*Review composed in 2021 The stars decided to shine a little luck my way at the end of November 2020 into February 2021 as I won several giveaways on social media. This was my last and my head is still swimming from these amazing opportunities and generous indie shops. Velvet & Sweetpea's Purrfumery (having quite possibly the most adorable theme and elegantly done aesthetic I have ever encountered and this natural perfumery shop creates lux fragrant products with rare ingredients sourced from all over the world but also gives back to different funds and foundations; their most recent raise awareness project is for the endangered Pangolin). Luminous Lemurs Solid Perfume (Gathered Notes: Blood Orange, Ylang Ylang, Madagascar Vanilla, Egyptian Carnation, Clove, Nutmeg, Sandalwood and Cinnamon) Solid perfumes are a new medium for me to explore and I found myself reapplying several times all over in fascination as every note and application point morphed and I guess I amplify certain notes. Short assessment, Luminous Lemurs smells like a tropical and exotic sister scent of Alkemia's Trick or Treat. The blood orange opens the experience then slowly changes over to a spiced sweet banana-like fragrance coming from the ylang ylang then a distinct creamy carnation heart appears. The woody spices (even with a hint of hidden liquorice) and romantic vanilla finish out the 3 and half hours and I can see why this fragrance won so many awards. New House of Fragrance on the Horizon/FEATURED: Jorum Studio (Scented love letters from Scotland)3/29/2022
*Reviews composed in 2021 I dream of visiting Scotland one day... Until then I have a trove of poetic scent ventures to sweep me away with a wave of the wrist. 🦄The following perfumes were won from a giveaway by Jorum Studio on social media. They were my first experience with Edp forms of fragrances and introduction to niche perfume as well as natural perfumery. I will be visiting this house of fragrance again. Carduus (Chamomile, Bengal Pepper, Honey, Clary Sage, Sea-holly, Marjoram Tea, Myrtle, Rose Absolute, Vetch, Clove Bud, Hart’s Tongue, Tuberose, Musk-thistle, Heliotrope, Tormentil, Mahogany, Cocoa Absolute, Tobacco, Meum, Deertongue, Cherrywood) 'Nemo me impune lacessit' – the Order of the Thistle. The defiant motto of Scotland, an ancestral virtue. This olfactory ode to the thistle opens with a drop of honeyed cocoa that quickly disappears then this captivating unlisted creamy liquorice and herbaceous combination comes forth and completely sweeps me away as the liquorice deepens with a slick green earthy smokiness akin to incense that I was not expecting. For oil comparison, Carduus reminds me in ways of Trimerous with the addition of seductive anise, so it is no wonder my skin and nose adore this. When it comes to longevity, this perfume holds the crown as the longest-lasting of the six blends in the Progressive Botany Vol. I collection clocking in at an impressive 18 hours. Mysterious romantic liquorice and inspiring earthy incense, take me away! Trimerous (Carrot Seed, Bergamot, Nectarine, Thyme, Cicely, Pink Pepper, Juniper, Cloudberry, Angelica Root, Orris Butter, Kombucha, Centaury, Suede, Oud, Musk*, Ambergris, Styrax, Vanilla, Incense) "There is eerie silence after the Harvest. From the small square window we await the autumnal shift. Dusting across fields of Hare-eared crowns, we pray the rare roots make it through the hoar."
