Bois de Filao (2003)
by Comptoir Sud Pacifique

Being a noob, I can't determine to the letter yet which of the notes I'm smelling right now (I'm wearing Bois de Filao today), but when I tested it I must have taken some time for it to settle and get a good sniff out of it since the initial spray is like *arrgh ackkk* so strong, I think the top notes come on too loud. I wanted a woody scent to include in my wardrobe and ended up with this (Sud Pacifique's frags will cease to exist in Manila as the store carrying it here will discontinue carrying, so I took advantage). Add to that, after I bought it I must have re-applied and it gave me my first fragrance headache EVER.

It's been 3, 4 hours since the initial spray and I think it has settled quite ok, ditto on the "scrubber" quality, it just stays there really, no need to re-apply after a cig or two. Note to those who might be interested, one chest and one back spray is ALL you need. It seems I do one small movement and I get to smell it, like reminding me "hello, I'm your frag today". It may be the combo of filao wood, amber and white musk I'm smelling now, it IS a rather sweet wood, not as dark and grainy as I would've liked (errr...which I shouldn't expect from a vanilla house like Comptoir)

I'm giving it a neutral as of now, as I'm a sucker for longevity. Another headache caused by this and hello, thumbs down.

Top: lemon, bergamot, papyrus
Mid: baie rose, violet leaf
Base: patchouli, filao wood, amber, white musk

Filao must be a rather fragrant sweet wood -- don't expect a 'Sequoia' here. It actually reminds me a bit of 'Chene' by SL. It almost drifts to the feminine side, but not quite. It's really very nice to wear and lasts a good time on me. Not for strictly wood lovers though, I would think.

Kaern

Bois de Filao is pleasant light wood scent that thankfully does not seem to have the usually sweet vanilla CSP base. However, maybe that is the reason why it had very little sillage on my skin and disappeared after approximately 30 minutes. Shame because it seemed so promising at the beginning.

Top: lemon, bergamot, papyrus
Mid: baie rose, violet leaf
Base: patchouli, filao wood, amber, white musk
I tried Bois de Filao because I am interested in woody scents. This is not particularly woody.
The opening is nice and citrusy. Don’t know what papyrus smells like but there didn’t seem to be any dry leafy/paper-like smell here. A hint of wood peeks out from time to time, but it is drowned in a sweet accord of patchouli and powdery, vanillan amber. Don’t care for this one at all!

They call it unisex, and it could be, but IMHO it is much more of a masculine scent. Oddly enough, it reminds me of Magie Noire, but what Magie Noire should be, instead of the cloying perfume that it is. The amber and patchouli take the bite out of the lemon and violet and make it a much rounder, softer scent than Magie could ever be. I can see how it can be a "scrubber" (lol) as one gent so delightfully described it below. The spice can be a bit overwhelming. While not for me, used sparingly, it can be a nice scent.

Along with L'eau de Gouverneur, my favorite offering from CSP. It's soft, subtle, and woodsy, excellent for daywear or eveningwear use. There isn't much to add on top of Foetidus' excellent review, but I'll only add that this one also reminds me a good deal of EA Him Night, only much smoother and more sophisticated (and, seeing the notes of the EA, one sees much in common).