Usually when someone asks me where I have been, I jokingly say "distracted by something shiny or something that smells good" and that is exactly why my book reviews have been very sporadic but in truth 2017 hasn't been the most ideal time for new releases for me sadly and being completely honest: I have been losing inspiration to write anything worth mentioning since the end of April (don't worry I will always have something to say and share about the RMS TITANIC (just ask my coworkers)). But I'm happy to say, I'm back and my imagination and mind is afire with thoughts on my new obsession? hobby? (can smelling things and sitting in front of 150 year old vanity breathing in the past be considered a pastime? I think it can). Introducing my inspiration and muse to write: perfume oils! (and ETSY.com) But first I need to say goodbye to an old friend. Saying goodbye to an old friend and the beginning of a new venture: I have been addicted to commercial perfumes for as long as I could reach my Baba's perfume shelf. I remember the beautiful bottles and glittering caps (I was even a magpie then) and I even kept a lone etched glass bottle and hoarded it like treasure for years (it reminded me of my Pap) until it disappeared one day. That little scent exploration then led to my early years of seeking out the sales tables at commercial retail locations and spending so much on a bunch of body splashes, eau de parfum and spritzes that I'm ashamed to say I grabbed as many as I could and hid for many years because they smelled what I thought at the time as unique and mature. Well those are being given away because in June of this year I stumbled onto ETSY and innocently searched for lilac, gingerbread and vanilla perfumes and my world has not been the same. I fully admit before I purchased anything I researched for a week on what perfume oils were and what was so special about them. I was immediately taken that perfume oils have such a complex and interesting history and the way you apply them just harkens back to a simpler forgotten era and you honestly feel so pampered and glamorous as you dab the fragrances on your wrists and pulse points (but I didn't know that at the moment when I stumbled onto these mood elixirs). What also thrilled me was there were so many different combinations and notes to explore. I still wasn't sure for some reason and reading the reviews I was overwhelmed but intrigued by all of the definitions (throw, sillage, aging, wet, dry etc.) it seemed something unreal and "puffed up" plus I worried what something would smell like. I mean I know what vanilla or hyacinths smell like right? I would imagine once you caught a whiff of a buttery rich but somehow nutty noted carved pumpkin the fragrance is pretty straight forward albeit a bit faded and altered in the eau de parfum but still recognizable (baby you haven't smelled nothing yet). I kept having all of these negative thoughts about trying oil in a vial versus a gold caped painted bottle. The price was too good to be true also, I just spent a pretty penny on a fruit rose perfume that unfortunately didn't resemble roses in the garden or summer berries at all and here I find a listing of the same amount 5ml for $12 or 11.95 (with slightly different variations but essentially the same notes). Impossible I thought, why the difference of cost? Ah the sneaky devils at the popular perfume companies have been hiding a big secret it would seem (or I never noticed the back of the bottle or cared to think past coating myself in formulations that I thought smelled nice) because after more research I found that alcohol is the primary ingredient in my pretty labeled commercial perfume bottles and the smaller vials of oil last longer even though some are smaller than 5mls (a tiny amount is needed versus just putting yourself in a cloud of chemicals) plus they are only comprised of natural pressings, mashing, remaining or what have you of real fruit or herbs. You are almost given a gift of a dying art with the perfume oils versus the showy retail alcohol and watered down faux fruits and factory processed swill. Pricing was certainly a factor to consider (and revealing the real truth on the back or under the bottle) but what about smelling like everyone else, I thought my precious chemical comprised mixtures made me different even though I was surprised three ladies on my floor at work were wearing something very close to my favorite spring perfume only weeks before. Again research came to my rescue and handed me the deciding card when I found that perfume oils react with your skin chemistry and change on one person to another. Fascinating! Still cautious but very excited at that point I wanted to sample these oils and found a small listing of highly recommended shops on ETSY and decided to purchase from a few. Below is my first experience with the alluring world of perfume oils (I made sure to first read the charming descriptions and go with what I thought I would like in the notes.) *Even though this was my initial purchase these were not the deciding scent(s) that had me say goodbye to faux over hyped plasticy perfume, that first honor went to SABRINA by SIBERIE PERFUMES but I will save that review for another day. Alkemia Perfumes alkemia.etsy.com Samples: EARL GREY TEA VANILLE AMOUR MADAME PEARL LETTRE D'AMOUR MEMORIAM CIDRE D'AUTOMNE Combined Thoughts: As always I'm late to the party but I can't believe my luck and reaction with being very pleased with my first introduction to the absolute unique personal experiences these oils can offer. I admit I was hesitant at first (purchasing something untried or just believing all of the positive reviews) but this 5 piece Perfume Sample Set was perfect for a cautious shopper like me and I can't decide what to buy a full bottle of first or ignore the