Cleopatra by Tocca

a.k.a.warum

When I received a sample of this thanks to a generous Fragrantica member, I was elated and expecting much. I was interested in historical women since my childhood, and studied Cleopatra as early as middle school.

For instance, I happen to know that Cleopatra did use fragrances, and her signature scent contained Alexandrian sage. She believed that this smell was sexy and since it was rarely used by women, wearing it made her unique. Sage is a bold choice in perfume (Ma Griffe comes to mind), and I am absolutely sure that some strong musk and honey would be present in Cleopatra's perfume as well.

I can see her smelling very unique, unforgettable, balanced, yet essentially unsafe. Let's face it, this woman was not famous for her safe choices.

When I put on my sample, I first smelled a little playful lemon and then it developed into strawberries (I see what the notes are, but it smelled more like strawberries to me and on me). Then beautiful floral heart of jasmine appeared, a very safe jasmine too, if you know what I mean. Not the cloud of jasmine that can knock you off your feet if you're not careful like in Alien. A very safe and should I say tame jasmine. Honestly, I have never smelled tuberose. But I do know what Fracas smells like, and this was present here as well. I found the heart of this perfume very pleasant, very safe, and having nothing to do with what I think about Cleopatra.

When this perfume developed into a very safe warm lightly vanillowy base, I started to think about how do I normally perceive perfume.

I won't pretend that I am not swayed by advertisement. I went and bought sample sets united by some concepts that are interesting to me. Tell me a story that comes along with perfume, and I am likely to fall for it like a hungry kid would fall for a Happy meal. I love bottles. I love memories. If a perfume reminds me of something in my life, chances are I'm getting it and loving it. I am intrigued by perfumes mentioned in literature.

Samples are different. When you have a sample vial with an unobtrusive title printed, pasted, or typed on plain glass, you can concentrate more on the smell itself. And my discovery was that I like this perfume just fine, everything about its opening, middle, and finish. I would advertise it as a part of the Comforts series. A gorgeous bourgeois boudoir. As a two week all-included tour to France. As a warm sweet after dinner drink. And I would fall for this perfume advertised like this, and I would love it.

And you know what? When I looked at the bottle I thought it would fit this concept just as well.

thepicketywitch

This is definitely a scent that you're either going to love or are going to hate. It starts out light with top notes of citrus and black currant, fades into the middle notes of jasmine, tuberose, and peach. All these rest on a base of patchouli, vanilla, amber, and musk. For me, the patchouli was most prominent, but I happen to love patchouli, so it wasn't a problem. This perfume definitely gets stronger with age, and you really only need ONE spritz. Maybe even then, that's too much. When I wear it, I spritz the scent into the air, and then walk into it quickly, and I find that that diminishes the strength and I don't gag people when I walk by. The packaging is adorable as well. I keep all my perfume boxes, and this one I display. It's decorated with birds, and the bottle top is heavy, with a classy brass finish, and decorative flowers and birds. I am in love with this scent, but again, I think it's either a love or hate kind of perfume.

LAMANDA255

At first i couldn't get enough of this perfume and my wrist was literally glued to my nose!...then i guess my taste started changing because one day it was just to sweet for me...don't get me wrong it's wonderful...light and sweet, like innocence in a bottle but i hardly ever use mine any more.

guest_v

Whenever I wear this perfum people literally hold on to me to smell me. Men seem to find it irresistible and women also can't help but linger for a sniff! I myself find it warm and sensual. I don't like florals and vanillas can be too sickly sweet but in this there's not too much vanilla and the florals are light enough for me. Maybe it's the freshness of the grapefruit that balances out the other layers.

cloyd42

This is a surprisingly complex perfume. Even knowing what the notes are it's hard to pick any one of them out. The blend is sophisticated and old fashioned the same way a 1950 Dior suit is old fashioned--it takes you to a time when being sophisticated and 30 was something to aspire to. The name does not make much sense--Venice or Bette Davis captures the vibe better.

guest_HD

I've tried the Tocca Cleopatra and found it to be very nice and long lasting. I still had the sell on my wrist the next day so I'm not sure if why most reviews are that the smell does not last. I'm actually considering switching to this perfume.

honeypoppyseed

Where is the cinnamon? The amber, lily, sandalwood.... honey, spices?? Where's Egypt? Or the passion of Rome?

What were they thinking?

This is not Cleopatra, or anything Egyptian/eastern at all. It's very European. They really should have engaged the spices or even white florals and made this scent one to discuss and notice. I really don't know what they were thinking?! Even their scent Bridgette seems more appropriate for Cleopatra, which makes me think, do they really think a former model is more interesting, or provocative, than one of the most famous rulers in history? Is this scent really befitting one of the most enduring female symbols of power?

I've smelt it, I can see the resemblance to NR (but not really..NR has more of a rose like scent), I more so see how faint the scent ends up being, and unmemorable it was.

Even if you do like it, between the price, faintness of the scent, and BEYOND lackluster concept, it might be worth while to consider other similar fragrances.

snobuni77

I third that notion...I agree that Cleopatra wouldn't have smelled this way.
It is a nice Fragrance but it is too basic for Mrs.Cleopatra to have worn.

This perfume didn't last that long on me.It lasted for about 3 hours & when it faded it faded fast.Up until then I enjoyed wearing it at least.I do not feel that it is very unique though as I have smelled perfumes that are very similar & I haven't smelled NR or Lovely yet so that means it smells even MORE common that I had originally thought

lilinah

I confess i haven't smelled this, so i can't comment in its scent. But Cleopatra definitely wouldn't have smelled like it. Vanilla is from a New World orchid and unknown in the Old World (Europe and Africa and Asia) until the 16th century or later, and wasn't grown commercially until the 19th century. And grapefruit is a comparatively new citrus fruit - in her day all that Cleopatra *might* have known would have been citron and lemon. And fruits were not a part of ancient perfumery.

You're right about spices - cinnamon would probably have been included - and costus, cyperus, and saffron. From my reading of really old scent recipes, i suspect most modern women would not want to wear them.

Still, i'm a real sucker for the oriental olfactory group, so i should at least give this a try.

Boggi

I don't know what to say about this other than it is very close to Narciso Rodriguez and Lovely by Jessica Parker.
Its a nice one, but I cant imagine Cleopatra smelling like this. I picture her with a much spicy odour.
But I like this one, and the bottle and box looks just adorable!