Nectary (Bramble, Cranberry, Peach, Rose Absolute, Oud, Ambergris, Roseroot, Olibanum, Selfheal, Castoreum*, Civet*, Labdanum Absolute, Musk)* *of synthetic origin. "Born of a daydream to create a garden for the skin. Equal parts flower, leaf and soil." Not your average or tamed rose scent, this floral-fruit wine medley has a bite and naughty side that takes a little bit of patient aging to fully meld together, but once it does, you're under its seductive animallic spell and there is no turning back or putting this bottle down. The vivid wild picture Nectary paints is one you can't wait to escape to. Arborist (Quince, Honey, Saffron, Osmanthus Absolute, Magnolia, Burdock, Papyrus, Mugwort, Rose Absolute, Tuberose, Myrrh Absolute, Spruce Resin, Douglas Fir, Labdanum, Jatamansi, Malt, Lichen) "The Green Man - a study of humanity’s visceral and tempestuous relationship with nature." Speaking of vivid scenes you can't wait to escape back to, could the primal god who embodies this fragrance (and Carduus) please step forward and claim me already? What isn't to love about Arborist, it's realistic sun-dappled forest greenery, smoky shadows, salty skin and sweet nothings whispered by a bubbling stream. It's fantastic for an unexpected sleep-time fragrance and a solid recommendation for any earth signs. Medullary-Ray (Fig-leaf, Cardamom, Olive, Juniper, Frankincense, Orris Butter, Rose Absolute, Pomegranate, Myrrh, Vetiver, Guaicwood, Papyrus, Hay, Birch, Cedarwood, Castoreum*, Valerian, Sandalwood Oil) *of synthetic origin. "Rays of Tuscan springtime glint between the strokes of the woodworker’s plane. The midday air fills heavy with the scent of blushed fruit and waxen-leaf."
Phloem (Passion Fruit, Rhubarb, Mulberry, Nasturtium, Honeysuckle, Blaeberry, Camellia, Oysterplant, Meadowsweet, Gorse, Ambrette, Sesame, Amyris, Tonka Bean Absolute) "Like a neon trident, vascular blooms rip through mercurial waters. Candied rosé sky floods the costal cottage provoking lucid dreams of obsessive Selkie skin-love, lips smack with saline dab."
I just had to finish out the collection by purchasing a sample of Athenaeum from Indigo Perfumery when I went on to explore the sister shop to Jorum (but I'll share those another day). Athenaeum (Scottish Lavender, Beeswax*, Fennel, Apple, Honey, Neroli oil, Hyacinth, Flouve, Patchouli, Morocco Leather*, Gurjun Balsam, Oak, Ink. *of synthetic origin.)
"Athenaeum is the distillation of a once forgotten yet fond olfactory memory, awakened upon a chance encounter at the local athenaeum. It is the fragmented and hazy reminiscence of a rural childhood found once more in the urban landscape" This is only how I would finish out the perfect venture or adventure to a dream locale- a trip in springtime to an ancient stone building steeped in history and towering with priceless books. One wave of my wrist and I'm walking in the countryside with nodding hyacinths and rustling apple trees greeting me as I find a path strewn with lush heather to an ancient stone church nestled in the foggy hills. I can smell the waxed wood of the kneeling pews as I walk in to these hollowed walls and the buttery leather and tang of the gall ink of the books lining shelves, ancient and mysterious manuscripts beckon for a peek. I could stay here forever. I hope this place exists Atheneum creates in my mind. Jorum Studio *Reviews composed in February 2021 I guess the stars decided to shine a little luck my way at the end of November and December 2020 as I won a few giveaways on social media. These were the first two (thank you so much, UrbanWitchcraftCo and Pylies!) Sterling silver and rainbow moonstone planchette necklace from UrbanWitchcraftCo All thanks to an adorable feathered shop assistant named Lily who picked my winning ticket entry name out of a bowl I was sent a stunning necklace with a moonstone that has one of the most brilliant flashes I have ever seen in a rainbow moonstone (this jewellery artist has some of the most unique crystal/gemstone specimens displayed). I have been watching this curious little shop with much interest for months and this lovely necklace decided a custom in the future for flashing and glowing moonstone earrings to match in the near future. Finally, it was "Muppets Christmas Carol" for the win! I love super easy giveaway requirements and all I had to do was submit in my favourite holiday movie I watch every year. From Pylies: 3 lip scrubs in- Gingersnap Cookies (Chewy cookie with ginger, cardamom, chinese cinnamon and caraway) Peppermint Hot Cocoa (Piping