Alkemia Perfumes alkemia.etsy.com/ Full Bottles: Citrus Alchemy 2018 Halloween Alchemy 2018 Samples: The Lover Tells of the Rose Tranquil Idyll Sorcière Rouge Roll in the Hay Feuillemort Buosni The Center of the Universe Ambre D'Automne Vespertilia Blue Moon Eclipse Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure Dustsceawung Season of the Witch All Hallows Eve October 2018 Blood Moon Eclipse 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 or are on sale now. One scent at a time: Citrus Alchemy 2018 (Listed Notes and Description: a sunny blend of lemon and linden blossom, fresh ginger aldehydes, blood orange, grapefruit, chamomile, neroli, freesia, and an uplifting splash of bergamot) *a surprise bottle with one order, thank you so much Alkemia! In the bottle: An overall delightful mosaic of citruses but the intoxicating LEMON and GINGER bubbles are what catch my full attention. It's so lovely and summery. Applied: Oh wow, this is stunning and I get the lemony aldehydes which are refreshing and add to the description: "sunshine in a bottle". There is also a buried note of lemon verbena present that adds a subtle hint of herbal spice to everything (sadly it fades so fast as soon as it is noticed) and I want to go put on a summer dress and walk around with a sun parasol (yes even in the dreary months of December-March). It has aged extraordinarily well (it was a tad soapy when it first arrived- I think I was amping the linden blossom and freesia the most under the citrus) but now it is one of the brightest noted creations in my collection. When it dries down there is more of a sweetness that comes through (not exactly candy but noticeable). I will be reaching for Citrus Alchemy at times throughout winter to remember sunshine and then in spring to remind myself of bubbly warmth. Halloween Alchemy 2018 (Listed Notes and Description: a gourmand blend of autumn spices, Halloween treats, vanilla incense, and a little woodsmoke) *A seasonal treat I found in one order, thank you Alkemia you are the best! In the bottle: A collage of Halloween and autumnal treats. The MAPLE rises to be noticed first then SPICED MARSHMALLOW and WOODSMOKE. Gah, you know how to spoil us Alkemia! Applied: Mmm...give me a minute. This is delicious smelling and I want to pour this oil over my head right now. I don't know where spiced maple pastries were hiding in the bottle but my skin presents them to enjoy and I also get something savoury (it almost smells like pumpkin bread) with the woodsmoke. The spiced vanilla and sticky kiss of marshmallow are the drizzled icing to the whole confection and as it dries down Halloween Alchemy smells similar to Pumpkin Strumpet which is one of my all-time favourite perfumes from any house of fragrance. This could very well be a long lost smokey sweet sister scent and I can't wait to see how this beauty ages. The Lover Tells Of The Rose (Listed Notes: wild roses, a touch of lemon verbena, white pearl tea leaves, delicate white patchouli, and a springtime rebirth of new greens and wet mosses) In the vial: Dew kissed ROSES nestled in a bed of MOSS and LEMON VERBENA. It's another stunning spring to summer blend. Applied: Anyone that knows me is familiar with my love affair with lemon verbena and it remains one of the elusive primary note I have been searching for in an indie fragrance, sadly The Lover Tells Of The Rose is understandably more roses than verbena but it is still pretty and one floral perfume to recommend. On me, the roses are fresh and clean and the moss accord is extremely realistic. I clearly get spring greens and as this oil dries the white tea and patchouli appear more with the roses. It almost smells green and papery floral as the hours pass. I wish the verbena would stay but still, I really like this scent potion and will wear it in spring. Tranquil Idyll (Listed Notes: Asian pear blossom, lychee fruits, flowering freesia, evening moonflower, Beach Naupaka, and sensuous white amber with a gently sedative dusting of nutmeg) *Listed to discontinued soon, be sure to try this perfume if it interests you before it disappears. In the vial: SALTY but breezy FREESIA, LYCHEE and AMBER. It is definitely in the beachy floral realm. Applied: The more this perfume ages the more I'm liking it. My skin pulls the nutmeg forward and the powderiness of the moonflower with amber and pear really makes me smile. This is a very expensive smelling combination. It does somewhat remind me of Carmen-7 but more summer ocean versus sweet expensive indulgences. I don't have many beachy scents so this one is unique and will stay in my summer/warm weather cache or when I want to impress trend-following relatives. Sorcière Rouge (Listed Notes: Tibetan agar-wood, and Dragon's Blood infused with Rock Rose and dark amber) In the vial: Sweet DRAGON'S BLOOD and ROSE. I have been wanting this vial for a long time. Applied: Oh a little patient aging has done this fragrance wonders