artisjok

A musky cranberry, which I thought was grape initially. A bit of lily lurks I’m behind the tart berry and a sprinkle of spice adds some dimension. My decant looks pretty aged, and it fades down to a skin-close, fruity lily scent in no time. Kinda pretty, though not really my style of smell.

Wistful is such a perfect term for Reflections Under Bereavement. A delicate, powdery rose and just a hint of resins. I can pick out the taffeta when I focus. When it was first released, I missed my chance to buy a bottle, and regretted it. Now that I have a bottle, I probably should have just found myself a decant. It’s a really pretty feminine scent, yet much softer than I expected with opoponax. I gravitate towards scents with strong throw, so this was a disappointment to me. It also is a bit too powdery on my skin. Lovely lovely in the bottle, and probably on someone else’s skin.

I have been loving my bottle of New Beginnings. The scent is lemony, yes, yet not as crazy strong as I expected. After the wet phase, I get some sweetness and a resinous glow. It’s a warm, supportive sun beam sort of scent. The effect is a similar sunny supportive feel. I’ve been slathering when I’m about to engage in some interaction/activity that would usually drain me, to shift my approach/reaction. I feel it’s been encouraging me to be more interactive and easy-going, instead of tense or bored.

Surprisingly the fig in Eden was very faint on me, I was really hoping for more. I’m not sure how to describe it... like if wood was a fruit... sometimes it can be kind of bitter. lol I got mostly creamy almond & coconut. Yes, sounds like your skin likes to eat Dee, and you get low throw/sillage.

@murqmaid I’m testing Eden right now, and it’s pretty creamy almondy, too. Though a little sweet. Not overwhelming. I bet Defututa is lovely for sleepy time. Morocco, too. Maybe Halfling? Monk sounds like it would sooth me, though not creamy. Even Bliss or Velvet, if you like the chocolate from Wulric. OH! I bet you would adore Dee! It’s so comforting to me, and I think it fits in with the notes you enjoy. That’s my main suggestion.

When I first ordered Harlow’s Lace last year, I was still unsure about my relationship with tobacco, so I ended up destashing it. This year, I’ve officially fallen in love with tobacco, so I wanted to revisit this scent. I agree with the Lush Honey I Washed the Kids comparison. I have a shampoo bar and it smells incredibly similar. The labdanum lifts the thick musky honey with some effervescence. And when I say thick, I sure mean it. The scent was all-pervasive in my nose the entire day, an anomaly on my skin! Unfortunately, I think it being so strong made me queasy. I don’t think I can rock this one, even though I’ve matured in my perfume tastes.

Wednesday’s Child is a soft muted clove scent, dusty and slightly sweetened. I can recognize a hint of cherry lurking amongst the other earthy notes. There is a bit of the patchouli woodsiness coming through, nothing funky. I’m guessing the cacao what bring the dusty effect. Maybe the dried rose petals are doing something to that effect, as well, though I don’t pick them out. Something about the scent enchants me to keep sniffing my slathered wrists, yet, at the same time, it bores me almost to tears. Okay, I’m exaggerating. You understand, right? It’s a cozy sort of scent, fitting for moping about on an overcast day, full of woe.

I’ve been wanting to try Mr. Morse’s Seances for a while, so when I got the chance to swap for a partial bottle... In the bottle I smell the rum musk, primarily. On the skin, it’s definitely the heavy hitter note, yet I get a surprising amount of absinthe! As it dries down, the two parts get low and cozy together, allowing a bit of smoky wood to peek through. It reminds me of Butterscotch and Black Beetles, yet works way better on my skin, thankfully. It’s a yummy scent, and I think best for cooler days. So glad to finally try it!

I Wish I Were Your Mirror is such an interesting juxtaposition! Dry and spicy entwined with watery coolness... and it’s such a comforting combination. The cassiacardamom is strongest in the wet phase, backed by the lily water and I’m guessing papyrus. The sand and resins come and smooth over the spices, and the result is so creamy, and warm cool, like the horchata mentioned above. I don’t know much about southernwood, yet, but I’m on board with it! I’d love a full bottle some day.

I have a partial decant of Pediophobia I never reviewed, and is about to travel to a new home. So, I suppose it’s now or never... Powdery, delicately sweetened vanilla, with an undercurrent of some high-end perfumey sharpness. A poisonous edge to something seemingly innocent. Deadly knowing and heart-clenching loveliness. Perfect for the theme!

St. Louis #1 is a lovely earthy blend, dancing with delicate florals, and a touch of sweetness. It’s not as citrusy as I expected with the Florida Water, though I may get a touch of it if I focus. I’m definitely getting the sense of the crumbling marble, to my delight. I feel like I’m sitting out on some mossy stone steps, sniffing the air as a wind blows through blooming olive trees and the scent of a cigar from somewhere nearby and the warmth of bay rum running through my veins. Very atmospheric and comforting. When I read the reviews, I was wondering if it would turn out better than I originally expected. I like it a lot! Thanks to the reviewers above for piquing my interest!

