Tom Ford has been my go-to perfume brand for years now. So you can imagine the excitement on my face when I finally got to try out one of the brand’s most renowned scents.
In today’s post, I’ll be giving you an honest breakdown of this citrusy-floral perfume – Neroli Portofino. This is one of the most popular scents from the brand. But what makes it so special? What does it smell like?
Is the fragrance even worth trying out? In my Tom Ford Neroli Portofino review, I’ll be taking you through everything about the perfume, its unique notes, how it stacks up against other Neroli Portofino fragrances, other products from this collection and whether or not you should add it to your summer collection.
Brand History & The Release of Neroli Portofino
Popular designer Tom Ford is a household name in the fashion industry. He was notable for his immense role in catapulting Gucci back into the limelight. Prior to having Ford on board, the Italian fashion designer was on the verge of bankruptcy due to low sales.
After successful years at Gucci, Tom Ford sent shock waves through the fashion world when he announced he would be starting his own company. In 2005, the Tom Ford Beauty brand was born. The company quickly released its first fragrance, Black Orchid, a year later, which was well received globally.
What soon followed were a series of other successful releases, such as Private Blend (2007), Grey Vetiver (2009), and the Private Blend White Musk Collection. Neroli Portofino was released as the first fragrance from the Private Blend Neroli Portofino Collection in 2011.
Tom Ford embarked on a mission to capture the essence of the Italian Riviera in a bottle – subtle yet memorable, that transports you to the idyllic, sun-kissed coastline. This venture into fresh and citrusy fragrances, Neroli Portofino, marked a significant divergence from Tom Ford’s characteristic repertoire of bold oud, vanilla, and musk notes.
This fragrance isn’t merely an ode to the Italian Riviera, it’s an encapsulation of it: a sun-drenched promenade among blooming citrus, bathed in the soft glow of Mediterranean pleasant heat. A gentle yet memorable whisper of the Italian summer that leaves a lingering impression, just as the Riviera itself does.
Shop NowFragrance Notes
Top Notes
Neroli Portofino opens with a citrus symphony: bergamot, mandarin orange, and the fresh spark of lemon. The initial citrus subtly and abruptly evolves, giving way to bitter orange, complemented by the whiff lavender, rosemary, and myrtle. All ingredients balance out perfectly, although each scent is evident.
Middle Notes
What follows is its marquee ingredient, neroli, which complements the top notes with a leafy undertone. As the fragrance develops, lavender pops out gently and adds a calming floral edge, while jasmine provides a summer-like, creamy feel. Shortly after, you get a delicate herbal scent from its rosemary component.
Base Notes
Neroli and the citrus notes endure even as the perfume dries out. However, they are soon joined by an amber note and angelica, which has a warm and welcoming feel.
| Top Notes | Middle Notes | Base Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bergamot | African Orange Flower | Amber |
| Mandarin Orange | Neroli | Ambrette (Musk Mallow) |
| Lemon | Jasmine | Angelica |
| Bitter Orange | Pittosporum | |
| Lavender | ||
| Rosemary | ||
| Myrtle |
What Does Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Smell Like?
In Short: Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino is a citrus and floral fragrance that subtly transitions into a spicy neroli and rosemary scent. It balances juicy citrus, floral undertones, and a hint of amber. Over time, neroli dominates as the citrus notes recede, allowing a hint of lavender to surface.
At my first opening of the bottle, the fragrance that greeted my nose was a citrus burst that left me stunned. It felt like I had just been induced by some of the finest lemon scents and a mix of floral notes.
The orange blossom was the most evident note at first, before the neroli found its way into my nostrils.
The neroli scent will grow later in the wear, but initially, I got more orange blossom than the perfume’s signature scent. I wouldn’t say there’s a wholly unique feel to Tom Ford Neroli Portofino because it’s quite similar to some other scents I’ve used.
The perfume is basically juicy citrus with floral undertones. However, it has a flavorful feel that makes it stand out.
The neroli and rosemary give the Neroli Portofino a spicy kick, although to a lesser degree than some other Tom Ford releases. The perfume also comes with a pleasant amber note, adding some contrast. Although the amber note is pretty faint, it gives the fragrance an inviting scent with a lush vibe.
