By Designer

Dolce Rosa Excelsa by Dolce & Gabbana

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I recently found a box of old samples that I had purchased and never got around to reviewing. Most of them were women’s perfumes, including this 2016 entry from Dolce & Gabbana, Dolce Rosa Excelsa. By now, it’s probably not getting much attention, but I figured that I’d give it a go anyhow. How does it smell? Perform? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

What does Rosa Excelsa Smell Like?

Notes include: rose, Turkish rose, neroli, musk, water lily, sandalwood, papaya flower, cashmere wood

Click here to try: Dolce Rosa Excelsa

My Full Review

Upon first spraying I can pick up the rose, lily, and musk right away. The lily is fairly strong at first, when compared to the other notes in the composition. Beyond that, there is a very faint neroli, that doesn’t seem to stick around for all that long.

Rosa Excelsa is a light rose blend, with a definite watery quality provided by the lily, which I actually enjoy a fair bit.

There is neroli here to. On my skin, it is mostly relegated to the opening and the transition into a soapier sort of scent. During the dry down, it’s pretty much gone. It does provide a nice citrus touch and some sweetness.

As it moves along, this begins to take on more of a soapy rose aroma. The musk and wood notes, peak through more so than they had been and Rosa Excelsa, feels cleaner and a tad crisp. It has a very light spice and a hint of creaminess for a time.

The only real changes to my nose for the rest of the wear are the increased musk, a bit more wood, and less floral notes outside of the roses. The watery aroma of the lily and musk combo hangs around, just less pronounced.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage of this perfume is light and it hovers close to the skin, for the entirety of the wear. Very sheer. I can spray it multiple times, in the same spot, and it isn’t going fill up a room or venture far.

If you don’t want a powerhouse, this can be a plus. The projection ability just isn’t there, nor does it really need to be with this D&G scent.

The longevity is okay, not even good. It lasted in the 5-6 hour range, on my skin. The latter half of which, is when this is quite a musky mix with those light woods in the background.

It sort of reminds me of Lovely by SJP, with a stronger rose presence and not as heavy of a musk note. Not a bold scent, not sillage bomb, and not one that’s going to last and last. Pretty mediocre to standard across the board.

Seasonally, it strikes me as a warmer weather wear. More springtime, than summer. Although, it could be worn during the colder months, as it really doesn’t project itself all that much.

That light lily and rose blend just fits so much better when the sun is shining and there is some warmth to the air.

It is somewhat versatile, in that it can be a casual daily wear or office type of scent. Rosa Excelsa is very low key and isn’t prone to be offensive, for the most part.

Not really a sexy kind of perfume, somewhat pretty, but mostly just pleasant. It wouldn’t be the fragrance that you’d likely be reaching for, going out to the bars or even going on a date.

Overall Impressions of Dolce Rosa Excelsa

Do I like this perfume? Eh, it’s not bad. However, it also doesn’t grab my attention. I feel like I’ve smelled this before with so many other perfumes and it doesn’t break any new ground. The rose is decent, but by no means amazing.

I do like the water lily note and musky dry down period. Those were the highlights, but not enough for a full endorsement…outside of getting a really cheap bottle.

The main drags are the performance and the overall smell. The former is subpar and the latter is pretty middle of the road. Definitely not one of Dolce & Gabbana’s best fragrances, though, not atrocious either.

It’s got a good bit of sweetness, a somewhat uplifting aroma, and a real simplicity to the composition. On the whole, it’s forgettable. Though, I certainly do not hate the way that it smells.

11 Best Smelling Victoria’s Secret Perfumes

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Victoria’s Secret is an enormous name in women’s lingerie, fashion, and even fragrances. I’m pretty sure that every woman, who I have ever known, has owned some sort of product from this store. It is that deeply ingrained in the culture.

While I have already covered plenty of the top fragrances for women by age group, type, and designer, I haven’t yet tackled the Victoria’s Secret line of best selling perfumes, body mists, and lotions.

