The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Bo began with a question: what does a bohemian hide? Liis founders Alissa Sullivan and Leslie Hendin built this fragrance around the idea of hidden warmth, elemi resin's quiet citrus-spice, tobacco leaves treated with care rather than drama. The sequoia heartwood gives it a distinct character, warm and resinous with a subtle woody depth that reveals itself gradually as the fragrance settles into the skin. The elemi adds a shimmering brightness that lifts the composition, while the tobacco brings a quiet earthiness that feels more intimate than overt. This is the bohemian who doesn't post about their travels, but will tell you where they went once they trust you. No explanation needed, just presence.
The frankincense-sequoia combination is what makes this composition distinctive. Pairing sequoia with frankincense gives Bo a warm, slightly smoky quality that evolves differently on each wearer. The frankincense lends a resinous, meditative quality that grounds the composition while allowing the sequoia's distinctive woody character to emerge. Add to that the drydown of guaiac wood and vanilla, and you have a fragrance that avoids the obvious vanilla gourmand path.
The evolution
The opening hits within minutes, elemi's bright citrus-spice meeting tobacco's dry warmth. It's an immediate impression, but not a loud one. Within twenty minutes, the frankincense arrives. Not the church-incense kind. Something quieter. Smoke without heat. The sequoia holds the middle for hours, a slow burn of warm wood that never overwhelms. By the third hour, the base takes over. Cedar and guaiac wood create a dry, slightly resinous foundation while vanilla softens everything. The result stays close to skin through hour six or seven. On fabric, it lasts longer, a faint warmth the next morning, like standing near a wood stove. The sillage is intimate by design. This isn't a fragrance that enters a room before you do. It's the one someone notices when they're standing close enough to talk.
Cultural impact
Liis built its identity around fragrances that reveal themselves to those nearby. Bo fits this philosophy perfectly, offering a scent experience that rewards proximity and intimate moments. The woody-creamy character appeals to those who want warmth without sweetness, and the frankincense-sequoia heart gives it a complex, layered identity. Wearers describe it as a fragrance that unfolds over time, with the sequoia heartwood and frankincense creating a base that shifts and deepens as hours pass.
