very similar in the dry down. And you can find bottles of this perfume under $50 new or used for much less.

This perfume with all its resinous notes should have been right up my alley, but there is something scratchy in here. Is it the pepper? I don't know. It's not as smooth as I imagined it would be. Rochas Absolu is rich, warm, a little spicy, but somehow not too heavy for warmer weather. I don't feel choked by it. But it doesn't completely settle in, there's a sawdust feeling when I inhale it - I get a similar feeling when I smell Calvin Klein's Obsession for women.

Orange is present but I am barely aware of it, smothered as it is by benzoin and tolu balsam. I like the smothered effect, though, it's sweet and sticky. Smells like spicy winter holidays. If it was a bit smoother, I would be head over heels in love - because of the roughness, it feels like the fragrance is of poorer quality.

A beautiful, gooey benzoin after half hour..and it keeps getting more deliciously gooey and sweeter. It was supposed to be my signature scent but it is sadly discontinued. I still fantasize smelling like warm resins with an initial greenness so I've just bought 2 bottles from ebay.

By the way, this smells NOTHING LIKE TOLU BY ORMONDE JAYNE. NOTHING. Can't believe 12 Fragranticans thought so. Rochas Absolu is sensuous and womanly. Tolu is amber with some initial citrus in a chalky way, to me more of a masculine chalky amber. I do not know how to appreciate Tolu, try as I might since I spent a bomb on it thinking it could replace Rochas Absolu, but I just don't and plan to sell it.

Rochas Absolu, on the other hand, I will use sparingly because it is precious nectar extraordinaire. Well done, Jacques Cavallier.

Edit: I have found a replacement for ABSOLU and I'm thrilled. It's YSL's CINEMA, another Jacques Cavallier creation extraordinaire. OK they don't have the same opening or mid, but the drydown is 95% similar... that same gooey sweet balsamic cloud.

ABSOLU: Something botanical and green ➡️ sweet balsam/benzoin ➡️ thicker sweet balsam/benzoin

CINEMA: Cola ➡️ Fizzy florals ➡️ sweet balsam/benzoin (95% similar to Absolu's drydown)

ABSOLU is likely the more potent, but I'm not complaining. Hugs to you again, Jacques!

Edit: Now that I'm more familiar with Cinema, I'm sorry to say that the drydown isn't that similar to Absolu after all. Bummer...I had wanted it to. But all the same, it's still a beauty. Not quite a match for Absolu, though. She will always regn as the balsamic queen.

How delicious! Absolu Rochas is a balsamic masterpiece (several people call it masterpiece, so I will join in) with strong sillage and super longevity.
It is hard to deconstruct, because it is so well blended that I mostly smell the benzoins. There is some sharpness (from the cedar and the pepper?) and some fruitiness (from the orange?). I get no green notes. To me it is the archetype of balsamic perfumes.

Absolu is of fantastic quality. If this came out on the market now, it would probably wear a hefty price tag.

I have always used Absolu in winter time, but OceanPlusEarth recommends it for summer. So I left it close at hand when I changed from winter to summer scents this year. (I rotate my collection twice a year.) Curious to see how this wears in higher temperatures.

EDIT: Now I have tried Absolu in warm temperatures, and OMG, it is even more delicious! It turns gourmand, very much like fudge or toffee. Reminds me a bit of Prada Candy. I will buy a back-up bottle of this.

Cavallier is one of my very favorite noses, and this one is a masterpiece. Absolu is a resin lover’s dream, the scent opens with sticky sweet benzoin with fresh juicy citrus. The florals are a backdrop to the resins and the entire composition reminds me of an amber perfume I used to love but I can’t think of the name of it at the moment, while it’s no powerhouse, the silage Is noticeable and I think this will be one I reach for often as the weather cools, it was made for chilly autumn evenings.

