Sens & Bois

Un Parfum des Sens & Bois

The Different Company 2006

UN PARFUM DES SENS ET BOIS could easily have been launched as a member of the Hermès JARDIN series. The dominant opening notes of this streamlined composition are, to my nose, cedar, ginger, and pepper. I smell zero violet and initially only a touch of incense, which however does become somewhat more marked over time, relative to the more dominant opening notes. This is a smooth, pleasing, and subtle fragrance which might well appeal to those who dislike the fruit notes in some members of the JARDIN series.

Although I have nothing particularly against this fragrance, I also don't really find it all that compelling—perhaps it's a bit too understated for me? It's certainly fine, for what it is: a fairly linear, low-key, and slightly spicy woody scent.

I became aware of "Un Parfum des Sens et Bois" after Celine Ellena's "Sel de Vetiver" won my heart, and I was eager for more works with her signature. The pyramid sounded interesting but gave no clues as to whether the fragrance could be for me. The previous comments were promising, and I found the mention of a certain aphrodisiac effect on both genders particularly striking. Now, the readers of these lines are likely experienced enough to know that so-called pantydropper fragrances - if they even exist - only reveal their effects in very specific contexts. My disillusionment regarding this aspect is long concluded, but my interest in the scent was at least not diminished by the mentioned perfume comments.

It took me several attempts to appreciate "Un Parfum des Sens et Bois." In the store on paper (or in this case, a glass stick), it developed into a pleasantly woody (mainly, but not only cedar), soft, and spicy scent. The spiciness was rather cool, somewhat herbal and peppery. Slightly smoky, I couldn't detect any flowers, but that would fit with a certain softness of the fragrance. I wouldn't have been surprised to find amber in the fragrance pyramid. Citrusy notes escaped me. However, on the skin, the scent developed completely differently: I would have expected the wood to come out stronger on warm skin. That was not the case. The fragrance felt much more subtle than on the glass stick, yet even softer. Truly a skin scent, my impression was that it was rather close to the body. My first suspicion was a significant concentration of white musk, which achieves such a soft skin effect, but somehow what was on my wrist didn't match my previous experiences with white musk: I missed the association with fresh laundry. As always, when I furrow my brow in my regular perfumery, I was given a sample to take home. Of course, for something so subtle, a free nose and the fresh skin of the morning are needed.
The day before my home test, I had "Musc Ravageur" on my left wrist and "Memoir Man" on my right as part of follow-up tests for Parfumo comments. After showering, I could smell neither of them anymore, but after applying "Un Parfum des Sens et Bois," the scents from the previous day bloomed back to their original strength - on the left, an rather unpleasant cinnamon-musk, on the right, wonderfully herbal lavender. Only the fragrance I was actually testing was unrecognizable. Thus, it was clear: "Un Parfum des Sens et Bois" is packed with Iso E Super or Ambroxan. Both are pronounced scent enhancers. I had somewhat suspected this, considering that Baux and Michelangela had elicited the reactions described there from their loved ones. Because what could be more attractive than the amplified original skin scent of the beloved?
In terms of scent spectrum, it fits better with Ambroxan (slightly woody and also somewhat smoky). But that would probably be too simplistic, as Celine Ellena is unlikely to have brought her own "Not a perfume" or "Molecule 02" to market:
She is surely aware of the issue that perfumes based solely on one fragrance ingredient can be perceived with varying intensity. Roughly estimated, about 20% of the population would smell nothing at all. This is not anosmia in the strict sense, which would mean that this population segment would always be scent-blind to this component. However, it does mean that these 20% need additional fragrance ingredients to even perceive the first component.
So I could imagine that she has supplemented Ambroxan and/or ISO E Super with some natural ingredients (but surely) and many other refined synthetic components.

A more systematic investigation had to follow:

Experimental setup:
- 3 fragrances: a) natural, relatively transparent, slightly animalic (Eau d'Hermès); b) natural, floral, heavy (Leather Garden); c) modern and airy (Terre d'Hermès)
- 3 solutions for crossover experiments: 1. Iso E Super 10%; 2. Ambroxan 5%; 3. “Un Parfum des Sens et Bois”
- 9 outdated business cards

Each set of 3 business cards was sprayed with the three fragrances a)-c). The next day, the business cards were sprayed with the three solutions 1.-3. in such a way that each possible combination was achieved once.

