Parfums DelRae Boid de Paradis is a jammy, spicy amber with incense. It’s an interesting fragrance because it can remind me of hot, lazy late summers and other times it reminds me of luxury and dark lipstick wearing 1930’s starlets. I tend to like “chameleon scents”.

My first impression of Bois de Paradis takes me to late summer. It’s hot and dry, blackberries are overly ripe, figs are at their prime, and roses whither in the heat. I get a dry spice, blackberry musk, fig trees, and rose jam. It dries down really quickly and I’m left with a generic amber that is a little metallic. It’s OK, but not great. This is with a dab. Bois de Paradis can be something much more glamorous…

Now spray on Bois de Paradis. Forget summer, you’re wrapped in fur. The lighting is dramatic. And you’re sipping red wine. Bois de Paradis still keeps many of the same aspects: fig, blackberry, jam. It’s still very thick but darker, much more of the rose, thorns and all. I get much more incense “haze” layered in spices. It’s like a seductive trance. And it’s intense. The base is also “sweeter” with more powder. The amber isn’t so “dull” but it does keep some of the “metallic muskiness”, With all this powderiness and florals, it reminds me of old-fashioned lipstick and powder makeup. Bois de Paradis is like wrapping oneself in velvet while wearing a full face of makeup. It’s very glamorous. And like with glamour, too much may be overwhelming. Bois de Paradis is much “stronger” with a spray.

So, with a dab, Bois de Paradis is “pretty” and warm, with a spray it becomes a luxurious amber that is stunning. That being said, I can see Bois de Paradis, even though it reminds me of summer sometimes, being too heavy for the summer. I see myself enjoying this one more on cool nights or in the winter.

Notes listed include citrus, French rose, blackberry, fig, spices, woods, and amber. Perfumer – Michel Roudnitska

Give Bois de Paradis a try if you like decadent amber fragrances or fragrances like Montale Fruit of the Musk, Sula Blackberry Musk, Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy (if the budget of Bois de Paradis was $1), YSL Parisienne, Malle Lipstick Rose, and/or Hanae Mori Butterfly.

Parfums DelRae Bois de Paradis retails for $135 for 1.7 oz at Beautyhabit. Samples are also available for purchase.

Victoria’s Final EauPINION – There’s is no denying, Bois de Paradis is very well done. It’s amazing. It’s luxurious. But, I feel like I should be “flipping out” for it. I mean, it’s a fig fragrance with incense and rose. It’s glamorous without being too “stiff”. I think if I try this again in the middle of December, I will “flip out” for it. So, I’m keeping my sample and saving it for a cold, gloomy day when I need some glamour.

Want more reviews? Try…

Bois de Jasmin

Perfume-Smellin’ Things

Nathan Branch

The Non-Blonde

T-Magazine (Chandler Burr’s take)

*A sample of this scent was provided by The Crushed Violet. Product picture from Parfums DelRae. Dolores del Rio picture from www.fanpix.com. Post contains an affiliate link. Thanks!