Earlier this year, I posted my thoughts on the garden series from Santa Maria Novella – I Giardini Medicei – Quercia. At that time, I’d tried five of the eight fragrances in the line. I’ve since sampled Ambra and Acqua, with Incenso being the only one left to try. Today I’ll share my thoughts on Acqua.
Aquatic scents aren’t my favourite genre, so it was with some trepidation that I approached Acqua. I dip my feet slowly into the water whenever I encounter perfumes with marine-themed marketing. Indeed, one small spray, just to be safe. Too often, there’s an over-reliance on Calone and other screechy materials to achieve the watery effect. But Acqua comes as a pleasant surprise. It smells like a watercolour painting brought to life. Pale florals, light musk, and the perfect amount of fruity sweetness, courtesy of pear, ensure the scent never drifts too far into treacherous tides.
As I wear Acqua, I imagine myself by a pond on a crisp spring morning. Graceful water birds glide about the water lilies as the stresses of the week gradually wash away. The nicely judged dose of musk in the base, combined with the freesia and lotus flowers, evokes thoughts of pink, purple, and white coloured blooms. Although I visualise myself by a pond, that could quite easily be a spa, or indeed near the Medicean Villas fountains, which form the inspiration for the fragrance.
Acqua draws comparisons with Parle Moi de Parfum’s Totally White, En Passant from Frederic Malle and Magnolia from this Santa Maria Novella collection. Like those fragrances, it’s light but not lightweight. The pear note at the top of Acqua makes it slightly sweeter and fruitier than those, though. There’s not a hint of aggressiveness or sharpness in the blend. And Acqua is an appropriate name, as there’s a nice thirst-quenching quality to the composition.
I wouldn’t, however, pay the asking price for this fragrance. We’re on shaky ground, or perhaps more aptly, in murky waters, with the AUD 299 price tag for 50ml. Indeed, half that price would seem more reasonable. Acqua won’t blow your flippers off and is unlikely to offend. Still, I like the fragrance; it’s an outlier in a sea of mediocrity for this genre. I’m happy to go with more than one spray. Indeed, discovering a good marine perfume is about as elusive as spotting the Loch Ness Monster.
Notes: First image from Santa Maria Novella. All other pictures are my own. I purchased the sample of Acqua.
Here are some other images I see when I spray Acqua.
I’m so not into this genre that I wouldn’t probably even try something called Acqua. It’s good to know that it is better than could be expected, and I’ll give it a sniff the next time I get to the store that carries the brand (I know one, but it needs to be a special trip to get there, find parking and all that). But, same as you, I don’t think I am prepared to pay the price.
Yes, the price is steep for this line. My favourites are the iris and the magnolia. Acqua is very nice, and certainly worth a try.
Wonderful images! I haven’t tried Acqua yet, i like the sound of it!
Thanks very much, Tetê! Yes, it’s a very good one, though I think the price of this line should be lower. But, that’s a whole other debate.
I, too, find the aquatic category of perfume a bit of a challenge, Daniel. I believe you’ve hit two key points regarding successful notes for aquatics that can make them more intriguing: the right pale florals and light musk. I also think they benefit from a mossy or earthy facet. I haven’t had the chance to sample Acqua, but I’ll have to based on your assessment. As far as pricing is concerned, everything is going up, up, up.
Yes, as long as there’s no Calone in it, I’m usually ok. I agree on the mossy or earthy facet to add some depth. Unfortunately everything is going up in price.
Ha! So many aquatic puns! Ditto on feelings about the aquatic genre, but good to hear that this stands out. Great photo of the bird mid-drink!
Thanks very much, Nose Prose. Yes, this is a rare decent one for the genre.
All your pics create an ambience I’d love to experience, dear Daniel. Beautifully written too.
Thanks very much, Rich. Hopefully you get to experience the scent sometime.