Bois de Paradis (2002)
by Delrae

Bois de Paradis is a very pretty woody-ambery oriental distinguished by a bright and realistic berry note that floats above the rose and wood heart. The amber base is very sweet and powdery, with a large helping of vanilla. Not enough to make the drydown cheap or cloying, but sufficient to make me a bit uncomfortable wearing it. I imagine this appealing to any woman who enjoys Boucheron's Jaïpur Saphir or Byzance by Rochas. Men should definitely test before buying.

THis is what most designer scents that are woods and amber are hoping to be. A beautifully sweet oriental with touches of florals with a very good woods and amber base. Maybe a little feminine? But what men's scent doesn't use the woods and amber accord nowadays? Polo Explorer, Black XS, Gucci pour Homme, Dirty English... all different takes but with Opium's oriental style. Oh and there's a berry note in this that gives it a Egoiste feel, too, like a tart pie. Neat stuff.

I don't know if the fault lies with my nose or my skin, but this is hideous on me. Baby powder with camphor becomes tea rose and aluminum shavings. I can appreciate that it's well done however. Anyone who likes tea rose will probably love it.

Maybe I'm having an off day, but I wasn't unduly impressed by this one. The only other Del Rae I have smelled is Amoreuse, which was like living plants, like a blast of cool air from a flower shop, and I loved it. I was surprised by Bois de Paradis. I missed the notes completely. It was lush, sweet, almost chocolatey, with mint, berries, and patchouli. Then it turned into pure honey on me. Intensely sweet, toothachingly sweet, and I thought of Angel. Except I get honey, not cotton candy. Just not for me.

Every time I try this I love it more. It's a fragrance I can "fall into" if that makes any sense. I smell very little citrus/bergamot on the opening though it remains as a pervasive thought throughout the fragrance's development. Very quickly sweet (but not cloying) berries throw down a long lasting gauntlet, soon followed by rose and then appears the softest, most mellow and comforting wood. It's a dream of a fragrance, distracting in a good way, inspiring me away from the mundane and towards the creative. When I wear this I want to write perfume reviews! work on my art car! make an entire city out of LEGO with my children! or just daydream...

This is the first Delrae that I fell in love with, although all of them are rather special to me. I find the BdP scent quite comfortable to wear in some circumstances. I probably wouldn't wear it to work, a job interview, or a first date. For a more intimate or romantic occasion, however, I would readily spray some on.

It's rich, "tasty," and quite captivating to my nose. The woody-amber notes in the base are the chief feature after the first notes begin to drop out, and they are really very warm, but (to my mind, at least) not overly lush. I wouldn't say the effect of the drydown is so much powdery as "dusty" — a bit dry and a touch earthy. I think that kind of grounds the fragrance solidly and well, but it doesn't overbalance the delicacy of the brighter notes which still linger. This is what i would call a shyly sensual fragrance: not at all voluptuous, but tender and warm-hearted.