Alkemia Perfumes alkemia.etsy.com/ Full Bottles: Yule Rose *Queen of Hearts Samples: Salomé Crown of Success The Golden Bough Ghost Fire Paradise Beauty Like the Night Enigma Vamp Elixir of Aphrodite Luminae Blue Ridge Skyline Dark Angels Lunar New Year (The Year of the Dog 2018) *scent preview simply titled at the moment "Gorse" *scent preview simply titled at the moment "Hyacinth" Combined Thoughts: These vials and bottles have been peacefully aging and waiting for the day to be shared. Some are from limited collections, marked to be discontinued, soon to be released or are on sale now. One scent at a time: Yule Rose (Listed Notes: Roses, Balsam Fir, Frankincense, and Myrrh) What I was hoping for and what called to me: So those following my simple (and sometimes obsessive thoughts) about books and the world of perfume oils will recognize Yule Rose as THE perfume I had to find last year. All the notes called to me and after falling in love with the about 4 hour plus mark on Winter Torchsong (that beautifully displayed the timeless romance of rose, balsam and amber), I absolutely needed to add Yule Rose to my collection. After making up my mind and finally getting a couple minutes to browse Alkemia's soon-to-be discontinued shelf, all the bottles were claimed. I also found it listed a few days later on The Soap Box Company and of course real life called me away just long enough for those bottles to disappear off the screen as well. Finding that option closed, I thought just maybe one bottle still existed waiting in the back room of Alkemia's magical scent workshop so I contacted the fabulous Ms Sharra at Alkemia and enquired if one bottle remained. Turns out it doesn't hurt to ask because yes there was and she sent me this and a few surprises (Thank you so much Sharra!). In the bottle: Romantic ROSES and BALSAM, exactly what I have been anticipating and envisioning for so long that just harkens back to forgotten traditions and is a scent to remember. Applied: Almost smoky rose with balsam entwined so expertly in the accompanying notes. The myrrh lends a faint sweetness to everything and as this dries the resins appear more turning the roses slightly powdery. I didn't realise how much roses love my chemistry and because of that, as this dries further it morphs with more floral reigning over the bottle. I have a feeling this is going to be one of my favourites after a long rest. I can't wait to show this fragrance off (now if only I had somewhere deserving to go, something to work on for 2018). *Queen of Hearts (Listed Notes: Brandied Black Cherry and Praline Tarts) *To be a multiple-feature article in the near future for spring (such a close your eyes and let the winter blues melt away type of fragrance that is sure to gather admirers.) Salomé (Listed Notes: Magnolia, Queen of the Night, Black Grapes, Dark Plums, Skin Musk, Cognac, Bitter Orange, Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Mysore Sandalwood, Vetiver, Cedar, Red Oud and Botanical Pheromones.) *this was a surprise vial that I received along with Yule Rose- thank you so much Alkemia! In the vial: This is such a unique scent collage, I get GRASS, MINERAL, sweet FRUIT and even a dusting of ladies POWDER. What an intriguing fragrance. Applied: I have worn this several times since I received this generous sample and each time I find something more I like about it and this is going on the list to purchase a full-sized bottle of as soon as the vial is empty. I won't deny it, I feel like such an alluring exotic charmer when I wear this. It lasts long into the next day and I'm finding more and more my chemistry amps plum notes and that seems to give Salomé some innocence but there is also a deep seductive quality that keeps me coming back with the sandalwood, vanilla and those pheromones. First Haunted & Bewitched now Salomé (there is something to these pheromones I need to explore as I do get unexpected positive reactions and comments when wearing these types of fragrances). That's it, I'm purchasing that C24 and going to have the time of life this year. Crown of Success (Listed Notes: Bay, Frankincense, Cinnamon, other spices and ancient secrets) *this "scent preview" vial was an incredibly generous surprise that appeared in my one order- Alkemia you are the best! In the vial: Delicious though mysterious spices that smell warm but there is also something cold noted in this. What a great blend. Applied: This is a little delectable and a promising perfume. Right away I get the spices but there is that "coldness" I noticed before that swirls with a herbal background. As this dries my chemistry turns this into buttery cinnamon oatmeal that is both comforting and seems to be a crowd-pleaser as I was asked several times if I had cookies on our side of the wall at work. This would be my ideal perfume for fall and be heaven mixed with Pumpkin Strumpet or a single note of rose....and all the bottles are gone (I really need to hit the BUY NOW button when I find something I like, hopefully, this comes back in stock in July). The Golden Bough (Listed Notes: Golden Saffron, Aged Cashmere Wood, Honeybush, Smoked Ambrette Seed, and 5 year aged Lebanese "Cedar of the Gods) What I was hoping for and what called to me: So all these notes are new to me and since I'm having such unbelievable luck with scents out of my comfort range, I need to try this. Saffron is said to be an exotic seductive scent all its own and I have no idea how this going to smell on me. The only note I'm