Faberge Woodhue

I have no idea why Fragrantica does not list the original Faberge Woodhue. This was available as cologne, in various concentrations (there is a cologne concentree) and in a pure perfume oil. The cologne is found in cute cylindrical bottles with wooden tops, usually splash. The perfume oil was sold in high end department stores in early metal rollerballs, in brass and goldtone filigree. The perfume oil is creamy Mysore sandalwood, paired with a light dusting of vetyver and oakmoss, woody perfection. It is clean and simple, but not a searing sawmill wood. This is soft and creamy, a memento box filled with chips of aromatic woods, mixed with dried herbs and dusty flowers. If you can find the perfume oil, it is a fine sandalwood exemplar. There is not much else to say about Woodhue. It is sandalwood, of the finest quality. It can bolster the base of many perfumes, particularly florals, and is great for layering. Wears close, lasts 4-5 hours in oil, 3-4 hours with cologne, 6+ hours layering the cologne and the oil.

This is the 4th vintage Faberge fragrance I've tried and it's the least "perfumy" of them, although it still has that classic perfuminess. The opening blast of citrus is so sharp I wondered if my sample had turned, but that faded quickly and the progression was not at all vinegary. I got that classic perfuminess, and then it went oddly powdery in addition. I have to say of the 4 I've tried, including Tigress, Flambeau, and Aphrodisia, Woodhue has the least amount of that perfumy profile that is most associated with vintage perfumes marketed for women. Woodhue was supposed to be the casual one, and I can see it as casual if casual means not trying to be sexy. But it could also read as more unisex.

So the citruses in my bottle of Woodhue may have turned just an itty bit but I wait a few seconds after application and they smell deliciously candied and vanillic, like orange upside-down cake. There is a bridge of jasmine and orange blossom that are pleasant for sure, but its the wood of Woodhue that steals the show for me. Could there be some real mysore sandalwood in this? I feel a little sad even consider this considering how its overuse had ravaged the tree population, but glory be, this is such an incredible, soft, creamy sandalwood. Imagine something similar to Shalimar with woods replacing much of the resins, and that may give an approximation. Dynamite.

There is a delicious, mouthwatering orange creamsicle vibe in the opening of woodhue that I find delightful. I was expecting something austere from the listed notes but this is a joyful interpretation of woodiness. The cedar and sandalwood here have a whipped texture buoyed by jasmine, almost resembling soft orris. It’s almost depressing to me to think how widely available this was in its heyday, versus how many expensive brands today fail to present anything more imaginative than a pile of sawdust in their woody profiles. That’s only to say, woodhue is an appealing, cozy woody pic that I could see being a fixture in almost anyone’s wardrobe.

I just scored a vintage 2 oz spray bottle with gold lid, "Faberge" embossed into the lid still 3/4 full. My bottle is just like the smaller "Fragram photo" just above the notes and says distributed by Faberge Inc. The spray is the aerosol propellant kind where a light touch gives you a large pre-measured spray no matter what... and this is GLORIOUS! Beautiful warm spicy sandalwood with vanilla plus something more. Instant love for me! I've also tried the vintage Faberge Tigress and Aphrodisia, but for me they weren't keepers. This one not only a keeper but going back to search for more.