Bois Blond, L’Ombre Fauve by Parfumerie Generale
Bois Blond and L’Ombre Fauve (as well as Ether de Lilas Blanc sur Feuillage Tendre which I haven’t had a chance to smell yet) are the Very Limited Editions by Parfumerie Generale. What that means is the scents will only be available from the company’s online shop through the end of March, and will not be widely distributed, with the exception of Luckyscent which has a few bottles in stock for a limited time. I can’t say I’m particularly fond of the limited edition concept unless it’s a Paris Hilton fragrance or Jessica Simpson footwear (apologies to fans) – the sooner they’re gone, the better. In this case, I’m only partially bemoaning the fact these scents will be so short-lived. To my nose, they’re not as spectacular and trendy as their predecessors. Nevertheless, Bois Blond did appeal to me quite a bit, and I’d very much like it to be part of the regular selection.
“One evening in August, the time of the harvest” is the inspiration for Bois Blond. With notes of cereals, grass, galbanum, cedar, hay, blond tobacco, amber, and musk, it is a bit less complex than it sounds. Bois Blond is all about dry hay and smoky-sweet tobacco on my skin. The note of hay has already been explored in perfumery. It usually adds a somewhat dusty quality. It’s particularly appealing when blended with floral notes, like in Fleur de Narcisse by L’Artisan or Hiris by Hermes. In this case, it’s accompanying tobacco, woods, and amber, and seems to be amplifying these notes. In short, Bois Blond is a balmy, woodsy hay and sweet tobacco blend. It does indeed take me to warm evenings of late summer.
L’Ombre Fauve doesn’t quite inspire too much eloquence. This doesn’t have as much to do with its composition as with its effect. For a scent described as “bestial” and “feline”, it’s rather feeble. Once again, the good old MKK serves as a measuring tool, and the result is hardly animalic. L’Ombre Fauve is a somewhat mediocre blend of patchouli, amber, musk, and woods. It neither impresses nor disappoints. It sort of leaves me wanting for more action, more character. Instead, what I smell is a soft, slightly sweet, ambery patchouli.
Image source: luckyscent.com
17 comments March 12th, 2007