No.04 Bois de Balincourt

I got a sample of the oil version, and this was the first perfume in my life when i knew i was going to buy the full size only within 3 hours. I love-hate this perfume ... I love it, because it was an unconditional love at first sniff and at the same time hate it, because its soo ODD (and yes, it does smell like dill pickles , the yellow, sweet kind that is usually served with hotdogs .. or relish too). This definitely isn't for everyone, in fact I'm sure that most people will hate it... I like my perfumes to get complimented, you aren't going to get any compliments with this one. Also, it smells like a good, expensive candle ... I don't want to go around smelling like a house candle to people lol. I know that there is a defuser of this scent, but I wouldn't want my house to smell like this. That's why I hate it... YET, I fkn LOVE it so much !!! Smelling it on my skin, agh!!!!!! But, this is definitely something I would wear on my own, just for myself, because I wouldn't want people to think I smell weird 😅. As I tried talking myself out of this perfume, I noticed that it has a sour scent to it... like sweat ....but a very sexy type of sweat (if that could exist) 🙈. It's very green and earthy, I don't get wood very much... mostly herbs, like sage, rosemary, Definitely vetiver!!! and mugwort, with cucumbers, or as mentioned before, dill pickles/relish... + sweat.... very odd scent. I tried paring it with vanilla and lavender based scents and it makes it creamier and more wearable out in public (tones down the sourness of it). I never tried the EDP, only the oil and its VERY long lasting on the skin!!! It's like falling in love with someone that you know is NOT going to be good for you at all, it's that kind of love ... 💔

I have never really been into woody scents. I’ve usually opted for more light and citrusy scents, but when I first smelled Le Labo Santal 33 and Aesop Eidisis, I was mesmerized by this alluring and sexy scent. I immediately recognize these two perfumes whenever someone are wearing them, but I can’t for the life of me justify buying either of them with that absurd price tag, so I took to the internet to find the perfect dupe and after reading many reviews on this particular perfume, I took my chances and blind bought this. It smells rich, sexy and woody. The woody notes are very creamy and fills up the room with this lovely warmth. It’s like wearing a hug. But a sexy hug. I wore it on a night out and I swear wherever I went, people would look in my direction to identify the smell. It’s by no means an “in your face” smell, but it’s definitely noticeable and will leave a subtle trail wherever you go. The projection is quite good and you don’t need to apply much. A little goes a long way! It can become quite nauseating if you overdo it with application, so be careful! That being said, the longevity of this oil is insane. I could smell it the whole night. It felt like I was constantly surrounded by this perfume, and even the day after I still caught whiffs of it every once in a while, so it’s definitely long lasting! I feel like this can be worn all year around but I think it would be the perfect winter or fall scent. So to summarize, if you appreciate warm and woody scents and don’t want to spend a fortune on Le Labo or Aesop, this perfume oil is definitely a great alternative. Albeit the tiny bottle you really don’t need to use that much so it will probably last you quite a long time!

god i love how this stuff smells..... cant complain about the longevity either it lasts about ehhhh i wanna say ballpark 6 hrs or if i put it on in the evening i def smell it the next day. i get the cedarwood initially which makes it very fresh upon opening but as the scent hits the skin and starts to develop it gets warmer and more ambery on me. I feel like i smell cinnamon the least but it does lend a certain numbing effect on the nose which i attribute to the cinnamon. I love sandalwood vetiver and amber and lucky for me those all blend together beautifully on me. On me the smell reminds me of dew in a lush mossy forest.... it can read a bit metallic on some tho, and if thats the case i highly recommend layering this scent with something sweeter/muskier to neutralize. not gonna lie it kinda reminds me of a high quality peppery olive oil as well. oddly this smells more like juliette has a gun over santal 33 in that it feels close to the skin bc of the amber whereas santal 33 feels vinegary and astringent and smells very obviously pickly and metallic. Anyway the warmth this scent lends is so sexy and so universally pleasing, ive had such a broad range of people compliment me for this scent. and while the sillage isnt loud af its a range where if ur in close quarters with someone they will most definitely smell you and say something. its definitely a my musk but better type fragrance for me. also get the oil over the eau de parfum and try the deodorant the projection on it is surprisingly good and it works as a deodorant

