Bois d'Ebene

I like this one a lot, especially on men! I feel this is a fragrance I’d describe as “casually sexy” - Unisex leaning a little masc (if you had to choose.) I don’t get that much smoke at all... am I crazy? Reading reviews here, I’d argue this one isn’t blind buy safe at all, everyone’s got a different take with this one - May as well be a new hit for Glossier: You, Don’t Know What Your Getting! At least on me the wood is creamy and almost oaty on my skin which is an element I’ve struggled to find on my perfume journey without it just being almond or smelling like a farm. I LOVE that creamy oaty note so that was a +100 happy points from me. I can smell the berries more notably than a few users it seems and they provide a wonderful slight sweetness. The patchouli gives this some good body without being patchouli-ville (an issue I have often with patchouli) I agree with the Fan Your Flames opening but the fragrances themselves are different worlds. I also agree with similarities to Santal Austral, the type of sweetness of both is pretty similar to me (somehow) However, whilst this is great, buying it? No. Nada. No way. It lasts well as expected of MP but projection is average and a little weak on my dry skin. I am sure you can get something similar, something cheaper. If you get the version that my skin produces, I’d argue this is one of the very few perfumes you can literally wear anytime, anywhere minus summer. If you’re a man especially and want to be elegant yet easy and would rather invest, give this a try.

I'm honestly really surprised by the mixed reviews this gets. What a warm and inviting fragrance - I might be biased because guaiac wood is my favorite. It's just the right blend of browns and greens without being too much like you've stuck your nose in dirt. Rather, it's soft, comforting, with a little spicy freshness on top. The patchouli doesn't overwhelm the fragrance and kick it into head shop territory which is important to me in a fragrance with patchouli. Rather, it elevates the guaiac note and rounds this fragrance out beautifully. Dries down to an ambery, woody musk. Matiere Premiere fragrances all tend to have the same goings on in the way that they use their ambroxan or whatever aroma chemical they're fond of, even though it's not listed, I know it's there. It's in all of them. I don't mind it, though, I enjoy that type of thing. Sillage and longevity are insane as with other MP offerings - you will smell yourself all day long and so will others. Use sparingly if you're in an office. Overall, I'd totally spend money on this - maybe not a FB but for sure a decant or smaller size. It's my favorite so far next to Crystal Saffron. Time to get my nose on Parisian Musc next! 9/10

This simple but at the same time complex composition starts with captivating woody and refreshing aromatic notes.🪵🍃 The Juniper green note is perfectly blended with a woody and musky backbone and creates a creamy aspect that is really delightful. In the middle stage of the composition the Cypriol oil interacts with the Guaiac wood in such a way it creates a clean polished woody ambiance that is smooth and not overwhelming.🌬 The dry down of the fragrance is an ambery, smoky vetiver and herbaceous vibe thanks to the patchouli note with a hint of sweetness.🪴🎋🪵 Aurelien Guichard really nailed this composition to create a complex scent with powerful ingredients whose dosage must be skilfully made to achieve this perfectly balanced and clean result.👃🏽👌🏽 Overall a beautiful unisex woody scent that can be used as a signature scent for work or even for a first date.✍🏽💋

I tried the whole Matière première line but really focused on Encens suave (which is awesome) and this one, and I really like it too. It's a woody fragrance with a slight powdery vibe, I get a lot of Patchouli and Guaiac wood, a bit of Cipriol which gives this dusty almost sandalwood-like texture to the fragrance. My nose get also a creamy and powdery iris too, which isn't listed, and which reminds me a bit of the 2005 Dior Homme which was focused on Cacao-Patchouli along with Iris. And I also get also this Iris-Cacao-Patchouli trio in Bois d'ébène. It's a great spring-winter-fall scent with really good longevity and leaving a nice trail. A bit more masculine to my nose but perfectly unisex. Try if you like the older Dior Homme and L'instant de Guerlain, i think it is just in the middle of those 2 in the scent profile.

