Luna Rossa Sport by Prada is an aromatic oriental fragrance for men, created by Daniela Roche-Andrier and was launched in 2015.
This fragrance and I go a long way back, and it is a fragrance that is dear to my heart, even though I acquired a full bottle for the first time just a couple of months ago.
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A scent that is easy to love, smells great in the air, and most people around you will equally enjoy this beautiful perfume when you decide to wear it.
This house excels in one area above all designer brands, consistently releasing clean and sharp fragrances that draw people to repurchase their scents time and again.
This magic is the reason why I finally decided to get this flanker of Luna Rossa, and that’s why it’s my favourite release from the house for over 10 years now.
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PRADA LUNA ROSSA SPORT ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
A NOTE FROM THE BRAND: “The Prada Luna Rossa fragrances, inspired by the world of extreme sailing competition, are an ode to high performance through high innovation. Prada Luna Rossa Sport Eau de Toilette, a stimulating fragrance crafted by Daniela Roche-Andrier, features explosively daring fragrance notes. It echoes man’s highest performances through extreme challenges, making it the perfect choice for a man focused on his sporting efforts and pushing his limits.”
PERFUME INFO
- PERFUMER: Daniela Roche-Andrier
- OIL CONCENTRATION: Eau de Toilette
- FRAGRANCE TYPE: Aromatic Oriental
- RELEASE DATE: 2015
- TARGET AUDIENCE: Men
- MASCULINE/FEMININE: 80% – 20%
- DOMINANT NOTES: Juniper Berries, Lavender, and Vanilla
- AGE GROUP: 20+
- SEASONS: Spring and Fall
- OCCASIONS: Business, Night Outs and Leisure
- PERFORMANCE: 6 – 8 hours with moderate projection
- COMPLIMENTS: High
- LIKEABILITY: High
- UNIQUENESS: 2/5
- PRESENTATION: 4/5
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 8/10
- PRICE: $$ ($125.00)
- ACCORDS: Fresh Spicy, Aromatic, Vanilla
- REVIEWED BATCH CODE: 38Y700F – July 2024
- REFORMULATED: Yes
- HOLY GRAIL RATING: A
- SAMPLE/BUY/PASS: Sample
- TESTING PERIOD: 10 years
- PRODUCTION: Yes
- POSSIBILITY OF DISCONTINUATION: Low
PERFUME PRESENTATION
The presentation of Luna Rossa Sport is sharp and modern. The cylindrical/flask glass bottle is dyed a striking red (the latest version), topped by a sleek metallic silver cap that features a removable plastic cover to prevent fragrance from accidentally spraying.
This design nods to Prada’s Luna Rossa sailing yacht (red hull, silver rigging). In person, the bottle feels weighty and solid (except for the atomiser, which feels somewhat unusual and slightly moves).
The outer box is minimalist Prada, but I’m surprised that it follows the design of the previous version of this fragrance(silver and red). It’s nothing to brag about, and it’s somewhat flimsy, not worth speaking much about.
Overall, the latest presentation is a great improvement for me, and painting the whole bottle red was a great move, as I always felt that the upper silver part of the design was somewhat outdated.
NOTE BREAKDOWN
In this section of my Scent Grail review, I’ll dive into the note breakdown that plays a crucial role in shaping the identity of a fragrance.
Understanding how the top, heart, and base notes interact can provide valuable insight into the scent’s overall character.
Whether you’re considering adding a fragrance to your collection or are simply curious about how the notes unfold, this breakdown will help you appreciate the craftsmanship and both the positive and negative aspects of a particular fragrance.
PERFUME NOTES
- TOP NOTES: Juniper Berries, Ginger
- HEART NOTES: Lavender, Amber, Hay
- BASE NOTES: Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Heliotrope, Musk
TOP NOTES
The sport flanker of the famous Luna Rossa perfume line is a fragrance that I have continued to love for ten straight years. Most of the time, when I visit a fragrance shop, I spray it on myself or a testing paper.
And for an unknown reason to me, it took me ten years to get a bottle, thanks to my brother, who had purchased it for me since I love it so much.
So, what makes it special? Both you and I are probably so tired of these vanilla fragrances that we don’t even think twice about checking out the new releases based on this overused compound.
The deceptive simplicity is what I believe is the “X Factor”, which makes it so good, almost intoxicating, that it keeps those who have discovered it coming back over and over again.
The unusual combination of juniper berries, matched with a zesty rush of ginger, is the reason why Prada calls this an “explosive-opening”, which matches my experience.