“For a moment a phrase tried to take shape in my mouth and my lips parted like a dumb man’s, as though there was more struggling upon them than a wisp of startled air. But they made no sound, and what I had almost remembered was uncommunicable forever”

― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Well well this is one way to put it... I have a strong bizzare reaction to this fragrance but I have absolutely no idea why. What I can say is that Absolu is a fragrance hard to pin down on a particular season, it is like having a Quattro Stagioni perfume where you get something from every time of the year... a summery fig leaf, a dash of mandarin, woody notes bringing a flair of modern "blue" scents (must be the cedar), even orange flower, and then those winterly delights of balsamic and benzoin opulence.
So everytime I put this on, I have an emotional flashback to something I don't know what it is and it is unbearable, although on a rational level I do appreciate this fragrance.
I would say Absolu is a must try of you like balsamic and/or woody fragrances.

This fragrance is back in FragranceX. Am keen to try this side by side with Van Cleef by Van Cleef and Arpels.

Not the kind of scent I am craving right now, but a safe bet for a warm, sexy, masculine fragrance for colder nights. I dont find it very original, it reminds me of men cologne. It starts gourmand, think if sweet woody caramel and then it develops into a smoky man cologne.

Truly beautiful in Summer where it turns into a sweet balmy caramel bomb. Highly underrated. So many amazing powerhouse REAL perfumes are sadly discontinued with weak and synthetic pop fragrances emerging on the 'buy now it's cheap before you find out how crap they really are' chemist counters.

So glad a have a few bottles of this.

As another reviewer mentioned, this scent is similar to Theorema. Both are warming scents perfectly blooming in cold climes. Sadly the other common factor is they are both discontinued.

This is everything that other reviewers already have said. Balsamic,sweet,warm and resinous oriental. Perfect match for cold weather. I just bought it from trusted outlet online retailer for a bargain price. Few years ago, this somehow skipped my atention. Back then I was mad about Alchimie discontinuation - another beauty from Rochas and Jacques Cavallier. Now, as I understood Absolu Rochas is also discontinuet.
Sad,sad, sad...
The Jacques Cavallier signature is all over this creation. It reminded me of Cinema Yves Saint Laurent and Classique Eau de Parfum Jean Paul Gaultier which are his creations also. If you like those try Absolu.
I'm Absolu your fan mr.Cavallier...

This goes on a complete labdanum vanilla. There's a little sharp fig leaf in there and a little orange blossom and lily. A sharp floral vanilla fragrance Like many other modern popular pieces of yuck that I own and regret.

A lovely take on balsamics, with citrus and greens of the fig leaf i haven't smelled this combo yet so quite new to me. Refreshing and warm at the same time, though the drydown is mostly balsamic. Lovely!

If it had turned it would be very dark, almost the color of rust and you would feel a smell would be somewhat akin to blood (because of the iron compound that replaces most of the notes, that also gives blood its smell ). Probably some notes are losing its strength and an imbalance was created in the perfume.Also the pyramid is not your usual fruitchouli, takes time to get used.

I can't determine if my bottle has turned or not; it's a vintage I bought on ebay. The juice is much darker, more amber, instead of the yellow pictured here. However, I see that bottles pictured for sale on Amazon and other sites also show a darker liquid.
Either way, on me the perfume I have is all gooey resins. I get no fruit or florals; just thick, warm, sticky, ambery resins. The effect is a heavy sweetness, but one that is not at all gourmand or fruity. The sweet sap makes me think that if it hasn't turned, it's on the verge and has lost some of its original notes. Even so, for now it's still wearable if a bit linear.
Pungent and dry, this is the way I always imagined ancient burial chambers smelled, thick with the sticky sweet resins and oils used to anoint the dead--and in my world this is a good thing. I find a serene beauty in ancient funerary rites, particularity in the fact that the greatest care, best fragrances, and finest linens were often reserved for the deceased--after all, this is what you would wear for eternity. Life was temporary; it was the afterlife that mattered. This heady scent conjures warm firelight, rolls of handwoven linen, and opulence too precious to be wasted on the living.
Because of its weight and thickness, this will certainly be a cold-weather wear for me. It's too heavy for everyday, but I will enjoy it on those occasions when the ancient past chooses to haunt me. This is one of those perfumes that's not just a scent, it's a time machine, an experience. One that may not even be entirely pleasant, but that you are richer for just the same.

