Dolce & Gabbana · 2009
L'Impératrice
Mid-range$$, 2 of 5
| 100 ml | $98 |
The houseFor womenWearers sayFeminine
VersionEau de Toilette
Juicy watermelon and kiwi over pink cyclamen, drying down to soft blond wood and musk.
Dolce & Gabbana says
You’ll smell watermelon, cyclamen and blondwood.
More from Dolce & Gabbana’s description
It also mentions Floral Fruity Woody Green notes, Kiwi, Pink cyclamen and Musk.
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Wearers say
From 7 Reddit threads · Read what they say
How far it carries
An arm’s length
How long it lasts
Under 4 hours
When to wear it
Summer
Where to wear it
Every day
Who it suits
Feminine · Younger wearers
Mass appeal
Divisive
Compliments
Sometimes
What’s inside it
What Dolce & Gabbana names
What the label names
3 scent ingredients on the label, familiar names first.
A label must name certain ingredients, most of them ones that can cause allergies; some houses print more. It is never the whole recipe.
3 florals
Heart3
as it settles
8 more lines on the label, not there for the smell
Not for the smell8
Wearers say
Wearing it
L'Impératrice is a juicy watermelon and tart kiwi scent that feels like a refreshing summer shampoo. It fades quickly within a few hours and divides wearers on sweat-like sourness.
How far it carriesArm's length fading to close
Perfumers call it sillage.
It opens with moderate projection before settling into an intimate, skin-level fruity freshness.
“The regular is pretty but doesn’t last long or project well for me.”
Reddit comment, r/Perfumes, 2023 · 1 vote
More from wearers · 1 theme, 1 quote
A few say
A few wearers experience surprisingly strong projection for an eau de toilette.
“For me my longest wearing D&G perfumes are surprisingly L’imperatrice even though it’s an eau de toilette the projection is insane”
Reddit comment, r/Perfumes, 2023 · 2 votes
How long it lasts2–4 hours
Most wearers report that it dissipates within two to four hours on skin, functioning more like a body mist.
“I am pretty lax when it comes to longevity but 2-3 hours and it's completely done.”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2020 · 9 votes
More from wearers · 2 themes, 2 quotes
Many say
Many wearers report that it vanishes within two to three hours on skin.
“The longevity on skin was about an hour, clothes was 3 to 4.”
Reddit comment, r/FemFragLab, 2024
A few say
A few wearers get over four hours of longevity on their skin.
“and so is the longevity the day I tested it out it lasted well over 4 hours.”
Reddit comment, r/Perfumes, 2023 · 2 votes
When and where to wear itHigh summer and casual heat
Wearers universally praise it as an uplifting, refreshing fragrance built for hot summer days and casual wear.
“Beautiful and refreshing in the heat though!”
Reddit comment, r/FemFragLab, 2024 · 8 votes
More from wearers · 1 theme, 1 quote
Most say
Most wearers recommend it specifically for high heat and summer days.
“I bought this for my summer scent as well. I like it a lot more than I expected. I’ve worn it in 90+ heat and it’s wonderful.”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2020 · 7 votes
Who it suitsYouthful feminine wearers
It reads decidedly feminine and sweet, appealing strongly to young wearers and casual fragrance fans.
“I feel like it smells young sweet, fresh.”
Reddit comment, r/Perfumes, 2023 · 4 votes
More from wearers · 1 theme, 2 quotes
Some say
Some wearers describe it as a distinctly feminine, youthful scent that does not lean unisex.
“Its very feminine, mildly sweet and fresh, but I didnt get any rhubarb in this - which I would have loved.”
Reddit comment, r/FemFragLab, 2024
“It's one of my most-worn in the summer time because it gives that freshly showered vibe. It's uniquely good. Definitely not unisex though.”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2021 · 3 votes
Appeal and attractionDivisive with genuine compliments
While skin chemistry causes sharp division between fresh shampoo and sour sweat, happy wearers frequently receive positive compliments.
“It was my first ever fragrance and it’s very likable. I get a lot of compliments when I wear it.”
Reddit comment, r/Perfumes, 2023 · 4 votes
More from wearers · 1 theme, 1 quote
Some say
Some wearers find it polarizing because certain skin types pull sour notes.
“I wanted to love this stuff so bad after seeing all the rave reviews, but to my nose it just smells like fruity scented hand sanitizer.”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2020 · 5 votes
As a blind buyKept by most buyers
Its accessible discount pricing makes blind buys common, with most keeping it though a few regret sour notes or shampoo vibes.
“I blind bought this a few weeks ago because I love rhubarb as a note.”
Reddit comment, r/fragrance, 2021 · 6 votes
More from wearers · 2 themes, 2 quotes
Many say
Many blind buyers kept the bottle and enjoyed its refreshing fruitiness.
“Safe buy and nice scent for spring summer.”
Reddit comment, r/Perfumes, 2023 · 4 votes
Some say
Some blind buyers regretted the purchase due to unexpected notes or shampoo scents.
“ended up giving to my mom and she loves it.”
Reddit comment, r/FemFragLab, 2025 · 5 votes
What it’s likened toMany wearers compare its clean, fruity freshness to Garnier Fructis shampoo or salon products.
“It smells like as if you didnt actually put on any parfume but you used a really nice smelling shower jel or shampoo”
Reddit comment, r/FemFragLab, 2024 · 4 votes
More from wearers · 1 theme, 1 quote
Many say
“I loved the scent at first, but it lost its appeal when I realized it smelled just like the Garnier Fructis shampoo lol”
Reddit comment, r/Perfumes, 2023 · 2 votes
LayeringLayered with sweet lotions
Wearers layer it with hydrating body lotions or fruity perfumes to boost longevity and add depth.
“You can layer it with anything and make it fit to whatever season and create a uniqe scent with your other parfumes, it creates a diffetent note on the background.”
Reddit comment, r/FemFragLab, 2024 · 4 votes
From 7 Reddit threads.
Wearers say
Smells like it
For more
WavechildOn your shelfRoom 1015 · Some wearers say the two smell alikeWearers also liken it to Escada Sorbetto Rosso. We hold no page for it yet.
What wearers say, set beside the price each house asks. Noses differ.
Our match of the notes
Shares its notes
11 11Lake & Skye · shares cyclamen and cashmere knit
Carnal FlowerFrédéric Malle · shares watermelon and cashmere knit
BluAjmal · shares watermelon and cashmere knitMatched by the notes each house names. A shared note is not a promise they smell alike.