Libertine Neroli

Spritzed out there in the air, that fragrance is still only abstractly connected to what it's going to smell like, in actuality, once it's on your skin Libertine Neroli I blind-bought Libertine Neroli for a number of reasons, none of which excuse blind-buying. I don't know Francesca, but, for whatever reason, based on the numerous descriptions & interviews of/with her, I found myself wanting to know her better, feeling as though something about her knows the something about me that so many others don't. I'm a creature of habit, thus, when my fragrance purchases arrive, I do the macerating thing -- spritz 6-10 squirts, then, put it away for (theoretically) a month. Most of them, I can survive the month, letting it sit, without the anticipation being too overwhelming. But, truthfully, this one is SO different from any of the other scents I possess, that I really couldn't stop contemplating how I was going to wear it, what circumstances would even be the time/place for Libertine Neroli. Sometimes, I think too much, probably. Anyway, mine arrived on Thursday, 02-13-25. I made it through the weekend, before I was stuck home yesterday, Monday, 02-17, due to bad weather, and, I finally decided to just try it on for size, wear it around the house, by myself, see how it hit me, and then, maybe, I'd have a better idea of where it was gonna fit in for me, when I get ready to wear it out. I am SO happy to come away from yesterday's experience feeling like I'm probably going to, at some point, have to be purchasing another 30ml of Libertine Neroli, because, once I had applied 3 spritzes (each shoulder, back of the neck), and, had gone about doing some things around the house, I began to catch plenty of whiffs of what I was wearing, and, I smelled good. I smelled distinctive. No one else, most likely, is gonna be wearing a neroli like MY neroli, whenever I do elect to wear it out...unless, they know about Francesca Bianchi, too! 🤎 And, weird thing, too -- I stepped outside, for a little bit, and, had to put a coat on. The coat I put on, I had worn before, when I had on either Khamrah, Khamrah Qawa, or, Turathi Brown...the lingering scent was lovely. But, as I was wearing it, the scent of the Libertine Neroli was intermingling with whichever was already in the coat, and, let me tell you, I don't know jack-schitt about layering, but, THOSE TWO, whichever they were, made for a FANTASTIC, such a natural-fitting pair. Odds are, I'm gonna be trying to intentionally recreate that pairing, once the macerating's done, the weather warms up, etc. I'm satisfied enough, that I've already placed a purchase of Etruscan Water, with every intention of trying out at least one more of Francesca's FREEFALL line.

First impressions from 2ml sample. It's a very strong like. However even though I put on a hyaluronic acid prep and then some fractionated coconut oil (my skin is a scent eater) on the top of my hand before application and despite spraying x 2, it's not as strong as I would wish. Certainly nothing like The Black Night which is a LOVE. 🥰. I'm realising what is often said of Bianchi in reviews here that many of her scents are variations on a theme. I can't say that's off putting as even though the bass track may be somewhat similar in them it's just a background to some degree to show the higher notes off. I don't know enough about scent elements at this stage to be able to go oh there is the neroli, there is the galbanum etc. That's to come with time I imagine if I continue this rather expensive hobby/passion/education. However this is a very beautiful fragrance, luxurious, rich, subtle, entrancing. If only it worked a bit better on my skin as many others say it is a strong fragrance on them. Take 2: I think I was a bit unfair with this in giving an overall impression with a double spray on the back of one hand. I went through the day like that and it's dry down is extended and interesting. Thing is it's got a different sort of projection to Black Knight I think, it's softer, more diffuse and more enveloping, sort of like lying on a very soft mattress. I think with multiple pulse points this could become a love.

Possibly a new contender for the number 1 perfume from Francesca out of the 7 I've tried, and a hit in my personal top fragrances. I really didn't expect this. I’ve always stayed away from the neroli note because I don’t like citruses, but having decided to continue trying the brand's fragrances and having heard many rave reviews from bloggers, I chose Libertine Neroli for testing. Skin test: the first hour is something else. Eroticism, passion, carnal. It has both passion and languor at the same time. I imagine a couple on a sunny beach making love. Hot, sunny, honeyed, intoxicating. After an hour this passes and oakmoss joins in, making it more elegant, as if that woman who was on the beach came to her senses after the obsession, dressed in something more formal and went for a walk. Something orange-like makes this fragrance very positive. And so this lady walks through sunny Italy, but it's as if her body still keeps the scent after sex on the beach. Unfortunately, I didn't have a proper chance to feel the fragrance outdoors: freezing temperatures and almost total absence of wind. Musical association: Bebe - Siempre Me Quedara. Very cool perfume. Very delicious, you want to catch its scent, breathe it in, alluring. Liked it much more than Etruscan Water (also a chypre). In second place of what I've managed to try from Francesca is Lost in Heaven, in third is The Lover's Tale.

