Acqua Viva (2007)
by Profumum

I'm a bit careworn when it comes to this fragrance. On the first topnote, it is, as everyone has said, a lemon-citrus fragrance. And it is indeed that. The lemon topnote stands out to everything else (so far as I can tell). While this does not seem to be a problem for most people it was a bit of a hangup for me. Some have mentioned household cleaner or something - how the topnotes don't smell like that, etc. And in one sense I agree, but in another I disagree. I agree that AV doesn't smell like, for example, Lemon Pledge, other than that they have a lemon scent in common. But in a way, I still feel like I've just cleaned the house with Lemon Pledge when I am wearing AV (when it comes to the topnotes, anyway). So, it's not that it smells like a household cleaner, it's just that I get the sense that I've been cleaning the kitchen or dusting or something.
Once the topnotes dry down, the smell is much more pleasant. The strong lemon smell dies down and the cedarwood takes a stronger note. This is the best part of AV IMO. The sillage seems to be average and the longevity is decent (several hours).
The big downside to this fragrance is the price. It's around 240$ or so for 100ml. And I just find that to be much too expensive for a citrus fragrance that you can get at a cheaper price (Acqua Classica, while the scent isn't as great as AV, is a 30$, 100Ml citrus fragrance). So, overall I would rather have something much cheaper and not quite as great. But that's just me. The price is probably the biggest factor in rating this neutral, otherwise it would have gotten a thumbs up from me.

12nd November, 2011.

Such a really refined and long-lasting citrusy fragrance!!
Lemon note is dominant, sparkling and bright. The drydown turns on cedarwood note, which is the most perceivable.
Acqua Viva by Profvmvm is one of the best citrus based fragrances I know and I bought it!
Just 2 things to say:
- very expensive fragrance
- its semi-oily texture, that makes it long lasting as well as all other fragrances of this brand

13rd September, 2011.

An incredibly realistc, natural and sparkling lemon note with woody undertones (cedarwood). Simple yet really well executed and refined, long lasting, kinda energizing. Not my cup of tea but surely among the best lemon based fragrances around.

7th July, 2011. (Last Edited: 5th August, 2011.)

I am currently on a major citrus kick and this is so satisfying. I can only agree heartily with Kumquat's review... it is 100 % lemon in all its natural juicy glory and no lemon pledge. It is a little sweet - tart and sweet - like The Duchy Of Cornwall's organic lemon curd which I just love. This is yummy .

19th June, 2010.

Begins with a beautifully sharp and bright lemon blast, but very quickly something putrid and woody appears underneath. It was quite unbearable and I did feel a little nauseous. Each following five minutes I cautiously took a sniff and found that after 30 minutes the smell was gone leaving only the pleasant lemon and a little dry wood.

I’m not a big fan of Lemon fragrances, GFT is enough for me and Acqua Viva isn’t about to take it’s place.

5th October, 2009.

The brightest, juiciest lemon fragrance that I know. Nothing sweet, just lemon, supported by woods, primarily cedar, in the background. Fairly long lasting, but stays close to the skin. I perceive just a touch of dirtiness as well. While I think this is a super fragrance, it is not one I will buy for myself. It is too pricey in my opinion and I think I like a touch of sweet with my lemon as well. But if you are a serious lemon lover, you owe it to yourself to try Acqua Viva.

One additional comment: after writing this review, I tried Goutal's Eau d'Hadrien. To me, these are very different, particularly in the lemon note. Simply put, Acqua Viva is much brighter.
(Original review: 23 April 09).

23rd April, 2009. (Last Edited: 28th August, 2009.)