artisjok

Penny Rolle is one of those skin-scent-but-better scents. I’m getting a nutty, yet clean, shea and amber mostly. Like ello, the pecan is noticeable in the beginning. There is a bit of woodsiness to it, but it’s overshadowed by the shea note. There is a sweetness to the scent that I enjoy. Some strong throw to Penny! I thought I needed to slather in the beginning, but it bloomed much stronger than I anticipated. I’m not in love with this as much as I expected, and am wondering if I just amp shea.... Feels like a good scent for strolling on a beach, or in a setting where I wouldn’t want a noticeable perfume and just something simple & clean. It’s pretty cozy, actually. I’m interested in seeing how it develops with some settling.

I was aching to get my hands on this one, hoping for a bright woodsy lemon & Snake Oil. My partial bottle goes on like a spiced lemon cookie, maybe sprinkled with nuts, oddly enough. Then, as it dries the lemon mostly fades, the gourmand sense goes away and it’s strongly vetiver-laced Snake oil. Mostly the vetiver. I am a bit disappointed by the first stage, wishing it less dessert-like and longer lemon life. I really like vetiver, so I’m cool with the drydown.

Definitely getting the red tea, a fruitiness as others have mentioned. The only other definite note I’m sensing is the cacao, but there is something lightly resinous thrumming beneath. I thought this would be a favorite, but it’s not hitting the spot I hoped it would. There’s also something plastic-like that emerges in the water, though not when directly applied to skin. Pleasant enough for after a shower, wouldn’t want more than this decant.

I just got Palo&Frank in the mail today, secondhand, and couldn’t wait for settling to try it out. I was worried reading the reviews about the licorice scent, and opening the bottle I felt a bit disappointed when I got a strong whiff of it right away. Luckily, I have the same experience as Alisha. The licorice immediately vanished and I’m left with the lab’s lovely frankincense lightly touched by woodsy palo santo. I always hope for palo santo to be the stronger note in blends (same hope with Thought Photography), yet, in my experience with Bpal, it takes the back seat. I love frankincense, so I’m happy to have this gem. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the palo to grow in strength as it ages~

Mors Syphilitica seems like it with be all funky oudh in the beginning, luckily right away the funk gives way to the really chewy rich chocolatey woodsy tone that is the reason I love oudh. I’m not getting much more than that, though I’m thinking the sandalwood is starting to peek out and giving a little dusty layer and also attributing some more woods. I wish I was getting more of the sandalwood and saffron, as I got the scent specifically for those notes (to pair with Women’s Song of Mourning), yet I like it for what I am given. Its definitely a heavy scent, and I’m grateful to be inside and not out in the humid heat. I think this will be great in cooler weather~

Strong in His Entreaty is definitely a leather scent. A cold black leather, wreathed in wisps of lavender, a splash of cognac, and a distant memory of vetiver. I agree with the sense of cleanliness. Seems to fade quickly, leaving a slight, soft whiff of the scent, like the emptiness in a room just vacated. An essence remains, intangibly. Edit: When I took my braid out, the scent had been captured inside. It ended up lasting a good while once my hair was let down. The leather is clean, yet spicy in a way. I get the vibe of going to an upscale bar, feeling untouchable and refined. Definitely would be great on a man. I feel like nothing can stick to me, a powerful, calm and collected vibe.

Two Pairs of Lovers is so great for the summer heat. A minty yet earthy green tea, slightly sweet, slightly powdery. The frankincense gives a bright resinous twang that compliments the tea. The patchouli is not obvious. I’m thinking it’s giving a slight woodsiness that helps the oakmoss keep the scent earthy and grounded. I’m really loving this! The only downfall is my nose either acclimates itself quickly, or the scent doesn’t have much throw after the first hour. The mint stays present this whole time though, which is a super plus. Happy to keep spraying throughout the day and building up the staying power with layers.

