Bvlgari Mon Jasmin Noir

If you have read any of my previous blogs where perfume is involved, you'll know that I have an obsession with jasmine. And you would have thought that as a scent that's used fairly often in fragrances it would be easy to find that perfect pure and unadulterated jasmine perfume. Well, that is NOT the case. This means that I have literally been sniffing around too many perfume counters and bottles to count, on my quest for the lovely essence of this precious little white flower.

One of the scents I've come across during my search is Bvlgari's Jasmin Noir EdP. Bvlgari is perhaps best known for their sumptuous jewellery and luxury watches, but they have also released quite a few fragrances both for men and women. As a perfumier Bvlgari project that same aspiration of prestige, refinement and elegance into its scents. Truth be told I had tested many Bvlgari scents before I ended up buying this one, but had always found them too heavy and excessive, but since is supposed to be a lighter version of Jasmin Noir, I thought I would throw caution to the wind and get my first Bvlgari scent.

Like most of the other Bvlgari fragrances it's a very sophisticated scent that oozes elegance and when you read about it, it says that it's crisp and refreshing. It contains two different types of jasmine which makes it very warm and sweet, but as if that wasn't enough of the floral notes there's also delicate lily of the valley and luscious lovely gardenia. All in all it's a very potent bouquet and you'll also find the bitter sweet slightly vanilla note of tonka bean, golden rich amber and deep animalistic musk. All in all it's a VERY rich, dominant floral mix that at least for me isn't in any way light or crisp. However I could probably still wear it and like it for very special occasions, if it wasn't for one thing.

I am a true afficionado of all things fragrance and am open to seeing the best in most scents. I'm also intrigued by a lof ot very distinct notes like petroleum, leather, tobacco etc except for one - violet. I dislike the strong scent of violet to the degree that I have forbidden Him indoors from wearing Fahrenheit, and of course as luck would have it - it happens to be His favourite scent. Oh well, I guess it's no more than fair since I'm not allowed to wear Womanity which happens to be one of my favourite scents.... Anyhoooooo - I have such a sensitive nose that I can pick up violet from a mile away, even on clothes that have been washed and unfortunately there is a note of this little purple flower in this EdP. I do admit that I noticed it straight away when I tried it on so I knew what I was getting myself into, but still I thought that the jasmine would be predominant enough for the violet to fade out. And for many people it might do exactly that, but I still notice it very strongly, which unfortunately makes it difficult for me to completely embrace this scent.

For me I still haven't found any fragrance containing jasmine, that comes even remotely close to competing with Tom Ford's Jasmin Rouge, which is the purest and most delicate essence of this amazing flower you can find - and so my pursuit of more perfect jasmin scents continue.