concerned about is the cedar that can turn wet pocket pet bedding on me but I'm willing to explore. In the vial: Exposed WOOD, HONEY and Sweet PEPPER. Applied: *I'm sorry I had every intention to fully review this seasonal release (as this vial started out so pleasing reminding me of a sweeter version of Gifts of the Magi which I absolutely love) but I don't think saffron or "cedar of the gods" is for me. For some reason the cedar amps to headache-inducing levels and there is something so incredibly sweet in this, my nose and head can't cope. Perhaps this vial needs more aging. (**please remember everyone's skin chemistry is different and what my chemistry does with one note may not happen on someone else. That's the unique beauty of perfume oils, they react with everyone differently- please don't hesitate to try a sample of something if it interests you). Ghost Fire (Listed Notes: Ambre Blanc) What I was hoping to find and what called to me: Ghost Fire has been on my list to try for quite some time as this is a starred recommendation I keep noticing from other perfume oil enthusiasts. I have fallen in love with Alkemia's various ambers so I can't wait for this to join my collection. In the vial: VANILLA and sugary crusted AMBER. Very lovely and I can see why this is so popular. Applied: I'm sometimes worried my fragrances lean toward certain dreaded realms and are doomed to be enjoyed solely by myself in my home (the modern world just doesn't appreciate or understand some of my treasures) but Ghost Fire borders the middle thankfully. It's sweet almost coconut noted and there is a drop of something aquatic that pushes this more in the summer cache of gourmands. It's a safe scent that I think would be nice for the workplace or a leisurely sunny outing. This could also layer nicely with some type of floral. The more this is aging I like this and a little dab goes a long way on me. Paradise (Listed Notes: Young Coconut, Madagascar Vanilla with Monoi Tiare) *This vial was actually a part of a friend's order who I finally got to join the perfume oil party. When this arrived I couldn't resist testing this to you know make sure it travelled well. In the vial: Sweet COCONUT but it also reminds me of BANANA with VANILLA swirled over. Yes, I think my friend is going to love this. Applied (by splash or "tap the perfume wand method"): Creamy shea butter makes an entrance then this turns to luscious vanilla buttercream icing on me. Oh wow, I'm almost tempted to keep this. Hopefully, she lets me borrow this sometime. I have a few preferred notes that amp and am elated vanilla is one of them. This is such a wonderful warm weather fragrance that would be great for layering. Beauty Like the Night (Listed Notes: Pear, Orange, Grapefruit Blossoms, Red Rooibos Tea, Dianthus, Saffron, Spicebush and White Amber.) What I was hoping for and what called to me: I think I'm officially hooked when I see a new fragrance collection on my screen and my pulse begins to race and I vow to skip late night food runs but also remind those around me that they were "meaning to try a certain house of fragrance". That may sound silly but so it goes with this next order. When I saw the early February collection released from Alkemia I dropped everything to get this purchased. The pear and white amber listed in Beauty Like the Night is calling to me and reading dianthus is supposedly peppery scented. All things I can't wait to try. In the vial: CITRUS with AMBER very pretty. Hopefully, the orange sticks around and the pear comes out more *fingers crossed* Applied: This is such a romantic conceptual scent. It opens with the citrus and amber then changes softly with a powdery expensive vintage quality that I love having a part of my growing collection. The description has this as "Specially blended to morph like the soft transition of twilight into night" absolutely I get this the citrus being a fading sunset and the powdery finish as a star-dusted sky. This one is going on the list for later bottle purchase, undoubtedly lovely and unique. Enigma (description: Iso Super E Aroma Molecule - Anti-Perfume) What I was hoping for and what called to me: Enigma sounds so out of the box I must try this. I have no idea what to expect but I know I'm in good hands with Alkemia. In the vial: CEDAR and AMBER, I'm not going to lie this smells a tad masculine and I am nervous but excited. I did some extra research on Anti-Perfumes but still have no idea what this will do on my skin. The puzzling mystery awaits! Applied: At first Enigma really has no scent but I can detect a dry amber and if I press my nose to my wrist I can pick up vanilla. How bizarre. Letting this dry and asking a work colleague what they think, I'm told I smell like expensive sachets. I guess this scent is subjective because I smell dried wood, warmed skin and vanilla. A little goes a long way. I would be very interested to smell this on a man as the notes lean toward masculine but still have a hidden side. Vamp (Listed Notes: Opium Incense, Labdanum, Tonka, Balsam, Sueded Leather * animal-friendly, and Black Musk) What I was hoping for and what called to me: This was another completely out of my comfort range experiment. I'm slowly realizing how much I lean toward vintage blends and Vamp is said to be an ode to the scandalous 1920's and the infamous flapper. Perhaps some gin strapped to silk stockings? Or a unexpected bubble of champagne or two will be found in this vial? In the vial: POWDER, BALSAM and AMBER, this