I want to use this post in order to cover the best of the insanely large selection of current and past scents. So, it’s a mix here. In the end, I chose 11 ladies fragrances from VS eau de parfum line, which all bring something different to the table, are popular, and of course smell awesome.  Also see: Best Bond No. 9 Perfumes

What are the Top Smelling Victoria’s Secret Perfumes? 

So, I am going to cover the best VS eau de parfum fragrances for ladies. Of course, some of the EDP’s are also available in body mist sprayers, as well.

Orchid Explosion

Very Sexy Orchid– Orchid is one of the newer Very Sexy flanker fragrances, which there have been a ton of over the years. It actually kind of smells like one of the older ones. Though, I can exactly remember which.

Anyway, the purple coloration fits with this one. Orchid starts off with a juicy black currant note, which isn’t too sharp surprisingly, but the juiciness is definitely there. It’s paired with some light citrus.

The next phase is the floral ingredients. The namesake orchid and some powdery iris. The orchid seems stronger at first, but the iris note comes through more during the dry down.

Patchouli is the glue which holds Orchid together. Adds that woodsy, earthy, spicy, and gourmand qualities to this fragrance. The perfume is warm, dries down woody, with some powder. Less of the fruitiness at the end.

 

 

 

 

Bare Feeling

Bare by Victoria’s Secret– Bare is a newer release from the brand, debuting in 2022. It’s also a rather simple formula, but one which is absolutely worth checking out.

A powdery and slightly creamy woody perfume. Sandalwood and violet are major players. More of the wood, than a deep purply violet flower. The top has a sparkling citrus which adds some sweetness into the mix.

Warm and clean, not a heavy fragrance at all. It’s not listed, but this does have a vanilla-like finish to the aroma. But again, one that is mostly all about that sandalwood note.

Bare is a good choice for those who want a simple daily wear, that can fit in a wide variety of situations, and isn’t stuck being worn in any one season. 

 

Awesome Apricot

Victoria’s Secret Love Gift Set 1 Oz Perfume & 8.4 Fl Oz Fragrance Mist– Love EDP is a simple, but rather unique blend.  One of the notes is quote, ‘boyfriend t-shirt’, which is pretty much a cotton flower base note.

However, the real star of the show is the apricot note, along with a subtle juniper top. The fragrance is fairly light with a great powdery finish. This is a clean and simple scent, that is at times creamy and full of that delightful apricot aroma.

Great Daily Wear Scent

Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Eau De Parfum Spray, 1.7 Ounce– The name definitely fits in this case, as Very Sexy is a fresh and seductive scent, perfect to wear on dates or an evening out. It is a light and fragrant perfume with interesting bits of pepper and cappuccino.

I know, it sounds weird, but this one totally works. However, it starts off with blackberry and clementine, joined by the vanilla and cappuccino notes.

When Very Sexy dries down, it becomes more musky and that pepper note really starts to shine. I think this one is or has been discontinued recently in the mist, but the EDP is still available. So, pick up a bottle online elsewhere, and stock up if you like it.

Also, this one tends to get changed up every few years. The notes in the composition have their strengths changed a bit or new notes can be added.  Notes include: clementine, cactus flowers, vanilla orchid, blackberry, white amber and pimento

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Most Popular Victoria’s Secret Perfume

Victoria’s Secret Bombshell Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Ounce– This one is an absolute treat and more of a fruity blend than the floral notes of Very Sexy, though it has plenty of those as well.

Not only is this a beautiful fragrance but one which is also versatile enough to wear on any occasion and always turn heads.

Bombshell has a strong sillage and features plenty of grapefruit and passion fruit, to go along with a powerful peony, for the floral aspect.

At times, the strawberry note takes over, and provides a different type of juiciness versus the citrus notes that dominate the opening. Is this a sexy scent? Yes, but probably not in the way that the name would indicate.

It’s super attractive, but one might expect an in your face and dominate sort of perfume, but Bombshell doesn’t behave like that at all. Regardless, it smells great. Really a clean everyday kind of wear.  Notes include: Vanilla Orchid, Sandalwood, Shangri-La Yellow Peony, Watery Jasmine, And Purple Passion

bombshell

Vanilla Dream Angel

Victoria’s Secret Victoria Secret Dream Angel Eau De Parfum 3.4 Fl. Oz– I’m pretty sure there used to be another VS fragrance called Dream Angel, but this is the 2019 update, either way.

