I’ve Been Wearing a Men’s Fragrance Without Knowing: Valentino Uomo Born in Roma
As a woman, are you ever drawn to men’s fragrances to wear yourself? While there seems to be a general categorization of what scents fit into the categories of feminine or masculine, I’d argue that most fragrances are unisex… especially if you avoid looking at the label.
Case in point: I’d been wearing the Valentino Uomo Born in Roma Eau de Toilette for the past few weeks. I for one love a bit of muskiness to my perfumes, and the sage, vetiver, mineral salt and ginger notes created a nice balance of sweet, fresh and warm. Not to mention, for an eau de toilette, the scent stuck around for a decent amount of time and stayed noticeable without being overpowering.
It reminds me a little bit of a beach-themed candle— which I don’t feel is an inherently masculine vibe. So imagine my surprise when I found out that this is actually marketed as a men’s fragrance! Even the bottle didn’t tip me off. The studded glass bottle looked edgy and cool, definitely a design that I think would catch my eye in-stores against all the soft curves and light colors of a typical women’s fragrance. Go figure!
Since finding out that this is technically a men’s eau de toilette, I had my husband try it out and he loved the scent, too. I have a feeling we’re going to be fighting over this bottle, now. It smells wonderful on him, and is probably my favorite fragrance he’s owned. It’s softer on the spectrum of men’s fragrances, and would be a great pick as a fresh summer scent that still stands its ground with a subtle spiciness thanks to the ginger.
Valentino Uomo Born in Roma is an eau de toilette, which means it’s slightly stronger than cologne. You can learn more about fragrance terms and what they mean in my perfume for beginners video here. Falling in love with this scent without knowing the label on it has inspired me to check out other men’s eau de toilettes to try something different!
Valentine Uomo Born in Roma is available in two sizes: 1.7oz for $77 and 3.4oz for $95 at Nordstrom.
Have you ever tried wearing a men’s fragrance (for women)?
My husband just bought it for me as a Christmas gift. When I smelled it the first time I thought it was a perfume since it was on the women’s perfumes section at Sephora. I am in love with the smell and I will keep it. I
I bought the valentino born in roma for myself thinking it was a woman’s perfume. I’ve been wearing it for months. My daughter just told me it’s for men. I’m debating on giving it away and buying the women’s bottle. But I love how this one smells
Nobody knows what the bottle says. If you love it, wear it!
I got this as a sample from sephora. I honestly thought it was a womans fragrance. I ordered it and have been wearing it for months and I have recieved a ton of compliments. Ima keep on wearing it! I ain’t got no worries!
I bought this at duty free for my gf. Didn’t realise it was for men! I won’t tell her and just see if she notices.
I’d be curious!! I would never have known!
Perfumes have more than 20% percent oil concentration, eau de perfumes between 15 to 20 %, eau de toilettes 5 to 15 % and colognes about 2 to 4 %.
So the statement that an eau de toilette is not as strong as a cologne is wrong, it’s the other way round, unless you mistake alcohol content for the content of the essential oils.
Thank you for that correction!
I bought one from the airport duty free
And then I thought it’s for women until I found your article
Its my one of my favorite mens fragrances, and my wife loves it on me. So much so that she started wearing it as well. I ended up buying a separate bottle for her collection. We’ve had the same experience with YSL Y edt and edp all though i feel like the edp is a little more masculine.
A lot of people in the fragrance community say that the valentino copied the bubble gum sweet smelling dna of another popular mens fragrance by paco rabbane “invictus” which i also love. Check it out. Who cares about labels now a days. Its 2021
So true, Daniel!! I’ll definitely check out that Invictus scent.
So happy to have found this page. I got a sample UOMO spray from a friend and I’ve worn it twice and loved it, and then when I wanted to find out where to get a real bottle, I discovered it was a man’s fragrance. I love it anyway, and will probably keep wearing it!!
Do it!! It smells wonderful.
I received this as a sample. I did not realize that it was a male scent, as I am a female. I layered it with Juicy Couture….it smells great!
I received this Valentino fragrance as a sample from Ulta and was immediately obsessed and ready to buy! I had my teen take a sniff and she quickly said, smells like it’s for men…I was like, SERIOUSLY?? Then I come across this blog and had to chuckle…still buying it though *shrug*
That is too funny!! well you’re not alone!!
I love wearing men’s fragrances, especially citrus based ones! I also tend to buy men’s deodorants because I like the scents better.
I feel like men’s deodorants also last longer for heavy duty sweating!
It looks like a grenade.
This sounds like a great scent, and often I love scents marketed towards either!
It really does depend on the scent. Back in the day I like the Thiery Mugler womanity, little masculine according to my olfactory sense
I once wore my husband’s cologne before a trip because I love the smell and it reminded me of him but I never thought to go shopping for me on that side! Now I’m inspired to go look!