— fragrance —

Tonatto Profumi Magnifico Perfume Review (& Recommendations Please)

May 18, 2017

Tonatto Magnifico

New York City is having one of those springs where it went from gloomy and mild to BAM blindingly bright 90º+. Hopefully we’ll be pleased for some spring-like days before it turns into summer. However, today has reminded me that I really need perfumes that pair well with warm weather. Since moving, my perfume collection is still predominately very Seattle-ish (AKA perfumes that always evoke autumn and go with rain). I’m seriously lacking in the “cool and refreshing” category. In anticipation for another hot summer, I’ve actually been collecting all those Italian-style “colognes” in hopes to find something worthwhile to add to my collection. Let’s start off with Laura Tonatto Profumi Magnifico.

Magnifico is an aromatic citrus. It’s really one of those perfumes that gives the impression of the Italian and French Riviera in late summer. It’s opening is like pine needles and the bitterest of lemons. As it wears, it’s like a dry landscape of cypress, olive and fig trees. It’s dry and green. There’s an herbaceous lavender and dry mosses. Like so many citrus perfumes, it wears like this until it just disappears.

One could say Magnifico is one of those figs for people that usually don’t like figs. Because it’s not really a fig; it’s an aromatic citrus. Yes, there’s fig. But, it’s really green and bitter (no sweetness at all). Even the leather and the lemons in this aren’t sweet. All the notes seem to lean bitter, green and aromatic.

Ina Balke Pucci

Notes listed include orange, amalfi lemon, fig, ylang-ylang, myrrh, lavender, licorice and sandalwood. Launched in 2000.  PERFUMER – Laura Tonatto

Give Magnifico a try if you like aromatic citrus perfumes. Or perfumes like Dior Eau Sauvage, Acqua di Parma Colonia Assoluta, Annick Goutal Eau d’Hadrien, Jo Malone London Verbenas of Provence and/or Profumum Roma Acqua Viva. This citrus does have enough “heft” that I think it could easily transition into fall/winter.

For a citrus, projection and longevity are above average. For an EDP, projection is average and longevity are below average.

I like Magnifico but I don’t think it’s “the one”. I want something like this but possibly with more neroli or citrus blossoms (but is still dry and green). Any suggestions? I want one of those fresh citrus aromatics that makes you think you’re really on holiday where Alps meet the sea. I’ve tried quite a few that fit into this category, but so far, nothing that I’ve sampled has convinced me to buy it.

The 3.3 oz bottle retails for €80 at Laura Tonatto (I don’t think it’s available in the US). Body products and home fragrances are also available in this scent. Honestly, I’m all about the concept of a home fragrance smelling like this.

Victoria’s Final EauPINION – An aromatic citrus of late summer. I really like it but I’m still shopping around for my “perfect” Riviera holiday perfume.

Want more reviews? Try…

Fragrantica – Member reviews

Basenotes – Member reviews

Makeup Alley – Member reviews

*Sample obtained by me. Product pic from ParfuMaria. Ina Balke wearing Pucci in Florence by Regina Relang 1962 from pleasurephoto.wordpress.com

27 thoughts on “Tonatto Profumi Magnifico Perfume Review (& Recommendations Please)”

  1. Living in Los Angeled means I need summer perfume for about 75% of the year. Aside from 4711 and Florida Water (neither of which last long, but both of which are great splashed on cold from a bottle kept in the fridge) my go-to scent is Philosykos, which is green and figgy and feels like spending time in a sun-baked Mediterranean grove. I’m always on the lookout for new hot weather perfumes myself, so hopefully you get some better suggestions in the comments here!

    Also, really glad you fixed that awful hacking issue! Your blog is always a fun read.

    1. Your go-tos are my go-tos! I wear so much Florida Water, 4711 and Philosykos in the summer. The only one I have to add is Chanel Allure Homme Sport Cologne (which is basically a more expensive 4711).

      I think people will provide us with some great suggestions. I’m taking notes!

      The modern world is so weird. We have so many stupid new things to worry about. Like server’s that host a not-popular perfume blog being hacked by the Syrian Electronic Army…

  2. Hi Victoria –

    So glad to see that the website is up and running – also glad that you will continue blogging!!!

