Dulcis in Fundo

It starts out divine--sweet oranges with a hint of vanilla, and dries down divine--the finest, softest, sweet vanilla I have experienced. I'm a fan of vanilla in theory, but some as you know can smell tawdry or cheap. Some are overrun by other things --smoke, flowers, musk or what have you--which is fine if that's what you're looking for. This is vanilla with a touch of citrus--heaven sent vanilla. I keep smelling my arm, with the overwhelming urge to rub my face in it. And as to that assertion that men are often attracted to vanilla scents on a woman, well . . . today I was wearing it at the office. A younger coworker whom I had a bit of a crush on last year--who has always kept a very professional distance--suddenly needed to stand right beside me to show me the contents of a notebook, page by page by page by page by page. Edited to add: So after a couple of weeks of savoring my sample, dreaming of it, and trying a dozen more vanillas, gourmands, and Profumums just to be certain this one was it--because at $240 (which could also be a nice pair of boots!)--it had better be IT if I'm paying money for it-- I bought it. And I'm in heaven. I put it on yesterday afternoon when it arrived, and it was still on my arm when I woke up this morning. It comes with a tiny funnel and a roller bottle which was promptly snatched by my 14 yr old daughter. I told her some people say it smells like Pink Sugar, to which she replied, oh no, this is so much more elegant. So there you have it, from a kid. Edited to add a week later: My daughter is also is heaven, as Dulcis in Fundo is a huge hit with the High School boys, who remarked on it out loud the first time she put it on in the locker room and then walked out past a group of them. And she's the envy of the girls who want to know "what that is", but will never get ahold of it because the message "it's a small Italian niche perfume called Profumum Roma Dulcis in Fundo, that you have to order online and it costs a fortune" will never get to their mothers intact. How do I feel, knowing that I now share my signature scent with my 14 year daughter? I'm taking it like this--yes it's vanilla sweetness loved by teenage boys... but it's high class vanilla sweetness (and it will ruin them for the cheaper stuff)... and if my teenage daughter in the midst of the "reject all things MOTHER" phase folds for Dulcis in Fundo... well it's just that good. Between the two of us, we'll power through this bottle like noboby's business.

Having sampled a few Profumum Roma perfumes, my take is that they seem to specialise in simple but expertly-composed, high-quality freshies that have distinct personalities. While marketed as unisex, Dulcis in Fundo is the most feminine from this house that I've tried so far. Despite its (very) simple list of notes, it is a scent profile that I'm drawn to: citrus and vanilla. That perfect combination of sweet and fresh, giving a gourmand-lite effect is irresistible to me. Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune, featuring its groundbreaking-at-the-time-of-release grapefruit-vanilla accord was my first foray into such scents, but DIF is one of the best I've encountered since. First of all, what a great name: the Latin translation for "sweet-bottomed" is both apt and adds an air of sophistication, while being in keeping with the brand. I am not the biggest fan of gourmands, but the light dessert quality of a citrus-vanilla accord is utterly delicious, and DIF is a beautiful example. It also - unexpectedly - brings to mind Shalimar, which features vanilla and a lemon-led citrus accord as part of its baroque composition. DIF is sweet from initial spray, with feather-light, powdery vanilla evident from the beginning. The vanilla is top-quality - never cloying. The citrus notes appear alongside it. I get mostly lemon initially, and perhaps some lime. As it develops, it becomes more orange, but the lemon remains. Lemon tends to be the most polarising of the citruses, but here it is beautifully placed, and tempered nicely by the other notes. The vanilla is fluffy and weightless, almost marshmallow-like. As it develops, I get a hint of amber. There is a subtle incense note, giving a caramelised effect to the vanilla-citrus accord. It is reminiscent of crème brûlée here, and is the perfect development to a scent of this profile. It fades to a dry vanilla skin scent. Sillage is moderate and longevity is long-lasting. It is feminine-leaning and transeasonal, best worn during the day. A simple but sophisticated gourmand-leaning scent, DIF is deeply enjoyable to wear - comforting yet freshly pretty; simple but not banal. The sweetness is perfectly judged - the vanilla is high-quality, dry and lightweight; balanced to perfection by the fresh citrus. Light and beautifully balanced - this is how I like my gourmands. A slice of Shalimar. 4.5/5.

