Gran Ballo Xerjoff

Floral Fruity Gourmand

Gran Ballo is a 2013 piece from the Casamorati range with caramel, honey, white flowers and vanilla. The note profile is similar to Viva La Juicy By Juicy Couture. It is a delicate, okay blended gourmand which is not in your face. It is nice but a little bit ordinary for a niche category.

I think that the opening and heart are fine; however, I struggle with the dry-down on my skin. It quickly turns scratchy and somewhat synthetic. It may be the sweetness. Nevertheless, you can find it for a decent price these days. If you insist on wearing niche, it might be a good transition perfume for you. If you are someone who does not care, go and get Viva La Juicy. You will be just fine.

A sweet white floral subtle gourmand. If you do not have to go niche, buy Viva La Juicy instead.

Valentino Donna Born In Roma Yellow Dream Valentino

Floral

Donna Born In Roma Yellow Dream is lemony and sweet – feels like a sour lollipop on your skin. The citrus intake is almost headache-inducing. I usually like simple fragrances, but Yellow Dream is a straightforward lemon in a bottle. I am not a fan. Luckily, I have only a sample. If I had a bottle, it would be on its way already. It reminds me of Eros by Versace which is also a no-go area.

On the other hand, I must admit that Donna Born in Roma Yellow Dream is not a typical freshie that is fairly light and instantly gone with the wind. There is a lot of white musk that makes the fragrance last and project. Musk also adds a mature edge to it. Yellow Dream is a quality perfume if you like this note profile.

If you like your musky lemon, wear it like a queen with Yellow Dream.

Dolce&Gabbana Pour Femme Dolce&Gabbana

Floral

Pour Femme is one big marshmallow to me. I cannot detect anything else in the composition. Perhaps bit of sandalwood. The fragrance is sweet but not sickly. It is delicate and soft kind of sweet. Due to its elegance and subtleness, it is suitable for work as well as date. The scent is very recognizable.

With that being said I respect Dolce&Gabbana Pour Femme. I find it feminine, signature worthy, lasting and projecting. I know people receive compliments. Nevertheless, I do not enjoy wearing it myself. The fragrance is just sweet on me – soft and delicate marshmallow. I am looking for something more. I do not mind the sweetness but I am always looking for a twist – bit of citrus or spices here and there. Dolce&Gabbana Pour Femme is flat, a reliable solid fragrance but flat. And I never really liked the smell of marshmallow either!

You have to like marshmallow and sweet powdery scents. If you do, you found a gem.

Heat Rush Beyoncé

Floral Fruity
Perfumer: Honorine Blanc

Heat Rush smells like a fruit salad, mango in particular. However, there is no mango but passionfruit, blood orange and cherry. The heart of the fragrance sounds promising with mango blossom, orchid and hibiscus. There we go – mango blossom – after all. The base is ambery musky and woodsy.

The scent is overall fresh and tropical when you need a bit of pick me up on a hot beach day. I would not say it smells particularly cheap. It could be easily mistaken for any tropical Escada out there. The lasting power is kind of crappy though as expected with celebrity fragrances.

Good value for many. A fresh, tropical cocktail for summer days.

Very Good Girl Carolina Herrera

Floral Fruity
Perfumer: Louise Turner, Quentin Bisch

Very Good Girl is a new release from Carolina Herrera’s successful range Good Girl. The range became popular not only for the scents but especially for the catchy stiletto bottles. Very Good Girl is a simple yummy fragrance right up in my alley and it is quite a departure from the original dark Good Girl.

VGG is bright, fruity yet still sensual scent for girls and women. It contains litchi and red currant which stay for quite a while. Then there is beautiful rose in the middle and vanilla and vetiver in the base. It is very much litchi and rose perfume. The initial sharpness reminds me of Delina by PDM. It is a good solid dupe for Delina but of course, not as complexed and layered as Delina is. With that being said, I absolutely love it and definitely enjoy wearing it. One does not feel as guilty when splashing on the very expensive Delina. VGG can easily become one of my favorites.

Ideal for every day-wear, sophisticated, modern and funky at the same time.

Born in Roma Valentino

Amber Floral

If you are a regular on my blog, you know I am not a Valentino fan. Valentino fragrances have not worked out for me so far. They are not bad but I have not found them particularly outstanding. Until now! Born in Roma made my day. It is not another floriental. It has certain elements that caught my attention.

Wood mixes with vanilla and creates a warm comfortable feeling on my skin. It is slightly peppery – just the perfect amount – to give it a sexy and mature kick. There is strong black currant in the opening which is “the note” of 2019/2020. And more importantly, it has the most beautiful creamy heart of three different types of jasmine. The perfume is simple yet has a lot to offer. It is the perfect fall scent that has almost smoky incensy character. I am head over heals that I picked it up. It is a modern sensuality in a bottle but still very wearable. It projects and sticks around for quite some time. No need to overspray either.

Born in Roma does not have to try hard to impress. It is a magical jasmine smell which somehow manages to be daring and classy at the same time.

Coco Noir Chanel

Amber Woody
Perfumer: Christopher Sheldrake, Jacques Polge

Despite the name Noir, you can expect a very bright and juicy opening with grapefruit, bergamot and orange. The aroma soon turns into a delicate floral with rose, geranium, jasmine and narcissus. Afterwards, you get down to the beautiful subtle base of patchouli, sandalwood, tonka, vanille and white musk.

You feel the typical Chanel DNA throughout the experience. Overall, it is a well done perfume, little bit less dark and bold than expected. It makes Chanel Noir a soft night-timer ideal for hotter months and any women regardless of their age.

A friendly bright inviting night-time perfume for any age group.