Acqua di Parma fans - Colonia Intensa -OR- Colonia Essenza ?

**CHSeifert** · 07-28-2012, 04:17 AM

They have the 6 flo. oz/150 ml of either for sale right now, and I have tested both last evening and this morning - also tested the original, but that only lasted 5-6 hours and reminded me a bit too much of Dior Eau Sauvage, Armani Pour Homme and Boucheron Pour Homme.

My taste is very broad - I own 352 fragrances at the moment, ranging from cheap Lapidus PH, Bogart Ph over to Pure Malt, Pure Havane, 1 Million, Black XS to Creed GIT, Aventus, Bond Chez Bond, Frapin 1270, Killian Back to Black, Xeroff Kobe, Lutens Chergui & TF Tobacco Vanille over to all the Dior's, Chanel's, YSL's and all Prada & Cartier, basically enjoy lighter Gourmands, classic cyhpres, citrus, aquatics, heavy leather and tobacco and all in between - dislike too feminine flowery scents though.......

However, Colonia Intensa with the added leather note to the citrus, while smelling very mature, still gave me something extra in a some what dull classic but still very classy citrus fragrance, and lasted 10-12 hours on my skin.

Jury is still out on Colonia Essenza, as I have just applied it 2-3 hours ago, so still testing this one, but I feel like I get a bit too much of the oakmoss smell & musky smell in the Essenza to really like it and enjoy it.....I already own Drakkar Noir, Chanel PM, Chanel PM Conc, Armani Ph, Eau Sauvage, Monsieur de Givenchy, Cerrutti 1881 PH and a lot of the classics, so looking for some thing with a special touch.

The Intensa has no oakmoss in it and I prefer the leather in it over the oakmoss in the Essenza.

I think I'll go for the a 150 ml Colonia Intensa and a 125 ml Mandorlo de Sicilia

What's your preferred Colonia - AND EXPLAIN WHY, please

**erickson** · 07-28-2012, 08:55 AM

The only Acqua di Parma that I have tried is Colonia Assoluta. I picked up a decant of Colonia Essenze from Archerfire during his Summer Blues Sale, but I have not had a chance to try it yet. I found Colonia Assoluta to be quite similar to Creed Original Vetiver, but even soapier. Anyone that loves soapy frags should love Assoluta.

**tehtimmeh** · 07-28-2012, 09:41 AM

Having tried them all, I like all of them, but essenza is my favorite.

Each of them bring a different feel to the table. Essenza is the freshest to me and works wonders in the summer. Intensa is probably the heaviest of them all and more suited to cooler weather for me personally.

**crfcom** · 07-28-2012, 04:53 PM

I have all four, and agree on Assoluta as my favorite, but only narrowly over classic Colonia. Far from dull, I find it perfectly balanced and elegant. Assoluta seems to have an additional initial sweetness and the above mentioned soapiness on dry down plus a little more staying power. I like Intensa and Essenza for the familial resemblance and as variety, but my go-to's are original and Assoluta.

**CHSeifert** · 07-28-2012, 07:43 PM

I'll get Intensa and Assoluta - and stop right there

**spoonman** · 07-29-2012, 02:04 AM

I tried all four of them and got a full bottle of Assoluta - I like the ylang-ylang note. I found one of them too flowery, I think it was Essenza.

**JetsMets#1fan** · 09-05-2012, 03:15 PM

Hey guys, just to double check, the matching EDT for AdP collezione barbiere shaving cream is just "colonia" correct? No intensa, assoluta or any other add on right!?!?

And it is a perfect match, correct? Or at least they try to match'em up perfectly, right!?!?

Didnt want to start a whole new thread.

**professorchaos** · 09-05-2012, 05:28 PM

None of their colognes - original, Intensa, Essenza - smells like the Collezione Barbiere shaving cream. IMHO, they are reminiscent of it but not clones.

**JetsMets#1fan** · 09-05-2012, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by professorchaos

None of their colognes - original, Intensa, Essenza - smells like the Collezione Barbiere shaving cream. IMHO, they are reminiscent of it but not clones.

Oh that sucks, kinda crazy to shell out $75 for an aftershave. I figured it'd be more reasonable to just shell out that type of money on the EDT. If they're all close or as you put it, reminiscent, which is the most reminiscent to the shaving cream?

Thanks for the answer btw.

**tehtimmeh** · 09-05-2012, 06:30 PM

IMO Essenza is the closest to the Collezione Barbiere collection, but again, not a dead ringer. FWIW, the Collezione Barbiere AS is one of the few splashes I would shell out a lot of cash for. It's great stuff.

