Senso by Emanuel Ungaro
Women 1987
Main accords
Description
Senso by Emanuel Ungaro is a floral fragrance for women. Launched in 1987, it was created by Jacques Polge. The olfactory pyramid unfolds with top notes of plum, peach, grapefruit, bergamot, coriander, and mandarin; a floral heart composed of neroli, ylang-ylang, carnation, jasmine, Damascus rose, heliotrope, orange blossom, and orchid; and a sweet, woody base featuring opoponax, benzoin, amber, cinnamon,…
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The olfactory pyramid
A guide to the opening, heart and lasting trail of the fragrance.
The community speaks
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In the collection
Leading answer I want it
861 votes
What do you think?
Leading answer Like it
260 votes
Season
Choose severalLeading answer Autumn
167 votes
Time of day
Choose severalLeading answer Night
117 votes
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Fragrance profile
About Senso
Senso by Emanuel Ungaro is a floral fragrance for women. Launched in 1987, it was created by Jacques Polge. The olfactory pyramid unfolds with top notes of plum, peach, grapefruit, bergamot, coriander, and mandarin; a floral heart composed of neroli, ylang-ylang, carnation, jasmine, Damascus rose, heliotrope, orange blossom, and orchid; and a sweet, woody base featuring opoponax, benzoin, amber, cinnamon, musk, sandalwood, tonka bean, cedar, vanilla, and patchouli.
Fruits, vegetables and nuts Green, herbal and fougère White flowers Flowers Resins and balsams Musk, amber and animalic Spices Woods and mosses
It may remind you of
Ranked by what the community voted.
More from Emanuel Ungaro
More from Jacques Polge
How it wears
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Longevity
Leading answer Moderate
89 votes
Sillage
Leading answer Strong
104 votes
Character
Leading answer Traditionally feminine
35 votes
Value perception
Leading answer Good value
25 votes
Have you worn Senso?
Tell us how it opens, how it settles on your skin, how long it lasts and when you wear it.
VainillaDulce
I met Senso through a friend who wore it; it smelled so distinguished and unique that I had to buy it myself. The moment I applied it, it became my obsession—it changed my life, and my friend ended up jealous of me. It was utterly mine. Upon spraying, it opens with fresh fruit and citrus notes: plum, peach, sweet orange, and bergamot, super refreshing. But within 10 minutes, a beautiful neroli emerges with ylang-ylang, heliotrope, and a hint of clove. Without me noticing, those fade into the background, giving way to star players like benzoin, cinnamon, amber, tonka bean, woods, and vanilla. On my skin, it’s not floral—it’s spicy, talcum-powdered, warm, and oriental. What a delight; impressively beautiful, elegant, sensual, almost sublime. Vanilla and cinnamon fight for the lead role, and no one else smelled quite like this. It was the only perfume I thought I’d keep forever, and I did for a couple of years. My heart broke when they discontinued it because everything about Senso was beautiful, including the bottle. Senso, I want you back in my life.
Selene
I believe Jacques Polge, after Diva, wanted to take Senso in a different direction: more relaxed, fun, less ostentatious and carefree, yet without losing its aromatic power or the beauty of its balance. Here we have a sweet, colorful, and aromatic floral. It’s sweet from the plum, peach, and vanilla; aromatic from benzoin, opoponax, tonka bean, and amber; and colorful from a well-executed blend of white and red florals. What captivates is this fruity floral scent with an intriguing backdrop of notes that provide magnificent longevity and depth without you even realizing it. It doesn’t try to be as extravagant or showy as Diva or most 80s perfumes—that’s where it becomes original. I’d call it a fruity floral with soft oriental undertones. I don’t think Senso would like the ‘floriental’ label (though I think it enjoys playing with the idea); that status belongs to Dior’s Poison, which shares some notes but takes a distinctly different path. Having a floral that didn’t follow the chypre, leather, or aldehyde trends was already above and beyond interesting for the era. I also recall Kenzo from 1988 doing something similar, flirting with its resemblance, but Senso is more gourmand, less citrusy, and less spicy than Kenzo. An exquisite and distinct floral for the decade.