Bellodgia Caron for women

(I have the EDT with the purple label, so a more recent formulation, I believe.)

I fell in love with Bellodgia years ago through a decanted sample which I rationed obsessively, many times only sniffing the vial as I didn't have the heart to use it up in fear of never getting another. I always seem to fall for the discontinued ones. So I couldn't believe my luck when out of the blue I bumped into a bottle for sale, and I snapped it up like I was trying to break a land-speed record.

The scent...ahh. Bellodgia has a balm-like quality that always reminds me of the scent of a very upscale body cream.
It's a clean fragrance, but not a laundry scent. It's comforting, and absolutely elegant at the same time. You wouldn't think that could work, but it does.
You don't need much more than a spray or two to scent the air around you every time you move, and people *will* notice. It's a little bit of a surprise for anyone bumping into this fragrance in the wild, it's definitely unexpected. It is gently sweet, but not a gourmand of any description. It's not a modern, deconstructed floral, but I don't find it old fashioned either. It's too classy for that kind of nonsense.

Spring, to my mind, is the perfect time to wear this.

(P.S. The longevity seems not great, so take that into account. Well, it is an EDT.

Also, even if it's on the Similar Perfumes bar, Fragonard's Billet Doux is not similar to Bellodgia to me. I like the Fragonard, another carnation fragrance, but you won't get the same scent from it.)

Bellodgia is a comforting embrace of a fragrance during uncertain times. The Parfum de Toilette I have in my possession, dating from no later than the mid 80s, opens with a bloom of violet talc, green rose, a lurking ground cover of lily of valley, but most of all, its centerpiece: the carnation. What a fabled floral accord, at once seeming clove or even nutmeg like, but then again, ethereal and floral-verdant, with soft chalk undertones.

When I put my nose close to my skin, I recall leaning in to smell Dianthus barbatus, also known as Sweet William, at the botanical garden in the spring time. That same prickly yet soft sensation, much like the frilled margins of the flowers. There is that signature Daltroff dry down as well: a plangent vanilla and sandalwood, propped by these rotund musks, emulsifying and thickening, rendering all into a softer focus in the late stages.

To appreciate Bellodgia you must: disassociate yourself from gender and scent preconceptions, notions of what is modern and what is dated, have an appreciation for cottage garden and florist shop florals and all that is powdery and Victorian. Fans of Guerlain Apres L'Ondee, Oriza L. Legrand, Grossmith, take note. It's a top three carnation for me, along with Lorenzo Villoresi Garofano and SMN Garofano.

Oh, I have so many memories connected with you, Bellodgia! My mom liked carnations, so I used to take my babysitting money and buy a bottle for her as a Mother's Day, birthday, or Christmas gift. There was only 1 department store that I knew of that sold it, so I'd go up to the counter in the cosmetics department and buy it. I remember her spraying it on in the morning, and the house would smell like it.

Fast forward to a few years ago: I remembered liking it too, so I bought a bottle of the EDT for myself on eBay. I remember the bottle looking the same as the ones I bought for her back in the 70s, so it must have been the vintage juice. It wasn't the bottle pictured above. And I loved it although it didn't last long on me.

Unfortunately, when I was mostly through the bottle, I developed a rash from it on my throat and arms. I used it up by spraying it on other parts of my body that weren't bothered by it, but I didn't buy another bottle.

It's too bad this has been discontinued. It was a wonderful carnation and rose fragrance! I'm going to try L'Air du Temps to get my carnation fix.

I am wearing a version of the edp from 25 yrs ago. Its a rich carnation and violet concoction with a whisper of clove. It has the definite Caron signature vanillic base with a touch of sandlewood. A very special fragrance to be worn whenever you are in the mood. It is season less and timeless.

As a man should I wear this ? Certainly not, would give me the feeling of being a Daughter of the American Revolution going through menopause, if you see what I mean. Nonetheless a fantastic carnation from a bygone era, full of very caron-esque old-school musks. Must have.

I blind bought an EDT after inexplicably seeing it on a local shop's shelves, despite it being long discontinued. (I think I've dated my bottle to 2013.) On first wear I was a little disappointed at the light, easy wateriness of it, when I was expecting big spicy florals and challenging cloves. But there's something about its almost mentholated greenness that keeps me coming back to it. Like opening a florist's fridge and meeting a chilly bouquet of leaves and roses. Will I keep it? I'm not sure, but it's certainly opening up in complexity the more I spend time with it. It doesn't seem to be done with me yet.