Hyrrokkin is a dark pine scent in the beginning, I’m definitely getting the patchouli, perhaps the green vetiver... The coriander gives a unique twist, and I’m wondering if it’s also attributing a little sweetness or if that’s the pine. A viperous slithering sensation. The earth rumbles and leaves tremble. The darkness fades, the giantess subdued. The scent takes on a softness, a bit powdery, a bit soapy. A wispy pine swirls languidly in the aftermath. The soapy edge subsides and the atmosphere settles into still, misty grove. The coriander reveals itself a bit more and everything stays in this comforting stage for a while. I wish the first stage lasted longer, and would have enjoyed getting some smokiness (none detected), but it’s a fresh and calming scent that will keep me sane in the heat. I also like the coriander. It’s the main reason I wanted the blend and I’m glad it’s present. Will be trying this on my partner and seeing what kind of character he brings out of the blend.

A Masked Ball starts out just like The Orb did, with intense almond, but, just as with Orb it mostly fades away, a slight nuttiness in its wake. Not really foodie, though. The benzoin is definitely present, and at first I don’t quite like how it interacts with the oudh, a chemically/plastic tang. Luckily, this also fades away and the gorgeous woodiness of the oudh shines and a smooth resinous supporting benzoin makes it a bit slinky. My partner describes it as the “we-just-bought-our-first-yoga-studio” scent I do find it to be upscale and like to wear it when I want to feel put-together yet also intriguing and spiritually-inclined. Guess that fits his impression... hah!

I expected Honeyed Marshmallow to have the same heavy honey ratio as Honey & White Carnation, so I almost didn’t buy it. Luckily, the reviews made me second guess and I added it to my Luper order. Yes glorious, yes fluffy, yes! It’s a lightly gourmand scent (almost a bit buttery), barely a touch of honey. Marshmallow heaven smells like this. Flooooofy The first time I tried this in a bath it disappeared, though the water was hotter than I wanted. Have to try it again with cooler water. Slathered on my skin, I spent an hour laying in bed sniffing my arms before I could go to sleep! I’m glad y’all’s reviews changed my mind!

I’m definitely getting a chypre with Le Coucher de la Mariee. Mossy, definitely, maybe bergamot.... almost a watery leather.. and coated with sugar and a touch of vanilla. Intriguing! I feel like it can pair well with a lot of green or citrus scents and scents that are vanilla heavy. Appropriate for any occasion (professional, relaxed, romantic), and I can see myself wanting to reach for it often in the hot summer season. It’s not the strongest scent, but I’m getting wafts of it occasionally, and feel like it might deepen some with time. Like it a lot, I do!

I missed out on a Lab order during Black Friday, so I’m super blessed to have acquired an imp of Incolumitas in a swap. The hype is right. This is a gorgeous blend! Mostly thick sweet bourbon vanilla and lavender, I also get hints of the honey and sage. The herbal combo makes an almost a minty sensation. Not much patchouli, a favorite not of mine, but maybe it’s grounding the other notes. I put Incolumitas on today on a whim, not expecting to be so in love. I’m in such a good mood suddenly Needless to say, if this was available for sale, the lab would be hard pressed to keep it in stock! Haha

Very heady feminine white flowers, a touch of saltiness. The Eternal Queen is proud. She is fiercely in your face, yet, as you get to know her, a softening happens.The florals step back a pace and the smooth musky incense floats forward, mingling. The Eternal Queen is intricate. She sits on a vanilla throne. Sensual.

Robe of Pom is tart and perfumy in its wet phase, not really a juicy pomegranate. The tang of the pom last for a good while on me. As the scent dries, a softness from the ambrette seed and sandalwood surrounds the tang. Probably, the incense contributes to this, as well. There’s a bit of the carnation floral spice threaded through the scent, especially in wet phase, but it’s light on me. Getting only a light touch of honey, thankfully. I wish I were getting the oudh... all good, even so. (I’m a little sneezy today, too, so I could be missing some of the experience... aiiiii) I just realized fig is in the description, but I’m not picking it out. It’s a sophisticated blend. A regal pomegranate surrounded by sacred smoke. Gentle yet powerful, a mother and a queen. Yes, I see the Empress’ robe smelling this way.