Uomo Intense by Valentino

In this review, I am going to take a closer look at the flanker release to Valentino’s Uomo, called, Uomo Intense. I have give it a few wears now and want to share my thoughts and experiences with it. I will cover what’s in it, how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, and if it is worthwhile to try out.

What does Valentino Uomo Intense Smell Like?

Notes include: sage, iris, vanilla, leather, tonka bean, mandarin

Click here to try: Valentino Uomo Intense by Valentino EDP for Men, 3.4 Fl Oz

My Full Review

The opening of Uomo Intense is like a more leather heavy version of Dior Homme. It is darker, the iris isn’t as fresh as in that Dior, and there isn’t the sweet cacao note in there. It is interesting, the Valentino Uomo colognes are so similar to the Dior Homme line, but Uomo Intense didn’t manage to retain the amazing start of the original or go with a Dior Intense opening.

So, the opening 10 minutes or so, it strikes me as a worse version of Dior Homme. However, it does begin to shift into its own thing, thereafter. There is plenty of leather but the vanilla not and a bit of mandarin orange peak through, and give it a different take.

During this stage, Uomo Intense, is really dominated by leather and vanilla. The iris is still there, but it isn’t a strong, as it later becomes.

As it dries down further, the iris emerges fully, and the powdery element comes in. It’s not a super baby powder smell or anything, but that natural iris aroma. With that is a creamy sweet vanilla/tonka bean combo, as the secondary layer.

Then, the final layer is that dark leather note, with sage. Kind of weird how I didn’t even get a bit of sage with my nose, until way later into this wear. This later part of the wear, is much more like Dior Intense than the original Dior Homme. It’s like Valentino made some hybrid of those two colognes.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it’s really not that strong. The sillage isn’t weak in my mind, but it doesn’t hit the same level, as either of the Dior scents. It might be right around the original Uomo’s strength. Possibly, a bit greater reach off of the skin, just not by much.

Longevity is about 6-8 hours, depending on the day. Not terribly amazing, but it doesn’t quit on you, too early. Again, the Dior fragrances just perform better. Still, I find it to be perfectly usable and nothing really to complain about.

Seasonally, it works in anything other than hot and humid weather. Mostly, I like it as an autumn and winter wear, Uomo Intense is very nice in the cold air. It’s a more mature fragrance, can be worn to the office or for a night out, but doesn’t have too much of a casual vibe.

It’d probably be best worn by men in their mid-20s or up. Smells very nice, fresh, and attractive but not really a super ‘sexy’ cologne. Though, I’ve worn it out at night and it held up well.

Overall Impressions of Uomo Intense

Overall, do I like Uomo Intense. I really do enjoy it. The vanilla and leather are a really great combination within this fragrance. This is a really smooth and well put together fragrance.

On the other hand, I like the original Uomo, better. The opening of that is just amazing to me. I also wear Dior Homme, so I have no place for something, which smells like a slightly different mix of that and Dior Intense.

Plus, the opening of Dior Intense is the part that I like over Dior Homme the most, and it doesn’t exist in Uomo Intense. It is a great fragrance, it’s just that I’d put it fourth out of those colognes, personally.

As such, there’s really no need for me to own it, since it doesn’t do anything special. Very good cologne, without a spot of its own.

The dry down is probably my favorite part, when it really begins to show off the iris note. For some, this might be preferable to at least one or the other fragrances, I mentioned. Especially now, that you can’t find bottles of the old Dior Homme easily. I’d still go with Uomo EDT or Dior Intense, but check this out too, before it completely disappears from market.

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.