Valentino perfumes: which one to try first
Ten Valentino perfumes sorted by character, from vanilla and floral women's scents to salty and sweet men's ones, with a first pick and the season and time of day voters choose.
Ten Valentino perfumes, in the order to try them
Take the first, then one from a different group.
- 1Best overall
Black Currant, Pink Pepper and Bergamot over jasmine, with Cashmeran, Guaiac Wood and Bourbon Vanilla: vanilla and white flowers for fall and winter.
from €9.363 ml
Read the pick - 2Best for winter
Blackcurrant, Rum and Vanilla: a short note list, from fruit to rum to a sweet vanilla finish.
from €9.453 ml
Read the pick - 3
Bergamot and Grapefruit over Iris and Bulgarian Rose, on Leather, Vanilla and Patchouli: powdery iris and rose with a soft leather base.
from €8.373 ml
Read the pick - 4
Blood Orange, Tuberose and Sandalwood: a white floral with a citrus opening.
from €9.813 ml
Read the pick - 5Best citrus pick
Mandarin Orange, Bergamot and Ginger over Orange Blossom and Gardenia, on Vanilla and Sandalwood: citrus and white floral for the day.
from €8.373 ml
Read the pick
Show all 10 picks
- 6Best for summer
Valentino Donna Born In Roma Yellow Dream
Lemon, Rose and White Musk: a lemon-bright rose voted for summer and spring.
from €8.373 ml
Read the pick - 7Best value
Violet Leaf and Salt over Ginger and Sage, on Vetiver: a salty, mineral, aquatic men's scent.
from €7.293 ml
Read the pick - 8
Valentino Uomo Born In Roma Coral Fantasy
Red Apple, Cardamom and Calabrian bergamot over Lavender and Clary Sage, on Tobacco Leaf and Patchouli: fruity and aromatic, with tobacco underneath.
from €7.293 ml
Read the pick - 9
Valentino Uomo Born In Roma Intense
Vanilla, Lavender and Vetiver: lavender softened by vanilla, voted for winter and fall.
from €8.193 ml
Read the pick - 10
Myrtle and Bergamot over Hazelnut, Chocolate and Roasted Coffee Beans, on Leather and Cedar: a nutty, spicy coffee and chocolate scent.
from €7.653 ml
Read the pick
In this guide
The Valentino perfume to try first is Valentino Donna Born In Roma, a jasmine and Bourbon Vanilla scent that community voters pick for fall and winter, at night and in the evening. For a daytime scent, try Voce Viva or Valentino Donna Born In Roma Yellow Dream; for men, start with Valentino Uomo Born in Roma. All ten come as 3ml and 10ml decants, filled from the original bottle.
What sets the Valentino perfumes apart
Many Valentino perfumes share the same few words in their names: Born In Roma, Donna, Uomo. Going by the name alone, you cannot tell whether you are getting a vanilla scent, a citrus one or a salty, mineral one. The ten in this guide have listed launch years from 2014 to 2026, and the Valentino brand page shows the wider range. Here they are sorted by character, so you can choose before you spend on a larger size. If you are buying without smelling first, the guide on how to choose perfume without smelling it sets out what to check.
The simplest way to choose is by character:
- Vanilla and fruit, for cooler nights: Valentino Donna Born In Roma and Born in Roma Extradose Donna.
- Floral, from powdery iris to white flowers: Valentino Donna and Vendetta Donna.
- Citrus-led, for the day: Voce Viva and Valentino Donna Born In Roma Yellow Dream.
- For men, aromatic and spicy: Valentino Uomo Born in Roma and Valentino Uomo Born In Roma Coral Fantasy.
- For men, sweet, for cooler months: Valentino Uomo Born In Roma Intense and Valentino Uomo.
