Santa Maria Novella Cologne

[Cuttingboard]

I presently wear Aqua di Parma Colonia and was thinking of buying a new scent for spring and summer and want to know your thoughts on SMN Lavender Cologne? I like lavender so long as its not too sweet.

Also, what's your favorite SMN scent?

 

[blantyre]

I have Imperial Lavender - excellent quality and scent, like most lavenders a bit short lived.

 

[Cuttingboard]

Yes, it's Imperial Lavender.

I just noticed on MiN's website that there's another Lavender Cologne; Amber Lavender - The freshness of Acqua di Lavanda sweetened with a touch of Amber. A fresh, yet intense fragrance suitable for men or women.

Since I'm not a fan of sweet cologne, I doubt I would like this fragrance.

 

[ALL HANDS WORKING]

I have SMN Lavender and it is very nice if you like lavender. However, my favorite SMN fragrance--an the one I get the most compliments on-- is Pomegranate. It is truly an outstanding and rather distinct fragrance.

 

[Cuttingboard]

I have SMN Lavender and it is very nice if you like lavender. However, my favorite SMN fragrance--an the one I get the most compliments on-- is Pomegranate. It is truly an outstanding and rather distinct fragrance.

Is this the one? I'm curious because the description says Pomegranate but I bottle says Melograno.

View attachment 87920

 

[texbilly]

I tried the Imperial Lavender and it's an incredible scent and unlike many lavender-scented products, really smells like the real thing. However, in the end I decided it wasn't for me. My favorite SMN scent so far is Acqua Di Cuba. And AdP? Wonderful!

 

[Cuttingboard]

I'm confused, what's the difference between these two? They both have the same description (below), I'm I missing something here? I do notice that the Melograno does not not have the word "Cologne", I wonder if its an aftershave?

Description: "The fruit of the pomegranate plant, originally from Persia, found depicted in ancient Egyptian tombs and in many of the greatest works of art, symbolizes wealth and abundance. Some scholars believe that the forbidden fruit of biblical and mythological fame was not an apple, but a pomegranate. This fragrance mixes the tart taste of the pomegranate with an insistent, powdery floral undertone and is perfect for day or night."

Santa Maria Novella Pomegranate Cologne
View attachment 87923

Santa Maria Novella Melograno
View attachment 87924

 

[Cuttingboard]

I tried the Imperial Lavender and it's an incredible scent and unlike many lavender-scented products, really smells like the real thing. However, in the end I decided it wasn't for me. My favorite SMN scent so far is Acqua Di Cuba. And AdP? Wonderful!

After reading the description of the Aqua di Cuba, I know I would love it for fall and winter. I'll definitely keep this one in mind for next fall/winter.

 

[Austin]

I'm confused, what's the difference between these two? They both have the same description (below), I'm I missing something here? I do notice that the Melograno does not not have the word "Cologne", I wonder if its an aftershave?

Description: "The fruit of the pomegranate plant, originally from Persia, found depicted in ancient Egyptian tombs and in many of the greatest works of art, symbolizes wealth and abundance. Some scholars believe that the forbidden fruit of biblical and mythological fame was not an apple, but a pomegranate. This fragrance mixes the tart taste of the pomegranate with an insistent, powdery floral undertone and is perfect for day or night."

Santa Maria Novella Pomegranate Cologne
View attachment 87923

Santa Maria Novella Melograno
View attachment 87924

The are both the same. Colonia means cologne in Italian. The scent is very nice but short lived. My girlfriend wears this from time to time.

 

[HoratioCaine]

I'm confused, what's the difference between these two? They both have the same description (below), I'm I missing something here? I do notice that the Melograno does not not have the word "Cologne", I wonder if its an aftershave?

They're the same. The top pic shows the newer label, whereas the bottom one shows the older label. The juice hasn't changed, as far as I know. Having said that, I kinda doubt you'd like it, given your aversion to sweet scents. The pomegranate has a lot of sweetness to it. At the opening, it's pretty nicely balanced by some very fresh, fruity top notes, but in the dry down, those top notes disappear, and the whole thing becomes sweet and powdery. It's not bad if that's the kind of thing you're into, but you would definitely be well advised to sample that one. They also do make an aftershave splash in the pomegranate scent, but it will be sold as an After Shave Lotion.

SMN Imperial Lavender is my single favorite cologne of any maker. But yeah, it does tend to be a bit short lived, and not very strong. I find I have to splash a fair amount on - amounts that with other colognes would make it impossible to be in the same room with me. That's something to keep in mind, given the cost. Still, it's great stuff. The lavender After Shave Lotion is outstanding, as well, but it's a different lavender scent from the Imperial Lavender cologne.