and I see why it is highly recommended by so many. On me, the dragon's blood is most dominant and to those who never smelled that note before, it almost reminds me of bubbles from a wand and a hint of balsamic sweetness (once you smell it in one vial or bottle you can pick that note out of any creation, it's very distinct). There is also something dusty and salty in this oil that adds to the arcane quality of this perfume. The rose is warmed by the amber and I will be donning red or black velvet when I wear Sorcière Rouge out. It definitely deserves the recommendations and positive reactions. Roll in the Hay (Listed Notes: dried hay, fresh green grass, early summer wildflower honey, vanilla grass, vanilla leaf, and wild poppy) In the vial: HAY and VANILLA. Here is another vial I'm been anticipating for a long time. Applied: Once again the power of ageing continues to astound me because this perfume is finally staying on my skin and I'm in love with the dried hay with the romantic warm vanilla. I'm not getting any distinct honey or wildflowers but I still love this combination and what my chemistry is amplifying. There is a mint-like note that I recognize from Peaches in the Summer Wind and I'll be placing Roll in the Hay next to in the late summer to early fall collection. Another keeper. Early Fall 2018: Can I just say the Early Fall 2018 release from Alkemia Perfumes was one of my favourite packs I have received this year from any seasonal collection. Every one of these vials contain a classy and extremely wearable representation of Autumn (work setting safe). If you love well-blended ambers, aquatics that smell cool and refreshing, elegantly presented spice, a nostalgic but also adult gourmand that pulls your nose down to stay at your skin and have been looking for an intriguing science themed scent phenomenon- grab this collection now and let Alkemia welcome you to Autumn in true style. Feuillemort (Listed Notes: Dying leaves, smoked autumnal spices, dried grasses and fungi, Tibetan incense, cedarwood, rum soaked agarwood, and borneol) In the vial: The release of autumn in all its splendour with DRIED LEAVES, SWEET SPICES and WOODS. I'm in love already. Applied: This is it, this is the professional autumnal fragrance I have been looking for when I'm not draped in Necromancy from Sixteen92. I feel like an Autumnal Queen when I wear this oil and I love walking onto the floor robed in this special perfume. There is a realistic apple cider note entwined with dark amber that is getting stronger as my vial ages and the dying leaves with cedar grounds all the accords only pulling me deeper into the best time of the year. Feuillemort is so aptly named and I need to order a bottle as soon as my vial is empty. This is how you step out and greet a season with true style! Buosni (Listed Notes: Shortbread cookies, orange blossom infused icing, warm caramel, red apples, sugar pumpkins, candied ginger marzipan and cardamon-nutmeg spiced patchouli) In the vial: CARDAMON, APPLE, CARAMEL and an undercurrent of ORANGE ICING. It's such a delectable blend. Applied: Here is another tempting creation that smells so realistic and straight from a bakery counter. On me, the caramel and icing amps the most and I can pick out the ginger and nutmeg. The apple disappears on me immediately but the orange blossom stays and pairs well with the marzipan and cookie accord that begins to appear at 10 minutes. The spiced patchouli comes forward to stay in about 45 minutes and this perfume lasts around 8 to 10 hours on me. There is also an impressive throw with this oil but I'm not sure I would want a full bottle (I still like it and will be saving the vial for next year). The Center Of The Universe (Listed Notes: Raspberries, Rum, Hot Metal, Ozone, Gun Powder, and Charcoal) In the vial: Savoory RASPBERRIES, METAL and OZONE. Applied: Alkemia promised an "out there" fragrance and they delivered as this perfume is full of the unexpected. On me, my chemistry seems to have found a worthy challenge of wonky with this scent interpretation of space as it turns The Center of the Universe from muted tart raspberries with metal and charcoal to a savoury fruit and a curious coldness that seals the notes. The rum also makes an appearance with the gun powder but it never turns masculine nor overly feminine. As my vial is aging the charcoal seems to attach more to the savoury fruit amping the most and this perfume lasts well into the next day. This is such a unique berry fragrance. I know others were concerned this oil may have been a little too avant-garde but there isn't a tremendous throw with The Center of the Universe and it is more like your own private morphing scent show to the heavens above. I will be getting a full bottle once my vial runs out. Ambre D'Automne (Listed Notes: Woodsmoked amber infused for thirteen lunar cycles with tobacco leaf, cinnamon vine, green bayberries, chaga, birch tar, maple sap) In