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Senso by Emanuel Ungaro

Women 1987

Perfumer
Jacques Polge

Description

Senso by Emanuel Ungaro is a floral fragrance for women. Launched in 1987, its creation is signed by Jacques Polge. The olfactory pyramid unfolds with top notes of plum, peach, grapefruit, bergamot, coriander and mandarin; a floral heart composed of neroli, ylang-ylang, carnation, jasmine, Damask rose, heliotrope, orange blossom and orchid; and a sweet, woody base featuring opoponax, benzoin, amber,…

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Quick summary

When to wear it (votes)

  • Winter 34%
  • Spring 19%
  • Summer 12%
  • Autumn 35%
  • Day 40%
  • Night 60%

Key notes

Community

260 votes

  • Positive 89%
  • Negative 8.8%
  • Neutral 1.9%
positive reviews 260 community votes
LongevityModerate SillageStrong Best momentNight CharacterFeminine

The olfactory pyramid

A guide to the opening, heart and lasting trail of the fragrance.

The community speaks

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In the collection

Leading answer I want it

861 votes

Season

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Leading answer Autumn

167 votes

Time of day

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Leading answer Night

117 votes

Each question has its own vote count. You can choose several seasons.

Fragrance profile

About Senso

Main accord amber Year 1987 Gender Women Perfumer Jacques Polge

Senso by Emanuel Ungaro is a floral fragrance for women. Launched in 1987, its creation is signed by Jacques Polge. The olfactory pyramid unfolds with top notes of plum, peach, grapefruit, bergamot, coriander and mandarin; a floral heart composed of neroli, ylang-ylang, carnation, jasmine, Damask rose, heliotrope, orange blossom and orchid; and a sweet, woody base featuring opoponax, benzoin, amber, cinnamon, musk, sandalwood, tonka bean, cedar, vanilla and patchouli.

Fruits, vegetables and nuts Green, herbal and fougère White flowers Flowers Resins and balsams Musk, amber and animalic Spices Woods and mosses

How it wears

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Longevity

Leading answer Moderate

89 votes

Sillage

Leading answer Strong

104 votes

Character

Leading answer Traditionally feminine

35 votes

Value perception

Leading answer Good value

25 votes

Community reviews

2 reviews

Share what you noticed: opening, drydown, sillage and the moments when it works for you.

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  1. VainillaDulce

    I met Senso through a friend who wore it; it smelled so distinguished and unique that I simply had to buy it. The moment I applied it to my skin, it became my obsession; it changed my life, and my friend ended up jealous of me. It was utterly my own. Upon spraying, it opens with fruit and citrus notes: plum, peach, sweet orange, and bergamot, incredibly refreshing. However, after ten minutes, a beautiful neroli emerges alongside ylang-ylang, heliotrope, and a hint of carnation. Unbeknownst to me, all that fades into the background, giving way to star players like benzoin, cinnamon, amber, tonka bean, woods, and vanilla. On my skin, it isn’t floral; it’s spiced, talcum-like, warm, and oriental. What a delight, impressively beautiful, elegant, and sensual, almost sublime. The vanilla and cinnamon vie for the starring role, and no one else smelled quite like this. It was the only one I thought I’d keep forever, and so it stayed with me for a couple of years. They broke my heart when they discontinued it because everything about Senso was beautiful, including the bottle. Senso, I want you back in my life.

  2. I believe Jacques Polge, after Diva, wanted to take Senso in a different direction: more relaxed, fun, less ostentatious and carefree, yet without losing its aromatic power or the beauty of its balance. Here we have a sweet, colourful, and aromatic floral. It’s sweet due to the plum, peach, and vanilla; aromatic thanks to the benzoin, opoponax, tonka bean, and amber; and colourful because of the well-balanced mix of white and red florals. What captivates is that fruity floral scent with an intriguing background of notes that provide magnificent fixative and depth, all without you realising it. It doesn’t try to be extravagant or ostentatious like Diva or most perfumes from the 80s. That is where it becomes original. I would call it a fruity floral with soft oriental tints. I don’t think Senso likes the title ‘floriental’ (but I think it enjoys playing with the idea); that status belongs to Dior’s Poison, which shares some notes, though both take distinct directions. Having a floral that doesn’t follow the chypre, leather, or aldehyde trend was already above and beyond interesting for the era. I also recall that Kenzo from 1988 does something similar, flirting with its resemblance, but Senso is more gourmand, less citrusy and spicy than Kenzo. An exquisite and distinct floral for the decade.