I first smelled Rose Struck at The Whiff Shop in Easton, Pennsylvania. It was one of those quiet moments when a scent catches you before you expect it to. I sprayed it once, walked around the store, and kept bringing my wrist back to my nose. It reminded me of a wet rose in the morning, the kind you brush against in a garden before the sun warms it. I took a sample home because I needed to understand it better.
Rose Struck opens with a bright, almost tart sparkle. Cassis and tangerine rush forward first, lifting the fragrance with a fresh, juicy energy. It feels crisp and clean, never sticky or sweet. This sharp fruitiness creates a little tension that keeps the rose from sinking into softness too quickly.
Liis is a small California fragrance house built around clarity and simplicity. Their perfumes are genderless, made with organic sugarcane alcohol, and are designed to sit close to the skin. Nothing is overloaded or ornamental. Their style is soft, clean, and modern, and Rose Struck reflects that perfectly. Liis describes the perfume as a study in contrasts and impermanence. That makes sense once the matcha note appears. The tea softens everything and gives the fragrance a simple calm. The sharp edges smooth out. What stays is clarity.
The roses come through slowly. Damask rose and rose centifolia give the perfume its quiet beauty. They feel fresh, almost translucent, rather than full or powdery. It is not a romantic rose. It is a modern rose. A clean rose. A rose that feels genderless and easy to wear.
Top notes: Cassis and tangerine
Heart: Matcha tea
Base: Damask rose and rose centifolia
The overall impression is a pink and green composition. Fruity brightness lifted by tea, then softened into a dewy floral. It sits on the skin in a gentle way, like a petal pressed between two warm pages.
Rose Struck stays close. It is meant to be intimate rather than bold. The longevity is moderate. On my skin it lasts about four hours. The final hours are pale rose and clean musk, soft but lightly present.
Launch year: 2020
Perfumer duo: Alissa Sullivan and Leslie Hendin
Accords: Rose, citrus, fruity, floral, green
Price: 175 USD
House style: Genderless, skin-friendly compositions made with organic sugarcane alcohol
Liis has a soft touch as a brand. Rose Struck fits that approach completely. It is pretty, clean, and grounded. If you want a rose that feels like morning air, this one belongs on your list.
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