Boudoir (1998)
by Vivienne Westwood

The combination of cumin, aldehydes, rose, powdery woods, vanilla, patchouli  and cinnamon produces that sort of radiant and airy, aromatic-cool and talky-milky modern-retro vibe that is the essence of the scent. An initially angular and traditional bergamot on the side of aldehydes, rose and patchouli enhances a sort of traditional feel while a combination of flowers with a cleverly blended tobacco pushes up the radiance and the extreme femininity of the juice. In absence of brewing fruits and too syrupy mellifluence a final touch of warmth is moderate and well  balanced with the powdery regular cool dustiness. A traditional and a modern concept of femininity merge both together , a bit chanel N. 5 and a bit Ange Au Demon, a whiff of the classic Dolce e Gabbana with a touch of Alien passing through a whisper of Tresor. Not bad.

18th November, 2011. (Last Edited: 8th January, 2012.)

I have owned many bottles of this, and have known it for so long that I cannot really break down Boudoir into a list of notes.
It's creamy, powdery, sugar sweet and "pretty", but has a animalic raunchiness underneath it, it's not a leather at all, it's just... dirty. I asked a friend to sniff this one, and she said "It smells of p**sy". I guess that's kind of what I mean.
It's feminine, but pretty florals working with a guys chemistry can work great sometimes, on me, the sugar sweetness dies down and whats left is a creamy, ambery, vanillary... Boudoir smell is all I can say. Maybe I'm biased just as many are with old favourites such as the old Guerlain classics, but this is an ultimate comfort scent for me. It's sexy and loud with amazing sillage and longevity, you will get compliments on it that's for sure.

28th September, 2011.

Notes for Boudoir are viburnum, marigold, orange blossom, orris, rose, cinnamon, coriander, cardamom, amber, vanilla, sandalwood, patchouli...

It's hard to believe tuberose isn't mentioned in there because this opens with a heady floral accord that I would swear includes tuberose...anyway, tuberose notwithstanding, this is a powerhouse from the 90's imitating a powerhouse from the 80's. I read a review online that claimed this would be a good scent for a night out clubbing, dancing, partying, etc. and that sounds about right. This will make you smell like that's what you been doing, anyway, even if you haven't.
Boudoir is not obnoxious, but it still has some attitude.
The scent of "idealized sweat" was another great observation I read.
Ok, my personal perspective is that it has one essential thing I am crazy for, creaminess. This thing is in the family of Fracas, in terms of both heft and creaminess. The base notes might as well be buttercream. If you like things like eating things creme fraiche or creme anglaise, you might like wearing Boudoir. Buy now as it was discontinued.

30th June, 2011.

Today i got this sample from the loving
curtisy of Bronx Beauty. and at first
sniff it smelled like A Crap load of Amber an Orange and hinges of PLASTIC!
egggggh! and with dirty laundry
smelly smelly armpits. i'm picturing
a neurotic drag queen in Leopard print
leggins black stelettos gold lame blouse
long bright red dress coat with matching pilbox hat bright red lips ala joan crawford hair coiled in the most
grotesque beehive animal printed handbag her looks is a cross between
Joan Crawford Judy Garland & Sante Kimes the notorious Grifter. walking
down 5th avenue. or going to a delect
motel and the moteler reeks of a sweaty guy
named Jacques that when i smell this

and i got one word left
CHEAP!

3rd November, 2010.

Boudoir is gorgeous. It opens like rootbeer or dr. pepper or sodapop on me. I'm serious. I almost immediately sense the powder and cinnamon & other spices. The rose is perfectly done. On me, Boudoir is sweet without being a sugary, cloying, white floral mess. It wears beautifully into the base. I was on the lookout for indole given previous reviews, and I did not sense any poo, sweat or underpants, thankfully.

Boudoir is a modern chypre with a vintage parfum feel. It wears like an oriental on me, landing somewhere between CK Secret Obsession and Houbigant Chantilly, both of which I own and wear. I think those two reference points are somehow fitting -- Secret Obsession is a modern oriental that's really an abstract gourmand, and Chantilly is a vintage spicy, powdery beast. In all cases, the fumes need the right wearer. And good news for me - This is my playground.

Boudoir won't be confined to the bedroom on me. In fact, as the weather cools, I plan to wear this into the office! Sexy, not so sure. What I am sure of is that my 10ml decant won't be enough! Just went to the top of my want list.

12nd September, 2010.

Theoretically, I should like this as I do enjoy "dangerous" scents and am fond of many chypre florals. I tested the sample vials several times and the results were always the same: I can say without reservation that it has longevity--it just won't go away. But I don't appreciate people looking at me as if they're wondering how long it's been since I changed my underwear.

1st June, 2010.