Sprayed this for the first time today....STUNNING...
I find this more like a Chypre type fragrance. I am a guy, and I have been looking at older chypres recently, after finding Mitsouko by Guerlain (now my Holy Grail scent). Rochas Absolu will be in my hands very soon !!!
I also sniffed Femme by Rochas today..and was equally impressed, although very different scents. I bought Rochas Lui for men today...discontinued/hard to find, and I find it a brother to Absolu, in some weird way.Not that they smell alike, only the feel of the composition.
Glad that I explored Rochas and found these GEMS.

After reading some of the reviews on here, I didn't quite know what to expect from Rochas Absolu..but it sounded like the sort of thing I'd like.. I got this in a swap, and all I can say to my swap-partner is Thank you, thank you, thank you.. I love it! Yes it's sweet & juicy, but it's dark and sultry, and it's rich and cosy all at the same time.. and in a strange way it kinda reminds me of a sexier more "aloof" JSP Covet..and yes I know there is little if any similarity in their notes, but that's what I get!

I bought it in december last year, and I forgot it in my wardrobe with the intention to test it in a typical italian autumn day. Yesterday I wore it. Love at first sight, thing not so frequent with me even if I love the world of fragrances. This is what I call a real perfume. It reminds me Eclix of La Perla, I don't know why, the notes are completely different. But a woman who wears it doesn' t get away unnoticed. Warm, elegant and sensual. The Tolu balsam is prominent and I love it. Very good projection and it lasts all day long. Thumbs up. Obviously all these positive things led to discontinuation.

I don't get floral or citrus notes. No pepper on my skin either. It sweetens quite a bit on my skin in the drydown - all sweet amber. It smells so much like vanilla to my untrained nose. It's a cozy winter fragrance. I enjoy it but seldom reach for it. It's a like rather than a love. I believe it has been discontinued??? I'm a Rochas fan. Great fragrances at even better prices.

A beautiful warm and soft cocoon. Sits close to you with its resinous comfort and just tickles you a bit with a very moderate and natural freshness of non-acerbic citruses. Think kumquat here...

I really love it and even my perfume hating partner tolerates it. The perfume doesn't overpower and keeps up the game of giving the wearer a special allure.

The development is very straight and not very advanced - WYSIWYG. Sadly - discontinued.

I get orange, benzoin, tolu and hints of floral. All in all, it's rich (but not loud), sweet (but diabetic-friendly) and balsamic. It does share some similarities with Tolu by Ormonde Jayne as some have pointed out. If oriental is your thing, you will enjoy this very underrated beauty.

I bought this perfume in Las Vegas the day before yesterday at the very low price of $19.99 (the box was dusty and forgoten in a shelf). I was amaze of the price and the lady in the counter said to me: that price is because nobody buy it :(
To be honest with you this is sad because this fragrance is amazing!!!!! For me is a true classic. I'm a men and been looking for the Rochas frangances since a long time ago and find this on my vacations was a truly find, I'm saying this because Rochas is impossible to find in the USA in any location or store. I do regret now for only buy one bottle. Now this bottle and the box will be care and keep for more years to come.

This is a very warm, sultry and sensational scent. The dominant notes are benzoin and tolu balsam with tangerine and fig leaf balancing the resinous sweetness beautifully!The labdanum is present but mild and blended nicely, I really like the minty touch which pairs like a dream with the resins and tolu. This is a Winter scent strictly,very strong and long lasting, I simply love it!

I have to confess.I love Rochas Absolu more than Rochas Mystere.
Hope no one fainted in our vintage section:p
I am really going to buy flowers to my body chemistry for this ABSOLUTE lingerness and smoulderness and chic reqarding Rochas Absolu. Its perfect on me.