Dream Angel starts with its ‘rainbow’ accord which is a blend of raspberry, strawberry, vanilla, and woods. This is all sitting in a sea of ambroxan with jasmine petals floating in it.

The berries do show up early on, but the vanilla and jasmine will take over. The berries have a bit of sourness to them.

Dream Angel isn’t a heavy perfume. It has more of a light and airy vibe to it. The scent works well from autumn through spring, since it isn’t too ‘thick’. But, you may want to use something else during the summer months. 

Top Balanced Floral Fragrance

Victoria ‘s Secret Heavenly Perfume 3.4 oz– This fragrance is light, warm, and elegant. Dream Angels Heavenly is a great perfume for everyday wear for women of all ages, who want a fragrance with a powdery scent, lined with vanilla and floral notes.

Cardamom spice and musk liven up the perfume and give Heavenly, a bit more of a unique profile than some of the rest of the entries on the list.

This is another one which has a few different formulations, some get heavier on the musk note, or ratchet up the sweetness with something like vanilla. All of them seem to have the warm and lightly spicy profile, however.   Notes include: quince, cardamom, ivy, mandarin, lotus

heavenly

Awesome Autumn/Winter Scent

VICTORIA’S SECRET NIGHT by Victoria’s Secret EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY 3.4 OZ– This entry is a darker, more mysterious, and sultry fragrance than the other ones mentioned so far. encapsulated in deep black bottle, Night combines the warmth of fruit and the rich texture of woodsy ingredients.

It is now known as Very Sexy Night, as it was discontinued for a long time and then brought back. As of this update, it is available again from their website.

The plum note is great here, when paired with the apple, it is both tart and sweet with a crisp watery essence. Later on, it dries down with musk, amber, and wood to give it more depth and character.

This one was popular for a long while and actually does bring a different experience from many other VS perfumes and body mists.  Notes include: plum, woods, apple.

night

Top Gourmand Victoria’s Secret Fragrance

Victoria’s Secret Wicked Eau de Parfum Perfume 3.4 oz– A sweet gourmand fragrance that brings together caramel, vanilla, and some chocolately undertones. Wicked is darkly sweet with freesia, providing the floral note in the composition.

This is a simple sort of perfume, for those who want a candy-like fragrance, for certain days. It has a slight spice at first, before settling into that smooth vanilla. It’s more sugary toward the start, but can have a slight powdery element, when it dries down.

 

 

Best VS Scent for Teenagers

Victorias Secret Love Spell Lotion and Mist Set– Cherry blossom with peach and a bit of crisp apple. Love Spell starts off with plenty of fruit notes, but are joined and balanced out by a lovely group of floral notes, like jasmine and lilac.

However, Love Spell stays mostly toward that delicious peach aroma.

This one has been popular and a best seller forever, especially among the high school and college set. I think that was more so in the last decade, but it still sells, go I guess a newer generation picked it up also.

It’s a fairly ‘girly’ sort of mist. If you cannot find it or want alternatives, here’s a list of fragrances that smell like Love Spell.

A More Mature Bombshell

Bombshell Passion EDP– Bombshell Passion is a newer addition to the list. It really is one of the best flankers of the original that has been released. It keeps the peony of the original, but adds a rose and cassis note.

The rose takes the show in this perfume. Passion opens up sweet, fresh, and a bit sharp. It’s a berry aroma from the cassis, adding the sweetness to the mix. The cassis seems pretty strong early on in the wear, but the rose will come to dominate.

Much less of a fruity fragrance than the original Bombshell. This is a sweet and well blended rose concoction with a fresh dewy undertone. Passion isn’t one of Victoria’s Secret’s perfumes that is strictly for teenagers. In fact, it has a mature kind of vibe without being stale or boring.

Best Smelling Miss Dior Perfume?