Simply lush. Was fortunate to be sent 2 x 2ml samples of this from Libertine. Certainly a fall/winter/early spring scent to get the longevity from it. Beautiful mix of smoke, wood and earth. Agree with some of the below comments about the iris. I also get a powdery iris vibe after 30 minutes or so. Quality ingredients have gone into this scent. This is a seductive drop for the more mature gents. My Mrs loves this frag. Radiates well, increases slightly with heat from movement and lasts ages. Brings back memories of walking through the pine forests of the Peak District, UK on a damp day when I was younger. I think I’m going to have to throw down $250 at some point. Sample it first. I’d imagine this wouldn’t suit everyone.

Oooh, what a nice surprise! This is my 6th from the line, and probably the one I thought I'd least like (if at all), but this is a delight. I don't get *any* of the notes, all I get is a very subtle, light and creamy woodsy coconut. Very gorgeous, not like a tropical fragrance coconut, not, the type you'd find in a high end topical face cream. It's very creamy, and I just want to smell myself all the time. I do not get *any* of the notes at all, except coconut and woods, not a clue why, as I've not read anyone getting that note/accord. Oh well, my nose must be really broke, but either way I'm very happy, and this is the 5th out of 6 from the line that I simply adore :) Enjoy and God bless you all.

What a gorgeous rich woody fragrance! As a female testing this I think it can be unisex and sexy. I do feel like on a modern gentleman it would be outstanding, but even sexier on a female who dresses the part (unlike me haha). Top top quality, simple yet to the point exquisite. Lovely hint of aromatics from the juniper, the woodiness has a warm quality, and the patchouli is a beautiful compliment. I just love the Matiere range! EDIT - husband smelt the sillage on me and did not like it. Clearly not a modern gentleman lol.

I have been playing with this tester for months now, why does this have an addictive affect that none of my other woody scents have? Don't hate me for saying this: a cold glass of P£psi Cola in a British Columbia forest summer rain. Cola is vanilla, cinnamon oil & citrus peel oils which is the tasty, yet cleverly hidden addictive element to this cocktail. This is a fragrance that physically makes my mouth water. Eternal. My new full bottle is not going to last long on my shelf.

beautiful smooth woods, with earthy patchouli. i smell amber or vanilla but it isnt listed. ive been looking for the perfect woody fragrance for me, this is it. slightly sweet. love it, want it. sitting here with gris charnel, and they are very similar. bois d'ebene is less sweet and more earthy. i prefer this.

This is lovely. It’s a dry, earthy, slightly spiced woody fragrance. Like a lot of scents from this house, it’s simple but sophisticated. I definitely get wood and patchouli, and another earthy/papery smell not listed in the notes - kind of like coconut husk? Unisex and probably best suited for cooler weather.

Got it as a tester in a store. I would never have thought I'd love it from the first sniff, just based on the notes. I was really impressed. It's soft, powdery, and suitable for any occasion. If you want to smell unique and elegant, it's a go-to perfume.

This is a woody seductive fragrance.. if you ever sniff papyrus oud from parle moi de parfum you will find a little similarity with this but bois d'ebene more refined, sexy, smooth and seductive! Maybe i will get full bottle!

To me the opening is like Santal 33, then within 5 minutes it calms down to a gentle vanillic wood. Very polite, very unremarkable and very forgettable.

It is good but not Gris Charnel and I own both of them, it is a rather soft silage but you will get noticed, and it will bring you lots of compliments.

Loved it immediately. It has a creamy wood note that reminds me of the one you find in Eilish No. 2. Fresh but not sharp, unisex, outdoors, and cozy.

Some of the comparisons in this platform are totally ridiculous; stupid people leave their comments to ruin the veracity of this great juice.

high quality and very calming, i love the way that cypriol is integrated here, really sets this apart from the saturated soft woods category.

All Matiere frags smell similar. Must share the same base. It's a powdery woody note. Just like Santal Austral.

The best M.P. after Encens Suave. In third place I put Falcon Leather.

