Acqua di Parma • Colonia Assoluta • Fragrances

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annasol on 1/21/2011 6:09:00 PM more reviews by annasol

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

Fantastic smell ! I bought it witout smelling it before which I normally never do. But as Jean Claude Elena had developed it, I thought I will take the chance. It reminds me of Spain and old fashioned colognes but with a modern twist. I am very glad I bought it and it is one of my favorites. It does not stay on very long but maybe this is because it is a edt ? Although it is said to be masculine smell as well as femine I think it is more suitable for women.

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maggiequinn on 10/6/2010 1:33:00 PM more reviews by maggiequinn

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

Colonia Assoluta opens with a blast of citrus notes, which is not dissimilar to ultra-cheap 4711, and is a great wake up call in a bottle first thing in the morning. But, as opposed to 4711, it does not end there – the citrus notes quickly disappear and give way to warmer and more sophisticated mix of woods and spices – very elegant and well balanced, which persist for the next 4-6 hours. How I wish some people at work would use this one instead of whatever “fresh cologne” they are applying in the morning! Colonia Assoluta is not groundbreaking or particularly novel, but it is an extremely well done every day and any occasion cologne. I like the elegant bottle. The sprayer creates an absolutely perfect fragrant mist – I wish the sprayers on my other bottles would work like this! I only take one lippie off for the price – I would love to have a gallon of it at hand but it is way too expensive for this dream to come true!

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*TOP REVIEWER* zeynepd on 10/13/2009 1:55:00 PM more reviews by zeynepd

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Red   Eyes: Hazel    

Colonia Assoluta is the only product from Acqua di Parma line that I use regularly, and the only cologne in my collection that I truly care about. I find myself reaching for it more and more often nowadays, especially after sampling fragrances in department stores that make me wonder whether I am becoming anosmic or fragrances super weak. To me, Colonia Assoluta goes one step beyond aromatic citrus fragrances and showcases how something as light as a cologne can also be deeply memorable with great presence, depth and confidence when concocted with care. Indeed, my senses register Colonia Assoluta as a spicy citrus with a relaxed and carismatic attitude. On me, it opens with a hot/peppery but relaxing citrus that is never screechy or alcoholic. The pepper is not a black, dry aroma that tingles my nose but the hot presence of bright red dried chillies that I soak in warm water before use. This is accompanied by a nbalanced citrus that brings to mind the inner side of the peel or the flesh itself. It isn't an acid attack. Soon after, I get a greener note that lifts the smell up and almost bridges the opening with the heart. Luckily for me, this does not dominate the heart and is accompanied by flowers that I know are there just as a senation. Not a single of them dominate the heart that slowly becomes powdery - ylang ylang?- but not again, not bitter.At this point, I always appreciate how the fragrance has developed ever so smoothly into a more complex, spicy yellow elixir on my skin. It is both uplifting and relaxing. The drydown is longer than many EDPs in the market and to me, again a well blended, slightly musky white wood sensation. Fantastic during summer days with cotton trousers and leather sandals, during summer evenings with long dresses, autumn days with chic trench coats and in the spring with light sweaters. More importantly, it helps me to re-focus while working or studying. It has more sillage on me than a skin scent and lasts and lasts. I have and will rebuy.

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jtcomboy on 6/30/2008 10:46:00 AM more reviews by jtcomboy

Age: Unknown   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I tend to subscribe to the ‘fragrance wardrobe’ school of thought, as opposed to the idea of a single ‘signature scent.’ Just as you wouldn’t wear a full length evening gown to a barbecue at the beach, different kinds of scents are appropriate to different occasions, and it’s nice to have a varied fragrance wardrobe with different options. The Eau de Cologne genre is the olfactory equivalent of a chic but airy sun dress (or a light linen jacket for men) – effervescent, transient, refreshing, and not at all serious or buttoned-down.
Acqua di Parma’s Colonia Assoluta is a refined and sophisticated variation on the cologne theme, and was created by Jean Claude Ellena and Bertrand Duchaufour, two of my favorite noses. Like the original AdP Colonia, Colonia Assoluta plays up the floral aspect of the cologne formula, with rose, jasmine, and ylang ylang layered under the usual citrus top notes (orange and bergamot). Where Colonia Assoluta differs is to add a touch of spice (pepper and cardamom) and a warm, woody drydown that, incidentally, seems to add to its longevity.
Since the eau de cologne formula has been around for such a long time, there is perhaps a certain perception of being a bit old-fashioned in wearing the scent. I prefer to take it as the equivalent of favoring beautifully tailored vintage clothing over modern, trendy, sweatshop-wear. In an era when young women are encouraged to smell like sticky fruit, and young men like the air conditioning system of a multi-story office building, I’ll take Colonia Assoluta, thank you very much.

17 out of 22 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Perfmavin on 6/7/2007 12:17:00 PM more reviews by Perfmavin

Age: 44-55   Skin: Very Oily   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

I was looking for a summer fragrance that would be sophicated and subtle. I didn't think this would do the trick, but it does. True, it has the notes mentioned in the other reviews, but they are so well blended that none of them sticks out distinctly on me - only a very powdery dry-fown. I can wear this any day when I'm not in the mood for one of my singularly distinctive fragrances. It makes me feel as if I just stepped out of the bath and into some new finely-tailored Italian clothes. The bath line is also wonderful.