Wearing it its like sailing – you've got the wings behind your back
Rochas Absolu actually makes me better human, tolu balsam – its so smooth and soft and forgiving. Its like someone's loving hand strokes my needles, makes me kind and fluffy)
Labdanum here full of ambery liquidness, resinous and placide. Nectarous fig leaf – adds hearty intelligence. Neroli gives rich aromatic oiliness to tolu – these two are meant for each other!

Absolu-t-ly gorgeous baby of Jacques Cavallier.

I bought this soly because of the reviews and description of Absolut. I love orientals, I would say it is my favorite category of perfumes. This one is listed as woody, yet it has amber nuances, the wood is is in the background and nicely blended. There are some flowers in it that are unlisted, I'm sure of it. There is a floral top note that has a faint herbaceous scent like a beautiful citrusy floral note of a magnolia blossom or even slightly jasmine. I enjoyed this little bottle regardless of the price. The sillage could be better but the fragrance is wonderful.

Rochas Absolu is, to my mind, an under-rated beauty. I've never smelled Ormonde Jayne Tolu, but if it smells like RA, I'm sure I would love it. Why spend that kind of money when the Rochas is (supposedly) so similar? This is a terrific Tolu/resinous scent at a great price. The longevity is not the best, but hey, at this price, and for how much I enjoy it... I'll just keep on spraying! It is beautiful for Autumn.

Impressive one for sure, very much Jacques Cavallier style, but it has nothing to do with this finest such as Boucheroun or Dior fragrances. An winter smell. Not very long lasting on me.

A lovely subtle and unique perfume. The citrusy oil smell I associate with neroli comes to me first. And then a strong and beautiful wave of creamy benzoin and tolu woodiness. It's so rare to find a woody perfume that leans heavily towards the feminine - but to me that is what this does. As it dries down a sweet beautiful spiciness comes out. Everything about it feels deep and slow and resinous.

It is not overpowering, but more darkly, quietly sexy. An everyday perfume in my eyes. Safe, unobtrusive, but a little mysterious.

It reminds me very much of Moschino Couture (though less sweet... not that Couture is very sweet to begin with). My only further wish for this would be to add a volume UP dial. Wish it had bigger sillage and longevity. It fades quickly on my skin, turning into a warm, but almost nonexistent skin scent in about 2 hours.

Instant love since the first moment-such an adorable, feminine, intriguing and seductive! Coming back to it again and again after all my new perfumes discoveries as to the moment of truth. This one and Venezia by Laura Biagiotti are ones I can't imagine my life without anymore.

Every time I wear it, it reminds me of the old Mania. I was not surprised to learn that it was created by the same person who made Nu and Kingdom. Very deep, warm and comforting. I don't feel any pepper, fortunately. Just mature and self-confident autumn base, so to speak:) I also recommend its sister-Simply Red.

I don't know maybe i'm crazy but it really reminds me more citrusy version of Addict. I get exactly the same creamy base. Very pleasant and enjoyable scent.

On my skin this is only balmy...
It's all my nose can detect, Tolu Balsam, Labdanum & Benzoin. I don't detect any of the floral or citrus notes.
It stays really close to my skin and lasts a short time.
For me it's better used as a bedtime fragrance.

I got this one on ebay on a blind whim (I have them often) and this one was another pleasant surprise especially for the price. It has depth, is warm and spicy with oody undertones yet not cloying. Definitely something for oriental lovers. The bottle is quite cute too!

What a wonderful surprise!!! Woody,a bit citrus and so deep and comforting! Very unusual smell, but a like it!

Absolu is citrus, very warm and powdery...
It's my top five winter scent

Absolu is deep, rich, dark, warm and elegant. A little goes a long way.

First of all I want to say thanks to Moniq who wrote a lovely review
and to laetitap who let me get it in a swap !

