This 800-year-old fragrance brand is my top secret for receiving compliments on perfume.
Anyone who knows me understands that Italy is my favorite destination in the whole world. What’s not to adore about it? It’s a country my taste buds and I could never tire of. From the tranquil charm of the northern lakes and the Dolomites to the historical allure of Rome, each visit has enhanced my admiration for Italian culture. My next journey takes me to Florence, where there is one particular place at the top of my list, and no, it’s neither a restaurant nor a gelato shop. It's Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, one of the oldest beauty brands and perfume houses in the world.
When it comes to heritage beauty brands, few can compare to the legacy of Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. Widely regarded as the oldest pharmacy in the world, it opened its doors in Florence in 1221, established by a group of Dominican friars who created the convent of Santa Maria Novella and cultivated a botanical garden for medicinal ingredients used in medicines, ointments, and balms. Over 800 years later, the artistry of botanicals continues. Its collection has evolved over the years to include fragrances, skincare, and body care, with the breathtaking interiors of the shop and every item in the wooden apothecary cabinets rich with Florentine history. Its perfumes are among the oldest globally, and the brand has even crafted scents for royalty. As a beauty editor, I recognize that Santa Maria Novella fragrances are considered some of the finest Italian perfumes available. These exquisite bottles come in grand packaging that allows you to bring a piece of the pharmacy home, and the scents themselves are truly magnificent. Fortunately, you don't need to take a trip to Florence to uncover them, as they are readily available in the UK. I frequently wear some of the brand's most iconic fragrances, and these are the ones I’ve become enamored with.
**Best Santa Maria Novella Perfumes**
**Best Overall:** Aqua Eau de Parfum
**Best Luxurious Scent:** L'Iris Eau de Parfum
**Best Botanical Scent:** Nectarium Eau de Cologne
**Best Floral:** Rose Gardenia Eau de Cologne
**Best Smoky Scent:** Tabacco Toscano Eau de Cologne
1. **Acqua**
Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
Acqua Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Pear, freesia, lotus, musk
This one was love at first spritz. It feels like diving into the cool, sparkling waters of an Italian lake or sitting next to a gentle fountain under the dappled shade of pear trees while enjoying an aperitivo. It’s a fresh floral fragrance, the kind of aquatic scent I want to liberally apply all over my skin in summer—it’s so easy to wear. It takes inspiration from the Grotta degli Animali, a 16th-century fountain located in Villa Medicea di Castello.
2. **L'Iris**
Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
L’Iris Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Galbanum, timur pepper, neroli, geranium, magnolia champaca, jasmine sambac, iris, musk, ambergris
If you’re looking to try a fragrance that embodies Florentine essence, then this is the one. Iris is not only Florence's official symbol, but the 16th-century French queen Catherine de' Medici (who commissioned the brand to create a fragrance—Acqua della Regina) introduced the Tuscan tradition of iris-scented leather gloves to France. It’s also made from one of the most expensive ingredients in perfumery, which naturally adds an air of luxury. This floral, powdery, soapy scent leaves you feeling elegant and fresh. If you aspire to smell like a regal Renaissance queen, then you must try it.
3. **Nectarium**
Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
Nectarium Eau de Cologne
Key notes: Orange, lemon, lavender, honey accord, tobacco leaves, patchouli, tonka bean, labdanum
Santa Maria Novella's latest fragrance is exclusive to Harrods, so you don't need to visit Italy for this one. However, it transports you directly to an Italian botanical garden, specifically among nectar-filled flowers. It starts off aromatic, slightly smoky, and bitter, but as it develops on the skin, the honey note blossoms into a golden, nectar-like veil that lingers and sweetens over time. Paired with lavender, it feels almost nostalgic and dream-like, making you feel like you've entered a hidden flower field buzzing with bumblebees.
4. **Tabacco Toscano**
Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
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