On paper, Carthuisa's latest trio, paying homage to three plants that form a vital part of the Mediterranean landscape, seemed a winner. But you don't play the game on paper; you play it on skin. And on skin Mirto, Basilico, and Ginestra didn't come to play. Antoine Lie and Luca Maffei combined to bring the … Continue reading Carthusia – Intenso Collection – Basilico, Ginestra and Mirto
Tag: Italian Perfumery
Santa Maria Novella – Acqua – On Fragrant Pond
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 … Continue reading Santa Maria Novella – Acqua – On Fragrant Pond
Dolce & Gabbana – Devotion Pour Homme – Aromatic Coffee
When life gives you lemons, Dolce & Gabbana (D&G) and Olivier Cresp make perfume. Well, something like that. They've certainly utilised a lot of lemons in the perfumes I'm going to discuss today. I wanted to focus on Devotion Pour Homme (DPH), Dolce and Gabbana's new masculine fragrance. However, I'll briefly touch on the 2023 … Continue reading Dolce & Gabbana – Devotion Pour Homme – Aromatic Coffee
Santa Maria Novella – I Giardini Medicei – Quercia
My forays into Santa Maria Novella's I Giardini Medicei collection have mainly been successful. So far, I've tried and enjoyed four fragrances from the collection. All four fragrances smell cheerful and happy, radiating a pleasant, sunny disposition. Even the iris (L'Iris) defies preconceived notions one might have of an iris fragrance. There's no sense of … Continue reading Santa Maria Novella – I Giardini Medicei – Quercia
Reviews – Acca Kappa – Muschio Bianco EDP
Acca Kappa - Muschio Bianco - Gin and Tonic Musk - 7.5/10. Founded in northern Italy (Treviso) in 1869, Acca Kappa is a brand that initially specialised in making hair brushes. Their founder Hermann Krüll plied his trade as a bristles merchant in Venice before moving into a brushmaking working partnership in Treviso. The company … Continue reading Reviews – Acca Kappa – Muschio Bianco EDP
First Impressions – Masque Milano – Sleight of Fern
I've got a lot of time for the Italian brand, Masque Milano. Their scents are always well thought out and executed. I like most of their perfumes, some more than others. My favourite is the animalic tobacco of Montecristo. Montecristo forms one scent of sixteen from the brand's "Opera" series. Up until recently, the collection … Continue reading First Impressions – Masque Milano – Sleight of Fern
Masque Milano Fragrance Launch Lost Alice
Lost Alice bottle I was fortunate enough to be invited to Masque Milano's latest fragrance launch, held on Saturday, 3 April. Early Sunday morning if you factor in the time difference with Australia. As is the norm these days with many things, we did it virtually. Along with 100 other perfumistas, I joined Masque Milano … Continue reading Masque Milano Fragrance Launch Lost Alice
Mini Reviews – Xerjoff
Here are some bite-sized mini-reviews of a selection of scents from the Italian niche house, Xerjoff. Xerjoff Uden - Hello Chanel, is that you? 5/10 Xerjoff Uden released in 2009, about a year after Chanel Allure Homme Edition Blanche. The similarities are uncanny, vibrant citruses over a creamy, vanilla gourmand base. There is rum in … Continue reading Mini Reviews – Xerjoff
