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podslog – :
Reminds me of a somewhat lighter version of Donna Karan Black Cashmere, but the woody notes don’t last as long. It fades quite quickly to a light, fresh floral scent. Nothing special. I have several Lutens that I love but this one doesn’t impress me at all.
yurban – :
Such an autumnal scent for me and I’ve really been enjoying wearing this the past few weeks, it’s been the only one I’ve wanted to reach for. Unfortunately that’s the end of my decant so onto the want list it goes. I find it a woody plum warm perfume that hits the spot.
FriendBrooke – :
I’ve had two goes at this now, and find the same plus and the same minus each time. Firstly the beautiful crystalline singing note which comes off in the first half hour. Really lovely. Secondly and sadly, the “cumin” note, the same one as in Serge Noire, only it’s a lot stronger in SN. The warmer the weather, the more that second note shouts.
It’s a shame cos I like it, it’s an incredible scent, a shifting glittering marvel at first. An hour later I feel very conscious of that tang, which must be the combination of cedar and clove. Looks like, the colder the better. Putting this scent away for winter…
FringeSIN – :
Amazing Plum fragrance.
To me, it is very similar to Tom Ford’s Plum Japonais (which I love).
AndruDol – :
plummmmmm ! plum has been a revelatory note for me over the past couple of years. it often makes me feel like a bold broad sitting in her satin robe (or power suit, depending on time of day) and putting on her lipstick *just for her own pleasure*. feminite du bois is a softer version of that effect. she’s taken the shoulder pads out of her blazer and has opted for the cashmere sweater instead. i really really adore it — aside from my beloved plum, the cinnamon and cedar really linger on me, and then the clove, but surprisingly is not suggestive of christmas time. i think the ginger keeps it ever so slightly sparkling rather than cedar-closet-dry. i just wish with all my heart that it was STRONGER. i’d love for this scent to trail me — i love to leave my mark ! for me, it seems to mostly be a skin scent, and i’m ok for settling for that (is this just my bottle/batch ?) and i recognize there is a charm and beauty to its softness. i admittedly have never (despite my best efforts so far) smelled the vintage shiseido version, but some day, i hope to get my chance to compare….
edit: you know, there may be an ever so slight suggestion of….. dr pepper. must be getting that from the plum (prunes, infamously in dr pepper’s case) and spices ? certainly not syrupy though.
sla424JeomiWogkig – :
Today is one of those rare beauties of summer days- overcast, breezy and cool. After such hot days I’m absolutely reveling in the coolness and decided to bring out a fall perfume. In November FdB was very cedar and fruit heavy, but today the cinnamon is really shining! This perfume is really amazing and deserves wearing in all seasons.
TraktorHG – :
Cedar_lea, thanks for reviewing FdB in relation to Organza Indecence, which to date is still one of my faves (unfortunately the reformulated OI is indecently offensive and smells a far cry from it’s original). Not many make references to OI or Burberry Brit Gold,possibly two of my favourite discontinued frags.
winspebox – :
This is not a scent everyone can wear, but it’s objectively beautiful. A bit oily, woody-spicy scent, whose intensity tones down after a while and then it stays with you all day.
cissa – :
On skin: I think it’s the plum that I dislike in this. It’s an odd combo with the slight woodsiness and slight spiciness. I dunno; the combo just doesn’t quite mesh on me.
Secure – :
Shiseido version was much more interesting! Bring it back, please!
yarik280484 – :
Perfume is intimately personal, and my impression of Féminité du Bois is quite different from others, I’m sure. This lasts all day on me, especially if sprayed on the chest. I sometimes catch myself leaning down to get a whiff of warm, candied fruits and a plethora of woods. I’m reminded of Norwegian Woods, the novel by Haruki Murakami, that intense melancholy and exquisite beauty mélange. I wear this on a cold, rainy day, and I am immediately transported to a warm fire–cozy, safe, and home.
MihejF – :
Unfortunately I just smell like I’ve been locked in a wooden cupboard, I didn’t get any of the fruity plums or florals.
Just straight up cedar, through and through.
The longevity is amazing as always with Serge Lutens.