 

[Cuttingboard]

They're the same. The top pic shows the newer label, whereas the bottom one shows the older label. The juice hasn't changed, as far as I know. Having said that, I kinda doubt you'd like it, given your aversion to sweet scents. The pomegranate has a lot of sweetness to it. At the opening, it's pretty nicely balanced by some very fresh, fruity top notes, but in the dry down, those top notes disappear, and the whole thing becomes sweet and powdery. It's not bad if that's the kind of thing you're into, but you would definitely be well advised to sample that one. They also do make an aftershave splash in the pomegranate scent, but it will be sold as an After Shave Lotion.

SMN Imperial Lavender is my single favorite cologne of any maker. But yeah, it does tend to be a bit short lived, and not very strong. I find I have to splash a fair amount on - amounts that with other colognes would make it impossible to be in the same room with me. That's something to keep in mind, given the cost. Still, it's great stuff. The lavender After Shave Lotion is outstanding, as well, but it's a different lavender scent from the Imperial Lavender cologne.

Great information...thank you very much. As I said before, I'm not a fan of sweet fragrances. I really like colognes that are fresh and clean. It took me a little while to get use to Aqua di Parma Colonia but after the dry-down, I really liked it.

What are your thoughts on the Vetiver?

 

[Sterling Cooper]

I've sampled quite a few of the SMN colognes, as they're out on a table at the downtown Merz location in Macy's. I really liked the lavender and the Colonia Russa. Unfortunately, I find that all the SMN colognes have had about the lifespan of a firefly on me and couldn't justify their Penhaligon's level price if I had to splash a third of a bottle on.

 

[azmark]

Great information...thank you very much. As I said before, I'm not a fan of sweet fragrances. I really like colognes that are fresh and clean. It took me a little while to get use to Aqua di Parma Colonia but after the dry-down, I really liked it.

What are your thoughts on the Vetiver?

I have 8 Vetivers/Vetyvers and each is great in its own scenario. L'Occitane is my favorite with Guerlain not far behind int terms of evening and getting my wife to notice me a little more These are very "earthy" or as I describe them as dirt like These are definitely evening wear or cool winter all around wear.

One I really like but is amazing in the spring and summer is Lanvin Vetiver. Great fresh scent that is vetiver in the dry down but citrus top notes. Love it.

Creed is a favorite but it hardly gets any play right now because I'm so use to it and Im indulging in Knize 10

 

[HoratioCaine]

What are your thoughts on the Vetiver?

I'm not terribly experienced in the ways of vetiver; what few vetiver scents I've smelled have not been much to my liking, so I haven't really gotten into comparing the finer points of the fragrance type, or noting differences between various incarnations of the scent by different makers. I have not smelled SMN's vetiver cologne, but I do have a sample of the aftershave. I find it to be the most modern and "cologne-like" of the six a/s scents they put out. It had a moderately sweet herbal top note (others have characterized it as dry, so again, YMMV) that I found somewhat grating, with some grassy notes anchoring it. Staying power was pretty good in the a/s, so I would guess it's even better in the cologne.

 

[scottb]

I really like Vetiver Puig (basically vetiver + cedarwood.)

Does anyone know where you can buy SMN samples? Every place I contact just wants me to take the plunge. My track record for blind buys is not so great.

 

[azmark]

I really like Vetiver Puig (basically vetiver + cedarwood.)

Does anyone know where you can buy SMN samples? Every place I contact just wants me to take the plunge. My track record for blind buys is not so great.

Try The Perfumed Court.

 

[warlandsboy]

I'm not too big into the SMN scents, I would recommend trying Les Nereides Imperial Opoponax though, very nice shaving cream type scent.

 

[azmark]

IMO many of the scents can be unisex. They are very nice scents

 

[Cuttingboard]

I have 8 Vetivers/Vetyvers and each is great in its own scenario. L'Occitane is my favorite with Guerlain not far behind int terms of evening and getting my wife to notice me a little more These are very "earthy" or as I describe them as dirt like These are definitely evening wear or cool winter all around wear.

One I really like but is amazing in the spring and summer is Lanvin Vetiver. Great fresh scent that is vetiver in the dry down but citrus top notes. Love it.

Creed is a favorite but it hardly gets any play right now because I'm so use to it and Im indulging in Knize 10

Very interesting...I bought the Guerlain Vetiver because of recommendations from this board and did not like it at all...very artificial and synthetic. No offense...definitely YMMV Cologne.

I really like Creed Original Vetiver but thought it was more of a fall cologne. Lanvin sounds interesting, may have to give it a try.

I've heard great things about Knize 10.

 

[Xury]

Is the Santa Maria Novella Melograno as soapy as the Basenotes reviews claim it is? I like fruity scents but not soapy ones....

Thanks!

Raymond