I guess I'm in the minority on the idea of this being a summer perfume. I only use the vintage extrait and spray and I find it idea for cooler weather. Florals don't always mean summer. This is an assertive fragrance and the carnation and clove cut right through the foggy cocoon we often walk around in. True, the dry down is powdery and floral but it's a long trip to Drydown Town with this beauty. Perfect for cold bright Spring days but suitable for all but the hottest weather. It always shouts, "Damnit, pay attention to me, you'll be hooked."

I’d like to contribute a more detailed review at some point in time; however, for now, I’ll just say that my vintage EDT is pretty darn fabulous. It’s in one of those old canister sprayers that have some kind of propellant in them, so I’m guessing that the perfume is being preserved by some kind of inert gas to keep it fresh. Maybe it was also carefully preserved—or accidentally forgotten. However it happened, it has held up well and aged gracefully.

Whatever the case, the Bellodgia I have leaps out of the sprayer into a virtual flower shop that leaves me holding an armful of carnations with a mossy undertone that steadily emerges until the signature Caron drydown settles in, with just a pinpoint touch of LOTV (which occasionally just slightly peeks through this otherwise sophisticated, worldly composition—adding just a touch of something girlish and playful, but also hints at vintage cosmetics like cold cream and shaving cream), along with a carpet of dusty moss, and a slightly ambery powder that exactly balances and supports the spicy carnation heart. It is quite dry for a classic feminine floral of its era, and I think men who love vintage carnations should definitely give this a whirl.

One question for anyone reading this who knows their way around vintage Caron: do you get leather from your Bellodgia? Mine has something, especially in the opening, that reminds me of some of the raunchy old leathers, sort of like Miss Dior. I don’t smell birch tar, but I do get a scent that reminds me of a lover’s skin from the night before, or maybe even something like the smell of band-aids (I know, I’m making this sound so very sexy *eye roll*), a scent that also reminds me of old leather trunks or maybe book covers or vintage leather clothing. Perhaps it’s part of the carnation materials. The opening of Bellodgia is unconventional anyway, since it circumvents the usual burst of citrussy freshness—so I guess anything is possible.

Whatever that note is, it’s quite prominent in the opening, and then it integrates with the rest of the perfume, so there’s always an earthy note along with the dusty, spicy middle and end stages. It makes the opening Does anyone else get this in their Bellodgia? Inquiring minds want to know.

It's dismaying to hear that recent iterations of Bellodgia have changed. But for those interested, a wonderful little custom perfumery in New Orleans blends a fragrance that is wonderfully similar! The shop is called Bourbon French Parfums, and the parfum is Mon Idee ("My Whim"). It's rich and decadent and similar enough to keep me happy.

Jasmines, cloves, & lily of the valley.

The above combination formed an insecticide like blend, very jasmine, and quite allot of lily of the valley, then cloves, rose, violets, and sandalwood.

This didn't do anything good for me, not really good tho.

Definitely a Summertime perfume
Very very weak for fall or Winter
oh sO sweet in the summer, so
soft, delicate, appropriate for
nighttime with pretty dresses
frilly tops with shorts or cute
skirts & sandals. Creamy,
sweet, floral, w/a touch (a
hint) of Vanilla. Delighted

sexy rich deep strong spicy clove and carnation bomb; the best carnation frag out there

Sexy spicy-carnation-vanilla-clove vintage bombshell! This will warm the room you're in with its over the top glow. It's Lana Turner and Bridgette Bardot and Ava Gardner rolled up into a fragrance that brings the vintage romance and heat. You're wearing those dangle earrings, and that wasp waist swing dress with the shoulder revealing ties. Cateye sunglasses, and black liner that makes your eyes gleam. Finishing touch - Bellodgia at all the right pulse points. A perfume enticement that beckons . . . 'Come up and see me sometime.'

Beautiful but fleeting on my skin. Looking to try the vintage if anyone has some to swap.

Hi all I have a vintage bottle of perfume marked 'cologne lotion' - can anyone explain what this is please? Thanks!

Carnation, clove and rich coffee--a grown-up sexy scent. When I wear this, it is always noticed.

essendo un'amante del profumo dei garofani, oggi mi sono lanciata nella prova di bellodgia: profumo d'altri tempi (1927) del quale possiedo una boccetta, ahimè, non vintage. non so quindi quanto questa formulazione differisca da quella originale. quel che è certo, però, è che si tratta di una meravigliosa fragranza quasi soliflore di garofano, resa dolcemente speziata dai chiodi di garofano. l'effetto è prorompente e bellissimo, la durata infinita, il sillage notevole. nell'assestamento percepisco anche un che di vanigliato e animale. notevolissimo.