temptation to try more. For this initial dipping of the toe into the world of perfume oil I sampled: Earl Grey Tea, Vanille Amour, Madame Pearl, Lettre d'Amour, Memoriam and a beautiful autumn selection that I hope comes back in stock. I loved how each of these prepared oils smelled different from the tiny vial to my skin and I'm told they will only get better with age (doesn't everything) One scent at a time: EARL GREY TEA (Listed Notes: Bergamot, Citrus and Black Tea) What I was hoping for: I love the smell of Earl Grey Tea and I was hoping to find that refined comforting tang and zest you get from a piping cup. Also I would like this for fall or late summer and for it to very herbal (like rubbing your hands over a long stalk of bergamot and getting that gorgeous faint spice back from it). If I could wear this to work that would be a plus. In the vial: I get LEMON and TEA, there is a burst of citrus and subdued herbal back note. Applied: That burst of citrus comes out but the herbal spice slowly makes an appearance, exactly what I have been searching for. Still it's more summer or spring-like than I was hoping. I really like it though...Giving it more time to blossom and dry on my skin the comforting scent I loved is very faint now after 10 minutes. I think it is my skin chemistry. Very disappointed but will let it age (hide away in a dark cool box for awhile so all the notes combine). Words that come to mind: refined, summer, muted VANILLE AMOUR (Listed Notes: Madagascar and Tahitian vanillas, Tonka, Cardamon, Ginger, and Grains of Paradise) What I'm hoping for: Reading all the positive reviews I'm hoping for chai and vanilla, something with a suggestion of warm drinks and cold weather In the vial: SPICE and APPLE but there is a creaminess. It's very nice and soothing Applied: Apple (reading that must be the Grains of Paradise) but not the typical powerful fruit burst, it's not tart but somewhat sweet and that spice is wonderful and I faintly detect resin. I don't get any strong vanilla oddly it's like a sophisticated spiced apple cookie. I need a bottle of this! Words that come to mind: fall, comforting, dusting, delicate spice MADAME PEARL (Listed Notes: White Tea Leaves, Bone China, Vanilla Pods, White Pepper) What I'm hoping for: Again going by reviews but I would hope for vanilla tea and some pepper. Maybe even a little alluring mystery mixed in. In the vial: LEMON, TEA and PEPPER there is a elegant vanilla powder in the background Applied: the powdery lemon is center stage but is very pleasant with the elegant tea note. The pepper really comes out on my skin and I get another kind of warm note with the vanilla. I love this! Words that come to mind: hot summer nights, flickering gaslight, different LETTRE D'AMOUR (Listed Notes: Star Jasmine, Neroli, White Roses, Sweet White Amber, Perfumed Ink) What I'm hoping for: I can't honestly say I know what jasmine smells like and I'm somewhat leery of amber (thanks to years of being bombarded with "amber" sprays/concoctions from local mall shops, you know the one) but the perfumed ink sounds like something I need to know about. In the vial: SOAP and POWDER and there is a sweetness *Applied: the soap note was extremely dominant and I decided to let this one age for two weeks as they suggested. Coming back much better, the soap is there (reading that must be the jasmine) but the lovely powder and light sweetness and the ink I can detect. It really is a complex but pretty scent (perhaps a touch too youthful for me), not sure I would buy a full bottle but it something I will use for special occasions. Words that come to mind: romantic, pretty, vintage, spring, powdery soap MEMORIAM (Listed Notes: Dark Red Roses, Smoke and Ashes) What I'm hoping to find: something floral but deep In the vial: WOOD ASH and CANDLE SMOKE there are the roses and it twines beautifully with the ash Applied: I don't know how it is possible but this is beautifully strange in the best way, it's just a deep solemn scent that would be impossible to find in the mainstream. As it dries, it's like lighting a prayer votive in the church and there are roses around you as you place them down for someone special. I will be saving this vial for only certain days of remembrance and reflection Words that come to mind: respectful, winter, fall, November, January, beloved special *CIDRE D'AUTOMNE (Listed Notes: Fall Apples and Autumnal Spices) (*was a generous bonus sample Alkemia tossed in) With their shop you get an extra vial of your choice (one of two restrictions though but you can see those on the main page) with the sample set of 5 and 2 extra samples if you purchase the 5ml bottles and all with amazing customer service! What I am hoping for: fresh pressed and stirred apple cider In the vial: Exactly as promised. Home brewed goodness! Applied: This one surprised it starts out spice and crisp ripe apples then goes buttery on me. It goes from apple cider to flaky pie. Hopefully this one comes back into their fall catalogue, it's marvelous. Words that come to mind: country, home, spice, fall, golden alkemia.etsy.com More reviews to follow, I have so many notes to share Comments are closed.
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In accordance with FTC Guidelines, I disclose how I obtained every title for review at As The Final Page Turns (whether that be by ARC, purchased (on nook, kindle or specially ordered hardbacks) Audible version or simply borrowed at my local library). Please note: titles reviewed that are ARCS (Advanced Reader Copies) are free review copies of books that are given by publishers (these ARCS can be found at NetGalley or Edelweiss). Categories
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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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