JUL ET MAD
BELLA DONNA

2017

PERFUMER
Luca Maffei

ginger
mulberry
bergamot

ylang-ylang
jasmine absolute
magnolia
orris
rose centifolia absolute

benzoin
labdanum
musk
opoponax
saffron
sandalwood

Bella Donna was just a random pick out of my sample stash, so I didn’t know what I was getting into. It was quite a pleasant surprise.

Bella Donna is a sophisticated, yet sweetened white floral for me. Not overly indolic, definitely more on the light side of white florals, but I do like the natural way the flowers come across in this fragrance. Combined with some fruitiness it makes for a happy, easy to wear white floral.

As it dries, the scent becomes increasingly dry and powdery, as well as sweeter. Soapy florals, tropical ylang-ylang and a honeyed-like sweetness, but for quite a while still kept fresh enough with the ginger & bergamot (I do not know what mulberries smell like). The whole ordeal has a green tinge.

Not a dark or heavy scent, at times even air, yet quite substantial, as white florals often are. But also not as demanding of the wearer as the heavier, indolic ones are. Instead, this is a safe, versatile, not overly exciting, but pretty fragrance. One that I enjoyed testing, but will likely not feel the need to ever revisit either.