Bois des Iles Chanel for women

While walking through an enchanted, rich resin filled rain forest, imagining fairies dancing in their little circles, you catch the aroma of gingerbread and slightly spiced peach pie baking. You are drawn in by the aroma and make your way through the many colorful flowers and fresh roots, until you come upon a little wooden cottage that fits comfortably within a large tree. This quickly becomes your own personal hideaway that you will no doubt remember to visit many times.

Bois Des Iles still keeps that perfect sandalwood aroma that has for the most part left the scene along with Indian sandalwood. From the very beginning the sandalwood presents itself to perfection along with just the right amount of aldehydes, enough to enhance and balance it, but not too much as to shock the senses.

This fragrance, created more than eighty years ago still fascinates with the ability to work backwards. When smelling the sandalwood at first spray, one might get the idea that it’s a linear fragrance...not so. What would ordinarily be considered top notes do not make the scene until later in the dance.

It’s said that it has a definite gingerbread note and I would agree, however, I have never been fond of the smell of gingerbread cooking until I smelled BDI. It’s the same note, but yet it’s not quite so gourmand sweet. This beauty lasts all day and into the night. It’s strong but not so over whelming as to be offensive. Fall would be the perfect time to wear it, but I wear it anytime, best in the evening.

this EDT lasted 12 hours on me...did not won me over at first but this is definately strong scent...how is then the Parfum strong?...what stayed from it is iris and amber and musk...but still its remarkable for EDT!

Ahhh...Bois des Iles is like a breath of fresh early summer air, very welcome in the middle of our blah gray autumn here.

Out on the hiking trail in the summertime, early afternoon, under the oak trees, that smooth woodiness of tree bark, that warm golden gentleness of the sunshine through the leaves, that mild rich earthiness as you unsettle the earth beneath your boots, the sweet mellow grassiness of the breeze through the goldening wild grasses and wildflowers of the meadow just beyond...

So heavenly.

This is the current EDT I'm sampling, for those curious to know.

I hoard a tiny bottle of Bois des Iles parfum and I don't know what I'll do when it turns. I'm afraid to wear it, because I don't want to expose it to air. I love to just sniff its box.

The first time I smelled Bois des Iles, I started crying. It was like a forgotten memory, or the fulfillment of something I always longed for. Who can really explain these things? All I know is that it is the most exquisite, beautiful, evocative thing I've ever smelled, and not having it would be like losing a limb.

Aldehydes, sandalwood and iris on a sweet fruity oriental base. Resinous undertones, dark woods, dry/sweet juxtapositions. Not much to say about such an imponent fragrance but, if you ever wondered how a masterpiece smells like, you have to try this. Men wearing Egoiste on a regular basis may decide to upgrade to Bois Des Iles pretty soon.

One of the 100 best fragrances of all times.

Rating: 9.5/10

So many good comments here. I agree, this is a polite, elegant, slightly old-fashioned but very addictive scent. I detest Chanel No.5, but am a fan of Bois des Iles, Cuir de Russie and No.19. I like Coromandel too but have never owned it. Of this selection, B.d.I is my favourite for everyday, quiet and appropriate in all settings. When I wear it, I feel like I have a secret.

This Chanel is on my least favorite list along with Chance. Of course, that doesn't mean they aren't incredible juices in their own right. Bois des iles to me, is very old school and I'm just not a big neroli/peach fan which is what lingers in my nose for the longest time. Not that it isn't feminine or pretty, but in a very old school way. Rather buttery vetiver ending which is what gives it points imo.
I imagine what women smelled like in the 1920's and this is it.

Bois de Iles is warm, fuzzy, woody oriental with an opening splash of Chanel aldehydes. The Guide stated that Bois de Iles was like the brunette sister of No.5, and I totally agree: it has the same deep murky fuzzy wood notes but Bois de Iles is lighter, perhaps a little more laid back. I would even say Bois de Iles was like the brunette little sister, and is a better "fresher" version of No. 5 than Eau Premiere (which was ash on my skin). Perfect for those early fall days when you want something a little deeper but not too strong, a nice light blazer rather than a heavy peacoat.

