Perfume Empties in 2023: 28 bottles

I cannot believe I have used up 28 perfume bottles in 2023. Yay! Okay, okay, minis, travel sizes, but full sizes too. I have to show mostly summer feminine scents but some heavy stuff also. You can look forward to Vetiver D’Hiver by Armani Prive, Delina La Rosee by PDM, Figues & Agrumes by Maison Lancome and much more.

It is a great feeling to not only display the fragrances but actually use them and enjoy them. In other words, to spice up your daily routine with a bit of aroma. There is something magical about a fragrance … and to see me tenaciously going through them brings me joy. I created this video for you to enjoy as well.

Donna Born In Roma Coral Fantasy: Bulgarian Black Sea Fun

Valentino Donna Born In Roma Coral Fantasy by Valentino
Floral Fruity
Jacques Huclier and Nadege Le Garlantezec

I wanted Coral Fantasy for a long time. When I found a good deal, I finally pulled the trigger and bought a full bottle because I knew it would be an easy tropical reach. I was right, indeed. Kiwi, orange and musk. Imagine you washed your hair with Fructis shampoo and added sensual musk, abracadabra; there it is, Coral Fantasy.

I took Coral Fantasy with me to Bulgaria for summer vacation. I travelled with my younger son, so I knew I would not be going for late dinners, to clubs or any other adult stuff; therefore, Coral Fantasy seemed like a perfect choice for that vacay.

And it served its purpose. I sprayed it generously and became anosmic to it fast. I did not get any compliments on it whatsoever. It is an easy, happy fragrance, but it will not blow anyone’s socks off. It is pretty and nice. I certainly, have great memories attached to that; however, I do not feel the urge to replace my used-up bottle at all actually.

Valentina Blush Valentino

Floral Fruity Gourmand
Perfumer: Alexis Dadier

Valentina Blush is an edible easy fragrance. It has a note of sour cherry at the top together with pink pepper. The cherry is sharp and refreshing. On paper, you hardly get the cherry; however, its fruitiness develops on the skin. The middle of the scent is floral with sweet and feminine orange blossom. The dry-down comes in play fairly quickly and is gourmand-like with vanilla and praline.

It is more sort of a gourmand scent with dominant praline and vanilla, definitely not your Escada fruity cherry. I get La Vie Est Belle vibes but Valentina Blush is softer and more wearable for me. I find it intoxicating in the right dose.

I would wear Valentina Blush all year round day and night; nonetheless, if I had to choose one season, it would be autumn. It is sweet, warm and creamy – autumn heaven. And I did not even mention it makes a great bedtime scent.

A delicate fruity gourmand. Also an incredibly comfortable, sweet mood booster.

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.

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.

Valentino Donna Valentino

Chypre Floral
Perfumer: Antoine Maisondieu, Sonia Constant

Over the years, I have realized I am not a Valentino girl. Neither Valentina nor Voce Viva have impressed me. I reckon it is the absence of fruity notes. Donna has only bergamot in the start which I do not get much. Then the floral middle with a strong vanilla, leather and patchouli base. The three heavy base notes are dominant all over. You get a bit of sweetness and subsequently powerful leather.

I don’t exactly know when and where I would wear this fragrance. It’s neither a light daytime scent nor a sensual nighttime aroma. Despite the fact I do not like to use the word, I am going to say it in this case. I would categorize Donna as a conservative mature scent for a daytime wear. It has a decent staying power and can serve well this purpose.

Valentino Donna is a classy floral for a lady, underscored with vanilla, leather and patchouli. 40/100

Discovery Box: New Arrivals 2020

Find the perfect fragrance …

Idole Lancome

I was very excited to try out Idole. The notes and the flacon were just luring me in.

Photo: douglas.cz

After the trial, the first words that came to my mind were soft, comfortable, intimate, girly; by no means fresh and crispy as you can read elsewhere. I felt subtle fruits, white flowers and vanilla right away. Later on, Idole gets a little bit more powdery, rosy and sweet what I like. It is a beautiful combo: The top consists of pear and bergamot, the heart of different types of roses and jasmine, the base of white musk and vanilla.

