Valentino makes some great fragrances. We’ve rounded up the best ones right here!
The house of Valentino was founded by Italian designer Valentino Garavani in 1962. A-listers and superstars have worn Valentino’s clothing. Everyone from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya, Kate Beckinsale, Olivia Wilde, Blake Lively, and many more.
While Valentino was a creative genius in his own right, another mastermind, Pierpaolo Piccioloi, helped him perfect the brand’s fragrance collections.
Today, Valentino has fragrances that create a chic, olfactory statement for different types of men, according to their personalities and tastes.
You’ll find refreshing fragrances, spices, citrus, florals, and super luxury ingredients suited to men of all stripes. So how do these fragrances differ from other brands?
Quick Take
Here are our top three recommendations from the list:
Our Pick
This is a stunningly beautiful, intense, rich and dark fragrance with a deep richness and a leatheriness you won’t be able to resist. It is great for formal occasions, even business-related ones.
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Budget Pick
Upgrade Pick
Valentino Uomo Noir Absolu Oud Essence takes richness to a whole new level. It is deep, woody, and slightly pungent with spiciness, but it settles quickly into an amazing warmth and richness.
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Read on for more info and the complete list…
Best Valentino Fragrances
Here are the best Valentino fragrances in no particular order.
Valentino Born in Roma.
Especially to foreigners, Italians seem to be born with an innate sense of flair.
If you’ve ever wandered around the streets of Rome, you know what I mean. On the whole, Italians are naturally fashionable people — they dress exceptionally well, and they consider fragrance an essential part of their overall presentation.
To me, Valentino almost perfectly captures in each bottle of “Born In Roma” the intrinsic vibrancy and sprezzatura of Italian men.
It is a modern, aquatic fragrance with green, earthy elements and is more on the adventurous side than most other Valentino fragrances. Like the typical Italian man (again, I’m painting with a broad brush here), it is sophisticated yet modern, vibrant, adventurous, flirtatious, yet down to earth.
The floral accords don’t make it any less masculine; quite the contrary, you’ll be left with a pleasing earthy, herbal impression after the fragrance has settled on your skin.
- Top notes are violet leaf, salt and mineral notes;
- middle notes are clary sage and ginger root;
- base notes are vetiver and Brazilian rosewood.
This is a sweet light, well-balanced fragrance. Wear it in spring, summer, and fall. It will last around 6 hours or more.
Valentino Born in Roma Yellow Dreams for Him EDT
Valentino Born in Roma Yellow Dreams for Him EDT is a subtly sexy, refreshing scent. Launched in 2021, it is an edgier version of Born In Roma.
The Valentino website points out three distinct facets of this fragrance; first comes a bright, fresh, and exotic twist of juicy Italian mandarin and zesty pineapple which awaken the senses; then a cool note of spicy gingerbread followed by a ‘couture’ note of textured pure vanilla and cedar wood to add sensuality.
It all adds up to a delicious, attention-grabbing concoction you’ll be happy to wear in all seasons of the year.
- Top notes are pineapple and orange blossom;
- middle notes are spices, ginger root extract and gingerbread;
- base notes are cedar essence and vanilla absolute.
This is an appealing, yet slightly off-the-beaten-path fragrance that is well worth a try. The more unusual elements of gingerbread and ginger root give it a spicy twist that will attract just the right type of attention.
Valentino Uomo
Valentino Uomo is the original Valentino men’s cologne that’s launched a slew of spin-offs.
Deep, sweet, and leathery, it opens with citrusy accords before settling into notes of hazelnut, chocolate, and coffee in its rich dark journey into luxury.
- Top notes are myrtle and bergamot;
- middle notes are hazelnuts, chocolate and roasted coffee beans;
- base notes are cedar and leather.
I’d recommend you wear this one in the colder months, as it can pack a punch in the heat of summer. It’s also great as a date night fragrance or for special occasions.
Valentino Uomo Intense.
If you like Valentino Uomo, why not take it one step further and go for the Intense version? This is a stunningly beautiful — yes, intense — rich, dark fragrance with a deep richness and a leatheriness you won’t be able to resist.
It opens with a sweet, slightly fruity note, then settles into a stronger essence of iris and creamy tonka bean. Then it gets sweeter as the vanilla and hints of rich leather begin to shine. This one has the wow factor, for sure.
- Top notes are mandarin and clary sage;
- middle notes are tonka bean and iris;
- base notes are vanilla and tonka bean.
Again, Valentino Uomo Intense is best worn in the colder months. It also is perfect for nights out – and its level of sophistication makes it great for more formal occasions, even business-related ones.
Valentino Uomo Noir Absolu Oud Essence
Like so many designer colognes and perfumes in recent years, Valentino offers an oud fragrance, Valentino Uomo Noir Absolu Oud Essence, and this one is a match for them all. Move over Tom Ford. This one takes richness to a whole new level.
It is deep, woody, and slightly pungent with spiciness, but it settles quickly into an amazing warmth and richness. If you like oud, this one is for you. Your girlfriend will love it too, as it is meant for both men and women. Fragrance notes are oud, leather, sandalwood, cedar, saffron, and myrtle.
This is a fantastic scent for the colder months. Its elegance and luxury also make it perfect for more formal occasions.
Valentino Uomo Aqua
Valentino Uomo Aqua is a great fragrance for all you sportier types. It’s light, refreshing, and aquatic and I believe that it’s the right choice for long, hot summery days. Tennis anyone? Polo maybe?
Valentino Umo Aqua has retained some of the elements of its granddaddy, Valentino Uomo, but scales back on intensity.
Umo Aqua is fresh, green, herbal, and aromatic, opening with citrusy accords, this time including mandarin and tomato (yes, tomato). Although it settles into some of the familiar leather notes its grandfather had, you’ll find the overall vibe is green, fruity and fresh.
- Top notes are mandarin and tomato;
- middle notes are patchouli and sage;
- base notes are iris and leather.
Casual and fresh, Umo Aqua works in spring, summer, and early fall. In the winter too, if you want to be subtle, while the Valentino Umo line is rich, luxurious, classy, sexy, and unforgettable.
Conclusion
The Valentino men’s line is known for its punchy, unmistakable fragrances, but they are available in differing intensities and bottle sizes. You don’t have to jump in at the deep end to experience the luxury and depth of these incredible scents.
See which one you are missing in your “fragrance wardrobe!”
Questions? Comments? Leave them below!
