artisjok

As much as I was intrigued by this scent, and the reviews, I have to admit I dislike leather and grass together. They’re favorites apart, but together make my stomach churn. Meh. I can’t get past their sharpness to enjoy any more. This is probably assisted by the soap, another note I can often get behind. 
 

Echoing the dry and unsweet sentiments, it’s mostly tonka and vanilla on me, woven together over plain wooden board. 
Sad I didn’t get the incense vibe from the agarwood, but it is interesting to be able to pick out the vanilla in comparison to other reviews. 
Feels very monochrome. Maybe a good scent to wear if you need something unassuming or gentle for work. Or if you’re just wanting something very simple to get cozy with. Palate cleanser? 
Not sure if I want to keep this, but I may try a layering experiment to see how that works. 
 

I was wary of Brocken at first, but it’s surprising approachable. Very reminiscent of Cito (honey and life everlasting, frankincense and cinnamon, bourbon vanilla, red ginger and red musk). They must have the same honey note. There’s skin musk, and it plus the honey dominate. Skin musk is a bit of a bully on me, so it continues to grow in prominence.
The smoke is actually very gentle, fading back after the initial wet stage. So, if that worried you, take heart!  
I can see this being a bit too much for me in summer weather (it’s high 70’s right now 🫠 wtf February in Texas), but very cozy for winter, and perfectly appropriate for Autumn festivities.

I don’t think it’s a scent I’d reach for, because of the skin musk, but I’m glad to have tried it. 
 

Tart rosehip clinging to the skirts of orchid and poppies. Orris slinks around the outskirts creating a plush atmosphere for them to reign. Flecks of resins litter the space, only a suggestion of rituals that have been held there. The seduction of wealth and comfort only slightly marred by the teeth that gleam from the languorous smiles of the florals. 

I’m crying. It must have the same bronzing in common with Bronze Dildo, as @LavenderCoffee perceived, because I’m getting a healthy dose of cumin. It’s like someone reviewing BD said, I can tell there’s gorgeous notes and totally up my alley, but they are overlaid with cumin that reminds me too much of sweat or cooking or both 🥲  

With a little wear, it does tone down, but doesn’t go away totally.  
 

It also brings to mind The Shimmering Mirror, which I have a bottle of, so maybe I’m alright with the miss this time. 

A clear channel for communication and reflection reach into a splendent garden of stillness. Ambrosial flowers float in pristine pools, nestled underneath trees weeping frankincense tears, and oh so gentle  sandalwood incense curls across the space. The lotus blossoms’ mouths are wide and resonant, emitting fragrant hymnals of devotion to the timeless divinity that pulses in every speck of creation. One emerges completely renewed. 
 

On Prayer is, understandably, very similar to Venus Caelestis (Blue lotus absolute, grey amber, white myrrh, frankincense, and sugared lemon peel.), without the sugared lemon, and some extra texture from the white sandalwood. The blue lotus has some of the bubble gummy feel to it, and the frankincense is bright. I should probably compare them to see if I should keep both of the bottles. 

Sooooo cozy 🫠 I’m getting all three notes just swirling around me in luxurious wafts. The cinders are strongest when I sniff my wrists, the fur has the widest throw, and the wood just cheerfully lends itself as a resting spot for both to lean upon. Feels expensive, and simultaneously like the most supportive hug. 
I knew this had potential, but did not expect to fall this much in love so fast! Purrring~

I feel like I hit the jackpot with this Day When Old Friends Meet. I’m getting primarily a floaty vanilla over a chewy bready confection, like bread pudding, or denser, and supporting all that is the myrrh smoke, which I adore! I think there was a bit of fig early on, but it got too cozy and submerged into the pudding. The spices are subtle, and were heavier on application.
A really lovely blend for the winter. 

Glad I took a gamble on this bottle, and hope I can wear it to greet old friends sooner than later! 

I know I tried this before now, but when someone asked to swap, I thought I’d give it another try (and my son loves cherry scents!). 
Thank goodness for second chances! While it’s clearly cherry and incense, something about the waft, the sugar?, makes it smell like the best pie I could ritually conjure. 
A witchy confection, comforting in the extreme. My boy will have to share with Momma. 

