Acqua Viva

I’m not in the habit of writing a review based on a single experience, a single wear, but this impressed me so much that I can’t resist. Today I was in a perfume shop, tried a few scents, bought three, and while the shop owner was ringing them up, I started opening Profumum Roma bottles and just bringing the atomizers to my nose to get a quick sniff and see if anything would catch my attention. When I opened this one and smelled it, that spontaneous “wooooow” burst out of me - the very reaction that has drawn so many people into this beautiful passion of collecting fragrances. I’ve never had such a pure, shining and unbelievably powerful lemon scent under my nose before. Since both my forearms were already sprayed with other fragrances, I rolled up my fairly thick denim shirt above the elbow on one arm and did a single spray on my bicep. The owner told me that with this beauty, one spray is enough... that it’s very strong. I’m usually skeptical of claims like that - even with perfumes with enormous sillage I tend to apply three, four, five sprays on each wrist, completely soaking them. People, really - this stuff is strong like an atomic bomb. After I left the shop, just a few minutes into walking, I could smell it again when I moved my arm the right way - through a thick denim shirt and a thick, down-filled winter jacket zipped all the way up to my neck. Throughout the day, over the course of hours, I kept smelling my arm from time to time and that lemon was still there, not fading. Beautiful, natural, shining lemon. Take a look at that accord pyramid. After several hours of strong, enormous projection, there should be nothing there but “citrus.” In fact “lemon” 🍋 Unbelievable... I don’t understand how anyone can rate this sillage as “strong” or even “moderate.” I take the “intimate” rating as a joke. This is E N O R M O U S. I’m definitely ordering a full bottle and after wearing it multiple times throughout the season I’ll come back to this review. But even now I can say this: for perfume enthusiasts - whether you like citrus fragrances or not - this is something you simply have to smell. And I’ll definitely have to reduce the number of sprays with this fragrance. Lemon power! 🍋

There is no review of DUA fragrances Acqua Solaris (Acqua Viva clone) on this site, so I hope no one minds if I place this bit of advice about Acqua Solaris here. A brilliant, zesty Summertime citrus Lemon.....that last for 60 minutes. With no exaggeration, only the faintest traces of this juice can be detected after 1 hour, even on clothes. Sadly, I wanted to love it. I really did. I loved the idea of the same niche quality being offered by a small start up fragrance house. In hindsight, Designer houses with millions in capital behind them have been unable to do this but a small, independent start up is going to do it? Yeah right. After doing more research after my initial disappointment, I read an article that says These companies purchase 1 bottle of the original and find a way stretch over 100 bottles. That would explain their "inspirations" sometimes being released just days after the original has been on the market and their insistence on 30 and 60 ml bottles. I've ordered several DUA fragrances and this was the first to arrive. This has served to wake me up to the reality of a clone of a $250 niche fragrance being offered for $60?? (Really $30 because DUA uses the same oils as Alexandria but charges twice the price). I have yet to receive the other fragrances but at this point my ultimate conclusion is You get what you pay for. No way Around it. Profumum Roma, shut up and take my money.

Profumum Roma is a house that by sheer quality and pleasantness of the scents is becoming one of my favorite houses against my will. I have more than enough other stuff to spend money on than more perfume by now, so I try to fight it off, but after a great offer of a travel-size bottle of this I can't deny it is one of the best light summer-scents I ever smelled, and it is quickly becoming a signature by the sheer fact that it makes me want to wear this and only this! Incredibly rich and deep lemon that envelops you - I don't know how to check, but I'll buy that it is probably the cypress, cedar and laburnum I am smelling that gives off this slight woody-green base that makes you want to bury your nose in this. It definitely doesn't just smell of lemon even though it is the easiest to pick up on. It's subtle sweetness and tartness is gorgeous, and doesn't tire you out like heavy sweet vanilla-scents and the like tend to do. This little beast makes me instantly want to buy a full bottle ahead of all the others I was planning on buying. It is that good! It's ligthness is such that I find it needs a few more sprays than usual even though it has a lot of oil - I feel this isn't necessarily one to be afraid to overspray, it feels rather fitting to envelop yourself in as it is so light and refreshing.

