Encounters

Encounters finds Francesca Bianchi stepping into the very crowded arena of oud perfumes, and in the “oud sense” it’s oud we’ve smelled many times before. With Encounters, the devil is in the details, and Bianchi’s unique voice is the star. While making my way through the brand’s discovery set, smelling the perfumes, and looking at the bottle art, a theme is not hard to notice that I interpret as highly sexual. I wouldn’t call it hypersexual, but certainly far from prudish. The press blurbs don’t hint at anything such, but I’m without a doubt. Encounters, per the brand, is an “East meets West” perfume using oud and orris to deliver the brief. I smell a sexual entanglement. The image on the bottle is of a chain link, but vaguely so; read it from left to right and it looks... penetrative, let us say. Let me explain. The bergamot and aldehydes at top provide an electric shiver down the spine. Sour and energetic, hair raising and attention grabbing. Orange and cassis come into play, providing a fruit note to accent - you guessed it - oud. Lavender and coriander go into the mix to keep everything from getting sticky, heavy, and skanky... just yet. Juicy, funky, cooly spicy and herbal - a good introduction to the engorging oud accord growing from below. The bergamot, aldehydes, and fruits dispense quite quickly to reveal orris, appearing on the scene as floral and feminine, buttery, and a bit cold and rough due to the powdery starchiness, waiting for the oud to court it. And courtship it is. They do a dance, push and pull, exchanging positions. In one minute I smell my skin and it’s oud, the next minute orris. This tango is naughty and tempting. The highly animalic red-blooded woodiness of the oud juxtaposes with the soft, silky, slinky, oily, and “inviting” orris until, finally, they are one in a tantric union. No longer separated, they create a very human, bodily warmth with ambroxan, castoreum, sandalwood, and benzoin. The oud and the orris are still there in the dry down, but the space between them has been filled by sweaty and salty skin from the ambroxan and castoreum, warm and creamy balsams, mouthwatering animalic vanilla from the benzoin - it’s a sticky union but in the way that’s hopefully unavoidable, if you catch my drift. East meets West, cultures contaminating each other, sure, you can accept that PG-13 version. When I smell Encounters, I smell a howl at the moon and yearn to ravage or be ravaged. You know how some old European and old Arabian art presented itself as very proper and decorous, but if you look closely you see the raunch and animal lust? Yeah, this perfume is that.

EN Encounters by Francesca Bianchi, launched in 2023, is an extrait de parfum that beautifully bridges the elegance of Western iris with the depth of Eastern oud, symbolizing a meeting of two distinct cultures. The top notes of bergamot, orange, cassis, lavender, and coriander create a fresh and vibrant opening. In the heart, iris butter, rose, angelica, and cinnamon lend a soft, powdery quality that feels both refined and enchanting. The base is rich and enveloping, featuring ambergris, castoreum, oud, sandalwood, cedar, and Peru balsam. These elements, particularly the oud, introduce a smoky, animalic sensuality, characteristic of Francesca Bianchi’s unique and bold compositions. This fragrance offers a sophisticated sensory journey, perfect for those who appreciate complex and culturally diverse perfumes. IT Encounters di Francesca Bianchi, lanciato nel 2023, è un extrait de parfum che unisce l’eleganza dell’iris occidentale con la profondità dell’oud orientale, creando un ponte tra due culture diverse. Le note di testa sono fresche e vibranti grazie alla presenza di bergamotto, arancia, cassis, lavanda e coriandolo, mentre il cuore si addolcisce con burro di iris, rosa, angelica e cannella, conferendo un carattere morbido e cipriato. La base del profumo, ricca e avvolgente, è composta da ambra grigia, castoreo, oud, legno di sandalo, cedro e balsamo del Perù. Questi ingredienti, soprattutto l’oud, aggiungono una sensualità fumosa e animalica, tipica dello stile di Francesca Bianchi, rendendo Encounters una fragranza intensa, lussuosa e misteriosa. Questo profumo è un’esperienza sensoriale sofisticata, perfetta per chi apprezza le fragranze complesse e multiculturali.