British Invasion is much softer than I expected, though quite refined. Primarily suede and a freshness from the aftershave with a touch of musk underneath. I’m thinking bergamot likes to vanish for me, because rarely notice it, even in blends that feature it. I can sense the sandalwood when I concentrate. Surprising that the cedar is MIA... Yes, a Beatle could have worn this, and been vibing so chill. I’m wondering if it will get stronger with age... I like it enough, and will hold onto the decant. If it increase in strength, I might search out a bottle! A leather scent for the summer months.

Venus Verticordia is bright green dandelions and a slight honey drizzle at first slather. I love its sunny demeanor. After some time, the dandelion lowers its roar and a soft delicate bunch of flowers tumbles in and nuzzles up to the honey. There is a hazy quality to this scent. It brings me visions of laying in a meadow, my sight narrowed to a blue, clouded sky and the minuscule world amongst the plant stems. Sun shining through the vertical pathways, filtered by green, and yellow pollen dancing along the beams. I love the opening and wish it lasted so sharp and green longer, though the softer florals in the drydown are quite lovely and more romantic, appropriate for a Venus tribute.

In Splendoribus Sanctorum is primarily a soft blend of frankincense and powdery amber on me. I’m sad that the bergamot is MIA, because I think a bit of added depth would make it a keeper for me. As is, it’s not something I would reach for over my other frank and/or amber scents. On someone else, it’s probably a heavenly, glowing experience!

Florals, white and plush, delicate and dewy, are gently pierced by a strawberry, pale red and not-quite-ripe. This hovers on the edge of a scent I would not be interested in wearing, and a scent that is so intriguing and perfect for a mood that I must have it. It’s a delicious muddled ground for me.

Piper at the Gates is a very brown scent on me, patchouli and musk and amber with a touch of orange at the edges. In the drydown, I sense the mallow and maybe a touch of the flowers. It’s a cozy scent. I get something that goes to plastic in the wet phase that bothers me, and luckily it goes away fairly quickly. I’m not in love with this, mostly because it’s a close skin scent, and I like some throw.

The Sounding of Midnight sounds like a pretty almost spiritual blend, despite the description. I’m getting a powdery mossy myrrh held closely by a light musk. The “clench” and “suffocating” terms definitely come through, yet the cognac “shock” doesn’t show up on me. There is a slight bitterness I’m attributing to the myrrh. The sweetness opens up more in the drydown and the scent lessens it’s chokehold a bit. I agree with describing it as murky. Overall, this scent it mainly a backbone of myrrh with the moss and musk floating about, all powdery, like a forest fog that invades all senses and draws an unwary traveler into a boggy death with fairy whispers.

I grabbed a decant of this in a swap, and I’m wavering on wether it’s a scent I can pull off or not... Dark! Vetiver and patchouli and oudh. Smooth with some smoke some funk, yet smooth thick woods. I think I’m going to slather on my man, as he’s the darker one of our pair, also the masculine

Gravedigger is a grungy tobacco wonder. The tobacco is strongest on me, entwined in leather and soil and a touch of spice from the bay rum, I’m thinking. The patchouli must be roughing it up some more, yet not obvious to me now. The drydown brings some of the vanilla smoothness to the mix and softens the whole masculine vibe. I feel like this is really great for the concept. I like it well enough, though I have been enjoying smoother and sweeter tobaccos more recently. So glad I finally snagged this decant, and will be content with this amount.

Dragonsplaining is a very dry woodsy scent. Masculine. Cedar and a tame, yet strong, patchouli dance around each other, with an almost sweetness coming through in the drydown and a light curl of smoke. It’s not something I really feel I’d reach for, though it’s not funky or too smoky.

I’m in the same boat as deceitfuldescender with The Golden Hour. It’s obviously a gorgeous scent, thick amber and vanilla, yet way too perfumey for my tastes. The drydown tones it down some, yet not enough. When I wear it, I just feel like I’m trying to put on a persona that does not mesh with my natural state. I’d like to smell this on someone else one day... haha

Ginny is black pepper and smoke and I think the amber, the combo reminding me of a leather scent. A touch of the tobacco flower peeks out. Something about it is going a bit plastic, and, on one wrist, also reminding me of those lunch meats that are edged in pepper... ermmm.. not what I expected to be thinking of at all! Sorry, Ginny. Looks like you aren’t the gal for me. Oh, and I got the cinnamon note after late drydown.

I’ve been wanting a violet blend that worked for me, and I know the Lab can make any note work with their magic. I had tried a little of FUSR before I swapped for a bottle, and remember it being alright, but didn’t impress me terribly. The other notes still had me curious for another try..... Tart violet and gritty patch & resins. One test I applied lightly, and the violet melded back into the darkness and it was a smooth woodsy scent. The second wear, I slathered more, and the violet would not quit. I’m just not a fan of violet... *sigh* I Sit and I Sew and TAL Peace are the most enjoyable blends with the flower that I have tried. May be the combo with lavender works best. Glad to have tried it!

I’m also getting the mint ice cream vibe from Green Lovebird! It’s chilly, thick, and creamy. The mint flees quickly from me (normal) and the spun sugar comes floating in, lightening the heavy creamy vibe and taking center stage. I think I can detect a touch of pistachio after a while... It’s a cute scent. I hope I can make the mint last longer on my skin, or I might try the scent locket tactic.