Friday, November 12, 2010

Review: Vivienne Westwood Boudoir

Whenever I read something about a perfume that interests me, I add it to my wishlist on The Perfumed Court, and then when I come back weeks later to have a bit of a spree, I can't remember why anything is there. This was definitely the case with Vivienne Westwood Boudoir. I can't for the life of me remember where I heard about it. I looked at the notes - nothing jumped out at me. Why did I want to try this? However, I am a bit of a fan of Viv and her Very British Eccentricity, so the last time I did an order on TPC, I threw it in.

Notes: viburnum, marigold, orange blossom, orris, red rose, cinnamon, coriander, cardamom, amber, vanilla, sandalwood and patchouli.

Thankfully, I get no patchouli - I'm really not keen on it. I don't get any cinnamon, coriander or cardamom either - wouldn't that smell like a curry? Weird. I swear to you, the first thing I smell when I spray this on is sarsparilla. It's very odd, but not at all unpleasant, and it doesn't last very long - giving way quickly to a rich, creamy rose. Rose is iffy on me - it always amps, sometimes in a good way (The Garden Bath Fresh Roses), sometimes in a bad way (BPAL Come To Me). The rose in Boudoir is different from any other rose scent I have - I can't put my finger on why, but there's something else there tempering it. Something... green? I don't know - I've been sniffing away at my wrist as I write this and I can't pin it down. Maybe that's what the coriander is. There's a vanilla note in there too, but not your usual super sweet or warm Bourbon vanillas, this smells like a properly made, light and sweet Crème Anglaise. Or a fancy vanilla slice, the kind you get in David Jones.

It lasts for hours and has a lot of throw - this is a heady oriental floral not for the faint-hearted or those who work in very close quarters with other people. I love it so much I bought a full bottle, which is rare for me these days!

7 comments:

  1. Im considering buying this blind from Strawberrynet just...because!
    Thanks for the review :)

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  2. Oh no, if you buy it blind and hate it I will feel terrible! lol

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  3. It actually sounds really lovely but I don't suit rose scents. I dunno why but they just arent "me" I like incredibly tacky sweet perfumes that are actually aimed at teenagers :)

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  4. AMU, I'm sure I have a few of those incredibly tacky sweet perfumes around the house. :-)

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  5. Sounds like a very yummy fragrance!

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  6. Sounds divine <3 VW is the queen of awesomeness <3

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  7. I have not had a bottle of boudoir in about 6 years. I married my husband 5 years ago and he has never been exposed to this scent. I ordered it from hervia.com and can't wait for him to experience it. He hasn't enjoyed any of my perfumes..nor have I in the last 5 years. Which is why I am going back to my signature scent. It really is an addictive smell...years later I yearn to be wrapped in its fragrance. My hubby will LOVE this..because I have tried all of the popular brands over the years and yet...I still miss this scent. Hmmm? and he hasn't appreciated any of them. This is a signature scent for those with the right body chemistry...you either LOVE it or HATE it. I happen to LOVE it. Please TEST this perfume before you buy it...like I said, it is not for everyone...but the select few who wear it well...ENJOY!!!

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