Intense

Lily and bubblegum. Yet I marvel over the novelty and cleverness of this pairing. The result is phenomenal. Intense smells syrupy and decadent like sun-ripened peaches and raspberries bursting with juice and dripping with delicious Hawaiian white honey. Patchouli wasn't obvious until the heart. Boadicea does fruitchouli. And they do it better than anybody else. We typically find rose or jasmine (or both) in fruitchoulis, but I'm amazed at the dynamic that lily creates. Lily smells a tad sharp in contrast to all of the sticky-sweet fruit, but it creates the perfect balance, giving the scent more body, more depth, much like when you add red wine to your spaghetti sauce. It's creates that wow! factor. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would refer to a fruitchouli as a masterpiece, but Intense is most certainly a masterpiece. Takes my breath away.

This was my first niche perfume, and although I've tried so many others I have to say that this is still my favourite. It really smells like honey in its pure state. I've smelt other honey-based fragrances, but no one gets closer to the elegance and femininity of Intense. Once I was wearing it and went to visit my 10 year old niece, who instead hates honey. I was a bit afraid she might find it offensive, but then I said to myself, come on, it's just a perfume, she won't notice it! After a few minutes, she shouted "what's this smell of honey in here?!" This is just to say that the power of this honey is undeniable. But then the sweetness is perfectly blended with earthy and woody notes, I can also detect hay, which conveys a perfect balance. This is a warm, voluptuous, sophisticated, yet mysterious perfume, a masterpiece!

This is Boadicea's non battle wear. This is a queen, totally confident in her power dressed in a simple silk shift, her hair down, her jewels set aside because she knows *she's* a jewel. Beauty decanted into a bottle that would pass as royal treasure. This is clear light honey, still shimmering with pollen from a whole countryside full of bright spring flowers. It's the mead in the queen's cup, and the sweetness of her kisses for her paramour. Absolutely breathtaking. On me it starts strong, and then settles into the sort of soft background scent that wafts throughout the day, coming and going. Just went you think it's faded to the very edge of nothingness you move and it's like a sudden breeze filled with the scent of flowers. Obviously I love it, I bought a full bottle and I have no regrets at all.

I have tried few perfumes from Boadicea the Victorious and have not been impressed. I used to think that they are more "hype" than actual quality. Until I tried "Intense". I have fallen in love with this from the first dab upon my wrist. The honey is so true and intense that it is hard to resist. It is in no way cloying as honey sometimes is, the honey here is a bit bitter, with the hint of beeswax. The heart is filled with my beloved tuberose and jasmine. It is gorgeous, but never overpowers the honey note which is what dominates the perfume. It has an excellent sillage and I can still feel it 10 hours later on my skin. I will def. purchase a bottle, it is such a grown up and elegant gourmand perfume. Everyone should give this a try.

Exquisite honeyed white flowers. So very beautiful and incredibly elegant, warm and inviting. It's one of the best examples of honey in perfumery I've ever had. It is so very gorgeous. I'm not a huge fan of jasmine, but it is blended with so much skill and precision in this fragrance it doesn't dominate as it's inclined to do. The performance is wonderful. Two sprays last all day. The bottle and presentation are also beautiful. I have a few of John Stephen's fragrances and they are all stunning. I'd say this leans very feminine, but I would not object to smelling it on anybody. It is stunning. If you enjoy honey this is a must-have for your collection.