Quick comparison
| # | Perfume | Label | Main notes | Lasts | Trail | Season | 3 ml | 10 ml | per ml |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valentino Donna Born In RomaValentino | Best overall | Jasmine, Jasmine Sambac, Jasmine Tea | Moderate | Moderate | Autumn | €9.36 | €24.12 | €2.41 |
| 2 | Born in Roma Extradose DonnaValentino | Best for winter | Rum | Moderate | Moderate | Winter, Autumn | €9.45 | €29.16 | €2.92 |
| 3 | Valentino DonnaValentino | Bulgarian Rose, Iris, Mahonial | Moderate | Moderate | Autumn | €8.37 | €22.86 | €2.29 | |
| 4 | Vendetta DonnaValentino | Tuberose | Autumn, Winter | €9.81 | €25.11 | €2.51 | |||
| 5 | Voce VivaValentino | Best citrus pick | Gardenia, Orange Blossom | Moderate | Moderate | Spring | €8.37 | €22.86 | €2.29 |
| 6 | Valentino Donna Born In Roma Yellow DreamValentino | Best for summer | Rose | Moderate | Moderate | Summer | €8.37 | €24.12 | €2.41 |
| 7 | Valentino Uomo Born in RomaValentino | Best value | Ginger, Sage | Moderate | Moderate | Autumn, Spring | €7.29 | €19.98 | €2.00 |
| 8 | Valentino Uomo Born In Roma Coral FantasyValentino | Bourbon Geranium, Clary Sage, Lavender | Long lasting | Moderate | Autumn | €7.29 | €20.07 | €2.01 | |
| 9 | Valentino Uomo Born In Roma IntenseValentino | Lavender | Long lasting | Moderate | Winter, Autumn | €8.19 | €22.23 | €2.22 | |
| 10 | Valentino UomoValentino | Chocolate, Hazelnut, Roasted Coffee Beans | Moderate | Moderate | Autumn, Winter | €7.65 | €22.05 | €2.21 |
Show all 10 picks
Community votes
Vanilla and fruit, for cooler nights
Two women's scents that share vanilla and a fruity accord. Community voters place both in fall and winter, and both are worn at night.
Valentino Donna Born In Roma by Valentino
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Black Currant, Pink Pepper
- Heart notes
- Jasmine, Jasmine Sambac, Jasmine Tea
- Base notes
- Bourbon Vanilla, Guaiac Wood
- Time of day
- Night out
Valentino Donna Born In Roma leads with Black Currant, Pink Pepper and Bergamot. Its heart is Jasmine Tea, Jasmine and Jasmine Sambac, and Cashmeran, Guaiac Wood and Bourbon Vanilla sit below. Launched in 2019 and listed for women, its accords are woody, vanilla, fruity, white floral and soft spicy. The fruit and pepper arrive first, a run of jasmine follows, and vanilla and woods close it.
Fall and winter are its voted seasons, with night and evening the hours voters choose. Most community voters rate its longevity moderate. It suits anyone who wants vanilla with white flowers in front of it rather than plain sweetness, which is why it comes first in this guide.
Born in Roma Extradose Donna by Valentino
- Top notes
- Blackcurrant
- Heart notes
- Rum
- Base notes
- Vanilla
- Time of day
- Night out
Born in Roma Extradose Donna has a much shorter note list than the first: Blackcurrant on top, Rum in the heart and vanilla underneath. It launched in 2025 for women, and its accords are vanilla, fruity, rum, woody, soft spicy, powdery and sweet. Fruit comes first, then rum, then a sweet vanilla finish.
Voters choose winter and fall for it, and they wear it at night. Community votes on its longevity lean moderate. It suits someone who likes a sweet scent for a cold night and wants it straightforward.
Floral, from iris to tuberose
Two women's florals that go in different directions: one powdery and leathery, one built on white flowers.