A very beautiful and sophisticated perfume. Different in everything comparing to modern department store chemicals--different era, different aesthetics and intellectual conscience...
After trying "Bellodgia" in EDP concentration, I find it to be very similar to "Apres l'Ondee" in the opening notes. Violet is very noticeable, carnation and rose come only afterwards. I also feel rather prominent civet and galbanum notes (that are not listed), which I always detect in almost all Caron perfumes. Simply beautiful!

Bellodgia (sounds like the Bellagio hotel in Vegas by the way) is a fragrant carnation perfume built on a foundation of Oriental notes of mainly sandalwood and jasmine. The carnation is clearly the dominant note and if you like carnation, this is a very beautifully created carnation. It's sexy and spicy, aromatic, but feminine not unisex. The rose is also a nice bonus as is the violet but they are taking a back seat as the carnation drives this vehicle on your skin. It's an over 6 hour drive as the fragrance winds through cloves, some greenery courtesy of the lily of the valley and some animalic accords of musk. The fragrance is very womanly and mature in a beautiful way. It's balsamic, rich, heady, and very floral. I love Caron perfumes. My absolute favorite is Parfum Sacre. These scents are complex and strong and suited to the expert nose who appreciates all kinds of scents as far removed from all the fruity gourmands in the market today. This is carnation and cloves for days. It's a floral perfume with an old fashioned and elegant touch. It smells like something out of the 1920's (think a bolder Arpege by Lanvin). This is classical and sweet but strong, a perfume of high quality. I keep this bottle next to Parfum Sacre. Sacre is my Christmas winter time perfume but Bellodgia is my spring and summer Caron frag.

Soapy,very creamy spicy carnation and rose, this is the first impression I got from this gem. It starts softly and develops bolder over time and spicy. The carnation is at the forefront and cloves, smooth and retro. There is a lurking sharpness underneath the cloud of powdery rose, could it be the lily note.. It is not as spicy as Sacre, or smoky, rather a softer old world interpretation. Brings to mind a Lady in her boudoir, dressed in blush silk and lace applying dubs of this scent on her long neck and delicate wrists..Very long lasting with decent sillage. For those who love roses with a retro vibe this is a must.

Important lesson for me: while a perfume may be of sublime beauty I may not necessarily want to wear it. Bellodgia (vintage) is an opulent, exquisite carnation. I revere and adore it, but one whiff and I am catapulted straight to a palace in Venice and Bellodgia has flung open the gold and white double doors to the salon to discover me, the unwelcome poor niece, in her domain. She is old, regal, distant, contemptuous, fiercely elegant. She wants me to leave. I do, with my tail between my legs! I am wearing a precious drop of vintage B today and even when it warms up on my wrist it still says a little wearily, I think it would be better if we did not see each other again. Bal a Versailles, Cabochard, Miss Dior, I fall into them and they into me and we know each other instantly. Bellodgia has the butler slam the door as I am bundled out onto the street and the scent of carnations is just a memory! I imagine the women in the film 'I am Love' wearing this with aplomb.

Opens weirdly with a mishmash of jasmine, lily of the valley, and a big, dull clove straight from the spice rack that anesthetizes my nose for awhile. A creamy carnation begins to bloom underneath but the dull clove and scratchy LOTV won't quit and this is still smelling pretty strange to me. As the carnation-vanilla-sandalwood creaminess catches up with the clove, it is balanced out much more and brings to mind the sweet spiciness of Big Red gum. I wish it went even more in that direction, but that almost mentholated clove note keeps that impression from being anything other than fleeting.

I suspect this is a perfume that smells better from far away than it does up close -- a creamy, spicy, delicately sweet cloud of scent that is so uniquely retro most people would have no idea it was retro at all.

Real old fashioned and strong, carnation and clove are sharp but lasting. More suitable for mature age who grew up in that perfume style surrounding.

I love carnations and bought a vintage Bellodgia that came in an 80's bottle with a floral drawing on the label and a shiny plastic peach coloured lid on top.

I was hoping for something soft, powdery and romantic but was surprised when a huge amount of cloves opened up this fragrance. It is very sweet, spicy and soapy in the beginning and I can honestly say that I'm not very found of it until it mellows down a bit. After some time the soapy cloves leaves room for powdery carnation and even some other shy flowers dares to enter the scene. It dries down on fading heartnotes joined by vanilla and sandalwood.

Eventhough I love carnations, I guess I'd like Bellodgia a lot more if it wasn't for the soapy cloves in the top, and I'm not sure that I have the patience to wait for the carnations to bloom.