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*TOP REVIEWER* blondefornow on 8/5/2006 2:21:00 PM more reviews by blondefornow

Age: 36-43   Skin: Very Dry   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

I spent a lot of time in Italy as a teenager and remember walking the boardwalk of the beach resort we were staying at. Everyone was tan, dressed to the nines and on the prowl. This is what Colonia Assoluta reminds me of. Raw, cocky Italian confidence! It's subtle and dignified but also exudes an intense sensuality. I bought a bottle for my drop dead gorgeous "eurofied" husband. I literally swoon when I smell this on his tanned muscles. Occasionally I spray it on myself and told him just today that I turn myself on when I wear this! I tried Iris Nobile this spring but was turned off by it's coolness. I'm a pale blonde and figured this was a Grace Kelly classic fragrance but it did nothing for me. Smelled pretty but very simple. Assoluta is far more complex. Definitely nothing you'd ever smell in the mall. I love the bottle, very classy-you just know what smells inside will be good. It's expensive and very hard to find. I know that I will be repurchasing however, if just to bring back the memories of being 16 and in "love".

4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* veruska on 7/5/2006 1:39:00 AM more reviews by veruska

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

colonia assoluta is a improving redition on the classic acqua di parma colonia.as i'm not a fan of the first offering i think that assoluta is definitelly better and i can sense some pretty ethereal white flowers in the citrus concotion,maybe alight jasmine or a hint of orchid .i can't really tell.after all it's just a whisper.the drydown also is a bit muskier but in a good way.this is definitely better than the original

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*TOP REVIEWER* Clearing on 6/2/2005 10:01:00 AM more reviews by Clearing

Age: 44-55   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This has a dry down very much similar to Philosophy's Baby Grace, with a potency ten times as strong.
It's a musky soft ending (white musk)...and very very sweet. The brief citrus opening is not important really, because the base is nothing like it and emerges within ten minutes. I would think there's mimosa in this...but it's not in the published release of notes. The verbena, pink pepper, cardamom, and rose notes come out well in the middle and base. I wouldn't think most American men would want to wear this. It seems ultra feminine to me, but *my DH* (mr-hunky-able-to-wear-any-old-prissy- thing-and-make-it-manly) could pull it off I'm sure.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Tomoe2 on 6/10/2004 6:13:00 AM more reviews by Tomoe2

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Oh, I love this scent. The original version was much too harsh on me - me, the confirmed citrus scent lover! This version blends in ylang-ylang, rose, jasmine, red pepper, cardamom, woods, amber and musk into the original notes, and it morphs from a crisp to a soft, spicy, musky citrus. I can imagine it will wear beautifully in the hottest of summer days.

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*TOP REVIEWER* dreamwalkblue on 3/6/2004 9:10:00 AM more reviews by dreamwalkblue

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Black, Straight   Eyes: Brown    

I was excited about trying this fragrance until i found out that it contained two kinds of pepper in it - pink and chilli - as pepper never sits well with my skin. And sure enough, that happened. This fragrance reminds me a lot of Thierry Mugler's Cologne, but not quite as clean, fresh, or biting. Colonia Assoluta started off very nice on my skin - a musky citrus - but quickly developed a sweaty note and it smelled like the bathrooms at my college's dining hall. Finally, it settled down and smelled like TM Cologne. I really wish that this had worked for me, but I think I'll be happy sticking with my regular Colonia.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Dhaynes on 2/12/2004 9:56:00 PM more reviews by Dhaynes

Age: 44-55   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I like it but, do not love it. I mean, I like it? Sounds confusing, but I do wear it at times, but would probably not purchase it again. It seems to smell different all of the time. My smell-o-meter is a bit off on this one, even though I think I like it????
Wow, this won't help anyone :)

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balletomane on 2/11/2004 9:28:00 PM more reviews by balletomane

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Colonia Assoluta is most certainly a very "personal" fragrance. Deeper and darker than the original Colonia, yet fresh-smelling. Lasts quite well. To be applied liberally, making this quite expensive. Beautiful packaging, reminds me of a wonderful day spent relaxing in the sun. Think 'To Catch A Thief'. Think 'Roman Holiday'.

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opoponax on 1/7/2004 9:57:00 AM more reviews by opoponax

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Such a nice scent!...
I bought the original Acqua di Parma a few years ago, but after some wear found it a bit too soapy and sharp (too masculine?) on me. The Colonia Assoluta has the same "clean", classic feeling: it starts citrusy, but dies down to a warmer, musky/woody, comforting scent, that has great staying power despite being non-intrusive.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Mayra on 9/25/2003 8:57:00 PM more reviews by Mayra

Age: Unknown   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Its still Acqua Di Parma, only muskier. Wonderful scent. A little masculine upon first spray, then it dries down soft and comforting and lovely. According to the packaging it has more than 12 natural ingredients. A mix of citrus, spicy, floral and white woody notes. Essential oils of sweet orange, bitter orange, bergamot, verbena. Spicy cardamom, pink pepper and chilli pepper. Jasmine, rose, ylang ylang and wild orchid. Definitely musky. I've been very pleased with it. Lasts longer on the skin than the original formula. Less citric. More second skin. Makes more of a statement. Perfect for evening. Sensual. Modern. For men or women.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No