Valentino Donna by Valentino
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Grapefruit
- Heart notes
- Bulgarian Rose, Iris, Mahonial, Praline
- Base notes
- Leather, Patchouli, Vanilla
- Time of day
- Evening
Valentino Donna, launched in 2015, opens on Bergamot and Grapefruit. Iris, Bulgarian Rose, Praline and Mahonial sit in the heart, over Leather, Vanilla and Patchouli. It is listed for women, and its accords are iris, rose, powdery, leather and vanilla. The result is a powdery iris and rose with a soft leather base.
Voters put it in fall and winter, in the evening and at night. Community votes on its sillage lean moderate. It suits readers who like powdery iris and rose over a leather base, worn in the evening.
Vendetta Donna by Valentino
- Top notes
- Blood Orange
- Heart notes
- Tuberose
- Base notes
- Sandalwood
- Time of day
- Night out
Vendetta Donna is the most recent of the ten, a 2026 launch credited to the perfumers Andrew Everett and Dominique Ropion. It keeps to three notes: Blood Orange on top, tuberose in the heart and Sandalwood underneath. Listed for women, its accords are tuberose, white floral, citrus, woody and animalic. The orange lifts the tuberose, and the sandalwood keeps it grounded.
Fall and winter are the seasons voters pick, and they wear it both at night and by day. It suits readers who already like white florals and want one with a citrus opening.
Citrus-led, for the day
Two women's scents voted for daytime, one of them for the office.
Voce Viva by Valentino
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Ginger, Mandarin Orange
- Heart notes
- Gardenia, Orange Blossom
- Base notes
- Musk, Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean
- Time of day
- Daytime
Voce Viva launched in 2020 and is listed for women. Mandarin Orange, Bergamot and Ginger open it, the heart is Orange Blossom and Gardenia, and the base runs through Vanilla, Sandalwood, Oakmoss, Tonka Bean and Musk. Citrus and white floral lead its accords, followed by vanilla, sweet and powdery. If orange blossom is the note that draws you, the guide to orange blossom perfumes covers more of it.
Spring and fall are its voted seasons, and voters wear it by day and in the office. Most community voters rate its sillage moderate. It suits office days and anyone drawn to orange blossom and gardenia over vanilla.
Valentino Donna Born In Roma Yellow Dream by Valentino
- Top notes
- Lemon
- Heart notes
- Rose
- Base notes
- White Musk
- Time of day
- Daytime
Valentino Donna Born In Roma Yellow Dream keeps to three notes: Lemon, rose and White Musk. It launched in 2021 for women, and its accords are musky, citrus, rose, powdery, aromatic and floral. It reads as a lemon-bright rose over a soft musk.
Its voted seasons are summer and spring, and the only time of day voters give is day. Most community voters rate its longevity moderate. It suits summer afternoons and anyone who wants rose paired with lemon and musk.
For men: aromatic and spicy
Two men's scents, one salty and mineral, one fruity and aromatic.
Valentino Uomo Born in Roma by Valentino
- Top notes
- Mineral notes, Salt, Violet Leaf
- Heart notes
- Ginger, Sage
- Base notes
- Vetiver, Woody Notes
- Time of day
- Daytime
Valentino Uomo Born in Roma launched in 2019 and is listed for men. Mineral notes, Violet Leaf and Salt open it, Ginger and Sage sit in the middle, and Woody Notes and Vetiver finish it. Its accords are mineral, woody, ozonic, aromatic and aquatic, with salty and herbal behind them. It opens mineral and salty, then dries to vetiver and wood.
Fall and spring are the seasons voters choose, and they wear it by day and in the evening. Most community voters rate its longevity moderate. It suits anyone who wants an aquatic, mineral style without sweetness.
Valentino Uomo Born In Roma Coral Fantasy by Valentino
- Top notes
- Calabrian bergamot, Cardamom, Red Apple
- Heart notes
- Bourbon Geranium, Clary Sage, Lavender
- Base notes
- Haitian Vetiver, Patchouli, Tobacco Leaf
- Time of day
- Night out
Valentino Uomo Born In Roma Coral Fantasy opens with Red Apple, Cardamom and Calabrian bergamot. Lavender, Bourbon Geranium and Clary Sage form the heart, over Haitian Vetiver, Tobacco Leaf and Patchouli. It launched in 2022 for men, and its accords are aromatic, fruity, tobacco, sweet and warm spicy. Fruit and lavender lead, and tobacco and patchouli sit underneath.