Rochas Absolu starts strong but fresh, reminding me of Belle en Rykiel top note wich is also quite strong. It settles quickly into a lovely pepper, rose and orange flower mix that is also a little strong because of the pepper, but if you just like me, love pepper in perfumes this is nothing... The rose is not very prominent but its a mix of these three,
maybe something else. The base notes are sooo lovely, quite subtle
as a contrary to the top. The benzoin, labdanum and tolu balsam makes it turn into a sexy velvety creamy dream - like a body lotion almost.
its soft and still some peppery notes left.
This Rochas Absolu is made in the early 20 th century , but to me its like an ancient trofe that could have been worn by the divas from the past..
This is a Lady - but not - Gaga perfume !
Wear it with grace !

Beautiful!! Not modern sugarsweet or flower/fruitysweet. Adult, deep, sexy and very elegant. Soft whispers encircling me and Absolu is perfect. Not too strong, not to weak, but it's here all around me in a very sensual way. I love the benzoin and Tolu Balsam for the deep sexy notes and the Rose and orange blossom for the female touch and I love the notes of pepper that softens the sweet notes on my skin..Absolu'tely perfect!

Underbar!! Inte modernt sockersöt eller blom/fruktsöt. Vuxen, djup, sexig och mycket elegant. Som en mjuk viskning omringar Asolu mig suveränt. Inte för stark, inte för svag, men här runt mig på ett behagligt och sensuellt sätt. Jag älskar Benzoin och Tolu Balsam för dess djup och sexiga noter och Ros och Apelsinblomma för den kvinnliga touchen och jag älskar pepparnoten som skalar av de söta noterna på min hud. Absolu't Perfekt!

Luxurious and rich!
Perfect for mature ,classy,successful ladies!
Suitable for special occasions
Ideal for fall/winter,cold evenings

Rochas Absolu, Tocade and Femme - they all have the almost same spicy and very balmy dry down, only the openings are different. I prefer Absolu for the freshnes. Bold feminines for big girls.

Absolu seems to have 2 openings to me, or is it 2 hearts? Anyway: to me it opens fresh and sweet, but very soon after it dries on my skin, a strange "fat" and cloying note comes out. I have no idea what it is, but I've met it in various forms in other perfumes.
In Absolu this is not a problem as it's only a very brief visit of the strangler.

Absolu in its soul is very soft, very ladylike. Smooth, tender, understated, but not excactly shy. The woody undertone is extremely feminine.
Had it been sweeter, it would have been a disaster - but as it is, it's adorable.
Not quite bold and loud enough to be in my top 10, but still one I reach for when I need something discreet, elegant and warm.

Such a pity the sillage and longevity are almost non-existent !!! Bought a bottle of edp cheap so I couldn't resist it but now I reapply every hour :-((

It's a wonderful oriental perfume, a mix between Cartier Le Baiser du Dragon and Must.

Just amazing!!!

Rochas Absolu is an orange blossom infused oriental. It has a rather demanding presence, however it also has a sweet, feminine side that I can't help but admire.

This is one of those fragrances that start soft, then increasingly become stronger the more it has a chance to develop. You'd be forgiven for going overboard when you first apply, assuming that this fragrance is just a whisper on the skin. By the heart, this fragrance definitely has projection.

It's an oriental without the spice. I smell mostly orange blossom, citrus, vanillary benzoin and green, fresh lilies. The composition itself is quite smooth and sensual, and I believe it's the alluring nature of this fragrance that makes it so popular.

Although sexy, it can be seen as elegant and sophisticated too. It strikes me as being something that most women would to love wear, or even own. I don't doubt that Rochas Absolu would make a wonderful signature fragrance.

Thankfully Rochas Absolu is not cloying like some other orientals tend to be. It's pleasant and inoffensive rather than suffocating. While wearing it around my man, I was given the opinion that he found the scent rather approachable and pleasant in confined spaces.

I like Rochas Absolu for its unique take on one of my favourite notes, orange blossom. It's nice to see this floral note in another light, jazzed up and intensified with benzoin, labdanum and other resins. I am more than pleased with my sample, but I will have to wear it a few times more before I decide to buy a full-sized bottle.

I love this one.
I think it is a bit on the sweet side, but I like that in a scent.
The lasting power on me is not so long, 2 á 3 hours.
I heard that it is discontinued.

