Valentino Born in Roma Purple Melancholia review 💜

Okay, so I know I posted a super quick first impression of the new Valentino Born in Roma Purple Melancholia earlier, and my initial reaction was... well, let's just say it wasn't love at first sniff! But I wanted to dive a little deeper, especially since so many of you are curious about this 'new purple perfume' and its 'purple packaging' after seeing it pop up everywhere. Let's talk about the bottle first, because honestly, it’s stunning. The retail display with its 'purple-packaged items' hinted at the visual feast, and yes, the box is a gorgeous, deep purple. But the bottle itself? It's that iconic Born in Roma design, but this time with a clear, textured glass that feels really luxe and weighty in your hand. The purple hue of the juice inside is visible through the clear glass, making it incredibly eye-catching on any vanity. It definitely lives up to the 'purple box' hype visually, and I can see why the presentation alone has people buzzing. It screams 'new' and 'limited edition' in the best way. Now, for the scent. My initial 'cold medicine' comment was a bit blunt, but let me try to explain why it hit me that way. When I sprayed the Born in Roma Purple Melancholia, I was expecting something rich, deep, and perhaps a little mysterious, aligning with the "melancholia" in the name and the beautiful dark purple. Instead, on my skin, it opened with a very prominent, almost syrupy sweet fruitiness that quickly morphed into something with an unexpectedly sharp, almost herbal or mentholated undertone. It wasn't unpleasant for everyone, I'm sure, but for me, that combination of very sweet fruit and this particular sharpness just conjured up memories of a childhood cough syrup rather than a sophisticated fragrance. It felt a little synthetic to my nose, which was a surprise given Valentino's usual quality. I let it dry down for a good hour, hoping it would evolve into something softer or more complex. While the sharp edge did eventually mellow, the core fruity-medicinal vibe lingered. It has pretty decent longevity, I'll give it that – I could still detect it on my wrist several hours later. For someone who loves bolder, perhaps more unconventional fruity gourmand scents with an unexpected twist, this might actually be a gem. If you enjoy fragrances that challenge traditional scent profiles and aren't afraid of a strong opening, you might find this intriguing. It definitely stands out from the other Born in Roma flankers, which often lean more towards floral or classic vanilla notes. This one feels like it's trying to carve its own unique path. So, while the new Valentino Born in Roma Purple Melancholia didn't win me over personally – my nose just couldn't get past that specific combination – I can absolutely appreciate its stunning aesthetics and strong personality. It’s definitely a fragrance you need to test on your own skin before committing, as body chemistry can really change how perfumes wear. Don't just take my word for it; if you're intrigued by a bold, purple-packaged perfume that promises something different, definitely give it a sniff at your local beauty counter!