No.12 Bousval

Ive been looking for a fragrance that would work well in all seasons, one that is unisex, and one that smells skin-like and effortless. I was recommended this fragrance two days ago by a Sephora employee and I sprayed it on my wrist to see how it wore for the day. During my time trying it out, I couldn't help but continue to reach for my wrist to smell it. It's effortlessly beautiful, slightly mysterious, naturally alluring, and has the slight masculine edge that I was looking for. I just bought the fragrance today at Sephora and told the employee how much I loved it when I was trying it on. The opening of this scent is sharp and a little harder to work with but it blends into a softer crispiness with slight fresh powder and an overall expensive and spa-like scent. I feel classy when I wear it. I'm used to wearing scents that are a little bold and controversial (I'm talking Angel by Mugler), this scent might not be everyone's favorite but there is something familiar and comforting about it, too.

The opening of No. 12 Bousval strikes me as herbaceous with a mild yet persistent citrus accord. I expected the cardamom to register as spicy from the get-go, but instead it settles nicely to blend with the herbal emanation to beautiful effect. The oakmoss and heliotrope seem to balance well here, which is remarkable because each can be overwhelming at times in other fragrances, to my nose. The woody resin presence emerged for me in about two hours, and I expected the top notes to fly away, but instead, the herb/citrus/wood/resin all seemed faintly present throughout its duration. For me this is unisex, but it may skew too masculine for devotees of a fruity floral. A subtle but persistent presence for me for 16+ hours. It's a gorgeous fragrance that I will wear on days when I crave something beautiful without bombast.

J'ADORE THIS HOUSE!!!!!!! I first discovered this house in 2020. I purchased No. 4 as my travel scent for my 40th birthday trip to Africa. A few years later I bought No.12 perfume oil for my trip to Australia earlier this year and I love it so much. It is a citrus / amber perfection of a blend. I mixed this with TF Solei Blanc and they really complement each other very well. It takes me from vacation mode to eternal holiday in a resort, a beach, a country club, or cobble stone street in a historical neighborhood in some riviera. I live my travel fantasy when I combine these two tonics. I am reading some of the reviews below regarding the dry down and longevity, but this oil mixed with my body chemistry keeps my flame burning. I will repurchase this again, and again, and again...... FOLLOW ME ON IG @MoctezumaC

This is so not what I typically go for but somehow I ended up with a sample in my Sephora order, and wow. I went through the sample in 2 days and now have a full bottle of the perfume oil. Everyone needs a "zen" scent in their collection - the palate cleanser for the days that you just want to smell clean and natural. It's like a refined essential oil, aromatic enough to smell earthy but still soapy. It smells to me like a high-end spa. The performance is great and tends to get stronger throughout the day (with body heat as it's an oil). It reminds me of Jo Malone's Grapefruit a bit with the clean citrus vibes that I get from it. It also works really well alone, but layers amazingly with Le Labo's Rose 31 or Diptyque Eau Capitale. Beautiful.

The first time I sprayed this, I also watched A Star is Born 1976 for the first time the same night. Now every time I smell it, all I can think about is a sexy, rugged, shirtless Kris Kristofferson. Not a bad memory to have... Regardless of this preconception, I believe that this is a very unisex, slightly more masc scent. Strong citrus in the opening that mellows down to calming eucalyptus and musk, some of the citrus sticks around. I agree that it smells like shampoo/conditioner you would find in an upscale hotel or spa. It doesn't project much but when it comes to this scent that's perfect for me, it's like my little hidden secret :)