Making a few edits here as I've bought this and really come to enjoy it. I was skeptical of this line at first but I've realized these kinds of minimal yet distinctive and extremely smooth styles are my favorite fragrance types to wear. At the top I get a fresh juniper and pine-like aroma that blends seemlessly into a subtly smoky, powdery wood. It's light but powerful, and I picture it as an off-white and sometimes purple-hued clean smoke with tinges of green forest sap. It actually reminds me of the cold, soft aura that Dior Homme Original initially captivated me with, and I'm reminded mostly of iris and cedar combos like Loewe Man 001, or Iris Ebene by Atelier Materi. It's also strikingly similar to Cedre Iris by Affinessense, but the powder isn't really in your face nor as cosmetic or floral as iris-based perfumes can be and lacks their bitter, sharp facets. Instead, it maintains an earthy, round sweetness that has a lactonic quality from this particular type of paraguayan guaiac wood. Normally I dislike creaminess in my fragrances but I find this to remain light and fresh, while never getting too warm despite being an amber. The best part is that it performs really well and doesn't evolve to far from it's best parts. Somehow the vibe I get from this is both inviting and gentle, but also cold and austere. I haven't tried this in the heat but I'm excited to. edit: I have tested this in the summer and it is unwearable for me. Just personal preference...oh well! I've seen some discourse from more seasoned reviewers talking about how this isn't that exceptional and it's full of very common and perhaps overused synthetics (sandalwood adjacent), and I would agree to an extent. The more stuff you get your nose on the more you realize how popular and widespread certain woody amber bases are across the industry. I would probably compare this type of purchase to anything else in the luxury market though: if you have a developed taste and attention for detail, you will enjoy finding those perfumes that do exactly what you want, for the very same reasons some people pay a lot for the perfect white t-shirt or pair of jeans. I think there's a deft touch behind this, and the price is actually very comparable and actually cheaper than other luxury brands like Frederic Malle, Le Labo, Tom Ford, etc. Another tip is to buy it directly from their website as they have a 50 mL available there (not sold in the US) and prices are actually cheaper. Shipping was super fast as well.

Bois d'Ebène is another simple, linear yet high-quality scent from Matière Première. This one is an earthy, woody scent, masculine-leaning in my opinion. BE opens with bright, refreshing juniper atop a balsamic woody accord. It is aromatic and forest-like here. I get a hint of green, woody pine. It is dry yet warm, and the woody notes manage to be soft and well-rounded (as opposed to the thin, screechy sandalwood of Santal Austral). It becomes mossy as it develops thanks to the patchouli and cypriol notes - the patchouli in particular is masterfully used here, complementing the woody notes beautifully, and, while initially dry, it becomes balsamic as it progresses. It becomes increasingly powdery too. There is a slight smokiness to EB as it dries down - something akin to a hint of incense. It brings to mind polished wooden church pews. There could also be some vetiver in the base too despite not being listed - the dry, grassy woodiness of the drydown brings it to mind. It eventually fades to a dry, earthy skin scent. As always with MP scents, the performance is excellent - long-lasting with moderate sillage. A pleasant, high-quality woody masculine scent with aromatic herbal notes, BE is an understated, transeasonal everyday scent. It would also make a lovely home fragrance. Recommended. 4/5.

Nothing outstanding and not rewriting any books but, if you like that meditative like smell of Paolo Santo (Gaiac Wood) without smelling like and old hippy then you will get a pleasant experience from this. This is not as intense as Ebene Fume by Tom Ford which smells like you've literally just lit a PS stick. The cypriol adds to that smokey/burnt feeling that lends to the incense note HOWEVER this is not what I would called incense heavy. It smells like an old wooden room that at one time had someone who burnt incense or Paolo Santo in many years ago. This smell is a toned down, well blended imitation of old wooden furniture with memories of someone who wrote long hours at a desk. There's a slight powderyness coming through on the dry down that is not at all unpleasant or out of place either. A lovely fragrance that could be signature worthy for the right person who embodies the image that it conjurs, though saying that I don't think this is anything too unique and surely for the price point you could find something more reasonably.

I tried a sample. Beautiful thick deep woody fragrance without being sharp or uneasy. Nice and rounded. I like the smell and can feel the quality of rich ingredients. Lasts long and stays true to the core of the brand philosophy of the brand Matiere Premiere. Having tried a few Matiere Premiere fragrances, I get what the Perfumer is trying to do (i.e. one main note with an overdoes of it so it stays liner to the end), and I quite like the idea. They are not creating new formulas or new smelling scents, but rather working with established smells and making them in a really high quality. If you are new to perfumes, this brand is an interesting one to start out with; if you are heavily into fragrances already, this again is an interesting brand to look into because you will certainly recognise the quality. None of their fragrances are sharp, everything is linear and rounded and smartly put together. Nice work.

