Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Eau de Parfum Review & Photos
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Eau de Parfum
($190 to $465) has been relaunched, along with several ancillary products, for the spring/summer. The eau de parfum is now encased in a translucent aqua-blue glass bottle, which retained the same shape as the scents in the Private Blend collection. The launch added bath soap ($35), shower gel ($65), body scrub ($80), body moisturizer ($65), and body oil ($70).
A modern intercontinental version of an iconic fragrance theme balances luminous citrus oils and floral notes with amber undertones that awaken the senses and leave a splashy yet substantive impression. Notes: bergamot, lemon, mandarin, lavender, myrtle, rosemary, orange bitter, Egyptian jasmine, neroli, orange blossom water, pittosporum, woody amber accord, ambrette seeds, angelica root.
It starts out as crisp orange blossom mixed with spiciness that makes it way to something a little sweeter, more of a fruity and floral mix. The dry down is distinctly orange with amber rounding it out in a way that leaves it just right, not too sweet, not too woody. On my skin, the scent wears well for six to eight hours, with it becoming rather subtle by the eighth hour. It’s a very light scent at all times; not that you can’t detect it, but the scent itself is certainly not as heady as scents like Amber Absolute or Oud Wood (two previous scents I’ve reviewed).
Neroli Portofino is a very lovely scent for summer–it reminds me of salty sea breezes, sandy beaches, and iced tea. It took me a few wears to appreciate it for what it is, but after that, I definitely can see the appeal. At first, it just seemed too simple, but the wear is incredible in the eau de parfum.
Now, I also tried out the body oil and shower gel, and on me, neither lasted for as long as the eau de parfum–it really wasn’t even close. The shower gel faded away within an hour, while the body oil lingers for two to three. Both products worked well aside from the wear time, though, and all three work well layered. The shower gel lathers up without leaving skin feeling dry, while the body oil absorbs quickly and imparts a subtle sheen on the skin.
Both products are housed in the same aqua colored packaging but come in plastic. At first, I didn’t quite get why they’d go plastic, but then as I used the shower gel, I got it–you have to squeeze the bottle to get the product out! Unfortunately, squeezing a square bottle is not nearly as effective as a rounded bottle or tube. I would have preferred if both products had come with a pump mechanism. If the eau de parfum is not in your budget, the body oil gave me better wear over the shower gel, but there is also a body moisturizer available, which may have even better wear–I have not tried, though.
See more photos!
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino
Why is there no grade?
I’m not currently rating skincare, fragrance, etc. because our system does not apply. I’m still figuring out whether there is a good set of metrics to use or whether I prefer none on these types of products.
WOW I am just LOVING the sound of this!! Tom Ford fragrances are in a league of their own.
Thanks for the great review!
X
Hey Christine, I thought that you said you weren’t going to be doing perfume reviews anymore?
I don’t remember saying that? The only thing I can remember saying re: fragrance reviews was not using a rating system on them. I don’t do many fragrance reviews, but I don’t know why I would ever write off an entire category.
why soooooooooooooo expensive??????????????
It’s a luxury brand.
Great review Christine. Thanks! =D
$190 for a perfume? >< Yikes! Packaging is very classy but I don't think many can afford to splurge that much!
there better be liquid gold in that bottle.
hahah.
if i ever bought that, each spray i’d think,
“there goes 5 dollars”
:p
the description of the scent seems nice though in all seriousness.
Why do so many commenters always think it’s appropriate to dismiss Tom Ford products and freak out in the comments about the price? I remember the last time Christine reviewed a private blend people went apoplectic that anyone would ever think to buy it, much less release it. I would imagine entire litters of kittens would be birthed if you dared tell anyone about the price of a Creed or a Clive Christian. Some people love fragrance and will justify or absorb the cost to enjoy what they love! What I find interesting and highly amusing is that everyone giving side-eye to Tom Ford beauty probably has a luxury product in their life like Louboutins or handbags or a car that makes no sense to nobody else, but it doesn’t matter because they LOVE IT!
Executive summary for commenters that have (and will) fly off the handle: you are not required to buy it, some people enjoy the outlay of cash on an exclusive/high end quality/designer name product and you having a fit changes NOTHING.
Also, if you’d like to try this at a different price point, visit a store like perfumania and buy Jean Paul Gaultier’s “Fleur du Male”. It’s a feminine unisex which is top-heavy on neroli and orange blossom, just like this scent. It’s almost a perfect dupe.
I agree, its just so boring reading 100 ‘its so expensive’ comments!
I don’t think anyone is having & “fit” they’re merely stating their opinion, which is what people do on a blog! If you can afford luxury brands that’s great! There are those who can’t & I don’t think it’s fair to put them down! If you don’t like to read the comments then don’t! We can all share our thoughts but there’s no need to be rude or be disrespectful!
Hi Bianca,
I don’t think anyone is putting anyone else down in this post, but the original commenter is referring to previous posts I have done – and they have degenerated into belittling those who choose to buy luxury products (Cle de Peau is a favorite).
Hi Christine,
I understand the commenter was referring to a previous post but in this particular post no one was belittling those who buy luxury brands.
Just my two cents- I would never fault anyone for spending their money on this or knock their intelligence. It appears a gorgeous creation, but I’m always slightly chugged by Ford’s excessive rules about what he deems seemly. I understand he’s a very Let Them Eat Cake! type and while his very success allows him the freedom to do as he pleases- I reserve the right to call him out on the carpet for it. I appreciate artisinal products, truly. I just happen to work with a very low socio- economic in special education, so i sometimes have a hard time separating my everyday experiences from the high end world of luxury goods. Play on McDuff and enjoy in good health!
I can’t believe you reviewed this Woohoo! For some reason those stupid models carrying giant glasses bottles with sudsy hands made me sentimental for my summers at the shore. Tom Ford continually angers me with his Not For You Plebs! price points. Yet I’ve inwardly sighed for this particular creation. I’m still smarting from the horrid (autofill just replaced this with ‘Horus’ because I’m always typing about falcon headed gods?) quality of his collaboration with EL. Thanks for letting this poor girl live vicariously ;D And to Tom Ford I say Beware the Rabble, we like to smell good too!
One question Christine, does the shower gel smell the same as the fragrance? I know with some chanel shower gels I’ve been disappointed.
Everything smells the same! The shower gel is really lovely in the shower, but I just couldn’t detect it at all on my skin afterwards!
I am very sensitive to scent and I find Tom Ford way too over powering even though I think the smell is gorgeous. I sprayed a little on before going out one night, then put my coat on and I had to get the coat dry cleaned because I could smell the fragrance for weeks afterwards!!! So I might try the shower gel for a little luxury purchase if I get the chance! Thanks! 🙂
I had the pleasure to smell this when I was in the city a couple weeks ago. I can firmly say that it is a masterpiece of a scent-even I, someone who only likes heavy oriental scents, was tempted to shell out the $190 for it. Strongly recommend looking in to it if you have the cash and are searching for the perfect summer perfume.
Out of my price range, but if I see this in my shopping travels I will gladly give it a sniff.
They’re packaged beautifully, but orange is not my thing. Pass!
I think Tom Ford has fragrance down. I have neroli portofino for summer, Oud Wood for winter. His Gucci brown from 2005 was my favorite, though.