artisjok

Unwrapped was one of my first bath oil loves and still holds an important place in my bath arsenal. Perfumey from the agarwood and resinous from the frankincense and myrrh. Cardamom’s dry spice lurks in the background, and the lotus floats above it all, delicate and sweet. I wear this when I want to exude High Priestess energy. A Queen of my realm and the bridge between dimensions. Unquestionable faith. Confident and capable. Eyes drawn upwards as light pours from the Heavens. Mouth opens and commands attention. This scent wants to be worn in sacred meetings and in preparation to enter altered consciousness. I love it before bed, meditating on dreams to come. Unwrapped, yet emerged in the veils between worlds.

ROSE! With interesting green tinge from the rue & vetiver. The cashmere incense is present, yet subdued. It is contributing to a smooth, almost powdery, warmth that grows over time, intertwining between the petals. Not very spiced on my skin either, just a touch shows up late in the drydown. All about that lush red rose~?Velvety, slightly cozy. The herbal green edge lasts a good while. Rose might be laying on freshly crushed grass under the stars. A blanket covers her to keep the chill off, scented with the innumerable offerings of incense back at her home. The stars sing their secret song and the earth hums with lush reception.

Wax Cylinders is bright and creamy, like a candle in a gleaming brass holder, next to a chilly window. The term “dapper” comes to mind. The mahogany’s polish and the gold is a gorgeous, almost citrusy, cologne. The beeswax elevates it more and brings a lovely warmth. I bought a half bottle primarily for the leather + beeswax, knowing mahogany rarely has much of an appearance for me and loving leather. I get very little leather though, which is disappointing for my expectations, yet the experience is quite lovely! I feel like I’ll wear this scent when I want to feel polished myself. It does seem to fade quickly. Hope age will increase the wear time...

Interestingly enough, I have the same bottle as Doomsday, and no peach! Skin chemistry is a crazy thing.... Dragon Squad starts out a little perfumey, definitely resinous, and becomes more slinky and sensual as I wear it. I get the amber, the myrrh and I’m guessing the tonka (not too familiar with tonka, yet). The cocoa is present and dry, not making this a chocolate blend, just adding some complexity. There’s a little vanilla hinting through, too. Can’t tell if I’m getting much frakincense. Definitely related to Bast, I’ll have to pull out my decant and compare sometime. It’s even got this sandy, dry sensation to it... Sexy, indeed! Close to the skin. Takes me to warm summer nights and secret meetings under stars.

Definitely a red musk blend, I’m also picking up on the patchouli, but not much else. I can see how he amber is contributing. I find it odd that the other notes are completely abscent, yet I got a similar experience with aged Mme. Moriarty, just musk and patch, so maybe it’s just what happens with time. Smooth. Not very stand-out for me, though I probably would have drooled all over this fresh.

Knave of Hearts starts out very buttery pastry with a hint of berry. The Rose is presents as a note that slowly draws the scent out of foodiness. Unidentifiable for a while, then revealing herself to be the Queen note, ruling over all. At some point, after I had taken my hand away from nose and gotten distracted, I check again. The scent smells so close to rose + tobacco scents I’ve tried- Encampment of Shepherds & Lycan Lace- like exactly. So strange! I’m actually diggin’ this. Those scents were slightly repulsive to me at first, yet, after settling and more frequent exposure, they’ve become compelling and enjoyable. Hard to say if I will want to wear this or not... surprising shift, though!

Crunchy gorgeous leaves, one of my favorite scents from the lab. A creaminess emerges and an almost orange tinge, that I’m now thinking is clove. I can imagine a black tea note in the drydown. It is sweet and smooth. The leaves take a background role and I’m feeling so cozy. I feared there here would be an overwhelming spice ?, yet this spice is so gentle. I feel the scent will deepen and show more layers with age, and am pleased I jumped for a blind bottle.

The Empty House starts off strong. Buttery pumpkin with a pine pitch wrapper. I agree with a candle comparison, a good one for scenting the home like a cozy holiday. Luckily, the longer the scent dries down, the smoother. Resinous woods snake their way around my wrists and a tendril of smoke beckons my nose to come closer. A hint of the gourmand lingers to watch the sultry show. The Empty House sure knows how to draw a crowd. I feared this was too strong and too holiday for me, yet after the first half hour the magic began. The oud really amps the sensual feel. The woodsmoke is indeed gentle, only a transparent gauze.

