This round-up of the best Bvlgari fragrances for women is perfectly timed if we can say so ourselves.
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Founded by Greek silversmith Sotirio Bulgari in Rome in 1884, the Italian luxe jewellery company celebrates three decades in the fragrance biz in 2022.
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In its 30 years in the fragrance game, Bvlgari has maintained a level of quality that more designer brands should adhere to.
That’s largely due to its use of the best perfumers in the industry, from the legendary Jean-Claude Ellena (creator of Terre d’Hermès) to Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud (now Louis Vuitton’s in-house perfumer) and, more recently, the prolific master perfumer Alberto Morillas.
These noses have ensured releases from the house have an elegant feel, with the occasional surprise to keep us coming back for more.
While flankers can be the bane of our lives, Bvlgari does them so well, hence several are included here.
Where known, the name of the perfumer is included in brackets after the name of the fragrance.
Our Shortlist for Bvlgari Fragrances
Bvlgari Eau Parfumée Au Thé Vert Eau de Cologne (Jean-Claude Ellena)
Bvlgari made a fine debut, in 1992, with Eau Parfumée (now known as Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert), a celebration of Japanese green tea.
It starts out with the fresh citrus notes of bergamot, lemon and mandarin orange. They mingle with the spices and herbs of cardamom, nutmeg and clary sage to help create a green tea accord that’s aromatic and uplifting.
Hints of florals – jasmine, lily-of-the-valley, Bulgarian rose – add to the refreshing vibe.
This is a softie, so “beast moders”, please move on. Anyone else will appreciate the artistry of this trend-setter that paved the way for tea scents such as Elizabeth Arden Green Tea and Kilian Bamboo Harmony.
Also look out for the brand’s other takes on the tea theme: Eau Parfumée au Thé Blanc (white Himalayan tea), Eau Parfumée au Thé Bleu (oolong tea), Eau Parfumée au Thé Noir (black tea) and Eau Parfumée au Thé Rouge (rooibos).
Bvlgari Black EDT (Annick Ménardo)
Bvlgari surprised everyone with this unisex 1998 release. From the bottle to the actual scent, it’s a standout.
The opening notes of smoky, herbal green tea and crisp citrus tones of bergamot, with a smidgeon of fresh rose in the background, will tell you that this is not your ordinary designer fragrance.
Notes of sandalwood and cedar give it depth. But it’s the leather accord, with its burned rubber vibe, together with smooth vanilla, that makes this one so intriguing.
Despite its popularity, it was discontinued but is still much in demand online, so best shop around for the best deal.
Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline EDT (Alberto Morillas)
Sometimes all we want from a scent is elegant and airy simplicity. And Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline does that in style.
Launched in 2005 and created by master perfumer Alberto Morillas (who’s created many of the brand’s most well-known perfumes), this EDT is the first flanker to the original from 2003.
It begins with an uplifting combo of Nashi pear (on the right side of sweetness) and woody bamboo.
After that there’s a light treatment of lotus flower, with hints of green-ish tea in the background.
The freshness continues through to the drydown featuring balsa wood and white musk.
Pure loveliness.
Bvlgari Omnia Amethyste EDT (Alberto Morillas)
Occasionally we find ourselves gravitating towards simpler scents. By “simple” we don’t mean there’s no skill involved in their creation, but that they’re not overly busy with numerous, impossible-to-discern notes. Which is part of the appeal of this 2006 release.
It opens with a green vibe; grapefruit adds to the freshness.
There’s then a generous sprinkling of floral powderiness, thanks to iris and, to a lesser extent, rose notes.
The powdery floral effect continues through to the drydown, where the synthetic heliotropin (discovered in 1885) gives the composition a hint of vanilla, without overdoing the sweetness.
It’s gently sensual, easy-to-wear stuff.
Bvlgari Le Gemme Amarena EDP (Daniela (Roche) Andrier)
Bvlgari entered the private fragrance range market in 2014 with the more exclusive – and significantly pricier – Le Gemme line.
Part of the launch collection, Amarena stands out as much as its precious gemstone inspiration: the pink tourmaline.
The flamboyantly sensual tone is evident from the start with the sour tones of morello cherry at the fore. A very well-behaved Indian tuberose adds to the serious luxe vibe.
The Centifolia rose picks up on the fruitiness of the opening while also displaying its characteristic morning-fresh dewiness.
A scattering of powder completes the indulgent mood.
It’s eye-wateringly expensive but guaranteed to make you feel super special, so best start saving now…
Bvlgari Rose Goldea EDP (Alberto Morillas)
Bvlgari launched its Goldea range in 2015. The first flanker, Bvlgari Rose Goldea, followed in 2016, and what a good addition it is.
Crisp bergamot and fruity pomegranate feature briefly in the opening. They enhance the freshness of rose petals and powdery Damask rose.
Peony and jasmine lend support, knowing their place in relation to the queen of florals. Sandalwood and musk stand out in the drydown, creaminess and all.
This EDP is an Alberto Morillas creation, so it has his expertise written all over it. It’s not a new rose as such, but that doesn’t take away from its luxe treatment. This is Bvlgari we are talking about, after all.