Libertine Neroli by Francesca Bianchi stands out as a refreshing departure from her typically dark and sensual style. While most of her creations lean into brooding, intimate/sensual territory, this one is surprisingly bright, green, and uplifting. It’s structured like a chypre, with that familiar mossy backbone, but it opens with a vibrant burst of citrus—bergamot and neroli shining front and center. The neroli brings a slightly sweet, floral sharpness that’s beautifully softened by Francesca’s signature iris—powdery and elegant—while a touch of geranium adds brightness and balance. As it develops, the citrusy sparkle fades a bit, and the deeper elements start to emerge. Earthy oakmoss and soft leather slowly creep in, adding complexity and giving the scent a subtle, grounded edge without losing its citrusy character. Libertine Neroli is very wearable, with a smooth unisex appeal that makes it an easy pick for daily use. It’s still unmistakably Francesca Bianchi, but in a "lighter", more accessible form. The performance is solid—lasting well and projecting without overwhelming. If you’ve been curious about her work but hesitant about the heavier scents, this is a great entry point. It’s refined, cheerful and sophisticated.

I find Francesca Bianchi to be someone who likes to set their signature firmly and recognisably onto anything that they do. Whether that is good or bad is up to the audience, of course. I don’t see anything wrong in it. Libertine Neroli is approximately as close to your average summer neroli cologne as Chanel No 5 is to CK One. Lots of labdanum and oak moss leaves little doubt around the connection to the chypre style of yore, and the spicy-animalic base is obviously catering to people who are not afraid of standing out. Very similar to Etruscan Water in the base. Top florals are a different story, however, making the resemblance to classic femme fatale perfumes uncanny. For a couple, make sure you get both. However, younger males might fall more easily for Libertine Neroli on themselves than my generation does, which is probably because my granny used to wear exactly this profile. For divas of the stage or screen, or younger people looking for a scentscape to accompany an evening of Truffaut or Rohmer films. You will smell like the opening night reception of the cast and crew.

I’ve been keen to get my hands on Libertine Neroli for a while now, and it has definitely met my expectations. Neroli is not a favourite note of mine, I’ve often found I struggle to find one I enjoy, but this is easily one of my favourites - likely due to the pronounced chypre style it adopts, which speaks to my heart. The neroli is light and airy, gently cleansing the air around you like the finest French soaps, but it is grounded heavily by a dense overdose of oakmoss and leather. The petitgrain and bergamot balance this dichotomy between light and dark, giving the scent a much needed freshness. It’s the oakmoss which draws me in further, tending my love for the scent. This scent epitomises what I love about Francesca’s work, that is perfume which is heavily inspired by classical French perfumery. This scent has a strong association with old white floral chypres, yet retains a dense powdery facet, characteristic of her creations.

What a lovely fragrance! Like sunbeams at dawn, Where novels bloom and thoughts are drawn, A girl walks forth,not bold, not tame, With neroli soft upon her skin like flame. No Gothic shadow mars her day, Yet mischief flickers in the way she sways: A citrus glow on wrist and throat, Like secrets pressed in leather-bound notes. *Libertine Neroli*so clean, so near Whispers of truth without a fear. Not quite innocence... but something more: The hush before the heart knocks at the door. Beautiful-Elegant-Fresh-Poetic-Vintage-Sophisticated For me, it’s have Jane Austen stories feel. Someone like Catherine Morland. And of course true to its inspiration, Roman Holiday and La Dolce Vita comes to mind. I can't say how much i love it. You should look in to my eyes to know it for yourself. Performance is excellent. 10/10

I loved this at first sniff, but that's no surprise: this brand-new offering is in the style of an old-fashioned floral leather chypre, which is just about my favorite of all hyperspecific fragrance subgenres. The heavy oakmoss and labdanum are very present, making this seem like a pre-IFRA fragrance, and making the whole thing buttery soft: this is less heavy on the neroli than I would have thought (which is probably a good thing for me, because I often find it such a dry note), but it's heavier on other florals such as geranium, and the bergamot makes it fairly juicy. A perfect summertime scent if you like floral leather chypres, but have believed before that they were only for cool months.

My first full Francesca Bianchi bottle - blind buy because of the beautiful reviews - I have worn it couple of times now and my first impressions are of a vintage perfume made in modern way. Yes, this smells vintage, because of the oak moss and labdanum. The neroli is there, but it is burnt, syrupy kind of neroli. Sprayed on the chest under a short sleeved shirt with flower prints, brown sunglasses on and out in the sun this smells great.. something to stand out with in a world dominated by Sauvage and tons of identical Paco Rabannes, JPG, etc etc. I will visit a shop here in Copenhagen, that has FB and test many more from the house. Longevity on clothes is eternal!

