Illusione (Eau de Toilette) by Bottega Veneta

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Der Illusione in seinem natürlichen Habitat - dem Sommerabend. (by MuckiMango)

Illusione Bottega Veneta 2019 Eau de Toilette

7.8 / 10 332 Ratings

A popular perfume by Bottega Veneta for men, released in 2019. The scent is citrusy-woody. It is being marketed by Coty.
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Main accords

Citrus

Woody

Fresh

Green

Spicy

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Lemon

Bitter orange

Heart Notes

White cedarwood

Fir balsam

Base Notes

Tonka bean Vetiver

Vetiver

Perfumer

Antoine Maisondieu

Videos

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Ratings

Scent

7.8332 Ratings

Longevity

6.6292 Ratings

Sillage

6.3293 Ratings

Bottle

7.9297 Ratings

Value for money

7.2148 Ratings

Submitted by Franfan20 · last update on 01/24/2026.

Source-backed & verified

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What the fragrance is similar to

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Vertigo 236

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Infusion d'Homme Eau de Toilette

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Fièvre Verte

Reviews

22 in-depth fragrance descriptions

12/03/2023

10Scent 5Longevity 7Sillage

Dzarsos
27 Reviews

Dzarsos

1

That... Shouldn't Taste Good

Illusione is an odd duck. It's not really gourmand-y at all, but somehow the adjective that first leaps to my mind when I smell it is "delicious". But of course, that makes no sense at all, as it is, in essence, a slightly tart riff on Dior Eau Sauvage Parfum. It's missing that almost effervescent heaviness that E.S.P. has, but if you remove that, and add a bunch of bitter orange, Illusione is more-or-less where you end up. It's incredibly nice, weirdly kind of mouth-watering, and, in short, "delicious."

Unfortunately, though, it does have a near-fatal flaw: the longevity here is shameful. On my skin, I get

maybe

two hours, and up to 4 total on my clothes - for the price, that's pretty much clown shoes. And yes, it does also have a pretty limited sillage, but it *is* a warm weather frag, so that's kind of to be expected. But the longevity? I am tempted to call it "pathetic".

So, it leaves me with a bit of a quandary. If they made this concentration a little stronger - or just tweaked it so it lasted a bit longer - this would be a top 5 warm weather/office fragrance for me. But as it stands, the amount one has to overspray to get any sort of longevity out of it will have my 100mL bottle gone by the end of next summer, if I try to put it in the rotation, and I can't really justify it - nor can I encourage that.

In the end, then, I guess we have this: (1) the fragrance itself is fantastic (2) it's also got some of the worst longevity in my entire 100+ bottle collection, and (3) she costs a fair bit. Granted, I got it for a better-than-retail price, but still - it was too much to pay for this level of performance. And yet... I really, really like it, for the time that it lasts. Sooo...

5/10 for longevity
10/10 for the fragrance itself

= 7.5/10 overall. Basically, if you see it for a good price (sub $65/100mL), the profile sounds intriguing, and you're willing to put up with the shite longevity, maybe grab it. If you get annoyed when a frag only lasts half the day? Don't.

08/04/2019

8Scent 7Longevity 6Sillage

Siebenkäs
65 Reviews

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Siebenkäs

Top Review 30

Strange are the ways of the heart.

A small twig broke off from the branch of the old cedar at the corner of Chester Gate and Albany Street, was caught by the wind, and soon fluttered down Robert Street, where it came to rest before the threshold of No. 21. Then it was still again.
Just then, Anselm unlocked the door. He picked up the twig, took it inside, and placed it on the mantelpiece.
Then he fell back into deep thought.
In less than an hour, he would meet Miss von Hallmackenreuther. What should he wear? And which perfume would be the right one?
He decided on the faded army chinos and the dark blue Comme Des Garcons blazer he had bought at the little second-hand shop at Portobello Market. And the old brown Edward Green monks. He felt safest in no other shoes.
And now for the scent. That would be much more difficult. But then he had an inspiration. Why not this new one from Bottega Veneta? It wasn’t too fashionable, but also not too old-fashioned. Somehow timeless. That’s how he wanted to come across, right? Maybe she would finally see him as he saw himself.
Sometimes he had the strange feeling that they had known each other for a hundred years. That some curious trick of fate kept bringing them together, yet never allowed them to truly connect.
He sniffed once more at the pretty little bottle. Yes, a wise decision. He liked this fragrance. First a bit lemony and fruity, but deeper than usual. Perhaps a third lower. And then so devilishly fairy-tale-like resinous, almost forest-magical, soft dark green in any case. Later also sweet, but still spicy. Undecided like himself. Somehow outdated and yet hip. He didn’t even like the word. And yet he secretly used it often. He felt so out of time again.
Anselm took a few sprays and set off.

