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Guerlain Anisia Bella fragrance

Anisia Bella was launched in 2004 as part of Guerlain’s Aqua Allegoria range of fragrances. It was created by perfumer Aurelien Guichard, and has notes of aniseed, orange, bergamot, basil, star anise, violet, jasmine, liquorice wood, and cedar.

I love anise-based perfumes, and Anisia Bella is one of my favorites for warmer days when Serge Lutens Douce Amere or Caron Aimez Moi are too heavy. Anisia Bella opens with lightly sugared citrus; the anise is pronounced from the start and stays central through the dry down. There is a minty-peppery undertone from the basil and a bit of sweet violet drifts in and out, but for the most part it is all about the anise. The base is musky and woody, with a fair amount of cedar…

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Etro Shaal Nur perfume

The Italian design house Etro released Shaal Nur in 1997. It is said to be named after an Indian princess, and there is also an Etro scarf design by the same name. The fragrance has notes of citrus, rose, narcissus, karo karoundé, jonquil, incense, vanilla, and spices.

Shaal Nur starts with a burst of bright lemon and dry incense. The floral notes, with the rose most prominent, come on shortly thereafter but remain in the background; the incense is the star of the show here. It is lightly spicy, and said to have both coriander and rosemary. The vanilla is very muted but does provide a touch of sweetness to counterbalance the otherwise dusty incense and spice notes…

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Now Smell This

a blog about perfume

Perfume review: Guerlain Anisia Bella, with an aside on Etro Anice

Etro Shaal Nur fragrance review