Springtime in Arkham
Al Azif
When I first got my SIA box and was going through and smelling everything, when I got to this bottle, I said to myself "what is this amazing smell?" and immediately rubbed it on my wrists, neck, collar and cleavage.
I still don't know what that smell is but I do recognize it. Somewhere, in the back of my brain.
Al Azif is a very sweet, sugary scent that really doesn't change a whole lot on me. I usually go into sugar shock with very sweet scents but I really like this one. I get hints of resin and incense. I dont' get cedar. Maybe sandalwood way way underneath. It brings to mind sticky resins and light sweet smoke even though it is a very smooth scent.
Now why did I only get one bottle? **kicking myself**
Arkham Revisited
Arkham Revisited was one of the first oils I'd encountered that made me think I can do florals. I'd been convinced that florals were my mortal enemy for a long long time.
In the bottle: AR smells bright pink, sweet, berry-like, floral and almost edible.
On the skin, wet: AR comes across as very strong. Still the color pink - a strong vibrant hot pink is what comes across to me, and a strong blast of berries/fruit. Flowers are underneath (but thankfully not jasmine or roses). A very pretty, happy, spring scent.
As it dries & dry: As it dries, I get more florals but the fruitiness remains. There's a hint of woods way below, providing a good base for the florals and fruit and toning down the sweetness so it's not too sweet.
Overall impression: I really like it and I'm glad that I have a bottle. I've read that as it ages it may get a bit more berry-ish. This bottle is a few months old but I don't really remember if it's changed any. But I certainly like it now. It's a very lush, strong scent and lasts for a long time. It's very well blended and a very positive, cheery scent. It certainly changed my mind on florals and for that I'll always treasure it!
Azathoth
The first time I smelled Azathoth, I thought this is pure vetivert and I was actually a bit scared to put it on (despite the fact that I have about 4 bottles of pure vetivert EO). So I waited a while.
A couple of weeks later, I put just the tiniest bit on my wrists to give it a whirl. And I thought this is pure vetivert, and only vetivert - nothing else. And strong. Just a drop is very potent and lasts a long time. After a while, I got bored with the vetivert smell and washed it off (after scrubbing a long time with lots of soap - it's a persistent bugger).
So this evening, about 5 weeks after getting the bottle, I thought, I'll give it another try before deciding whether or not to keep it. And applied just the tiniest bit from the edge to one wrist and rubbed it on my other wrist. Well, I have to say I have a completely different perspective!
Initial Impression: Vetivert, stong vetivert. Wafts of some kind of mens cologne on top of the vertivert. Tangerine, saffron? Hard to say.
After a while: Wow - this is getting pretty good. The men's cologne doesn't last long - thankfully. It seems to deepen and get a bit smoky, becoming this amazing deep dark incense smell, of course, underlain with vetivert. It's very masculine but yummy!
In conclusion: It's a keeper! I was expecting it go off to swaps or sales, but I really like it. It's good alone. I'm pretty sure it'll be good layered with other scents. I had a bit of Queen of Clubs on my sweater and those two combined....wonderful. I think it'll be great with floral, fruits, maybe other woods? Letting it age and blend was a wonderful thing!
Cthulhu
This is based on memory, but I figured I'd chime in before I send Cthulhu on it's way to it's new home.
Initial Impression: very aquatic and ozone-y. Fresh clean scent.
Experience: Initially fresh and clean, then turning very soapy and a bit perfumey/floral. Not as sweet as Kingsport but there is a definite connection between the two scents. Kingsport works much better for me. Cthulhu was my first experience with an oil going soapy on me - I guess that I've been pretty lucky that way. Never got any overt or obvious seaweed .
Plus I had a terrible dream when I put it on right before bed - not sure if I've gotten beyond that. Cthulhu will be very happy in it's new home.
Miskatonic University
I have to agree that this is a very seasonal scent. Just perfect for the colder times of year when you feel like reaching for a thick wool sweater, burrowing down into a dark brown leather chair. Mission style. And, of course, drinking a big warm cuppa coffee laced with sweet cream and a touch of booze.
