Ardent by Boadicea the Victorious

I absolutely love this perfume. Not because of the technical handling of the rose and oud, but because I believe it is what Tom Ford’s Noir de Noir should have been. Ardent opens with an intense velvety rose, earthy patchouli, and an oud base that competes with the best. What surprises me most is the beeswax: it adds maturity to the rose, as if it’s weeping, with a honey scent and incredible texture. On the skin, that velvety rose remains, along with chocolatey patchouli and a moist oud, but it’s sweeter thanks to the beeswax and resins that keep everything on the skin and support the vanilla. The resemblance to Noir de Noir is obvious, but here the earthy base is better worked by the resins. It lasts about six hours on the skin and much longer on clothes, where the resinous base becomes more noticeable. It’s 100% unisex, recommended for any season (with moderation) and perfect for evening events. A reasonable price for its range. I love this rose/oud/patchouli blend, much more refined than other brands.

Ardent is one of the most affordable fragrances from Boadicea and smells just as good as their house scents, except those use more exclusive ingredients. The first time I tried it, it reminded me of the Oud Extrait by MFK, with that typical rose and oud. However, while the MFK one smells medicinal, opulent, and sophisticated, Ardent, with its beeswax, smells of natural ingredients. It transports me to an afternoon walk in the countryside, spring-like, like the ones I take with my dog. The green wheat and the path full of poppies. I would wear it to the office without any issues; it’s not intrusive, although I only use it occasionally. When I wear it, it subconsciously puts me in a good mood. I suppose it is that sweet spot of the beeswax. I have only felt this with two fragrances from the brand: Seductive also takes me to green landscapes where sometimes one must stop to recharge the soul.

I wore this today and the name suits it perfectly. The first time I tried it, back when it was one of those avant-garde niches, I was left speechless. It’s like going from eating poor-quality chocolate to tasting a masterpiece. A pure fragrance to enjoy. Rose is present throughout its entire journey; at first, dry on my skin, then it becomes a magical dance between the flower and beeswax. It has that powdery touch I adore. The oud is barely noticeable; it’s all honey, flower, and subtle elegance. It’s a night fragrance, perfect for autumn and winter—not to attract attention, but to conquer with warmth. It lasts all night (except the beginning) and I recommend it 100%.

What a beautiful rose. I don’t detect the oud at all, despite it being in the notes. It’s basically rose soaked in vanilla beeswax. It smells creamy and sweet, yet without being cloying. The resines that appear in the mid-phase give it body and prevent it from being too gourmand. It is one of the most accessible fragrances from the brand and has nothing to envy from those costing a fortune. It lacks a little originality, but if you love rose, it is totally worth it.

What a beautiful rose. I don’t detect the oud at all, despite it being in the notes. It’s basically rose soaked in vanilla beeswax. It smells honeyed and sweet, but not cloying. The resins that appear in the dry down give it body and prevent it from being too gourmand. It is one of the most accessible perfumes from the brand and has nothing to envy from those that cost a fortune. It lacks a bit of originality, but if you love rose, it’s totally worth it.