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What is the best Miss Dior perfume? There have been so many releases and variants under this name throughout the years, that it can be tough to sort through them. In this post, I want to present to you, my top four picks. Yes, this list will be in order.

Now, there have been reformulations, and those that are no longer on the market. As such, I will present the list based on available options and that are currently still composed in the same way as when released.

What are the Best Miss Dior Fragrances?

Best Smelling Miss Dior

Christian Dior Miss Dior Absolutely Blooming Women’s Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce– For now, this is the perfume that I think not only smells the best, but also has the best performance and sillage.

Absolutely Blooming adds juicy red berry notes to the mix, along with the familiar rose and peony. It is bright, upbeat, delicious, and has an interesting blend of fruit and floral notes.

This is probably the strongest of them and one that lasted a few hours longer than the other perfumes.

It’s not even supposed to be all that intense, but I found it to be better than the rest during testing, particularly versus the updated editions of other Miss Dior scents.

Some may prefer less fruit, in their Miss Dior fragrance, and for those this may not be the best option. However, it is one that is immensely popular for good reason. Absolutely Blooming Review

Dark and Deep Orange

Miss Dior Le Parfum by Christian Dior for Women – 2.5 oz Parfum Spray– Miss Dior Le Parfum is a very simple fragrance, but one that is still quite captivating, and my number two pick.

Update: As of 2023, Dior is no longer selling this directly. You’ll have to find it on the secondary market. Maybe, they’ll come out with a new formulation of Le Parfum, but I haven’t seen anything as of yet. It is becoming scarce, however.

It opens up with a sparkling mandarin orange note, which later gets replaced by rose and vanilla. The rose isn’t too involved and the vanilla blends with amber and patchouli.

This is the option for those who want a rich, dark, and deep aroma; that is still quite linear. It has a warm and creamy presentation that offers very nice performance. More of a cold weather fragrance. Miss Dior Le Parfum Review

Light Citrus and Peony

Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 oz– Blooming Bouquet is a softer floral that features more peony than the rose note.

It starts off with a wonderful opening of bergamot and peony, that is a nice juicy fresh citrus. With the dry down, it is more floral, and there is a light musk note.

Blooming Bouquet is the lightest of the bunch, more of an airy perfume. It’s longevity is solid at around 7 hours, but not as good as the others. However, it’s scent is very beautiful and safe to wear on any occasion. Blooming Bouquet Review

Update: This one did get a newer 2023 version. It’s very similar to the early edition, referenced above. Probably a bit fresher, sweeter, and perhaps the rose and peony balance is a bit different. Nothing too major, however, as it wasn’t a complete do-over of the formula.

Balanced Rose and Patchouli

Miss Dior for Women by Dior 3.4 oz EDP Spray– This is one that creates a lot of confusion, due to name changes and reformulations.

Update: Another newer 2021 version has been released, since this was published. This one goes more with the iris, vanilla, and general clean powdery style versus the 2017 edition.

In this post, I am referring to the 2017 version of Miss Dior EDP, as it is the one that is being sold now. You can still find the 2012 version out there, but it’s not being produced anymore.

Anyway, this new Miss Dior, hits with orange and lemon from the start. These citrus notes are joined by patchouli, which is well blended and not too heavy. After the 10-15 minute run of the top notes, it becomes rose and patchouli dominant.

Miss Dior EDP does retain some sweetness, warmth from pink pepper, and a base of rosewood. It’s citrus/floral, then floral/spice with citrus undertones.

The projection is moderate and lasts for about 8 hours on the skin. It’s a very nice perfume, but my least favorite out of all of them.

Essence

Miss Dior Rose Essence– While it’s last on the list, it’s probably about the same overall as EDP and Blooming Bouquet. Rose Essence is just a bit of a different style from the rest, so, it’ll have a smaller audience.

This one isn’t a heavy rose. More like a rose water. A spiced rose water, that’s wholly fresh and shares the stage with a fantastic geranium note. Less of a pure feminine scent.