the vial: CINNAMON, MAPLE and TOBACCO, here is another I think I'm already falling for. Applied: Oh my, Alkemia is just taking my senses away with their fall fragrances this year. Ambre D'Autumne is amazing as I smell like smoked mint-honey (the bayberry is there in the backdrop as well as the spicy cinnamon and a smear of tar overall adding the woodsy aspect of this creation). It's rich but very work appropriate and I never knew I loved ambers until I opened a vial from Alkemia. I'm going to say it, they are the best house of fragrance for ambers. They know what they are doing and showcase that art and knowledge beautifully in perfumes such as Amber D'Automne. Another clear winner in my book and I need a bottle. Vespertilia (Listed Notes: Tart quince, Asian pear, and wild apple infused with black and jasmine teas in an autumnal unfolding of marigolds, Golden Ray lilies, palo santo, oakmoss, bamboo, and golden amberwood) In the vial: APPLE, JASMINE, LILLY and PEAR. It is so expensive smelling, fingers crossed my chemistry plays nice. Applied: I love the fragrance in the vial but sadly my chemistry attaches to the jasmine and I smell like expensive high-end hair conditioner. I'm hoping a long rest will subdue the jasmine (I've had tremendous luck with other vials that star a jasmine note so I believe this vial needs some extra patience, there is still something so magnetic and classic about this perfume) and more fruit will appear next year. I will revisit this oil another day. If you love jasmine Vespertilia needs to be on your vanity. Blue Moon Eclipse (Listed Notes/Description: the coolness of ferns and delicate irises beside tumbling woodland streams scattered with mossy rocks, water lilies, flowering rushes, black willow, ginger musk, and a whispering breeze of lemon verbena infused aldehydes gathered into a tarnished antique silver pitcher filled with early autumn chrysanthemums) *A limited edition fragrance In the vial: One of the best aquatic scents I have yet to come across. It's tart, dark green and strangely beautiful. Not one note stands out, this is an oil that tells a comprehensive story you can't wait to lean in to hear. Applied: Blue Moon Eclipse starts out a watery bubbly verbena over silver that shifts to white florals and dries down to unfortunate soap or hair product. How I wish my chemistry would make the first 20 minutes experience stay as I adore that green herbaceous with silver metal scent combination. I still love to wear this perfume to work and I have high hopes it will age or deepen in the coming months. You have no idea how much I want a full bottle. Perhaps this is one oil I could use in a scent locket or wear solely in my hair. Interesting ideas, I must experiment another day. Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure (Listed Notes: Rare Japanese boudoir incenses, luxurious caramel pralines, vanilla orchids, bergamot, orris root, candied lemon peel, and a splash of champagne) In the vial: BERGAMOT, ORRIS, LEMON and a silky creamy CARAMEL that I know is going to love my skin. This is a very aptly named fragrance. Applied: Oh! Now, this is a combination I could wear out with a secret little smirk. It's sultry and but sweetly refined and it reminds me of Ghost Fire and Luminae. Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure is a gorgeous balance between those two familiar fragrances with a trace of bergamot and captivating boudoir odds and bits. On me, as expected the delicious dreamy caramel amps (this is one oil with an impressive throw and a tiny dab goes a long way) and melds so wonderfully with the delicate citrus tinted powder. As it dries, the scent warms becoming a seductive caramel amber and this perfume lasts well into the next day for me. Another keeper and on the list for when the vial runs out. I can see Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure being a fan classic ranking right up there with Luminae and Ghost Fire once the word gets out. It's one of those scents that will be oh so good to you. Dustsceawung (Listed Notes/Description: The scent of forbidden explorations and an olfactory meditation on dust... attic air, the inside of old trunks, abandoned haylofts, library stacks, and abandoned buildings) In the vial: PEANUT DUST and WOOD, it's salty and sweet. I believe I had the same reaction to Stag Moon. Let's hope my chemistry turns this into a seductive little number to hoard for another day. Applied: I really must learn to not go solely by what the vial wand holds because my skin has unleashed one flipping impressive atmospheric that immediately makes me think of walking into an old abandoned dusty crawl space, you know something is there in the dark just beyond the flickering light you carry and it's the only thing giving you hope and reassurance you are safe. The wood note smells like an cobwebbed covered wooden shelf that holds jars filled with the macabre and strange (blame the time of