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Francesca Bianchi Sex and the Sea
Francesca Bianchi

Sex and the Sea

Citrus
Floral
Rose
Powdery
Spicy
Balsamic
Vanilla
Extrait · 2016 · unisex

Francesca Bianchi is an indie perfumer known for bold, unconventional compositions that challenge traditional fragrance categories. Her niche house has built a devoted following through distinctive scents that prioritize artistic vision over commercial appeal.

Sex and the Sea opens with a vibrant burst of bergamot, cardamom, and cinnamon, brightened by pineapple and warm spice. The heart settles into a lush floral core of Bulgarian rose, carnation, and heliotrope, which takes on an almost creamy quality through orris root and hints of tropical fruit. A generous dose of benzoin anchors the base with soft, resinous sweetness that lingers throughout the wear. The overall composition is a floral oriental that leans hedonistic, balancing delicate florals against spicy-balsamic warmth and vanilla sweetness.

This is a fragrance for those who appreciate complexity and aren't afraid of a fragrance that makes an impression. It works well for evening wear or cooler months when its richness shines, though the citrus opening keeps it from feeling entirely autumnal. The extrait concentration ensures strong performance and longevity. It aligns with The Romantic, The Hedonist, and The Heirloom sensibilities.

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$290Best · 100ml
$29230d Avg
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Updated 838m ago
$289.99Save $25 (8% off retail)
at VenbaFragrance
🔥 Lowest price in 12 days of tracking
$290 low$315 retail
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RetailerStockPrice
VenbaFragranceBestIn Stock$289.99−$25Buy
Francesca BianchiMSRPIn Stock$293.82retailBuy
ScentSplitIn Stock$315.00Buy

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Price History · 100ml
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$290
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12 days tracked · 2026-05-12 – 2026-06-03
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Main Accordsreported by community
Citrus
100%
Floral
80%
Rose
70%
Powdery
25%
Spicy
90%
Balsamic
88%
Vanilla
88%
Sweet
100%
Tropical
60%
Fragrance Notesbrand verified
Top · 0–30 min
bergamot
bergamot
A sun-ripened Italian citrus with a brightness that goes beyond lemon, simultaneously tart, floral, and slightly spicy. It's the defining note of Earl Grey tea and the backbone of countless fresh colognes. Perfumers love it as an opener because it lifts the entire composition without overpowering what follows.
cardamom
cardamom
Aromatic, warm, and slightly eucalyptus-like with a spiced green freshness that is entirely its own. Cardamom is one of the most elegant spice notes in perfumery, exotic without being heavy, warm without being sweet. It appears frequently in Middle Eastern-inspired fragrances and modern masculine compositions.
cinnamon
cinnamon
Sweet, warm, and instantly comforting, cinnamon bark has a familiar warmth that slides easily into oriental and gourmand fragrances. Used sparingly it adds a pleasant warmth; used heavily it can dominate. It has a slightly sharp, peppery facet alongside its sweetness that keeps it from being purely foodie.
pineapple
pineapple
Vivid, tropical, and intensely sweet with a slightly fermented, almost winey quality, pineapple is one of the most assertive tropical fruit notes. It adds an immediate, unambiguous tropical sweetness that can dominate if used too heavily. In moderate amounts it adds a lively, summery energy to fruity and aquatic compositions.
spicy notes
spicy notes
Heart · 30 min – 3 hrs
bulgarian rose
bulgarian rose
The most prized rose in perfumery, grown in the Valley of Roses in Kazanlak, Bulgaria. Rosa damascena cultivated here produces an oil of extraordinary depth: honeyed, velvety, with faint hints of tea, honey, and spice. The standard against which all other rose materials are measured.
carnation
carnation
Spicy, clove-like, and slightly powdery, carnation is one of perfumery's oldest floral notes, with a warm, almost peppery character that distinguishes it from softer flowers. It has a vintage, slightly old-fashioned quality that is coming back into fashion. Think pressed flowers in an old book, warm and complex.
heliotrope
heliotrope
Powdery, sweet, and slightly almond-like, heliotrope is the quintessential 'retro' note of Victorian-era perfumery, now experiencing a fashionable revival. It smells of sugar, vanilla, and just enough floral to keep it interesting. In modern fragrances it tends to read as nostalgic, soft, and unapologetically pretty.
orris root
orris root
tropical fruits
tropical fruits
Base · 3–12 hrs
benzoin
benzoin
Sweet, warm, and balsamic, benzoin resin smells like vanilla mixed with incense, with a powdery, slightly medicinal edge. It adds a comforting warmth and fixative quality to oriental fragrances, and blends beautifully with spices. Often used to smooth and round off sharp edges in complex base notes.
Who Wears ThisScent DNA matches
❤️
The RomanticBest match87% match
Your fragrance is a love letter you never stop writing.