Seconding the “smells like the painting looks.” The earthy notes and fruits all have a muted feel, yet maintain a sense of intrigue in their depth and complexity. There’s a definite warmth, both from the spice and just the overall composition of notes.
The sun going down, the final hour working a market stall, just gradually tidying, but in no hurry yet, mind full with the interactions of the day. Looking forward to entwining into a lover’s arms. 

It is heartening, and I’m really just having a delightful experience over here. 

I almost didn’t do a full wear of Bear Moon, since the little test was all honey on me, but that would have been a shame. This is one cozy experience!
I’m also getting primarily musk and honey with touches of berry, which fades out in the wear, and it’s just hitting the spot on this cold, drizzly day. I think the wood is there supporting, but not super evident. I did want more leaves, and maybe sometime I’ll try layering with another scent for that. 

The recent Yule release has the 100 Acre Woods collection, and I’ve also been reading Winnie the Pooh stories with my children recently. This scent could easily bee (lol) Pooh’s, a snuggly sticky experience in a warm tree home, surrounded by good friends and memories. 

I was unsure if Qui Aime Bien would work for me after reading the reviews of floral soapiness. It is a rather cleean, sharp floral brightness to start with, haughty florals that look appealing, but have a punishing bite in their sap. The drydown is completely different. A warm pollen, musky and smooth. A very yellow perfume.
I think it’ll embodies the name “who loves well chastises well,” both sides aptly represented. I love wearing it to bed, my favorites to bundle down with- clean and cozy! 

I’ve been curious about Two Turtle Doves for a while, so I’m glad to have the chance to snag a decant. I’m getting primarily the musks & opoponax, which is dark, syrupy and rawwwrr.
In the beginning there’s a weirdness that throws me off…  I think the white pepper or tuberose is discordant. But whatever it is burns off after a few awkward minutes. I’m imaging I get the lavender, and in my imagination I like it (ahaha)! 
I can’t pick out the ambergris, despite my wishes, but maybe it’s just meshed in so smoothly. You know, now I’m sensing pepper more accurately, and it’s not bothering at this later stage. 
 

I think I would layer another lavender-heavy on top amp up the sleepy time vibe in this overtly sensual blend, making a sort of weighted blanket scent experience. 
 

CW Bridal Shop is a delicate pretty fluffy of white lace and, yes, pale leather. Kinda powdery after a while. The rose sachet and cherrywood seep through and add an slightly fruity stain on the delicate white garments. 
 

I was so thrilled to finally get this bottle, but I think it’s a bit too close to Millarca for me to justify having both…. 

Uff, this is a strong Medival Fool, no joke. 
The milk makes it gourmand, and there is a scorched note that brings in bitterness. The musk is heavy and smooshed in it are the fruits and rose petals. It’s breaking some walls, all right, and I’m both intrigued by it and kinda despise it.
Perfume-y gourmand-y powerhouse. 

Ahhh this one is so pretty at first, a gentle milkiness over a bright tea & floral, but gradually, a black pepper note creeps up, uninvited. Funny how White Rabbit was mentioned, which does have a pepper note, and it does not bother me. This reminds me of Arcana Wildcraft’s cashmere note that shows up as pepper on me, as well. I donno, sometimes pepper works, but I dislike when it’s not listed and it takes over the anticipated prettiness of a scent. 
I’ll have to try it another day just to make sure hormones aren’t the cause. Blargh. 

Witch-Birds is a violet that I’ve found I can enjoy. Perhaps it’s the plum addition? Two purples is better than one. Perhaps it’s the sandalwood, blurring the lines between floral and wood. Or maybe it’s the mallow, making the violet’s sweetness (which isn’t often to my liking) into a treat of a different tune. 
The darker aspects lurk beneath, yet share no secrets. 
 

I’ve been in a sandalwood mood, so I think its prominence is really what draws me to this scent, but I admire the balance of all the notes. Pretty birds! 

Zombie Milk isn’t as intense as I hoped. I get the rice milk and osmanthus right out the gate, the latter always lends a tangy sort of effect to my nose, and, combined with a touch of moss, is a strange earthy gourmand. Then, in the drydown, I mostly get the sandalwood, hemp fibers, and orris (I think) (sidenote: my phone autocorrected orris to “Oreo” and I have a good laugh). The moss might be hangin on, actually. And there could be a touch of creaminess from the rice milk, but only on one arm, true to zombie fashion.
 

