I have been a fan of the Juliette Has A Gun line of perfume because like the name it has shown a woman’s fragrance can be a little darker. Romano Ricci has over six fragrances in the collection, used some of the most intense notes in perfumery and somehow made them feel like they belong on a woman with attitude. You may say many things about Juliette Has A Gun, but demure would not likely be one of the adjectives at the top of the list. The running story of the line is very loosely based on Shakespeare’s Juliet and in the past it has focused more on the stronger emotions of that saga. For the newest release, Romantina, M. Ricci actually makes a fragrance which is demure and more gentle in its emotions.

Romantina according to the press materials is supposed to evoke “a love story….about a young woman visiting Rome. She falls madly in love with a local guy (Romeo?), but leaves within 24 hours so that the love story stays untouched.” This time our heroine is in love and so the temporary nature of strangers meeting and parting is captured in Romantina with white flowers, rose, osmanthus, and iris. This is Juliette putting down the gun so she can reach for the white rose being offered to her as a token of affection.

Romantina opens with orange blossom and jasmine as the white flower harbingers. M. Ricci tones the indolic nature of the jasmine down to the same level as that present in the orange blossom. This allows them to interact on a level footing. Muguet is also in the top notes to add a bit of green metallic spine to the early going. The muguet also bridges to the iris which begins the middle phase of Romantina’s development. The iris is joined by a muted rose and a leathery osmanthus. This mix of floral notes promise a feisty romance. The base notes turn sweet with vanilla leading the way and vetiver adding a cutting edge with a bit of patchouli to give Romantina a faux-chypre quality.

Romantina has average longevity and average sillage.

Romantina shows that M. Ricci does not necessarily always have to have the gun loaded and ready to go. Sometimes it can be put down for just a moment to let tenderness take over; before she picks up the gun once more. I like Romantina as a change of pace for the line and would like to see a couple more like it over time because Juliette’s life doesn’t have to be full of tragedy; it can have a softer moment or two.

Disclosure: This review was based on a sample of Romantina purchased from Surrender to Chance.

–Mark Behnke, Managing Editor

 Romantina will launch in the US in July 2012 and thanks to Europarfum (www.europarfum.com) we have  one 100ml bottle for Draw to one winner. To be eligible please leave a comment about this review or your favorite Juliette has a Gun fragrance by May 25, 2012. The winner of the draw will need a bit of patience, as he/she will receive Romantina when it debuts in the USA.  Romano Ricci was awarded a FiFi in 2011, "The Special Prize of The Fragrance Foundation France Board". He is the nose for Romantina.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.