Aleksandr88 – :
FdB is likely my favourite of the SL fragrances i own. Fruit, woods and spices deliver a scent that is easy to wear, and yet special, comforting and yet daring. If only the violet candy peeped in a little more often. Still, it is a great fragrance of exquisite quality.
*****
Fantom116 – :
I was hoping out of this that I would get a lush, slightly wet, plummy, spicy, raspy wood that kept its life throughout the duration of its time on the skin. On my chemistry I got no such experience.
Let me first say that I so wish I could catch some of the peach or plum! Instead, after a reasonably exciting and bright floral-woody opening, FdB very quickly descended into a very dry cedar and a noticeable bit of unpleasant, inside-of-someone’s-mouth cumin. It’s like the perfume’s more conscious and bright notes fell asleep and forgot that the objective declared by the perfume’s name is “Femininity”. After settling down it is fragrant in only the driest way possible. It smells like someone who works with lumber, irrespective of their sex. This is a bit of a drab perfume to me and I don’t think it would be incredibly attractive on a man, either. Just not enough going on after the drydown. If you like cedar-y, SUPER woody, close-to-the-skin scents and appreciate a significant transformation from a perfume, you may appreciate this. Longevity is very good, and it has a sleek appeal due to the wood, overall I feel it lacks complexity, warmth, pleasantness and addictiveness. It is definitely for someone, but not for me.
jenek032 – :
This is yummy. Something so warm, so comfortable. Unlike most of you, I find it totally masculine, but in a best way possible. In a way that I would wear it as well.
I think it reminds me of someone, probably my grandfather who worked in the woods a lot, but when he would suit himself up, he would always be fresh and clean, with just a few drops of cologne, he would drink honey liqueur and tell the stories, but he would still smell a bit like cedar. Like you cannot wash off the woods completely. Plus, a pinch of grandma’s peach compote.
In this way, FdB is sophisticated and old fashioned, but not outdated.
With this one, I don’t really get bothered that it stays close to the skin, because for me, this scent is really intimate. But I think I won’t purchase it, because it is still too expensive to have that poor longevity.
slavagnom – :
There are more than a few reviews here suspecting cumin in the formulation of Feminité Du Bois. I can easily smell this association. BUT, I bought my bought my boyfriend Texas cedar oil, and I put this oil on one day attempting to balance an overly sweet perfume. I was surprised when it turned to an armpit smell on my wrist. Feminité Du Bois has this cedarwood present right on top.
In context with other notes, I personally have an unpleasant response to FdB. It smells like I opened a nicely sacheted cedar chest full of granny’s undies. Vintage undies that retain their slight odor because they were carefully washed with baking soda and water because grandma came of age in the Great Depression, bless her heart. Not for me, but might be excellent for a burlesque dancer.
Sheaphedatsax – :
Last year I tested and loved Bois et Fruits, which is hard to find, and someone suggested Féminité du Bois as an alternative. And now that I have tested both, I do see the family likeness: as can be expected from Serge Lutens, they both offer a very well-made, balanced interpretation of candied fruits framed by woods and soft spices, and the particular restrained powdery sweetness of that combination is what links them together. But whereas Bois et Fruits is a friendly, uncomplicated kind of scent, this one is more complex, with a focus on the lovely plum note. It’s richer, darker, more feminine as in more mature, without going overboard on any of those qualities: it’s soft and subtle for all of its depth. I have never smelled the Shiseido version so it may be true that this one is tame in comparison, but to me it’s just right. Another Lutens that could easily become a signature if I was still that kind of perfume-wearer, and another one for my wish list, since I love this one just as much as Bois et Fruits, but in its own right rather than as an alternative to it…
ler750 – :
Wow people really enjoy this scent.. I am not one of them. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice and light after a stinging opening but doesn’t quite land for me. It smells like a light spicy honeysuckle on top of woody notes to my novice nose. This says Eau de parfum but it doesn’t last long at all. After an hour it fades right into your skin. This wouldn’t be a part of my collection.
