Donna Born in Roma 

The original, the mother—the one that started them! The original Donna Born in Roma is nothing short of a masterpiece. The DNA is unmistakable with its rich jasmine and vanilla, and I doubt there are many who have never had the pleasure of smelling this fragrance. It was one of the first takes on non-traditional vanilla and really paved the way for this category of scent. This opens with airy citrus that is quickly grounded by a juicy richness. As the jasmine element enters the scene, an elegant yet fierce floral center begins to develop within the fragrance, preparing for a thick vanilla that isn't overly sweet. This is the perfect vanilla for someone who doesn't like sugary sweet vanillas or prefers a touch of florals. It can be worn day or night, and can be classy and elegant or sultry and romantic—a truly versatile fragrance that lives up to its reputation. I envision the woman who wears this to be ultimate personification of the word "woman." She is elegant, beautiful, and fierce. She knows her worth, and she knows if you don't.

This "intense" version of the original is actually the most popular flanker and is well-received by the fragrance community. In creating this upgrade, the extras were removed, and the main focus is on the lifeblood notes from the original: Bourbon Vanilla and Jasmine. The removal of black currant note took away the juicy aspect of this fragrance to make room for the addition of amber and benzoin, giving it a deeper sensuality that the original lacks. For me, the original is a daytime fragrance, while this would be my nighttime version. The projection and longevity of this scent are insane. If you are an oversprayer (I am), this will last on you for the entire evening and then some. I love to layer this with the Extradose flanker as well. The woman who wears this is the sweetest you'll ever meet—until she isn't.  She is the "nice girl" who is often underestimated, but beneath all that kindness is a force to be reckoned with.

Ah, the "tropical" flanker. This one is not my personal favorite, and the reasoning may surprise you. I'm not sure if you can tell or not, but I am ALL about the scent notes, the science and all of the behind-the-scenes perfumery when it comes to fragrance. DBIR is one of favorite lines because they truly give each flanker their own pizazz and a standout that makes them unique from one another, all while keeping the DNA original enough to remember just which line you are wearing. This one just didn't fit that mold for me. It's a lovely scent— a little fruity, a little juicy, and a classic "beachy floral" if that is what you're into. It just isn't giving DBIR for me. I almost wish they wouldn't have gone with gardenia for the note and instead chosen magnolia or ylang ylang to provide a sweeter floral aspect, as well as adding some lactones to the base to enhance the creaminess of the coconut. However, because it is a Donna, her projection and longevity are divine. If you want to be part of the DBIR club but are only into beachy white florals, this is your girl! I feel like the woman who wears this is the "Mom" of the friend group. This is the woman who makes you feel safe and comforted and can make the loneliest man in the world feel less alone with just a caring glance.

Yellow Dream: Not so dreamy and certainly not my favorite. I much prefer the men's cologne Yellow Dream to the eau de parfum. However, what doesn’t work for me here is the personal preference in the notes. Lemon, and musk just aren’t for me when combined (and rose is barely for me in any circumstance). The citrus from the lemon is definitely the star of the show, followed a powdery rose. That’s kind of it here. For their citrus flanker, they certainly didn’t want it to be too citrusy, seeing as they chose surrounding notes that would tone it down quite a bit. I wish the citrus in the opening didn’t die, but rose and musk are tough competitors to beat! I probably would’ve really liked this one if the rose had been something else—perhaps mimosa flower. If you are a rose lover but want it done a little differently than the average rose, you could potentially love this one. The woman who wears this is classic in style and has a chic air to her.

Oh, Coral Fantasy, how I love thee. This flanker is amazing. It's bold, rich fruity, and whimsical all at the same time. The note combinations are incredible here, and it is truly a unique take on the original DNA. Bringing that jasmine back into the picture gives Donna, while tart kiwi and thick, sweet blood orange, with musk and woods, provide a well-rounded and complex dry down. I cannot detect the rose note here, which does not sadden me personally. For me, this is the flanker I would wear on a hot summer day because it is rich enough to make a statement but dreamy enough not to turn sticky in the heat. This one is truly refreshing and lived up to every expectation I had for it. I envision the woman who wears this as the life of the party, the one who livens up the room when she walks in and knows how to make anyone smile wherever she goes.

 THE STRAVAGANZA! This was perhaps the most widely awaited release, with the exception of Ivory Rendezvous. There was a craze over this release, and everyone was trying to get their hands on. In my humble opinion, it lived up to the hype. The tea here gave it an herbal quality that the others do not possess, and still do not possess in the flankers that came afterwards. This is refreshing and dainty, but with a performance that is anything but. The scent profile is closer to the chest than I personally prefer, and this cannot be considered a "beast mode" fragrance by definition, but it is a beautiful and unique addition to the collection! The woman who wears this is deeply unique but doesn't need the entire world to see or acknowledge it. She knows it, and for her, that is enough.

I don't even know how to do this justice with my writing. This is my favorite flanker in the line and one my all-time favorite perfumes ever created. DBIR seems to have a knack for taking a minimal amount of notes and creating magic with them, and that is certainly achieved here. This is a boozy, juicy vanilla bomb. It features a strong vanilla that some call gourmand, although I do not agree with that classification. This robust vanilla is deepened by the rum note, which adds just enough spice, and the entire profile is rounded out by juicy and rich black currant. This perfume is a masterpiece. The projection is insane, and the longevity matches that energy. I do think it may not be for everyone, as this is a very edgy fragrance that is, dare I say, a bit "slutty." But sometimes, that's a good thing in fragrance, and this is the classiest possible elevation of that. 10/10! The woman who wears this is one who knows herself and doesn't care what you think about that. She is fun and embraces her sensuality while carrying herself with the utmost confidence and class.

Perhaps the most anticipated release of the line to date, this was supposed to be their main gourmand release. The orange blossom and marshmallow profile is a telltale sign of gourmand fragrances nowadays as marshmallow notes are just about a dime a dozen at this point. Many were afraid that this would smell too similar to Love Don't Be Shy by Kilian because of the notes that were released, but in my opinion, it really did not take on too much of that DNA. Check out my review on this one; it is a sophisticated whipped creamy citrus with just hint of powdery musk. This is a delightfully classy fragrance, almost a citrus marshmallow that is considered your skin but better. The woman who wears this to me, is the one who can pull off wearing all beige without looking like a graham cracker. She can wear gold jewelry without looking cheap, and you can't understand how her hair even smells incredible—but it does.

The newest addition to the line did not disappoint. I recently conducted an extensive review on it, and it is a beautiful enhancement to the collection. Wonderfully fruity yet sultry enough to be worn in close proximity and in all climates, this fragrance features a subtle floral undertone with a gorgeous balance of succulent nectarine and warm, leathery vanilla. Undoubtedly, this will be my next bottle purchase from the line. I mentioned this in my, review but I envision the woman who wears this as the tomboy who is naturally gorgeous  and aware, and carries her femininity on her sleeve instead of in her designer purse. She knows she is beautiful just the way she is.