Bois Blond, L’Ombre Fauve by Parfumerie Generale
March 12th, 2007
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
Entry Filed under: Uncategorized
17 Comments
1. Elle | March 13th, 2007 at 7:06 am
I definitely need to test the three of these further, but I’m also rather intrigued w/ Bois Blond. I think it’s a very well done scent. And I have definitely fallen for the Lilas Blanc one.
2. Marina | March 13th, 2007 at 7:17 am
I agree. MKK set such a high standard for what is feline and bestial, it is hard for another scent to match it. Love your review! (especially the little thing about Hilton and Simpson, hehe)
3. Judith | March 13th, 2007 at 7:33 am
Well, I clearly need to try these. . . even if they don’t excite quite as much as Psychotrope:)
4. newproducts | March 13th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Bois Blond sounds good, but I refuse to even allow myself to be intrigued by such a limited edition scent! Great review, as always.
5. Cait | March 13th, 2007 at 11:55 am
There are too many PGs I haven’t tried. I’m just not devoted enough to obtain all the limited and super limited editions. But I want to try these, especially the Lilas one. Are you going to review that one?
6. Kelley | March 13th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Thanks for the review. I found myself reading this while sitting on the edge of my chair because, you see, I ordered a bottle of Bois Blond…unsniffed! I am relieved that you like it! I think they made this limeted editions to force people to do just that, buy unsniffed! I didn’t want to let this one pass me buy. Mr. PG is very clever.
7. Ina | March 13th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Elle, Lilac Blanc sounds very promising. Hope to try it soon.
8. Ina | March 13th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Marina, exactly. Well, now you all know how I feel about Hilton and the like.
9. Ina | March 13th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Judith, I think you’ll really like Bois Blond.
10. Ina | March 13th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Minsun, I know how you feel but it’s still worth a try.
11. Ina | March 13th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Cait, once I get a hold of a sample, I sure will.
I think you should try Psychotrope. Something tells me you’ll like it.
12. Ina | March 13th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Kelley, you won’t regret it! And if you do, there’s always eBay.
13. Solander | March 13th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
I’m glad you’re making these sound so mediocre, as I will probably never get a chance to try them!
Come to think of it, the PGs always sound more interesting than they actually are on skin, at least that’s my experience with the handful I’ve tried. Musc Maori horrified me as a sweet, gourmandy “white musk” with not the slightest hint of animal.
14. Ina | March 13th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Tove, the thing with PGs is that they need to be tried more than once. My impressions constantly change. I actually find Musc Maori quite interesting – chocolate and musk. I also really like Iris Taizo.
15. Solander | March 14th, 2007 at 4:22 am
Ina, I’ll keep that in mind. I do try all scents at least twice, but perhaps that’s not enough. I do think the PGs are a bit on the “feminine” side for me though, they tend to sound more dark and masculine than they are from the notes…
16. Aromascope » Bois B&hellip | April 17th, 2007 at 11:40 pm
[...] re-consider the case of Bois Blond, the limited edition offering from Parfumerie Generale. Mrs. Ina has reviewed this scent in the past, giving it a lukewarm feedback. Why, o why?! Now I must step in and defend this beauty [...]
17. tabac | April 19th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
This is the first time I’ve ever posted but I’ve been following several perfume blogs for a while. I must comment, however, on ombre fauve. I loved it on my skin and found it more than remeniscent of fumerie turque (and with much more staying power). Got my sample from luckyscent and am PRAYING they haven’t run out – yes, indeed, why limited editions at all?