Today I’m reviewing Caron Bellodgia, a discontinued fragrant gem I stumbled upon by chance while it was still available in select stores.
I first tried it a few years ago at Marie Antoinette, perfumery, luxury bath and body store, and spa in Fort Worth, Texas. The kind shop assistant mentioned that several Caron creations were being discontinued, so I sniffed a few and immediately fell for Bellodgia and its timeless, unique spicy floral charm.
The lovely scent accompanied me and my friend for the entire afternoon and evening, as we sipped tea and coffee, and later watched a play at the theater.
Inspired by the Italian town of Bellagio on Lake Como in Italy, Bellodgia was originally created in 1927 by perfumer Ernest Daltroff for Caron. It’s centered on a lively, sensual carnation note surrounded by vintage, powdery nuances.
The fragrance’s opening is slightly fizzy with citruses and spices, although I don’t clearly detect nutmeg. Peppery, clove-like carnations soon reveal themselves with a touch of delicate rose.
I picture the carnations’ corollas with their fleshy petals in all of their pink brilliance; their heady aroma nicely blends with the sweeter scent of violets, jasmines, and lily-of-the-valley flowers, giving way to a soft, warm base with hints of vanilla and musk.
Oakmoss and vetiver add airy, earthy touches.
I find Bellodgia to be complex and intriguing and not simply a carnation soliflore.
This version has an overall green, dewy, soapy quality I’ve read is typical of the Eau de Toilette formulation. To my nose, the Eau de Parfum version is a little darker and dustier, and also sweeter.
If you’ve come across pictures of vintage Bellodgia, you probably saw the Extrait de Parfum version in a stunning Baccarat crystal flacon. Others have described this formulation as richer and rounder, but I haven’t had the opportunity to try it yet.
Bellodgia’s notes are listed as they appear on Basenotes (original from 1927):
Top: bergamot, lemon, nutmeg, pimento, carnation, rose.
Heart: jasmine, violet, lily-of-the-valley, ylang ylang, orris.
Base: vetiver, patchouli, benzoin, oakmoss, musk.
Bellodgia appears to have been reformulated in 1996 and 2011, but has since then been discontinued.
I reviewed the fragrance from my own 100 ml Eau de Toilette bottle (a version from 2012 – see first picture) and from an Eau de Parfum sample.
Photo by Sarah.
