Gardenia

Gardenia (Vintage Splash Bottle with Gold Foil Label, USD 90 for approx. 90 ml.) In my wildest dream to obtain original bottle of Santa Maria Novella “Gardenia” This might not be a righteous interpretation of Gardenia in perfumery. But it is one that I really enjoy. The Gardenia in perfumery. Mostly use Jasmin Sambac material to along with creamy lactone note. As it creep in time, the fruity nuance was add along with other flower to make it lustrous. The other way of Gardenia, is a Green Gardenia. With Waxy note, it can also creep in Lily of the valley interpretation. ==== Gardenia of Santa Maria Novella have certain tone which I call Vegetal. It assist the gardenia to feel complete. This use a combination of Tuberose Absolute along with Jasmin. I found this interpretation transit further to “Nuit de Bergalite” recent release by Naomi Goodsir. Soft powdery note with Vegetal note that I find this rightfully beautiful when wear. It wear really natural and balance. Nothing really take the stage. I finally obtain.. Gardenia. Wow. Only my quest for Garofano and Ottone remains.

A rich green musky floral scent... Its definitely more complex than just gardenia. It’s quite strong and spicy in the beginning, quite sharp and cologne-y. There’s definitely this wet concrete note. Is this incense, aldehyde or olibanum? There’s the Santa Maria Novella’s soapy musk DNA that gives it a clean vibe. At some point, it has a slight sweet urine smell from the floral indolics. I think you’d enjoy it if you are generally a fan of white florals with a spicy green soapy kick.

The other notes in addition to Gardenia made me worry I wouldn't like this but I'm glad I took a chance on a sampler. This is a warm and spicy Gardenia that lingers like a freshly milled soap bath. Feels ritzy and elegant while fading out clean after half the day (which is longer than Vaniglia lasted on me- another favorite!). Not as sweet as you might expect- instead it's more like the whole gardenia bush.

not a typical gardenia but sweet and pretty in the top then greens a little as it dries, closer to the skin

SMN Gardenia is a nice fresh water that smells exactly like gardenias (at least in my sample). It is a tad sweeter than, say, YR Pur Désir de Gardénia this one often referred as smelling like "the real flower"; the Yves Rocher is greener and even more fresher. SNM Gardenia is very light, with a tad of Jasmine inside, and the drydown is powdery and close to skin. All in all, a lovely fragrance. Good for spring and summer. Of course, like many SNM, it is quite fleeting and the staying power is not huge. For that reason, and the steep price, I will turn to cheaper (but equally good ) Gardenias, but nevertheless it is worth trying!