Attention * This is a cross comparison review * After falling for Le Labo’s Santal 33 just like the rest of the millennial “scene kids” out there; I set out in search of a substitution in the hopes that I might find something that would play nicer with my skin’s chemistry. Enter Bois de Balincourt by MLM ..... Et voila! What a fabulous find! This, S33 “sister” scent is just lovely and a touch more feminine feeling. That being said, due to the somewhat cleaner and softer notes compared with it’s opponent, Bois de Balincourt’s performance, not surprisingly, falls a bit short. In fact, it does an odd little disappearing act on me after the first 30 seconds of application right up until the 20 min mark. And then, all of a sudden, as if to say, “Gotcha, bitch!”, it’s back and wafting lovelier than ever before, with an impressive performance to boot. Clever girl. Anyways, my last comment is that S33 is heavier in the fresh cut wood department, leaving that slight “gasoline sting”, that I personally adore. But, if you’re like me and your chemistry doesn’t play nicely with those particularly potent elements, Bois de Balincourt’s more aromatic approach is another viable option. Symbiosis achieved!

I used up my perfume spray bottle + fragrance oil version of this six months ago. Love to layer them together for an extra boost of longevity. This will be a repurchase for me this week with Sephora VIB sale. This smells almost identical to Santal 33, minus the heavy leather note. The leathery aspect of 33 is what deterred me from purchasing, its just too masculine on my skin. However, Bois de Balicourt blends sandalwood + cedar so naturally with the beautiful, creamy nutmeg/cinnamon/amber dry down. It's absolutely beautiful in fall and winter, which are the only seasons I wear this. I actually prefer the scent of the perfume oil of No 4 vs perfume spray because it's more creamy in the drydown. The perfume spray is a little more sharp, but paired/ layered together is a great composition + gives extra projection and longer wear time. I highly recommend purchasing both (spray and oil versions of this scent) and layering. If you're a male, I'd recommend Santal 33 over this, because the leather in S33 comes through masculine and very sexy . I don't get the pickle smell or pencil shavings everyone keeps mentioning. If they do, then I'm a sexy pickle come this fall and winter!

I have been obsessed with sandalwood scents ever since coming across Santal 33 several years ago - I can’t get enough of the mysterious woody scent, which is so sexy and alluring to me. Unfortunately after owning Santal 33 itself, which had a note in it that made the perfume turn very masculine and overwhelming on my skin, as well as owning Santal Vanille (which is a little too sweet for me), I was feeling pretty defeated that I’d ever find a sandalwood scent that worked for me. Alas, I think I may have finally found it in this one, Bois de Balincourt (oil version). It is such a beauty. Complex, luminous woods that meld so beautifully into the skin - no harsh notes, and truly unisex, if not leaning feminine. It smells like Santal 33 minus the notes in it that I don’t like. I am SO happy that I came across that one, and will likely be wearing it on repeat as we approach summer. Longevity and projection are perfect for me - leaves a slight trail for the first couple hours, then becomes a beautiful skin scent for those that enter your bubble.

9.5/10 LOVEEE this one, i was randomly gifted the roller set from a coworker cos she just wasn’t into them, but hey, who am I to turn down free perfume? Little did I know this would be my most complimented scent! Literally every friend of mine has told me how good I smell out of no where, and it shocks me every time. I kind of just used it because it was comfortable to keep in my pocket and reapply when I’m out of the house, turns out everyone wants to know what it is. I’m very unisex-scent-forward as I’m a bit of a tomboy, and apparently it suits my nature very well. I’m not even sure how to describe the smell, it’s both very beach-y, sour, and yet also smells like a russian-herbal-wooden-sauna! i’m unsure of the longevity because I just always reapply it when I stop smelling it, which is why I recommend the oil/roller version because it’s just so comfortable to have. I just opened the bottle to smell it for a quick second and I can still intensely smell it as I type lol. Def recommend if ur into bold and unisex!