Early it’s a spicy woodsy kind of aroma, that’ll become a rose and woods smelling fragrance. It’s lighter with the sillage, but the performance is decent. Again, not going to be one for everybody, and I’d try to test it out before buying.

Lost Cherry by Tom Ford

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Lost Cherry by Tom Ford has pretty quickly become a best seller for the designer. It came out in 2018 and has been one that people seem to enjoy. Maybe it’s the unique use of cherry or the great looking bottle, that it comes in. I recently bought a decant of this perfume to test out. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

What does Lost Cherry by Tom Ford Smell Like?

Notes include: cherry, almond, tonka bean, Turkish rose, jasmine, cinnamon, cedar, and more

Click here to try: Tom Ford LOST CHERRY 3.4OZ / 100ML

My Full Review

Before we get into my review of Lost Cherry, let’s see what Tom Ford has to say about it: “LIKE THE PLUMP FRUIT WAITING TO BE EATEN, LOST CHERRY IS POWERFUL AND INSATIABLE. NOTES OF CHERRY LIQUEUR AND A TOUCH OF BITTER ALMOND DRIP INTO ITS HEART, GLOSSING IT WITH CANDY-LIKE GLEAM.”

The opening of Lost Cherry immediately reveals a warm and sweet blend, naturally led by the cherry note. This opening is very much like a cherry liqueur, but, when combined with the other notes it reminds me of Cherry Dr. Pepper in the syrup form.

Like if you took that soda syrup and then ramped up the cherry aroma, you’d have the start of this perfume. Better yet, like that amaretto mixed drink that mimics the taste and character of Dr. Pepper. But loaded with cherry.

Personally, I dig it. Very sweet and has that gourmand appeal. That will fade away and more of the almond nuttiness will come through, eventually.

The cherry seems to come across in two waves. First, the cherry liqueur. Then, a more naturalistic smelling cherry note. Less overtly sugary sweet and fresher.

This is somewhat different from Lost Cherry, but the La Petite Robe Noire fragrances have a similar aroma to this one, as well. I can’t remember which perfume is the closest to Lost Cherry, but one of them is pretty darn close.

As it dries down, you will be able to better detect the other ingredients beyond cherry. Tonka bean, almond, and some spiciness (cinnamon, mostly) are there and create a delicious aroma. It feels powdery, warm, and with a sweet booziness present throughout.

It stays in that soft and gentle mode from the remainder. Yes, there are some light floral touches from jasmine, and a detectable smokiness…it just doesn’t develop into numerous phases beyond that, on my skin.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is pretty light to moderate. It seems like it’s going to have a strong projecting ability at first, then it quickly falls in line as a lighter scent.

Don’t expect a bomb, like so many other Tom Ford scents can be, Lost Cherry is pretty subtle.

For me, it does still seem to hang around in the air. Not reaching across the room, but Lost Cherry has a bit more projection than it gets credit for.

The longevity actually isn’t bad on my skin. I’ve read some reviews, where people said it doesn’t last. For me, it lasts pretty well, just not at a strong level. I can get 7-7.5 hours of use out of this one. Great? No, but not a complete joke, by any means.

Seasonally, I’d stick to autumn and winter. It will be great in colder weather, probably up to something more temperate. Anything hotter, I’d pass.

It is a unisex fragrance, but has more of a feminine quality. I mean, one of its strongest comparable scents is a Guerlain perfume for women. But, I’ll still wear it without issue, and it is fine for almost anybody.

Lost Cherry actually has a sexy quality to it. It does grab attention when initially sprayed and is very appealing up close, when it settles. Great for nightlife and casual situations, but not too out of place for something like the workplace. 

 

Overall Impressions of Lost Cherry

Do I like this scent? I do enjoy the smell a lot. Sure, it leans more feminine than most of the fragrances that I usually wear, but it still sits in that unisex category.

I love the smell of cherry and that sort of Dr. Pepper and amaretto aroma, that comes out of the base here. The performance could be better, than what it is. Again, it’s not atrocious, just not a marathon runner.

The question really comes down to price. At $300+ per bottle, is it worthwhile? That’s going to depend on your personal preference. I’d want a bit more strength, if I were going to splurge on a bottle of this.