Result:
All three solutions acted as scent enhancers except for the combination Terre d'Hermès-Iso E Super (c1) - as expected (it is already fully loaded with Iso E Super). With Iso E Super, the scent direction went in a slightly different direction than with Ambroxan. With Iso E Super, it felt somehow brighter, while with Ambroxan it felt warmer. The fragrances treated with Ambroxan smelled very similar to those sprayed with “Un Parfum des Sens et Bois,” the latter tended to be woodier and also somewhat fresher, I would say. So it is not 100% Ambroxan as a fragrance component. At least cedar, violet, and a bit of verbena from the fragrance pyramid should still be present.

There is nothing inherently wrong with the fragrance containing a large amount of Ambroxan. The desired effect, a fusion of woody nuances and the natural scent spectrum of the skin, has been well achieved. Do I need “Un Parfum des Sens et Bois”? Maybe. I find the scent very, very pleasant in combination with my skin. Caution is only advised with perfume remnants from previous days. The fragrance, although subtle, lasts quite a long time (at least 7 hours).

Well, this thing has history for me. And I really don't understand why the last comment, by someone, was written here recently in 2013. Because Sens & Bois is a damn masterpiece.
First, let's get to the scent: sweet woodiness, lovely violet, tamed patch. That's it.
In your face.

Everything fits together here like a glove. The twist: there’s never the impression of, "SMELL THIS EVERYONE!, I'm perfumed." S&B is a genius of understatement, but always present, and long-lasting. Premium cinema. Skin, Co, door.
Böhmermann? You know him. If not, you have a lot to catch up on googling, streaming, and YouTubing.
I had the pleasure of meeting him live twice, and I always wore S&B, and I always remember, and beam myself back with this perfume to the places where a beaming smile has manifested and been firmly tacked onto my face.

By the way, I actually wanted to copy this Different Company bird with Holle01, but it didn't work out. Now it's out. Rarely is something certain in this world. How often can you say, I am exactly in the right place at this moment. S&B will forever be in my collection. My good-mood-on-a-desert-island scent.
Amen and cherry.

ps. He himself prefers to wear "Vanilla Kisses" by Impulse.
Web links/ Sources.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgDzg0yzJB8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcvpC-3cJh8
http://www.neo-magazin-royale.de/NMR/
http://www.gameroyale.de
http://www.zdf.de/ZDFmediathek/beitrag/video/2636612/Schulz-und-Boehmermann-%25281%2529#/suche/Schulz%20&%20B%C3%B6hmermann%20-%20ZDFneo

http://www.neo-magazin-royale.de/zdi/artikel/137606/neo-magazin-royale-vom-22-06-2017.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcvpC-3cJh8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CA9A9SqoOg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foGeHe7IOX8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRl3dCa7uPk&list=PLpWkOkhUvnLW_xcgy6KT3cPpROBPsLTo9

https://downloadzdf-a.akamaihd.net/mp4/zdf/19/04/190425_sendungroyale145rto_nmg/2/190425_sendungroyale145rto_nmg_3296k_p15v14.mp4

... Let´s talk about you and me .... let’s talk about all the good things and the bad things, that may be ... let’s talk about "SE(X)NS ET BOIS"!
~
There is always so much fuss made about pheromones, which I consider to be absolutely overrated. Just for fun, I once ordered a sample of highly praised pheromones from the bay and tested it on a sultry summer ladies' night out. The motto was: Flirt until morning comes. The result: I smelled like a urinating Indian temple cow and was avoided by every male being that came closer than 25cm to me. Fortunately, the alcohol level of the entire audience rose throughout the night, lowering inhibitions and pain thresholds a bit, so at least I got some attention due to my agreeable smile. The realization: no more pheromones for me, never in my life!
~
Today I have changed my mind because I have stumbled upon "the pheromone par excellence": "Un Parfum de Sens & Bois"!!!
~
The "perfect" thing about it is that it immediately causes a chain reaction:
I spray it on and a warm mix of harem and brothel envelops me with an incredibly sacred hint of holy water/incense. Madness, I instantly think of s*x in the confessional.
Knock, knock -> brain to libido -> wake up please!!!
(..there's no incense in it, nor a brothel, but I can clearly smell it between the wooden church pews!!!)
~
EFFECT NO. 1: Pheromone works autodidactically -> I smell so "hmmmm great" I could almost eat myself up right now!

* * *

Thank heavens, the scent wave subsides and my skin takes on a pleasantly spicy-balsamic touch that lets my libido sink back into its cuddly bed and spreads a cozy mood within me in its "unperfumed way".
~
EFFECT NO. 2: I am metrosexual, in harmony with the universe, my soul is blissfully dangling.... everything is good ;-)

* * *

I could have blissfully dangled like this forever if it hadn't rung!
Bunny is here, how nice ("Bunny" is my partner)!
I open the door for him, greet him with the usual short hug plus kiss and want to turn away again, but "Bunny" won't let go! He has sniffed into my neck and is now unexpectedly moaning in fascination. (He doesn't usually do that, not even with Putain de Palace!!!)
"You smell so good, sweetie, so sexy!" he whispers in my ear and pulls me closer to him.....
...that was a few hours ago! Since then, I can hardly get rid of him!
~
EFFECT NO. 3: Un Parfum de Sens et Bois has turned my "Bunny" into a "wild breeding bull" and is probably from today on the "pheromone No.1" for me (and Bunny!).