I got Mad Maud’s 2019 bottle, and have a similar experience with most others~ salty sweet skin musk, a tinge of herb & floral (that goes a little soapy for a bit, then the soap goes away), and a small wisp of incense. I was hoping for a heavier scent, one with some bonfire heft and brisk fir. I also see the comparison to beeswax, it seems a little waxy in the drydown. Not really my jam, but I can see it being lovely for someone who doesn’t want their scent to stand out too much. Intimate. I bet wearing this while dancing around a fire would smell sexy! Not sure if I want to age it or not....

Strong black leather dries down to a slightly sweetened leather. I’m thinking the wildflowers are the sweetness I’m picking up on. While I am a leather lover, I really want those other notes to come come through! I’ll let it rest a while and give it another spin then... Update: I’m definitely getting the desert plants sage & chaparral now, especially in the dry down. It’s a dry, silver-edged green scent over leather that softens with wear. A grey gunpowder smoke drifts lightly by as the coolness of night settles into the parched ground. Surprisingly, it feels incredibly “me”.

Sweet blackberry with a whiff of green edge. Maybe a touch powdery after a while. Definitely purple. Not something I would wear often, yet perfect to pair with the couple berry scents I have. Pretty & a must-have for berry lovers!

Creamy and dry, regal and comforting, Eve spans great distances and remains intimately near. The white sandalwood is the strongest on me, with soft myrrh and hints of rose and dusty green shades. When I wear Eve, I feel like I could cozy up to my partner next to a fire, or meet an influential leader at a banquet, or be strolling alone at dusk along a quiet path. From what I remember of Morocco, it’s definitely similar, yet there’s more earthiness and complexity. Not one of my top favorites, yet it’s appropriate for many occasions and draws to mind ancestral feelings and mystical lands that I’m pleased to have a bottle. If I went on a backpacking adventure over a great distance or time period, this is the scent I would take with me.

I got a decant or Hellboy beard oil in a swap, and have been using it when my hair ends are feeling especially crisp. Surprisingly effective and not greasy at all. Scent-wise, I was also surprised. The bourbon must be making a sweetness, almost fruity, that I totally did not expect to get. A warm golden tobacco scent, dipped in bourbon syrup, and laced with smoke and ash. I’d probably be okay with a heavier scent, but I’m sure that on a beard, it’s perfect by being a bit lighter. Pairs well with a lot of my Autumn cozy scents.

Hallow-e’en (2017 version) starts out rough on me. A mix of sharp dead leaves and green-yet-rotting leaves sprinkled with dirt to my nose. It lessens it’s effect maybe 10 min later to make way for honeyed fig. And it’s so gorgeous and unique when they all combine. I am glad the honey and fig come out to sweeten and smooth the jarring leaf combo on my skin. I like it more with every wear and it last longer than most scents on me. Puts me in a mood. Welcome October. Today, I layered it with Mouse Circus, and it’s like sauntering down a cool leaf-strewn lane, rummaging through a bag of treats. Atmospheric yumminess.

I inherited torischroeder9’s 2012 bottle~ This is thick romance. Darkly powdery, floral, slightly sweet.. the musk is dominating on me. It makes me think of of clandestine meetings in the park between a high class woman and her lover. Steamy nights and soft words. The brighter note of tea doesn’t show, nor do I detect the clove, yet I didn’t apply a full amount this test. At this point, the black musk makes it too powdery for me to fully enjoy. I still need to do a real full wear to make sure I’m not missing out on the other notes. I think the brighter tea and frankincense would lighten the experience and make it more my style. Plus, a little zing from clove would be quite welcome in such heavy love vibes.

My Tiger is a sweet stunner. Imagine a yin yang sphere, composed of lavender, not sharp in the slightest, and patchouli, so smooth never funky. Now, wrap that sphere in a coating of thick cozy amber, glowing like a coal with its warmth. Then, to top off the delicacy, roll the ball in bright crunchy sugar crystals. There you have it. A sleep blend to cuddle you softly. To remind you that everything is going to be alright. To satisfy that late night sweet tooth I love My Tiger. My little ones have been working on their growling and prowling skills lately, and it makes me so happy to have a blend that comes from another mother with a fierce little. It’s a blend that feels acceptable for a young one to wear, as well as a great wind-down scent for anyone who loves some sweetness.