The only absolutely non-perfumey non-synthetically-sharp fragrance I've found is Dulcis in Fundo by Profunum Roma, which I totally love. It is like the smell of you as a child running through mandarin orchards towards your granny's freshly baked vanilla cake that is cooling on her veranda below Italian hills during the sunset. Or the green meadows from Miyazaki's Spirited Away mixed with a sense of hope, home and shelter. 💗 LOVE THIS. If you are sensitive to perfumey, irritating and sharp notes, this is a delight! I love non-perfumey, often photo-realistic, fragrances that give me a sense of tranquillity, shelter and home 🤍 Dulcis in Fundo is a dream come true if you are like me and your favourite fragrances are non-cloying non-perfumey gourmands. I hate everything soapy, smoky, woody, spicy and incensy or fruity and full of florals – and nothing from these is in this fragrance, which is very rare to find. (Sometimes I like the option of added herbal and green notes that evoke the feelings of serene forests and calming meadows – think your grandmother's fairy herbs in her wooden witchy pantry and not masculine woods and greens, but I am diverging here). 🌸 Everyone said Profunum Roma gourmands project as hell, but to me, this stays pretty close, however people do tell me they smell it around me. I prefer skin scents as everything that projects tends to be perfumey and "synthetically sharp". ❓ This fragrance is often said to be overpriced, but this is 100 ml. I am okay with paying roughly 100 euro for 50 ml, so 219 euro for 100 ml is okay in my opinion. YMMW of course. ❗️ If you are eyeing other Profunum Roma gourmands, let me warn you: 1.) Vanitas is absolutely perfumey and synthetically sharp 2.) Acque e Zucchero is also strongly perfumey but less than Vanitas 3.) Sorriso is lovely non-perfumey but has added spices, so if you're like me and you do not like spices, maybe avoid this, though the fragrance is not cloying and is definitely worth a sample 4.) Confetto is totally perfumey and sharp

I LOVE Dulcis in Fundo! This is an outstanding, melt-in-your-mouth-licious vanilla imo! I was a bit frightened by the citrus notes as I'm a bit tired of citrus nowadays, but luckily the vanilla is the most prominent on my skin so I can hardly detect any citrus (other than that it's keeping the vanilla balanced). The first few hours it reminds me a bit of icing sugar blended with vanilla, but the citrusy notes are in there to avoid it being overly sweet or heavy. DiF was sprayed in the back of my neck last week and I was surrounded by a soft, yummy trail of a perfectly sweet, powdery candle like-vanilla all day. Now, a week later, the scarf that I wore the day I sprayed on Dulcis in Fundo is still projecting a delightful vanilla-aroma in my office. How can that be, you say? Well Profumum Roma is the answer. Their scents has such high concentration of perfume (oil based) that it'll knock the socks out of any designer-frag out there (at least any of the many I own and have tried). The instant I get rich and famous (no, that was a joke), or at least very soon I'll be adding this delight to my collection! If you like vanilla, and you've done all the variations of vanilla combined with other stuff (florals/spice/incence/tobacco/amber/wood etc) that may or may not ruin the vanilla experience for you, this is a great high quality plain vanilla scent. And it might sound boring, but sometimes that true, yummy vanilla scent is exactly what you're after as an addition to your collection. At least I am. The simplicity of it makes it great for layering and the longevity is impeccable! UPDATE: I have been wearing Dulcis in Fundo tons lately and seriously guys, I want to EAT myself when I have it on because it's so yummy! This is favorite-material for me. Check it out!

Fresh citrus burst opening. Citrus opening here in Dulcis in Fundo smells like squeezing the fresh rind of a mandarin until it pops. While this citrus skews "orange" it's not a true orange like Love & Crime. The citrus opening is short lived around a minute or so. Although I love citrus dearly, I can't fault the citrus in Dulcis in Fundo not sticking around longer because that's just the nature of almost all citrus in perfume! The vanilla heart here shows up fast and heavy behind the retreating bright citrus. The vanilla here is slightly ambery to my nose at first--the mandarin is sticking around and becoming melded in the vanilla. It's evolution from bright to warm is delightful. After about an hour on the skin, the vanilla has mellowed and rounded out. My partner turned to me at this point and said, "Hmmm you smell good." The vanilla in Dulcis in Fundo has a slight plastic toy element for me that is actually very pleasant and even nostalgic. The vanilla also reminds me of the best parts of vanilla extract that you'd use in baking (this vanilla extract element is why I think most people are associating "cake" with Dulcis in Fundo). I own both a sample of Lira and a full bottle of Love & Crime. Dulcis in Fundo is more similar to Love & Crime due to the orange element. However, Love & Crime dips towards a less bright, true orange citrus with a cocoa middle. Out of the three, to me, Lira smells the most sweet and Dulcis in Fundo is the most sophisticated. After I run out of my Love & Crime bottle, I am going to replace it with Dulcis in Fundo. Dulcis feels more sophisticated on me than L&C. Both are different enough to warrant having both bottles. Really gorgeous smell if this kind of simple cirtus/vanilla gourmand is your thing!