vnmVGCBhjgfguih – :
A very beautiful perfume that doesn’t seem to last on me. Perfumes usually last a while on my skin, but this one seems to disappear within an hour. I asked my boyfriend if he could smell it and he could not. I received a free sample from Serge Lutens to test out their brand and used it all in one sitting. I sprayed about 6 times and I was left with a somewhat woody (cedar) aroma after some time. Initially after spraying, I got nuances of some dark fruits and cinnamon with some floral notes in addition to the cedar, but wasn’t as strong as I would have expected or hoped. All in all, a gorgeous fragrance, but I wouldn’t purchase just because of the longevity and sillage of this (given the price). Perfect autumn scent. Definitely very lady-like, but can see a man wearing it too. Just gives a woman a sort of powerful feeling, but not in an evil way. In a “I can conquer all for I am woman” way. 😛
KNOPA2101 – :
It would seem im the only male out there that likes this! i went in to a fragrance shop and after 45 minutes i came across this gem. i was told it was unisex, i went to buy and they actually run out of retail bottles so gave me 2 x 2ml testers. i’ve tried it on female friends and it actually didnt mix with their body chemistry… at all. in the slightest. after a shower tonight i popped it on again and decided i can pull it off and may even make it my signature fragrance. i also like chergui however it can at times be cloying and give me a head ache.
immiscusbaf – :
I read somewhere that Rashida Jones wears this (or used to wear the old Shiseido branded version) – maybe it’s true, maybe not. Very dry, woody and spicy. Just the tiniest hint of sweetness. Perfect in fall and could be worn for day or night. Good lasting power 7+ hours on me. Sillage for the first hour or two then it stays close to the skin.
Similar in feel or style (dry/woody/spicy), in my collection and opinion, to Tom Ford Santal Blush. I also think this is would make a great step out of your comfort zone (but not too far out) for anyone who loves Burberry Brit and wants to try something more niche. Compared to Brit the woods are elevated and prominent – and the vibe is more elegant and grown up. You still get a bit of fruity sweetness and cedar type wood. I wore Brit quite a bit in my early 20’s but now I’m in my early 30’s and find Feminite du Bois is much more “me”.
1eprik0n – :
I would like this a lot better without the cumin note. I get a slight hint of BO which totally ruins the scent for me, sadly. The annoying thing is that it doesn’t come in until it’s been on for an hour or so. The first spray is lovely and fresh.
andrej323 – :
So interesting how many people here found it more woody than feminine – for me, exactly the opposite. A beautiful, gentle, sweet, cinnamon cloud with the odd waft of cedar; much more an elegant lady’s boudoir with silky drapes than a dewy forest or a carpentry workshop. Visually, its colour – that tasteful, muted, pinky-lilac-mushroomy-greige is exactly the right shade to reflect its character.
Despite the sweetness, it didn’t cloy, but longevity and projection fell off pretty hard after the first hour or so, and after that, only detectable as the most discreet of skin scents. I’m a woman – not a particularly sweet smelling one, but a woman – so this may transform into something punchier on a man.
Raced through a 50ml FB of this in a few months so I could have an excuse for buying something else Serge that was more exciting 😛 and I’ll explore darker, woodier, butchier (but still unisex) things from SL, and stick with Fille En Aiguilles for the days when sweet spicy woody fruit is what I want.
mixefem – :
Unfortunately I get sweat armpit odour on my wrist. Is there coumin in this frag? Usually coumin doesn’t work with my skin and gives a bad surprise like the one I get with Feminite du bois.
paikl – :
I may have finaly found my “signature scent”. Deeply in love with this. Cedar & stewed fruits. Cinnamon & cumin. Vintage or reformulated, is just as delicious. Not a safe blind but, but I got lucky. So sad to think the whole line is getting a facelift, and an increase in price.
912200 – :
Smells like Campari! Great for the summer days when you drink a Campari spritz!
aleksandr199713 – :
Like a rotten forest floor, woody, rich, warm and sweet, after taking a deep breath, a sour fruit taste come in, reminds me of hawthorn, though not mentioned in the note..
inigse – :
Wow! I blind bought this because I found it for a good price, and I’m beginning to realize that blind buying is about the best way for me to find really interesting perfumes that I may not have been drawn to initially. The opening reminds me of Five o clock au Gingembre, but changes with a blast of sandalwood and cedar with a sprinkling of cumin. Even though it’s not listed by fragrantica, cumin is definitely present but not overwhelmingly so as it is in Fleurs d’Oranger. I would have been, up until this very moment, the first to ask why on earth cumin should be put into perfume, but this tiny bit actually adds an impression of heat to the cedar and brings out that note a bit more- as if you are smelling cedar chips baking in the sun. The dry bitterness is challenged by a fresh peachy sweetness just under the surface which is utterly fascinating and keeps me sniffing, trying to parse the notes. It’s truly intoxicating and a very original fragrance- glad I took the risk of a blind buy, I don’t think I’ll be regretting it any time soon!
