Born in Roma Intense vs Stronger with You Intensely

Uomo Born in Roma and Stronger with You are two of the most popular mainstream designer lines, in the men’s fragrance space currently. And the Intense versions of each, are particularly sought after.

Today, I want to compare them: Uomo Born in Roma Intense vs SWY Intensely. I’ve worn both, tested them out, and now it’s time to choose between them. Which smells better? Lasts longer? Is the best one to buy?

 

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Tale of the Tape: Born in Roma Intense vs. SWY Intensely

Uomo Born in Roma Intense

Notes include: vanilla, amber, lavender, vetiver

Click here to try: Born in Roma Intense

Read my review: Intense

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Stronger With You Intensely

Notes include: pink pepper, cinnamon, toffee, lavender, sage, suede, amber, violet, vetiver

Click here to try: Intensely

My Full Review: Stronger with You Intensely

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Opening

Stronger With You Intensely kicks off with its spiciness too, though here it’s warmer and doesn’t stick around as long as in the original. The pink pepper now takes center stage, with cinnamon and sage joining the mix.

I notice Intensely’s sweetness emerges earlier. That toffee accord mingling with cinnamon and caramel notes really gives Intensely a more lively character.

Uomo Born in Roma Intense still offers some sweetness in its opening, but definitely not matching the same level as found in its original release in the series. The lavender actually tones it down, playing a significant role in this version.

Those mineral notes? Gone completely. I honestly wasn’t fond of them in the original, so I’m pleased they’ve been left out.

Intense develops quite differently than its predecessor. Once that initial sweetness fades away, it’s primarily about the lavender and vanilla

Which do I prefer? I do like the way Roma Intense starts off. It’s balanced with the sweetness and improved over the original, but I think the Armani has this one.

There’s a more dynamic aroma, the spice is great, and I like how it plays off of the sweeter notes.

Edge: Intensely

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Projection

Born in Roma Intense is a strong perfume, fairly heavy, with a good ability to project itself. Especially, in that first hour or two. No real issue with this aspect of the cologne, you’ll notice it and it will leave a nice scent trail.

Stronger with You Intensely, is the more powerful of the two, however. It reaches further and maintains its strength for deeper into the wear than does the Valentino.

Both are good, but Intensely is great.

 

Edge: SWY Intensely

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Longevity

Roma Intense lasted 8.5-9 hours or so, on my skin. For me, it wasn’t that much better than the original Born in Roma EDT, in terms of performance. It’s solid for sure, just not elite.

Stronger with You Intensely is an excellent performer for a mainstream designer fragrance. I get 11-12 hours of wear from it, before it finally evaporates completely.

A pretty easy win for the Emporio Armani scent.

Edge: SWY Intensely

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Versatility

Both of these are seasonally at their best from autumn through early spring. I think that Roma Intense might be able to pull off warmer weather better than can the SWY option.

While neither is a formal fragrance, the dry down of Roma Intense doesn’t have the sweetness and bolder facets that Intensely does. Both can fit in during the nightlife, but I think that the Born in Roma option has the advantage in this category.

 

Edge: Roma Intense

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Overall Scent

Overall, which of these fragrances do I prefer?

While I do like the opening act of Roma Intense quite a lot, it still falls short of the Armani. Also, it’s the peak of my enjoyment. The back half of Born in Roma Intense smells fine enough, but is just rather boring to me. 

There’s nothing too exciting, just a lavender and vetiver blend with some remaining vanilla and amber coming from the base. Still a nice cologne with a good performance and worth checking out.

When I compare it to SWY Intensely, there’s not much of a question in my mind as to which of them I like more. Plus, the better performance of the Emporio Armani makes the choice even easier. 

Toffee, vanilla, and suede with periods of spice and lavender. Very nice, without the same chestnut note reliance as the rest of the series. I also like how the vanilla is blended in this edition. 

As of now, however, I do think that Born in Roma Intense is the best of that Valentino series. It’s the one that I would go with, if I were in the market for a cologne from that line.

 

Winner: Stronger with You Intensely