**JetsMets#1fan** · 09-05-2012, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by tehtimmeh

IMO Essenza is the closest to the Collezione Barbiere collection, but again, not a dead ringer. FWIW, the Collezione Barbiere AS is one of the few splashes I would shell out a lot of cash for. It's great stuff.

Thanks for the feedback man, unfortunately I cant justify $75 for an aftershave, does it last long though?

I'll more than likely just get the Essenza EDT.

Anybody else got more feedback on this?

**professorchaos** · 09-05-2012, 06:59 PM

The aftershave doesn't last long. Sure smells good while it does. Of all of EDTs, Essenzia is my least favorite. Something about the grapefruit in the opening throws me, I much prefer Colonia and Assoluta are top. Whichever way you go, Acqua di Parma makes a polished, classy frag.

**closer** · 09-05-2012, 07:03 PM

I have a bottle of the original, and a sample of Intensa, and far prefer the Intensa. The citrusy opening is too sharp and lemony for me on the original. And while I love the drydown, it does not last very long on me. I think its a great fragrance for somebody on whose skin it lasts. For me, I prefer Intensa.

**JetsMets#1fan** · 09-05-2012, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by professorchaos

The aftershave doesn't last long. Sure smells good while it does. Of all of EDTs, Essenzia is my least favorite. Something about the grapefruit in the opening throws me, I much prefer Colonia and Assoluta are top. Whichever way you go, Acqua di Parma makes a polished, classy frag.

Thanks.

Despite it being your least favorite, do you personally think Essenza is the closest match to the shaving cream?

Originally Posted by closer

I have a bottle of the original, and a sample of Intensa, and far prefer the Intensa. The citrusy opening is too sharp and lemony for me on the original. And while I love the drydown, it does not last very long on me. I think its a great fragrance for somebody on whose skin it lasts. For me, I prefer Intensa.

Thanks for your feedback.

Im trying to figure out which one smells the closest to the shaving cream though.

**Cuttingboard** · 09-06-2012, 06:30 AM

Originally Posted by tehtimmeh

IMO Essenza is the closest to the Collezione Barbiere collection, but again, not a dead ringer. FWIW, the Collezione Barbiere AS is one of the few splashes I would shell out a lot of cash for. It's great stuff.

Tim - I use AdP Colonia and Collezione Barbiere shave cream (tub) and was wondering whether you preferred the aftershave balm or lotion? Is the lotion a splash? I was curious because I found it on sale for 20% off and wanted to give one of them a try. I was leaning toward the balm since I was only going to use the balm on my face and neck, not my forehead where I get oily.

**Cuttingboard** · 09-06-2012, 06:36 AM

Originally Posted by professorchaos

The aftershave doesn't last long. Sure smells good while it does. Of all of EDTs, Essenzia is my least favorite. Something about the grapefruit in the opening throws me, I much prefer Colonia and Assoluta are top. Whichever way you go, Acqua di Parma makes a polished, classy frag.

Colonia and Assoluta are my top two also!! If you have a wife or girlfriend, their Iris Noble is wonderful. I always buy one for my wife whenever I order a bottle for myself.

**Swayz** · 09-06-2012, 05:39 PM

I was looking for the same combo a few weeks ago. I tried all of them and found Essenza smelled the most like the cream in my opinion. Thats what I bought. I also purchased the barbiere balm and the barbiere lotion as well. Wonderfull stuff!

**modmlot** · 09-06-2012, 05:41 PM

Back in Aug, the CO Bigelow store in Woodfield Mall was closing for good, the complete AdP line was half off. I passed.....
Prepare for arse kicking in 3,....2,....1,.....

--T

**Cuttingboard** · 09-06-2012, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by modmlot

Back in Aug, the CO Bigelow store in Woodfield Mall was closing for good, the complete AdP line was half off. I passed.....
Prepare for arse kicking in 3,....2,....1,.....

--T

**tehtimmeh** · 09-06-2012, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by Cuttingboard

Tim - I use AdP Colonia and Collezione Barbiere shave cream (tub) and was wondering whether you preferred the aftershave balm or lotion? Is the lotion a splash? I was curious because I found it on sale for 20% off and wanted to give one of them a try. I was leaning toward the balm since I was only going to use the balm on my face and neck, not my forehead where I get oily.

Mike, I use the lotion which is a splash. I typically buy splashes if I go with a scented A/S. Where I would use a scented balm I pump a dot or two of my staple AoS unscented and mix it with a pour of scented splash or scent of the day for a custom scented balm.