This Is, Hands Down, the Most Elegant Quiet-Luxury Perfume I've Ever Smelled

If you were to ask me what qualities I think the best perfumes should have, I'd tell you that they need to smell subtly expensive. I don't want a perfume that lingers long after I leave the room, nor do I want a skin scent that only I can appreciate when I wear it. Instead, I want that perfectly in-between fragrance. I want it to smell fresh and light yet have an unexpected richness that lingers on the skin. I want it to earn me fragrance compliments, but not overwhelm those I encounter throughout the day. Most of all, I want it to smell incredibly luxurious, but not in an obvious kind of way. I want what I like to call a "quiet luxury" scent.

Just like a cotton white shirt from Toteme or a pair of black leather loafers from The Row, these perfumes practically ooze elegance. Lately, I'd been looking for a new summer scent to slot into my chic perfume wardrobe, and luckily for me, Fendi delivered. Let me introduce you to the Italian fashion house's newest fragrance, Eaux d'Artifice.

Fendi Eaux d'Artifice Perfume Review

The Scent

The latest addition to Fendi's fragrance collection, Eaux d'Artifice, was created to mark the Maison’s 100th anniversary. A tribute to Rome and Delfina Delettrez Fendi’s view of the Trevi Fountain by night, it is an aquatic, marine scent at the heart, with crisp, cool notes of juniper essence and woody Mediterranean cypress blending to create this fresh, salty, metallic aroma. It's almost as if you can smell the coins splashing into the fountain behind you while you close your eyes and make a wish.

Just like water, this is a beautifully fluid fragrance, with undercurrents of musk adding a subtle yet sensual touch. It feels new and exciting, sparkling on the skin like the endless possibilities of a night in the Eternal City.

The Bottle

In true Fendi style, this perfume makes a chic addition to your dressing table (or handbag). The black magnetic lid is embossed with the brand's iconic logo, and additional gold detailing adds an elegant touch. I currently have this sitting on my desk at work, and I'm always getting compliments on how good it looks.

The Longevity

If I'm being honest, most aquatic scents are the most long-lasting perfumes around. These fragrances are often light and fresh, which means that they aren't necessarily designed to linger on the skin. However, thanks to this perfume's musky, heady base, I find that it can easily take me from day to night. Don't get me wrong, I always give myself an extra spritz before heading out in the evening, but more as a boost of confidence than anything else.

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