artisjok

Definitely evocative of a smoky bonfire in the night. The smoldering jasmine comes in with a blast, and then the petals must have all burned up. Sweet jasmine disappears into the starry sky. I can sense the patchouli’s woodiness keeping the clouds of smoke grounded slightly. I feel the sage and pine lightly edging the smoke, like a sensation of cool night air on my back. This is all about showcasing the burnt elements. Every time I try this one, I decide that it’s just not for me, just such intense smoke. An hour later I’m swooning. It’s softened and the complexities peek out more and waft around me making me wish for cold walks in the late winter night.... a deeply contemplative mood emerges. I don’t want to let go.

Quitely creeping into the castle window, the book theif tiptoes across the library in the dark shadows of night. Moonlight streams through the open window, gleaming across the spines of thick leather-bound books. She moves cat-like along sculpted shelving, knowing exactly where her target resides. The dark blue cover is covered in occult symbols. She runs nimble fingertips lightly along the edges of the thick soft pages and inhales deeply their sweet scent, encapsulated between dense leather. It seems to be whispering for the girl to unleash its secrets, promising power. An unearthly chill runs down her spine. Knowing better than to give into the lure of opening the volume without proper preparations, she tucks it into her cloak and retreats back to the window ledge. With one last glance into the gloom of the library, the thief vanishes back into the night air like a phantom. The Maniscript is full of imagery, full of forbidden knowledge and dark purpose. A story unfolds in each sniff. I’m enamored.

With all the fall/Weenie-stalking hype, I decided to wear Bunraku Theater to get me in the mood for changing seasons (despite being from the opposite season of Lupers ) Yummy! This beauty is a comforting beeswax & hay-heavy scent with lumps of pumpkin interwoven. The tobacco gives it more of a perfume-y tone, a kind of upscale cozy. Sometimes, tobacco really turn me off of a scent, it’s a perfect touch here (aging probably helps!). The hops brings something like a sliver of floral, making it seem more Luper appropriate than I first thought. Definitely works super well for fall cravings, though! Lasts longer than a lot of my scents, slowly fading to a final primarily-beeswax stage. I’m so snuggle-worthy right now. I am loving Bunraku, and can see myself reaching for it often when everyone gets even more pumpkin crazed. I’m pairing it with Eight-Maids-a-Milking HG next time....

I, like Lucchesa, get more fruit than spice from Black Cherry Apricot Glogg, both cherry and apricot and some of the orange peeel are apparent on my skin. There’s a hint of spice, a bit of myrrh, yet surprisingly I’m missing booze on my skin. I must have absorbed it all lol In my hair, on the other hand, it’s fruity booze city! I’m making myself oatmeal and really wishing this scent was a topping instead of perfume.... Glad to have tried it, and might use up my decant, but no need to search for more. (Phew!)

Donno if you’ve gotten a chance to try out Rapture Pig, but it’s pretty spot on Donno if you’ve gotten a chance to try out Rapture Pig, but it’s pretty spot on Donno if you’ve gotten a chance to try out Rapture Pig, but it’s pretty spot on

They Shut Me Up is a beautiful scent, yet I’m having such a weird connection with it... I swear it smells like sunscreen when I smell the scent without trying to pick out any notes. When I am focused on the particulars, I smell the bourbon vanilla and a pale fresh floral, not sharp, dewy. (Honestly don’t know what osmanthus or mallow flower smell like. They must both be delicate sweeties.) The sandalwood is definitely present, though not speaking up, rather entwining through. I don’t pick out the frankincense, and I would love for it to strengthen. There’s a chewiness to the scent and an unexplained summertime at the beach flashback sensation. I can’t decide what my emotions are telling me on this one. Pretty, though!

The one I would choose from my collection (and a super fav!) is Monk and Actor! Earthy with a bit of spice and resin. A tartness, bright like a festival, yet cozy like your favorite cloak.

Sister Mary Loquacious pairs really well it, though not the same. You could try out Lemon Scented Sticky Bat, as it’s a sweet lemon scent.

For me, Quarte starts out strong with lush red rose, slightly dusted with cacao. I love this phase. The drydown is mostly smooth, subtle cacao with barely any rose. Sometimes, my skin eats up rose. If it had stayed the dominate note, I would have to hunt down a bottle! As it is, I’ll just enjoy the decant. Maybe try and extend the rose with with lotioned skin.

Upon application, Nebulaphobia is strong frankincense slightly swirled with the ambergris. I may get a hint of the cade, but don’t think it’s contributing much. Unfortunately, it just goes straight to powder. Sweet powdery fog..... I mean, it’s a bit suffocating (over-application?), so it works with the theme. This scent is not for my skin chem. Bummer.

I’m having the same experience as milo, mostly tea (white) and a bit of violet, though I do get some muskiness. I was hoping for more of the previous reviewers experience, jasmine & vanilla freshened by the other notes. On the drydown I’m getting more hints of them, especially the vanilla. Violet is not usually my jam, and I already have some white tea loves, so I’ll probably pass this decant along or use it for room fragrance. Glad to have the chance to try this scent! I’ll be on the look out for some more of the Unbound scents now... Update: I tried out my decant recently to see if I wanted a full bottle, and at the moment decided against it. Since that day, I keep returning to my decant before bed! The freshness of the tea and almost tart violet go well with the powdery vanilla embrace, making me feel clean and comforted as I get ready for sleep. I still think this scent as an atmo spray would be great.... do I want the bottle?!

Thick chewy honey (Cakes? Yes, a bit cake-like.) The spices and musk are subtle, yet ever-present. Despite the cheery disposition of Cito, underneath there’s a hint of something that turns my stomach... is it the life everlasting? Not a note that is yucky, but one that hints at a thread of Chaos. An embracing scent that makes me want to cuddle myself, yet alert to the ever present threat of the unknown, the unexpected shift, lurking just outside the embrace. Luckily, wearing Cito, I feel totally supported for those shifts that seek to snag the unaware. A supportive, positive, super-yummy scent for growth! I have two decants, and even knowing that I’ll likely not finish them, want a bottle. The label looks fresh, and I bet the scent will age supremely. I’ll have to see how much use these baby cakes get.

I really love Death Cap! It’s earthy and something like coconut incense....

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!