When I put this on, initially, I get a touch of coconut (?) but that quickly changes into warm rich Irish cream coffee. So deliciously edible. That scent stays pretty true for the life of the scent on me, I don't really get wood, dusty papers, or tobacco. It's a strong scent and I reach for when I need to be inspired. Yum!
Shub Niggurath
first, amazing ginger - this is definitely one of the best SIA scents! strong, fresh ginger then changing to this amazing edible foody smell - gingersnaps! spicy, yummy, gingery goodness.
second, it's strong. you just need a little bit. and it lasts a long time! which is fabulous because it's usually only the scents I don't care for that last a long time on me. so that was a fantastic surprise.
third, it's spicy. because of this, in hot weather, if you put too much on, it gets pretty overwhelming. when it gets really hot or you put way too much on, in the extreme, it can move beyond overwhelming into just too much and it becomes physically uncomfortable - the spices and heat amplify each other and it feels like the scent around you is physically hot. I think this is interesting because I've been told that ginger tea is a good drink in hot weather to promote clear thinking, keep away the sluggish languorous feeling and what not. so, ginger on the inside - good in hot weather, ginger on the outside (in excess) - bad in hot weather.
it'll be a great fall-winter scent.
overall impression - definitely a winner - thanks Beth!
Yog Sothoth
When I first smelled Yog-Sothoth, all I could think was that the description fit it perfectly. What an airy, empty, smooth scent. Glittering and cool. I liked it but I just wasn't sure. I couldn't get past the description and wasn't sure where to go with a review. Later, it reminded me of Comme des Garcons 2 - but not inky. They have very similar qualities - like a strange, wacked out floral.
I've let it sit and since have gotten bottles of Buck Moon and today Numb. When I first tried Numb I though - this must be Yog-Sothoth. So just now I'm trying them arm by arm.
Both Buck Moon and Numb are relatives - close relatives. Yog has Buck Moon's musky sweetness and Numb's cool violet. Yog somehow melds it all together and captures air and darkness, coldness and warmth. Amazing.
It's going to be fabulous for hot weather and I like how it has aged. Bravo!
edited to add: I also get hints of Chanel No. 5 - must be aldehydes and florals - interesting!
When I first got my SIA box and was going through and smelling everything, when I got to this bottle, I said to myself "what is this amazing smell?" and immediately rubbed it on my wrists, neck, collar and cleavage.
I still don't know what that smell is but I do recognize it. Somewhere, in the back of my brain.
Al Azif is a very sweet, sugary scent that really doesn't change a whole lot on me. I usually go into sugar shock with very sweet scents but I really like this one. I get hints of resin and incense. I dont' get cedar. Maybe sandalwood way way underneath. It brings to mind sticky resins and light sweet smoke even though it is a very smooth scent.
Now why did I only get one bottle? **kicking myself**
Arkham Revisited
Arkham Revisited was one of the first oils I'd encountered that made me think I can do florals. I'd been convinced that florals were my mortal enemy for a long long time.
In the bottle: AR smells bright pink, sweet, berry-like, floral and almost edible.
On the skin, wet: AR comes across as very strong. Still the color pink - a strong vibrant hot pink is what comes across to me, and a strong blast of berries/fruit. Flowers are underneath (but thankfully not jasmine or roses). A very pretty, happy, spring scent.
As it dries & dry: As it dries, I get more florals but the fruitiness remains. There's a hint of woods way below, providing a good base for the florals and fruit and toning down the sweetness so it's not too sweet.
Overall impression: I really like it and I'm glad that I have a bottle. I've read that as it ages it may get a bit more berry-ish. This bottle is a few months old but I don't really remember if it's changed any. But I certainly like it now. It's a very lush, strong scent and lasts for a long time. It's very well blended and a very positive, cheery scent. It certainly changed my mind on florals and for that I'll always treasure it!
Azathoth
The first time I smelled Azathoth, I thought this is pure vetivert and I was actually a bit scared to put it on (despite the fact that I have about 4 bottles of pure vetivert EO). So I waited a while.
A couple of weeks later, I put just the tiniest bit on my wrists to give it a whirl. And I thought this is pure vetivert, and only vetivert - nothing else. And strong. Just a drop is very potent and lasts a long time. After a while, I got bored with the vetivert smell and washed it off (after scrubbing a long time with lots of soap - it's a persistent bugger).