First time I used Bellodgia was in the mid-Eighties. I got my hands on a big bottle of it and went through it as fast as I could, in a heavenly, estrogen-drunk haze. What I didn't realize then was that I'd fallen head-over-heels in love with...... CARNATION.... Did you ever notice that there's almost the word CARNAL in carnation? Well, that's how the 1980s Bellodgia made me feel- carnal, fern-green and cherry-blossom-pink at the same time... A sweet, sultry, long-lasting sillage with a deep musky vanilla secret, waiting to be discovered at close range. Mmmmmm......

I just tried it again, and I still adore it, but this time it opens on me with a wide, theatrical jasmine. Ta-da!!! Jasmine, people!!! Meanwhile, in the background, I see a polite, ladylike carnation quietly waving at the audience. The jasmine keeps the carnation upstaged for the entire ride on my skin. As Bellodgia fades away, a long dramatic afternoon later, I check for the musky, vanilla underpinnings... Where are they? I think Ms. Sassy Jasmine chased them away on my skin. Lady Carnation has long since retired to her fainting couch. For some reason, perky lilies of the valley start to tap-dance on my skin... Then I just want to take a shower and sniff a big bag of kona beans to make it all go away.

Not sure if my body chemistry changed, or my sense of smell, or the formulation, or all of the above. No matter.

Old or new formulation, this is a must-try for the scentanista. Put it this way: if you knew that you couldn't see the original Mona Lisa, just a photo of her, would you refuse to take a peek at the photo? The photo wouldn't wallop the emotional punch and cultural baggage of the original painting, but how sad would it be to have no idea at all what the Mona Lisa looks like?

Amazing reading the reviews here and how much our taste in scents is related to memories and emotions.

I love Perfum Sacre more than any other perfume I've ever smelt and have been so excited to try other Carons, thinking that perhaps they get better and better and that I have found the nirvana of perfume.

Unfortunately for me they all remind me a bit of Youth Dew??? I really don't understand why, I haven't smelled Youth Dew for 15 years or more and I never much liked it then. I think there is a note that jars with me but I'm not sure what it is? Carnation maybe?
But I Love carnations in my garden, why wouldn't I love it in a perfume. One of the eternal mysteries.

Maybe Love will grow?

But have to say thank Caron for Sacre - eternally grateful.

This scent is a real classic, from 1927, but it is classic in the best possible way. It is lovely. I remember my mom's friends wearing this scent and I loved how fresh and cool it always smelled. Our school principal wore this scent, too, and all the school kids loved getting hugs from her because she was nice and soft and she smelled good, hard to do in the Southern summers with no AC.

My review is for the eau de parfum, which has very nice projection and sillage. I was initially not totally in love with the carnation, but I like the difference of it. It has a green, spiky, not so sweet floral, "notice me" element to it that makes Bellodgia very distinctive. The spice is wonderful. I layered this scent with a modern scent, Andy Tauer's L'Air du Desert Morocain and the combination was divine. I was afraid the Tauer would dominate the Bellodgia. Actually it was the other way around! The dry spice in each fragrance complemented the other and I ended with a classic with a very modern twist, quite lovely and fun to wear.

By the way, I think a man could totally wear this and it would smell divine. It has such a fresh, green note to it, I find it more unisex than feminine today.

The current EDT, Caron Bellodgia starts out with the smell of incense that's very similar to Caron Nuit Noel, but lighter. Then the florals bloom, mixed with cloves, enveloped in soft musk. Quickly thereafter, strong carnations burst into bloom, sweet, soft, spicy, and heady. Suddenly, a beautiful puff of sweet powder emerges, blending all of the notes in this perfume together, and you are enveloped in the most elegant blend of soft spices and florals, encased in creamy clouds of vanilla and sandalwood. At this point, Bellodgia settles down into a gloriously blended opulent powdery skin scent that lasts up to 12 hours. If sprayed in your hair, the scent is especially noticeable, long after it dries down to a skin scent.
It's soft and lightly powdery, but thanks to the cloves and spices, it's not too sweet to be a unisex fragrance.
Bellodgia smells expensive, intruiging, deep, rich, unique, and can easily be worn in a crowd without offending anyone. Simply beautiful !

I have tried every formulation of this fragrance vintage and new in every strength and it just disappears on me. I love it but it just doesn't last on my skin.

Vintage Bellodgia is a rare type of fragrance; it is both warm and spicy and light and airy. This lets it occupy a unique space in a wardrobe, as it can be worn in any weather without becoming cloying.