Several blocks away at Fitzroy Square, a young woman with short curly hair stood in front of the wardrobe, meticulously surveying its contents.
Lina von Hallmackenreuther chose the polka-dotted light blue dress with the Peter Pan collar. If she had to meet him in a place like the Groucho, she wanted to make the most of it. There weren’t many places where she felt comfortable in this dress. As a counterpoint to the dress, she would wear a men’s fragrance. She knew immediately which one. Illusione.
It suited her because it didn’t commit to anything. Herbal, fruity, woody, and yet also sweet. And soft in the end. Would she be soft in the end too?
In any case, she wanted Anselm to… She wasn’t quite sure herself. He should find her unconventional. Not like the others. For that, this was the right perfume.

As the wind picked up again in the big city and the clouds drifted over the sea of chimneys like lost sheep, the two sat across from each other at a small table in the back of Café Groucho.
Anselm appeared particularly calm. He cautiously sniffed in her direction, for he was very eager to know what kind of scent she had chosen for him. After all, at least this was one thing that connected them - the love of perfume. One of the few things they both knew about each other.
He sniffed and sniffed - but… there was nothing. Only his own scent was detectable, the fine, soft-sweet aura of Illusione. How strange. What could that mean? Had she changed so much that she went out without a scent? Suddenly it dawned on him. She wanted to show herself to him without any embellishment, without games, without a backdrop. She wanted no distance, perhaps more closeness instead.
Anselm's heart began to race.

Lina was not really excited, but somehow… nervous. As if something unusual were in the air. She sniffed in his direction. Surely he was wearing Grey Vetiver again. But no, there was nothing of vetiver or anything similar, there was… she couldn’t define it. Then she almost jumped. She leaned a bit closer to him to take a lint off his collar. He was obviously not wearing any scent today. Only her own fragrance was present, only Illusione, nothing else. What could that mean? Was he trying to tell her something? That he wanted to become a different person? Nonsense.
Suddenly a thought came to her. Yes, that could be it. She was almost sure. He didn’t want to overshadow her, to show her that she was enough on her own with her aura, to make her feel, you alone should be the center…

The waiter came and brought the coffee. He looked a bit strange. He was wearing some kind of bathrobe. Quite hip territory, the area around Russell Square. He set down the cups and smiled at the two.
“You smell good,” he said. “Illusione… I like it too!”

04/02/2021

8.5Scent 6Longevity 5Sillage

Farneon
112 Reviews

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Farneon

Top Review 22

No illusion, but a pleasantly fresh reality!

I discovered this fragrance at a tasting workshop in a small perfumery in Cologne. I still remember that we were exploring fresh scents and the hosting lady mentioned basil. Only that there is no basil in it at all! ;-) In the end, this was by far the best scent for me among perhaps 15 total (including brands like Comme de Garcons, Dolce & Gabbana, and Diptyque). That's why I quickly bought it, even without basil!

When looking at the creations by Antoine Maisondieu - doesn't that mean House of God? ;-) - I notice that this perfumer has a tendency towards using as few ingredients as possible, much like many star chefs advocate for their dishes.

Illusione leans more towards the citrusy than the woody direction, with the lemon coming across only gently sour. The cedar wood integrates subtly. Vetiver and tonka bean skillfully cushion everything and ultimately convey an earthy-sweet undertone. With a bit of imagination, I can even detect pine needles on the forest floor, surrounded by a balsamic aura. An illusion perhaps? ;-)

Long story short: Illusione manages to create a nature-inspired aura with just a few ingredients, which is quite linear, fresh-woody, and yet balsamic. Nothing in the top note is jarring to the nose, leaving behind a pleasant feeling that definitely reminds one of lemon balm, as found in some bath additives.

If fresh harmony is what you're looking for and synthetic bombs are off the table, this is an absolute recommendation! Unfortunately, the longevity and sillage are rather poor.

Updated on 06/29/2024

09/15/2020

9Scent 4Longevity 7Sillage

MisterJ
2 Reviews

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MisterJ

Top Review 20

The Illusion of a Fragrance

Bottega Veneta's Illusione was one of my biggest surprises this year. It caught me off guard, without me wanting it to. Few YouTubers even had it on their radar, and although there was a subdued campaign, it left me completely cold. Ultimately, it was a free fragrance sample that enchanted me.

My first impression back then during the sample was quite negative. I smelled a bitter, almost aggressive orange and I immediately told myself: "No! This is not for you!" However, this fragrance then developed into a direction I did not expect. Warmth, balm, coziness, sauna stay, fir forest ... Thoughts and memories rushed through my mind - I had to have it, and I needed it yesterday!

