In This Review
Overview
Famed fashion designer Giorgio Armani once said, “A perfume is more than an extract, it is a presence.” Many scents try to capture a specific feel and atmosphere or bring to mind a particular place.
Launched in 2018 by Ouai, Melrose Place is a rose-scented eau de parfum that tries to call to mind the feel of the city of Los Angeles. According to the manufacturer, it smells like “LA sunsets and valet parking” and may make you feel luxurious day or night.
Is the scent as delicious as the company claims, and how does it compare to other options on the market? In this review, we look at the product and brand in detail and give you our honest evaluation of Ouai Melrose Place.
What is Ouai Melrose Place?
Ouai Melrose Place is a rose-scented eau de parfum infused with bergamot, lychee, cedarwood, and white musk. It offers a velvety odor that attempts to capture the atmosphere and feel of Los Angeles and Melrose Place in particular.
According to the company, the scent is fresh, floral, long-lasting, and suitable for day wear or a night on the town. While not a luxury brand, Ouai Melrose Place is marketed as a high-brow blend that makes you “smell like you only eat avocado toast,” similar to Success Perfume in our Beauty Society review.
Owned by Proctor & Gamble, the Ouai brand is 100% cruelty-free and the product is free of free of sulfates, gluten, parabens, phthalates, and SLS and SLES. If you are looking for a fresh new scent, Ouai Melrose Place is one option to consider.
How Does Ouai Melrose Place Rate According to Our Experts?

Brand Highlights
- This scent was first launched in 2018.
- Ouai Melrose Place tries to capture the feel and vibes of LA.
- The glass bottle is fully recyclable.
- It’s free of sulfates, gluten, parabens, phthalates, and SLS and SLES.
- The Ouai brand is cruelty-free.
- Ouai Melrose Place is suitable for day or night wear.
Key Ingredients
- Denatured Alcohol
- Parfum (Fragrance)
- Linalool
- Geraniol
- Benzyl Salicylate
Pros
- Ouai Melrose Place may offer a pleasant scent.
- It may help boost confidence in social settings.
- The fragrance has staying power and may last for a couple of hours.
Cons
- Some ingredients could cause a skin reaction in sensitive or allergic users.
- The rose-scented odor will not appear to every user.
- Some users say the scent is too strong.
- Ouai Melrose Place comes in a glass bottle which is easy to break.
- The scent will vary on different users depending on individual body chemistry.
About the Brand
The manufacturer is the hair and beauty brand Ouai, which has its headquarters in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 2016 by celebrity stylist Jen Atkin, the brand offers a line of body, haircare, and perfume products designed for easy use and convenience.
Ouai was acquired by the American multinational organization Proctor & Gamble in 2022, which sells a large line of consumer goods worldwide.
How Does Ouai Melrose Place Work?
Ouai Melrose Place is eau de perfume, which means it has fewer fragrant oils compared to perfume and generally contains 15–20% aromatic compounds. Generally the more concentrated the blend, the longer it may last.
This brand uses denatured alcohol as its base, which helps hold the scent compounds so the odor stays on your skin, and may offer a feeling of freshness. It also helps improve the solubility of the fragrant oils.
The main aromatic compound is rose, and the formula also contains ‘base notes’ including bergamot, lychee, cedarwood, and white musk. Other ingredients in Ouai Melrose Place may serve to enrich or extend the length of the scent.
Ouai Melrose Place Ingredients – Are They Safe & Effective?
Some of the primary active Ouai Melrose Place ingredients include:
Denatured Alcohol
This is ethanol which also contains toxic additives that make it harmful to ingest orally. It is included in perfume products to make the fragrance oil more soluble, freshen the skin, and help the scent stay on for longer. A review in Food and Chemical Toxicology discussed the usage and safety of alcohol in fragrances.
Parfum (Fragrance)
This includes the blend of essential oils and liquid solvents that make up the fragrance of the product, and according to the manufacturer, it has no synthetic agents. The main oil is rose, with lower concentrations of bergamot, lychee, cedarwood, and white musk.
An article in the European Journal of Organic Chemistry provides a historical perspective on industrial fragrance chemistry.
Linalool
This is a terpene alcohol derived from plants like lavender and citrus fruits. Often included in perfumes and other cosmetic products it is known for its spicy, floral scent. it is safe generally but could cause skin irritation in some people.
An article published in Food and Chemical Toxicology provides a toxicologic and dermatologic review of the use of linalool in fragrance products.
Geraniol
This is an alcohol and monoterpenoid that is an element of many essential oils, often rose or citronella oil. It is often included in perfumes and other cosmetics for its lovely odor and potential ability to enhance other scents.
A review article in the South African Journal of Botany discussed geraniol as a potentially commercially important fragrance material.
Benzyl Salicylate
This is a natural chemical compound produced by some plants which is often added to cosmetics for its fragrance and ability to absorb UV light. It has anti-inflammatory benefits that could help ease redness or irritation on the skin.
An article in Food and Chemical Toxicology evaluated the potential benefits of Benzyl Salicylate as a fragrance material.
How to Use Ouai Melrose Place?