I knew I would love it before I even bought it. The best blind buy ever. I am woody scents person, and this is the most woody perfume I've ever had. When I put my nose to the roller ball, I get an equal interplay between cedar and sandalwood. On my skin though the sandalwood projects stronger. It is fresh, comforting, warm (but not too much). Very "clean". There is no musk. Powdery?....Hmmmm not to me. It is so enchanting and inviting. It does remind me of a candle or an oil diffuser they would use in a fancy furniture store that sells expensive wooden pieces from India, Indonesia, Malaysia. Projection of the oil is not the strongest, but longevity is pretty good. I never smelled Santal 33, so can't compare. Pickles?? NONE! Just gorgeous woody goodness. I absolutely love it. Not a safe blind buy, unless you are an absolute woods fan. My other favs are Jo Malone Black Cedarwood and Juniper and Wood Sage and Seasalt.

I have the oil version. it opens with sandalwood and cedar....very clean and very creamy all at once. So smooth and lovely. I only wish it were MUCH stronger tho, it's fading fast to skin scent status....from the comments I see that the spray isn't much stronger....sigh. After a few hours on the skin I do sense a scent bubble around me, but i wouldn't call it "projection." This scent reminds me of Commodity's Book, however Book is quite damp and earthy, whereas Bois de Balincourt is fresh-clean and creamy wood and more refined and elegant. I don't really get much sweetness--maybe a touch which is keeping it on the fresh clean side vs dusty or earthy, but nothing emphatically sweet, which is a positive for my tastes. I've never gotten my nose on the famed Santal 33 to be able to compare...but Balincourt has nothing pickle about it, in my opinion.

Sooo how do I put this... This smells like dill, but in the best way possible!! This smells very fresh, spicy and dilly to me, with some creaminess and warmth from the sandalwood... I'm surprised there aren't any citrus or coconut in the notes. I am currently testing this in the wintertime here in Canada, but I imagine this will perform beautifully during the summertime. I won't lie to you, it is a strange fragrance. But sometimes I like strange. And, strangely enough, I enjoy the fresh/spicy/creamy "dilly smell" in this haha! I cannot stop smelling my wrists, it is quite addicting. I feel like this is something you would smell at an expensive hotel at a resort or something. I have yet to have tried Santal 33, and now I'm tempted... rip my wallet lol Nonetheless, it is a very unique fragrance. I would definitely recommend sampling first!

This is such a beautiful fresh woody fragrance. It invokes a nostalgic feeling for me which makes me love it even more. It reminds me of summers spent camping in northern Ontario with my family. I think this scent can be worn all year round as it’s more of a fresh spice than warm spice in my opinion. I do not pick up on the dill note others seem to get from it. I just have a small sample and will for sure be purchasing a full bottle. This may not be a crowd pleaser but I don’t wear perfumes for other people, I wear them for me! Edit: after wearing it for a few days I can smell the dill very strongly. It’s also induced some pretty bad headaches. Makes me sad because I love the sent but now when I smell it I feel sick. Will not purchase a big bottle :(

When this dries down on me it smells exactly like how it smells to walk into a dispensary.... so a little musky, earthy, green, and clean...and I love it haha Received a sample of this in a Sephora perfume sampler kit and immediately loved it. Despite how familiar this fragrance smells, there is something very mysterious and complex about it. It's androgynous and universally flattering. Great for layering too, Scents that are musky, simplistic and anything that plays on the theme of "your skin but better" is ideal as I feel these types of scents bring out the amber note in No. 4 - I wear it on top of Phlur's Missing Person and Juliette Has A Gun's Not A Perfume.