Fall and spring are its voted seasons, at night and by day. Most community voters rate its longevity long lasting. It suits someone who wants a fruity, aromatic scent with tobacco and patchouli in the base.
For men: sweet, for cooler months
Two men's scents for the cooler months, one soft with vanilla and one built on chocolate and coffee.
Valentino Uomo Born In Roma Intense by Valentino
- Top notes
- Vanilla
- Heart notes
- Lavender
- Base notes
- Vetiver
- Time of day
- Night out
Valentino Uomo Born In Roma Intense has three notes: Vanilla opens it, Lavender follows and Vetiver closes it. Launched in 2023 for men, its accords are lavender, vanilla, aromatic, woody and fresh spicy, with earthy, powdery and sweet behind them. The lavender is softened by vanilla and held up by vetiver.
Winter and fall are the seasons voters choose, and they wear it at night and in the evening. Most community voters rate its longevity long lasting. It suits readers who like lavender but want it sweeter.
Valentino Uomo by Valentino
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Myrtle
- Heart notes
- Chocolate, Hazelnut, Roasted Coffee Beans
- Base notes
- Cedar, Leather
- Time of day
- Night out
Valentino Uomo is the earliest launch of the ten, from 2014, and is listed for men. It starts with Myrtle and Bergamot, moves to Hazelnut, Chocolate and Roasted Coffee Beans, and rests on Leather and Cedar. Its accords are woody, nutty, warm spicy, chocolate, leather and coffee. The effect is nutty and spicy, with chocolate and coffee over leather.
Voters place it in fall and winter, at night and by day. Community votes on its longevity lean moderate. It suits anyone who wants a coffee and chocolate scent for a cold day.
Which Valentino perfume should you try first?
Match the scent to your taste and the weather:
- Start with [Valentino Donna Born In Roma](/perfumes/valentino-donna-born-in-roma) for vanilla and white flowers on fall and winter evenings.
- Choose [Born in Roma Extradose Donna](/perfumes/valentino-born-in-roma-extradose-donna) if you want vanilla with rum and a sweet finish.
- Choose [Valentino Donna](/perfumes/valentino-donna) for powdery iris and rose.
- Choose [Vendetta Donna](/perfumes/valentino-vendetta-donna) for tuberose with a citrus opening.
- Choose [Voce Viva](/perfumes/valentino-voce-viva) for a citrus and white floral scent for working days.
- Choose [Valentino Donna Born In Roma Yellow Dream](/perfumes/valentino-donna-born-in-roma-yellow-dream) for lemon and rose on warm days.
- Choose [Valentino Uomo Born in Roma](/perfumes/valentino-uomo-born-in-roma) for a salty, mineral men's scent.
- Choose [Valentino Uomo Born In Roma Coral Fantasy](/perfumes/valentino-uomo-born-in-roma-coral-fantasy) for fruit, lavender and tobacco.
- Choose [Valentino Uomo Born In Roma Intense](/perfumes/valentino-uomo-born-in-roma-intense) for lavender with vanilla.
- Choose [Valentino Uomo](/perfumes/valentino-uomo) for chocolate, coffee and leather.
