Ambergris accord, guiac wood, white benzoin, immortelle, and Somalian myrrh.

In bottle: myrrh and ambergris, I think. It's lovely: white, but warm with that delicious resinous undertone.

Wet on skin: ...where did it go? It almost completely disappears on my skin. The only thing left is the immortelle, for some reason. As it dries, it starts to get ( Read more... )

A celestial hymn, singing to Earth from fifty light years away: ten billion-trillion-trillion-carats of glittering white musk, with cognac, tagetes, white champaca, Gum Arabic, and davana.

In bottle: this is a super white blend for me -- one sniff without looking up the notes (it's been a while) and I knew there was white musk. I can get the cognac ( Read more... )

Tamarind, tonka bean, patchouli, golden amber, and white fig.

In decant: the first thing that went into my head when I sniffed this is the word "confusing". It's tamarind, but instead of feeling tropical, it's more of a "cool" tamarind. There are hints of the creamy tonka as well.

Wet on skin: there's still the somewhat sour tamarind, but then ( Read more... )

Sleek, black, dark, and clever: benzoin, honey, cedar, and dark musk.

In the bottle: cedar and honey. It's dark, yes, but with a sharp edge to it.

Wet on skin: it's softer, a bit cuddlier, but still dark and...I'm not sure, almost comforting> The topmost notes are still cedar and honey, and there is an almost foody benzoin coming up at this phase ( Read more... )

Vanilla-laced leather with 3-year aged patchouli and a warm sack o'hazelnuts.

In the bottle: lovely vanilla and hazelnut scent, with the patchouli and leather to ground it out. It's interesting how they are all well blended together but still definable to my nose. The patchouli here is earthy, but not dirty or overwhelming.

Wet on skin: very warm ( Read more... )

A classic vintage musk.

In bottle: old fashioned vintage musk. There is a floral note in here, but I can't really pinpoint what kind. Another prominent note for me is oatmeal--or at least that's what the scent smells like for me.

Wet on skin: musk, a deep and low floral note, and oatmeal. It's really weird, I keep trying to think of what other ( Read more... )

Dry grass, clean skin, and a little bit of mossy berry.

In bottle: soapy-clean skin with a good dusting of powder, a hint of green and a hint of juicy berry. The powder-on-skin is definitely the first thing that comes to my mind here.

Wet on skin: soapy, powdery, pleasant. What I wasn't expecting: a definite floral feeling. It's a kind of generic ( Read more... )

Cooking herbs, pickles, and mouse fur.

In bottle: herbs and pickles! Definitely masculine, even if it's a "kitchen" smell. Maybe it's the slightly astringent tone this has. This is actually kind of nice, but I don't know if I'd expect this as a perfume on anyone.

Wet on skin: it's a very comfortable scent, but yes, I don't think id expect this as ( Read more... )

A grand, over-the-top tuberose gardenia.

In bottle: this isn't as over the top as I was expecting; to me this feels a lot more stately, full of old-fashioned grandeur. I'm not sure which floral note is strongest, but my initial impression was gardenia.

Wet on skin: a lot more floral once on my skin--yes, I can see where "over the top" is coming ( Read more... )

Black patchouli, honey, and thick vanilla amber.

In decant: patchouli, sharp; vanilla, sweet. In that order. The vanilla is lovely, the sort of vanilla that reminds me of Celeste. If it wasn't for the amazing reviews on this blend, I might pass on skin testing this one, to be honest, because the patchouli is quite prominent.

Wet on skin: this is ( Read more... )