Let it be known that "light and airy" here does not in any way mean lacking in depth; the vanillic/animalic base is sexy and alluring. In many ways, this fragrance is to carnation as Pour Un Homme is to lavender.

I do find that the old 'controversy' Guerlain Vs Caron, (Guerlain*= cocotte frags and Caron= lady ones) with Bellodgia should put the matter in a sort of balance or draw. I can't see in it, all this 'ladylikeness'. I've got an oldish (not unfortunately a proper vintage** one, that I had already met once) so that I cannot find it so 'innocent' at all, anyway, times are changed and I like B. very much, all the same. My not blind love can be expressed through some positive points: 1) a huge presence of my beloved note: carnation, so evident during the 3 classical phases; 2) a good persistence (definitely more accentuate in the older versions, but still right) 3) it's lack of 'popoularity' here, where I live. It's not so common among people; 4) I believe this is one among the nicest oriental-flower-chypre not so simple to house -for me. 5) It matches both my skin and my chemistry perfectly! What can you ask more?!

As typical of many old scents, it can be used indifferently by 'girls' and 'boys', only the personal alchemy (and taste as well) should dictate the choice.

* To be clear my heart beats for Guerlain ; )
**A sort of 'liquid bomb', a true masterpiece in the history of perfumery.

A review of the vintage parfum:

Being vintage I thought maybe it wouldn't be as strong or as fresh being the age of my bottle is thought to be late 20's early 30's. However, once I opened the bottle, an amazing floral bouquet whispered out. Once I put it on, the first thing you smell is the most amazing carnation. Its fresh and green, and ridiculously lovely. The rose helps to buoy the scents, the violet provides some lightness, and the jasmine rounds it all out. It it feels like your sticking your face into the most amazing and fresh bouquet of flowers.

However, its not cloying, or overdone. I used 2 dabs and 6 hours later can still smell them. The base notes are just to die for, I smell that amazing sandalwood, and musk.

The musk, though present, is in the background. You do smell the warmth of the musk but its not dominant. Its not until after its been on for about the 5-6 hour mark that I can pick out vanilla.

If however one gets an opportunity to experience the vintage, they should take it, its a wonderful olfactory trip.

Before smelling Bellodgia, I had no idea that it contained one of my favourite floral notes, carnation. Perhaps I read it somewhere beforehand but I had quickly forgotten, so this fragrance served as a nice surprise.

Like most Caron fragrances, Bellodgia has that distinctive classic appeal. While wearing this fragrance, you are guaranteed to feel elegant and refined, almost like a Queen decked out in an array of exquisite jewels.

The carnation accord is rather strong, supported by the smallest hint of heavenly jasmine. Essentially, Bellodgia is the scent of a beautiful woman. All women should feel compelled to try it.

Although quite floral and powdery at first sniff, an additional element of spiciness, (provided by the cloves and vanilla), prevent Bellodgia from becoming too predictable. I like this surprisingly sensual twist, as I believe it adds some extra appeal.

It's a little similar to Fragonard's Billet Doux, but perhaps a tad more intense and thick. In that regard, I can only advise that Bellodgia be applied with a light hand. I don't find the sillage 'too much', but then again, I love all the heavy hitters.

The lasting strength is wonderful. On clothes and coats, it remains a constant reminder of your last wearing. Even though I haven't had the opportunity to test the vintage formulation, this newer version is certainly not ordinary. I highly recommend.

Now that I have tried it I recognize the scent, or very similar from the dressers of my great-aunts. It is a distinctly old fashioned smelling perfume. Powdery carnation and a soapy clove.

Unfortunately for me, also smells a bit like the floral talcum powder I would find in my grandma's bathroom in a large round blue or soft green container with a big powder puff. Does smell surpisingly clean and is pretty but is so vintage smelling that it ages you to wear it.

This is a cold, not dark scent for me. Full of carnation, little bit cloves and maybe jasmine? Very good for the blond haired youngsters of us. Loud, long lasting and pretty. Perfect for warmer days.

Carnation, clove and vanilla. I was in heaven looking at the notes. After one sample vial I am feeling a little down. It seems that the combination of lilly of the valley and jasmine (which always manage to smell like poo poo) break through after a few minutes. This leaves the cloves and carnations batteling it out.
There is a certian skankyness which I would normally find appealing but I think that there is too much going on here. Each of the notes are of good quality (especially the jasmine) But I belive that both jasmine and lilly of the valley must work for you to enjoy this.

The descriptions and reviews of this sound really fascinating - is this too floral for a guy to wear? Can anyone recommend a male or unisex scent that would mimic this? I also love carnation, this sounds like a great scent combination.