Apply Ouai Melrose Place day or night to clean, slightly damp skin. Using the applicator, spray on your wrists, behind your ears, and on your neck without rubbing it in as this may decrease the potency of the scent. For a more powerful scent, also spray in the creases of your elbows and behind your knees. In addition:
- Before full use, as we said in our review of Maelys Cosmetics, perform a patch test by applying it to a small area and waiting 24 hours. If there is no reaction, proceed with regular use.
- If you notice redness, itchy skin, or other symptoms, stop using Ouai Melrose Place immediately and see a dermatologist if required.
What Are the Benefits of Ouai Melrose Place?
These are the claimed benefits of Ouai Melrose Place:
- May Offer a Pleasant Rose Scent – The formula promises a rose scent infused with bergamot, lychee, cedarwood, and white musk which is suitable for day or night wear.
- Could Help Boost Social Confidence – Wearing an appealing scent may help provide you with added confidence in social situations.
- Might Have Potent Staying Power – The company reports that the scent lasts for about 2 hours after application.
Side Effects of Ouai Melrose Place
Melrose Place contains ingredients like alcohol and fragrance that could lead to a skin reaction in sensitive types or an allergic reaction in users with an intolerance to one or more ingredients.
Before regular use, conduct a patch test on a small area. If there is no reaction after 24 hours, proceed with regular application. If you notice issues like itchiness, redness, or other symptoms, discontinue use and consult a dermatologist if necessary.
Safety of Ouai Melrose Place
Ouai Melrose Place is free of sulfates, gluten, parabens, phthalates, and SLS and SLES, which could help decrease the risk of skin reactions, but it still contains other ingredients that are potential irritants. It may not be suitable with individuals who have sensitive skin.
Ouai is completely cruelty-free, not testing on animals or working with companies that do. The Ouai brand is owned by Proctor and Gamble, which manufactures most of its products in GMP-certified facilities.
How Much Does Ouai Melrose Place Cost?
Melrose Place is for sale on the Ouai official website, and from other authorized stores and online retailers like Sephora and Amazon and Walmart. On the official website, the price is $67 for a full-sized (1.7 OZ) bottle and $26 for a smaller travel size (0.34 FL OZ). The price from other retailers may vary somewhat, and some sites offer it at a higher cost.
FAQs Review – Ouai Melrose Place
Q: How is Ouai Melrose Place Unique From Other Eau de Parfum?
A: Every Eau de Parfum is different, but Ouai Melrose Place presents itself as a blend that tries to capture the spirit of Los Angeles, promising a velvety, rose scent that includes hints of bergamot, lychee, cedarwood, and white musk.
Q: What is the Return Policy?
A: The company offers a 45-day return policy for Ouai products purchased on the official website. If you are dissatisfied or received a damaged item, contact customer service and send back the unused portion within 45 days of the order for a full refund, less shipping charges.
Q: Is Ouai Melrose Place Worth It?
A: While this scent is not cheap, it is not in the luxury item price range either. Whether it is worth it depends on the scent preferences of the individual user. If you love the odor and feel good wearing it, Ouai Melrose Place may be worth it for you.
Q: Is the Ouai Melrose Place Bottle Recyclable?
A: The Ouai glass bottle is recyclable, but the cap, sprayer, and collar are not and must be disposed of in the regular garbage.
Q: Who Should Buy Ouai Melrose Place?
A: Ouai Melrose Place may be suitable for individuals looking for a rose-inspired day and night scent, depending on individual preferences. It contains ingredients that could cause a reaction, and it is not ideal for those with sensitive skin.
Q: What Does Ouai Melrose Place Smell Like?
A: Ouai Melrose Place is a rose-scented formula that has hints of other odors like bergamot, lychee, cedarwood, and white musk. According to the company, it has a velvety scent reminiscent of LA sunsets and valet parking.
Ouai Melrose Place – Customer Reviews
The Ouai Melrose Place reviews and ratings are quite positive overall, and many users say they enjoy the scent and feel good wearing it. There are also some critical reviews from customers who do not like the scent, or say it doesn’t stay on for long as the company claims.
On the official website, 295 users give a total rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, and 167 Amazon users give the blend 4.5 stars. One of the top 5-star comments on the official site comes from Madison, who raves,
The best-smelling perfume in the world! Totally worth the price and beautiful packaging.
One of the most critical 1-star Amazon reviews is from Lisa W, who says
Gross cheap old lady smell.
Another 1-star rating is from Wimmer Music, who explains,
smells nice when first sprayed on. The scent does NOT last.
Ouai Melrose Place Final Verdict
Melrose Place by Ouai is an LA-inspired rose-scented eau de parfum with hints of bergamot, lychee, cedarwood, and white musk, and it may be suitable for day or night wear for users who enjoy the odor. Overall we think the smell is nice, but may not appeal to every individual.
The Ouai Melrose Place reviews on the official and independent sites are fairly positive overall, and many users enjoy the scent and say they have gotten compliments wearing it. However, others dislike the odor, and some say it does not last as long as the manufacturer claims.
Melrose Place is free of sulfates, gluten, parabens, phthalates, and SLS and SLES, but it contains ingredients like alcohol and fragrance that may cause a skin reaction in some users. If you have symptoms like itchiness, redness, or discomfort, stop using the product and see a dermatologist if necessary.
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