In my search for a suitable, refreshing but sweet, summer lemon fragrance I have tried a few different and I still haven’t found what I’m looking for. "Dulcis in Fundo | Profumum Roma" is an absolutely gorgeous mix of sweet lemon and vanilla. It smalls high quality. It has the perfect balance of sweetness, while still remaining comforting and not too heavy but it’s still a cakey scent. I’m not sure this is suitable for a hot summer. "Casamorati - Lira (Eau de Parfum) | XerJoff" which I have, actually smells almost identical side by side. Dulcis in Fundo is a bit of a cleaner, slightly higher quality scent than Lira but only fractionally. Lira is just a slight bit denser and maybe a little more sugary, but it’s still a cakey lemon vanilla scent. "Crema Limone (Eau de Parfum) | Profumi di Polignano" which I gave away, is an icy lemon sorbet, but there was something about it I just didn’t enjoy. It has a very distinct coldness to it that I found a bit off putting. I think in a very hot country, that one would be gorgeous. Not so much suited to the cold UK weather where I am. "So Vanilla | Private Mood" was another I owned and sold because, while it was nice, it smelt only of vanilla to me. I’ve seen this compared Dulcis in Fundo on Fragrantica, however they smell nothing alike. So this one is a pass for me. The fact its also hard to buy due to the few sites that sell it, the extortionate shipping costs, and the already high price for this scent, I don’t feel it’s worth it. If this one is easy to get a hold of for you and you don’t own Lira, it’s worth sampling both. I would have picked this over Lira.

Another impressive entry from the house of Profumuma Roma, Dulcis in Fundo embarks us on a fragrant journey with two familiar tools, vanilla and fruit, used in a precisely-nuanced way to show us something different and exciting while similarly reminding me, at least, of both Meringa and Acqua e Zucchero a little bit each. Dulcis in Fundo brings a boozy vanilla together with what seems to be a mix of citruses, but primarily orange, perhaps paired with orange blossom. Unlike Meringa, though, it's not a creamy meringue-esque type of combination. Rather, the citrus component in DIF does has some tartness to it, so as one reviewer suggests, it might involve bergamot. Still, the relationship between the vanilla and citrus is very harmonious. It might lean slightly toward vanilla, particularly in the dry down, but the force of either is on par with the other. Performance is, as has come to be the standard of the line, exceptional. A very strong projector but unusually long-lasting, Dulcis in Fundo requires only a couple of sprays to yield a comfortable scent cloud. I find that DIF might work better as a cold weather option, contra Acqua e Zucchero being more apropos for warm weather, at least in my opinion. DIF is similarly to both AEZ and Meringa but is special in its own right, and I'll probably be inclined to buy a bottle in the next year or so. 8 out of 10

I wrote a long and rambling review earlier this year which I’ve now deleted. Coming back to say that after purchasing and emptying TWO of the 18 mL travel sprays from Luckyscent I have now caved and purchased the 100 mL bottle as a Christmas present 🎁 for myself. (So I’ve spent approximately $465 on Profumum Dulcis in Fundo in 2021 😬). Dulcis in Fundo starts off with zesty and effervescent orange peels. It’s so orangey and delicious; think about the smell on your hands as you’re peeling the rind off. Almost sneezy. After an hour or so a ‘baking in the oven’ type of vanilla scent emerges, something like muffins or a coffee cake just out of the oven. The orange rinds dissipate but never leave entirely. Dulcis in Fundo remains an orangey zesty vanilla muffin. It’s not especially “perfumey,” more like an aroma wafting from a bakery as you walk past. I find the longevity to be very good but the sillage/projection is soft. I’ve never received a comment from anyone. But I personally swoon, swoon, swoon over this delicious, cozy aroma. 10/10 STUNNING. I wouldn’t wear this in the summer but definitely have in fall, winter and spring as long as it’s not too hot. This is my #1 gourmand and I’m not into gourmands at all for the most part. LOVELOVELOVE Dulcis in Fundo.

