I Am Bourgeois

The color you choose says a lot about who you are, doesn’t it? Red isn’t exactly my favorite color but when I was given the chance to choose between Rosso and Giallo, two women’s scents from Benetton’s new Colori line, I picked Rosso without hesitation.

So you can imagine how surprised I was when I received my perfume and saw the experiential associations and feelings towards the color red written on the box.

* Revolution - I once fancied myself as a revolutionary, in the most literal sense. I was an activist for a very brief period, but quit when I realized that marching through the streets and shouting slogans does very little to make meaningful social changes. It worked in the 70s, but I don’t think the world is receptive to that kind of revolution now. One of these days, I’d like to do something to make a real difference. In the meantime, I want to be shallow and selfish for a while.
* Aries - my zodiac sign
* Sensuality – I’m an extremely sensual person, but this isn’t the place to elaborate on the how’s and why’s of it.
* Impulse – one of my best and sometimes dangerous traits. I’ve made lots of very interesting decisions based on impulse, and while their outcomes weren’t always good, I wouldn’t have done things any other way.
* Audacity – defined as fearless daring; intrepidity. Bold or insolent heedlessness of restraints, as of those imposed by prudence and propriety. That’s me, all right!

Benetton Rosso is a fruity-floral scent that opens with the charms of fresh lotus, roses, and soft notes of velvety peach and violet. As the top notes fade, the subtler tonka bean, musk, and vanilla scents begin to emerge. It’s an eau de toilette, which means the scent is not as strong or long-lasting as my eau de parfums Moschino Cheap and Chic and Marc Jabobs Lola. I wish it were an eau de parfum though, because I’d love for its radiant aroma to linger all day.

Aside from Rosso, Benetton Colori has one other fragrance for women – Giallo, inspired by the yellow color and the happiness and optimism it denotes. These feelings are communicated through its vibrant top notes of water fruit, anis, and red fruit refreshed by a hint of spearmint. As the top notes fade, your sense of smell gets treated to a lovely combination of transparent lotus, rose, violets, and velvety peach.

Benetton Colori has something for guys too! The crisp-smelling Verde was created after the color of the natural world. It represents the calming influence of nature with its vibrant grapefruit top notes, which contrasts deliciously with the spicy cardamom. Its heart notes include masculine green violet leaves and geranium with a dash of nutmeg, while the base notes are dominated by a distinct cedarwood smell with hints of mellow benzoin and gaiac.

There’s also the fresh, airy scent of Blu. Inspired by the blue of the ocean and the blue of the sky, Benetton Blu liberates the senses with its top notes of lemon and lavender. Heart notes assert a more masculine character with the natural scent of basil, rosemary oil, and clary sage. Its sensual base notes include white cedarwood, patchouli heart, and soft cocoa bean.

Each bottle of Benetton Colori is priced at P1,350 for 100ml, regardless of what color you choose. I find this price quite reasonable for a fresh-smelling daytime scent designed to represent your personality.

What color are you?