Alkemia Perfumes alkemia.etsy.com/ Samples: PUMPKIN STRUMPET BACCHANTE TEMPTATION AU LAIT LA BELLE ÉPOQUE LES COURTISANES Combined Thoughts: After being impressed by the fast shipping, lovely packaging and falling completely under the unique spell of perfume oils (still trying to decide what to buy a full bottle of first), I couldn’t help myself to order more from this amazing shop and I sampled: Pumpkin Strumpet, Bacchante, Temptation, Les Courtisanes, Au Lait and La Belle Époque. I know I’m to let these oils rest (believe me they deserve it and will only get better with age) but right out of the vial they were magical in some way and one even brought tears to my eyes with comforting nostalgia and memories of a dearly missed loved one. That was a special surprise that I truly appreciate. I recommend those nervous about trying perfume oils to give the sample piece set a wave of the wrist, I don’t think you will be disappointed. One scent at a time: PUMPKIN STRUMPET (Listed Notes: Sugar, Pumpkins, Madagascar Vanilla, Cinnamon, Ginger & Clove) What I was hoping for: I'll admit the catchy name caught my attention at first (seriously who doesn't want to go around and secretly hope someone asks "what are your wearing?") and after I stopped giggling, I prepared myself for a familiar favorite with a naughty spicy twist. In the vial: *this one needed a little more aging (placed in a cool dark box to combine all of the notes) as this strumpet was surprisingly shy and needed time, I tested the vial once in May and July and got only the PUMPKIN, SUGAR and VANILLA with the faintest wisp of my precious fall SPICES. It is true what they say about these oils getting better as they sit and last week in September I decided it was long enough and took her out for the night. Applied: Again this one surprised me as I needed to dab quite a bit on and as I was getting ready to go out the door, I almost couldn't detect it and added more thinking it was just something that needed done. It is a delicious confection that seems to melt on my skin but it also called to mind a more subdued russet lady rather than a spicy lady of the evening which somewhat disappointed me as I could faintly detect it throughout the night. Not what I was expecting but apparently this strumpet still likes to plays tricks as it dried and the notes morphed from one dessert to another on me and I could swear I smelled pumpkin cheesecake after a few hours and it did depart with the loveliest vanilla as the final note. Very odd how chemistry affects the combined notes and this fragrance might be the one I need a "fixative" oil (that prolongs the longevity of the scent layered on top). I wish Alkemia had this scent in an ULTIME version (one that lasts longer on those whose chemistry "gobbles" up scent which seems to happens with me for pumpkin fragrances) because I would purchase a full bottle (who doesn't want to smell pumpkin cheesecake this time of year?) UPDATE: 17th-18th of September- It seems this autumn bawd heard me speaking ill of her and decided to put on the ultimate metamorphosing dessert scent show that night to dispel any past disappointment as I could clearly detect every promised note and the confections changed from slices of pumpkin cheesecake to spice dusted pumpkin roll and that next morning to amazing pumpkin gobs filled with creamy vanilla icing. No faint wisps this time but only like sitting next to a fall party dessert tray all night. That stunt proved to me the importance of aging and patience with perfume oils (it took almost 4 months) and I'm now convinced (and in love) in the power of this sassy pumpkin scent potion. I will be purchasing a full bottle before winter (and storing it away properly) with all apologies to those who have fallen already for this perfume. You were right! Curious Discovery (what perfume performs well with another): HONEYCAKES FOR HARVEST MOON (*another future full bottle purchase and review) & PUMPKIN STRUMPET-try it, they were made for one another *AU LAIT & PUMPKIN STRUMPET *another match made in gourmand heaven Words that come to mind: sweet fall confections, spicy trickster, holiday, heavenly temptations *BACCHANTE: (Listed Notes: Blueberries, Oakmoss, Wild Ivy, Lavender, Tonka and Forest Fungi -PERFUME DESERVES TO BE SHOWCASED AND PURCHASED IN FULL AMOUNT/BOTTLE Feature Review to follow, it' a masterpiece!