I'm trying to get through as many samples as I can from Sebastian’s mystery box No. 3. There are a few I am more excited about than others and one of them is Encounters. I feel like it is better for me to review a fragrance without any preconceived ideas. For that reason, I chose not to read the description on her website or anything else that would describe what I am about to experience and why notes were chosen to enhance that experience. I did that here and honestly I don't know what to say. This is not my preferred fragrance DNA. Not to say there is anything wrong. This is actually quite nice. It's very strong and balsamic, blended with iris butter. I enjoy it the most when I can smell the lavender. It gives it a bit of sweet aromatic essence. My personal hang up about it is that it does not provide a youthful or attractive aura to it. I'm sure for some people it might, but for me I imagine an older woman who is a bit standoffish. I really don't know why and it frustrates me because I can tell this is a very good fragrance. I hope I come back to this and think I sound like an idiot. ** one hour passes by ** Well that didn't take long. Lol. It smells great now! I'm an idiot. It has become this very complex aromatic oud creation. If this is the DNA everyone talks about in regards to Francesca, I understand the talk. I still get the balsamic note, but now I get a fougere dry down. Very different from the opening even though the notes are still there. I am here to say I was wrong in the beginning. This is a beautiful and complex composition and it is worth having

Pleasant surprise! This is way better than i was expected. This is why we shouldn't look at note breakdowns and descriptions. While lots of Francesca Bianchi fragrances have good names and descriptions, this one don’t. If this is a encounter, it’s encounter of two people not two notes. Anyway. This is exactly how i want a Iris base fragrance to be. Orris root or Iris butter is one of my favorite notes and one of the reasons i love this brand. And we all know Francesca Bianchi knows how to work with it. This is exceptionally good. It’s dry, woody and slightly waxy. Somewhat leathery. Slightly dirty. It’s also fresh and fruity. ( There is a powerful, smooth, fruity background ) I love it from initial spray til the very end, but first couple of hours is divine. The oud: The oud is just a supporting note but the effect that it gives to this composition is very good. Brilliant touch. But beware this fragrance is not about oud. It’s a iris fragrance. ( It’s noticeable in background ) Elegant-Sophisticated-Luxury-Noble-Vintage-Very Sexual Performance is excellent. 9/10 and i was not expecting this!

A beautiful blend of wood, warm spices, lavender and orris (iris root) - a note I absolutely love. This is a 10/10 for me. It sits in the same universe as one of my favorite perfumes - Heretic’s Dirty Violet - in terms of mood and texture rather than scent: musky, skin-like, sensual, slightly feminine, but not just “pretty”. There’s something a little off as well (castoreum/ambergris), which gives it depth and intrigue. The combination of floral notes I enjoy (rose, lavender, orris) with benzoin, woods and subtle fruity nuances is incredibly well balanced. This is also the first oud fragrance that truly works for me personally - here it adds structure rather than taking over. The concept (a meeting of West - iris - and East - oud) is executed beautifully. Warm, intimate, slightly mysterious. Also worth mentioning: I received three unsolicited compliments from customers in one day wearing this.

Not notes I typically go for other than the cinnamon. The oudh here smells very realistic. Not the synthetic bandaid plastic that scratches the back of your throat on occasion. This is infinitely better than 99.9% of the oudh trend fragrances out there right now! The watery, fruity edge makes this feel very modern and approachable, but somehow feels a tiny bit disjointed with so much powder. An aquatic powder. Not sure how that's possible, but it's there. At first I was certain there was lychee or lotus in here, but it's nowhere to be found in the notes. Such a strange, amusing creature. No acrid synthetics here, thank God. Seems to be mast cell friendly. Love the Peru Balsam in this. Such an underrated note.