    As far as suggestions: have you tried Tonatto’s Albi? It’s citrusy and mossy – somehow dense and light at the same time. I really love it in the Spring and Summer. But what I’ve really been into the past few weeks is the new Ecsentric 04. I really like Schoen’s take on grapefruit & sandalwood….it’s not really aromatic, but you should try it if you get the chance.
    I also really like Nest’s Moss & Mint; I keep one in the fridge and apply liberally in the mornings before the dog walk.
    If you haven’t already, you should also try Eau Illuminee by Delrae – LOTS of herbs and citrus.

    Good luck, and again, welcome back!!!

    1. I’m so happy to have not lost everything! No joke, about halfway through this process I was being all emo and fatalistic like, well, it’s not meant to be. But, anyway…I’m over that and it feels good to be back.

      So, I have a sample of Albi but haven’t tried it yet. I will make it a priority to sample it.
      I am in love with that Escentric 04. I have a sample and see myself buying a bottle. It’s so “easy to wear” and does work well in heat. I didn’t expect to like it because I’m not the biggest EM fan, but geez, this one is good.
      I love Nest Moss & Mint body products. They had a sample sale last week, and of course, all of the sprays were sold out by the time I arrived. I guess I need to give in and pay full retail price 🙂
      I remember liking Eau Illuminee and have no clue why I can’t remember it right now. That’s another sample that I need to dig out.

  3. Even though I live in Northern California, I have some experience with wearing perfume in NYC summers. When I think about it, I really like the Italian fragrances in hot muggy weather. Right now my favorites are Santa Maria Novella Garofano, which is a citrus/carnation cologne. Refreshing and spicy! I also love Maria Candida Gentile Sideris. This is a sheer incense fragrance that is very cooling (to me, frankincense is a cool smell). If you read the notes it would sound heavy, but it’s actually very sheer and smells amazing in the heat.

    1. I need to try that! I love the thought of citrus/carnation. That’s the sort of old school Italian that I’m craving.

      I’ve worn Sideris before and loved it. I actually remember thinking to myself, “This would be great in the heat”…now I need to revisit. I love when frankincense can sort of come across like an iced lemon.

      1. Go to LAFCO in Soho and you can try the entire Santa Maria Novella line (which is rather overwhelming). But lots of different varieties of old school Italian!

        1. I was in there 2 weeks ago to pick up some body stuff. I love a lot of the bath/body products but haven’t ventured into their perfumes. There are so many!

  4. Not citrus, but for the super hot summer days like today in NYC and Boston, Corsica Furiosa is the bomb. Amazingly green and refreshing and while many people have longevity issues, it lasts a long time for me.

    I missed you doing the outage and am glad that you are back!

    1. Ohh, this sounds so good. I actually don’t have much experience with the Parfum d’Empire line despite liking all the things I’ve tried from them. I’m all about fresh, green fragrances. I really need to check this one out.

      It feels good to be back!

  5. Well I can’t help with any perfume recommendations, I’m looking for something that works in DC metro heat and humidity (95 today!!). But, what I really want is to wear Pucci in Florence with my hair just like Ina’s!!

    1. You guys too?! Ugh. What happened to spring?

      Right?! That’s all I could think…I want to be in Florence wearing Pucci…And Ina’s sandals are adorable too.

    1. I have a sample of that somewhere too. I really need to get my samples in order. It sounds like I have some nice things and don’t even know it.

  9. Have you tried Maria Candida Gentile Barry Lyndon and Gershwin? They aren’t exactly citrus aromatics but have a similar vibe. Also, Oriza L. Legrand Villa Lympia. A little more of a modern seaspray with driftwood than citrus, but worth a try. I am sure you already have this, but AG Eau du Sud is so great. And AG Les Nuits d’Hadrien. Oh, and something I recently sampled that fits, though I haven’t worn it enough to get my thoughts together, is Eclatant by Parfums de la Bastide.

    1. Thank you!

      I tried the Maria Candida ones years ago and really liked them. I was living in Seattle, so didn’t really “get” them back then.

      I haven’t tried the others (excluding the AGs). I just looked them up and they sound great.

  16. I’ve been looking at Colonia Concentrada and 4711 Lemon and Ginger on Amazon. Something about summer makes me uncomfortable about spending a lot on perfumes.

    1. Oh, if you end up trying those, let me know. I’m so curious about that 4711 Lemon and Ginger.

      I get hat. For me, it’s like it’s all going to evaporate/burn off so quickly in the heat…what’s the point of paying more? And this is probably why I wear 4711 all summer.

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