Bois D'Ebene by Matiere Premiere is undoubtedly a well crafted fragrance with a smooth, refined woody profile. The blend of woods and cypriol gives it a rich, dry character that's easy to wear. There's also a natural quality to the ingredients that really shines through. That said, on my skin I get a much stronger peppery vibe than I was expecting, and it tends to overpower the woods. Longevity and sillage are both average, which isn't a dealbreaker, but after a few full wears I haven't connected with it the way I thought I would. I bought this after trying it in the boutique and, considering how much I spent that day, I probably shouldn't have pulled the trigger. It's a good fragrance and I can definitely appreciate the quality, but I don't like it nearly as much as I did in the boutique. I rate it 7/10.

I liked this one a lot on first impression and one day of wearing. But after wearing it a second time I'm a bit less impressed. Yes it gives a woodier Dior HM vibe even though iris isn't listed. This is still a good representation of guaiac wood but if you have DH then this would still be kinda redundant. I have not tried Loewe 01 to compare. Not terribly original here although it is a good scent. I even got a little bit of reminder of Santal 33 right after the opening. Overall a smooth experience that I enjoy but is not terribly unique. Scent 7/10 Performance 6.5/10

Always reminded of some other fragrance and that's Chanel Coromandel, it has that patchouli and the chocolate note. But this one is more earthy, a more masculine version of Coromandel. Somone compared it to Alexandria ll, not even close. Alexandria ll is way more complex, red-carpet, just on another level. Smells high quality. A perfect fragrance when you don't want to stand out, just wanna smell good and mind your own business. Very nice.

Although being a woody fragrance, there's a clarity and 'brightness' here that I really appreciate. The juniper adds a dimension of freshness. It has a certain ambery sweetness that I really appreciate too, that is very comforting. As with all Matiere Premiere, you can really sense a high resolution quality. This includes quality of performance as well. Quite lovely. Easy to like, very versatile.

To me this is a smoked patchouli scent, I get a lot of sweetness but im not sure from what because it doesn’t mention vanilla. The performance is very good, I think the owner of the brand really put performance as a mandatory box to tick here because I tested a few of them and despite liking the scent or not,it certainly lasted a very long period, including the freshies.

A strong yet pleasant woody masculine scent with a light and airy character. Fresh minty and herbal notes blend with soft powdery nuances, creating a clean and aromatic green profile. Woody accords add warmth and depth, making it especially suited for autumn. Light, refreshing, balanced, and easy to love.

My first love from Matiere Premiere. Perfectly unisex scent. Woody, bit ambery, realistic with hint of smokiness and pinch of sweetness. Hard to describe. Dark and uplifting at the same time. Very versatile, easy to wear during the day. Compliment getter.

Nice nagarmota oil - sweet, woody, dark and slightly animalic. Rich and truly “oily” scent. But patchouli here is too earthy, dry and moldy for me here. So I consider it to be rather masculine scent than unisex one. Follow me on IG: scent.guide

Pre review I’d say it’s definitely woody Nothing unique Maybe more on the masculine side Seemed a little weak from the beginning of the fragrance I can’t find a good reason for the price

Powdery smoky sweet woods, really solid designer-esque niche release! easy to wear, perfect for fall and winter days. More for a younger crowd, more masculine for sure.

Blind bought, love it, but its slightly masculine on me. Selling a 50ml bottle with only a few sprays missing if anyone is interested.no box. Australia only.

I am surprised nobody mentioned Fan your flames yet, the openings are really similar. However after the opening settles down, they are totally different.

Sweet woody aromatic opening with a sweet earthy drydown. Perfect for fall and winter, pleasant and comforting. Not worth the price though.

Faint residue of furniture polish on a very expensive, antique writing desk. The writing desk grandpa says you mustn't colour on.

A very nice soft ebony. It is not a loud fragrance. But it does last 24 hours, which was a nice surprise.

Woody notes with warm balsamic feel, almost incense like smoky tones. Genuinely nice and diffusive scent.