WONDERFUL!!! I sprayed from a tester today and I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of stock at my local drugstore Fine Fragrance counter. This is going strong after 6 hours ... a fabulous woodsy/rosy/resinous perfume that is easy on the pocket and delivers in spades!! This little gem is quite neglected ... get it while you can :).

My first post and I have just bought this for £8 for a 75ml edp bottle. This so sweet and peppery ,it slightly reminds of the pepper in the original hot couture. And settles as warm talcy scent. It made me want to get dolled up and go out

I love it and even more so at the bargain price I bought it at :)

PS I love this web site, but since I have been reading it my perfume addiction has got so out of control, I think I have perumeorexia :)

Right now I'm sniffing Absolu on one wrist and Couture Moschino on another...
Somebody said they are in some way similar, but what I smell is two complitely different stories. But complitely different perfumes. Couture is fresh.
Absolu is spicy on me, not balmy nor musky. I like it, because I generally like spicy scents, it is strong though and quite masculine. This is, at least, what I smell on me.
Longlasting and with a good sillage too.
Very good quality perfume, it's so obvious.

Something else: tolu balsam is so noticable, one has to like it to stand this perfume. I dislike tolu balsam but benzoin is one of my favorite notes. So, there is a peculiar balance here for me. It reminds me of Serpentine in a way.

I loved this one, found it to be a much more wearable version of Addict, plus about half the price.

Delicious, warm, nutty sexy! I love this!!! Peppery but not with an overly strong bite. It is smooth and sensual. It makes you want to cuddle up next to a fireplace with a glass of wine and watch the snow fly outside. Just a beautiful scent. A fall and winter must have for sure!!!!!

The first spritz to explore a fragrance I give on my wrist; I am able to sniff close or far away and can or cannot pick notes etc.

I did that with Absolu and thought: Well, quite boring.

Today after work I've spritzed it on the decollete, where I usually wear perfume and this is a totally different experience: Wow, how sultry this is! Still boring in a way, but so nice, dark, sweet and a little nutty. Perfect.

I am big fan of Jacques Cavallier. He has his own way of creating perfumes (for women). On paper they use to smell odd (so nobody buys), as a exploring perfume they are usually too linear (so the perfumistas dismiss them), BUT while wearing them they are so delightful, deep and make a woman smell phantastic and absolutely seductive. His creations need skin for development.

I find him to be the best contemporary nose, sometimes he's a genius (Kingdom, Nu, M7), sometimes he's uninspired, but even than he creates better than average stuff.

By the way: My boyfriend only reacts positively on Habanita and perfumes created by Jacques Cavallier.

I have a sample. Absolu reminds me a bit of Gucci-Accenti in the climate.

It's a dark scent with lots of tolu balsam, bezoin, labdanum, a feminine one, spicy but not much. I usually don't wear "dark" fragrances so I won't buy more but it's a very well done oriental frag.

Absolu is not really a mirror to its name, but it is a special fragrance that, thank Goodness, walks boldly away from all the over-sweet orientals available now. Instead, this is like rich dark, addictive molasses. It has a bit of sweetness to it, enough to make it warm, feminine, dark, smoky, intense, without being an obviously available (read easy to encounter on others) scent. The rich resinous smell is addictive for me - I love the smell as it says 'I'm not easy to find, I'm not everywhere, I'm not common'. I love to wear it, and seemingly so do the others around me. I bought it expecting something else, the classical vanilla--excessively sweet-drowned oriental fragrance, but am I glad it was not that - it is a tiny bit resinous and bitterish, but this is what makes it stand apart. I do like Kenzo-Jungle Elephant, D&G-The One, Dior-Dune, Chanel-Allure (to mention a few I thought this resembled according to reviews), but I far more love Absolu for its darkness, richness and distinctiveness. I am glad I have it, I enjoy it and I shall but it again and again.