As the hype has indicated, I agree that Profumum Roma Acqua Viva is among the best fresh lemon scents that I've ever smelled, or could smell, apart from perhaps a sweet lemon scent along the lines of Dua Fragrances Vanilla Lemon Gelato or Chanel Allure Homme Edition Blanche. But as far as a strong lemon presence and not too much mixed in, Acqua Viva takes the cake as the best fresh lemon fragrance I can name. It involves, overwhelmingly, fresh lemon, both the juice and the peel/rind, blended with the yellow flower laburnum, and woody notes of cedar and one of my favorite woods, cypress. It doesn't develop much, which is actually nice because the opening is so pleasant and bright. Performance is solid, more up to the par set by much of the rest of the line, with great projection and longevity. The only pitfall is that paying the standard $250 for 100ml Profumuma Roma price for a citrus-dominant fragrance seems unpalatable, but considering that this is balanced enough to be a versatile performer in not only the warm weather, but due to its strength, the cold weather, the price could be right. I'll have to consider splurging for this one---next year, perhaps. 8 out of 10

You will struggle to find a finer citrus than Acqua Viva. Many of the reviews here are absolutely spot on, especially @Estebanz. A real journey of an opening with citrus from sharp lemon/grapefruit settling to zesty peel which smells super real, natural and accurate. A citrus smell which is complex within itself and even changes slightly over the first few minutes. At this point I'll just say I'm not typically one to get excited about citrus but this is really worth the gushing praise. Now then, I was expecting the waxy nature of white florals like neroli to develop at this point because that is my experience of 'high end' niche citrus fragrances bases and heart notes. I think they use them a) because they do compliment fruits and citrus and b) because they turbo charge the longevity. To my utter surprise nothing developed except a gorgeous woody accord and even the tiniest hint of smoke. It's very subtle fresh incense type vibe like olibanum, maybe coming from the cypress or cedar? but it's of the highest quality and a welcome addition to a fresh summer fragrance. This is a masterful citrus aromatic a truly awesome piece of work with good longevity.

I love this scent. I've been wearing it regularly for three weeks now and I like it more and more. I do not think that it is simple because the lemon/citrus smell is so natural, at least to my nose, and that naturalness means enormous complexity. By comparison, Eau Givrée, Eau Sauvage, Nice Bergamote, all of which I have and enjoy, have what I guess must be artificial citrus notes that lack the complexity of Acqua Viva's citrus. Does it smell like a cleaning product - for me, now, no. As far as I can tell, when you first wear a fragrance, your mind tries to find a connection with things you smelled before and so, when I first wore this, I was sometimes reminded of lemon scented cleaning products, but rather than latch on to that interpretation, I just tried to experience what I was really smelling. I no longer get any connection to those products. It does not last that long, though longer than other really natural citrus scents I've tried, but I spray it on the inside of my shirt or the back of my shirt collar and then it last for 4 or 5 hours.

Just received a bottle for my birthday! It's a marvelous scent. As many have mentioned, it's a very realistic fresh bright lemon solinote... and surprisingly, it does not smell like household cleansers, or Pledge or those wet-wipes for your hands. The lemon quality is not sweet, and never starts smelling like Lemonheads, Fruity Pebbles or limoncello. The lemon is carefully supported by delicate notes of cypress, cedar and broom (also known as laburnum, Ginster or genêt). And of those supporting notes, only the broom do I really perceive: it smells like dried reeds along a sand dune... Thus it subtly reinforces the summery vibe of the perfume. Yet it's fair to call this perfume a "solinote", essentially. For a lemon scent, ACQUA VIVA surprisingly lasts several hours on the skin, without need of a top-up. The scent basically gives you a feeling off dapper clean freshness. Bliss during warm weather. Highly recommended! My humble opinion is: It's the very best of the lemon-forward perfumes.