Would I buy Bois de Iles? Someday, but it's low on my priority list. Inez by BPAL is pretty similar, like a scent cousin, and significantly cheaper though it comes in only 5ml bottles. If you like Bois de Iles but don't want to spend $110, Inez is a fine substitute; likewise if you like Inez and want more than 5ml, Bois de Iles is where to go. When I finally run out of my bottle of Inez I'll buy Bois de Iles, but not till then.

I just got this today. I've been chasing it around for years and I am so pleased. It's a beautiful, warm scent. It's classy and simply stunning. I tend to love most chanel, though. For the price, 110 us, I found it quite reasonable. The bottle comes with a cool magnet closure, in a pedestal box in a black, drawstring Chanel bag. To top off how beautiful the scent is.

Sandalwood, forest and slight spice wrapped in the very distinct Chanel notes. Lovely I'm thrilled

Fur coats, butter soft leather, Methuselah Cristal out of Waterford flutes....first class all the way. Amazing.

I need it to be twice as strong!! But I guess I can use a LOT more. I wish they had a body cream too! I love it!

The ultimate in luxurious comfort and warmth.

Bois des Iles really lasts all day for me. I have several versions of this, and the vintage parfum is the best. It is just a beautiful fragrance that reminds me of a sunset on a tropical beach. It is class and luxury combined into one.

This IS the smell of the wardrobe in "The Lion The Witch and The Wardobe"! I can even sense the musty fur coats that Lucy rubbed her cheek against as she walked further into the closet!

Bois des Iles just didn't do it for me, and I think it must be the aldehydes because it made me quite nauseous. I adore Coromandel, Sycomore, Cuir de Russie and No 19 and while I can admire the Chanel quality in this perfume, there was just this odd note which jarred. I note in someone else's review BDI had a similarity to Samsara - I wonder if she hit the nail on the head because Samsara and I are sworn enemies. Nevertheless I am glad to have tried a decant, but will pass it on to a deserving friend.

I love CHANEL's classic perfumes. As much as I like Bois des Iles, I have to say that it shares too much of a similarity with No.5 and No.22 for me to also purchase this one. It is a very classy, somewhat old fashioned, powdery, not-too-sweet fragrance. Because I am so used to the other two perfumes, this smelled like watery versions of them. So perhaps this could be an option for someone who thinks Nos. 5 & 22 are too heavy but who would like to wear a high-quality aldehyde. It's still a very characteristically CHANEL perfume.

To die for. My absolute favorite. It was the very first fragrance I ever tried that I fell in love with immediately. It is such a comforting, cozy, classic fragrance. It makes me feel better just to wear it. Worth every penny (although I wish it didn't require quite so many pennies to own).

The first time I smelled it, I thought it smelled really old fashioned... from another time and era that I didn't belong. Anyway, I still asked for a sample, and a few days later, gave it another spritz. I couldn't understand what the fuss was about. I smell a lot of powder, flowers, and a comforting sandalwood, a warm and very-close-to-the-skin intimate scent that might belong on an older woman. It still did not appeal to me. Funny thing is, like Doc Elly (below), I kept reaching for it every few days because I was craving something in it. What it is, I cannot place. The powder repels me, but something about it attracts me. Who knows, when I finish my sample, I might actually get a bottle, though it was definitely not love at first sniff.

I'll be honest. I have a 1.5 mL sample of this, that I've tested several times, and I don't love it.

I thought I was doomed with this one, for sure. Woody autumn forest oriental with lots of sandalwood? Usually this would spell love for me, but this wears curiously flat on my skin every time I've tried it. Chanel-aldehyde opening, a murky-sweet wood, that just kind of fades out. There's not much about this that's rich and deep, but quite the opposite, there is something almost shreikish about it.

Actually I'm glad I don't love it because it will save my wallet a big wad of cash.

I'm glad everyone else loves it so much, though.

Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. A touch of aldehyde, then velvety lilac and sandalwood prevail all the way to the finish.

Accented with a wisp of peachy rose in the heart which leads into a warm, powdery wood. Yet this feels a little soapy, oily and tactile like a balmy, heartfelt hug from a classy woman who doesn't normally show physical displays of public affection--only doing it when she is really compelled to.

Feminine with dry notes that are traditionally masculine, yet harmonized with resins in a way that conveys warm, womanly independence.

If I had to describe this one for someone who had never smelt it I would say that it is a mixture between Chamade-Guerlain and Chanel n5. It starts with the alhelydes and finishes more Chamade like. There is something intriguing here that makes you willing to investigate it more deeply ,something pungent that comes into scene and quickly disappears only to turn up a bit later.When you smell it on others it makes you get closer to find out what it is.
Overall it is elegant like a time long gone. I can perfectly picture Coco Chanel getting out of a Beige Rolls Roice smoking a cigarette wearing Bois des lles,one of her famous black and white suits and her pearls.
I loved it the moment I smelt it for the first time.

Bois des Iles is timeless & beautiful. I remember this smell from childhood, but cannot remember who wore it. It is a smell of all things soft & luxurious & elegant & plush. Very unobtrusive & comforting. Well mannered.
A great one when you just cannot decide, as you just cannot go wrong. Will always be in my collection. Its one of those, like many Chanel frags, that reeks of class, yet nobody wears it. I love that.

When I found out there were 12 more Chanel fragrances to be found at the boutique, I rushed myself to the Chanel boutique here in town to get me one.

The saleslady sprayed a few cards for me: No18, Eau de Cologne, 28 la Pausa and Bois des Iles. I didn't like any of the first three, but Bois des Iles caught my attention right away.

Went home, sniffing all the cards and was convinced Bois des Iles was the one. Got back to the store the next day after reading some of the reviews on this site and was really eager to try Coromandel as well. Asked for a spray on each hand so I could pick either Bois des Iles or Coromandel.

Went for a walk around the Vondelpark here in Amsterdam which is close to the boutique and knew right away that Coromandel was the one. I haven't smelled anything like it since I first tried Antaeus or Egoiste: I knew I found my new signature scent in Coromandel.

I did like Bois des Iles as well so I returned to the store again two weeks later. This time I wanted to try Sycomore as well and to cut a long story short: I went home with a bottle of Sycomore.

I'll give Bois des Iles another shot this autumn, as it makes the perfect autumn fragrance. The problem that I had with Bois des Iles is the opening, which smelled very "soap-like" on my skin. After 15 minutes or so Bois des Iles gets darker and warmer and from that moment on, I really love the fragrance. It's as comforting as Coromandel is after the opening.

Edit: a few tries later and I love the opening now... It reminds me of some flowery perfume my mother used. Warps me back in time. Lovely! After that it's heavenly. Can't wait to get the full bottle this autumn...


10/10


Edit [sept.2011]:

Bought a big bottle a few weeks ago and it's my second most used and loved frag now after Coromandel. From opening to the last whiff this is such an awesome fragrance. It changes all day and it's different on each wearing.

The aldehydes from the opening make me high. And the rest of the notes take me further into heaven...
This is a true work of art!

Bois des Iles is a beautiful incensey sandalwood scent, with floral hints in the background. Very Complex, elegant and timeless, an absolute Masterpiece!

If you smell closely, you can notice may be certain similarities between this scent and Samsara.

I absolutely adore Bois des Iles. It's a bit powdery sweet and woody.

This is for the EDT that stay close to the skin and last!

This is my second favourite Chanel. I agree with adele l - this is a beautifully balanced composition. It is the feminine version of a woody masculine - not powdery, not overly aldehydic - it is wealth and sophistication, and it is unmistakably Chanel. The iris, sandalwood and musk combination is to die for.