After wearing it for a while, the neroli begins to find its way out, and the lemon and orange gradually fade out. I also perceived more jasmine. The citrus gives way to its other notes, though it doesn’t necessarily go away, and the floral scent never really takes over.
A new scent that hits me after wearing the perfume long enough is lavender, which is complemented by the fainter amber.
What Does This Perfume Say About You?
Neroli Portofino was designed to have a warm, less decadent scent compared to other Tom Ford perfumes.
Its aroma makes you feel confident and approachable. Also, its soft blend gives you a lush, feel-good look.
As a result, the fragrance is good for those who want something catchy but not too strong. It’s a great option for a regular scent or one you wear to a casual outing or a romantic dinner.
Other private blend reviews:
Longevity – How Long Does It Last?
Neroli Portofino lasts about five to six hours when you apply it properly. Not great, but enough to outlast the time you spend at an average dinner party, late-night club, or music concert.
While this may not seem so impressive, it’s important to note that this is a citrus perfume, and it has really good longevity for what it is – a citrus, but of course, it can’t compare in terms of longevity with oudy or musky perfumes.
Neroli Portofino is a no-no if you’re bent on using a fragrance that lasts hours on end. However, this is a perfect pick if you need a strong and a clean scent that lasts a few hours.
You can also enhance its longevity by carrying a portable perfume atomizer for on-the-run reapplication.
A tried and tested trick to boost its staying power is by applying it over a thin layer of Vaseline on pulse points, or even create a custom-scented balm by mixing it with Vaseline for targeted touch-ups throughout the day.Shop Now
Fragrance Projection & Sillage
Its projection is by no means outstanding, but impressive nonetheless. My friends noticed it for the first few hours after I sprayed a decent amount.
Its intensity reduces after a while until it isn’t too far from the skin. My friends told me they could only perceive it when they got closer to me. If you want a strong projection, you’ll have to spray heavy amounts of it.
Its sillage is also mild, but it is still the strongest citrus I’ve ever tried. Neroli Portofino created a good trail for a citrus-infused scent when I wore it, even when I sprayed it in a minute amount.
Simply put, its sillage and projection are not necessarily large, but they are perfect for a citrus cologne.
Bottle Design
The bottle captures the true color and feel of the Italian Riviera sea water and it simply looks like summer.
It is packaged in a translucent turquoise glass bottle and comes in three bottle designs.
All Tom Ford perfume bottles have rectangle-shaped bodies with distinct covers for the different sizes.
Tom Ford’s signature crimp cord and label are coated in a golden hue.
How Should You Store Tom Ford Neroli Portofino?
The storage instructions are quite simple:
- Keep away from direct sunlight and other sources of heat, as they can degrade the fragrance over time.
- Ensure the lid is tightly closed to preserve its intensity.
- Always watch out for temperature fluctuations throughout the year. In extreme winter conditions, consider relocating your bottle to a warmer spot, especially since it’s a summer perfume.
- The best place to store Neroli Portofino is somewhere cool and dark, like a cupboard or drawer. Preferably at room temperature, but never too hot or cold.
When, Where & How to Wear It?
Neroli Portofino is best suited for the summer because of its soft, flavorful scent.
You can wear this fragrance to different places and occasions, like work, movies, parties, dinner dates, and vacations.
Spray the cologne once or twice on the desired areas. Don’t rub it on your skin to not alter how the fragrance develops. I usually layer the Neroli Portofino body spray before spraying the perfume for a complete feel.
Neroli Portofino Vs Neroli Portofino Acqua
After wearing Neroli Portofino, I decided to test out other fragrances from this line, the first being Neroli Portofino Acqua.
From my observation, this fragrance has a similar citrus feel and has strong scents, but it doesn’t last as long as the original. Plus, the notes aren’t as well-rounded as Neroli Portofino.
Neroli Portofino Vs Fleur De Portofino
I also tried out Fleur de Portofino. Both fragrances start with a blend of citrus notes, but the blend is more tangerine and lemon for Fleur de Portofino.
Its scent also comes with floral notes, but what makes it stand out are the sweet honey and greenery scents that follow.
I love both, and I highly recommend Fleur de Portofino for those who want something slightly stronger than Neroli Portofino.