I accidentally bought the oil instead of the spray. Oops. I dislike that it is in a rollerball but I love that conifer/juniper/cedar/resin-y style scent. It smells like log cabins and shoveling at night so I see my breath lit up by the porchlight. It seems cold and outdoorsy but can warm up a bit to seem like a cozy cabin. This type of scent evokes an experience for me, and as a county girl living in the city, I guess I really want to capture that. Too much and you might start smelling like a bad Christmas Glade Plug In though. Maybe less is more with the oil.... Makes me really want to try Apres now.

Just sampled this a few days ago at Sephora and am regretting not buying it. Upon initial spray I wasn’t sure if I liked it. I did get a slight dill note but it quickly faded and turned into a beautiful creamy sandalwood. I spent the rest of the night sniffing my wrist and kicking myself in the ass for not purchasing. I honestly think the longevity is better than Santal 33 but it does sit a little closer to the skin. Very versatile smell too.. I can see myself wearing this on almost any occasion/season. Anyways, looks like I will be making a trip back to the store to pick this up!

This fragrance devastates me because it is one of the most beautiful green, woody scents EVER.... but it lasts for maybe an hour on me with virtually no projection. It really can't be understated how gorgeous it smells; it has much of the greenness that makes Philosykos so unique, but it's balanced amazingly by sweet sandalwood and spicy cedarwood. It smells like stepping out of your tent and into the morning while camping. It's emotive and comforting and a truly easy blind buy scent... if it lasts on you. I am eternally jealous of anyone this amazing smell works well with.

This scent somewhat wowed me. I got a sample of it recently and initially I loved the scent and I typically go for stonger and sweeter scented and I only like a few lighter scents. This has earned its way into my favorite perfumes. I wore it to work in the morning the other day and in the morning the scent was so nice and amazing but what impressed me most was that almost 10 hours later on the way home in the car I noticed the scent was still on my skin. Not only is it great scent but it also has crazy longevity for a powdery scent and I love it.

I love unique Vetiver scents. I see the Santal comparison. But this stays so perfectly soft. Every note is perfectly balanced on me. It has a slight soapy Vetiver like some barber shop scents, but never goes complete barbasol. The nutmeg and cedar give it a perfect green little punch so it stays sharp and fresh, but still gentle. Extremely relaxing with an addictive opening you kind of miss. Lasts, with a few feet projection, for about 4 hours on me. Truly feels like you are walking in an English garden.

tried this fragrance at a friends house years ago and have been thinking about it ever since! finally got the mini perfume oil, and it’s instantly become the scent I reach for most days. very fresh and cedar forward for me, but dries down to have some ambery warmth. my only complaint is that I wish I lasted longer on my skin, I smell it for about 3-4 hours before it disappears completely. perfect for summer, but I can also see it being versatile for other seasons too. reminds me of a walk in the woods!

Very reminiscent of Le Labo's Santal 33, but with a fresher opening and without the heavier leather note. I love this perfume oil for layering and find that the sillage and longevity is decent for an oil and the size is small enough to carry in your handbag to refresh during the day. I don't get any dill or cucumber note, but I also don't get that with Santal. This is a very fresh vetiver, sandalwood, and cedar combo to me. The candle for this scent is also amazing.

I literally get excited in the morning to shower and put this on. Everything about it is so calming. All of the perfect spicy/woody fall notes with none of the heavy gourmand notes!! I'm not one to describe scents by scenario, but in this case I just have to - this literally smells like a forest after rain. It's borderline aromatherapy!! Perfect for those of us who like typically go for fresher scents but are looking for something more fall/winter appropriate.

While definitely an autumnal scent for me, this brings me straight to the lakeside cabin I would visit as a child, timber warmed by the sun, an old cedar dresser with a bit of powdery dust in the dry down. The dill/coconut smell reminds me of the faintest lingering sunscreen scent at the end of a day. Don't get pickles on me but could hear the argument for aloe baby wipes as someone mentioned. Nostalgic and cozy when worn in moderation.

