Review of Un Bois - Obvious Parfums

Random Review #1

I discovered the house of Obvious Parfums through a YouTube video. Right off the bat, I was extremely impressed. The house of Obvious Parfums was created by an expert perfumer - David Frossard - who has over twenty years of experience in the fragrance industry. Obvious Parfums is a very unique fragrance house. What makes them stand out is their focus on sustainability and simplicity.

Made in France, almost all aspects of their products are sourced from sustainable raw materials. Where possible, they use natural ingredients over synthetic ones. For instance, in all of their perfumes, they use organic alcohol for the dilution process. Additionally, the entirety of each bottle as well as its packaging is crafted with sustainability in mind.

Top notes - Italian bergamot, Asian black pepper
Middle notes - Ambroxan, Virginia cedar wood
Heart notes - Indian papyrus wood, Malaysian gurjum balm, Hatian vetiver

Un Bois was my second-ever blind buy. Trusting the description of a fragrance and not testing it prior to purchasing is always a risk. It's hard to imagine how all of the different notes harmonize together. The fragrance composition of Un Bois (listed above) is made up of a combination of scents that I really like and enjoy. Separately, all of the components are amazing, but you never know how each ingredient will interact and vibe with one another.  Was trusting the fragrance composition enough to justify purchasing it?  I ended up buying Un Bois knowing full well that there was a chance of it either being a complete letdown or a new favourite.

Luckily for me, it was the latter. Un Bois is an elegant and simple scent. It isn't a scent that screams in your face or demands attention from a crowded room. It is a scent that is subtle and subdued (in a good way). Upon first sniff, you are immediately brought to attention by a strong pepper note, followed by bergamot. The bergamot was not what I expected. Rather than being very citrusy and punchy, it was greener and plusher; smelling like the rind/skin of a freshly cut bergamot on a warm spring day. Being caught off guard by the bergamot note, I was a bit weary, but within a few moments, I realized that I couldn't stop smelling myself.  

After twenty or so minutes, the strong pepper smell begins to fade, pushing the cedar wood into the spotlight. The ambroxan isn't the most apparent, but I do notice it throughout the wear - bringing a soft and smooth touch of amber. The scent starts to lighten up a bit more after an hour or so with the base notes shining through. Overall, the composition is extremely delightful. It is very woodsy, but not in a pushy type of way. Un Bois is a fragrance that leans a tad more masculine, but is most definitely unisex and can be worn by anyone. This is a perfect scent for those who do not want a polarizing fragrance that commands attention, but rather one that lingers closely and intimately, while being enjoyable to those around you.

Beauty lies in simplicity - less is more... this is obvious

Un Bois has become my signature scent - it is wearable in any situation, day or night, all year round.  

Longevity: Moderate - 5 to 7 hours
Sillage: Intimate
Suitable for: All genders + Any occasion
Price: $140 USD / 100 ml

OVERALL: 4.5 / 5