Warm roses, vanilla, amber, creamy musks. Soft, evolving, intimate.

🍷
The Hedonist87% match
More is more. You've always known this.

Opulent, rich, long-lasting. Vanilla, amber, dense florals, gourmand warmth.

🏛️
The Heirloom84% match
You carry something beautiful that most people have forgotten.

Powdery, soft, classically sweet. Iris, aldehydes, gentle florals, quiet vintage warmth.

Based on this fragrance's accord profile · Find your Scent DNA →
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Rate this fragrance
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Most Popular with this Scent DNA Type?
❤️
The Romantic
Your fragrance is a love letter you never stop writing.
Warm roses, vanilla, amber, creamy musks. Soft, evolving, intimate.
Discover your type →
Scent Profile
Citrus100%Floral80%Rose70%Powdery25%Spicy90%
Fragrance Family
Floral Oriental
Extrait
Decants Available
3
listings in stock
15ml$0.55/ml2ml$7.50/ml5ml$7.00/ml

Francesca Bianchi Sex and the Sea— Prices, Coupons & Buying Guide

Best price today: Sex and the Sea is $289.99. Without a coupon the lowest price is $289.99. Gush tracks 47+ retailers updated every 2 hours.

Are grey market retailers authentic?

Yes. Jomashop, FragranceNet, and MaxAroma sell 100% authentic Francesca Bianchi fragrances through unofficial distribution channels. The fragrance is identical to department store stock. Grey market refers to the supply chain, not product quality. The price difference comes entirely from the distribution channel.

Frequently asked questions

Cheapest price for Francesca Bianchi Sex and the Sea? +
$289.99 at VenbaFragrance. Gush compares 47+ retailers updated every 2 hours.
Is $289.99 a good price for Sex and the Sea? +
Yes. The current best price is $289.99 and MSRP is $315.00. At $289.99 you save 8% vs retail.
What does Francesca Bianchi Sex and the Sea smell like? +
Francesca Bianchi is an indie perfumer known for bold, unconventional compositions that challenge traditional fragrance categories. Her niche house has built a devoted following through distinctive scents that prioritize artistic vision over commercial appeal. Sex and the Sea opens with a vibrant burst of bergamot, cardamom, and cinnamon, brightened by pineapple and warm spice. The heart settles into a lush floral core of Bulgarian rose, carnation, and heliotrope, which takes on an almost creamy quality through orris root and hints of tropical fruit. A generous dose of benzoin anchors the base with soft, resinous sweetness that lingers throughout the wear. The overall composition is a floral oriental that leans hedonistic, balancing delicate florals against spicy-balsamic warmth and vanilla sweetness. This is a fragrance for those who appreciate complexity and aren't afraid of a fragrance that makes an impression. It works well for evening wear or cooler months when its richness shines, though the citrus opening keeps it from feeling entirely autumnal. The extrait concentration ensures strong performance and longevity. It aligns with The Romantic, The Hedonist, and The Heirloom sensibilities.
What are the notes in Francesca Bianchi Sex and the Sea? +
Top: bergamot, cardamom, cinnamon, pineapple, spicy notes. Heart: bulgarian rose, carnation, heliotrope, orris root, tropical fruits. Base: benzoin.
What fragrance family is Sex and the Sea? +
Francesca Bianchi Sex and the Sea belongs to the Floral Oriental fragrance family. It is an Extrait.
What is a grey market fragrance retailer? +
Grey market retailers sell authentic fragrances sourced through unofficial distribution -- typically excess inventory from authorized distributors. The product is real and identical to retail. FragranceNet (est. 1997), Jomashop, and MaxAroma are well-established with millions of verified reviews.

Gush earns a commission on purchases at no cost to you · Prices update every 2 hours · Coupon success rates based on affiliate feed data · Grey market = authentic, unofficial supply chain