Neroli Portofino Vs Neroli Portofino Forte
I immediately fell in love with the Neroli Portofino Forte when I opened it. Yes, the similarity to Neroli Portofino is clearly seen, but Forte has a more herbal scent that blends perfectly with its citrus note.
Unlike the original, which quickly becomes a skin scent, Forte lasts up to 10 to 12 hours with a more improved sillage.
It’s the perfect cologne for any weather. This is definitely my next purchase after I run out of Neroli Portofino.
Shop NowThe Full Neroli Portofino Collection Review
After using the Neroli Portofino perfume and falling in love with it, I thought of trying other products from the Tom Ford collection.
Body Scrub
Neroli Portofino body scrub comes with the most exquisite citrus fragrance and has an impressive staying power.
It’s made with a mix of grape seed oil, olive fruit oil, and date seed extract, which helps nourish the skin.
It has a zesty scent of neroli, lemon, mandarin, bergamot, and rosemary, plus an amber undertone that perfectly softens its spiciness.
Shower Gel & Soap
Neroli Portofino soap is a hard-milled champagne-colored bar soap with an engraved Tom Ford logo. It was made from olive fruit oil, grape seed oil, and date seed extract.
The soap yields a creamy lather. Much like the perfume, it leaves a gentle scent on your skin. Olfactory notes include neroli, bergamot, lemon, orange flower, mandarin, lavender, rosemary, and amber. Overall, it was the right fit for my skin.
I also tried out the Neroli Portofino shower gel, and it was perfect. It’s a rich, lathering gel with a daytime and nighttime fragrance. I only used a tiny bit, yet it left a long-lasting fragrance and freshness. This shower gel is particularly perfect for a refreshing summer shower.
Moisturizer
Neroli Portofino Moisturizer is a champagne-colored cream with a citrusy, spicy scent. It’s made from olive fruit oil, grape seed oil, and date seed extract.
There aren’t so many fragranced moisturizers as heavily scented as this. Its bergamot, lemon, and neroli scents lingered on my skin for hours. It also left my skin soft and smooth.
Candle
I purchased the Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Private Blend Candle, which came in a dark brown glass.
When lit, it exudes a citrus oil scent with a blend of flower notes and amber undertones, making my house smell like I just cleaned it, so I’m saving it for unexpected visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Suitable For Everyday Wear?
Neroli Portofino is ideal for daily wear with its refreshing, clean scent, offering a pleasing, unintrusive presence.
Is Tom Ford Neroli Portofino A Unisex Fragrance?
Yes, Tom Ford Neroli Portofino is listed as a unisex fragrance, and it is.
Personally, I feel like it leans more towards femininity because of its flowery scent. However, it isn’t overly flowery and feminine enough to remove its unisex feel.
Does Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Contain Any Allergens?
Neroli Portofino by Tom Ford consists of elements like alcohol denat, limonene, linalool, and various fragrances which can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. As individual responses can vary, it’s best to review the ingredients and patch test it to ensure they align with your personal sensitivities.
Is Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Available In Other Sizes?
Yes, the Neroli Portofino comes in 30 ml, 50 ml, and 100 ml bottle sizes, while its body spray comes in a 150 ml bottle.
So, Should You Buy Tom Ford Neroli Portofino?
Do I like the Tom Ford Neroli Portofino? A resounding yes. I enjoy the scents in this perfume because they balance perfectly, and I think it’s worth the price. It smells really nice, although I’ll give its longevity, projection, and silage an 8 out of 10.
Yes, a couple of other scents can give you a similar citrus aroma. However, its neroli and lush aroma make it more classy and inviting. I like the introductory notes and how they had me wishing I was in a citrus garden. The floral dry-down also blends perfectly.
Finally, the neroli scent on this one is top-notch. If you’re someone like me who enjoys it, you’ll definitely love this one.
All in all, it’s one of the best citrus perfumes I’ve had. I’d already given up on finding citrus fragrances with a natural scent and better longevity. Tom Ford gave me the perfect option, one I would recommend to anyone who enjoys citrus fragrances. In Tom Ford’s words:
Shop Now“The Neroli Portofino scent, which is one of the most popular scents in the Private Blend Collection, has a crisp and effervescent quality that is an entirely present element of these body products.”
