When the Name of a Perfume Matches Your “Vanity”

It’s no secret anymore—I’m a huge fan of Profumum Roma. Having this brand in my collection has made my life a little more complicated because I want to experience them all.

Among their fragrances, there were two that smelled quite similar when tested side by side: Acqua e Zucchero and Vanitas. Both fall on the sweeter side, but Vanitas has a stronger vanilla presence.

At first, I walked away with Acqua e Zucchero. Both leaned feminine, and for some reason, the stronger the vanilla, the more I associated it with femininity. That makes no sense, of course, but hey, I’m not perfect.

As I was about to leave the office, I kept thinking about my choice. Vanitas was still in my head. Its slightly creamier notes seemed better suited for the colder season. And then it hit me—Vanitas means "Vanity." Why not wear a fragrance I initially thought was too feminine and see how it plays into my own sense of vanity?

The Test Begins

On Saturday, I sprayed Vanitas generously. My sweater soaked it up, making it linger even heavier. As I walked downstairs, my son and daughter loved it. My wife, on the other hand, acted as if she hated it.

I was surprised by her reaction. The fragrance was loud—I could tell people noticed me. Throughout the day, she kept reminding me how strong it was. Not exactly a compliment.

By the next day, I could still smell Vanitas on my clothes. Sunday evening, I reapplied before heading to my dance lessons. My wife noticed it immediately—this time, her reaction was less negative. "Are you wearing Vanitas again?" she asked. I didn’t answer. That’s when I knew—she was starting to like it.

At dance class, I could feel the fragrance filling the room. Coming in from the cold, this warm, sweet scent just worked.

The Office Experience

Monday afternoon, I wore Vanitas to the office. The moment I sat down, Nikki, who was sitting across from us, asked, "Did one of you spray something just now?"

My colleague thought it was him. "Yeah, I just sprayed Kajal Dehab."

I stayed quiet.

Five minutes later, Nikki asked again, "Are you sure it’s Kajal Dehab? What is this smell? It’s so good..."

She got up, sniffed my colleague, then walked back, staying quiet. I was grinning inside—my vanity was in full effect. I knew I was smelling gooooooood.

As we kept talking, she finally walked over, took a whiff, and suddenly exclaimed: "IT’S YOU! WAAAUW! WHAT IS THIS?!"

At that moment, my colleague looked at me, and my expression said it all—I was wearing Vanitas.

The Verdict

Vanitas is an amazing fragrance and easily lands in my personal top 20. But as someone who’s smelled over 2000 perfumes and collects them obsessively, I feel it lacks one key thing: uniqueness.

Even within Profumum Roma’s collection, there are scents that give off a similar vibe. The quality and blending are top-tier, but in terms of originality, there are other options—Sweet Vanilla, Vanilla Vibes, Dulcis in Fundus, Acqua e Zucchero, and more.

Ratings Breakdown:

• Projection: 9/10

• Sillage: 9/10

• Longevity: 9/10

• Complexity: 7/10

• Uniqueness: 6.5/10

• Likability by Others: 10/10

• Personal Preference: 8/10

• Price-Value Ratio: 7.5/10

• Versatility: 8/10

• Overall Rating: 8.2/10

Would I wear Vanitas again? Absolutely. But do I consider it irreplaceable? Not quite. Still, if you love sweet, creamy vanilla scents that make a statement, Vanitas is worth checking out. Just be ready for a mix of reactions along the way. 😊