After giving it a lot of thought, I've figured out who best personifies Boucheron's B de Boucheron: Bree from the television show Desperate Housewives. Like Bree, Boucheron B is restrained, feminine, bourgeois, and conventional — yet with an eye on current trends. B is middle-aged, but has the smooth, porcelain skin of a girl. Oh, and they share the same initial.
B de Boucheron honors the 150th anniversary of the Boucheron jewelry house and the 20th anniversary of its first fragrance, Boucheron for Women. According to an interview with Ursula Wandel, the perfumer who created B, B contains 20 natural products*. It's also more expensive than the rest of Boucheron's fragrances. B was released in 2008.
Osmoz describes B as having top notes of orange blossom and rose; a heart of osmanthus and spices; and a base of cedar, sandalwood, and patchouli. The card with the manufacturer's sample of B adds pink peppercorn to the mix. Osmoz also says that B is "light, luminous, inspired by emeralds" (Bree would look great in emeralds, by the way). To me, those notes spell heaven. The leathery peach of osmanthus with spices — maybe coriander! — sandalwood and patchouli? And yet light and luminous? A must smell.
On the skin, B opens with a large helping of apricot-suede osmanthus, riding a tidal wave of aldehydes. A touch of fresh rose rounds out the edges of the osmanthus, but the fruity scent of osmanthus continues at least two-thirds of the way through B's lifespan. A dusting of strangely neutered pepper adds a little shape to the fragrance, and the spices and patchouli are so subtle that I can't pick them out. At this point, B occupies a narrow slice of the olfactory musical scale, somewhere in the mid and upper register of a flute.
Soon the osmanthus sails into a woody-musky dry down, and this is where I really run into trouble. It's the same woody-musky drydown that is showing up all around town these days, in everything from Lanvin Rumeur to D&G The One. This smells buzzes in my brain like a gallon jar of bees and can make a migraine faster than listening to the Chipmunks sing Christmas carols. And it's mighty persistent.
If I were looking for something similar to B — an aldehydic floral with subtle fruitiness and a gentle wood in the base — I'd probably choose Givenchy L'Interdit. At the same time, I think B would definitely suit the right sort of person, but that person probably doesn't drive a ramshackle 1986 pickup truck, often wear incidental dog hair, or adore film noir. In other words, that person isn't me. She's a lot more like Bree.
Boucheron B de Boucheron comes in 15 ml bottles of Parfum; 30 ml, 50 ml, and 100 ml bottles of Eau de Parfum, and in matching body products. The Eau de Parfum bottle is satisfyingly heavy and compact. My sample came from Nordstrom, but B is available at other higher-end department stores, too.
* Women's Wear Daily, 7/31/2008.
Note: image via Images de Parfums.
I love osmanthus and just “knew” I would love this.
What I got was a generic musky smell that, and I quote you shamelessly, “is showing up all around town these days…”!
I gave B three tries, but sadly concluded that it is indeed a muddled mess.
Hugs!
The notes sound so wonderful, but I'm with you on this one. It just doesn't suit me, plus the woody-musky drydown hurts my brain.
I have to agree with the other poster who called this a “muddled mess.” I am always happy to see another osmanthus perfume, and I wanted to like it more than I did. On me the smell of the “woody-musky drydown” begins at the beginning and never really goes away, while the osmanthus fades comparatively quickly. So disappointing.
Ew…yes, that musk that shows up all over town…sniffing that is truly murder, my sweet.
I'm lucky in that it sounds like I got osmanthus for a little longer than you, but once the woody musk came barreling in it was all over.
I was interested in trying this b/c I'd always liked Boucheron fragrances. I was a little confused and disappointed when I tested it. I thought, well, if it wasn't so expensive, it would probably do better. One day I'd think it was pretty/boring, and another I'd think, what was the point? Then something clicked in my brain – you know, it really smells like a much richer & livelier version of Chanel Allure, which is a lot more “flat” than B, but they are definitely in the same ballpark.
Also, I agree that the new version of Givenchy L'Interdit is a much more enjoyable, plush, and sophisticated soft woody floral. I wear this often and it is very pretty & “crowd friendly”.