| Perfume | Launched | Listed for | Main accords | Community picks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valentino Donna Born In Roma | 2019 | Women | Woody, vanilla, fruity | Community: fall and winter, night and evening |
| Born in Roma Extradose Donna | 2025 | Women | Vanilla, fruity, rum | Community: winter and fall, night |
| Valentino Donna | 2015 | Women | Iris, rose, powdery | Community: fall and winter, evening and night |
| Vendetta Donna | 2026 | Women | Tuberose, white floral, citrus | Community: fall and winter, night and day |
| Voce Viva | 2020 | Women | Citrus, white floral, vanilla | Community: spring and fall, day and office |
| Valentino Donna Born In Roma Yellow Dream | 2021 | Women | Musky, citrus, rose | Community: summer and spring, day |
| Valentino Uomo Born in Roma | 2019 | Men | Mineral, woody, ozonic | Community: fall and spring, day and evening |
| Valentino Uomo Born In Roma Coral Fantasy | 2022 | Men | Aromatic, fruity, tobacco | Community: fall and spring, night and day |
| Valentino Uomo Born In Roma Intense | 2023 | Men | Lavender, vanilla, aromatic | Community: winter and fall, night and evening |
| Valentino Uomo | 2014 | Men | Woody, nutty, warm spicy | Community: fall and winter, night and day |
Trying Valentino before you buy a bottle
Because so many names run together, write down which one you wore when. A 3ml decant of Valentino Donna Born In Roma is €9.36 and holds around 60 sprays. Once you know you like it, a 10ml decant at €24.12 holds around 200 sprays. All ten are sold in both sizes, and how long a 10ml perfume lasts shows what that means in daily wear.
For a first order, take one scent from your group and one from another, then wear each on its own day, on clean skin, to see which direction suits you. For women's picks beyond this house, see the best perfume for women guide. If you prefer vanilla in particular, best vanilla perfumes maps the note across other houses, and best perfume for men does the same for men's scents.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Valentino perfume should I try first?
- Start with Valentino Donna Born In Roma. It opens on Black Currant, Pink Pepper and Bergamot, with jasmine in the heart and Bourbon Vanilla in the base, and voters place it in fall and winter, at night and in the evening. For men, Valentino Uomo Born in Roma is the place to begin, and for a daytime scent try Voce Viva. You can try Donna Born In Roma as a 3ml decant for €9.36.
- Can I try a Valentino perfume in a decant before buying a full bottle?
- Yes. Each of the ten is filled from the original bottle into a 3ml or a 10ml decant. With around 60 sprays in the 3ml and around 200 in the 10ml, there is room to wear one on several days first. Valentino Donna Born In Roma is €9.36 for 3ml and €24.12 for 10ml.
- Which Valentino perfumes are voted for winter?
- Six of the ten are voted for winter: Valentino Donna Born In Roma, Born in Roma Extradose Donna, Valentino Donna, Vendetta Donna, Valentino Uomo Born In Roma Intense and Valentino Uomo. All six are also voted for fall. Donna Born In Roma and Extradose Donna are the vanilla and fruit women's picks, Valentino Donna is a powdery iris and rose, and Valentino Uomo is a coffee and chocolate scent.
- Which Valentino perfumes are voted for spring and summer?
- Four of the ten are voted for spring: Voce Viva (spring and fall), Valentino Donna Born In Roma Yellow Dream (summer and spring), Valentino Uomo Born in Roma (fall and spring) and Valentino Uomo Born In Roma Coral Fantasy (fall and spring). Summer is voted for Yellow Dream, a lemon, rose and White Musk scent worn by day.
- Are there Valentino perfumes for men?
- Yes. Four of the ten are listed for men: Valentino Uomo Born in Roma, Valentino Uomo Born In Roma Coral Fantasy, Valentino Uomo Born In Roma Intense and Valentino Uomo. The first is a salty, mineral scent, Coral Fantasy is fruity with lavender and tobacco, Intense pairs lavender with vanilla, and Valentino Uomo is built on coffee and chocolate.
- What is the difference between Valentino Donna and Valentino Donna Born In Roma?
- They are two different perfumes with different notes. Valentino Donna launched in 2015 and is built on iris, Bulgarian Rose and Leather, with a powdery, leathery character. Valentino Donna Born In Roma launched in 2019 and centres on jasmine and Bourbon Vanilla, with fruity and woody accords. Community voters pick both for fall and winter evenings and nights.
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