Dianthus

I went after Carnation scents in a big way this year. I had a tiny and very old pot of Lush Potion, which is actually one of the better carnation scents. They haven't made it in years. I already had L'air du temps and L'heure Bleue, both of which have Carnation notes, but it is less prominent. A friend pointed me towards Caron Bellodgia, which is a true Carnation and quite forward, but fairly difficult to acquire at this point and quite dear. Etro Dianthus, though still in production is very close. In fact, Dianthus is quite close to Bellodgia in a number of ways. It is very strong and almost a pure Carnation. There are spices too, cloves and cinnemon, but it is not harsh like Vitriol D'oeillet (a cologne which truly lives up to it's name) and the only Carnation I did not add to my collection, finding it too harsh and too masculine. While the Etro is strong, has great silage and longevity, I do not find it harsh, or particularly masculine. This one is more unisex. I found it to be pretty linear. I does not change a lot on dry down and at no point becomes powdery. For those distinguishing between Carnations, this one is a Sweet William (red,) which I grow and love. They got it just right. I told my husband I had found the holy grail, the last perfume I needed. What a fool thing that was to say. For others on a similar quest, the other Carnations in my collection are Bellodgia extrait (the closest to Etro,) and Piu Bellodgia (very unique, and really *not* comparable to Billet Doux, but for the carnation note,) Fragonard Billet Doux (probably my favorite of the lot, though PB is a strong contender,) Prada's Infusion D'oeillet (a trifle which lasts 2 minutes at best,) Penhaligon's LP no 9 (which I will probably be selling or swapping as it is a like, not a love for me,) Fragonard's Moment Vole (I do not know how or why the descriptions here, several of them, are so off, but it is a fairly straight-forward Carnation, one I would place just after Bellodgia and Dianthus in terms of clarity, longevity and silage. It was a blind buy and a big surprise, but a winner ;) I have only a sample vial of L'artisan perfumer Oeillet Sauvage and so do not feel I can review it fairly. Nicolai Sacre Bleu is another which I am looking to add to my collection, also a Carnation (but not as straight forward). I also have 1 from Portugal and 2 from Russia which I could not find in the database but may try to review at some point (very nice, particularly for inexpensive consumer colognes) and Lush's Potion, which has reappeared as "red slippers" and under one or two other names, usually around the holidays worthy of mention if for no other reason than that it is the only Lush bath product (bath bomb or bubble bath) which has lasted on my skin, and in fact, does so for hours! Caron's Parfum Sacre is also worthy of mention though it is by no means a straight-forward Carnation. It is a note, and a prominent one. I feel there are one or 2 which I have forgotten and will revise or add a note when I figure out what is missing {a couple of Krizias fall in this category.} Of the half dozen or so currently in my collection, Etro Dianthus really is the truest, while not being a solifleur, and IMO a must have for any carnation lover. It's a house which deserves more attention. I have since picked up samples of just about every Etro I could find and have not been disappointed yet, but Dianthus really is my holy grail in terms of Carnation scents. If you love Carnations, or Bellodgia it is one not to be missed.

This one was a total surprise. I expected a carnation-based EdT to be so-so at best, but instead I have fallen in love at first sniff. I generally don’t like floral scents, but this one is more of a spicy oriental than a straight-up floral. However, it also contains some fresh flower-like notes that really round out the composition, making it lovely and natural. Dianthus starts out with the promised carnation along with a spicy blend of nutmeg, clove, ginger, and vanilla. The spicy-floral blend is accompanied by fresh greenish notes that make the composition seem like a live flower. On the other hand, it could even be a luscious dessert. It’s also a little like the bouquet of a Muscat wine without the acidic notes and alcohol. For an EdT, the scent is surprisingly emphatic, but never too much of a good thing. In fact, I could actually imagine spraying it on with abandon. I love it when a fragrance surprises me, proving once again that you never know until you test a scent - any scent - whether it will evoke love, hate, or indifference. I’m pretty sure that my sample of Dianthus will become a staple floral in my rotation.

First off a huge thanks to all perfume reviewers worldwide on the interwebz. Because of you I found this fragrance. I love love love love carnations. While roses may be my signature, carnations are my idol. They are simultaneously sweet and creamy and demure and bold and if you use your imagination spicy. For years I caught an elusive note in L'Air du Temps and sprayed it furiously trying to bring forth the magic, but it was fleeting. I wanted THAT, and more of THAT, but it always disappeared. Then I opened this. THERE IT IS!!!! Woweeeee!!! JOY JOY JOY. THIS IS IT. So friends I'm really close to making this my profile perfume. THE ONE. But before I take this scent's hand in marriage, I am going to test Ouillet Sauvage and Billet Doux. Yes I have Intuition and Belladogia but that whopping note of JOY from L'Air du Temps is here. Most excellent.

This review is for what I belive is the vintage juice - the packaging is green and cream, rather than the more recent white, black and violet. The carnation in this is the most realistic and pure I have experienced in a fragrance. It's just lovely. Initially there is certainly a warm effect from the geranium and cloves, but as those notes fade out a clear and true carnation emerges and lasts for several hours. Rose and musk are muted background notes. I'm a new convert to carnation as a note - I recently learned to love L'Air du Temps for example - and the Etro fragrance here is an essential for any carnation lover, in my view. Sillage is moderate but longevity is good. Absolutely beautiful.

This smells like the colour of "Baby Pink! "Its a nostalic scent for me, its very 50s style kitten-esque vibe, like wearing it with a baby pink angora cardigan! Its a sweet darling of a perfume, musk lollies, pink carnations and a touch of powder roses.