Bvlgari Splendida Jasmin Noir EDP (Sophie Labbé)
Originally released in 2008 and relaunched in 2017 as part of the Splendida Collection, this floral beauty gets our vote for its sensual softness.
Magnolia, green and earthy, defines the opening.
Jasmine sambac develops a fresh theme while bringing an element of gentle sweetness.
We don’t get much of the listed patchouli but do detect the creamy nuances of coumarin and sandalwood.
The drydown is all woody muskiness, thanks to the synthetic Cashmeran.
Subtle and superb!
The discontinued versions of this fragrance – EDT, L’Elixir Eau de Parfum and L’Essence – are also worth hunting down online.
Bvlgari Goldea the Roman Night Absolute EDP (Alberto Morillas)
We’re featuring this 2018 EDP partly because of its sexy-glam bottle.
More importantly, the juice, created by the prolific Alberto Morillas (does the Spanish master perfumer ever take a break from work?), reflects the Italian brand’s luxury focus well.
Rich orange blossom opens the scent. A note of juicy plum adds to the sensual mood.
There’s more sophisticated sweetness in the form of jasmine sambac absolute and vanilla.
A smooth dose of musk brings it all together in the drydown, with earthy support from notes of patchouli and moss.
It’s officially a night-time scent, but there’s no reason why you can’t wear it during the day. It’s not as intense as the bottle would make you believe.
Bvlgari Splendida Tubereuse Mystique EDP (Sophie Labbé)
Some tuberose fragrances take no prisoners. They’re so potent, they’re the equivalent of a floral nuke.
Bvlgari Splendida Tubereuse Mystique is not that kind of perfume. Sophie Labbé is too good a perfumer to resort to such aggressive methods.
The opening of this 2019 release from the Splendida Collection is fruity-green, thanks to a combo of davana and blackcurrant notes.
The titular tuberose is given plenty of room to breathe, without suffocating everything else in its immediate vicinity. It’s more creamy than animalic to our noses.
That creaminess is further developed in the drydown with vanilla, while myrrh brings a gently sweet spiciness to the EDP.
Splendid stuff, indeed, in a most elegant and smooth way.
Bvlgari Rose Goldea Blossom Delight EDP (Alberto Morillas)
Cheesy name, pretty perfume…
The opening of this 2019 addition to the Goldea range is all about the gentle tropical fruitiness of papaya, with bright jasmine in the background.
The evocation of rosebuds builds on the freshness with lemon-y accents, while lily-of-the-valley infuses it with greenery.
Wafts of white musk in the drydown keep it clean and chic.
With its youthful vibe, it’s a great option if you’re looking for a well-balanced rose that’s not overpowering.
The 2022 EDT version presents a lighter and fresher interpretation with notes of grapefruit and peony at the fore.
Bvlgari Splendida Patchouli Tentation EDP (Sophie Labbé)
One of the best fragrances in the genre in recent years, this 2020 addition to the Splendida range presents a trio of layered patchouli in the expert hands of Sophie Labbé.
The opening is clean and pure, thanks to patchouli oil from Flores (an Indonesian island) and softly fruity peach.
The powderiness of the peach evolves with orris. The iris root is perfectly paired with patchouli at this stage for an earthy effect.
The drydown displays the musky side of patchouli together with white musk.
Bvlgari Golden Citrine EDT (Alberto Morillas)
As to be expected from a luxury jewellery brand, Bvlgari’s Omnia collection has been inspired by gems since its launch in 2003.
The limited-edition Bvlgari Golden Citrine from 2020 is not just nice to look at (perfume is a visual medium too, after all); it’s also uplifting in the brand’s elegant style.
Juicy Sicilian mandarin and white peach create a summery ambiance in the opening.
Ylang-ylang, rich (but not overpowering) and building on the fruitiness of the intro, blooms in the heart of the EDT, with jasmine (in fresh mode) adding to the floral focus.
Resinous benzoin stands out in the drydown, prolonging the general warmth.
Sophisticated sweet sunshine in a bottle.
Bvlgari Omnia by Mary Katrantzou EDP (Alberto Morilas)
This 2021 release is a collaboration with the London-based Greek fashion designer, who’s renowned for her use of bold prints and colours, which is reflected in the vibrant bottle design.
The intro features bright and sunny mandarin. A subtle fig leaf accord balances the sweetness with its green and milky aspects.
Gardenia, rich and intense, is supported by the freshness of orange blossom.
The musky and woody drydown concludes the chic and cheerful composition. Couldn’t ask for more right now.
Bvlgari Le Gemme Astrea EDP (Alberto Morillas)
The most recent addition (2021) to the Le Gemme range is deep and intense in all the best ways.
The bittersweet leathery facet of saffron essence (one of the most expensive ingredients in perfumery) sets the scent scene.
The treatment of jasmine sambac absolute is big, bold and beautifully heady.
It leads the way to a suede and honey accord drydown, with its musky, powdery feel.
If you want to do his ’n her thing, get your hands on the equally excellent accompanying male scent, Bvlgari Azaran, created by Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud.
Richard Goller is a fragrance and grooming blogger. His blog is called Fragroom. A senior editor with 20 years' experience, his blog allows him to combine two of his passions: engaging content and the always-intriguing world of fragrances. When he isn't blogging, you'll find Richard indulging in his newly found passion for balcony gardening.