What does love smell like? A strong case can be made for Bvlgari’s new Allegra Baciami Ancora Parfum. The fragrance is a rich floral, with notes like gardenia, vanilla, cedar, black pepper, balsam, cinnamon, and a dash of ginger.
When I close my eyes, there are a few things the scent evokes: a hot, sticky night in Rome, holding hands with someone in the back of a car. A room bathed in red light with the music low. A goodnight kiss after a really good date. The scent is like a love potion, and that’s not by accident.
In Italian, the phrase “baciami ancora” translates to “kiss me again.” Perfumer Jacques Cavallier had this in mind when he crafted this scent, which is a heightened version of Bvlgari’s Allegra. The original is a mix of gardenia and vanilla, and this one takes it to new heights, with cinnamon and ginger making every note more intense.
I’ll be honest with you—this is not a scent I would wear to work, or to brunch, or to a family event. This is a perfume that I have reserved exclusively for when I want to smell alluring. My boyfriend, who has smelled upward of 50 perfumes in my collection, stopped in his tracks when I wore this the first time. I’m someone who wears almost exclusively milky and musky perfumes, so Baciami Ancora is out of my usual realm. But my boyfriend now asks that I wear it. If you’re looking for a new date-night perfume, this one is tough to beat. It pairs perfectly with a little black dress and heels—and it doesn’t hurt to throw in a dark bar and a cocktail (or two).