Edit: later in the day I was confident enough to do a walk through spray and now I get the Christmas reference some other reviewers have remarked on. It reminds me of a Christmas shop with the scent of seasonal potpourri mingled with mulling spices. Interestingly, this scent smells different ways depending on my distance from the source- what fun!
GlultDattmawl – :
Feminite du Bois
Feminite du bois was the first oriental fruity wood on the market. It was followed by Diors Dolce Vita, a twist on Feminite du Bois which was submitted to Dior by Bourdon. Versace also got into the floral fruit woody game with their entry of Versace Woman.
Feminite du Bois is the most spicy, dry, evenly balanced of the three in its genre of contemporaries. Rochas Femme is not as it is a fruity animalic chypre, a completely different animal. Dolce Vita is more sweet fruit and Woman is more plum and floral.
The peach and plum offset the spicy cedar and once it gets going its really a pleasure to wear. It can be dressy, casual but its always appropriate. It is one of Lutens flagships next to Nombre Noir and worth visiting to understand the classic Lutens aesthetic.
I think this should be in every perfumistas wardrobe. Versace Woman is the best buy for the genre. For an offbeat layering try FdB + Angel
ExstRemaaL – :
First of all, Feminite du Bois reminds me much of an un-chypre Femme Rochas, meaning it’s exactly what I’d want Femme Rochas to smell like, now that I’m no longer under any delusion that I can force myself to enjoy most of the retro chypres. I was briefly infatuated with them in the wake of my blind-buy of Halston Classic, but found that I was having to force myself to reach for them after just a short while, but I digress.
In my opinion, the spicy plum and peach thing goes much better with FdB’s lovely cedar than it does post-IFRA synthetic oakmoss substitute. The fruit in Femme Rochas is overripe, bordering on vulgar, whereas here it’s restrained, sweet yet dry, tasteful. I love a great vulgar floral (Lutens’ Fleurs d’Oranger, Fracas, etc.), but vulgar fruit does next to nothing for me, and no worry of that with FdB. This is smooth and elegant. I do wish for a stronger projection, but longevity does not suffer.
snr556Unlogrere – :
Wow. This is how I wanted Nuit de Noel to smell! Lovely spicey and woody with a resinous benzoid and musk base. The drydown is more vanilla but still has a bit of sweet cinnamon to it and I swear I occasionally got some whiffs of a patchouli similar to Angel.
Upon revisiting it is quite similar to organza indecence with the same strong wood and cedar notes. However, it is missing the softness of organza’s white amber making this somehow harder or colder. The orange blossom note it a fascinating addition. After the scent settles it occasionally stands out as a breath of sweet floral before fading back behind the spice, wood, and resin.
Alkor59z – :
I tried a sample of this. I could have assumed from the name, but I think this is too feminine for a man to wear. For me, it’s primarily fruity and spicy, then floral and woody, in that order. It reminds me of the holidays – spiced punch, wassail, fresh Christmas tree – without smelling like the generic “holiday spice” scented candles. I think it’s unique and well-done, just not for me.
wiseforceexpert – :
Woody cinnamon yumm this is quite possibly my favouirte in this line. So warm and comforting and sweet. Smells like Christmas. This and Ambre sultan take the cake. And Arabie 🙂
makarchik – :
Very sensual and sexy fragrance – woody, cinnamony, deep.
Good for any season, especially can imagine it in hot summer night – it would show all of the best in it!
wheedocogue – :
Strange that this one is found in Luca Turin’s 2008 edition of “Perfumes – The A-Z Guide”, while the information here informs as that it was from 2009. What’s even more irritating: It is declared as unisex, although the information says “The feminine fragrance Feminite du Bois…”
Now this is really confusing: It reminds me of a mixture of my favourites, Costume National’s Homme and Soul. Frankly, if I had just the sample, I’d classify it as masculine.