I work a lot in a smaller office with several people. Daily Aventus and I would have been quartered. The fact that Illusione starts off prominent, but then becomes calm and reserved, suited me well. And the fact that the fragrance is only really noticeable for 2-4 hours does not bother me at all. I actually find that to be its strength. I don’t want to be the scent tree in the car every day and be the center of attention for the noses present. Sometimes, yes sometimes, I just want to be there without being overly smelled. Like an illusion indeed.

When is the best time to wear it? In fact, I bought it in the depths of winter and I associate the fragrance more with warming coziness and fir balm in tow. It’s not a scent I would wear in the height of summer at 30 degrees. However, in my opinion, it can be flexibly worn in all seasons in many situations. Just not in the club, where it feels out of place, just like I do. ;) I even think it’s a fragrance I would recommend to the 30+ generation. It is neither cool, sexy, youthful, nor sporty. It radiates calmness, serenity, and elegance. Fitting for the brand image of Bottega Veneta. (That doesn’t mean there aren’t elegant, serene, and calm people under 30 ;)

The bottle is unique to me, mainly because of the cap, which isn’t really a cap at all. The marbled-looking top is open at the top and therefore doesn’t protect the spray head 100% from oxygen, giving it more of an artistic touch. The bottom is strongly curved inward, creating an illusion of water rising up. Lacoste must have found the idea intriguing as well, as the current fragrance "Match Point" looks similar at the bottom.

Overall, a beautiful, citrusy fragrance that drifts into a warming, balsamic, and serene coziness. Very light, almost non-existent, and therefore strong for some days.

06/23/2020

9Scent 7Longevity 7Sillage

Aglianico
28 Reviews

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Aglianico

Top Review 17

Unknown Fragrances Part 2: Allerseelenruhe

To label “Illusione” by Bottega Veneta as an unknown fragrance is somewhat puzzling, given its 127 reviews and 54 owners about a year after its release. Nevertheless, somehow it seems to me that despite its potential, it hasn’t really “hit” here, almost dissipating as if it glides quietly along the edge of visibility.

“Illusione” resembles its somewhat more well-known predecessors in the men’s segment from BV (the pour Homme line and the - male - Essence Aromatique), AND yet it fundamentally differs from them. This too requires explanation.

Similarities exist in the resinous components - somewhat the hallmark of BV men’s fragrances, even more so than a partial leatheriness (which is absent in “Illusione”). Such resinousness is central to my nose in “Illusione,” without being unpleasantly dominant. An abstracted (needle) woodiness. Furthermore, a beautifully integrated citrus note connects all the mentioned fragrances, although I believe this is significantly more pronounced in the Essence Aromatique. In “Illusione,” it hides behind fir needles and soft-warm woodiness. One should not expect a clearly recognizable, standout lemon like in some classic colognes. And there is another connecting element: BV men’s fragrances “match” incredibly well with the brand’s design presentation. A visit to a store is recommended for this - where the wonderful Parco Palladiano line can also be tested.

However, there are also differences. “Illusione” has a “non-vanilla,” unobtrusive sweetness that I personally really like and that I prefer over the pseudo-leathery base of the pour Homme line. The vetiver indicated here is something I can truly smell, as a very subtle, soft component that “grounds” the resinousness. And then the mentioned soft woodiness wraps around all of this... Not spectacular, not avant-garde, but very beautiful and very easy to wear, especially from spring to autumn, at work, but also just for casual wear. Somehow the average rating here is justified: “Illusione” does not stand out, is not an aha experience, but simply a well-made “mainstream” fragrance. And perhaps that is why it has become the fragrance I wear most often.

It is also...
… more Arvo Pärt than Andrea Bocelli.
… more tango in Finnish forests than Italian tarantella. However, in summer under a blue sky.
… more suited for suit wearers than “casual.”
… more less than more.

A walk, lost in thought, dew freshness in the early morning, clarity, groundedness. Unpretentiousness, understatement, simplicity. Allerseelenruhe. A “business fragrance” like Prada L'Homme yet entirely different.

I commend BV for not cutting into its own flesh with a release overkill like some other houses (even though I am aware that it is now merely a brand within a performance-oriented large corporation). Five men’s fragrances in the “mainstream area” in seven years - that is pleasantly manageable.

I admit that each spray pierces my olfactory heart, as I already know in advance that this beautiful scent will not last long unless I get close to myself. But hope dies last: Perhaps one day “Illusione” will be available in a more intense, longer-lasting version like the original pour Homme. The bottle is definitely already a real eye-catcher.

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