Perfume Review: Dianthus by Etro
February 16th, 2007
Dianthus is the newest addition to the Etro fragrance line. I love Etro fashion, with a particular weakness for their paisley scarves. Alas, I can’t say the same for their fragrances. With the exception of Messe de Minuit and perhaps Shaal Nur, I find most of them a little on the insipid side. The news of Dianthus gave me some hope as it’s a carnation based scent, and I simply adore carnation in perfume. Carnation works best in floral oriental compositions such as my favorite Metalys by Guerlain, Opium by Yves Saint Laurent, Poivre by Caron. When done as a soliflore, it is much less appealing, with the exception of Oeillet Sauvage by L’Artisan Parfumeur. I mistakenly assumed Dianthus would be fall into the latter category but a simple carnation scent it is not.
Dianthus opens up with a gentle blend of carnation and rose that’s almost immediately spiced up by red pepper giving the composition a fiery feel. Red pepper seems to be the second leading note. Its interplay with carnation is accentuated by dusty cedar in the drydown. What I like about Dianthus is its dual nature: it’s bright and moderately dark simultaneously. The scent is well-blended and has a certain appeal. Sadly, I find it a little flat, with not much development or sillage. However, it is a nice scent, and a must try for carnation lovers. Dianthus features the notes of carnation, rose, red pepper, orange, cedarwood, musk.
Dianthus can be purchased at Aedes.
Image source: cosmoty.de
Entry Filed under: New Perfumes, Perfume Reviews
10 Comments Add your own
1. newproducts | February 16th, 2007 at 7:50 am
It sounds like a pretty scent but not voluptuous the way Opium or Metallys are. I think I will pass on this one. Thank you for the review, Ina.
2. Marina | February 16th, 2007 at 8:03 am
Love your review, as always, but I don’t think I could be any less excited about a scent
I agree that Etro scents, although well done, are a little…I don’t know, dare I say, boring? With the very notable exception of Messe de Minuit, and as you said, *maybe* Shaal Nur.
3. Judith | February 16th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
I have several Etro skirts that I love–and I completely agree with your review: a pleasant scent, likable, but nothing more.
4. Elle | February 16th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
I’m jealous. The red pepper refused to make a show on my skin. On me this scent went incredibly flat and even a bit soapy. I’m w/ you - love Etro fashion, but, for the most part, am less than impressed w/ the scents.
5. Cait | February 16th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
I’m jealous of Etro scarves and skirts. I just thought I’d chime in to gush that this trip to Paris I discovered that I ADORE Metalys. My other carnation loves are Villoresi Garofano, Sous le Vent and Bellodgia.
6. Ina | February 16th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Minsun, my pleasure! It’s not voluptuous, no. More sheer, I guess.
7. Ina | February 16th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Marina, I totally agree with you!
8. Ina | February 16th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Judith, skirts? *faints* I’m yet to own their piece of clothing, just scarves for now. *swoon*
9. Ina | February 16th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Elle, no pepper? Wow. I get lots of it! And it wasn’t soapy. Huh.
10. Ina | February 16th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Cait, I can’t recall what Garofano smells like but I do like Donna by Lorenzo Villoresi. I *adore* Metalys, too!
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