Faces of Francis
This unisex eau de parfum merges roasted pistachio with smoky oud and warm ambergris. Designed by Bertrand Duchaufour, it offers a savory twist on the traditional gourmand category. It is ideal for autumn and winter wear, appealing to fans of dry, resinous, and woody compositions.
Similar Suggestions
BETAFragrances with the nearest note and performance profile.
For more in-depth suggestions.
Performance Metrics
1,990 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Longevity averages eight to ten hours on skin. Sillage is moderate, creating a noticeable arm's length scent trail for the first three hours before softening into a resinous skin scent.
Notes Pyramid
Search these notesChoose where each note belongs.
A dry, woody gourmand opening with metallic aldehydes and saffron, settling into a heart of roasted pistachio and salty driftwood, supported by a smoky base of cypriol oil, oud, and warm ambergris.
Main Accords
10 MAPPEDThe woody and warm spicy accords dominate on skin, creating a dry, papery warmth. The oud and cypriol oil form a smoky background that prevents the pistachio and amber from becoming sweet.
Community Data
1,092 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
OWNERSHIP STATS
GENDER APPEAL
REVIEW SENTIMENT
When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in winter and spring.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Features a highly unique, dry pistachio note
Excellent longevity of over eight hours on skin
Unisex balance of sweet saffron and dry woods
Cozy, smoky dry-down perfect for winter weather
Resinous ambergris base clings well to heavy fabrics
Stands out from typical sweet gourmand fragrances
Created by renowned master perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour
Creates a warm, comforting personal scent bubble
Driftwood note adds a unique salty texture
Beautiful presentation bottle with magnetic cap
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Polarizing opening smells like industrial rubber
High retail price makes it a costly investment
Not safe for blind buying due to heavy cypriol
Pistachio note fades quickly during the dry-down
Aldehydes can smell sharp and metallic at first
Smoky oud notes may feel too heavy for spring
Too heavy and cloying for warm office environments
Requires skin chemistry testing to avoid sourness
Saffron note can smell medicinal on some users
Smoky facets can smell like burnt wood on dry skin
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Vilhelm Parfumerie Faces of Francis Review: Roasted Pistachio Meets Smoky Oud”
The opening of Faces of Francis is sharp, metallic, and immediately polarizing. Aldehydes fizz against a medicinal dose of saffron, creating a temporary scent that many reviewers compare to industrial rubber or hot asphalt. This initial blast is cold and dry, but it quickly shifts as the heat of your skin begins to warm the composition.
Within fifteen minutes, the heart notes emerge to soften the metallic start. A distinct pistachio note takes center stage, but it is far from the sweet, creamy syrup found in typical gourmand perfumes. Instead, this pistachio is dry, roasted, and slightly salty. It is bolstered by driftwood and juniper, giving the fragrance a breezy, coastal woodiness that prevents the nuttiness from becoming heavy.
The base of the fragrance is where the scent settles for the long haul. Here, Bertrand Duchaufour uses a dense blend of oud, cypriol oil, and styrax. This creates a smoky, leathery accord that hugs the skin. The cypriol oil provides an earthy, papery quality, reminiscent of old library books, while ambergris adds a subtle salty warmth that lingers behind the smoke.
In terms of performance, this perfume is reliable without being obnoxious. It projects moderately for about three hours before settling into a warm skin scent. The total wear time easily reaches nine hours, especially when sprayed on wool coats or scarves during freezing winter days. It is a scent that thrives in cold, crisp air.
This fragrance is not built for the mass market. It fits creative individuals who prefer moody, atmospheric scents over bright florals or sugary fruits. If you enjoy woody, leathery fragrances but want a unique nutty twist, this unisex composition offers a compelling alternative to mainstream winter releases.
While the dry-down is comforting and complex, the harsh opening will deter those looking for an easy, pleasant wear. It is a fragrance that demands patience. We recommend buying a small sample to test on your skin before committing to a full bottle.
FAQs
What does Faces of Francis smell like?+
It smells like toasted, unsweetened pistachio nuts blended with smoky oud and dry wood. A top note of saffron adds a soft leather undertone, while aldehydes keep the dense balsamic base from feeling too heavy during cold weather wear.
How long does Faces of Francis last on skin?+
You can expect between eight to ten hours of longevity. The smoky oud and cypriol oil base clings well to sweaters and skin, making it a reliable choice for long winter evenings.
Does this fragrance have strong projection?+
The projection is moderate, radiating about arm's length for the first three hours. It creates a soft, nutty scent trail rather than filling an entire room, making it suitable for dinner dates.
Is Faces of Francis suitable for summer?+
This dense composition is best avoided in hot, humid weather. The warm ambergris and smoky styrax notes can become suffocating, whereas cold autumn wind helps the dry woody notes shine.
Is this a masculine or feminine fragrance?+
It is entirely unisex. The sweetness of the pistachio note is balanced by dry vetiver, smoky cypriol, and salty driftwood, appealing equally to men and women who like dark fragrances.
Can I wear Faces of Francis to the office?+
It is a bit too moody and smoky for a quiet office setting. The burnt rubber facet in the opening might bother coworkers, so save it for casual weekend wear or evenings out.
How does the opening differ from the dry-down?+
The opening is sharp and slightly industrial, dominated by metallic aldehydes and saffron. Within thirty minutes, it softens into a warm, powdery blend of roasted pistachio, dry driftwood, and sweet balsamic styrax.
Does the pistachio note smell sweet?+
The pistachio note is dry and savory rather than sugary. It resembles raw, unsalted nuts backed by a smoky cedar texture, avoiding the cloying pastry sweetness found in typical dessert gourmands.
Can I layer Faces of Francis with other perfumes?+
Yes, it layers beautifully with simple vanilla or citrus scents. Adding a clean musk or a bright orange blossom fragrance can soften the heavy oud and smoky vetiver base notes.
Is this a safe choice for a blind buy?+
This is definitely not a safe blind buy. The metallic aldehydes, smoky cypriol oil, and medicinal saffron opening can be polarizing, so ordering a small sample first is highly recommended.
Rankings
Full rankingsWear Diary
0 COMMUNITY WEAR LOGSKeep sprays, longevity, weather, and compliments in one practical log.
Sign in to keep private wear notes.
Compliment Signal
FROM WEAR LOGSReviews
No owner review yet. You can be the first.
Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCOREWhile it shares woody characteristics with Kilian Black Phantom, it is much less sweet. Those looking for a similar opening without the smoky cypriol base might consider trying Vilhelm's Poets of Berlin.
No User submitted dupes yet. The first useful DupeScore can come from your community.
Live questions about Faces of Francis
Ask one quick question and let the community weigh in while it is live.
No live pulse yet.
Trusted Sellers
Community-submitted stores that regular buyers trust, by country.
No trusted sellers added for this fragrance yet.
Where to Sample
Discovery sets, official samples, and trusted decants.
No sample or decant options shared for this fragrance yet.