So this evening, about 5 weeks after getting the bottle, I thought, I'll give it another try before deciding whether or not to keep it. And applied just the tiniest bit from the edge to one wrist and rubbed it on my other wrist. Well, I have to say I have a completely different perspective!
Initial Impression: Vetivert, stong vetivert. Wafts of some kind of mens cologne on top of the vertivert. Tangerine, saffron? Hard to say.
After a while: Wow - this is getting pretty good. The men's cologne doesn't last long - thankfully. It seems to deepen and get a bit smoky, becoming this amazing deep dark incense smell, of course, underlain with vetivert. It's very masculine but yummy!
In conclusion: It's a keeper! I was expecting it go off to swaps or sales, but I really like it. It's good alone. I'm pretty sure it'll be good layered with other scents. I had a bit of Queen of Clubs on my sweater and those two combined....wonderful. I think it'll be great with floral, fruits, maybe other woods? Letting it age and blend was a wonderful thing!
Cthulhu
This is based on memory, but I figured I'd chime in before I send Cthulhu on it's way to it's new home.
Initial Impression: very aquatic and ozone-y. Fresh clean scent.
Experience: Initially fresh and clean, then turning very soapy and a bit perfumey/floral. Not as sweet as Kingsport but there is a definite connection between the two scents. Kingsport works much better for me. Cthulhu was my first experience with an oil going soapy on me - I guess that I've been pretty lucky that way. Never got any overt or obvious seaweed .
Plus I had a terrible dream when I put it on right before bed - not sure if I've gotten beyond that. Cthulhu will be very happy in it's new home.
Miskatonic University
I have to agree that this is a very seasonal scent. Just perfect for the colder times of year when you feel like reaching for a thick wool sweater, burrowing down into a dark brown leather chair. Mission style. And, of course, drinking a big warm cuppa coffee laced with sweet cream and a touch of booze.
When I put this on, initially, I get a touch of coconut (?) but that quickly changes into warm rich Irish cream coffee. So deliciously edible. That scent stays pretty true for the life of the scent on me, I don't really get wood, dusty papers, or tobacco. It's a strong scent and I reach for when I need to be inspired. Yum!
Shub Niggurath
first, amazing ginger - this is definitely one of the best SIA scents! strong, fresh ginger then changing to this amazing edible foody smell - gingersnaps! spicy, yummy, gingery goodness.
second, it's strong. you just need a little bit. and it lasts a long time! which is fabulous because it's usually only the scents I don't care for that last a long time on me. so that was a fantastic surprise.
third, it's spicy. because of this, in hot weather, if you put too much on, it gets pretty overwhelming. when it gets really hot or you put way too much on, in the extreme, it can move beyond overwhelming into just too much and it becomes physically uncomfortable - the spices and heat amplify each other and it feels like the scent around you is physically hot. I think this is interesting because I've been told that ginger tea is a good drink in hot weather to promote clear thinking, keep away the sluggish languorous feeling and what not. so, ginger on the inside - good in hot weather, ginger on the outside (in excess) - bad in hot weather.
it'll be a great fall-winter scent.
overall impression - definitely a winner - thanks Beth!
Yog Sothoth
When I first smelled Yog-Sothoth, all I could think was that the description fit it perfectly. What an airy, empty, smooth scent. Glittering and cool. I liked it but I just wasn't sure. I couldn't get past the description and wasn't sure where to go with a review. Later, it reminded me of Comme des Garcons 2 - but not inky. They have very similar qualities - like a strange, wacked out floral.
I've let it sit and since have gotten bottles of Buck Moon and today Numb. When I first tried Numb I though - this must be Yog-Sothoth. So just now I'm trying them arm by arm.
Both Buck Moon and Numb are relatives - close relatives. Yog has Buck Moon's musky sweetness and Numb's cool violet. Yog somehow melds it all together and captures air and darkness, coldness and warmth. Amazing.
It's going to be fabulous for hot weather and I like how it has aged. Bravo!
edited to add: I also get hints of Chanel No. 5 - must be aldehydes and florals - interesting!