Fresh and juicy citrus, warm and sweet vanilla and a smooth spicy undertone that reminds me of Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant without the Christmas vibe. I can't quite put my finger on what it is, and I'm not saying Dulcis In Fundo is a dupe for Jungle, but there is something not listed in the notes that really reminds me of that spicy 90s classic and I love it. I think it's something about the texture of the scent, something that makes it interesting and intriguing. The rest is fairly simple: Lemons, oranges and mandarins in their zestiest, juiciest, most mouthwatering form and creamy vanilla for days. The citrus fruits really stick to the vanilla, so they last much longer than they do in most fragrances. The lasting power is generally great here. Because of the balance of warmth and freshness this can easily transcend the seasons and is not strictly a winter fragrance, provided it's sprayed carefully. I see some comparisons to Xerjoff Lira, but to me that one is much more of a winter gourmand with the cinnamon and caramel. There are many citrus and vanilla scents on the market, but in my opinion Dulcis In Fundo has that special something that makes it stand out from all the others.

Gorgeous, strong and powerful. Somewhat dark powdery feel, citrus that is somewhat bright and obvious at first turns very muted and soapy leaving you to actually check at this point and confirm it’s supposed to have citrus!? The dusty dark powdery Yet creamy and soapy feel surely must be tonka and sandalwood with some sort of muted wood I think - it’s akin to say the dry vanilla stalk nose to skin. I would not as some consider this as syrupy but rather dry. What makes this special is the simplicity and lack of oily, syrupiness or balsamic presence you get in a simple vanilla. It’s actually refreshing for summer and great for winter. It reminds me of my mum whom used to puff Johnson’s and Johnson’s Baby Powder over her shoulder and back after a shower to keep dry and fresh in summer - so if you would, a vanilla talcum powder is what it does for me. It also feels quite androgynous for me - so on a woman it’s for a woman and on a male it works as a male scent. Some descriptions here as a bakery scent or creme brûlée also work for me though I think it is not as definitive as a description. Classic Profumum.

This went from a mild like to my favourite vanilla over the course of 20 ml. At first it smells very nice but a bit plain. You’re not wrong, it is. It smelled like vanilla cake batter with a touch of orange at the start. However, the more I wear it the more I notice the subtleties. The orange which seemed to disappear in the first few minutes is actually present throughout the wear, but blended in such a way that it it’s only used to accent the vanilla rather than stand beside it. Like with most of Profumum’s offerings it’s the experience of wearing it that really sold it to me, not the careful inspection of a reviewer. Wearing I get a beautiful vanilla orange cake that lasts all day, projects nicely and never offends or becomes becomes cloying or unpleasant, even in the heat. This is minimalism done right, sleek and elegant. This is super versatile and a great base for layering, but I prefer it on it’s own. Comforting, decadent, powerful and yes, a bit plain - this is the definition of vanilla. I finished my small bottle surprisingly quickly and will be replacing it with a full bottle very soon!

Yes, this smells like cake, and yes, I wanna smell like cake. Cuz I'm da snacc! Seriously though, this is a delicious gourmand, smells like a citrusy vanilla cream cake. There is a certain warm or "baked" quality, almost like burnt sugar, which makes it feel thick and rich and gives me vibes of crème brûlée. I can see why some would think that this leans feminine, but to my mind this is perfectly unisex. Creamy vanilla cake doesn't have a gender! I really don't understand why some reviews are saying that this is too weak or disappears quickly... On my skin this is quite strong and lasts a long, long time. This and Profumum Roma's other vanilla offering Vanitas have some definite similarities. They are both warm, sweet and creamy vanilla gourmands with a citrus touch, but Dulcis in Fundo is a bit creamier and cake-like while Vanitas is a bit more tangy and candy-like (and arguably more feminine). If you like Vanitas but find it too feminine, this could be a better choice. Or, if you like this but want to turn the vanilla intensity up another notch, try Vanitas!

A tooth achingly sweet and sultry Fruit Loops-like perfume, with the same artificial sweetness of a fruity Wunderbaum. Liquid candy-- my first impression was that of that orange flavoured cream in between wafers, or like some say, an orange creamsicle. Personally I don't find myself drawn to orange, but this is candy, not fruit. Don't be put off! I love it and I have never found something like it. I'm a bit angry with myself for putting off exploring Profumum Roma for so long. Their gourmands are out of this world. This is a brand of great quality, and their huge bottles contain 40-ish percent oils, whereas most EDP's contain maybe 10 or 20 percent. This is unfortunately for me reflected in the price. This is on the top of my wishlist right now, and my boy really approves of it. I highly, highly recommend sampling this if you're a gourmand nut.