But perhaps all that confusion is just part of the programme. Wherever and whenever it comes from, it is of high quality. And slightly woody it is, too.
****
Dallan – :
Hot damn, this packs a punch. It’s opulent, glorious, a blast of cinnamon incense and burning cedar wood, plummy boozy fruit cake, somewhere between Poison and Organza Indecence. I’d apply this with a light hand and watch people melt when they snuggle up to your décolletage. It’s smooth, spicy, dry and a tiny bit sweet. (Uni)sexy.
chyrli – :
I don’t understand this one at all. I received a pile of samples from Serge Lutens when I purchased my beloved Un Bois Vanille, and was very excited to try Feminite du Bois based on the rave reviews here. I spritzed some on before going out today, and got nothing but cumin and some cedar shavings. Nothing whatsoever sweet, powdery, or pretty about this one on my skin. Just straight up and aggressive cumin, really. I literally smelled like Indian food for hours.
I asked my SO to sniff, and he definitely was not smelling the same thing I was, but he’s the worst at descriptions, and could only say it smelled “mature” which is his default term for anything that smells heavy or cloying (though by contrast, he found Jicky to smell like B.O. and I found it to smell like delicious lemon aftershave). Perhaps I’m hypersensitive to the cumin note, which seems to be the go to add in when a touch of dirtiness is the goal. This one is a big disappointment for me, because I so wanted to love it.
chipididi – :
In the opening there is a HARSH blast of anise or licorice then a hint of sweetness from a fruit then a hint of floral, nothing distinct at first; It’s a skin scent that I thought was being eaten by my skin and couldn’t smell any development for a short time then the light, dry woods come forward then it dries down to a sweet plum skin scent that I like.
kozlov_ivan – :
Nude Sitting on a Divan by Amedeo Modigliani 1917
sansanechsan – :
Wow. In love! So warm, so spicy, the plum cinnamon and wood and peppery notes are just such a perfect harmonious comforting scent. I wish these serge lutens lasted a bit more, I am defo going to try Shisheido and buy it if that lasts longer! This is definitely my type of buy list scent.
kucapa – :
A nice one! Reminds me of Christmas, because of the cinnamon and clove notes. Smells like Christmas dessert or drink.
How nice it would have been to try this one before Christmas.
It’s an interesting one from Serge Lutens, I like it rather well.
kleskx – :
This perfume is very sexy. It manages to be intensely feminine while incorporating aspects of traditional male fragrance. It has floral notes too, but the dominating notes are soft woods and mellow plums, all underscored by a definite but faint dirty knickers muskiness. Fabulous.
dead)mau5 – :
A very beautiful perfume which smells like the plums that you picked up in the woods as an autumnal manna. Now you’re reading in your warm house, and you’re staining your book because your hands are dirty with mashed fruits and ginger.
Beware that the projection of this scent is weak. I always have to spray a lot of this gem on my skin to detect something.
To me, Féminité du bois is one of the loveliest violet-red fragrances. It’s a kind of woodsy gourmand which is a real delight everytime I wear it.
mantaKAD – :
Such a beautiful, comforting, sensual, graceful and womanly perfume
I adore it.
It’s divine.
maximova – :
Love everything, everything about it. My perfect scent. Very woman, alluring, mystical. Gorgeous.
kordenal-7 – :
There is something mean, something sensual, and something cheeky about this fragrance specially the top note! It is fruitty yet musky, floral yet sweaty, woody yet sexy. Cedar, cinnamon, cloves, and fruity plum. Peachy and vanillic. In general fruit wood sweat sweet in a bottle.
