Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella 1913 EDC

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Colonia Russa

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Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella Colonia Russa is a Cologne launched in 1913. Colonia Russa opens with Bergamot, Lemon, Bitter Orange, and Neroli, settles into a heart of Petitgrain, Lavender, Clove, and Rosemary, and dries down to a base of Musk, Civet, Castoreum, and Benzoin. Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella's Colonia Russa carries a Favourite verdict, a fresh-led wear.

This classic Italian cologne is divisive; some find it a sophisticated, old-world charmer, others a dated, soapy disappointment. Performance is a common gripe, so sample before committing.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Classic
  • Clean
  • Sophisticated
  • Elegant
  • Masculine
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Colonia Russa Cologne bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

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Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Short (2-4h)
Projection
Moderate
Intensity
Light

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Spring Summer
Also Works:
Fall

Versatile across every season - no clear seasonal preference from wearers.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Office Casual
Also Works:
Date Sport

Its intimate sillage and clean, fresh profile make it suitable for office and casual wear, avoiding overt impact. While some find it elegant enough for formal occasions, its classic cologne style leans more towards everyday sophistication rather than special events. The freshness is good for sport, but its 'old school' vibe isn't universally loved.

Declarable allergens

We derive these from the materials behind this fragrance's notes, not from the bottle. Each one is likely, not confirmed. The list is partial - the box can name others.

In standard patch-test panels

  • Citral Geranial from Lemon
  • Geraniol from Rose

Other declarable allergens

  • Bergamot Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil from Bergamot
  • Bergamot Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil from Bergamot
  • Bergamot Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil from Bergamot
  • Bitter orange peel Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil from Bitter Orange
  • Bitter orange peel Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil from Neroli
  • Bitter orange peel Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil from Bitter Orange
  • Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Oil from Neroli
  • Clove Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Oil from Clove
  • Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil from Clove
  • Lavender Lavandula Hybrida Oil from Lavender
  • Lavender Lavandula Hybrida Oil from Lavender
  • Lavender Lavandula Hybrida Oil from Lavender
  • Lavender Lavandula Hybrida Oil from Lavender
  • Lavender Lavandula Hybrida Oil from Lavender
  • Lavender Lavandula Hybrida Oil from Lavender
  • Lavender Lavandula Hybrida Oil from Lavender
  • Lippia citriodora absolute from Lemon Verbena
  • Lippia citriodora absolute from Lemon Verbena
  • Neroli Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil from Neroli
  • Synthetic musk Hexamethylindanopyran from Musk

The large name is the everyday one. The small name is the INCI form on the box, so you can compare the two. Reactions differ between people. A patch-test panel is not a ranking of risk. How we derive this

About

Colonia Russa opens with a bright, zesty burst of bergamot, lemon, and bitter orange, softened by a touch of neroli and rose, evoking a timeless, clean freshness. The heart introduces an aromatic blend of petitgrain, lavender, rosemary, and a subtle hint of clove, adding herbal depth. It settles into a warm, gently animalic base with musk, civet, castoreum, and resinous tolu balsam, which grounds the citrus and herbs with a classic, masculine warmth.

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Complement

Two people, two scents: what sits well beside it when you each wear your own See what pairs well

Where to buy

Prices for the United States ·

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Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.