the year or my love of horror movies but think the scene in Silence of the Lambs when Agent Starling is exploring the shelves of secrets in the abandoned warehouse). Dustsceawung is a pretty awesome fragrance especially if you love mystery, dusty wood, a trace of resin sweetness and desire a real feast for the fiendish imagination. My dark little heart is very pleased right now. Season Of The Witch (Listed Notes: Black pine pitch, dark myrrh, aged black amber, and ritual Samhain incense blended with Black Cavendish and Perique tobaccos, protective tsuga, divinatory bay leaves, and intuition enhancing black cardamon) In the vial: SWEET PINE, MYRRH and CARDAMON. What an exquisite marriage of dark accords. Applied: I must admit I was expecting a black spicy resinous midnight collaboration with the listed notes but on me the myrrh amps and creates an unexpected sweetness with the black pine pitch and I can detect the bay, a tobacco that is mild but deep and smokey and there is also the incense that is smouldering in the background perhaps adding to the mild smokiness of the tobacco. Must also jot down, this is another powerful scent potion where a tiny dab goes far. Oddly, Season Of The Witch reminds me of a long lost darker ((but strangely sweeter) sister scent of Falling Stars At Winter Solstice (or Falling Stars On Winter Solstice depending on the year you purchased it in)). I'm interested to see how this complex blending will age further and if other notes will appear in the coming months (I would love to use this oil on my gloomy themed scarves). *Intermission: For the next vial, I wanted to do a comparison between 2018's version of one of my favourite fragrance recipes to reach for and 2017's. All Hallows Eve October 2018 (Listed Notes: Warm Toasted Marshmallows, Drifting Woodsmoke, Black Licorice, Star Anise, Cardamon Pods, Sugared Amber, Tonka Beans, and Patchouli Infused Bourbon Vanilla) AND All Hallows Eve 2017 (Listed Notes: Bourbon Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Cardamon Pods, Star Anise, Candied Fennel Seeds, Roasted Marshmallows, and Smoked Amber) I know this review is late but here were my thoughts: Okay it is officially the season of phantasmagorical images, dark luring promises, wisps of mystery and surprises from all corners that make me want more because I have my All Hallows Eve release from Alkemia and wow what a night and day difference between last year's recipe to this year's. 2018's version is proving to be more of a morphing smokey sweet enigma and I know it's not listed but I swear I can smell orange (it opens very similar to Trick or Treat with the mandarin orange peel and licorice) and the sugared amber is really taking to my chemistry amping the most with the toasted marshmallow and dash of anise. 2018's mixture is definitely more sweet and grounded with pretty vanilla. My bottle from 2017's release has been aging a complete year but I compared my notes from shortly after it arrived last October to today and there isn't much a noticeable difference, it's still a suggestively wicked medley (that star anise and woodsmoke are my ultimate weaknesses). On me, there is an unabashed flexing display of crushed cardamon in 2017's recipe that is missing in the 2018 version, a sticky touch of smoked melted marshmallow and a teasing kiss of spice to keep me coming back. It's more gourmand to my nose (darker and sorry my favorite of the two but I still plan to eventually hunt down a bottle of 2018's as it's akin to a bright orange and dusk purple streaked sky versus the mischievous winds on a moonlit night where anything can happen; they are that different and both deserve praise). I guess when it comes down to deciding which is the right bottle and recipe of All Hallows Eve for someone, they must answer that fun question of are you a good witch or a bad witch tonight? Blood Moon Eclipse (Listed Notes: Blood Tarnished Silver and Strange Dry Musks) *Limited Edition, no longer available in the catalogue In the vial: I don't even know how to explain this fragrance, it's positively eerie and dark. I love it. Applied: Holy Cats this is unlike any perfume in my collection and the more it ages the more I'm loving it. Alkemia completely caught me off guard with this mysterious vial and on me, the musks dominant and I can detect a clear metal accord. This is one fascinating fragrance that lasts for hours and seriously unnerves those around me (hehe). Blood Moon Eclipse is not for everyday wear but calls for some spooky celebration or event. I regret not wearing this oil more this year (when it first arrived my chemistry turned this perfume into a mad coconut science experiment but aging as always triumphs in the end). I will be carefully tucking this vial away and saving it for next October or a horror reading or movie marathon. Alkemia Perfumes 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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