The 6 Best Valentino Perfumes to Add to Your Collection

When perusing the luxury fragrance section at the department store, it’s impossible not to run into a selection of studded bottles from Valentino. Though they all don the Italian fashion house’s signature motif, have similar names, and emanate an air of elegance, each fragrance is wildly different.

The range of perfumes includes floral, fruity, and woodsy scent profiles, and master perfumers have designed each to turn heads—so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that some of the most stylish women in the world have worn (and loved) the iconic fragrances. If you’re looking for a signature scent for yourself or are shopping for someone you love, you can’t go wrong with a perfume from Valentino. 

To help you decide which Valentino perfume is best for you, I tested all the perfumes for several weeks, paying close attention to what distinguishes each. Keeping in mind the top notes and sillage, or how they smell after a full day of wear, I’ve provided a comprehensive breakdown of what makes each scent special.

Best Overall

1. Valentino Donna Born In Roma Eau de Parfum

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Sephora

$75 at Amazon$35 at Sephora$165 at Ulta

Key Notes: Black currant, pink pepper, bergamot, jasmine, jasmine sambac, jasmine tea, bourbon vanilla, cashmeran, wood

Perhaps the most popular of the bunch, Valentino’s Donna Born in Roma is the first iteration of the brand’s classic fragrance and smells sensual, warm, and sweet. Not only is it the basis of the rest of the line, but it stands out the most (meaning it’s truly one of a kind). It’s categorized as a floral scent, yet it has some elements that make it surprisingly smoky and a great choice for evening wear. Starring notes such as black currant, pink pepper, bergamot, and jasmine, the fragrance is noticeably sweet at first but eventually settles into the skin. After some time, bourbon, vanilla, and wood notes become more apparent. The result: A warm, jasmine-heavy floral that lingers on the skin and is refreshingly intoxicating. 

Best Fruity

2. Valentino Donna Born in Roma Coral Fantasy

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Sephora

$112 at Amazon$92 at Sephora$135 at Ulta

Key Notes: Kiwi, Brazilian rose, rose, jasmine, ambrette, white musk, Texas cedar

A twist on Donna Born in Roma, Coral Fantasy is as fruity and fresh as it gets. With notes of kiwi, Brazilian rose, jasmine, ambrette, and white musk (an expensive perfume ingredient), this perfume smells familiar (almost like a sweet body wash) yet totally mysterious at the same time. It’s similar to Donna in the sense that it’s light and super feminine, however, it’s way fruitier and has a bit more depth thanks to a woodsy Texas cedar finish. Although you can wear it year-round, we especially recommend it as a great spring or summer scent.  

Best Woodsy

3. Valentino Born in Roma Yellow Dream

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Sephora

$71 at Amazon$35 at Sephora$165 at Ulta

Key Notes: Pineapple, mandarin orange, ginger, gingerbread, spices, vanilla absolute, cedar essence

Of all of the Valentino perfumes, Yellow Dream (the third of the Donna Born in Roma fragrances) is the most interesting. It’s fruity and almost tart at first—pineapple and mandarin orange notes give a subtle splash of citrus without going over the top—before becoming spicier as the formula has time to blend with the skin’s natural chemistry. Then, the notes of ginger, gingerbread, and cedar essence really come together, forming a scent that toes the line of masculinity. The perfume has a lot of depth, so it’s probably best for an evening scent, but no matter when you wear it, you can expect heads to turn. 

Best Floral

4. Valentino Voce Viva

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Sephora

$92 at Amazon$35 at Sephora$165 at Ulta

Key Notes: Mandarin orange, bergamot, ginger, orange blossom, gardenia, vanilla, tonka bean, musk, sandalwood, oak moss

One of the brand’s more floral fragrances, Voce Viva is the perfect blend of orange blossom, golden gardenia, Italian bergamot (a common perfume ingredient), and mandarin orange. It’s addictive—so forewarning that you may acquire a few admirers—and candy-like, while still remaining super chic and luxurious. Thanks to notes of moss accord and vanilla, it’s warm, fresh, and feminine, making it the perfect daytime signature scent. Wear it alone or layer it with another Valentino perfume, either way, you’ll quickly become obsessed with it. 

Best Sexy

5. Valentino Voce Viva Intensa

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Sephora

$96 at Amazon$35 at Sephora$95 at Ulta

Key Notes: Mandarin, bergamot, orange blossom, jasmine, bourbon vanilla, moss

Lady Gaga is the face of Voce Viva—so you know it brings the drama. As the name suggests, it’s a slightly more intense version of Voce Viva, so you can expect a similar fragrance profile with a sultry twist. Each spritz delivers a burst of freshness with notes of mandarin, bergamot, and orange blossom, before giving way to a heavier jasmine and bourbon vanilla scent upon contact with the skin. The result is something that lasts long after you put it on, inviting those close to you to come even closer. 

Best Warm

6. Valentino Donna Born in Roma Intensa

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Sephora

$35 at Sephora

Key Notes: Vanilla, jasmine, amber, bergamot, black currant, benzoin

Born in Roma Intense, the latest drop from the brand, is the warmest fragrance of them all. The perfume is heavier, spicier, and a bit more powdery than the rest, making it ideal for wintery nights and cozy vibes. Top notes of vanilla, amber, and jasmine shine through on first spritz, but then mellow out. After about an hour, you can expect the spotlight to be on heart notes of bergamot and black currant as well as base notes of benzoin (which is sweet and smooth like vanilla). This fragrance is potent, so a little bit goes a long way—no wonder they call it intense. 

What to Look for When Buying Valentino Perfume

• Notes: Each of the Valentino perfumes is similar (they are from the same fashion house, after all), yet each has a distinct fragrance profile. When deciding between perfumes, pay close attention to the top notes. These notes are the initial scents that lure you in, forming your first impression of the fragrance. Top notes usually have citrus elements (for example, bergamot and orange in Yellow Dream) or floral elements (like gardenia in Voce Viva), as well as light fruits and fresh herbs. Middle notes (which are often referred to as heart notes), make up the foundation of the perfume. Once the top notes recede over time, the middle notes make up most of the aroma. And, finally, base notes are the densest and are typically the most intense part of a fragrance—they make perfumes more complex and are the layer of warmth that lingers, even after everything else has dried down.
• Fragrance families: So now that you understand the types of notes, it’s easier to comprehend the fact that notes create fragrances that are then categorized by their fragrance families. Some categories you may encounter are fresh, floral, amber (sometimes referred to as oriental), and woodsy. Knowing these different categories will help you understand the world of fragrances better and can ultimately guide your choice.  
• Size: Valentino fragrances are available in several different sizes. It ultimately doesn’t matter which size you choose, it solely depends on your budget and lifestyle. If you’re willing to spend a little more and plan on using the perfume daily, you might be better off with the largest size, 3.4 ounces. On the other hand, if you want to try one out or don’t want to commit to just one fragrance, you can’t go wrong with the 0.33-ounce travel-sized tube. Additionally, there are two other sizes to choose from, either 1.0 ounce or 1.7 ounce, which are the average standard sizes you’d expect from a fragrance. Whichever one you choose depends on how much you want to spend and how often you’ll use it.