Tonatto Profumi Freyja Perfume Review (Diletta Tonatto) 2017 + Game of Godesses Draw

 

Freyja and the Necklace by James Doyle Penrose, 1890

Freyja, in Norse mythology, is a goddess supreme, the deity of beauty, sex, earthly delights and the heavenly afterlife. Driving around the heavens in her chariot pulled by cats, Freyja may seem something of a goodtime gal. But this lady can pull out the badass when she needs to: she is a seer and shaman, a shapeshifter who can one up the trickster Loki. In Tonatto Profumi’s Freyja perfume, the goddess has found her calling card scent:  Freyja perfume is unpredictable, sensual, spiritual and alluringly addictive.

Diletta Tonatto

Creative Director and nose Diletta Tonatto explains Freyja’s raison d’etre: “I wanted to play a little game of contrast …to unveil the authentic from the mask, the trickster. I think that sense of smell can connect us with authenticity in this globalized world, and allows to unmask the trickster”.

Girl with mask, stock photo

The fact that fragrance interacts with the skin and thus is always unique leads me to argue against the platonic vision of perfumes as sophistic masks. This is what I have been exploring and studying whilst making Tonatto Freyja perfume.” 

Karen Elson, photo by Tim Walker for Love magazine, Sept 2013©

In the style of its eponymous heroine, Freyja starts with a spiritual note and injects into it a wry playfulness. That green note is a trompe nez, turning out to be a single sly drop of particularly heady lavender mixed into the heart of the incense that somehow give the effect of galbanum. The green smokiness hangs around for quite some time. But just when you think Freyja will turn out to be a quirky incense, sister to Anatole Lebreton’s wonderful Grimoire, she proves she has another side in store.

Karen Elson, photo by Alexi Lubomirski for Harper's Bazaar UK, Apr 2013©

Deep in the second stage of the perfume’s trajectory, Freyja suddenly softens and warms, laying her smoky mask down on a sensual floral heart. A creamy, spicy carnation blossoms, a rather full-bodied vanilla just behind it. Although it is not listed in my notes, I could swear there is a bit of labdanum in here; a slightly dirty hint of sweetness. In the dry-down, the green incense, carnation, vanilla and amber coalesce, and Freyja perfume becomes delightfully snuggly and sensual. It is at this point that Freyja perfume seems most like a Tonatto perfume: the carnation is warm but restrained, the base of amber and patchouli so well melded that they do not announce their presence. The balance of the notes seems almost symmetrical. Almost.

Human Animal, photo by Flora Borsi©

Fortunately, Freyja perfume never quite loses its idiosyncratic edge. With its bold opening, Freyja marks a departure from the serene elegance of the rest of the Tonatto line. But at the same time, it is not out of place. The noticeably high-quality ingredients and layered florals the brand is known for are here, as is Tonatto’s painstaking craftsmanship. But they are stretched into new, oblique directions that show inventiveness and a willingness to take a few well-chosen risks. With its piney aspect and wafts of incense, Freyja is also perfect holiday fragrance. It is wearable, fun, and just quirky enough to feel like the signature scent of a rather frisky goddess.

Notes: Incense, lavender, amber, patchouli, vanilla, carnation

Lauryn Beer, Senior Editor

 Tonatto Freyja Perfume

Thanks to the generosity of Diletta Tonatto and Tonatto Profumi, we have a 100 ml bottle of Freyja Perfume for 1 registered anywhere in the world. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what appeals to you about Freyja based on Lauryn’s review and where you live and which Norse god or goddess do you think could inspire a perfume. Draw closes 12/16/2017.

We announce the winners only on our website and on our Facebook page, so like Cafleurebon and use our site feed … or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

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30 comments

  • Chocolate Marzipan says:

    What appeals to me is how Lauryn described this as a ‘perfect holiday fragrance” and I love the notes and the “idiosyncratic edge”. I am not at all familiar with any Norse god or goddess except for Freyja. I reside in the USA>

  • Oh wow. This was my favorite part.
    Deep in the second stage of the perfume’s trajectory, Freyja suddenly softens and warms, laying her smoky mask down on a sensual floral heart. A creamy, spicy carnation blossoms, a rather full-bodied vanilla just behind it. Although it is not listed in my notes, I could swear there is a bit of labdanum in here; a slightly dirty hint of sweetness. In the dry-down, the green incense, carnation, vanilla and amber coalesce, and Freyja becomes delightfully snuggly and sensual. It is at this point that Freyja perfume seems most like a Tonatto perfume: the carnation is warm but restrained, the base of amber and patchouli so well melded that they do not announce their presence. The balance of the notes seems almost symmetrical. Almost.

    I live in the U.S. Thank you for the generous giveaway, I think a scent inspired by Hella would be awesome.

  • The combination of Lavender and Incense sounds so interesting, and perfect for something Norse and sacred – that’s what appeals to me. I think Freya is the perfect Norse goddess for a perfume, but Freyr for Men could be an interesting (and sexy) choice as well. I reside in the USA.

  • This review is absolutely beautiful. I very like the mythological things about it. And this perfume is sounds really fabulously. I like the selected pictures also. Frigg could also inspire a perfume. I would very like to win. Thank you for the draw. I live in Europe.

  • I must confess that Freyja the goddess appeals to me not at all, but the perfume sounds interesting, especially the lavender that seems to mimic labdanum. Cutious!

  • Roger Engelhardt says:

    I owned and loved, years back, one of her perfumes called Re. Oh how I loved that scent.
    Alas, I ran out and have never seen it listed on her site since. That so saddens me.
    This is a wonderful line that never gets much attention, sadly, because she rocks!!
    Tje review is excellent, lived every word!
    I am in the USA.