I was testing my Francesca Bianchi perfumes again and here is a more defined review. The opening of this fragrance is citrus, aromatic, and fresh. Like a men’s chypre fragrance, like a grown and mature version of a baby’s cologne. Love the opening really fresh and revitalizing. Second stage of this fragrance is the Neroli note with a sweet and candy like aroma, somehow floral without being too noticeable. As this is a fresh perfume the dry-down is really comfortable, the leather is gentle and don’t be afraid of the animalic note is not powerful and less noticeable. This is the most wearable and likeable fragrance from Francesca Bianchi. A save blind buy I’d say.

I really did not know what to expect from this labdanum-neroli combination so I was really excited. I had a hard time understanding the fragrance. Very sunny and bright this one. It's fresh, sweet, chypre-green perfect for warmth and interesting enough. After a few wears, and coincidentally, after wearing L'Heure Bleue Extrait, it dawned on me: both L'Heure Bleue and Libertine Neroli have the same type of orange blossom. It's like they are mirror images of each other. I would call Libertine Neroli L'Heure d'Après-Midi (lol) and I don't think I would be wrong.

A sexy, unisex citrus centered fragrance. The bergamot and petit grain are very evident. It has great depth for a citrus centered fragrance. Rich resins and leather. I start to detect the cool powdery iris and the sparkle of geranium in the mix. Francescas scents have such wonderful depth and richness. First and foremost it is a Neroli scent and amazingly long lasting which makes it quite a find. I'd love to wear this out on a summers evening to a casual family gathering. A smart yet casual linen outfit. Very nice

I normally don’t have a strong reaction to neroli, but good lord, I loooove this one. Bold in personality with countless rich nuances and facets that support a saturated, unbridled neroli heart. It is something truly special, and features that earnest sensuality that Francesca Bianchi's fragrances are known for. The performance is excellent and I never become noseblind to it, making wearing it an experience I really look forward to. Libertine Neroli easily holds the crown for my favorite neroli scent of all time.

I’m in love with Francesca Bianchi and her approach to the creation of her perfumes. This is a particular fragrance that is not for everyone, to my is a rich heavy sweat bubblegum scent, you smell the flower, the amber, the citrus pop that has a “je ne sais quoi” in love with this perfume, an unusual Chypre fragrance for the chill days of summer when you want to smell rich, different, sensual fresh. An all year round scent, in my top for life fragrances!!!

I would have named this ‘Eternal Neroli’ because it truly lasts forever. I pulled a shirt out of the closet and immediately caught strong whiffs of it, even though I had applied it to the shirt two days ago. I had even layered another fragrance on the shirt, but Libertine Neroli still managed to overpower it within just a few hours. as for the scent It’s so unique, elegant, smooth, and so, so delicate. couldn't be happier with this purchase.

this thing is just so beautiful. the animalics are so well balanced with the fresher notes, making it truly wearable in the heat. there is no sweetness at all, the orange blossom is waxy, in a good way as white flowers should be. this is one of the more overlooked fb, but i will tell you its one of the fastest fb that made me go “yup, thats the one. can i have a bottle please?” lol. try it for yourself you might be pleasantly surprised!

I don’t know why perfumes trigger sexual responses, but this one does it for me. That iris. With just enough floral and astringency from petitgrain/neroli to come off like a leathery chypre with a straight backbone and clenched jaw. Unisex, but great for me (man). Just as welcome on a woman with leather. By the way, I also absolutely love Etruscan Water, which is a world class leathery chypre. Thank you, Madame Bianchi.

beautiful green opening full of orange, spice, citrus, damp leaves, moss, and what feels like pine. smells like an orange grove in a gentle yet sunny rain, surrounded by an an old stone wall, mossy crumbling. sunlight shines through a thick tree canopy and warms the ground. its elegant, its light, and uplifting, and evolves in to a mellow yet gorgeous spicy woody floral citrus.

Testing my sample; this is fully bloomed neroli that leans syrupy, coupled a rich, almost inky oakmoss coupled with leather, which smells a bit like upholstery. The 'animalic' in this leans like warm skin, feels heated. This would work all year long save the dead of summer. Beams up from the skin, projects immensely like most of her fragrances do. Definitely worth sampling.

A bit more feminine than the masculine-leaning Etruscan Water. It gave me a Lush-like scent at first, like a rich citrusy body cream. Both fragrances have a vintage feel to it, obviously being chypres (which I personally adore). It's mature without losing it's freshness, heavy just enough to get you noticed, complex but playful enough. Wonderful!