Reviews of Carnation (2006)
by Mona di Orio

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...