As it calms down, the musk, the ylang ylang, and spices shines up quite clear and backing up the vanilla lace sweetness and the overall sour effect.This is one damn amazing blend, I just hope it won’t change all the way or causes me a stomach ache.
neornanonscit – :
I don’t know if I really love it or is just the way this perfume makes me feel,just like a woman. Soft, delicate,strange and most important like a loved women, like a woman that smells good…powerful but not too. Anyway, for me this was a blind buy but now has become my signature. Is floral when calms down but is actually an inspirational perfume. Makes me feel like a Japanese girl, the one from Kawabata’s novel, Snow Country …a mystery .
lzn689elipseskism – :
Old fashioned, powdery, nauseating opening, calms down about 30 min. in, into an elegant, still old fashioned, floriental with sweet fruity hints.
alex18 – :
This fragrance makes me think of fall…the beauty of the leaves turning colors and the crisp air blowing across your face and you’re wrapped up in your favorite sweater. That’s the mood of this fragrance, warm and spicy, comforting. On my skin I get a very strong fig smell but I assume that is the plum mixed with cedar. Nice lasting power, perfect scent for fall and winter.
Villian – :
Oh my, where to start here..
I’m used to the feeling ”something’s missing here” or ”that’s just not it” but I never had it with this one. I first smelled it long time ago on a colleague at work and immedeately my right eyebrow went up and I nodded up and down with my head..It was the original Shiseido edition. I didn’t fell in love but was intrigued for sure. As I already was a lover of opulent oriental scents I wasn’t that shocked by my reaction. Later that year I went on a trip and while walking through the parisian airport I saw it on a shelf in a perfumery from quite a distance. Just couldn’t resist, went in and bought it. I was satisfied to sence that it smelled even better on me:) I felt strong, confident and mysterious like Poirot from Agatha Christie series 🙂 Again, years gone by and I wished for another bottle but by accident got the latest Serge Lutens version for a present. Was so disappointed, denying this was the same thing, but gave it a try (not to offend) anyway. Doesn’t feel the same, this one is somehow lighter.. but still contains the same ingredients which all collaborate nicely. Wearing it all day I came to the conclusion that I love it! Was really happy about it and learned from experience that some things need more than one chance to judge them correctly (like someone said: ”Let it breathe..”) and this is why I’ll always have a back up bottle of SL FDB like I have with CD Tendre Poison and EL B. Goddess. Those three really have impact on my day making it complete and a different point of view.
Update: I like this version even more, than the Shiseido one, I must admit,
chyb – :
I have read some really beautiful reviews of this scent on here, and I don’t know if I can add much in terms of explaining the beauty of this scent. I will try though! This is a wonderful spicy, warm, woody scent. I love it! Dolce Vita by Dior is close to this, but this is a titch more masculine and wearable for me (as a guy). This scent makes me feel warm and cozy, and I love it!
spidi – :
I have finally got to try this masterpiece after finding an actual tester for it in a NZ store. At first it started as a cacophony of tobacco spices and incense, almost like allspice, cinnamon and ground coriander but then it softened into a creamy powdery dark bomb of a scent. Very film noir and stunning, once the ylang ylang hits and everything melds together it has a sweet fizziness in the background which softens all of the spice and smoke and draws me in. To me this is the Grandmother of EL Sensuous noir minus the pine note and I am in a bind whether to get another bottle of SN or get this instead. This one is a bit softer and more refined I think I might have a new favourite here.
RBR44 – :
Lovely! Very woody but feminine at the same time. Rich spices and dark fruit mixed in to keep the wood notes interesting. Well blended composition, nothing overwhelming. Unique and beautiful scent!
vjiksobaka86 – :
Powdery sandalwood, old fashioned. Soapy. 45 minutes in: a bit nausea inducing. 2 hours in: still a bit much but intriguing, like something Marlene Dietrich would wear. Soon after whatever was making me nauseous fades away; dry-down still old fashioned. Strong cedar note throughout. A grown up scent. I’d like to try this again but away from my face – that close to my face may just be too much with this scent.
Minfelllola – :
At the first spray what came to my mind was… Dolce Vita from Dior, no doubts about it. After a few minutes the sandalwood became thicker as in Samsara. As I love Samsara and Dolce Vita I love this one too. It is a nice fragance and worth a full bottle. On a want list.
slavaa – :
How can something smell so unisex/masculine, but at the same time also so ladylike?
This fragrance has a special attitude, like that one in for example Cartier’s La Panthere/Basier Du Dragon, Tom Ford Violet Blonde. Don’t misunderstand me, the scent’s have no similarities, still they all smell really chic in a very unisex/masculine way.