Day one with Encounters and I really like it, but I don’t pickup most of the notes listed. This is primarily a lavender citrus cassis iris butter fragrance. Very creamy and decadent without being too flowery or overly fruity. I do get a very subtle wood in the dry down and some castoreum and light musk but it’s all quite light. The first hour is nice and pronounced but on me it wears to a skin scent by hour three. Good value for the fragrance and I think it’s a relatively safe blind buy for men and women, since it really tiptoes down the unisex line. This is my first exposure to Francesca Bianchi fragrances and I am intrigued to discover more.

I've had the opportunity to test this today by a free sample I received and wow Francesca what a creative mind you are! The opening has this stunning iris that feels so so creamy mixed with a bit of the oud. Then the drydown becomes even more creamier it's like an iris syrup so gentle. The fragrance feels like a big hug and it isn't at all challenging although it has Francesca's DNA which all her fragrances share. The lasting power is insane and the sillage is also amazing. Thanks a lot Francesca for creating such delightful fragrances can't wait to purchase this one!

Soft, sweet, fluffy iris oud heaven 😍 Smooth and elegant, quite feminine and a bit sweet in my opinion. The iris butter is very dominant (in a good way), and the oud is more of a supporting background character. Absolutely beautiful scent, very easy to fall in love with. Update !!️ It's been almost 24 hours since I applied 1 spritz to my wrist (I tested this on my left arm and "Voluptuous Oud" on my right arm) and I can still smell it. FB never disappoints 🌟

Both my husband and I use this wonderful concoction, especially during summer. It's sweet, buttery, and very sensual. Also, it’s not as strong as some other FB perfumes, and I was surprised it had castoreum. I also have The Lover's Tale, and you can smell the castoreum right away—it punches you in the face (a good thing if you appreciate animalic notes!). This is tame and sensual, while The Lover's Tale is in-your-face sensual and unapologetic.

Buttery, buttery Iris butter. I love it. It has that earnest sensuality that so many of FB's creations do. I am, however, a bit surprised that despite the prominent oud and castoreum notes, it isn't skanky at all-- just sensual. Overall, a great addition to Francesca Bianchi's lineup.

I LOVE this! This is extremely buttery! This is a luxurious iris and perfect amount of cinnamon. I don't really get any of the top notes listed. This is potent. This last a long amount of time and projects and has nice sillage. This sorta reminds me of Dior Parfum but smoother.

Added with honer to my humble collection, words cannot describe how much beautiful and sophisticated this fragrance is...in the matter affect it is very unique, chic, and I kinda loved the Oud with the dry down. Over all 9/10

Like most perfumes that I've tried from this house, Encounters is slightly perverse, poetic, and more addictive than it is enjoyable. This is one of my cold-weather faves.

I could eat my wrist and I don’t understand why, is it the fruit? Mmmmmm wish I could afford it

I usually spray my forearms--- Starts with this strong note, For some reason (which i cant explain) my mind tells me that it is yellow. It is kind of loud, as if that's the only thing that you smell Then it starts to breathe, it becomes sweet and silky. From my forearm distance to my nose i don't detect a classic western oud. When you come in closer you feel this sort of radiating, chemical or petroleum vibe. This is probably the association with stinkbug ( i think of insecticide spray, stuff i remember from childhood which is probably forbidden in more modern countries) overwhelming scent or a sort of pungent sweet note. However...i don't judge fragrances on how they smell when put my nose close to the spray-point, and furthermore this pseudo harshness is gone after 30mins. After that it "close sniffing" smells like some sweet syrup sticky residue maybe dried soda. Anyways, to get back to the fragrance, I believe this is the oud. it is so nicely blended with the iris that they create this "yellow' vibe as if it keeps pulsating and glowing from my arm to my nose. Its pleasant, soothing, and yet it grabs your attention. Like something that glows in the dark, as if the spot you sprayed is this glowing charcoal radiating its warmth. Again if you go in close you get sort of burned, from the air and distance its nice warmth. As with most FB's i have it seems at first that it is a bit linear/simple but it reveals itself as a feeling a 'vibe' and the more you use it the more it starts to be alive in your life, like a companion. I first noticed this with Black Knight more on that another time. It have not smelled this "yellow glow" before in other perfumes. So i find it unique it has the consistency of pudding, in the air. Sort of chunks of fluffy yet creamy scent bubbles around me.... Again the FB's creaminess. I find myself keep coming back to it and like to spray it to experience that opening and that glow. It is just so satisfying. As with most of her perfumes they wear very nice 1 spray stays with me for couple of hours as a bubble of scent that i can enjoy. I feel that the longevity on this one is bit shorter than her other heavier compositions. But again i like the opening so much that i don't mind doing 1 spray every 3/4 hours just to experience it again. ----- Conclusion: So if you are hoping for a woody/oily/heavy oud or a sort of safron/flower oud combo you will be disappointed. If you want to experience something different and special a sort of "new or alternate take on oud".... get a sample. I kinda knew I wanted the full bottle after 2 hours of my first spray...again that opening....