It is quite easy for Idole to please me because I love rose fragrances. To give you an example, Chloé Roses is not too much for me. However, the rose note is not dominant in Idole; on the contrary, it is in nice harmony with the rest. It lasts about six hours on my skin, on clothes more. Idole could be a wedding scent of a young bride, softer and milkier than the original Coach or Amarige Givenchy.

Fruits, roses and vanilla in hazy doses. Nicely done, harmonic, “non-harassing” yet ultimately feminine. 80/100

My way Giorgio Armani

I thought that My Way Armani would be similar to Idole. Nope! It is indeed a very pleasant fragrance but it is competing in a different field.

Photo: douglas.cz

It is easy to wear, light yet modern and exotic. The opening is sharper, the orange blossom is dominant. The dry down is less sweet but nicely exotic and curious. The lasting power is good.

The composition is made of orange blossom and bergamot at the top, tuberose and jasmine in the heart and white musk, vanilla and cedar as a base.

Recently, I don’t wear many night scents. I tend to concentrate on the office-friendly daytimers. My way is right in this alley. Although I think that this perfume is more suitable for spring and summer, I wore it predominantly in winter and it was so fine. No compliments were coming my way. This bottle is all about feeling in your element, free and fearless. It does not aim to attract the opposite sex.

My way can be easily anybody’s favourite daytimer. Like a breath, you cannot live without or your second skin. It is that addictive! 90/100

Angel Nova Mugler

So far, Mugler house fragrances haven’t been my cup of tea. I’ve found only Womanity quite wearable. Let’s see what this Angel Nova brings to the party.

Photo: douglas.cz

The first spray feels like delicious bubblegum; however, raspberry and litchi fade away quickly and the perfume is left with rose and wood. It is definitely not sickly sweet or cloying, just heavy. Angel Nova is a Woody Floral Fruity perfume. The vibe is almost masculine. I expected a better lasting though. I wore in outside in winter and the scent was gone surprisingly soon.

Nonetheless, can we compare Angel Nova to any other female/unisex fragrance? Can we compare any other Mugler scents to anything? I don’t think so. Their uniqueness is extraordinary and so is Angel Nova.

Practical? No, pretty hard to wear but one of a kind certainly yes. 30/100

Voce Viva Valentino

Photo: douglas.cz

What you get from Voce Viva (My voice) when you first sniffing it is orange, white flowers, vanilla and wood. Although the opening is sharp and elegant due to the explosion of orange, the scent settles to a  sweet, powdery and woody smell. You can’t help the feeling that you have smelled this combination before. Maybe The One by Dolce&Gabbana? Or a bit from Decadence by Marc Jacobs? It’s pleasant, don’t get me wrong but a bit too generic. It belongs to the Floral Woody Musk perfume family but still, it does not linger to my skin. The scent was gone in a couple of hours. It is not something I would personally buy but if I got it as a gift, I could wear it to work on a daily basis to use it up.

Voce Viva is an elegant fragrance for a lady who doesn’t give a damn about the fashion and beauty industry. She has more important things to do. If she wants to dress up, she puts on a nice smelling perfume like Voce Viva and is out the door. 40/100

Libre Yves Saint Laurent

It is obvious that Libre is a heavy and musky fragrance right from the first spray. I neither detect orange nor black currant. White flowers are dominant as well as lavender. I m not a fan of lavender but it can be a hit in a nice combo. Let’s see what this Oriental Fougere brings to the table.

Photo: douglas.cz

I must admit that the first hour is almost uncomfortable with Libre but when it settles, it becomes softer, sweeter and warmer. It takes time to develop and it is definitely an interesting one. The composition is similar to funky and underground Brit Rhythm Burberry, however, Libre takes itself more seriously.

This scent sends a message to people out there. It is about a strong, courageous and powerful woman. Nonetheless, I don’t see myself finding much use of it. It is too bold for me as a daytime fragrance and too unromantic as a nighttime one.

A boss feminine, nauseating, lavender scent for women with balls. 30/100

Valentina Valentino

Photo: http://www.douglas.pl

Valentina is what I call a sweet but serious scent. It’s more an occasional scent rather than an every day choice; however, it’s not heavy by any means or overbearing. It’s unusually sweet, strawberries are detectable. It’s also safe but not generic. Valentina would be a perfect choice for events like an art gallery opening or garden party.

Special events day-time scent, adorable and uncommon. 70/100