Empressa by Penhaligon's
Women 2014
Main accords
Description
Penhaligon's Empressa is an oriental floral fragrance for women. Launched in 2014, the nose behind this composition is Christian Provenzano. The top notes unfold blood orange, peach, bergamot, mandarin and pink pepper; the heart reveals rose, blackberry, blackcurrant, neroli and geranium; while the base notes settle on patchouli, brown sugar, musk, vanilla, sandalwood, frankincense, cocoa and amber.
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When to wear it (votes)
Key notes
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Top
Blood Orange
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Heart
rose
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Base
patchouli
Community
1,590 votes
- Positive 74%
- Negative 11%
- Neutral 16%
The olfactory pyramid
A guide to the opening, heart and lasting trail of the fragrance.
The community speaks
Compare the results and tap an answer to add your vote.
In the collection
Leading answer I own it
3,805 votes
What do you think?
Leading answer Like it
1,590 votes
Season
Choose severalLeading answer Spring
1,395 votes
Time of day
Choose severalLeading answer Day
713 votes
Each question has its own vote count. You can choose several seasons.
Fragrance profile
About Empressa
Penhaligon’s Empressa is an oriental floral fragrance for women. Launched in 2014, the nose behind this composition is Christian Provenzano. The top notes unfold blood orange, peach, bergamot, mandarin and pink pepper; the heart reveals rose, blackberry, blackcurrant, neroli and geranium; while the base notes settle on patchouli, brown sugar, musk, vanilla, sandalwood, frankincense, cocoa and amber.
Fruits, vegetables and nuts Spices Flowers Woods and mosses Sweet and gourmand Resins and balsams Musk, amber and animalic
It may remind you of
Ranked by what the community voted.
More from Penhaligon's
Related editions
More from Christian Provenzano
How it wears
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Longevity
Leading answer Moderate
638 votes
Sillage
Leading answer Moderate
674 votes
Character
Leading answer Traditionally feminine
612 votes
Value perception
Leading answer A little expensive
487 votes
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Community reviews
12 reviews
Share what you noticed: opening, drydown, sillage and the moments when it works for you.
I was disappointed that it smells so much like Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel; it’s strange for niche houses to draw inspiration like this from other fragrances 😤
It’s citrusy but not overpowering; perhaps the sweet notes make it lose a bit of freshness compared to others, though it’s super versatile. In my experience, it lasts quite well. I’d wear it any time of year, day or night, but more suited to everyday wear than special occasions.
It’s citrusy but not overpowering, though the sweet notes make it less fresh than others in its category. I see it as versatile for any season, although many reserve it for daytime; I’d wear it daily rather than for special occasions, and it performs well on my skin.
Coco Mademoiselle heavily diluted. Full stop.
I don’t understand the fuss over this perfume. It smells just like Coco Mademoiselle and it’s not on my wishlist.
I’ve read reviews and I’m not the only one who finds it similar to Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel; it’s just a tiny bit sweeter and creamier, but very little. If you like Coco, you’ll probably like Empressa as they smell very much alike to me, although for my taste I’d stick with Empressa (I own both and adore Chanel). I think it suits any season and occasion, though I don’t see it as a particularly evening scent 😊
I’ve read reviews and I’m not the only one who finds it similar to Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel; it’s just a tiny bit sweeter and creamier, but very, very little. If you like Coco Mademoiselle, you’ll probably like Empressa as they smell very much alike to me, although for my taste I’d stick with Empressa (I own both and also adore Chanel). I think it suits any season and occasion, though I don’t see it as a particularly evening scent 😊
I ordered a Penhaligon’s discovery set and started with Empressa. It has a potent citrus opening, followed by well-blended florals with the citrus, then more notes like fruits and resins down to vanilla. I think the fruits just add freshness without standing out, just as the resins and vanilla only contribute a touch of sweetness without dominating. To me, it’s a very neutral citrus/floral that suits both men and women equally; it’s not very potent but it is long-lasting. In my case, applied close to the skin in the morning, I could still smell it lightly on my clothes into the evening.
Despite having fruity notes alongside cocoa, vanilla, and sugar, it doesn’t smell sweet at all because the citrus dominates, making those notes almost imperceptible. The florals stay in the background. It’s very astringent to my taste, though more bearable than Coco Mademoiselle, which is what gives it the resemblance.
Imagine a creamier, cleaner version of Coco Mademoiselle, slightly fruity and with more punch, and you get Empressa. It’s not a clone because that’s not its intention. After a magnificent, fruity opening, the dry-down is less feminine than Coco (less rose, more citrus and wood), and it can be worn by anyone without issue (man or mature woman). Everyone will love it and it’s very versatile.
One of Penhaligon’s most recognised fragrances, but I didn’t like it at all. It’s not bad, just not my type. I thought notes of incense, sandalwood, amber, and cocoa would give it creaminess and character, but they didn’t. It’s a fairly strident, synthetic, linear citrus-floral. On my skin, the bergamot rules from start to finish without winning me over. I see it as unisex, aimed at a younger audience, for spring and summer. It lasts about six hours on skin with a moderate sillage.
One of Penhaligon’s most famous scents, but I didn’t like it at all. It’s not bad, just not my style. I hoped the incense, sandalwood, amber, and cocoa would give it a creamy quality, but they didn’t. It’s a sharp, synthetic, linear citrus-floral blend. On my skin, the bergamot dominates from start to finish without winning me over. I see it as unisex, aimed at younger people, ideal for spring and summer, with around six hours of longevity and a moderate sillage.