Pure lemons.... but a little deeper than others with a tiny bit of smoke. I own Dior Homme Cologne as well which is much lighter and sweeter but has very poor longevity. So I've been on a mission to find the longest lasting citrus.... and this is by far the strongest and most pleasant citrus that money can buy. I sampled Orangea from the same house as well but wasn't as much a fan of it. For me, Acqua Viva lasts easily 6 hours with whiffs up to 9-10 hours later. Strong projection for the first hour. I wish it had a little more to it as far as complexity.... but I can always layer with an ambergris or musk fragrance for a little more depth. The reason I was out on a hunt looking for a long lasting citrus is because my wife bought me Dior Homme Cologne and that's her favorite on me... so for her, she loves the Acqua Viva as well and I also enjoy it... so it's a win-win... I'll be buying a bottle next time I see a good opportunity.

Acqua Viva it's truly water of life! This zesty river is enriched with cedar wood delicate base, makes you feel you are under the waterfall of fresh citrus together with bright gold flowers of laburnum. This fragrance is close to your skin, longevity about 2 hours only. The bottle is state of art, I want it, but the price for full bottle should be like for selected perfumes not like for niche onces, due to not very long lasting. It shines stronger and longer during cold times, when it is cold outside, when you can feel just the Almafi zest (about 4 hours). Should they made promotion sale BOGOF I would buy multiple bottles to use it as an EDT, an EDC and an aftershave. This fragrance pulling my nose, I know I would have to have it! Try it, smell it and let your mind to be happy! This zesty life-water fall will makes you happy and enjoy your life in full, every second you have it on your skin <3

"Master Lemon" Acqua Viva has incredible interpretation of what a lemon fragrance can be. It has equal proportions of zesty skin, seeds, ripe lemon, fresh lemon, stalk and root of the plant developing at different stages of evolution on the skin It combines these elements into a complete, photo-realistic yet deeply charismatic fragrance. Fragrances from Profumum Roma are known to be discrete and linear in creation, but with beastly performance. Acqua Vivia maintains the beastly performance, but it is nonlinear in comparison to other fragrances from the house. It starts with fresh lemon, but it dries down to a combination of woody and ripe lemony scent. I don't really like fresh or aquatic fragrances as they bore me out quickly. That's not the case with Acqua Viva. First, it is not aquatic. Second, it has to be one of the most awesome citrus fragrances under the sun. 10/10.

This is the lemon cologne I’ve (you’ve) been searching for forever. It’s bright, realistic, slightly bitter, complex and (to back everyone up) lasts incredibly long for a citrus scent. Just got back from Sorrento and can attest that the lemon is identical to my nose, quality. I feel bad for the people who associate lemon with cleaning products and am thankful I can appreciate it for what it is, incredible. I do have to say I don’t get a lot of the other notes but I’m also sampling from a vial and not an atomizer. I also don’t care because it’s still incredible. It’s on the expensive side but I cannot help myself from buying a bottle. This puts to rest a near 15 year search of finding a true lemon forward/dominated scent. If you want to smell like the best goddamn lemons on earth, nothing comes close to this.

PR made a deal with the devil to concoct this 6+ hour lemon fragrance! Held together by with a cypress backbone this gem is one of very few summer frags that perform superbly without choking those nearby. The cypress is subtle and blended perfectly. Scent: (5 / 5) Lemon is among my favourite fragrance notes and this is my favourite lemon of all time. Crisp and sour. Performance: (4 / 5) Unparalleled performance for a lemon frag. The sharper citrus notes gradually fizzle away, lending a touch of non-linearity. Detectable within a foot for 4-5 hours, lingers on skin for ~9 hours. Versatility: (3 / 5) Made for spring/summer daytime. Not too loud and I can't see anyone really disliking this. Overall: (5 / 5) Exactly what I'm looking for. Photorealistic lemon with baffling performance.