As some fragranticans said, it really bares a lot of similarities to Moschino Couture! And Absolu is indeed the bigger sister in this couple. Even though both have this almost identical sultriness in the dry down, Couture has a sparkling floral feel, while Absolu is darker,more enygmatic, maybe a bit melancholic. The mandarin is less luscious in Absolu, making the woody vanilla and balmy benzoin the stars in the composition. You won't find baking vanilla in here- it is dark, slightly sweet and quite smoky resinous, but not in an overpowering way. I don't find it similar to Le Baiser du Dragon or Dior Addict, which both fall into this pure essence of vanilla, spices and resins category - difficult for many, including myself. Absolu has an elegant and warm flowery undertone, which melts smoothly into the resins. So sultry...

Back to Couture-Absolu.Interesting couple indeed, and Absolu is another great woody perfume to add to any wardrobe, but I still prefer the younger sister right now.

Bottomline: The bottle of Absolu is absolutely glorious as is the content.

Looking for another 'resinous' fragrance I picked this little cute bottle up following Action's advice. And yes, it is a lovely, moderately sweet and balmy fragrance. To me it is more ambery, in line with Gres Ambre de Cabochard rather than smokily resinous as Rochas Femme, so I am not 100% happy, but it is definetely a pleasant option with a little peppery touch which slightly enriches the balsamic warmth. Very comforting and worth its price.

I had it before some time, but in comparison with other Rochas perfumes is not my favorite.
Still the sent is pretty good.

I'm not sure that this is a woody oriental. There are a lot of flowers in it.Its light but has a good longevity, certainly over 5 hours. Its daytime for me as I like something a little heavier in the evening. It does provoke ' thats lovely, what is it?' from people. And it is lovely. A scent anyone can wear. I would say woody floral. Its classy.

I don't know why I smell a lot of gardenia in this, but I do. And I love it! it is a warm floral fragrance with a slight kick (possibly from the pepper and fig leaf.)

it smells like: black dress, high heels, elegant night out.

not like: sequin & glitter, wild makeup, clubbing drunk.

Dark, smokey, rich, balmy and resinous, with moderate sweetness and unparalleled longevity. I wear it all year round and I can never have too much of it. So beautiful, so comforting. I pile new unopened bottles of Absolu for fear that it can get discontinued one day. Loss of no other fragrance would hurt me more.

Absolu is a deep scent, smokey, elegant and definitely for winter time. I feel it would kill me if I wore it at hot summer day.
I personally do not like the first 5 minutes but after that time, it becomes so dark and seductive that I cannot resist but keep sniffing my wrist :-)
I am not very much into oriental fragrances, there are very few in my collection.
Absolu is a magnificent fragrance for a big night out but it could never compete with the love of my life - Alchimie.
Worth trying if you like oriental fragrances with a moderate sweetness and mellow floral notes.
I never thought that benzoin and pepper could be such a lovely sweet and spicy companions making Absolu a genius mixture :-)

I love the way the mandarin and lily notes balance the pepper in this fragrance, and the resinous, woody base is just gorgeous!

I tested this fragrance months after first trying Moschino Couture, and I am realizing now that Couture seems to be very much in the style of Rochas Absolu, but lighter, and with a base of vanilla, rather than resins. This feels like the big sister fragrance to Couture.

Two thumbs up!!!

Gorgeous perfume!! Stayes a LONG time and is very well constructed, I cannot recommend this enough and with this new store Luxuryperfume, it is available for a great price!

People, do not miss out on this genius production of Cavallier! He did a magnificent job on this Alien sister!!
:-)

If you love Alien, give this a try!! i adore it!
Good luck!
Action

Tolu Balsam Benzoin and i think there's
a note missing Myrrh gives it a dark woodsy scent and it dries down to a powdery texture

this can be weared by Men and Women
i love the color the color of Yellow Topaz Liquid and i love the Bottle
design it's shaped like a top or
the Top looks Like a old record Vinyl.

the Reason i like this then loving it
because of it's powdery drydown which
i'm not crazy about.

I give this a 4

Rochas ABSOLU is a resin-rich oriental reminiscent of Cartier LE BAISER DU DRAGON or even MUST in its dark and heavy texture, more akin to perfume oil than eau de parfum.