- TEMPTATION: Listed Notes: (Crème de Violet Macarons with White Chocolate Ganash) What I'm hoping for: I'm still working through different unfamiliar scent combinations and VIOLET is one I hope I love because of the fascinating history associated with the scent: Queen Anne Boleyn and Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna (Romanov) were both said to have strongly favored this note above all others. The white chocolate is just a bonus as well as the macarons. In the vial: sweet but edible BABY POWDER (reading that must be the VIOLETS) and it's very comforting and familiar. Applied: the VIOLET is dominant on me but I can still detect the CHOCOLATE. This is an innocent feminine scent that has a beautiful ethereal vintage quality to it. I like this, not sure I would want a full bottle but I definitely use this vial on special dates. Words that come to mind: vintage, winter, cusp of spring, kindness, innocence AU LAIT: Listed Notes: (Warm Creamy Milk, Lait Sucre, and a Drop of Honey) What I'm hoping for: I wanted to sample this fragrance as I read that it can be layered with PUMPKIN STRUMPET to create a more sophisticated scent that is a sure winner for the season and company. Going strictly by reviews plus maybe this could be used for sleep (if it indeed smells like warm milk) In the vial: WARM TOAST or BUTTERED FROM SCRATCH FRESH BAKED BREAD, very cozy and familiar. Wow had did they capture that scent? Applied: This is such a comforting humble scent, I can see why others are saying it would go great with PUMPKIN STRUMPET (one deserves the other). Letting it dry, it becomes straight MELTED BUTTER on me which I love but I think this and PUMPKIN STRUMPET would work best for me in an oil warmer for a room (that place I wouldn't want to leave ever) versus on my skin. Words that come to mind: home, warmth, snowflakes, warm hugs, butter, empty chair LA BELLE ÉPOQUE: Listed Notes: (Jasmine Sambac, Tuberose, Iris, Rose, and Lily of the Valley blended with Plum, Apricot, Tahitian Vanilla, Blonde Amber, Bitter Almond, Oakmoss and Powdery Musk) What I'm hoping for: To experience a glimmer of the Gilded Age which this fragrance is said to be an ode to. I love how Alkemia describes perfumes in their catalogue, you're sure to find a time, a place or emotion that you want desperately to visit or become a part of your personal style. In the vial: FLORAL POWDER and RESIN that just harkens back to a splendid time of refinement, swishing gowns, tipped hats and frivolous ventures. Applied: Class and distinction with the FLORAL, it is what you wished your skin smelled naturally like. Definitely a mature fragrance and is by no means a childhood romp in the garden, this is romantic and earthy with the RESIN which my skin seems to respond positively to. I'm faintly getting a fruit (APRICOT is my guess as it seems to really amp on my skin). I'm still "training my nose" but I'm getting a hint of VANILLA as well. This is not your everyday scent, modern times wouldn't understand it or appreciate the complex beauty. I would wear this one to historical events or special night entertainments (I will be purchasing a full bottle in the future, a tiny dab goes a long way on me so I will happily use what is in the vial first). Words that come to mind: classic, refinement, mature, extravagant powdery floral, Ormolu *LES COURTISANES: Listed Notes: (Sugared Pears, Apricots, and Lychees; Spiced White Amber; White Florals and Nutmeg) (was a generous bonus sample Alkemia tossed in) With their shop you get an extra vial with the sample set of 5 (*a few restrictions on your choices but you can read about that on their page) and 2 extra samples if you purchase the 5ml bottles and all with amazing customer service! -TO BE A FULL BOTTLE PURCHASE and a future Feature Review/Post as soon as the last drop is used from the vial (which shouldn't be long). It's the perfect end of summer into the snap of colder fall weather scent. Just fabulous. alkemia.etsy.com Comments are closed.
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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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