In a discussion in the Scent of the Day thread about Lolita Lempicka Austin wrote:
So I did get a bottle of Roma. This is a preliminary evaluation, after which I think I will have to slow down on the scent reviews. Maybe they are not reviews so much as an attempt to probe what is going on in the scent. I do not think I would spend this kind of time on a scent that I did not "like" or at least that interested me, even if I did not want to wear it.
Bottom line, Austin was right. This scent is in the same vein as Lolita Lempicka, except instead of a rather bright anise and noncloying vanilla, Roma is something of a warm citrus, herby/spice, wood and noncloying vanilla. Also, like LL, for me, excellent tenacity. Nice evolution, but arguably rather linear after the opening notes dissapate. Like LL, a different scent than any other I can think of. I suppose LL and Roma are both gormand's by definition because they are vanilla-centric, not a syrupy, sweet cooking desert vanilla, though. To me scent vanilla is almost a floral. Roma has a sweet smell, but that is different that a smell that would suggest something actually sweet if tasted.
These notes are listed for Roma:
I do not doubt that all of these are in there, but I found individual notes hard to pick out. I would have said that orange was prominent in this one. I would have said patchouli, too, although I seem to think I am picking up patchouli in everything I smell these days. Some folks find a distinct but mild civet in there. I really did not sense civet.
It is also described various places as a sharp, woody oriental.
To me Roma is warm but reserved. It seems fairly light and to stay close to the skin, but I find it has excellent tenacity. Sniffing notes on this scent seem to be all over the place, with folks finding all sorts of notes in there, and will some folks absolutely loving it, a few really hating it, but I think for the most part those who do not like it, do not have all that an intense dislike, but feel it could be better if it was just a bit different in one way or the other. I really liked a couple of descriptions reference to this scent actually smelling as the City of Rome smells, a melange of very diverse scents. (I do not personally recall what the City of Rome may smell like, although the scent has an Italian feel to it to me. And it does seem warm.)
Without going through all of the notes folks came up with, overall, to me, this scent seemed like an orange-vanilla underlaid by wood and amber,with a touch of green in there. For some reason this scent comes across as quite masculine to me. Some commentors thought it got powdery in its dry down, extended wear phase. I would not say so. I think it keeps a good mixture of the elements it exhibits from the beginning. The very opening notes seem to have more citrus, which is not unusual, but after that it keeps a good balance, I thought.
Geranium to me is a rose more rose than rose. I suppose rose may be in there, but in a supporting, not featured role. Some notes mentioned clove. I do not think so. They may be picking up the laurel leaves, but whatever clove like notes are in here they seem rather subtle.
It seems the feminine version of this scent has considerable mint right up front. Mint fits into the overall theme to me! Seems like it would add another green element to the green supplied by what is apparently a basil note. Again, the green is a supporting, not prominent, note.
Really nice, unusual scent. Some guys might consider it to be a tad sweet, but other than that I do not see what is not to like about the scent. Seems very accessible and comforting. It also seems to me to work for a woman. The amount of wood and the suggestion of dirtiness in the bottom of the scent do not seem to be enough to me prevent a woman from wearing this one well.
"I have used this for the past 3 years. I don't use it very much but every time I wear it, I like it more. It's long lasting and not cloying as other scents that contain vanilla. Longevity is amazing. I have received compliments on this scent. Another cologne along the same vein is Laura Biagiotti Roma. If you can find it, get it."
So I did get a bottle of Roma. This is a preliminary evaluation, after which I think I will have to slow down on the scent reviews. Maybe they are not reviews so much as an attempt to probe what is going on in the scent. I do not think I would spend this kind of time on a scent that I did not "like" or at least that interested me, even if I did not want to wear it.
Bottom line, Austin was right. This scent is in the same vein as Lolita Lempicka, except instead of a rather bright anise and noncloying vanilla, Roma is something of a warm citrus, herby/spice, wood and noncloying vanilla. Also, like LL, for me, excellent tenacity. Nice evolution, but arguably rather linear after the opening notes dissapate. Like LL, a different scent than any other I can think of. I suppose LL and Roma are both gormand's by definition because they are vanilla-centric, not a syrupy, sweet cooking desert vanilla, though. To me scent vanilla is almost a floral. Roma has a sweet smell, but that is different that a smell that would suggest something actually sweet if tasted.
These notes are listed for Roma:
Top Notes
Tangerine, Pink Grapefruit, Laurel Leaves, Basil
Middle Notes
Geranium, Oakmoss
Base Notes
Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Ambery Notes, Massoia Wood, Vanilla, Musky Notes
Tangerine, Pink Grapefruit, Laurel Leaves, Basil
Middle Notes
Geranium, Oakmoss
Base Notes
Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Ambery Notes, Massoia Wood, Vanilla, Musky Notes
I do not doubt that all of these are in there, but I found individual notes hard to pick out. I would have said that orange was prominent in this one. I would have said patchouli, too, although I seem to think I am picking up patchouli in everything I smell these days. Some folks find a distinct but mild civet in there. I really did not sense civet.
It is also described various places as a sharp, woody oriental.
To me Roma is warm but reserved. It seems fairly light and to stay close to the skin, but I find it has excellent tenacity. Sniffing notes on this scent seem to be all over the place, with folks finding all sorts of notes in there, and will some folks absolutely loving it, a few really hating it, but I think for the most part those who do not like it, do not have all that an intense dislike, but feel it could be better if it was just a bit different in one way or the other. I really liked a couple of descriptions reference to this scent actually smelling as the City of Rome smells, a melange of very diverse scents. (I do not personally recall what the City of Rome may smell like, although the scent has an Italian feel to it to me. And it does seem warm.)
Without going through all of the notes folks came up with, overall, to me, this scent seemed like an orange-vanilla underlaid by wood and amber,with a touch of green in there. For some reason this scent comes across as quite masculine to me. Some commentors thought it got powdery in its dry down, extended wear phase. I would not say so. I think it keeps a good mixture of the elements it exhibits from the beginning. The very opening notes seem to have more citrus, which is not unusual, but after that it keeps a good balance, I thought.
Geranium to me is a rose more rose than rose. I suppose rose may be in there, but in a supporting, not featured role. Some notes mentioned clove. I do not think so. They may be picking up the laurel leaves, but whatever clove like notes are in here they seem rather subtle.
It seems the feminine version of this scent has considerable mint right up front. Mint fits into the overall theme to me! Seems like it would add another green element to the green supplied by what is apparently a basil note. Again, the green is a supporting, not prominent, note.
Really nice, unusual scent. Some guys might consider it to be a tad sweet, but other than that I do not see what is not to like about the scent. Seems very accessible and comforting. It also seems to me to work for a woman. The amount of wood and the suggestion of dirtiness in the bottom of the scent do not seem to be enough to me prevent a woman from wearing this one well.