* * *

Oh, you wanted a scent description? You can have it in two words:
"UNDESCRIBABLY SEXY"
~
Top note: Hormones
Heart note: Hormones
Base note: Hormones
~
Ladies and gentlemen, I must inform you that this study is still a SINGLE CASE and I cannot guarantee an equally successful effect in other subjects.
Therefore, I urge you to test this fragrance for effect and compatibility first! Please also note that in cases of overdose, the reaction capacity of your partner may be even more impaired than under normal dosage. Speak to your therapist or your contact person at the perfumery if you have the impression that Sens & Bois acts differently than described. If you experience side effects or contraindications, discontinue use of the perfume immediately.
~
Conclusion:
This is a soft, smooth scent that merges with the skin. This makes it very natural and signals that the person themselves smells so good, not their perfume. What exactly causes this erotic effect, I cannot say. But this hint of "I don't know what" is very attractive!
The longevity could be significantly better, but "reapplying" is cool for me in this case because it repeats the "chain reaction"!
~
Since Sens & Bois is very close to the body, I think I won't wear it to our next ladies' night..... I don't want the roaming tomcats of the night to be that close to me!
But tonight, Bunny will be the first to experience it, let's see how I react to him, hrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…….

Un Parfum des Sens et Bois is a very quiet scent. You can't really grasp it, and even less can I describe it. And yet, something slightly woody wafts around me throughout the day.

I can't actually smell Ambroxan. At least, that's what my mind tells me. Why? I experimented with a small sample of Molecule 02, and whenever my nose skeptically tried to catch a hint of fragrance, there was simply... Nothing. Not even the memory of a scent could be sniffed out. No matter, I thought. You don't have to be able to smell every synthetic fragrance compound; the chemistry kit has other things to offer. So I am not entirely unbiased and free of prejudice towards the wonder ingredient Ambroxan. Is my sense of smell perhaps insensitive?

And after spending the day with sense(uality) and wood, I must read here that it is suspected this fragrance is an Ambroxan bomb. Strange, because then I shouldn't have really perceived the synthetic compound emotionally. Mind and feeling can often lead to dissonance and work against each other. And undoubtedly, a wonderful scent has accompanied me throughout the day - I don't want to speak of fragrance in the sense of a sensual perfume here. It was sometimes quiet, seemed to disappear, but then it rose to my nose again... from somewhere. Indeed, what smelled so subtly came from my wrist. I checked it several times and had all my senses together. No pride and prejudice can change that! I seem to be able to perceive Ambroxan in connection with other fragrance materials after all. Eureka! (Memo to self: maybe the remaining sample of Molecule 02 should be tested with other scents in layered arrangement, so one arm with Ambroxan spray plus reference scent, the other just with the reference).

And another phenomenon showed itself today: In the heat of today's day and the humidity here, my inevitable sweat combined with the sense(ual) and the wood and produced even more of the pleasant woody scent. It almost seems as if my smell has multiplied in an absolutely sweaty way.

From the fragrance pyramid, I find hardly anything in my nose. Yes, the scent is slightly peppery and there's a bit of incense in there, but the flowers are very muted. What rises into the sense(uality) organ is primarily a gentle woody and slightly metallic scent.

And I find this scent wonderful. With this fragrance, I feel secure and know that despite its presence, no one will be bothered by it. Here, the daughter Ellena has not stirred a patchouli bomb in a sea of violets, but rather a typically ellenaesque transparent and quite skin-close scent has been composed, which can be worn by the bearer without suffocating or overshadowing them.

And it is also a long-lasting scent and not a moody, meaningless wood breeze. Applied this morning, it is still in my nose after 12 hours. Is that possible? Ambroxan - which I apparently can't smell, as mentioned before - seems to make it possible. Does that make sense?

I really enjoyed this delicate aura today, and even though I couldn't quite grasp it, I will continue to ponder the scent. At least, no further persuasion is needed to permanently add Sens & Bois to the collection. Makes sense, right?

Postscript: I just learned that Ambroxan is not Ambroxan. Perhaps that's the solution to the riddle? Thanks, Parfuma First, for the helpful blog!