Dulcis in Fundo by Profumum Roma is the second fragrance I've tried from this house, after Acqua di Sale. Like Acqua di Sale, Dulcis in Fundo has a simple composition with few notes, which remain consistent throughout the life of the fragrance. This makes it a linear and easy-to-wear scent that never gets tiring. Despite its simplicity, Dulcis in Fundo is a very rich and complex fragrance. The vanilla note is the star, but it's balanced by the citruses, creating a great combinaton. The result is a sweet, gourmand, and sensual perfume. The projection of Dulcis in Fundo is excellent, and the fragrance lasts on my skin for several hours. I've received many compliments when I've worn this perfume, with people telling me I smell like "candy". I think Dulcis in Fundo is a perfect perfume for special occasions, but it can also be worn every day.

This is the perfume that got me into fragrance overall - a fraghead friend gave me a years-old decant of it in 2021 and my obsession was born; I recently treated myself to a new full bottle. It starts with gorgeous, fresh, almost-bitter citrus (like the oil from a clementine peel) upon spraying, and as that subsides it gives way to a delicious, marshmallowy vanilla, like a gourmet luxury creamsicle-inspired dessert. Isn't overly candy sweet, so it's grown up enough to wear to a wide variety of occasions. I will say, my old decant (since it had macerated for so long) had a much richer smell - burnt sugar, caramel, tiiiiny bit of smoke. Absolutely transcendent. Fresh bottle is already a masterpiece, but once all the ingredients have gotten a chance to get to know each other, it creates an altogether new, gorgeous gourmand.

This is the most pleasant vanilla I have ever tried. And I have tried Guerlain's SDV, Tonka Imperiale, Serge Lutens' Un Bois Vanille, Van Cleef & Arpels, just about everything under the sun. Nothing comes close to Profumum Roma Dulcis in Fundo. It's like getting to the bottom of the dessert and finally reaching what you were looking for. It's a sweet orangey slightly citrusy (which makes it a bit fresh and takes off the heavy edge) vanilla concoction that just takes me away into the world of rainbows and creamsicles. The drydown is gorgeous - I can stuff my nose into my wrists for hours and enjoy the smell. There is nothing sharp or offensive about it, and just when you think the scent has rubbed off, you catch a whiff of it as you turn your head or move your hands. It's SO so so beautiful. SO much.

Stunningly beautiful - one of my favourite fragrances of all time. I don’t get a lemony citrus (thankfully - I have enough fragrances in this category). I agree with the dreamy orange creamsicle comparison - it’s not a literal interpretation like a candle or body spray, more like an elevated version that smells heavenly. As it dries down, it reminds me of a root beer float (but I wouldn’t say it smells like root beer). Creamy, sweet, with a touch of spice. This is pricey, but worth every penny - you absolutely get your money’s worth. One of the rare fragrances I have that lingers on my skin the next day. Last week, I had a formal event, and I can still smell it on my dress hanging in my closet. It even comes with a decant kit to make your own travel spray. 10/10 from me - highly recommend ❤️

As a 30yr old male I love masculine scent of course...but there's that side of me that likes offerings like this one, dead smack unisex and being a vanilla I was a little skeptical of smelling like a woman, but this house offers something for everyone. This is a airy light vanilla and citrus combo just like the notes promis. On my skin though it takes its own turn to a splendid composition that has litterly major silage! I dabbled a half a vial on my from luckyscent, equivalent to a couple sprays I would say amd I was complemented through the other room across the house down the hall way. I was a little worried going in to the office but by then it must of calmed down. I got many complements throughout the day even 8 hrs later and here we are 14 hrs later and it still lasts. 9/10

I have finally purchased a large bottle of Profumum Dulcis in Fundo, after being completely spellbound and olfactorialy transfixed by the miniature sample I bought online. Although it is expensive, nothing else comes close to this, and seems to reflect the essence of my soul. Dulcis in Fundo is like catching a whiff of burning logs on a winter's day, with a heady mix of oranges, condensed milk and the most astonishing deep and glorious vanilla. It is magical. I have found no other perfume in my life that transfixed me like this one. If you want something that will satisfy your love of mystery, inspire your artistic senses, comfort and envelop you as well as entice you in a simultaneously adult and childlike way, this is totally the perfume that meets those requirements.

I find that with a lot of the gormans from this house, that if you do not have the right weather situation that they end up smelling like Play-Doh: this and sorriso the big examples. However, get the temperature to below 50° and this baby shines. It's a creamy citrus cake with vanilla frosting on top. It lasts forever but really becomes a skin scent about three or four hours in? So I'm assuming this is really more for intimate encounters or when you're going to be very close around I don't know a dinner party or something. I find this FWB but at a discounted price. I found my bottle on jovoy when the Euro and the dollar were equal and I paid 170 and find that an extremely appropriate price for the quality of the scent and the performance that you get, projection aside.