Antonio Mcgowan
Colonia is a perfume by Acqua di Parma, originally released in 1916. It is a unisex fragrance with citrusy top notes of lemon, orange, and bergamot, heart notes of lavender, rosemary, and damask rose, and base notes of white musk and sandalwood. The perfume has a fresh, classic scent that has been described as elegant, polished, and luxurious. While it is not a standout fragrance, it has a smooth transition to its dry-down and is long-lasting. The Acqua di Parma Colonia has a similar scent to Dior Eau Sauvage and is considered a well-composed, classic perfume.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Unisex perfume |
| Brand | Acqua di Parma |
| Collection | Colonia Collection |
| Fragrance | Citrusy-fresh |
| Top Notes | Lemon, orange, bergamot |
| Middle Notes | Lavender, rosemary, damask rose |
| Base Notes | White musk, woody notes, sandalwood, peppery vetiver |
| Longevity | 4-5 hours |
| Target Group | Well-dressed, elegant, mature |
| Other Variants | Colonia Club, Colonia Edizione Murano |
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What You'll Learn
Colonia by Acqua di Parma
The original Eau de Cologne was created in 1709 by Giovanni Maria Farina, an Italian perfume maker from Santa Maria Maggiore, Valle Vigezzo. He named his fragrance Eau de Cologne, or "Water from Cologne", in honour of his new hometown. It was a spirit-citrus perfume with a typical concentration of 2-5% essential oils, blended with extracts, alcohol, and water. The term "cologne" has since become a generic term for scented formulations, particularly perfumes marketed toward men in American English.
Acqua di Parma's Colonia has become a global phenomenon, with a rich history and a documented number of celebrity fans, including Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. The fragrance has been described as "the north of Italy in a bottle", with a classic, fresh barbershop scent. It is an elegant and sophisticated fragrance, perfect for a well-dressed, mature individual.
While some reviewers have praised the scent and its composition, others have criticised its price point, which is upwards of $150 for a 3.4-ounce bottle. However, it is important to note that the fragrance has a long heritage and has stood the test of time, which may be a factor in its pricing. Overall, Colonia by Acqua di Parma is a well-composed and classic fragrance with a dedicated following.
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History of Eau de Cologne
The history of Eau de Cologne, or simply "cologne", dates back to the 18th century. It was created by Italian perfumer Giovanni Maria Farina, also known as Johann Maria Farina, in 1709. Farina was living in Cologne, Germany, at the time, having moved there from Santa Maria Maggiore Valle Vigezzo in Italy.
Eau de Cologne was a revolutionary, light, and refreshing fragrance blend of 2%–5% perfume oils in alcohol and water. It was a refreshing alternative to the stronger scents produced in France, which had been the centre of perfumery for many years. The French court of the Sun King Louis XIV was perfumed, with the king himself favouring scented towels over bathing. Perfume was used as a status symbol, and pleasant scents were a luxury restricted to royalty and nobility.
Farina's cologne was inspired by his hometown in Italy. In a 1708 letter to his brother, Farina wrote, “I have found a fragrance that reminds me of an Italian spring morning, of mountain daffodils and orange blossoms after the rain.” He named the product after his new hometown of Cologne and ensured that “nearly all royal houses in Europe” received it. The royal families loved Eau de Cologne because it made them feel extremely special. It was also called "aqua mirabilis" or "admirable water", and was believed to have therapeutic properties. One single vial of the cologne is recorded to have cost half the yearly salary of a regular civil servant. Some even believed that this magical water could ward off the bubonic plague, either by drinking it or by having the citrus oil scent exude through the pores and repel fleas.
Upon seeing the success of Eau de Cologne, other businessmen started selling their own fragrances using the Eau de Cologne branding for free publicity and marketing. The release of the Original Eau de Cologne 4711, created by Wilhelm Mülhens in Cologne in the late 1790s, proved to be a problem for Farina because of their similar branding. The brand 4711 is still in business today and is currently owned by Mäurer & Wirtz. In 1806, Jean Marie Joseph Farina, a great-grand-nephew of Giovanni Maria Farina, opened a perfumery business in Paris that was later sold to Roger & Gallet. This company now owns the rights to Eau de Cologne extra vieille.
After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, where the first local cologne was produced by Ahmet Faruk in 1882, the use of cologne became widespread. It is currently common for Turkish hosts to offer cologne to their houseguests.
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Unisex fragrances
Colonia is a popular perfume by Acqua di Parma, first released in 1916. It is characterised by its fresh, citrusy scent, with notes of bergamot, lemon, and orange, as well as hints of lavender and rosemary. The fragrance is elegant and timeless, and has been described as having a "luxurious" feel.