Very subtle aldehydes! Doesn't have the soapy, old-fashioned talcum powder accord which plagues many classic perfumes (on my skin anyway)..clean but not jarring, feminine but not overstuffed with flowers nor too sweet, BdI is a beautifully balanced composition. Wears very close to the skin; the iris and sandalwood play into the symphony of notes ( I love you Earnest Beaux). Absolute class in a bottle!

This scent (edt) almost demands cashmere. It doesn't smell a thing like Joy, but it is so sublimely beautiful, sensual and wealthy smelling that it reminds me of that scent. I love them both.

Bois Des Iles reminds me of dressing up and crunching through the snow to see Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, to the point where I'm not sure I will be able to wear it any other time of year. But I love it so much that I'm going to try. An absolutely unforgettable fragrance!

Trax..Thank you for this beauty. LOVE IT. Another bottle worthy for me. I love the forest with warmth feel to this but I also get a very clean musk like a body shop musk, but of course expensive. Very lovely.

Lovely soapy woody floral, similar to No 22 but nowhere near as sweet or claustrophobic.
Only problem here is the price...since it's so expensive, I can't consider it as a serious purchase contender.
Oh, you lucky rich people. You can smell like this every day!

Tried it in Selfridges and thought "WOW" this is my signature CHANEL scent until I found out about the ridiculous price tag of £150 plus for 200ml is a little bit "way over" my budget.

I thought it was very similar to "Egoiste" yet a bit more sensual and floral.

A lovely fragrance that I'd be happily buy in a max. 100ml bottled version.

CHANEL style and classic!

Parisienne glamour galore for male or female!

WARM, RICH, SENSUAL, SOPHISTICATED!!

10/10

The Bois des Iles I am reviewing is from the Les Exclusifs line in the EDT concentration.

In every article I've read on this particular fragrance, Bois des Iles is hailed as being the first woody fragrance ever created for women. While I do agree that Bois des Iles has some woodsy qualities, I'm more swayed into placing it into a floral category. A floral woody musk tends to be more true to describing the scent itself.

Bois des Iles opens like a classic Chanel fragrance, soft aldehydes and sparkling, clean soap. For a while it smelt like a cross between Chanel No.5 EDT and Allure EDP. However, once settled on the skin, Bois des Iles becomes quite buttery and 'golden'.

This fragrance smells expensive and unusual, despite its rather predictable composition. I honestly could not detect any hint of the peach or bergamot in the opening, so on my skin the florals tend to dominate.

The heart consists of oily florals that smell rather like a floral-scented lotion on the skin, rather than a perfume. This interesting quality had me sniffing my wrists for hours trying to determine why the scent felt so buttery and soft.

The rich, buttery florals do not dissipate from the skin throughout the whole composition. Even with the arrival of the sandalwood, vetiver, benzoin and musk, Bois des Iles has a very distinguishable smoothness.

I do believe that Bois des Iles is a bit of an acquired taste. While I enjoyed wearing this fragrance and revelled in its amazing lasting strength, ultimately this fragrance just wasn't me. I found Bois des Iles to be a fragrance better suited to a pretty, rather conservative and tame young lady which is far from my wild self.

A pretty floral but the EDT didn't even seem to last a half hour on my skin (even with generous spritzing) so I couldn't properly evaluate the fragrance! I need to try the pure parfum to get an accurate response and suggest others do too.

(Vintage) Parfum
I am fortunate to have this fabulous fragrance in the parfum concentration circa mid to late Twentieth century, recently un-boxed and opened for this review.
The Blending of elements in this legendary perfume border on perfection, I believe the genius of Ernest Beaux is demonstrated here in it's most absolute and unrestrained glory.
From start to finish I am mesmerized by Grasse Neroli & Jasmine, Damask Rose absolute, ( Bulg. or Ottoman ) Iris and a warm spicey Gingerbread accord that lasts for hours followed by a protracted drydown of the most exquisite Florentine Orris, ( Iris root ) Mysorean Sandalwood, rare exotic woods and now obsolete Nitro musks.
Alas, perfumery of this calibre will never be recreated again due to the un-availability of rare tinctures and precious aromatic compounds.
I hope to sample the more modern eau de toilette formulation soon, the intrigue is becoming quite urgent now.
Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful vintage extracts in my collection.
Merci Monsieur Beaux.............

