What does White Woods smell like?
Picture a sanded birch plank that has just been washed. White woods smell of wood without bark, smoke or resin. There is a creamy softness and a musky, almost soapy side. Nothing dark. They sit close to the skin but last a long time, sometimes until the next day on clothes. Some find them bland. Others see them as wood at its most discreet.
Origin and production
This accord relies on synthetics. Iso E Super brings a velvety, diffuse wood and cashmeran a soft, slightly dusty texture. Ambery woods and white musks complete the blend. A touch of sandalwood or cedar sometimes adds realism. The term is a marketing one, and each brand uses it its own way.
How perfumers use it
White woods form a quiet base for fruity florals. Marc Jacobs Daisy puts them under violet and strawberry. Nina Ricci Mademoiselle Ricci sets them below a powdery floral. Lanvin Modern Princess blends them with musks. More surprisingly, Tom Ford Fucking Fabulous slips them under an almond leather, where they soften lavender and vanilla.
How to wear it
White woods work all year, at the office or at the weekend. Daisy and Modern Princess can take three sprays without bothering anyone.