Although it was originally marketed towards men, Colonia is now considered a unisex fragrance. One reviewer describes it as having a "perfectly unisex, natural and contemporary" feel. The scent is not overpowering, and has been described as "not a brash LOOK AT ME fragrance, but more of [a person who] smells naturally good".
The longevity of the fragrance has been debated, with some reviewers stating that it does not last long, while others claim that it lasts several hours. One reviewer suggests that applying the fragrance to clothing can help to prolong the scent, although this may not be suitable for light-coloured garments.
In 2025, Acqua di Parma released a new version of the fragrance, called Colonia Il Profumo, which is also marketed for both men and women. This updated version features Ylang Ylang, adding modernity and depth to the original composition. It has a stronger, brighter, and sweeter scent than the original, with more prominent citrus notes.
Another unisex fragrance inspired by Colonia is the No.102 perfume by Eden Perfumes. This fragrance is also predominantly citrus-based, with added notes of amber, lavender, rosemary, and woody notes such as vetiver, sandalwood, and patchouli.
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Citrus and bergamot notes
Bergamot essential oil is extracted from the ripe fruit peel of the bergamot orange, a small citrus fruit that is a hybrid of a pear lemon and a Seville orange or grapefruit. The oil is produced using a technique called "cold expression of the rind", which involves applying intense pressure to the pierced fruit peel to obtain the oil. The scent of bergamot is citrusy, with subtle bitter, fruity, and floral notes, and a mild spicy tone. It is reminiscent of eau de cologne and is also used to flavour Earl Grey tea.
Bergamot is a popular ingredient in perfumery due to its versatility and ability to complement a range of other notes. It is often used as a top note, providing a refreshing and elegant lift to heavier compositions. For example, it is combined with vanilla or amber to create a contrast in the dry-down phase. Bergamot is also used in floral, chypre, woody, and oriental fragrances, showcasing its adaptability.
In the Acqua di Parma Colonia perfume, bergamot is blended with lemon and orange to create a sharp, pure, and rejuvenating sensation, reminiscent of a Mediterranean breeze. This combination of citrus notes provides a zesty and airy scent that is iconic in Italian perfumery. The overall fragrance is straightforward and uncomplicated, with a smooth transition to the well-composed dry-down, showcasing the beauty of classic perfumery.
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Longevity and value
When it comes to longevity and value, opinions vary on Acqua di Parma's Colonia perfume. While some reviewers claim that it doesn't last very long, others say that it's worth the purchase despite its short duration. One reviewer on Reddit mentions that the scent lasts about 4 to 5 hours before feeling the need to reapply, but they still believe it is worth it.
Colonia is described as a timeless fragrance that has been around for over a century but doesn't smell dated. Its composition is praised for its smooth transition from a strong citrus opening to a well-composed dry-down, showcasing classic perfumery at its best. The blend of lemon, orange, and bergamot creates a sharp and rejuvenating sensation, with heart notes of lavender, rosemary, and damask rose, and base notes of white musk and woody scents.
In terms of value, some reviewers compare Colonia to a handcrafted, elegant luxury car, emphasizing its beautiful execution. They consider it a high-quality, timeless fragrance that is uncomplicated yet sophisticated. However, others suggest that it may be overpriced, especially when compared to similar fragrances or shaving creams with comparable scents.
The Colonia Club variation, released in 2015, is described as having a fresh-green scent with a powerful minty blast and a luxurious green soap dry-down. It is considered a modern fragrance, offering great value for those who appreciate quality.
Overall, while Colonia's longevity may not be its strongest suit, its timeless elegance, sophisticated composition, and sensory experience seem to outweigh this drawback for many reviewers.
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Frequently asked questions
Colonia is a perfume by Acqua di Parma, which was first released in 1916. It is a citrusy-fresh scent with notes of bergamot, lemon, lavender, rosemary, and rose.
Colonia is a specific perfume by Acqua di Parma. Cologne, on the other hand, is a more general term for scented formulations with a typical concentration of 2-5% and is often used to refer to perfumes marketed towards men, especially in American English.
Acqua di Parma Colonia has been described as a "classic perfumery" scent with a smooth transition to a well-composed dry-down. It has a strong citrus opening, with notes of lemon, orange, and bergamot, and a warm, woody base with hints of lavender, rosemary, and damask rose.
Yes, Acqua di Parma Colonia is marketed as a unisex fragrance, suitable for both women and men.