smells so familiar like something from my childhood... that's it! My beloved Baba had a tiny glass etched bottle that smelled like this that she would only wear for the most elegant occasions (she still allowed me to play with that bottle though, she was a one of a kind lady). Applied: At first this is a bit overwhelming but as this dries my goodness this is gorgeous and oh what it would have been like to live in this glamorous era Vamp captures! That powder note (I didn't realize how many "powder themed" perfume vials I have now and I must have more) is just out of this time and the balsam with tonka and something is lending extra mystery (the musk?) I love how Alkemia's perfume oils tell a story and Vamp belongs in an art deco themed painting I know very well that exhibits a classy party set in the 1920's complete with a piano player entertaining the bedecked dancers. I will keep this and hope for a chance to show it off. I must remember to wear my long pearls and don red when I go out for a night on the town with this seductive number. Elixir of Aphrodite (Listed Notes: Persian Apricots, Orange Blossom Honey, Peach and Plum Blossoms, Mimosa, White Star Jasmine, Ambrette, Guaiac Wood and Vanilla Musk) What I was hoping for and what called to me: I don't know about anyone else but I was ready for winter to go away after the first week and am plain sick of seeing snow and dangerous ice. I need to immerse myself in heavy drenched fruit fragrances that remind me of brighter days and coming spring. Browsing for vials to bring home, Elixir of Aphrodite is calling to me with the apricots, honey, peach, mimosa, jasmine and vanilla. It sounds just perfect to lift my current mood. In the vial: PEACH, APRICOTS and VANILLA very nice and uplifting. It almost smells like peach rings candy but there is something that is elevating it to unexpected levels. I need to wear this now. Applied: Apricots and honey open the clouds at first and the peach with plum and jasmine turns this into a sweet smile-worthy fragrance. As this dries this fades to stay like an alluring secret close to my skin. When I'm running around on the floor though, I get decadent wisps of this bright enamouring scent and love the positive effect it has on me. This was exactly what I was looking for as I think: only so much more time of cold blustery winter to endure (12 more days!) Luminae (description: "is designed to work in alchemy with feminine skin chemistry to create a luminescently sensual glow") What called to me: With a description like that I MUST TRY THIS. In the vial: VANILLA, lightly sugared AMBER and even a hint of BUTTER. It reminds me of Ghost Fire (*had to grab the other vial and compare: YES similar but Luminae is less sugar noted and the pat of butter I detect makes me think this is going to morph better than Ghost Fire with my chemistry. To be honest, in the vials I prefer Luminae right now) Applied: ...Oh my this is lovely, Alkemia has done it again. This opens with slightly sweet vanilla butter that is somehow not foody then as it dries the pale warm sweetness pulses and "flickers", I can't explain how nifty this scent is. It is such a fascinating feminine fragrance that would be ideal for the workplace but also going out. All I can think of right now is "candlelight butter" and getting a bottle when the vial runs out (hope this becomes a permanent item in Alkemia's catalogue). Blue Ridge Skyline (Listed Notes: Paperwhite Narcissus, Purple Hyacinth, Bluebells, Spring Daffodils, Tulips, Tea Roses, Lemon Blossom, Sweet Pepperbush, Fresh Greens, Hay, Earth, White Patchouli and Green Tea) What I was hoping for and what called to me: Certain florals hold a special place in my heart as they can be placed among cherished memories and I have the current opportunity to go on the hunt for a perfume that captures all my favourites in anticipation for spring. It may sound simple but finding exactly what I'm searching for is not easy as my chemistry seems to amp the back notes I barely detect in the vials or bottles. Here's to hoping Blue Ridge Skyline is an unexpected winner as it is only missing lilacs and English lavender to contain an ideal dream list of notes. In the vial: Aquatic GREENS and MINT TEA. Not exactly what I was thinking but it is definitely in the spring realm. Applied: This starts out so promising as I immediately get my wished-for hyacinth and sun-touched florals that has a unique twist coming from the light lemon draped green tea, which may be coming out a little more than I would want but I'm liking this right now. As this dries the green tea sans the lemon is overtaking the gorgeous hyacinth and the other spring florals turning this to an almost aldehyde combination (which is odd that this also has patchouli listed and I can't detect it at all) that is disappointing. I still have my hopes so keeping Blue Ridge Skyline on as it's changing again giving off a distinct tea rose fragrance but again what I begin to enjoy the green tea invades and ...sometimes I really despise my skin chemistry. I don't know if I would wear this often but perhaps the florals will come out more and strengthen as this ages. **please remember everyone's skin chemistry is different and what my chemistry does with one note may not happen on someone else. That's the unique beauty of perfume oils, they react with everyone differently- please don't hesitate to try a sample of something if it interests you). Dark Angels (Listed Notes: Musk Melon, Berries, Vanilla Heliotrope, Caramelized