hot drinking chocolate and a splash of smooth creamy peppermint) Christmas Crack (Saltine cracker, crunchy buttery toffee, a dash of holiday spice and thin layer of dark chocolate) I have a horrible habit from childhood of biting my lips when I'm nervous or when I'm not even realizing it anymore and these scrubs have been receiving a full workout so I can attest these all smell (and taste delicious) and have been a tremendous help with my peeling-winter-and-when-I-gnaw damaged lips. For those not familiar with lip scrubs they are flavoured granulated sugar with additional healing oils (nuts or fruits) added and you place a fingertip size of scrub on your damp lips and you rub gently in a circular motion to exfoliate and remove dead skin. It does take a bit of practice to get the motion down as it can be messy at first so start over the sink. I follow up the scrubs with more indies to seal in the softness, smoothness and moisture (I highly recommend Spirit & Venom Olfactory Arts' lip balm). All of the presented scrubs are as they say on the tin, it's hard to pick a favourite as I get a sense of delightful nostalgia with Peppermint Hot Cocoa (it reminds me of the glory days of Bath&Body Works and a long discontinued holiday lip stick/balm I adored so much and received many years in my stocking until it disappeared off the shelves one winter without any warning), Gingersnap Cookies is an addictive ginger cookie that brings to mind a recipe my English grandmother used to bake for family gatherings. So that leaves Christmas Crack and we have a buttery salty and chocolate with the barest hint of spice laced winner with this one as it tastes very much like a concoction I whip up for myself when I have a serious craving for salty chocolate and I shove a handful (or four) of semi-sweet chocolate chips and crushed oyster crackers into my gob at the same time and let the distinct notes meld together. Yes, I need to stop that, hopefully rubbing a little of this delectable lip scrub on my bitten lips will sate that craving instead. In addition to the little pots of lip scrubs, I was sent a few more treats! A Body Cream and Body Scrub. Candied Yams Body Cream (I couldn't find the exact notes but I do wonder if "Southern Haunt" wasn't renamed) This is a thick cream that melts nicely and releases a fragrance of heavenly spiced sweet potatoes, marshmallow, butter and even a hint of sweet hidden apple. I have been using this on my elbows and sensitive winter-chapped hands (concentrating on my cuticles) and it's a welcome home ritual now before I get ready for bed after a long night. I go to sleep with wafts of spiced yams and fluffy marshmallow and wake up 9 hours later with the faintest hint of warm spice so the scent lasts quite a while and I noticed the warmer you can get your skin after applying the better the results, so this is the type of formula that would work wonders with that the old "slathering your hands in cream and covering with a pair of thick cotton socks before bed trick". I'll report back on the next Self-Care Day. Witchy Woman Body Scrub (Soft Incense, Oud, Woodsmoke and Patchouli mixed with Clove, Cinnamon and Jasmine) Smokey, spicy and sweet floral decadence take me away! Witchy Woman is an interesting combination of notes and the scent continues on long after leaving the tub. The scrub formula is a powerhouse for my rough heels and even works on my elbows in those weird leftover spots that I can never get completely smooth especially in the colder months. The consistency has larger granulated sugar crystals for extra scrubbing which is a change-up from the other body scrubs I own. This formula was made for the long winter months and has been put through its paces already. Overall, this is another little wonderful surprising shop I will be exploring more from. UrbanWitchcraftCo and Pylies |
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28th of January 2023) NOTES/COMBINATIONS and Stones CURRENTLY ON THE HUNT FOR: Naughty Licorice/Star Anise Cardamom Cardamom Cake with Roses Smoky Honey & Leather Leather and Florals Pomegranate Colder Tuberose scents Smoked Florals with Cinnamon and Honey Graham Cracker and Incense Double strand of Rose Quartz or Moonstones or Black Tourmaline Chainmaille Jewellery Houses of Fragrance and Interest on the Horizon (shops that contain such temptations): LurkerAndStrange Good Spirit Wolf Rapt In Maille ToadStoolSoaps DSH Perfume Baphomet&Co Harvest Moon Haven Granny Hootenanny's Shop
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