No.04 Bois de Balincourt
Maison Louis Marie (2014)

Green opening with a sandalwood and nutmeg drydown. I like the cedar and woody drydown, and there's a tiny bit of spice from the nutmeg and cinnamon. Unfortunately, the projection is softer than I expected. It's definitely pleasant, but it's forgettable.

Sandalwood and I don't always get along (usually just straight up smells like vomit on my skin), but I like this. It's Santal 33 with burnished edges, that irritating dirty hair note replaced by a sweetish vetiver, a hint of spice, and some cozy amber. It would be nice if it lasted just as long, though.

Tried from SO's sampler collection. It didn't work for her, but did for me. It's got a fresh greenish-herbal opening, but that soon calms down and the sandalwood steps forward. The amber wood base provides some richness, but that's tempered by the vetiver and cedar (which are in turn rounded off by the amber wood). I could see myself springing for the mini.

The pyramid is honest; the profile, calming rather than aggressive, which is fine with me. Probably not FB-worthy for me as I prefer more “there” there, and it's not cheap, but it's an easy close-to-the-skin wear, and I might spring for the candle version.

For whatever reason, I am largely anosmic to this entire scent. It's not bad, but on me it just disappears.

I returned from a trip to California. We were north, made our way to Yosemite, then back to the coast. All along the way, there is a dry woods, uplifting, amazing smell. I wished to bottle the breezes and return to the east coast, where it is humid, wet, and oppressive... So I began to hunt for something that reminded me of these dry California woods. I was in the local Sephora and stumbled across No.4. It is not quite what I had in mind, but it is a delightful scent.
It takes several sprays, I went with ten this morning, yes is seems weak, but after enough juice, it can stay with you most of the day. The longevity is about 4-5 hours. I have not worn it in cold weather yet, so I am interested to see how it differs. It wears very close to the skin, minimal sillage. So unfortunately, for your friends would have to get strangely close to enjoy, but you are easily able to sniff your arms all day.
It opens a bit too sweet, but quickly calms down into a faint clean woody enjoyment. The Sandalwood is soft, and there is a hint of the cinnamon and nutmeg that give it, again, a hint of sweetness but it is not a sappy or cloying sweet. I keep using the words hint and faint, all accurate. Don't discount this one because it sounds weak, I would say rather mild, than weak. It is for sure not an 80s power. It is calm, interesting, and smooth.