Cheap Thrills--Monotheme Venezia

photomontage made with Adobe Firefly AI and Photoshop

If you're in the market for good fragrances at a very pleasant price point, I'd like to recommend those by Monotheme Venezia. I've tried four so far, the Boccioli di Limone (lemon) and the Lime from the Book of Citruses collection, Camelia from the Classic Collection, and Rouge from the Black Label collection. Normally, scents that are this inexpensive also smell cheap, but that's not the case at all with Monotheme Venezia. The two citrus scents in particular are quite nice and of high quality, though need reapplication during the day. But so do some Guerlain Aqua Allegoria scents, at many times the price. There are plenty of others that I'm interested in, namely the other Book of Citruses scents, a few of the Classics, like Patchouli Leaves and Tuberose, and the White Musk and Orange Blossom from the BIO line. So when the urge to blind-buy hits, I already have some of those in my Fragrancenet shopping cart!

Boccioli di Limone

Lemon Peel, Lemon Blossom

A tester bottle of this bright scent cost me all of $14.27 at Fragrancenet.com, where it's on clearance. Get it dirt cheap while you can, otherwise it could cost you all of $32 somewhere else. This stuff is full-on lemon heaven, without smelling like a cleaning product. I like wearing it alone, or layered. It's especially nice to pump up the lemon aspect of Theodoros Kalotinis Lemon Tart.

Lime

Lime, Petitgrain, Lime (Linden) Blossom, Neroli, Musk

This scent was a little more expensive: $17.54 at Fragrancenet. The opening has a nice bit of lime, and the drydown is mostly linden blossom and a light musk. It's quite lovely and gentle and will make a fine summer fragrance even if it needs to be reapplied often. I'm thinking it might be good layered with vanilla, for a sort of key lime pie effect. Must try this over something like Billie Eilish. 

Camelia

Citruses, Camellia, Amber

This scent has a real 80s vintage feel to it. It's not as loud as scents from that era, but it's definitely not modern. I purchased this one because I hoped it would be similar to the Marks & Spencer and Boots fragrances of the same name. Those were light and somewhat powdery, almost apricot-y, florals. More osmanthus than camellia, and quite delightful. Monotheme Venezia's Camelia is a quite dense, almost dark, floral amber. Something for colder months and evenings, and not at all what I was looking for. 

Rouge 

Amber. Musk, Floral Notes, Citruses

Folks who like Baccarat Rouge 540 might love Monotheme Venezia Rouge, mostly for the price point. Less than $20 will get you a sweet ambery saffron scent that is lighter and less-cloying than the original (to my nose). Not my cup of tea, but that price can't be beat. 
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Posted by theminx on Minxstinks