I’m always eyeing this in bottle form, but I really don’t think it’s very striking on my skin to warrant more. Just kind of dryly monotonous on me. Maybe I’ll try again on another day…
*blerghing sadly*

I thought I had destashed my decant of A Record Book, and was surprised to find it still hangin out.
When I first received it, I could barely get a whiff of anything. Now, it’s still soft, but very present, delicately floating around me as I move about. I’m really liking its gentle, sophisticated feel! I would even bottle it if I found it out in the wild. 
Mostly a creamy vanilla and sandalwood, with a touch of the blackcurrant. Tobacco seems MIA. 
Not everyday has to be a strong punch in the face. Some days, caresses and whispers get the job done. 
 

Oh, Puce, what a fussy creature you are. 
This was one of the risky buys from DragonCon for me, but, after hearing Tom’s live review, I was intrigued & hoped for the best. 
 

Truly, the impression of being in someone else’s home/space is on point, like the smells of their draperies and packed bookshelves and couches, all permeated with “lived-in” essence. Not stinky, but personal. 
I feel like there’s a fabric note, as well.  
 

The pomegranate is what actually throws the experience for me. I’m sitting here in this pleasent living space, trying to absorb the details, and Pom is just obnoxiously bopping itself right in the middle of my vision. It’s does that pomegranate thing, where it turns into a powdery sweettart and overtakes the scene.
Interestingly, the other notes do hold on around the edges, so if pom plays nice for 

you, it will probably be just fine. 
I wish the patchouli was a lot louder, but it’s a smooth ol’ dog, napping on the floor. 

This risk didn’t play out in my favor, but the journey was a unique one, and I’m glad we met, Puce Dragon. 

Plume is a lovely, deep woodsy incense with the calla lily occasionally peeking out coyly. Rich and strong, it wafts about me for a good long while, making daily tasks feel much elevated. 
 

Being honest with myself, I don’t need the partial bottle, as I have some sibling scents I already adore (The Shimmering Mirror, Three Human Skulls), but, if it lingers too long on my sales, I might swipe it off into my collection again. 

Wearing my one (?) dragon scent in anticipation of this year’s splurge being shipped, it’s so pretty. The grapefruit is front and center, even lasting the whole wear length (incredible!). I would have guessed that the resin was benzoin, if I was smelling this blind. Maybe it’s the combo of the dragon’s blood and the vanilla silk, so not a heavy DB. The musk is sheer and a perfect anchor. Floral elements are imperceptible to my nose, but would be totally expected to be blooming around this fair dragon. 
Really great for summer, or just as an overall mood lifter. Repeat after me: “I am pretty.”

I was hoping BPAL The Unreturning wouldn’t live up to most of the reviews for me (ahahaha), and swapped for it. I wanted that ambergris and darker notes, but it’s just as was foretold~ a big ol’ frankincense, almost bubbly (yes to the effervescent comment above), supported mostly by white musk with hints of tree that does remind me of birch. It’s not bad, at all, just not as deep and complex as the notes would suggest. I bet this would hit well on a hot day.

That “memory of frankincense” is particularly palpable. After a while, some of the ambergris does peek through. 

I think I like it, after all. I haven’t been in a huge frankincense mood recently, but I have been in a fervor for it before.

Schrödinger’s Checkmark (airy, sticky marshmallow fluff, oily benzoin, and blackened, slick patchouli) & A Portrait (a cluster of sugared carnations with strawberry juice, sweet patchouli, and lush red labdanum) are a couple I enjoy. 

Nocturne Alchemy generally has some sweet patchouli scents in their seasonal releases (probably something in the GC, I just don’t know it), but my skin isn’t super fond of their patchouli for some reason. 

I’ve been jamming to peony scents recently, and wanted a brighter rose scent in my collection, so I swapped for Imose-Yama. What I didn’t expect is that this dries down to the exact scent of some sacral chakra incense resins I used to burn ages ago! It must have had rose in it, but I’m not sure how the other notes translate to the resins. 
I like it & the nostalgia it brings, an unexpected experience!