Cold, bitter and at the same time deep, sweet, spicy and juicy.
tyrneps – :
Oh yikes, this is truly grim on my skin. Absolutely nothing nice comes out of FdB, no matter how long I wait. I am assailed by a cacophony of smells, none of them being anything I recognise.
Yet another SL frag that I cannot get my head around. I know it’s me, not the scent, so no offence is meant to those who love this frag.
Freededs – :
This one is such a beauty!
It is sweet without any doubt, but this is very soft and delicate sweetness, almost like you smell a delicious eastern dessert with plum and spices especially cinnamon.
Gorgeous spicy plum lasts on me all the way, which I’m so happy about!
Woods in the dry donw give a creaminess to the composition, so there is a feeling like the plum and cinnamon are hugged by the cedar-sandalwood combo.
This is really authentic, in my opinion, also quite versatile fragrance.
This will be definately long term relationship with this perfume.
kitchenaster – :
Opens with a woody cedar and spicy cinnamon note. I smell a hint of plum but it floats in the background and is ever so subtle. Over time it becomes aromatic, resinous and intoxicating. But this is definitely a fragrance with a bit of a masculine edge. It’s a bit of a darker fragrance that I would expect someone who knows what they want and who they are to wear.
It evokes a memory of skiing or hiking through a densely wooded area.
I can’t speak to the comparisons to the other fragrances as I’ve never tried any of the others but I could see my husband wearing this just as easily as I could.
Feminite du bois is beautiful. If you’re into woody and aromatic orientals, I would definitely recommend this!
Sillage – low / Longevity – Above average / Moderate
7/10
KotV – :
Wonderful rich and mysterious. A delight. I am a man and I want it
Krok-men – :
All I get from this on me is a cedar- and clove-based aftershave. Way too masculine and spicy even after the dry down. I really wanted to love it; instead, I’m feverishly trying to wash it off. 🙁
twj631Negeltzex – :
In the 90’s, my best friend wore the Shiseido FdB constantly, so in my heart this scent is intimately connected with hanging out with her (her clothes and car were soaked with FdB), with the 90’s, with grunge music, and with the feeling of being fresh out of college and starting my life.
I never wore it myself until last week when I received a bottle of the Lutens version. I have no access to the old Shiseido formulation, but I can say this : the Lutens version immediately sent a shock of recognition down my spine. This feels exactly right to me.
That being said, I believe those who say there are notable differences between the two versions. They probably own both, I sadly don’t, so I can’t compare. But if you miss the Shiseido, don’t miss out on the Lutens : it’s still one of the great oriental woody fragrances out there.
8/10
michardon – :
I totally understand now, why so many people love Feminite du Bois!
The scent opens a little harsh, quite soapy and very cedar centered, masculine. This fortunately lasts just a few minutes.
After that the soapy, musky cedar quickly goes in the background, but is still enough present that the scent stays sophisticated and elegant. A fruity note gets into the spotlight in a quite fresh, sparkly way. I immediately had peach (fresh and ripe) in my mind whithout looking at the pyramid.
After the dancing sparkliness of the peach, the scent gets a different fruit accord; a plummy, syrupy, compote like one, spiked with a good dosage of spices, especially cinnamon.
Overall the scent is deep and sweet, but because of the soapy, musky, cedar note still very perfumey and not too gourmand. It has something in it that reminds me on crayons, but certainly in a good way!
Feminite du Bois really smells ladylike, elegant, a little mysterious, with a very versatile character – perfect for snuggling at home in the coziest and warmest pyjama, or eating in a chic dress and stilettos at an expensive restaurant. Feminite du Bois doesn’t care.
nedelyazanedeley – :
On me this is cedar all the way. Yes I notice a few other notes, but if this was a Sunday dinner, cedar would be the big steak, pot roast or turkey and everything else would be the small specks of seasoning on top. The “seasoning” is of course significant for the total experience, but there is no question what dish this is.
immortal78 – :
Feminté du Bois was my first exposition to niche perfumery. I have both versions, the Shiseido one (that I bought shortly before it was discontinued, in eau de parfum concentration), and the Serge Lutens one. You can certainly tell is the same perfume, but the Shiseid