Ardent by Boadicea the Victorious

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

Since I discovered Ardent, I can’t stop wondering if it’s rose with honey or with beeswax, but it doesn’t matter; it’s a delight. I own Tom Ford’s Noir de Noir and Armaf’s Club de Nuit Intense, which I loved for that rose, but this takes another dimension. Boadicea the Victorious by Ardent is elegant, addictive, and discreet (but noticeable). I’m totally excited. Since I put it on, I feel it doesn’t cloy and makes me feel unique.

What a beautiful rose. I don’t detect the oud at all, even though it’s listed 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’s 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.

I absolutely loved this perfume. Not because of the technical handling of the rose and oud, but because I think this 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 persists, along with chocolatey patchouli and a wet oud, but sweeter thanks to the beeswax and resines 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 resines. It lasts about 6 hours on skin and much longer on clothes, with the resinous base becoming more noticeable. 100% unisex, recommended for any season (with moderation) and perfect for nighttime events. Reasonable price for its range. I love this rose/oud/patchouli blend, much more refined than other brands.

Ardent is one of Boadicea’s most affordable fragrances 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 MFK’s Oud Extrait, with that typical rose and oud vibe. But while MFK smells medicinal, opulent, and sophisticated, Ardent, with its beeswax, smells like natural ingredients. It transports me to an afternoon walk in the countryside, spring-like, like the ones I take with my dog. Green wheat and a path full of poppies. I’d wear it to the office without issues; it’s not intrusive, though I only use it occasionally. When I put it on, it subconsciously puts me in a good mood. I suppose it’s that sweet spot of the beeswax. I’ve only felt this with two perfumes from the brand: Seductive also takes me to green landscapes where sometimes you have to stop to recharge your soul.