I read reviews that it is strong and lasting heavy frangrance, and I get jealous. On my skin the lasting power if about one hour. It begins as a very beautifull floral scent, but then suddenly: soap and sugar. Even my work colleague, who normally comments all new fragrances, couldn´t recognize any! Is it the reformulation? I bought the EDT, that could be also the reason.

vintage smell. I gave it to my mom, she likes it.

Just looked at my bottle again and I'm still wondering if it's authentic. The top doesn't fit over the spray very well. As in, if you pick up the bottle by the top, it comes off. Fortunately the bottle didn't break.

Well, if a copy, it's a good one. It just doesn't last on me.

I'm sure I paid less than $20 for it, so...lesson learned.

This was also my mom's favorite back in the 70s. I remember taking my babysitting money to the perfume counter and buying it for her for Christmas, birthdays, and/or Mother's Day. I loved it at the time, but it seemed too old for me.

Well, a couple of years ago I bought a bottle of the EDT on eBay, and I still love it. But it just doesn't last in this form on my very dry skin - maybe 2 hours.

I just got out the bottle and looked at it, and I wonder if it's counterfeit? It doesn't have a label on the bottom, just the front. Huh.

Bellodgia is far too sweet for me, but if you want a lovely carnation try Comme de Garcon series Red "Carnation" it is lovely.

i love bellodgia, its clovey pepperiness subsumed into rolling waves of carnation that scent lake como.
my partner always takes a look at the catbox, tho, to see whether it needs emptying.
to each his own oflactory system.

(c)2011 bluemlein

Carnations have been in bloom at my parents for a while now and I've had bunches in vases perfuming my bedroom. I had almost forgotten how much I love their smell. So a few weeks back I took a risk making another "blind-buy" by bidding on a bottle of vintage Bellodgia.

The reviews here convinced me I'd probably like it. Well today it arrived and I must exclaim "WOW". This is strong, heady stuff. But wonderful! The fragrance is delightful - the carnation a true delight. My bottle is meant to be used but it could only have been a few times as it looks full. The box has flowers on it and the bottle is rectangular with a large, chunky gold lid that has irregular lines ingrained. I don't know when this version was in production, perhaps the 1960's - 70's? The insert has a picture of a girl that looks to be of that era. Sometimes I cheer for eBay but sometimes I pull my hair out. Today I am cheering.

What a treat Bellodgia is. I've never seen it here in Adelaide/Australia. Very little Caron at all. These reviews can be an incredible guide, so thankyou for your comments everyone. I am thinking of following Sherapop's idea of layering with vanilla also.
Try it if you like carnations, you may be amazed.

(Note: I'm reviewing the vintage "parfum de toilette". I've heard that tragic things have been done to the reformulation.)

This is a lovely carnation whose sharpness is softened by vanilla and musk. Clove opens as it warms and stays with the scent for hours, giving it a milky quality. I will use an odd word to describe it: it's extremely amiable.

Sillage: 4-5 ft; I get many compliments
Durability: 6-8 hours for this formulation
Fabulosity: a drink with your best friend
Price to value ratio: high
8/10

I've always been interested in Caron’s fragrances, because this house has a lot’s of big perfume hits back in the 10’s or 20’s.

Despite my desire to buy blind some Caron’s great fragrances, I have been ignoring them for a long time duet to the almost depressed and Overly Exaggerated comments about Caron’s reformulation. Like: ‘’Caron ruin fragrance legends with reformulation’’ ‘’Now Caron’s fragrances smell horrible’’ ‘’ I have such lovely memories of it and the new formulation defintely doesn't have nothing of the original’’

Thanks God! I Don't Take this So Serious and decided to purchase some decants.
and guess what?..

I make an order of almost 20 good fragrances, 5 of them were from Caron, and let me tell you, that this 5 beauties, smell far better than the others fifteen, and also so much better than a lot of fragrances out there. I Don't try to say ‘’Things Don't Change’’, I know that they change, everybody change and Guerlain and Chanel change too, but they are still pretty. And finally I don’t work for Caron, Caron don’t even exist in my country. I only jugde what I smelled.

Bellodgia Edp Review:

What a lovely and unique fragrance! To me this starts with a fabulous sweet carnation bouquet, and then change to a powdery and incensy carnation. It's really complex and delicious.

If you smell closely, you can notice may be certain similarities between this scent and Parfum Sacre, but Sacre makes more emphasis on Rose and Spices.

Give it a try! It's a must-sniff for sure. Lasting power is good.