It took a while for me to warm up to this one, but now I really like it. I definitely can see how it may smell like dill pickles to some folks, but it doesn't really bother me. I mean, I do really like pickles lol. But on my skin it just smells very woody and powdery, and I think its perfect for layering with other fragrances. I keep a small bottle of the oil in my bag and apply it throughout the day. Works well in all seasons.

This is a gorgeous smelling perfume. I agree with the previous commenter that likened it to dill - it really does have that green, herby scent to it, but I can definitely pick up the cedar, vetiver, and sandalwood notes. So natural, very aromatic. I am considering buying a bottle for my husband because he typically dislikes fragrance but likes this one because it smells so natural and earthy. I find it to be a unisex scent.

actually pisses me off. signature scent of my former best friend/lover whom i was far too entangled with and far too attracted to. evokes horribly messy and lustful memories. unfortunately one of the greatest perfumes i have ever smelled. kind of warm, kind of rainy. fit her perfectly. lovely dill note that she hated me pointing out. but its there bitchhh. anyway. makes me cry. love u girl dont call xoxo

This is not my usual fragrance type but I love this one. It’s perfect for rainy days, very comforting. It smells like taking a hike in the woods in drizzly weather. I will say I notice the “tangy” note that some probably pick up as pickles. It doesn’t give pickles to me but I see it yall. It reminds me a bit of Apres by Ellis but apres is more light and airy to me. Both a great relaxing woody scents.

This scent is permanently in my rotation. I never get more compliments or “what are you wearing?” comments than I do with this! Opt for the perfume oil roller. It outlasts the EDP by hours, the smell is stronger, and the complexities of the smell truly come to life throughout the day. The scent is clean, warm, spicy, and holds your interest. A perfect signature scent for sandalwood lovers.

This is like Santal 33, but more feminine and warm. Less fresh, rich, soft, and sweeter. I absolutely loved it! It's a shame the oil doesn't last very long. I feel like it smells ethereal, like a classy, beautiful, young, delicate and unique woman with a sweet personality, but not too sweet. It's a balance between sweet and woody, with the wood notes being more prominent. I loved it.

wearing this most days atm while im visiting my best friends house bc she owns it. it smells so wintry and sharp- i mostly get cedar. very forestry, i get why people think it smells like a home fragrance but personally i really like smelling like expensive bath products, also lasts pretty well on me edit; i wore this again to a concert and it literally smelt exactly like pickles fml

Smooth sandalwood up front with what I suspect is the vetiver and nutmeg lifting it to seem slightly airy and watery all at once. It’s very well blended so no particular notes jumps out at you apart from the sandalwood. Definitely more on the soft and calming side, perfect for everyday wear, and yes, it definitely reminds me of a less spicy, mellowed out Santal 33.

The sandalwood and cedar in this scent are sublime. I am obsessed. I recognized the vetiver right away - very earthy with nutmeg and cinnamon. This perfume is one that I immediately wanted to buy after sampling it the first time. I did purchase it, and I go back to it time and time again, Inoffensive, unassuming, beautiful, and calming. I feel it leans feminine.

When I first tried this scent - I struggled with the initial dill like edge of the sandalwood and found it too 'cold', however on retrying the scent a few months later (in winter) the beautiful calming creaminess of the sandalwood has emerged for me and is singing surprisingly warmly from the skin. I have a feeling I will keep coming back to this one...

My partner wore this when we first started dating, and it was a popular scent where I lived, as well as maybe the store scent for a boutique. Not only would I smell this everywhere- on strangers, coworkers, it would also linger for a long time on clothes, and when I wore it, it would last all day... or maybe it's just love that makes it do that. IDK.

