Luna Rossa

Revisiting this one, as I’m packing to move to a new house and I found my old small bottle with probably 10 sprays left. I definitely remembered this as being a really classy, fresh, breezy, athletic/sporty scent. I sprayed it on myself again after not wearing it in probably two years, and was instantly reminded why I liked it in the first place. It’s so sharp and invigorating on the opening, there’s this really fresh, citrusy type smell- not a sweet, ripe fruit, but a juicy bitter rind, like the pure citrus acid smell from squeezing an orange peel. It’s bitter and invigorating, and there is this added CRISP, green sharpness from mint- incredibly fresh, cool, and undeniably clean. These two aspects alone could easily be too much or too bitter for some, BUT, what makes this a masterpiece in my opinion- there’s this underlying soft, slightly powdery roundness to it from lavender and the ambroxan in the base. It’s fairly simple as far as notes, but the way it’s crafted and blended is absolutely masterful. It’s incredibly classy and overall, the ingredients smell very high quality and natural. To me, it’s one I love to spray anytime when I’m at home or after the gym, as it’s just so breezy and uplifting, and oozes a cool cleanliness no matter what. It’s fresh in a bottle. It certainly does not smell like baby powder to me but it does have a powdery, warm/round vibe from the base notes, and that makes it incredibly versatile and high-class to me. I think every other fragrance in this category can maybe be a little too sweet or juicy, this one feels like a light mist of pure masculine freshness, but it does have really good longevity for a freshie. Also gives me a MODERN barbershop feeling. Compared to the other Luna Rossa line: Sport is much thicker and sweeter, in fact, I find the Luna Rossa EDT to be a better “sport” scent than the actual Sport flanker. I love them both though. EDT is lighter and crisper, Sport is warmer and more heavy and sweet with the vanilla/tonka bean flavor. Carbon is much spicier, more juicy and less crisp and fresh. More like a modern “blue” style- like sauvage or Dylan blue- sharp, modern spiciness. Luna Rossa EDT, comparatively, feels like a modern take on the sport fragrances from the 90s, like Platinum Egoiste, polo sport, stuff like that. Black is in another league as a dry, super dark, thick and rich (almost gourmand) type scent. They’re nothing alike. Some scents with a similar vibe- Chanel allure homme sport - sweeter and less crisp, more juicy orange and less bitter orange. Dior homme cologne - lighter and less complex, almost unisex, but captures a similar natural citrus freshness up top. polo sport- both deliver this refreshing, minty quality. Light blue forever- simply due to the natural, bitter refreshing citrus note up top (bitter orange in Luna Rossa and grapefruit in Light Blue Forever)- in both its a very rind-y citrus note instead of the typical sweet citrus juice. Conclusion: I love the simplicity, clean/soapy vibe, and pure class from Luna Rossa. I quickly went out and bought a 100 ml bottle after using what was left of the 50 ml bottle I found while packing. My only regret is that I left this one on the shelf for so long!

Prada Luna Rossa (2012) Prada Luna Rossa is a fragrance that balances with traditional and modern mastery. Inspired by the competitive and elegant world of cycling, the perfume is an essence of a composition that transmits freshness, sophistication and dynamism. A lavender is a scent of fragrance, but it appears to be an old-fashioned one: nada de lavanda "of barbershop", and yet a versão limpa, luminosa, quase metallic, which is based on a laranja amarga to dar o tom cítrico and energizante da abertura. No coração, a hortelã e a sálvia trazem um frescorde verde e ligeiramente herbal, quase medicinal, que conferre à fragrância an invigorante vibe, como una brisa marítima cortante e invigorante. Based on a sophisticated mora wave: ambroxan and ambreta proporcionam um fundo quente, levemente almiscarado and ambarado, which is mantém elegant and discreet. Fixation: Moderada a boa (6 a 8 hours na pele, but em roupas). Projection: Moderada. It is necessary to note our first moments, but always in time but close to the skin, where it is ideal for situations that require discrepancy. Rastro (wake): Refinado. Although it was elegant, it was never invasive. Luna Rossa is extremely versatile. Dia a dia: Ideal for work environment, faculty or casual meetings. Climate: Brilha especially at temperatures but brought to a few, so it will be fresh and clean. Style: For people who have the taste to transmit the sophistication of a useful form. Combine it with a white shirt, a formal blazer, or a minimalist shirt and jeans. Elegant sport: Embora inspired by a water sport, it is refined or sufficient for a day or an occasion but formal day. Luna Rossa is a perfume that is simple and executed. However, it is exaggerated and it is its balance, as the world of the bike was inspired by it. Prada's DNA is clearly: clean, contemporary, sophisticated and ostentatious. It is a fragrance that is so agradable that it does not come into the world of perfume as long as it is experienced, thanks to its elegant and modern construction. Final score: 9/10 An excellent scent for a clean, modern and masculine perfume, with great versatility and olfactory identity without exaggeration. Ideal for enjoying lavender and reinventing it for the same reason it is used, but it is extremely usable.

