Valentino's range of perfumes includes uplifting floral and fruity notes, to smoky trees and vanilla. But that variety has its appeal and makes selection of a bottle surprisingly difficult, particularly when several perfumes are sharing the Born in Roma name. In this Valentino Perfume Buying Guide for Men & Women, you will learn about the practical differences between Valentino's most popular scent profiles.

Start With the Scent Profile

Avoid simply picking from the “for men” or “for women” category. The fragrance is personal and the notes will strongly express what you will enjoy. 

Valentino Perfumes for Women

The most versatile beginning is Donna Born in Roma Eau de Parfum. Valentino's signature notes include sambac jasmine, woody cashmeran, and vanilla. It is ideal for wearers who prefer smooth and sweet floral designs, suitable for daytime and evening attire.

If you are looking for something lighter, Donna Born mixes rose, jasmine, ambrette, and musk with kiwi in Roma Coral Fantasy. It is particularly gifted for spring, summer or casual daytime use due to its plump fruit and flower.

Donna Green Stravaganza on the other hand, is a more dynamic mix of lapsang souchong tea and jasmine and vanilla. Select it for its sweetness with a more green and tea-like flavor profile, as opposed to another ideal vanilla floral. 

Valentino Colognes for Men

Uomo Born in Roma Eau de Toilette features a mineral salt, ginger, aromatic sage and smoked vetiver. Designed for work or day out events or anyone that want's to bring some fun to a clean woody scent.

Uomo Born in Roma Intense is on the warmer side for cooler weather or overnight, with vanilla, lavender and woody fragrances. The richer profile tends to get too "wet" when applied in warmer conditions, therefore start light.

To meet a different palate, Uomo Coral Fantasy is a sweeter offering with red apple, sage and tobacco notes. It is a good option for a bouncy, fruity forward blast for a more earthy and sensual dry finish. 

Check out the Valentino Donna Born in Roma Parfum here!

Consider Concentration, Season, and Occasion

An Eau de Toilette will feel cleaner while an Eau de Parfum or Extradose will be richer. But concentration labels don't ensure the same quality of performance for all individuals.

For colder weather, Valentino suggests "warmer tones" like vanilla, and "lighter" citrus or floral fragrances for warmer climates. 

Use this quick checklist:

• Daily versatility: Donna Born in Roma or Uomo Born in Roma

• Warm-weather freshness: Donna Coral Fantasy or Uomo Green Stravaganza

• Dates and evening events: Donna Intense or Uomo Intense

• A less familiar profile: Donna Green Stravaganza

• A safer gift: Buy a travel spray or discovery size first

Avoid These Common Buying Mistakes

Don't only test a perfume upon the initial application. Leave it to dry at least for 30 minutes and do some tests on the skin before applying to the paper.

Don't assume that what is popular is universally appealing. Personal testing is evidenced by retailer feedback to Donna Born, which includes many strong comments on longevity, as well as reports of lighter performance. 

The Bottom Line

This Valentino Perfume Buying Guide for Men & Women comes down to three questions: what kind of fragrance will you choose to wear, fresh or warm, when will you wear it, and just how much sweetness can you handle?

Real starting points are Donna Born in Roma and Uomo Born in Roma. The Intense variants work best for more opulent evening attire, and Coral Fantasy and Green Stravaganza provide more vibrant or less common options. If possible, test a smaller size first; the best Valentino cologne is the one that does not lose its initial scent after a few hours.