Armani Mania for Women (2004)
by Giorgio Armani

The attempt at mixed spices is valiant, but it is destroyed by a double dose of black currant and mismatched florals. I never experience any of the supposed base accords on the drydown except synthetic vanilla. If there are woods in Mania for Women, I can't find them.

Armani Mania EDP begins with a blast which subsides immediately to a balanced, refined, low-keyed green, citrus, and mild spice. This is rather a light, neutral accord replete with a mild mixture of what could be potent spices: saffron, cloves, and nutmeg. It’s a pleasant accord – non-offensive and non-intriguing. Up until this point, the scent is uncharacteristically Armani in that it exhibits a solid nature and a definite sillage, but all too soon, those pleasant qualities disappear and this Armani becomes the more typically weak Armani fragrance. After the introduction of the spices in the heart notes, I lose everything: The entire fragrance just goes blank on me. I get no guaiac wood, no incense, musk, or vanilla. No. Sorry – Mania would get a neutral if it had some longevity, but the longevity in this scent is pathetic. 131

Really like the orange and pink pepper in this. Not the lightest of scents with the sandalwood base and possibly too formal or heavy for some (suggest sampling if for a day) but its one of my staples. Would also say it has medium staying power throughout the day when sprayed directly on skin (vs walking into a cloud of spray) and I can still smell it on clothing at the end of the day.

This is so sophisticated and pleasant - I have never been a white flowers person either. I wear this and feel absolutely beautiful.

You can feel the white flowers but they dont take over, they just mingle amongst the sweet soft notes so well.

It did take some getting used to - only because how different it is to my normal picks (sweet, woody, crisp).

This is my next purchase for sure.

A spicy-citrus scent that comes across as clean somehow. My husband loves it on me. I love the lasting power; it stays on all day and even into the next. Great for winter.

I like it, although it doesn't seem to last on my skin. I had to search for the smell on the place where I've sprayed it. Too bad, I like the head notes and on a friend of mine it smells great! A little too floral for my taste though.