It smells like a barbershop but in a good way... like I imagine Al Pacino wearing this scent

Testing this blind, it categorically was less impressive than many of the fragrances from this brand. Woody, slightly spicy, with a familiar pine element, easily likeable, but not very distinctive. Friendly and unobtrusive, I kept wearing it hoping I was missing something I didn't quite get the last time. Looking at the notes, I'm a little disappointed because they suggest a more aromatic and deeper blend that just isn't there. For a general woody, and quality fragrance, it is nice and, well "woody" and relatively safe as a woodsy gift that leans masculine, but at this price point something with a little more "character" can go a long way. Edit: testing this blind a year later (10/8/23) - very different!!! Opening had an animalistic element followed up by a baby powder body, which is where it sat the rest of the day. Reading my above response, I don't recognize it at all. I get some woody elements, but powder seems to dominate. Sprayed fresh now, and the same. Even checking I had the right one twice. I can't imagine something would morph this much in a year, but I feel this this is a different fragrance.

I tested Bois d'Ébène by Matiere Premiere side by side with Liam (Grey) by Lattafa, and they share a similar DNA, but Bois d'Ébène feels more minimal and toned-down. This fragrance opens fresh and woody with hints of juniper, evoking the image of a foggy, dewy forest in the early morning. As it settles, the freshness fades and gives way to earthy, soft woody notes with a subtle trace of patchouli. There are no spices or vanilla here — just a cool, muted woody scent that leans completely unisex. Compared to Liam, which has more spice and character, Bois d'Ébène feels quieter and more introspective. A calm, grey-toned woody fragrance for those who prefer something understated and elegant.

I’m on the fence with this one. Up close I can smell the guaic wood and something creamy/buttery (iris?). While it’s a fairly dry, woody fragrance, the creaminess does give it the impression of having some sweetness. As it dries down, I get sandalwood, patchouli and cypriol, which is my favorite part. It lingers on my clothes for days, weeks even. From afar, however, I kept smelling cocoa butter. So much so that a friend told me he smelled coconuts when he stopped by. As much as I love coconut as a dessert, I don’t want to smell like it. After several tries, it isn’t particularly sexy, just interesting. For the price, a hard pass.

I find this opens with a waxy sort of sweetness that is somewhat reminiscent of lip balm; smoothly vanillic, with just a touch of synthetic mintiness. However, it very quickly loses that waxiness, and becomes a powdery earth-and-wood scent; dry, rooty, and smooth. The vibe: You’re in a warm room that's crowded with antique wood furniture. You're laying on a dark velvet chesterfield, feeling bored and a little drowsy. You find a tube of Coco Shimmer lip balm between the chesterfield cushions and open it, idly sniffing its sweet, waxy scent.

Simply constructed woody aromatic scent that has a soft unobtrusive feel to it. The scent opens with some juniper berry and guaiac wood and starts settling into a powdery base of patchouli, cypriol, and synthetic musk. The scent has moderate projection and very good longevity. It can be worn by anyone in any setting without raising eyebrows. It can also leave many wanting much more. Enjoy!

is it me or matiere premiere is quite boring and safe overall. as a french person who’s been living not in france for over a decade, their scents feel like the self important idea of a parisian thinking they are classy and timeless but really translates as no spark or no personalité this is a powdery woody smell, don’t think it deserves such a moody qualifier as ébène.

I think I'm mostly anosmic to a large part of the opening and middle of this fragrance. I can barely smell it with my nose to my wrist, but I pick up a bit of the sillage. As it settles down I can smell it more, pretty dark and woody, but ultimately not for me due to the fact that I literally can't smell it properly, lol.

Well done, for lovers of cypriol, patchouli, lacquered woods of caubreva and fatter than guajac. The sweet part reminded me of Bibliotheque of Babel. Dirtier, louder and without the cinnamon. Tough, assertive masculine with gritty synthetics to back it all up.

I get fir trees and vanilla; the patchouli, if it is there, is very subtle. The overall impression is of a rather generic woodsy/musky mix. If you were looking for a high-quality and inoffensive Woody Aromatic, this would be a safe choice.

A mild oud scent, the incense is more smoky than church-like. Patchouli gives it a bit of earthiness... Overall, I'm not particularly impressed but I don't hate it.