Launched in 2011, Valentina is quite an oldie actually! Haha, well, almost. Holding her place for six years in a row AND even giving birth to some flankers while new perfumes come out left, right, and centre surely means something! Valentina seems to me like a lovely little gem of a perfume that manages to convey some real class amidst her sister sweeties. She sits in the same boat with Miss Dior, and that is basically a fact. I do not get the negative reviews. I like her. I want her. I am going to drop a hint to my boyfriend… like, now. It is my birthday in three weeks!
There, that is done now. He says it is too sweet, but anyway… Let’s move on to the notes. Valentina opens with a blast of bergamot, truffle and strawberry that is both fresh and earthy. The truffle’s thread is present throughout the whole unravelling of the perfume. It lends a slightly heavy, robust touch to what otherwise would have been just another fruity white floral. I would argue that the truffle note is what makes this perfume stand out a bit, makes it a little special. Gradually, the strawberry fades and we are left with some tuberose, amber and orange blossom, with the omnipresent truffle, as the fragrance morphs into something much more mature and elegant.
Valentina was designed to convey the quintessence of Italy, an amalgamation of its tastes. Just look at the notes: Calabrian bergamot (from Sicily), white truffle of Alba (from Piedmont), Amalfi orange blossoms (from Salerno)… I am not sure. I do believe that there are more Italian-flavoured fragrances out there, namely done by Dolce&Gabbana and Bvlgari, to name a few. (Can you think of anything more Italian than Light Blue or Bvlgari’s Femme?) Valentina will not magically transport you to Amalfi coast or even Rome. Instead, it may transport you to summer nights out in the open when you were young(er) and a bit wild(er), with wind in your hair, and your mouth red with fresh strawberries and the promise of womanhood.
Valentina is a girly-girl perfume with a heavily detectable undercurrent of fertility (truffle) and femininity (white flowers). She is sweet and charming (strawberry), and you will be surprised at her depth (amber). Expect little and she will give you more than you can handle.
Disclaimer: image 1 Boisdejasmin. Image 2 Fresh Fragrances and Cosmetics.