I Profumi di Firenze • Terra di Siena • Fragrances

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*TOP REVIEWER* tessture on 6/11/2009 5:03:00 PM more reviews by tessture

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Makeup and lavender cologne water. I adore this. It is creamy and smooth, almost like my beloved Courtesan, but it doesn't have the foody notes that make it decadent. Instead, it has the lavender which smells very like dried sprigs or perhaps a really expensive French milled soap. On my wrist it's pure creamy makeup and I can't stop sniffing. On the body, I get more lavender, but it's still gorgeous. So far, I have to say it's a new favorite and quite a surprise, because nothing has struck me in this 'must have' way for a long time. I will update if that changes, but so far, I smell GREAT! Update: Still loving it, but now I can actually get the feeling of 'red dirt' when I wear this. The cumin note adds just that touch of bitterness that really does remind me of iron rich red dirt. Excellent scent still.

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*TOP REVIEWER* themeglet on 5/24/2008 12:33:00 AM more reviews by themeglet

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

There is really something unsettling about Terra di Siena... and I'll have to define "unsettling" (vb., to unsettle) for the sake of clarity:

Unsettling, vbl. n., adj.: To force out of a settled condition; to deprive of fixity or quiet (OED). In other words, "that which attempts to combine notes such as lavender, mint, and vanilla." Bring lavender and vanilla together, boys, and I am unsettled.

There are other notes here, I know, but the lavender, mint and vanilla win the competition, if only by the sheer virtue of competing. They are such disparate notes, and in most cases, I would think the person who dared to bring them together insane. And yet, I can't stop sniffing.

For me, this is certainly a "scent crush" that will have its way over a few evenings, but then end up as another curio in my collection of "will wear again, someday" decants. I say this, yet I keep reaching for it. Like Guerlain's Terracotta Voile d'Ete, the scent is impressionistic in that it softens or mutes notes that I wouldn't normally wear (or at least wouldn't normally wear together) and then throws in something earthy...something that convinces you that someone has poured a bottle of pure vanilla extract over one of your best clay pots, which, coincidentally, is holding a bush of lavender in full bloom.

I just can't decide....

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*TOP REVIEWER* lisa_67 on 12/4/2007 10:42:00 AM more reviews by lisa_67

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

Finally, a lavender-note scent I don't loathe, but actually love! I have truly despised lavender most of my life, finding it acrid, medicinal, and astringent. I'm not a botanist, so I can't tell you why "Florentine lavender" is so different from other types, but it is amazing: soft, sweet, slightly powdery, and haunting. My skin doesn't seem to pick up TdS's cumin note (not complaining), but the mint and orange blossom work nicely with the lavender to provide a fresh, gentle, decidedly non-heady floral. The basenotes - cedar, sandalwood, vanilla, and tonka bean - are fabulous: warm, woodsy, and slightly sweet (but not cloying in any way). My only regret is that the lasting power could be better - it starts to fade after 4-5 hours. This is a soft and romantic scent with moderate sillage that is appropriate for all wardrobes, and is also great for the workplace. PBI: If you are a fan of Ava Luxe No. 23, you will love TdS! I am utterly smitten, and now the very happy owner of a bottle. This fragrance is especially nice during the warmer months; it's very refreshing and cooling.

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No