A very deep and sophisticated fragrance. An intense blend of orris and oud. Every scent from this house smells like it’s made with high-quality materials and great attention to detail. The oud here isn’t barnyardy; it’s oriental and woody. I pick up so many nuances; it makes me feel like I’m wandering through the marketplace of an ancient city. Of course, that’s just my imagination. It’s like being in Assassin’s Creed; one moment you’re in Florence, then Constantinople, then Egypt. A journey through countries and bodies, flowing seamlessly. If we break down the profile a bit more, I’d say it’s powdery, spicy, and balsamic in nature. These aspects stand out the most, but every time I smell it, I detect something new; so I’d call it enigmatic. It’s lightly sweet and citrusy (orange probably); but in a very restrained way. Think benzoin sweetness: cocooning, soft, warm, and slightly vanillic. Now and then, it veers into herbal territory before circling back; but at its core, it always returns to a warm iris. Tag(s): Thick iris, buttery, orange-y, soft, warm, oud, eclectic

Encounters embodies the idea of contamination between two cultures; East meets West in the form of orris and oud combined. It’s a unique scent with a lot of contrasting elements, yet remains incredibly balanced and smooth throughout. Orris dominates the scent with its thick powdery elements, as is so characteristic of Francesca Bianchi. The oud however is very subtle, not particularly stinky or animalic, but instead dry and dusty. This is balanced beautifully by subtle aromatics of lavender and cassis, as well as a gentle citric kick, before developing a slightly salty ambergris heart. It’s lovely, it feels like there’s a lot going on and yet somehow seems to smell rather flat. I don’t feel I am searching for a bottomless end like I do with a lot of Francesca’s other creations. Overall it does smell great, but it doesn’t excite me as much as I would hope.

Has that suedy/irisy leathery touch that I love around this time of year, with the tiniest pop of cinnamon, lavender, over an extremely buttery oud/amber base. Cassis and sandalwood really come out as the fragrance develops. Very dry ...No sweetness at all, which I love. So many layers. I was initially turned off by the opening reminiscent of gasoline (I think someone said furniture polish, same sentiment), but it’s not unlike a lot of other fragrances I’ve smelled with these notes, and it settles quickly. I could enjoy a bottle of this in the fall but this is a bit unoriginal to add to a collection, albeit well done. I’d love to smell this on another person, i imagine the silage is probably super enticing. I did notice this becomes very powdery and a bit more sweet toward the tail end of the fragrance, another plus.

I added this because people rated highest on orris butter. I tried a handful of Bianchi fragrances, and while I like this one, most certainly not my favorite. It smells good, and better than other houses, just not as dramatic or complex like other Bianchi frags. Bit quieter, too. I get lacquered dry mahagony wood initially, this last for quite a while and after an hour something which I formerly identified as iris in other frags peeks through. Curiously, orris does not seem to be as intensive as in for example the Lover's Tale, where it's not even rated among top 3 dominant notes. I know sometimes orris can have a woody facet but am not sure in this case. Overall, I find this one a good quality woody frag, even blind buy safe for woody scent-lovers. Unisex too.