Hey crew, Welcome to 2026! Maybe you heard of Obvious perfumes? They have become a mass-tige brand here in Australia and worldwide. From the gorgeous David Frossard who you may also know as the Creative Director behind some other brands like Le Liquides Imaginaires and Frapin. I had bought a few boxed travel sizes from Surrender To Chance  just in case I needed a mental health distraction over the silly season. Fortunately not warranted this year but now I’m giving them a wear.

Obvious

Obvious Un Bois

Bergamot, Black Pepper, Ambroxan, Cedar, Papyrus Wood, Gurjum Balm, Vetiver

Opening is fresh hewn woods, sawdust, hot metal and electrical sparks. As we head for the heart there is the memory evoking hit of pencil shavings and some oil/petrochemicals. Dry down is dark woods, old, dry and a little leathery. Sounds ghastly, doesn’t it? It’s not. Un Bois is beautiful and interesting and takes me on a journey. After the first hour or so the heft becomes a comfortable whisper. If you like the woods but are intolerant of that 21st century, lazy, scratchy, well overpowering amber woods trope then Un Bois might be a better choice for you.

Obvious Un Musc

Bergamot, Ginger, Amarys, Vetiver, Galbanum, Musks

Un Musc opens with a very softly spicy white floral. It’s got that smooth as beach glass coolness about it and reminds me of some unplaceable garden smell from my childhood. That cool floral greenery warms through in a most unusual way. It becomes fleshy and ripe but still totally vegetal. I’ve never smelt anything quite like it but it does bear an attitudinal resemblance to Mona di Orio’s Vanille. They smell nothing alike but the fragrant personality is very similar. Un Musc is sexy, and alluring in such a gentle way. Dry down is soft dewy kin but better smelling than mine. Fecund and welcoming. Un Musc is SO GOOD! You have no idea.

Obvious is not a beast mode, envelope pushing, Tik Tok influencer driven house. They are a well made, not super expensive, good smelling brand. Very wearable and probably a good starting point for anyone a bit bored by the designer output but not wanting to wear crazy, challenging, over the top juice. These are finely made fragrances with a nod to sustainability.

Obvious also has a very affordable Discovery Set. 16 x 1.5ml spray perfume samples and a €33 gift voucher valid for the purchase of a perfume 100ml. Yes, the full price comes as a gift voucher! I think that’s bloody ripper.

Have you tried any of the Obvious oeuvre?
Portia xx