Update: Instead of Lost Cherry, I went with the ‘inspired by’ Popped Cherry from the Dua Brand, which is a lot less expensive. A very good take, on this fragrance, I reviewed it here: Popped Cherry Review

Plus, this isn’t one I’d wear on the daily. So, I’d have an expensive perfume, with middle of the road performance, and limited use for me personally.

Your case may vary, but I couldn’t justify it. I do enjoy this Tom Ford fragrance, it’s just a bit too much money for one bottle.

5 Best Smelling Fendi Perfumes for Her

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Fendi is a leading luxury brand with a reputation of style and quality. The original Fendi fragrance for women was an amazing scent that was highly popular but is now discontinued. With that in mind, I want to create a list of the top Fendi perfumes that are currently available for purchase.

I have chosen five of them to represent that brand and in my mind these are the best of the bunch. Update: The brand hasn’t put any new perfumes out in years, as of 2023.

What are the Best Smelling Fendi Fragrances?

An Interesting Rose

Fendi L’Acquarossa Eau De Parfum Spray – 75ml/2.5oz–  A newer fragrance from Fendi, L’Acquarossa, has already made a name for itself as a versatile perfume for women which stands out in the crowd.

You do get the traditional rose note here. But, before that and blended with it is a lovely blend of citrus and tart plum. It also has a light spice and woodiness at the base. The dry down is when the woods and musk, really come through in L’Acquarossa.

It’s not too heavy but one that is crisp and memorable. Notes include: calabrian bergamot, prune, Sicilian mandarin.

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Spicy and Smoky 

Fendi Furiosa Eau de Parfum Spray, 1.7 Ounce– Furiosa isn’t a fragrance for everyone. It opens up with its pink pepper note on full display. It has an oriental sort of construction with lots of amber and an incense-like smokiness that permeates it.

Furiosa is a darker perfume with a unique floral heart, which is placed in the middle of oud, amber, and the pink pepper. Fairly powerful scent with plenty of depth and nuance. Again, probably one that you’ll want to try out before committing to.

Most Unique Fendi

Fantasia By Fendi For Women. Eau De Toilette Spray 1.7 Ounces– Fantasia has nice dose of vanilla, while note being overly sweet, and balanced with a powdery aroma from the floral notes like hyacinth.

This Fendi perfume dates back to the 1990s. It opens up with a light citrus aroma, with that vanilla note. Then, comes the floral phase of hyacinth and rose (which is very soft). Finally, we get to the woody base, a warm wrapping with the creamy/powdery notes that proceeded it.

Still, it isn’t a heavy fragrance and Fantasia has a great fresh quality that lingers throughout. Update: This is one of them that might be pretty tough to come by, especially at anything approaching a reasonable price.

Most Popular Fendi 

Fendi Fan Di Fendi Women Edp Spray, 1.7 Ounce– Probably the most popular ladies’ scent by Fendi. Fan Di Fendi is a sexy yet subtle fragrance for those women who need something that can be worn to work or school and still attract in the evening.

You get a citrus opening with tangerine and other fruit notes like black currant and leather. The dry down brings in floral notes and patchouli. Plenty of leather and dry sweetness.

The latter stages are particularly rich with that leather note. It’s very nice and plays well off of the remaining fruits and jasmine, especialy.

Notes include: tangerine, jasmine, rose, soft leather.

fan di fendi

Fresh Summertime Wear

Fendi Fan Di Fendi Eau Fraiche Eau de Toilette Spray for Women, 2.5 Ounce– A lovely and fresh floral scent from the Fan Di Fendi line. Eau Fraiche is probably best worn during the warmer months of the year, as that is where it really shines.

Fendi Eau Fraiche has a cooling sensation from the start. Tart citrus touches blended with herbal green tea and clean and delicate white floral notes. It ends up being a green-ish fragrance with a good deal of jasmine coming through.

Soft, refreshing, and clean for the summer. Notes include: bergamot, Italian lemon, white flowers, green tea.

fendi eau fraiche

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