Senso by Emanuel Ungaro
Women 1987
Main accords
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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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
What do you think?
Leading answer Like it
260 votes
Season
Choose severalLeading answer Autumn
167 votes
Time of day
Choose severalLeading answer Night
117 votes
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Fragrance profile
About Senso
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
It may remind you of
Ranked by what the community voted.
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More from Jacques Polge
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
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Community reviews
2 reviews
Share what you noticed: opening, drydown, sillage and the moments when it works for you.
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.
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.