I just don't "get" Chanel. From time to time I feel compelled to try one Chanel or another just because everyone else regards them as practically sacred, so last night I put on a sample of Bois des Iles. The opening was so harsh that I almost scrubbed it, but didn't because I thought I could detect something promising under the obnoxious mix of aldehydes and rough sandalwood. After a half hour it settled into something more wearable, still mostly a very dry aldehyde-sandalwood mix that strongly evoked light gray swirly patterns like lichens, but as the hours passed I experienced some of the floral aspect of the scent as well as the famous "gingerbread" note. None of these phases really appealed to me. Maybe it was because I used the current version of the EdT, and those who love it have used an older version or a different concentration. Whatever the reason, I felt as if I were wearing the scent of a person from another time and place, to whom I could not relate.

I can certainly appreciate Bois des Iles for its historical significance and for the craftsmanship that went into formulating it, but the scent itself leaves me cold. It's like a well-made European porcelain figurine that I can grudgingly appreciate for the artistry and work that went into it, but that has no place in my aesthetic scheme of things or in my life.

A couple of weeks after this initial encounter I found myself craving the gray lichen scent again, so even though I don't "get" the scent I find myself being strangely drawn to it.

Another update a few weeks later: Last night I was in the grocery store (TJ's) and smelled the sillage of Bois des Iles - unmistakable. I don't know who was wearing it, but I knew I needed to wear this perfume again. I've sent off for a decant to supplement my tiny sample. Maybe this is my HG of Chanels. LOL! Who would have thought. It just goes to show how our reaction to a perfume can change over time and how the memory of a unique scent can persist and work its way into our subconscious.

Then I went back to Ebay and bought the biggest bottle I could find.

(Pure Parfum review)
This scent is 100% artistic perfection. I put just a drop on at 1 p.m., and now it is 10 and the scent is still lingering. I love the way the fragrance changes throughout the day, and it never really loses the flowery middle notes. While I do appreciate this scent, it is with the utmost respect that I say it is too sweet for me. However, I will enjoy my sample to the fullest and will probably return for another over time.

Opening with I nice soft aldehydes, and liht powder. After I feel many flowers, they are so elegant and light. I can to say with ones is dominated, the all in line with each other. In base Ylang-ylang with sandalwood working good on my skin.
If you like Guerlain Samsara, you should try it. Bois des Iles in base, is like a lighter version on Samsara.

This is a gorgeous scent, but a bit too fruity on my skin. Ultimately I had to give my sample away because I could not wear the scent without smelling the fruitiness. To sum up, Bois des Isles does not work on my skin, but if you are the least bit curious about the scent, rest assured that it is nonetheless exquisite, and well worth testing.

It doesn't happen all that often that I close my eyes and go "Mmmmmmmm!" for minutes. It did happen when I tested this for the first time. I went weak in the knee, I was speechless and totally mesmerized. Mals86 is right, it IS perfection. All I can add is that it is incredibly sophisticated, it shouts class and taste and maybe even money. I almost feel I'm not worthy. This blend is the definition of beauty, a masterpiece.

Absolute perfection. Warm and smooth and floral, and then warm and smooth and woody/resiny... like wearing your warmest, softest sweater and eating gingerbread cake. Cashmere in a bottle, with the elegance all Chanels seem to share (it's that expensive iris butter, I think).

I agree with liat -- it's NOT for warm weather, just as you wouldn't wear your cashmere sweater and microsuede skirt in that weather. Try it when the snow falls, and you may be enchanted.

I love this perfume som much...even the edt is amazing.

Not for me, thanks. In this hot hot weather, it's just too much of everything. Need'em light and green and fun.

This one and No5 and 22 and Cuir Des Russi,wrere not on earth,and Coco made them reality,they are legendary smells,unique and sensual emotional mixtur(litrally). Hard to copy.

Top rated female perfume from Chanel