If you miss the old version of Eau d'Hadrien, this is pretty darn close to that -- at more than twice the price, of course. It possesses the same clear, bright lemon note so realistic you'd think someone was cutting one at close proximity. It also has a touch of sweet white floral up top and some conifer-foresty notes that add a touch of the great outdoors to something that might otherwise smell like a kitchen. As with Hadrien, you either like smelling like this or you don't. There's nothing to "get." The quality of Profumum can't be overstated -- this house makes very good, very simple perfumes and it is immediately apparent when you smell them. The price point suggests special occasion fragrance, but it would be all too easy to go through a whole bottle of this in a summer.

There are a lot of citrus based scents and most of them have longevity issues, usually not making it to the first hour mark. Thankfully that’s not Acqua Viva, which has great performance. But that’s not my favorite part. Cypress, and to a lesser extent cedar, make their presence known when the lemon starts to fade, becoming the backdrop to the wood drydown. I get the lemon pledge connection. But I also think it’s really interesting because I love the cypress note so I’m not turned off. What is difficult is of course, the price. I looked around for a decant and unless I order from Italy I won’t be able to test this in a larger size. So it’s on my radar but I would need to take this on a longer and more thorough test drive to justify a purchase.

A high end hotel on the Amalfi coast...the terrace garden. You are in the shade of an arbor covered with vines looking out onto the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea, yachts anchored offshore. A waiter brings you a limoncello spritz. You chose the perfect attire, a simple cream colored linen shirt with matching linen pants. Brunello Cucinelli sandals. When you are this situation, you will not need to worry about what scent to wear. Acqua Viva. Such a wonderful lemon scent, a blend of the right balance of juice and zest. There may be just a slight hint of wood and aromatics. Numero uno for a clean summer citrus. Bravo!

Whoa. PHOTOREALISTIC lemon zest. Though the reviews below showcase different opinions, I find myself agreeing with most of them: Is Acqua Viva reminiscent of a lemon scented house cleaner? Yes. Lemon Drops? Indeed! Newly grated lemon zest? Of course! I suspect the wearer's opinion of any of the above would determine whether they also like Acqua Viva or not. It is linear (the cedar and imortelle... I wouldn't have noticed them had I not known to expect them), long-lasting for a citrus fragrance, bright and uncomplicated. And zesty, zesty, zesty.

One of Profumum’s most beloved scents and also one of the most perfect natural scents for summer, this is an ode to the sheer deliciousness of ripe juicy Amalfi lemons. This central note dominates this happy scent from start to finish. As the perfume evolves on the skin me notes slight woody facets of other notes like cedar, cypress and labdanum resin. The unisex scent has moderate sillage and very good longevity. If you are looking for a lemon forward scent your journey begins and ends here. Naturally simple and beautiful. Enjoy!

Such a wonderful burst of lemon splash in the opening, with a nice soft fuzz underneath that smells like rice. I love the fact that in the drydown, you get to smell the branches and leaves of the lemon tree, reminds me of a coriander leaf too. I don’t think this smells like a cleaner, it has much more depth to the scent profile. Overall this is a refreshing citrus scent that perks up your mood, the only drawback is the price point. I realise the opening lemon accords is very similar to Goutal's Hadrien.

Love the punch in your face lemon rind, but it is equally a cypress/cedar fragrance. The cypress gives a bitter green note that offsets that lemon, could be a good thing or bad thing depending on your taste. Lasts really long for a citrus fragrance. Super but not cheap for this type of thing (cheaper citrus/wood frags are plentiful). If you have the association of lemon with cleaning products pass, find cypress ‘pissy’ pass, but if not this is quite an uplifting perfume

★★★★ Bright smell of elegant lemon zests. Cedar emerges at a later stage but the bright lemon note stays until the end! Longevity is amazing (as always with Profumum) and has a good projection as well. I would never pay that much for a citrus fragrance though, I did only pay that amount for Acqua Di Sale which is more of a statement. This is the only fragrance that switched the classic and classy Eau Sauvage second to my lemon scents list! Beautiful and up lifting.