  • I would love to try a perfume inspired by Freyja – a goddess whose chariot is pulled by cats, those magical little beasties, and who gave Friday its name. A perfume with an “idiosyncratic edge” sounds delightful. It would be interesting to smell what a perfumer inspired by Odin (or Wotan as my mother called him) would create. Live in the USA.

  • Most of the notes appeal to me, expecially the incense, lavander, patchouli and carnation. I like the “green smokiness” descriptor, also the piney aspect of the scent. My curiosity has been awaken.
    I think any Norse god/goddess could be a souce of inspiration for a fragrance.
    I live in the E.U. Thank you.

  • Lauryn’s review conveys something sensually sinister, something only to be experienced under the cover of night. Freyja is reminiscent of another Tonnato perfume, the captivating Amir. I would love to smell a perfume inspired by Loki. I live in the US.

  • Incense, lavander and amber are some of my favourites notes so i guess this juice is very good one, not sure about the carnation part :). From the Norse gods i would go for Valkyries the beautiful women warriors and could be a nice blended perfume leaning the feminine side ; then it could also be Loki, a true dark and bold juice that is changing from hour to hour, just like the real god himself. I live in the EU, thx for the draw.

  • Even though Freyja is inspired by a Norse Goddess, it seems to have both western and eastern feel, with incense and carnation and a composition that feels quite oriental. I will choose Thor among the Norse Gods. Thanks for the generous draw. I am in US.

  • I love that it has an idiosyncratic edge. Quirky, but still wearable, which is my type of perfume. I have tried really interesting perfumes but they are not wearable enough I end up not using them and give them away or sell them. I think Idun could easily inspire a perfume. I mean, apple is already one of the notes.

  • The contrasts sound divine in Freyja – I like scents that vacillate between opposing forces!

    I cant say I am too familiar with Norse gods – The Greek myths were more my thing when I was a kid and I did a lot of reading on them. Though looking into it – there is a goddess Idun, who is the guardian of the golden apples of youth – which makes me think of a luscious and voluptuous apple fragrance…better than that DKNY Be Delicious!

    I am in Melbourne, Australia 🙂

  • Lately i am very fond of incense perfumes and the combination with lavender and carnation seems odd, that’s why I’d like to try it, I’m curious of what is the end result.
    I am not familiar with Norse gods at all, but I like the photos chosen to illustrate Freyja.
    I live in Europe.

  • The way the notes are described and how they play on you makes this sound very inviting for the winter months. Also, anything that can add to a goddess quality is always welcome. I’m in US and registered, thank you.

  • ExPostDawggie says:

    Lavender & incense and caradmon, hmmmmmmm…. And I’d like to see wot someone could come up with for the Valkyries in general. I live in the US

  • A hint of labdanum gets me every time. Actually everything about this description leaves my mouth watering. Yes, please!

    Hel would also be a great inspiration for a perfume. All datk and mysterious.

    I am in the US and hope I win

  • Being Scandinavian I just love when others interpret our mythology and I am intrigued that you use lavender here. So often it is rose.
    It would be interesting to smell Frej’s perfume, Freja’s twin and god of agriculture.

    Live in Denmark

  • You had me at carnation and vanilla. I think Thor and Loki hold a certain appeal.I would LOVE to try this. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • I am not familiar with this line. I like that it takes well chosen risks, so it must not be ordinary. I enjoy carnation in a fragrance. Why not a fragrance for Bragi, God of eloquence and poetry. Throw in some honey inspired by the mead he let the humans drink. Thanks for the great article. I live in the US.

  • As mentioned before, I also think that Lavender and Incense is quite a special combination. The contrasts that this fragrance seems to offer sounds interesting. I wonder how much sweetness there is…

    I guess, Odin (or Wotan) must have been an inspiration for Aventus… Just kidding! Though, I think Thor would be a good inspiration.

    Greetings from Germany

  • I think a fragrance should be inspired by the Goddess Diana (since that is my name!)
    This scent sounds gorgeous. I love anything that has incense in it. It always adds an interesting dimension to a perfume whether it’s a floral, woody or gourmand fragrance.
    I live in the U.S.

  • Thank you, Lauryn for this review!!! What an intersting idea to creat perfume being inspired by Freyja. This perfume’s pyramid is so beautyful, but I can not guess is it more feminine or more masculine?
    I will choose Thor for next inspiration.
    from Armenia

  • What appeals the most to me was the description of how Freyja softens and warms, describing the smoky mask down on a sensual floral heart. And calling it quirky but still wearable. I lean towards fragrances that are a little different, ones that everyone else is wearing. Frevia sounds like it fits that bill!
    I would suggest a perfume based on Astrild, the goddess of Love, perhaps a light, romantic floral.
    Thanks for the great read, and equally great draw. I’m in the US.

  • A perfume inspired by Freyja is very appealing, Lavender, incense, patchouli, carnations, so beautiful for this season. I think that Ostara could inspire a new perfume. Thank you for this draw. I’m in the US.

  • Snuggly and sensual sounds wonderful to me. I live in EU. Aegir would make a good perfume theme. Thanks for the draw!

  • I love the sound of the carnation and Vanilla with a green incense. It sounds unique and perfect for cold weather. I’m wondering what Odin could inspire apart from the obvious (Adventist) thank you for the great draw!

  • What appeals to me is the fantastic notes which are almost all my favourite and the fact that its a perfect fragrance made for holiday wear. I think thor or loki would be good inspirational choices.
    Canada here.
    Thanks for giveaway .