Let us say it together…”I enjoy being a girl…”

Among my many infatuations is perfume. I’m always looking for that perfect scent. Usually my nose picks up on musk and citrus, and as such it is always a chore to go to any store and look for new scents. I approach the deadly store Sephora carefully. It is expensive, but the sheer selection makes it an important stop on the way to my discovering that perfect perfume.

On a trip not to long ago as I neared the end of the women’s wall I noticed a nifty little square bottle. I picked it up, examined the heavy class and gold-ish top. It was something by the name of Boudoir by Vivienne Westwood. Westwood, a couture designer, is known for her outlandish clothing. I tested the scent carefully, not sure exactly what to expect. What was immediately obvious about Boudoir was that I liked it. While some of the musk I’ve had in the past pretend to be something else (Angel, Sexy, etc…) Boudoir makes no excuses. It is thick and masculine, and absolutely what I was looking for.

So I bought it on a whim and have since enjoyed the warm scent almost every day since. But it goes without saying that Boudoir is not for every woman. As mentioned it is thick and wintry…anything but a warm weather option. Of course this perceived limitation won’t stop me from partaking in the joy of Boudoir on warm summer nights. I feel incredibly sexy and real wearing it. The unique scent fits me and makes me stand out in a crowd full of Calvin Klein, Chanel, and Clinique.

The official tone of Boudoir is floral, but the combination is anything but flowery. I do not like flowery scents, nor do I like to smell like a girl (as strange as it sounds). Just beneath the musky floral overtone lies a distinctive array of notes. It combines the expected sandalwood at patchouli (two of my favorites of course) with orange blossom, cilantro, Turkish rose, marigold, vanilla, lilac, and many others. But with that said, the most striking thing is the warmness evidenced by the patchouli and sandalwood.

Vivienne Westwood has created something special. Certainly, it is not going to appeal to fans of light scents or florals (despite the many floral notes). Nor will Boudoir find fans with people most acquainted with light citrus or natural scents. But with that said, it is one of those perfumes that should definitely be tested before buying. I love it, but it is questionable whether you will.

Finally, the value is good. Excluding the exorbitant prices charged at places like Sephora, the 2.5oz eau de parfum goes for under $50. Also available in 1oz and 1.5oz sizes, it is definitely the best bargain to go with the larger size. But for big spenders out there, Westwood has also produced a true parfum spray in .68oz for around $200. That is definitely not cheap…but for real fans of the scent it goes without saying that this concentrated form will last for a long time and more than likely be a good bargain. Though, my suggestion is still to go with the cheaper eau de parfum spray.


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