Carnation (2006)
by Mona di Orio

I wish I could like Mona di Orio's Carnation, I really do. But I just don't. Carnation is an oddly depressing old fashioned smell of leather and powder, but not in a good way. Two of the three times I tried this, I got the smell that you smell when you are near the rack of rental leather shoes at a bowling alley. Not foot odor but the smell of worn leather shoes. I was mystified as to how it could be called Carnation when it bears absolutely no resemblance to that flower's spicy smell. Then I read on-line that it is called Carnation because it is meant to be reminiscent of a "bloom on a maiden's cheek". Sheesh. What will those marketers and copywriters think of next??

Here are Carnation's notes, per The Perfumed Court: top notes of bergamot, clove and geranium; middle notes of ylang ylang, violet, jasmine and precious woods; and base notes of musk, amber and styrax.

Carnation is, IMO, the best offering from the Mona di Orio line. This is a dirty and yet delicate floral that I’m sure would smell gorgeous on the right person. Unfortunately, this is one feminine scent that I can’t honestly see myself pulling off.

Don't let the name fool you. If you're looking for a typical carnation scent, all spices, Dianthus, and eugenol (clove oil), you've come to the wrong place. Yes, there's Dianthus (giroflee) in this fragrance, but it performs behind a veil of powdery musk, aldehydes, sweet amber, and white flowers - especially a soft, yet sultry jasmine. A creamy sandalwood serves as backdrop for the floral bouquet.

The overal impression is rich and "perfumey" in the manner of the grand old Guerlain scents, which could well have been Carnation's inspiration. It's lush and decadent, but still very dignified and proper, with its powdery base and soft aldehydes. I can give Carnation no better compliment than to say it smells as if it had been made nearly a century ago. Women (or very adventurous men) who enjoy the classic Caron and Guerlain scents may take very happily to this recent fragrance.

Carnation (which is dedicated to Colette) is gorgeous! The first impression is very animalic, I suppose it's those ylang ylang and jasmin notes - PHWOARGH! It gets a bit more tame then but that dirty jasmin note stays and gets support from amber & musk. This is definitely the sexiest one of the three Mona di Orio scents. Could be tempted...