First introduction to Captain was indeed leather, yet there was some intricacy, almost spice upon application. Quickly, those intricacies flee behind the big bold personality of leather. Tackle shop, boot store, strong yet supple, carry-you-across-the-land-flung-over-his-shoulder leather. On the dry down, some of the vanilla or sassafras sweetness peeks around the corner. I also start to notice that the cedar is contributing the manliness of the leather, a wooden frame keeping everything ridged. Softened with wear the scent becomes more of a cozy leather chair, full of memories and stories of adventure in the Wild West. Still center of attention, yet willing to share the stage a bit. As a fan of leather scents, this is just at the edge of what I enjoy and too much. I feel like aging will bring out the supporting notes more, as they get comfy in the relationship, and I’ll enjoy it a lot more.

Cinnamon Toast Crunch, how’d you get in my hair?! I can’t shake the similarity.... with a bloop of amber, and I could maybe see how pumpkin is there... mostly I’m feeling a youthful sweet Autumn foody scent. Perfect for watching cartoons, then going on a chilly walk through the falling leaves with your posse.

You’d probably love The Lights of Men’s Lives! It’s a general catalogue scent, so available all year round, and super waxy yummy. I know there are bottles of it for sale here on the forum, too.

King Pursued by a Unicorn is lovely, and surprisingly (or maybe expectedly?, with the two characters) strong. A blast of thick pine sap and maybe some oak (I haven’t gotten too familiar with the oak note to untangle it.), cozied by ever elegant and scrumptious white amber (okay, maybe golden, yet it reads as white to my nose). The amber slowly climbs to be the strongest contender, yet I never lose the hint of fresh sappiness. One of the few blends that I have to be careful how much I initially applied, due to overwhelming throw. I’m thrilled it lasts so long on my skin! Viscous elegance, a sun-dappled forest love.

I bought Cool It to assist me in keeping my head when my babies are having a fit and I’m getting too emotionally involved, or when I’m more irritable than I want to be (basically when I miss my nap time). It’s great, as long as I remember to use it in the moment of crisis. Yesterday, one of the beans was screaming and I was at my wits end to keep from screaming, too. Then walked over to my TAL stash, swiped some of this beauty on my temples. Amazingly, we both calmed down almost immediately. (Bless you, Beth!) The scent for for me is primarily frankincense laced with lavender, a dab of peppermint, and later I think I notice the chamomile. The jasmine isn’t obvious to me, though I had forgotten it was in the blend, so I might be more attentive to it next use.

A Tattooed Woman... starts out strong on the soap. Guess you gotta get the grime of the night out of the skin somehow. Dry down is smooth, smoldering red musk & leather. A touch of wood. A dark and dry scent. Subtle, though. This is the scent of that mysterious loner biker on the road. You’re lucky to be saved by her. (Obviously, she’s a a heroine.) Heck, you’re lucky if you get punched by her. Only way she sticks around longer than it takes to pitch you at the nearest rest stop is if you buy her a shot of mezcal. Then, it’s back on the black river. The clouds are rolling in heavy, yet the heat thickens in the air. All that’s left of her presence is the sense of loneliness. She’s one with the wind and belongs to no man.

I just got my hands on a half bottle of The Pancake Bell! I’ve been lovin’ my decant and glad to upgrade before cooler weather. A yummy gingerbread and honey scent sprinkled with nuts and a mug of ale nearby. It somehow morphs into a delicious pancake scent after the spices meander off. Great longevity, too! Edit: I just looked up daryole and it’s a custard dessert. I can totally pick up the creaminess in the dry down.

This Imperious Three-Headed Dragon is quite reminiscent of Luna Azul 2018, but darker, syrupier. I’m getting strong black amber and sweet berries up front, then the jasmine kicks in and there’s a dance between these notes that is held by the black musk around the edges. It’s not until later in the drydown that I really detect licorice (just a hint), and I realize it lends some of the deep sweetness to the berries. Luna Azul is one of the few berry scents I really enjoy, and this is more complex and last longer in its darker way. LA often turns a little powdery or fades more quickly than I wish. I’ll be on the lookout for anyone who wishes to swap a bottle!