ABSOLU showcases benzoin, tolu balsam and labdanum, in which incense and a bit of pepper have been infused. The florals and cedar serve more as garnishes than as dominant notes. The fig leaf opening is a bit lighter than the drydown, but overall this is a serious affair, suitable only for cold winter nights.

I find ABSOLU dreamy and hypnotic, not quite as intense as its Cartier cousins, but close! Such scents seem well-suited for secret nights out under assumed identities in shadowy oriental settings. The tarot card concept attempted by D&G with its Anthology suite seems more appropriate to these sorts of scents, IMNSHO.

As a dark, oily oriental, ABSOLU has excellent staying power and sillage. A little goes a long way!

Just bought it a while ago. First, 30ml. When I tried it for the second time I fell in love with it and ordered 75ml. It is a nice, elegant, warm & rich scent that can be used during the day or for the evening. Good staying power. More like for special occassions kind of scent, however I think that we should not keep things for special occassions as life is too short!

A perfume for all you sexy ladies out there!!

i just bought it to my mum. i expected something more outstanding. i got i bit dissappointed, it is not that great. its just ok,a bit to woody!what i got the most is pepper and lily. i have to mention that my mome loved it...

in my opinion,if you love oriental woody better choose an other scent...

I get the orange, a little pepper, then nothing. Rochas perfumes fade way too quickly on me. Nice scent but no lasting power in dry climate.
Pass...

Every time when I want to leave a comment - person right next time said everything what I wanted to say :)
I completely agree with Dina...
It is a woody scent but light (not in a bad way). The more you wear it, the more beautiful it gets!
It is perfect for coming winter!

I agree that it's an autumn/winter and special occasions frag. It's a pure woody scent, very sultry and mysterious and not common like many other fragrances in the market. It has something in the notes like tobacco aroma that makes it really unique.

Absolu is a strange perfume. It's so juicy. Very moist and succulent like a ripe fruit, but not really sweet on me. Must be the fig. It's a unique effect I've not found in any other perfume.

It dries down to a lovely woody oriental, and reminds me of Boucheron's Trouble after a few hours. It's much more oriental than gourmand, in spite of the juicy fig top notes.

The longevity of the EDP is not so great--I got just four or five hours out of it. Wish it lasted a bit longer, but I do enjoy wearing it.

Very sweet ,little bit spicy,smells little bit like a lipstick on me.It is not a sofisticated fragrance at all!

This was way too sweet on me. It started as an 80s style floral oriental, but ended up so cloying that I had to scrub it. Disappointed.

Absolue is my all time favourite. I personally find it simply perfect. First you can smell the fig leaves, they're very fresh, crisp, but it is not a green fragrance. Orange note brings some fruity complexion into it, followed by floral notes and then comes the drydown, a powdery and resinous miracle. I've never smelt anything similar before, the most beautiful drydown I can say. I find Absolue cosy, smooth but sexy at the same time. It is not sweet at all.

I bought this perfume online, after reading so good reviews.... I am not happy at all! In my opinion they are much too sweet, too heavy...fees like almond on my skin...and almond scent gives me headache...
I have already given them away!
Definatelly not my type of perfume, even though I love oriental woody perfumes.
Big dissapointment.

Cheerful and optimistic.
Modest and elegant.
Friendly - combining warmth and freshness - like a sunny autumn afternoon.

Very Paris, really French! Full of Rochas's beautiful, unusual and prominent perfumes' spirit.

Absolu is ment for active women that want to be trendy, but always look for something unique, outstanding.
Independent, intelligent women that respect sophisticated (but not provocative) style.

I think the poster doesn't suit the scent.

awesome and unique fragance... and no popular !

amazing.

this is my autumn/winter scent!
It's peppery but it's not heavy. I think that it's a sensual fragrance... it makes me feel sexy and powerful!
I just love it!

Peppery and woody scent evolving into powdery blanket. Intriguing and seductive.