Well the heat is still on here. It’s supposed to drop about 20 degrees or so by the time this posts which will be a welcome relief. I am lucky enough to have central air in my present abode and AC in my office, which is inside the building. So I am super grateful and thankful for both that fact and that when we do need service our AC people respond quickly to our needs (which they do). The fact that our guy is a hot Argentine with dreamy brown eyes is a plus that almost, but not quite, makes me want to steal up to the roof to flip a breaker or something.
Not on MY apartment, mind you..
In any case, I did go to Surrender to Chance to get a sample of the SL version of Féminité du bois and see how it compares to my 2007-ish vintage bottle that I picked up for a song in Little Tokyo one holiday season. I know on the interwebs there are varying opinions with some people writing that they’re pretty much the same and others opining that they are totally different animals. So what did I find?
Yes, they’re a differences. Now some of these could be attributed that even with the care that I take to house my ‘fumes in a dark closet and the temps never really get above 75 or below 50, a bottle that is nigh unto 20 years old is not going to smell the same as it did the day I bought it. I assume that the 2007 version I have is also one that might have gone through changes since it was introduced in 1992. Also, I don’t know what year the bottle is from Surrender to Chance- there’s been several different bottles available with beige or black labels. So take this with a grain of salt.
I like the new one better.
Heresy, I know. I love the original which leans more into the stewed fruits while the newer one on me leans more into the (slightly burnt) woods. Shiseido is stronger in the opening but levels off in the drydown, while the SL is almost wan in comparison at first spritz but comes back strong after the 1/2 hour mark. I do love the Shiseido, but it’s called Féminité du bois, not Féminité du pruneau. Your mileage may vary and Surrender to Chance will hook you up with both version for you to compare and contrast, but in this case, while I am happy I have my original bottle I am not bereft at the replacement for it. Certainly not enough to spend the earth on a vintage bottle on eBay.
I will also add that these are GLORIOUS in the heat. You wouldn’t think that would be the case (at least I wouldn’t) but they are.
Have you smelled both? Think I’m nuts? Smelled either? Neither? Still think I’m nuts? Let us know in the comments.
Photos: Mine, Pexels. My sample was from Surrender to Chance
I’m a savage, I know… but I really couldn’t with any of the FdB iterations – none were BAD … just eh.
Hey, you’re sauvage. Sounds better in Fwehnsh
oh, mercy!
Or, merci?
I think they’re all delicious and can’t smell much of a difference, although my nose isn’t the greatest any more. Put some on this morning just to enjoy it!
It is darned pretty, no matter which one.
I’ve sniffed neither but really want to. Maybe this fall in Paris I can sniff the new version.
You’ll have so much to sniff in Paris- I am jealous!
I do have both a Shiseido bottle and a Serge Lutens one. The Shiseido smells a little richer the current version seems a little thinner. I was happy to get the Shiseido version when I did.
I thought the same but the new one had me at the smoky woods.
I did not expect that. Not quite heresy, but a great big surprise! I know I once tried the Shiseido, possibly because of the pretty bottle, but I have no memory of the fragrance. Now I will definitely sample the Serge Lutens.
Argentina, where the sexiest dance ever, the tango, started. Can I borrow your Argentine to teach me the fancy version? 😉
Oooh, I’d love to let you borrow him since he sure isn’t interested in me. But he’s interested in his gorgeous wife.
He has a gorgeous kid (20’s) who works as a fireman. Oy, if I thought he’d show up I’d start a grease fire..
LOL. Win some lose some. Ah, Argentina.
Yes. My friend say we should retire there and live off our US based social security. We can sit in lawn chairs and ogle people.
I am snorting with laughter! Thanks for the visual (starting a grease fire) and the laugh.
The FdB did nothing for me. I hunted for it ages ago when Luca Turin wrote about it. Stewed fruit to eat or wear is not my cuppa.
It shouldn’t work for me but it does.
If you could see a photo of this kid in his fire gear.. oh my!
Hey Tom,
I’m going to have a brag moment.
Way back in 2015 (I think) Jin and I were invited up to the Palais Royale yellow room for a private Lutens experience with the gorgeous Elvire.
The very last thing we smelled were 4 iterations of FdB. I agree they were all a bit different. Not earth shakingly so but different enough that we noticed. I can’t remember if we had favorites at the time but it did inspire me to buy a bottle.
Thanks for the reminder.
Portia x
What a great memory for you both! One of these days I hope to get there.