Ah bummer...I bought an old bottle of bellodgia (maybe .3 oz) from Ebay. I tried to decant it into something new, and the spray cap was so old that it got stuck. I quickly whipped it off and put my thumb over the tube, but the juice just exploded out.

so this is a review of what was left on my hands.

But really, at this point I've smelled so many vintage Daltroff creations that they all start to smell the same. I think I've exhausted my adjectives on how to describe them.

Carnation. One of my favorite florals. Bellodgia is its star performance.

Clove. Yes please. This wears really well on me, not too heavy, not too spicy. Just right.

Vanilla. When paired with Carnation and handled by Daltroff it doesn't get any better.

I haven't tried the newer versions, but it's on my list. More to come!

I have worn BALLODGIA off and on for years. I am definitely thankful that I have won it in some awesome bidding wars on ebay for REALLy good prices. Try 14.00 including shipping for a two once bottle. It was just a little used, so YAYA..... If you can find the fragrance you desire USED, you get awesome deals for sure!!!!
After doing a review on the 'old MAJA', I went in on the site almost every day for awhile and NOW, I have five bottles OF THE ORIGINAL!!!!

BALLODGIA on me, actually starts out with a very strong carnation, but then evens out to a mixture of the lily of the valley and jasmine rounding off what could be a screaming carnation.

The bass notes , musk clove, and vanilla are not overpowering at all. I think the musk floats the clove and vanilla. The clove and vanilla seem to give a gentle undercurve to floral notes of very distinctive flowers of carnation and jasmine- both of which I love, but can't take too much jasmine by itself.

When it dries down on me, it is slightly sweet, I think because of the vanilla and clove. On me, I really don't distinguish the vanilla and clove. The musk evens it all out. I don't think that there is a STRONG musk, well at least not with my body chemistry. This is a beautiful perfume ( to me) I have several favorites in the CARON line.

For me, I can wear this scent just about anywhere in any season... except summer. With the warmth, it definitely gets pretty heavy... In the summer, I think the musk and clove start to scream over all the other voices of the choir. Would I recommend that you all at least TRY IT? Absolutely.

I had just recieved my vintage Caron Bellodgia EDP I had won on ebay and bought in hopes to rekindle the rich warm scent of Blue Carnations I wore as a young adult.
I have made myself a promise as I am entering senior citizenry to expand my horizons and senses something unfortunately I had put on hold because first raising a family, working in a non traditional male dominated field landscape design and maintenance...I always adored flowers and found it to be intoxicating sniffing those delicate delights and oh did I mention allergic to most hymenoptera especially bees so no scent and now raising grandchildren who are in their teens and late teens which is quite an intense task.
So I said, "Now is the time to indulge my senses before too late", a much deserved reward especially after all the years of hard work, sometimes impoverishment for I was a divorced single working mom for many of those years and there was little time or money to pamper myself.
The first adult bottle of perfume I bought as a single working mom was purchased at a Gemco cosmetic counter and oh how it was a splurge for me something rarely done. It was a bottle of EDT spritzer " Blue Carnations" by Rodger and Gallet. I savored every mist from that bottle and recieved so many compliments how it smelled like a fresh bouquet of carnations.
As a young teenager I wore White Shoulders, My Sin and Tabu a scent that elicited the very excitment of the promise of it's name. Does anyone remember those spritzer vending machines you found at bowling alleys and restaurants ladies lounges, well that was my first true experience of sampling the lofty fragrances that titillated the olfactory senses.
Now back to my experience with Bellodgia, I was so giddy about my purchase my husband of 31 years had thought I had taken a leave of absence of my senses, in my minds eye I was embarking on a quest of my senses so I immediately applied a miniscule amount to my pulse points. On opening note it smelled like Lilly of the Valley and slightly musty. It then developed into a slight carnation smell and then toned down to a powdery scent not much sillage to this one on me. My bubble was bursted for I anticipated so much more, a sophisticated Blue Carnation.
It was a real humid and hot day here in Northern Maine I do not know if that impacted how this scent developed on me so I tried once again this time no Lilly of the Valley just a soft bouquet of carnations not much development and no staying power, oh dear!
As I said I am a novice here and my preference leans towards floral aldehydes I am open for suggestions please.

Fell in love with it at the first sniff.Gorgeous carnation, combined with cloves - a strange, but irresistible combination. Lily of the valley is included, I guess, to stop Bellodgia from smothering the owner in it`s spicy goodness. Just awesome.

