Oiro

The opening of Mona di Orio Oiro very much reminds me of her Nuit Noire. They're both quite heavy-handed with indole and animalic muskiness to bring out the carnal sensuality of white florals. The indole here doesn't have much camphor/mothball nuance, instead, it's full on with the decaying flesh aspect. In Oiro, the sweet, occasionally smoky jasmine is drenched in this animalic, decay-like indole and musks, but it's not as much as a "punch in the face" like Nuit Noire, and somehow feels more exuberant than the brooding animalic darkness of Nuit Noire. Oiro remains this carnal yet sophisticated jasmine during the first 3 hours, while the animalic aspect gradually softens into the background. The jasmine is now comforted by the rounded, suave embrace of sweet pea and heliotrope, without much of the later's powdery, almond-y nuance. Smooth, discreet sensual amber bring a warm glow upon jasmine, while something green, dirt-like (vetiver?) stirring from underneath, like the inevitable shadow whereas there's light. This elegant, opulent dry down then lasts another 6 hours, making the longevity around 9 hours in total, and the sillage of Oiro is moderate to soft. Golden glow and looming shadow, skanky decay and comforting, velvety warmth, Oiro makes seamless transitions between these contrasts with its generous, rich materials. Although I suspect the indolic, animalic opening might be a difficult introduction, the refined, sensual dry down and the whole journey of Oiro definitely worths a try. If only it could be brought back...

Oiro by Mona di Orio left me breathless. I absolutely did get the falling in love feeling. "Oiro" means "gold" in Portugese and this perfume supposedly named by the fact that jasmine absolute is worth several times its own weight in gold, since there is a generous addition of sensual and luxuriant jasmine in this perfume. It opens up with heady flower notes followed by the burst of sunny mandarin. A tangy ginger note and the velvety spiciness of cardamom soften the sweet floral accord before green yet animalistic jasmine reveals itself. While jasmine intensifies, savory immortal and dry cedarwood swirl out. The citrus notes are present all over the composition in the background keeping the heady flowers not beeing too overwhelming. The drydown of Oiro is slightly powdery with a lot of sweetness. The entire composition is so exquisite, magnificent, I'm looking forward to get acquainted with the other pieces of Mona di Orio's perfume collection. (Mona di Orio've been taught by Roudnitska) My only complaint about Oiro is the price-tag... :(

(edit) AFter three wearings I need to edit my original review. Some internet reviews complain that is too heavy in the jasmine dept, and I can see why they would say that. As an oriental woody I would expect it to sit farther down in the 'earthy' notes, and not get stuck on the floral sweet spot. I do like this scent, however. There are many notes here that I love, and the quality is up there. Overall, a good, well rounded fragrance that probably could use more of a woody anchoring. Now why is this a hard sell in America, and why did all retailers pull it??? I LOVE old school classics, as mentioned above, and this can rub shoulders with the best of them. this scent is a stunner, but I am stressed at the difficulty at finding a place to buy it....

This is Oiro, but actually it's Di Orio because this is her. I can't even wear it without crying.

This scent is first as a slap in the face - overwhelming jasmine and armpit/hourse-stable! Not my kind of melody, I thought.. but wait about one hour and it ́s starting to transform..Now a warm, old-fashioned kind of fragrance starting to take form, I ́m thinking of a lady from the 1920 during those happy years, she is sitting in front of her makeup-mirror, she is holding her powder with one hand, holding a cigarett in a long "cigarette-holder" in her other, a little bit nonchalant.. She is dressed in lilac and grey with a short "bob" and smokey eyes.. She ́s looking beautiful and a bit decadent, just as this perfume. The animalic tone is now in the background, and just makes the flowers and jasmine stand out more beautiful. This scent is very far away from a fresh and romantic jasmine-scent, is more of a really sexy, mature or oldfashioned womans jasmine.. Demanding but rewarding, I now love it, but I just have to wait for the right time to wear it. Less is more, but WOW, wait for "more"!