* Large cloud of airy violet – slightly sweet, but not candied.
* When I say cloud, I mean it’s airy and voluminous – like you walked into a hazy space and you feel the violet all around you.
* Actually, fumée means smoke in French – so the smoke / cloud effect makes sense.
* After the first hour, the cloud begins to get closer and a little more dense.
* It gets a little more masculine, with lavender and sage cutting the sweetness a bit. Violet is still the focus – these are just there for support.
* The scent also reacts differently on my skin. Sometimes I get a musky floral after the lavender, while at other times there is a dry rose.
* In the deep dry-down, the violet is still the star with some resins grounding it.
Summary: Mona Di Orio is a line that I have been meaning to explore for a while. Many fragrance friends of mine are diehard fans, and even though I have a sample kit, I haven’t dove in. A trip to a Louisville perfumery netted me this sample of Violet Fumee, and I can see why people love the line. This is not a feminine, candy sweet violet bomb. Neither is it a classic masculine violet lavender. The feeling is defiantly unisex, mixing both sides together for a composition that can develop on your skin in a few different ways. After the first hour, this would be a great office scent because while it’s long-lasting, it’s not so strong as to overpower those around you, yet you will definitely smell it on yourself for at least 8 hours. The price is on the high side, so definitely test it a few times before you take the plunge. And yes, this has inspired me to dive into my sample box.
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Mona Di Orio fragrances are available from Lady Ruth Perfumes, LuckyScent and MIN New York.
Disclaimer: Sample provided by Lady Ruth Perfumes. Picture courtesy of LuckyScent.