Envious

Envious might seem an unusual name for a fragrance, but Boadicea the Victorious is an unusual brand.

A resplendent white floral perfume, Envious captivates the senses. A hedonistic rush of ylang bursts through mandarin and bergamot as the perfume opens, tempered a little with a subtle sage note, this is a glorious overture to the sensual headrush of whiten flowers and roses in the generous heart of this remarkable scent.

These floral notes of jasmine, tuberose are creamy and opaque, illuminated by delicious orange blossom, creating a billowing sense of comforting vibrancy. Ylang-ylang is a determined note, it can be overpowering in perfume and often divides opinion, but its velvety miasma can be transportive and narcotic.

Envious errs on the right side of overblown but this is perfect in the context of the other flowers, especially the beautifully pitched jasmine that adds peppered piquancy and a hint of green lemon. One of the most floral perfumes in the Boadicea canon, Envious smells sublime on skin, it is impossible not to be seduced by its enveloping beauty. White floral fragrances have often been viewed as overtly feminine or old fashioned. Boadicea make no distinction when it comes to the genderising of perfume. This is important.

Envious might be considered on the feminine side with its powerful floral overdose, but the fresh, bright top notes, especially the sun-warmed lemon and the rich, basso profundo base ground of musky woods, amber, vanillic smoke, vetiver and benzoin create a sensual snarl and thrum that subverts the flowers with an elegant masculinity. Boadicea was both Queen and Warrior, Envious embodies that strong dichotomy in its marriage of floral regalness and virility.