Biba
Ava Luxe

It comes on a bit soft, but boy, does it last long! I could still detect the last faint remants almost 24 hours later. Biba is a nice example of a woodsy spice. The fragrance it most recalls for me is the late, great Chaos. Pronounced cedar and spice elements, and not at all sweet on my skin. The fragrance needs a little time to warm and develop on the skin. Overall, very pretty, possibly unisex. I think it's not quite right for me, but it makes me curious enough to try some other fragrances from this line.

Starts out with a chypre-like sharpness that soon turns pleasantly peppery. I just love peppery scents. The pepper in Biba is chilli peppers to my nose and I really enjoy the searing heat. It's red-hot and spicy/woody in the same way as Les Nereides Oriental Lumpur, Eau d'Italie Bois d'Ombrie and CdG Palisander. Like them, it also has a sharp/clean soap note that feels very chic. In the drydown it develops more of a powdery sweetness.

This fragrance belongs to the same family as 10 Corso Como and is an excellent value considering the fine quality. Very enjoyable.