I don’t understand why people say this smells like pickles.. I guess it’s true that not every fragrance is compatible with different skin chemistry. On me though, I adore it!!! 😍 I smell like luxury when I wear this. I wear this with my amber perfume roller ball and Santal bloom body spray and it’s a match made in heaven. One of my all tim favs now.

I crave this scent in the heat of summer. I use the oil on my pulse points. I do get the santal 33 similarities, particularly in the opening, but once the oil warms up on my skin I get some sweetness from the cinnamon and amber, and this subtle creaminess from the nutmeg. It is absolutely beautiful, and I catch whiffs of it all day

Sandalwood with a punch of cedar! Haven't smelled Santal 33, but it's not nearly as creamy and warm as Santal Vanille (and the cedar vs. cardamom opening kick is slightly different). Very unisex and fairly good value but I wish it projected just a little longer! The oil is much stronger on my skin than the spray.

i find this perfume so light and sophisticated. It leans more on the feminine side but it isnt spicy or sweet. I get almost a woody/earthy mint. Its refreshing and easy on the nose and lasts pretty well. I wear it to work as a waitress and its perfect because its not too strong or sweet, just a fresh aromatic.

Gorgeous fragrance. I'm extremely picky and had pretty much given up on scent until I found this. I wear it every day and strangers regularly stop me to ask what I'm wearing (I once had three people ask in one day). That's never happened to me. I especially love the dry down -- the amber is beautiful.

Very pleasant slightly sweet and fresh woody scent. Reminds me a lot of L'Odissey from Issey Miyake women's perfume. I wish it was a stronger scent though. Because it's oil, it sits very close to skin and you can only smell it if you put your nose right to the spot where you applied the oil.

I don’t get the dill pickle note, but there is a fresh, watery top note that is a little cucumbery. I don’t get anything sour or green. The dry down is a beautiful, warm spiced sandalwood. This smells very expensive for a good price and I love that it comes as an oil as well as a spray.

This is an interesting one. At first I got it as a santal 33 dupe, but then fell in love with it for what it really is. A lot of people talk about a full/cumin/pickled note in there and I can smell it at times. But most of the time I just get a smooth sandalwood.

My favorite daily signature scent. I've often seen this referred to as a dupe of Santal 33, and while this is similar, it is more feminine, simple, and suitable for a woman's everyday wear. Slightly less woody and spicy than Santal, which I prefer.

I don't think of myself as a powdery sent person but this, to me, smells like laundry. warm, comfy and inviting. When i look for clean fresh smells often I find them too soapy, while this is like a nature clean smell. Only wished it lasted longer.

Me encantó este perfume, yo quería el Santal 33 (que ya tengo uno de bolsillo en aceite de 10ml ) pero este me enamoro ya que es un poco más femenino, igual me gustan los dos, solo que santal es un poco más amargosito cualquier cosa

I love it more than Santal 33! So lovely, woody, warm, and dynamic. Smells amazing on other people and I don’t notice pickle on others but it’s intensely pickle on me. I still wear it, but the pickle allegations are no joke!

It smells just like santal 33 to me, a lovely, woody smell. It is strong and long lasting, but not as much as santal, which is eternal. But considering the price difference, I think this is a perfect substitute.

If you're looking for something earthy and woody, try this one that's a favorite with some of our editors. It has key notes of sandalwood, vetiver, and amber wood, making it a warm and unique fragrance.

My friend wears this and I think it's lovely. It hugely reminds me of Philosykos or Premier Figuer, no fig note mentioned here though. If you like mysterious woody perfumes you'll probably love it.

I want to smell like this forever. This is a true Gemini, hippie scent. Whoever said that this smells like S33 has a broken nose. This is way cleaner and fresher.

i didnt really like this one before, but i started casually dating someone who wears it and now i love it and think it is extremely sexy. the malleable mind...

Bath & Body Works just launched a new collection and there’s a fragrance called "Lost in Santal” that smells EXACTLY like this!