Mona di Orio
MUSC
I swear that there are more notes in this perfume than the house suggests. I get a very distinct cassis or possibly berry note in the top. I personally don't like cassis at all. Interestingly that note dies down significantly as the fragrance develops on the skin. Also, the top notes contain an awful plastic scent. I'm not talking about plastic dolls heads, but something more like an old plastic container. Greatly dislike that. The top notes also contain a crisp, crystal musk that is sweet and charming. It is indeed powdery at first but not a powder bomb.
As the perfume develops I get less musk and more heliotrope. Also, it continues to smell sweet, but I smell honey, not tonka or even vanilla. I don't find this particular perfume to be creamy whatsoever but cold and crisp. A cold, crisp, floral musk--interesting!
There is certainly rose in the heart, and to be honest, Musc begins to remind me very much of the classic Ombre Rose. Ombre Rose would not have the crystal musk so strongly, and it is more powdery, but I thought it was a good reference point as to the style or character of this perfume. Another reference point could be Mazzolari's Alessandro or even L'Instant Magique, although the latter two play up the creamy, almond/heliotrope theme a lot more.
Despite not liking cassis nor the plastic note, once Musc dries down it is really enjoyable. A few words to describe this perfume are charming, sweet, ladylike, clean and polished.
I swear that there are more notes in this perfume than the house suggests. I get a very distinct cassis or possibly berry note in the top. I personally don't like cassis at all. Interestingly that note dies down significantly as the fragrance develops on the skin. Also, the top notes contain an awful plastic scent. I'm not talking about plastic dolls heads, but something more like an old plastic container. Greatly dislike that. The top notes also contain a crisp, crystal musk that is sweet and charming. It is indeed powdery at first but not a powder bomb.
As the perfume develops I get less musk and more heliotrope. Also, it continues to smell sweet, but I smell honey, not tonka or even vanilla. I don't find this particular perfume to be creamy whatsoever but cold and crisp. A cold, crisp, floral musk--interesting!
There is certainly rose in the heart, and to be honest, Musc begins to remind me very much of the classic Ombre Rose. Ombre Rose would not have the crystal musk so strongly, and it is more powdery, but I thought it was a good reference point as to the style or character of this perfume. Another reference point could be Mazzolari's Alessandro or even L'Instant Magique, although the latter two play up the creamy, almond/heliotrope theme a lot more.
Despite not liking cassis nor the plastic note, once Musc dries down it is really enjoyable. A few words to describe this perfume are charming, sweet, ladylike, clean and polished.
VANILLE
If you are looking for a vanilla perfume, you might need to look elsewhere. This is more woody than vanilla. It could be worn easily by a man.
At first it starts out with lots of smoky wood, spiced rum, and a nice dose of bitter orange for contrast. Over time the orange mellows out, and the woods and leather intensify. At no point do I think, "Ah, now I smell vanilla." It's there somewhere I guess, but it's subtle.
I can't decide if this is a perfume I'd want to pay $200+ for. I love woods, and for that reason it's tempting because this is an excellent woody perfume. But I was looking for a unique vanilla, and this, my friends, is not it. (Mar 2013)
If you are looking for a vanilla perfume, you might need to look elsewhere. This is more woody than vanilla. It could be worn easily by a man.
At first it starts out with lots of smoky wood, spiced rum, and a nice dose of bitter orange for contrast. Over time the orange mellows out, and the woods and leather intensify. At no point do I think, "Ah, now I smell vanilla." It's there somewhere I guess, but it's subtle.
I can't decide if this is a perfume I'd want to pay $200+ for. I love woods, and for that reason it's tempting because this is an excellent woody perfume. But I was looking for a unique vanilla, and this, my friends, is not it. (Mar 2013)
