Hey there Posse Peeps. Jul et Mad Paris came into our lives in 2012. It was the year I started blogging properly. The last couple of years they fell off my radar. Having bought the newest 2021 Pekji releases from Fragrance and Art recently, they arrived with a sample goodie bag. Inside was a carded sample of Jul et Mad 2017 release Bella Donna. YAY! Excellent name, so evocative of enticement and poison. I don’t know why I didn’t smell it when it launched. I thought we could try it together today.
Bella Donna by Jul et Mad Paris 2017
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Mulberry, Ginger, Bergamot
Heart: Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Magnolia, Orris, May Rose
Base: Benzoin, Sandalwood, Labdanum, Musk, Opoponax
Jul et Mad initial trio of Amour de Palazzo, Stilettos on Lex and Terrasse à St-Germain were heralded as a new high in niche. That the pair, Jul et Mad, were also double gorgeous didn’t hurt their cause too. 2014s Aqua Sextius was one of the earliest reinventions of the freshie for a unisex niche audience, to be worn by more than the gym and suit bros. 2019 they sent a Press Mini of their warm, cozy haze Stairway to Heaven which I reviewed here on Posse.
So what am I smelling? The Bella Donna opening is spicy ylang/jasmine buttery, cool green and breathy. While yes this is a tropical floral it’s way more. Given added cream from sandalwood, the resinous base is slightly dark. A fragrance of this style is interesting to smell without lashings of vanilla to warm and sweeten it up. That leaves a lovely hole that gets filled with lashings of stems, juicy white florals and a supporting bouquet. This is all your favourite white florals with a twist that makes it intriguing to my nose for hours. Bloody hell, and I thought the collection had enough BWFs, nope, I think it needs one more.
If vanilla/amber sweet endings of BWFs are anathema and you’re looking to find a more sophisticated, luxurious smelling contender then Bella Donna could be it.
Does it sound like you might?
Portia xx
It’s so kismet that you write this! Got this little treasure out of the box on Tuesday & wore it- now I need a full bottle ? the name is very intriguing. The deluxe sample is a dark brown- so I’m confused by the light pink color of a new bottle?
I haven’t seen the bottle in real life Belladonna, so the colour in advertising may be off. Also, I think a particular vanilla tends to go golden brown fairly quickly.
Love that your handle is belladonna!
Portia xx
This seems like it would be right up my alley. (why can I only comment from this Windoze PC? The site insists anything I send from my Mac or iPad is spam.)
Hey Tom,
Maybe you’ve set your firewalls or something similar high? I’m a complete computer dunce so probably no help.
About 3 months ago I bought a new computer that still sits in its box because I’m waiting on help to set it up.
Portia xx
Where can we find a sample of this. Sounds amazing.
Hi Ellen,
Jul et Mad has some new Discovery Packs.
https://juletmad.com
Also, Fragrance and Art usually does samples and sends to the world.
Portia xx
Oh, this sounds absolutely gorgeous, and in the right balance (for me) of those various notes. I love the name as well! I don’t think I’ve tried any of these.
Heya March,
Yes, I can see you wafting Bella Donna (such a cool name to say when asked).
The line is solid, I think there are a few that might blow your skirt.
Portia xx
That sounds like something I’d like a lot. But I won’t actively seek it out because too much perfume already?
HA! The cry of perfumistas everywhere Cassieflower. If you do get a passing sniff I’d love to hear how you liked it.
Portia xx
Hi Portia
I won’t be buying anything any time soon. In fact I have to radically downsize. Had more bad news this week on both mum’s & DH health.
I will keep sampling vicariously through reading you guys. My lemmings will just have to be trained.
Thanks to all for helping keep me relatively sane x
So sorry to hear this, Alityke. Wondering if you might like small care packages of samples given I’m in UK too. Tiny distractions when things are difficult. If yes, please send your details to the Posse email and someone will pass them along to me.
I’m sorry to read this- but this too shall pass. My best wishes and keep in touch here.
SHIT! What a blow Alityke.
We are here for you 5 days a week to keep the gloomy away.
Good luck with it all.
HUGS and HUGS,
Portia xx
I remember reading about Jul et Mad when it first dropped — and promptly forgetting about it for some reason. This sounds great though — and the line is available at a couple of places in the UK. So, hmmm…
Hey Cinnamon,
They are worth a sniff if you can get at them. Very elegant scents.
I hope you get to sniff them and report back.
Portia xx