I do think that musk is horrible (and I was being a smartaleck with the “murder, my sweet” – I was trying to think of a film noir title that would describe it!)
Now, why isn't there a film noir called Deadly Odor? I'd watch it.
I know just what you mean. B is pretty and presentable but unremarkable, and if it weren't for that nasty base I'd think it was just fine, even if not exactly best for me.
Isn't L'Interdit nice? I like that little kick of strawberry. Do you have the Les Mythiques version?
Yes – Les Mythiques. I've never tried any other version of it, and wonder what the original is like. I don't notice the strawberry too much – it may be that little something I could never put my finger on – I'm a little fruit challenged! There is something really nice and well blended during the floral opening, and the dry down is soft soft soft w/o becoming powdery or boring. I like that it has really nice lasting power, but stays close to the body. I like to wear it on days I know will be stressful, or for pretty occasions that require a frag that is a little subdued.
I've heard that the Les Mythiques version is close the the vintage version. And I like knowing that Audrey Hepburn loved it!
god that SMELL. I LOVE YOU. From now on whenever I smell it I will think of a gallon jar of bees. Yesterday I had Ed Hardy on one hand and Ma Dame on the other, and kill.me.now. That Gallon o' Gourmand Musky thing.
Also, I … well… I have grown weirdly fond of their strange Boucheron bottles, and that new look is too updated.
I thought they were all pretty fab (my fave was Le De). And the vetiver was tremendous. The bottles were a little disappointing.
I love woody musks (and musky woods, ad woods by themselves, and musks…) but couldn't reconcile myself to this one. Very strong, somehow not appealing. Too bad (but as you all have noted, I have plenty of other scents to play with right now!)
Thanks for the review, A. I don't think I have smelled this one or if I did it did not leave an impression….I do appreciate the slight nipshot in the add tho ;-O
Givenchy III is my favorite. I haven't tried the vetiver yet. (So many perfumes, so little time and $$!)
For some reason, the woody musky thing and my body just don't get along. I can't even imagine a double header of Ed Hardy and Ma Dame without downing a bottle of Tylenol.
So you're the one they're making all these perfumes for!
I also like wood, and I like musk. But the woody-musky hybrid that is so popular now doesn't smell enough like wood or like a real musk to suit me. Instead, it comes out all synthetic and fume-y.
I just noticed that! Very risky, especially for Bocheron, don't you think?
You're not missing too much with B.
Angela, I'm SO with you on B!!! And it's SO sad, because the ingredients are natural and costly and the bottle's great and I LOVE osmanthus!!!!! If it could have just been edgier, sexier, racier, more exciting. It's Desperate Housewifes meet the Stepford Wives, unfortunately. . .
Well, I know where you are all coming from with the “smelled it all before” line, and maybe it is because the SA in Harrods told me how natural and expensive the ingredients were, but I like it well enough – it is in the same mould as a Daisy or a Vera Wang, but doesn't smell like either. To be honest, I couldn't rightly pick out what it smells of, and I have just applied a sample to remind myself – I'd call it a feminine, almost special occasion perfume. I don't see myself as a “B” wearer, whom I picture as Bree's preppy younger self but still wearing pearls, but I persist in liking this scent, I do! Hell, I just bought a bargain bottle of Deseo. When it comes to perfume, I am a very broad church…
Can't speak to the B, but I'm glad to know someone has a truck a tad bit older than mine (1993 Jeep). It frees up a bit for more perfume, doesn't it.
Osmanthus is really nice, so true! Oh well, the less perfume I like the better for my bank account.
interesting review, seems like the notes never end. but, one of my hardest to please (perfume wise) friends just fell in love with B. it is lost on me sadly.
however, i have been craving L'Inderdit (the original) not liking the reformulation of the 90s, but this is the 2nd time in as many days i have read good things about the '07 L'Interdit. i must go sniff.
um, in reference to the photo ad for B above……am i the only deranged individual who recalls the Seinfeld episode with Elaine's Christmas card that had the photo taken by Kramer?