There are also citric elements in the first couple of minutes, but that feeling comes from the ginger. Overall, that initial burst is bold and invigorating, setting an active tone for the fragrance.
HEART NOTES
After the fireworks of the opening fade, Luna Rossa settles into a clean lavender heart. Thankfully, the lavender is not the cheap detergent-smelling variety, but a realistic representation of this herb.
Truth be told, this lavender is not on the level of the one found in Caron Pour Un Homme de Caron, but this comparison wouldn’t be far. Not a single fragrance on this planet possesses the quality of lavender oils that Caron does.
Previously mentioned, lavender smells aromatic and slightly soapy, rather than sweet. It’s like the scent of fresh linen with a hint of dried herbs. For some reason, each time I smell lavender, it reminds me of my aunt, who grows lavender in her backyard.
BASE NOTES
Eventually, the fragrance dries down to a dusty, semi-sweet, and warm base. On the web, base notes vary significantly, but what I get is vanilla and tonka beans.
The vanilla is smooth, comforting, and slightly powdery, while the tonka (coumarin) adds a sweet almond-hay aroma.
This base feels cosy and gourmand, like a warm dessert accord, but thanks to Prada’s ingenuity, it does not venture into whole gourmand territory, and remains barbershop-like.
And that’s about it, a masterpiece hiding within its simplicity.
PERFORMANCE & APPEAL
I get six to eight hours on my skin during the warmer weather, and eight to ten hours during the fall and winter. Not bad at all for an Eau de Toilette.
Lavender-based fragrances are historically associated with men, and I couldn’t see a woman wearing them, even though vanilla softens it enough and slightly leans into the unisex side.
Compliments and positive feedback are something you can expect almost constantly, which surprised me and made me wonder how some things work, regardless of their age.
Heck, I even get positive comments for the old Acqua di Parma Colonia and that one was released over 100 years ago.
OCCASIONS & VALUE
This is a versatile, all-year-round scent. I’m not sure whether you should wear it during the warmest months of the year, but in a climate-controlled environment, it works just great.
I wear it to work, casual outings, or a night out. It has enough elegance for evenings, but also feels sporty-casual (not a true “sport” fragrance, though), making it suitable for daytime wear.
In terms of uniqueness, Sport treads familiar ground – it’s a well-crafted lavender-vanilla fougère with a hint of spice.
For value, it’s priced in line with other high-end designers. Something I’m not a fan of, since let’s be honest, Dior, Tom Ford, Chanel, and Hermès have a better selection of men’s fragrances overall.
PROS AND CONS
Each composition brings charm, complexities, and shortcomings to the diverse perfume landscape.
Exploring the pros and cons provides a comprehensive view, aiding fragrance enthusiasts in their quest for the perfect olfactory experience.
Understanding these nuances allows you to make a more well-informed choice, ensuring a tailored match for individual tastes.
Pros
- Outstanding lavender-vanilla blend
- Smooth, well-balanced and versatile
- Good performance for an Eau de Toilette
Cons
- Not a sport fragrance
- Expensive retail and via fragrance discounters
- Can smell a bit powdery/soapy on some people
COLLECTION & SIMILAR PERFUMES
Sport is part of a larger Luna Rossa fragrance collection. Other flankers include Prada Luna Rossa (Original, 2012) – a fresher and more herbal lavender scent – as well as later editions, such as the discontinued Luna Rossa Extreme (2013) and Luna Rossa Black (2016).
With the latest Luna Rossa Ocean line, Prada adopted a different perfume style in these releases, which are generally perceived differently by fans than the previous scents from the line, and I agree with them.
COLLECTION
SIMILAR PERFUMES AND ALTERNATIVES
EDITOR’S CHOICE
FINAL WORDS
In conclusion, Sport is a great, well-rounded aromatic oriental fougère by Prada. A scent that is probably a little bit overpriced, but also a memory-making perfume that, once you decide to buy it, I hardly doubt that you will regret it.
Although I may be slightly biased in this review, as this fragrance has been a part of my life in one way or another for the last ten years, I think you should sample it, and perhaps it will have the same “magic effect” on you as well. 100% recommended!
What do you think about this article covering Prada Luna Rossa Sport? Let’s start a conversation, and let me know in the comments section below.
If you are unsure whether to buy a fragrance, looking at Scent Grail’s S.P.A. Signature Factor Guide is always a good decision.
It is easy to use and the most relevant perfume-buying guide on the web. This way, you can determine whether a particular fragrance is worth checking out and potentially find your signature perfume.
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Until next time, stay humble, and keep smelling great!
Best, Marin!
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