Reviews of Firewood / Feu de Bois
by Ava Luxe

EDP review:

A terribly synthetic smelling woody-incense scent.

[Original submission date: 10 April 2008]

I get a strong aromatic resinousness immediately in the opening – perhaps this is the plastic note that others refer to. My nose doesn’t interpret it as plastic or synthetic, but I can see where it could easily be what the others are referring to. I am sure that I don’t like it. It probably has something to do with the birch note – it wouldn’t be the first time I reacted to a birch note this negative way. I don’t find it sweet, just strongly aromatic, bitter, and resinous, and getting way too close to being disgusting. To my nose, the birch note overwhelms the smoke and incense until the fragrance settles down to its heart notes, at which point Fire Wood becomes an enjoyable scent to me. I don’t think the enjoyment I get out of the middle and base notes are worth the unpleasantness of the birch tar opening. I also don’t find this fragrance very similar to a crackling winter fire. It wears very beautifully with a quietly rich, woody, close to the skin drydown, but I’d like a more pleasant journey to get there.

This is after only 1 testing from a sample vial. I do have to say I wonder what could have been, because I do agree with the sythetic smelling note. I have the same problem with the Absolute version of CB Burning Leaves. On paper, this should be right up my alley. In reality, I wish it were a bit more natural smelling.

Strange, when I tried this version of Firewood, it was less intense than some other "firewood" scents: Galliano, Sonoma Scent Studio's Fireside and Fireside Intense, for example. It had a slight hint of sweet/plastic, perhaps from the incense notes. It does not bother me; in fact, it adds to the depth of the fragrance. It is not my favorite version, but is nice and perhaps more enjoyable for those who find other versions of this scent overwhelming.

To me this does not resemble the scent of fire, wood or incense. It smells synthetic, plastic-like even.

As the other reviewers have mentioned, a very faithful woodsmoke smell. On a par with the Miller Harris roomspray for realism, if not better. As suggested by some other reviewers, I'd be interested to see her extend into room sprays, candles etc.

I got definite whiffs of cedar and tobacco; lots of smoke, drying down into ashes. In fact, I must admit to getting a touch of ashtrays, but that might just be the ex-smoker in me.

I found this very dry, too dry perhaps. In the end I sweetened it with a dab of Ava Luxe's 'Milk', which worked nicely.

One of the luxe editions, Fire Wood kicks off with a huge burst of evergreen wood and a touch of woodsmoke. The smoke is pleasant, and not overwhelming as it sometimes is in fragrances like Fumerie Turque - Fire Wood is more like a camp fire in a pine forest.
As it dries down, the incense emerges and it begins to resemble, ever so slightly, Zagorsk.
Fire Wood is unisex, but has a strong masculine appeal. It lasts very well and has decent sillage. Although I don't think it's quite right for me, I do enjoy the smell. I wonder if Ms Luxe has ever thought of doing candles, because this would be superb!

This is the best firewood scent! Woody, without being a pure wood scent, smoky, without being harsh and bitter, cosy, without being gourmandy sweet. An open fire of birch wood and, although it's not in the description, fir and pine wood.

Another of the "Luxe Editions," Firewood is incredibly woody - again, lots of cedar, there's a smokey sweetness that might be birch tar, and a touch of incense adding depth. I like these Luxe Editions much more than the standard editions. They seem deeper, richer, more complex. They're not going to be considered classics of perfumery (but then again, how many new releases even from designers and niche companies will be?). For the price, they're worth checking out.

There's one thing, however, that I consistently don't like about these artisanal fragrances: there is something in the oil or alcohol they are dissolved in - it smells a little synthetic and plastic-y to me, but I can't put my finger on exactly what it is that is causing this smell. In Firewood, it's strongest in the top, and then fades considerably to be non-intrusive. Still, it taints the overall experience for me.

If you like cedar, smoke, and incense, give this one a try...maybe the plastic note I am getting is skin chemistry related.

A bonfire in pine woods on a chilly autumn evening. You'll like this if you like woodsmoke and evergreens. Not particularly complex and rather linear, but as the other reviewer noted, great longevity & sillage.

One of my very favorite Ava Luxe scents. Rich, spicey, sweet aroma of a bonfire with fantastic longevity and sillage. Similar to Diptyque's Galliano Room Spray, but with stronger cedar tones and not as smokey. A winner for those who love Shiseido's Basara/Basala.