Perfumes like this aren´t made any more. That is something I can´t really put my finger on when it comes to some of Caron vintage perfume. The way they wrap you up and in and at once gives me a feeling of being charismatic, elegant and oh so chic.

Bellodgia is dark, mysterious and I feel like I´m swimming over deep waters, but still being safe. I´ve got a small vintage sample and really wish that the new Bellodgia available will have some of the old formulation soul left, anyone know anything about that?

It´s really hard to think of this as a lilly of the valley or jasmine scent, in my opinion it´s much to golden, warm and sensual for that and I can´t hardly smell any of those flwoers except for being kind of a nice backdrop.

Not as much carnation as in Tabac Blond though. I like Tabac Blond slightly better, but Bellodgia isn´t far behind. When I´m in the mood for this kind of vintage scent, both of them wopuld do just fine.

Try it and get a nice surprise!

Have not smelled the new incarnation of this classic, because I still have two bottles of it from circa 1985. So my comments are based on the original version.

For some reason, along with the other flowery notes, Bellodgia reminds me of coffee...that warm rich "brown"-ness. It is quite strong and lasting, which I appreciate because many perfumes quickly disappear on my skin. Men either love it or totally hate it; my best friend's husband was so captivated by it that I think it contributed to his making a pass at me many years ago! Definitely unusual and daring.

Caron BELLODGIA is a carnation clove bomb! My goodness, I applied the edp as though it were an edt, and I was completely overwhelmed! I should have remembered that Caron fragrances are always much stronger than the typical, plus I have a sensitivity to clove. But I also think that the clove here would be heavy for anyone. And the carnation, too.

I do believe that the quality of the essences is high, but there's not a lot of development. I tried layering Victoria's Secret VANILLA LACE, and that transformed BELLODGIA into a fragrance that I was able to wear and even enjoy. So let it not be said that the Secret Garden collection (all members of which I acquired at the astounding price of $4.36 each for a 1oz edt...) serve no viable perfume purpose! When in distress: Layer!!! And if that doesn't work, head to the bath!

this scent reminds me of one of those wrist corsages.faint floral,little fruity that dries down to a soft vanilla.doesnt last long on me.body chemistry and all that but,i can imagine it being quiet nice on some.

I feel only carnation and maybe vanilla. Well, real carnations smell more sofisticated than Bellodgia. Usualy, perfumes are more complex than the simple essential oil, as they contain several different fragrant ingredients, but this time the rule is upset.I better wear a carnation behind my ear, like a Greek old man I saw once wearing.

I've never sniffed the old formula so can't compare. The sample I just received starts as strong spicy carnation. I'm waiting for the drydown , but until then, this one proves less is more...
Update: I never do get the heart notes, went straight from the carnation to a soft vanilla which is barely there.
I'd say this one starts as a hurricane and ends like a whisper.
It's ok, but there are other Caron scents I much prefer to this one.

Bellodgia is a carnation solifloral on my skin. It's a strong, quite heavy, very long-lasting fragrance. When you spray it on yourself, you are walking in a carnation cloud, because even the smallest spray creates a sillage. Ladies who love carnation must try this fragrance.

I wore this years ago, a lot! I received many compliments and then didn't use it for years. Recently purchased it again and was horribly disappointed. There is a fleetinf memory of the old scent and then a horrible, powdery smell takes over.
Feel like I lost an old friend and will never get it again

This is so lovely. It strongly reminds me of Chanel No 22, though it is gentler and not as long-lasting (strange because the notes are quite different). A tiny drop of the Chanel lasts for hours and hours, whereas this one can be applied more generously and more often. I am not saying that it doesn't last - it does, and I keep catching wisps of it throughout the day - lovely - but it is more subtle. I find the very slightly sweet vanilla drydown particularly alluring - I just want to sniff it all the time and really miss it when its gone.

I think this is a fragrance I have been looking for for a long time - a soft, whispering, luxurious, supremely feminine fragrance that I can wear any day, anywhere. I spray this on and instantly feel elegant and special and 'dressed', without it being too much.

I will keep the Chanel (which I adore) for more formal occasions, and have lots of other fragrances for when I want something more exotic or just want a change, but I think that this is one that I will keep coming back to - a staple in my fragrance collection. Very highly recommended.

UPDATE: The review above referred to a sample, and I have just received a full bottle of the EDP and am shocked - it is very different to the sample - and has much less of the character and beauty (and smells nothing like Chanel No 22!) I can only assume that the sample was the EDT, or perhaps pre-reformulation. How very disappointing!

Gorgeous clovey carnation with Vanilla and possibly a note of civet lurking very low. Elegant and layered. I love this one.