My feelings exactly on B – fantastic detailed description as usual!! I also am happy that you mentioned the Givenchy… I must try the Les Mythiques because the recent L”Interdt doesnt quite do it for me must have the classic version.. The III is fantastic also but I am truly craving the classic Y lately. These older Givenchy's bring back many lovely memories for me!
Let's hear it for the broad church (church of the broad?)!
It definitely does. I cross my fingers that it will keep on truckin' (so to speak).
It sounds like a sign that you should try the Les Mythiques L'Interdit….
I forgot about that episode of Seinfeld! Funny.
I wore Y a few days ago and remembered how much I like it. I'm happy about the Givenchy re-releases, too.
You know, Angela, that there is no review for L'Interdit, just the release anouncement with notes. It sounds intrigueing as I like spices, but I don't often like something heavy on the aldehydes and flowers. Still, if Audrey liked it…
Hmm, I'm sensing a suggestion here….
I want to do a review of L'Interdit, and I've stashed away samples of the vintage and the pre-Les Mythiques version. All I need is a sample of the Les Mythiques and I'll be ready to roll.
Hope you get a sample. seeing as you already planned to review it. Thanks.
oh yes, please! hat would be nice!
Thank you!
It sounds like a “must review”.
Yes Angela, this is really ghastly. Very synthetic. Very much like Chanel Allure Sensuelle which I love, that has been horribly cheapened and thoroughly diluted, then for good measure, has had some used charcoal briquets thrown in the mix and voila! It can all be yours for $200.00 CAD. Thank God I got mine from an on line discounter. Nice bottle though, has me jonesin' for some Boucheron earrings (maybe in my next life)!
I like the bottle, too. It feels good in the hand.
I might be the only one who does not like the cheap plastic cap of B, but I enjoyed the scent – unfortunately after two hours I was also disappointed from the drydown. Too synthetic and boring.
I even asked about the price – good sign for me, because I buy very seldom in store, like twice a year. 85 Euro! No thanks.
It seems like the drydown was its big weakness. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re able to get Boucheron at a discounter soon, though, if you’re still interested in it.
I found this review searching for this perfume. Because I like it, and for better or worse I am nothing like Bree..as embarrassing as it is , I am a Susan.. For me it’s rather conservative smell, that takes me back to my childhood years, but very warm and feminine and I think it has vanilla undertone that I like. And yes, it is a smell of middle age; I bought it when I hit 40 this summer. Hello adulthood, I guess. But I am not an expert at all, I was just searching for the smell that makes me happy, and i think. B comes close.
P.S. very very beautiful review!
If it makes you feel good, then it’s a big success! Perfume is so personal. What speaks to one person–or works well with her skin–doesn’t always do the same for another person. I’m glad you like it–enjoy it!
Angela, I love your reviews; they are by far my favorite ones on NST.
But I waver between must-buy and indecision on B de Boucheron and when I’m wavering, I think of your description of Bree and put the bottle (or virtual equivalent, since it’s $53.xx and change online) back on the shelf.
Why I like it – it has a smoky quality. As a closet smoker, I appreciate it. I like to think I can trick others into thinking my sillage is perfume. Apart from the very real and ugly effects of smoking, the scent of tobacco in fragrance can be sexy. And fragrance can cover my ugly sin (along with mints, fresh air, and blowing away from my body).
So I get to my shopping cart and then remember the anorexic, insincere Bree with her damnable twin set and hyper-coiffed hair and say Hell No. I am so not that woman and would rather wear Fracas loud and proud. But I can’t bring myself to buy B!
Oh no! It’s a dilemma. Do you have a good sample of B? Maybe wearing it a few days will help. Really, if you have to bring vials to a store to get some to try, it’s worth it.
Other scents that remind me of cigarettes are Tabac Blond (of course) and, strangely, Guerlain Parure. Something about Parure calls to mind elegant women who have just smoked.
I think I”ll try Parure instead – thanks for the rec! I’ve gone through 3 samples of B de B and that still didn’t convince me! My fall back has been Gucci by Gucci Edp.