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artisjok

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Everything posted by artisjok

  1. artisjok

    The Midnight Carnival

    Midnight Carnival looked so complex and gorgeous, yet the reviews made me a bit wary of blind bottling. A lovely lady shared a decant from her bottle recently. It’s definitely not as obviously complex as I expected, yet beautiful. It’s like wearing a velvet curtain, thick and lush, yet a little worn and scented by years of resinous (mostly myrrh) smoke. Seamless and dark, Midnight Carnival hints at sensuality and mystery, and gives no secrets away. Though I probably won’t look for a bottle anytime soon, as I have a good amount of dark resinous scents, I wouldn’t have been disappointed if I did blind bottle.
  2. artisjok

    Sweet, but not sugary?

    You might be into Death Cap, it’s got an earthy sweetness to it, yet not sugary at all.
  3. artisjok

    Kvothe

    I was always reluctant to take a chance on Kvothe, despite my general love of leather. I’m grateful to have a tester from a swap! This a cozy scent of soft brown leather and dust. I could see a touch of vanilla, as well. I don’t really get any spices, though it could be aging. It’s making me feel quite mellow, and I’m about to snuggle up with a blanket.
  4. artisjok

    Smut

    I have 2015 on one arm and 2012 on the other... ’12 has a definite cherry note going on, sweet musky cherry. Never loses the fruit, though the sugar comes more to the forefront in the drydown. ’15 is pretty much straight up musk. Not particularly sweet or boozy, it’s soft and cozy. Both are skin-close once dry, ‘12 amps a bit more. Of the two, I enjoy ‘12 more since it is more complex. I don’t often want to smell fruity, though. Not convinced I should keep either. I’ve been hankering for a good strong red musk scent, and have been finding it to be an elusive note to my nose. Almost always soft and smooth, not often a sexy vampy vibe that I crave.
  5. artisjok

    Sleepytime BPAL

    Ah, water is probably the right element for dreams, honestly. Gotta get me something specifically watery! I find lavender to be airy, but I think it depends on the other notes. White Sage SN and Cool It are two I reach for often for that breezy and clear feeling. The TAL Song of Selune actually works really well for the dream work, though when I first got it I didn’t see how roses would connect. Now I visualize myself walking through rows and rows of rose bushes into my dream space. Lacus Solitudinis is both airy and earth to me, though fades real quick on me. My top bedtime favs are resinous lavenders, though. I Am Tired of Tears and Laughter and Winter Stars ‘19 are so comforting to my soul.
  6. artisjok

    We Wear The Mask

    We Wear the Mask is a thick coating of longing, a heavy dose of feminine dread. The florals drape a purple velvet blanket, dusty with age, over me as I lay on a pile of brittle kindling. A sigh escapes as the will to struggle slowly releases in weary ecstasy. A thin thread of smoke curls around my head as a pale hand strokes my hair in placating comfort. Anxiety drips away into the Earth and eyes close to the world. The first wear, this scent was so good, and I jumped to find another decant. Last night when I wore it, I found myself almost choked by the strength and an amped perfumey note. Apply with care and attention, this perfume is like a deceptively soft-hearted woman, with a hidden rage. Here’s the poem, in case it comes down from the Lab’s site one day~
  7. artisjok

    Sleepytime BPAL

    I love the idea of wearing an earthy scent for grounding, yet also on the opposite spectrum an airy scent for lifting into the dream space, when I want to do that kind of work. Scent and intention and feeling are so beautifully woven together. I’ve been reaching for cozy/smoky scents recently. Tonight, I think it’s gonna be We Wear the Mask before I snuggle in, as I’m feeling somewhat somber, also grumpy, maybe even just blah about my day. My hormones must be pulling me around. ooooohh now I’m intrigued!
  8. artisjok

    Please Scream Inside Your Heart

    Yes, I’m getting that eggy note that bread pudding or French toast has, especially in the wet phase. Then there’s a cinnamon-heavy middle phase that isn’t too exciting for me... not a chewy churro, sadly. The drydown veers back to pastry, and I’m glad. In fact, I do think it’s pretty close to funnel cake in the end. Still wondering if I want the bottle or not. Lovely for foodies!
  9. artisjok

    Lampades

    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.
  10. artisjok

    Reflections Under Bereavement

    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.
  11. artisjok

    New Beginnings

    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.
  12. artisjok

    Sleepytime BPAL

    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.
  13. artisjok

    Sleepytime BPAL

    @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.
  14. artisjok

    Harlow's Lace

    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.
  15. artisjok

    Wednesday's Child is Full of Woe

    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.
  16. artisjok

    Mr. Morse’s Seances

    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!
  17. artisjok

    I Wish I Were Your Mirror

    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.
  18. artisjok

    Pediophobia

    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!
  19. artisjok

    St. Louis #1

    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!
  20. artisjok

    British Invasion

    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.
  21. artisjok

    Venus Verticordia

    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.
  22. artisjok

    In Splendoribus Sanctorum

    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!
  23. artisjok

    Ehon Karanishiki

    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.
  24. artisjok

    The Piper at the Gates of Dawn

    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.
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