Feminitè du Bois (1992)
by Serge Lutens Les Salons du Palais Royal Shiseido

This fragrance possesses a sort of fairy silvan mystery and fantastic mythic intrigue, a vague olfactory transposition towards an enchanted world of magic and hunting goddesses that turns it out ethereal, silvestre and nymph. The scent itself is anyway contemporary and chic although with a slightly old-school hidden feel. The complex fragrance is a woody floral juice composed by the combination of many notes, among which are starring the dark plum, cinnamon (that produces in the link with fruits a sort of apricot effect), cedar, violet and musk. The combination of neroli, plum, spices and violet composes the changeful and ethereal wake that features the smell and places itself on a bed of mild woods, balsams and multifaceted earthy cedar. Vanilla and benzoin enhance the warmth and oriental mystery. This tasty, woodsy and floral wake reminds me fragrances as La dolce vita (less dark and ethereal) and fragrances as Vanderbilt and Lolita Lempicka ( greens, violet, sultry fruits as apricot, vanilla, cedarwood and musk)the last two more gummy-synthetic and less balanced and elegant. 

31st October, 2011. (Last Edited: 14th December, 2011.)

All I can say it I do not know why it took me so long to try this!! I bought it unsniffed! I was really terrified. I ADORE it!! It's fabulous. I use it sparingly because it is hard to come by. If I knew I could always get it....I would just use it much more!! Wish the original wasn't discontinued.....What a pity!

29th October, 2011.

My first and immediate impression of this fragrance is that it smells "high class." I can't think of a better way of describing it aside from that. It smells like a perfume that a person with a lot of money who owns a large estate should be wearing. I mean that in the most positive way, I love this fragrance. However, I also noticed that this perfume changes and evolves quite a bit the longer you wear it, and when it gets to the later stages the amount of cedar in the perfume also makes me think of scented Christmas candles (good quality expensive ones.) The people who made this fragrance might hate me for saying that, but I only mean it in a good way. It doesn't smell bad on me at all! There is nothing that I really dislike about "Feminite du Bois." The initial impression I got from it almost made me think it was too good for me to wear, but I honestly love this fragrance so much that I'm still sure I could easily make it my signature fragrance anyway. It's one of those perfumes that was never really mass marketed very much, but I think it's because this fragrance is too good for mass marketing. I recommend it to everyone who likes sophisticated woody fragrances.

16th August, 2011.

Original Shiseido EDP

This is a tale of three notes, all dressed in purple attire that show off their perfectly proportioned curves (not unlike the bottle that they reside in), singing a melody that each realize is more important than any solo they could perform.

Plum, violet and cedar. Each step forward to receive their applause, but quickly step back in line to continue their performance. A melody of balance. Sure, there is a supporting cast - a sprinkle of cinnamon, a dash of cumin. But the melody is all about the purple main players.

Plum, violet and cedar.

This one is soft and reflective. It is the mother of a whole series of really good perfumes from S. Lutens. But this is where is all began, and it remains a mother in firm control of her offspring. She rules, and they only follow.

27th May, 2011.

It starts with a burst of spices like cinnamon,cardamom and ginger.A very loud opening and a turn to the most sweet dry-down.What a silage.The notes at heart are very sweet indeed.It is the honey in it as well as vanilla .
Great perfume with excellent lasting power.

30th April, 2011.

Surge Lutens relaunch of FDB is a soothing, relaxing fragrance that seems to fit the mood of delving into an intense day of reading on a leather recliner and contemplating on the mysteries of life. This perfume doesnt strike me as a head turning fragrance at all. Its intellectual and introspective. On my skin the spice and cedar are most prominent with a sort of dry plummy note that lingers in the background almost like dried fruit or potpourri. Its sheer, yet has staying power with moderate sillage. Could easily be a scent for a man, the name FDB doesnt seem to suit the juice. Its definitely unisex. I can smell the similarities between this and Dolce Vita. The difference is that Dolce Vita has a honey like sweetness and vanillic base, while FDB has neither. I do enjoy this fragrance but it hasnt made the full bottle worthy cut.

7th April, 2011.