Black Fig, Black Opium, Black Vanilla and Leather *animal-friendly). What I was hoping for and what called to me: I noticed Dark Angels is marked to be discontinued and for some reason I was thinking this may be a darker winter version of Echoed Ecstasy (which I can't get enough of and will never be without, if you haven't tried that Gatsbyesque bubbly wonder yet please do!) Everything in Dark Angels is calling to me. *I know it is off topic but can I please divert everyone's attention to the marvellous aesthetic labelling that Alkemia places on their sample vials (and bottles) that heralds what you are about to experience. Dark Angels's is particularly appropriate to my tastes and if I can go by the style on the vial then this is a little gothic but ancient in its creation and scent design. Okay side note over let's carefully open this sample. In the vial: MELON, CARAMEL and VANILLA. It's a surprising gourmand selection that could be placed in between Summer and Fall. Applied: This begins with a bewitching ripe melon that is not like the effervescent quality found in Echoed Ecstasy but is more "earthy" (perhaps a drop of patchouli lurks in this or maybe that's the black notes?) As it dries that caramelized fig begins to show with the leather and this perfume is so appropriately named as this goes from pure and radiant to beautifully provocatively dark. The more I'm sitting here, the more Dark Angels is tempting me to purchase a full bottle but there are one or two things holding me back. The first is: testing this vial several times since receiving it I get a cucumber note that accompanies the melon (perhaps it's only my imagination I detect it but sorry a certain bath and body shop ruined that note for me forever and it has joined my disappointing (though thankfully short list) of death notes that I can't stand on or around me (I can't even be in the same room with the real thing when it is being sliced)). The second is I must be honest with myself and although this perfume is different it isn't what I was looking for and I need to just be happy with having the vial. Lunar New Year (Year of the Dog 2018) (Listed Notes: Fortune Cookies, Candied Ginger, Lotus Seeds, Mandarin Oranges, and Tea Leaves) *this was a surprise vial that I received along with my bottle of Queen of Hearts- thank you so much Alkemia for including vials of exciting temptation in our orders! In the vial: LEMONY FORTUNE COOKIE, ORANGE and GINGER. I don't know how they do this but it smells like a genuine CRISP fortune cookie fresh from the wrapper with grated ginger nearby. Applied: If you are familiar with Madame Pearl you will love Lunar New Year (Year of the Dog 2018), this limited edition perfume has the fortune cookie unwrapped and in front of the tea leaves that is illuminated by the mandarin oranges and the ginger adds a "bite" to this fragrance. As this dries the ginger and tea comes out more and turns Lunar New Year into an exotic gourmand scent to talk about. As a tiny drop goes a long way on me, I will be saving this vial and seriously thinking about getting a bottle. ~*~
*And now we have come to the part of this series of long reviews that many have been patiently waiting for. I apologize for the severe delay but I don't think you will be disappointed and I hope you will join me (possibly as early as next week) in obsessively refreshing your screens on Alkemia's main page until these love letters for the senses and imagination appear. I was going to hold back these two special reviews until I had the full bottles displayed proudly on my vanity and feature them for spring but that would be cruel. **I don't have the notes listed or am completely sure these are only parts of a whole perfume combination but I will share my honest thoughts on each and will carry these reviews over to the feature articles I have planned and of course update everything when the true notes are unveiled (I can't wait to see what artwork and names will be placed on these treasures). "Hyacinth" Thoughts: For those that dream of spring here is an exquisite smoky floral that makes you want to fling open the curtains, start gathering the Easter baskets and dusting off the large church hats. This is such a gorgeous fragrance that I can only describe as nostalgic spring at dusk with damp dew gathering on the petals of bloomed hyacinths in your garden and you can't help but close your eyes as you lie back to hear the mourning doves cooing in the distance. Ah, I love this! "Gorse" Thoughts: Here is a love letter to dream destinations and I will purchase this (and "Hyacinth") in any mixture it is placed. On me, I can only describe "Gorse" as a beautiful dirty butter with an enveloping earthy-coconut late spring essence that I don't want to take off and want to seriously bathe in. I also get a slight smokey note in this, maybe a wisp of aquatic that makes me think of fishing at the lakeside when I was a child and even a drop of vanilla but that may just be my imagination (I have been using this curious vial in rotation with another vial to fall asleep after long chaotic work nights and I don't know what is truly in this and why this helps me relax but I fall right to sleep thinking of romantic forest, glen and vale scenes from cinematic favourites.) Just absolutely phenomenal! Brava Alkemia and a huge thanks for allowing me to sample these atmospheric masterworks. 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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