La Danza delle Libellule
Nobile 1942 (2012)

Crisp red apple whisked into the fluffiest of white musks. I can see why people love this. It renders apple pie in an admirably light, fresh form. My only problems with this are two. First, the apple note never smells less than a synthetic recreation of apple, in the same way that apple-scented shampoo or body lotion does. The accord is undeniably pleasant but you are never less than aware that this is not a smell derived from nature. And this awareness is what breaks the fourth wall.

Second, I am of the opinion that if you are going to render apple pie in perfume form, then at least some of that vanilla and cinnamon had better show their face. Here, though I do understand the brief was for the perfume to be as airy as a dance of butterflies, it is the foamy ocean of white musk molecules that dominates, making it feel a little like that first chug from a glass of water into which you’ve just dropped an Alka-Seltzer tablet, i.e., somehow both powdery and wet. Again, it is pleasant and eminently wearable, but there are no real points of interest. Possibly the worst thing one can say about a perfume is that it is not memorable, and La Danza delle Libellule just hits that line for me.

This insult to femininity, frivolity, and Franz Lehar smells like a five-year-old girl’s strawberry and banana scented bubble bath. Easily one of the ten worst fragrances I have ever smelled. If scrubbing hadn't removed this embarrassment in a bottle, I’d have cut both my arms off at the point of application.

I always smell a perfume "blind" in that I don't read the listed notes first, but go with what my nose tells me. What my nose gets is the biggest blast of Pineapple/Vanilla custard cake, right out of the oven. Just beyond belief! If you can't get the attention of others while wearing this, there's not much hope for you.

If you're after a creamy, candied vanilla that will hang like the fluffiest of clouds around you, then you should be looking here. It doesn't harm things at all that there's a spot-on recreation of a crisp red apple at the start riding on this musked up vanilla. Later on that fruitiness takes on a touch of pears as well. Comforting and not too heavy on the calories, La Danza della Libellule is indulgent without the associated guilt – it's too bright and optimistic for that. Uncomplicated fairy tale fun for my inner child.

Sweet delights! Bergamot and crisp, autumn apple right from the start. Tart accord moves in, from the bergamot. Cinnamon and vanilla notes follow. These notes begin to resemble a white flower, to me. The cedar rising, may be the culprit, the mystery, creating this floral accord. The apple and vanilla remain strong. A hint of coconut gives this an almost Yankee Candle vibe. Cedar & bergamot remain, close to the skin. This is just a happy fragrance. Nothing notably bad I can say about it.

Cotton candy with green and citrus undertone, mouth-watering, becomes herbaceous/spicey. Final warmth of cinnamon--feminine and delicious.