Acqua di Gio Profondo Review – Everything You Need To Know
Profondo is the best Acqua di Gio blue fragrance.
I’ve worn it so many times that I can almost guarantee you will get similar results.
In this review, I will describe its smell and performance and anything else you need to know to make the best buying decision.
Table of Contents
Quick Summary
- Profondo lasts eight hours on the skin with moderate projection.
- This is an amazing fragrance but not the best, Acqua di Gio.
- The most noticeable notes are the citruses, sea notes, and mineral accord.
- Profondo smells like a black rocky beach infused with fresh (citric) salt water.
- This fragrance can only be worn in the spring and summer.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Yet, we only endorse fragrances we’ve personally used or are highly recommended by trusted peers. You can learn more about our Disclaimer & Disclosure here.
What Does Acqua di Gio Profondo Smell Like?
It’s like a green ocean right off the bat. Citruses and sea notes are the first things that jump out at me. Is it like the EDT’s ocean scent? Somewhat. It takes that smell in a more oceanic and ozonic direction.
Within a few minutes comes a noticeable mineral accord that sets this apart from the rest of the line. With the aquatic tones, it has this rocky, ocean beach vibe.
The longer the scent sits on the skin, the more it picks up a sweeter and greener vibe. The rest of the wear only gets greener but keeps the same freshness.
Once Profondo finishes developing, it is green aquatics with hints of musk.
Acqua di Gio Profundo notes:
TOP NOTES
- Sea Notes
- Aquozone
- Bergamot
- Green Mandarin
MID NOTES
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Cypress
- Mastic
BASE NOTES
- Mineral Notes
- Musk
- Patchouli
- Amber
Profondo’s Performance
How Long Does Profondo Last?
Profondo lasts eight hours on the skin with above-average projection. This is, thankfully, better than the original EDT. It pushes out an arm’s length or more at its peak for the first two to three hours.
It recedes after this period but remains present with a couple of foot projection.
The sillage is as good. The more you move around, the better Profondo projects and smells. Unfortunately, it’s not dense enough to leave a long scent trail.
This performance is with five sprays.
When Should I Wear Profondo?
This is exclusively spring and summer wear. This is the biggest downfall of the fragrance. As for occasions, it is all. Sophisticated enough for formal occasions but casual and subtle enough for all other situations.
Is Profondo Likable?
Lastly, mass appeal and likability are excellent. This is a great fragrance for attention as the aroma is so alluring that it’s hard not to smell it again.
How Do The People Rate Acqua di Gio Profondo?
Don’t just trust me; what do the masses think? This information is pulled from fragrantica.com. Providing a general estimate of what others think.
At the time of writing (March 2024), Profondo has 6,599 votes with a rating of 4.32 stars out of 5. Based on the cost-for-value metric, it is rated as neutral to slightly overpriced.
Here are the top three pros and cons:
Pros
- Great for spring/summer.
- Oceanic and aromatic scent.
- Extremely solid blue marine fragrance.
Cons
- May not be as mature as Profumo.
- Not everyone may like oceanic/mineralic scent.
- Chemical smell that doesn’t work for everyone.
*Note: The last con has more downvotes than upvotes.
Acqua di Gio Profondo Clones
The most similar fragrance is the original EDT and EDP versions of Acqua di Gio. Both the EDT and Profondo are extremely fresh fragrances.
However, the citruses in the EDT version are more prominent, whereas the aromatics are more prominent in the Profondo version.
Outside of the line, Azzaro Chrome Extreme is the most similar fragrance. These are great dupes of each other, but Chrome Extreme has a slight amber tinge in the base. All other accords are nearly the same.
Is Acqua di Gio Profondo Worth It?
Yes. I enjoy this better than the original Acqua di Gio as it has the same fresh scent but performs better. The citruses in the original are nothing to write home about but enjoyable.
So, the lack of them here is no big deal.
But…is this a better fragrance than Azzaro Chrome Extreme? That’s a question for another review, but I can say that Chrome Extreme is more affordable. Profondo is blind-buy(able), but make sure to weigh all your options first.
Profondo is an excellent cologne and one that is exceptionally wearable. Yet, don’t just limit yourself to Profondo. Check out the best Blue colognes.