Bought this as a blind buy. Had expected something fresher initially. Like some blind buys, this has grown on me over the months to the point that I now think it's among the best scents I got for a number of use cases and occasions. I'm still only learning to "picture" the scent from the ingredients used, but they ring quite true here. To me, the scent is first and foremost powdery and lavender-like. There are some floral and mint undertones. The best way to think of it is "clean" as in fabric softener or room scent, like "White Cotton", "Fresh Fabric" kind of notes, almost a tad industrial in that sense. This took me some time to appreciate, but what I increasingly notice, is what some reviewers have also mentioned: that it is a very, very safe and nice scent in a way that is trust-inspiring. Someone wrote "nice man's fragrance", and I really come to intuitively understand that this really is, what it is. For me, it feels great to go on a very nice and wholesome date with someone younger than myself. I think I read in the reviews "good for cuddling", and it's exactly what it is - it reminds you so much of fresh laundry, it's incredibly comforting and friendly and good-natured. I live in Southeast Asia, so it's often very hot here, which this scent performs well in (but would do just as well in colder climates I think). I've layered it with a bright aquatic - Bvlgari's Aqva Marine - and it accentuated the friendliness with a more sporty, watery aspect. This is something I could wear out on business meetings or when meeting friends during the day or a date, and I'd feel like I'm the perfect, good natured, great to be around with, safe person - reassuring, professional, clean and proper. I'm now glad I own this and am happy everytime I wear it.

I've owned this scent for quite some time now but somehow never got around to reviewing it. This because my everyday work scent as soon as I smelled it. It's Prada's signature clean lavender scent, but with musky/citrus top/basenote combo and pure freshness from the mint. The lavender in this is just intoxicating. It's super clean, fresh, and just sweet enough to make each whiff feel special. The muskiness that stays on the skin after dry-down just brings this to the next level. As others have noted, this is the fresh and clean version of Chanel Allure HSEE, which I also own and love very much. While they both capture the musky/citrus combo, Chanel is much more deep and sweet than the Prada. They both make fantastic office scents. This is definitely a masculine scent, and I do find that the ultra-minimalist, clean-cut scent fits a certain type of man (I'd like to think myself) who's going for a simple, professional feel. This is like a barbershop scent meets tech worker. This is really one of the scents that has never disappointed me, and really opened up my eyes to how much I loved masculine lavender scents. You can pretty much were this to any occasion, although it does lend itself to lighter, brighter, more professional settings. I find that it has average sillage. It doesn't last forever but it easily lasts 2-3 hours with projection and when applied on moisturizer can last over 8-10 hours on the skin. I have only done this once before (Ombre Leather) but I'm giving this a 10/10. The only thing that could possibly improve it would be added longevity, but that could always end up making the actual scent worth, so I think it's perfect as it is.

My fragrantica rating is a 4.30. On a tester strip, I agree with general comments about it smelling like a soapy lavender scent with orange rind - I'm imagining a Baylis & Harding branded soap in a an upmarket hotel or restaurant (a nice smell but not what you imagine as attractive). On skin, this smell is incredibly masculine and attractive. It is inoffensive, you do smell like you have a modern city apartment that you keep clean, it is suited for office wear... and women find it very attractive in all ways different to how a sexy fragrance is marketed. Lavender, orange rind, clary sage and ambroxan are the foundations of what on skin is an assertively masculine, clean and sexy scent. Women love it - smelling clean, tidy and as if you have everything in order is pure masculine sexiness. It smells greener on skin than on a test strip (but is so well balanced and blended that it is not overtly green and is supported by a slightly sweet undertone possibly coming from the coumarin). Sillage is good if not very good. Nearly all fragrances last longer on me because I'm fit and healthy so I can't comment on its general longevity but can tell you it has lasted me over 12 hours with 4 sprays - 3 on the neck and 1 on the wrist. Bottle has nice glass, great atomizer but the metal aesthetic is cheap plastic but looks good from a distance on the cabinet. Very impressed and has the market advantage of not being so popular compared to blue fragrances currently. Modern, masculine and sexy. Suitable for indoor and outdoor ventures in the spring, summer and autumn. A day scent that can be used in the evenings by cutting through the chilly night.