*article updated December 28th 2017, to add one perfume sample that finished aging and everyone needs to know about! Alkemia Perfumes alkemia.etsy.com Vials & a Bottle: Hygge Yule Alchemy 2017 Winter Torchsong Gifts of the Magi A Darkness Shining in Brightness Vixen Combined Thoughts: Times have certainly changed but some things still seem to stay the same when it comes to me because instead of tiptoeing downstairs at home in the magical early hours of December 25th as an excited child just waiting for the moment when expectation and temptation would be released in a shower of different surprises, I was sneaking away from my desk at work as an adult on December 1st to catch the first glimpse of Alkemia's Yuletide Collection with wonder and ultimately fighting my spotty phone connection to order the perfumes that called out to me and dashing to my frozen over mailbox for my parcel of goodies a few days later. In the end, I must say I wasn't disappointed as these scents capture in various ways past, present and future hopes and seasonal warmth (thank you Auntie Alkemia!). One scent at a time: Hygge (Listed Notes: Oven-warm Gingerbread, Cardamon Rolls, Iced Sugar Cookies, Spiced Vanilla) What I'm hoping for: Joining the perfume oil party late it seems my list of "missed out on" fragrances continue to grow and Yuletide Temptress is one I have been trying to track down ever since I read about it shortly after joining ETSY and finding Alkemia. So I'm hoping Hygge is something like that and is a revival of another vanilla gourmand fragrance that had divinity candy listed that I thought too long on and went back later for and it was all claimed. Hopefully, this new release is a fine substitute for those elusive perfumes plus how can I resist anything with gingerbread and sugar cookies listed? Keeping in mind my luck and how much I love and treasure All Hallow's Eve 2017 (*I wish I got back in time to purchase the rollerball version) and Book of Shadows, Hygge will be another "no sample first" purchase. In the bottle: Alkemia you have delivered once again all you promise as this is like holding a bowl of freshly mixed gingerbread cookie dough. It's divine and exactly what I was hoping to find under the shiny gold cap. Applied: Sometimes I really hate my skin chemistry as this starts out like heavenly baked goodness that I can't stop smelling on my wrists and makes me want to snuggle up with a long book but after a short time it disappears completely and there is an unexpected beeswax note remaining that reminds me of my experience with Honeycakes for Harvest Moon. To be honest, Hygge reminds me of a spicier version of Honeycakes for Harvest Moon and also like that seasonal treat I think I will have to use this perfume solely in my hair or on my scarves which works out perfect for this time of year but I still wish this would have worked for my skin. In my hair: Much deeper and longer lasting, there is also a hint of smokey warmth hidden that comes out and in my hair my chemistry seems to apologize for earlier and morphs this with a slightly buttery honey spice. I love this! If you have already fallen for Honeycakes for Harvest Moon grab a bottle of Hygge for your vanity. Words that come to mind: Winter spiced comfort, bakery strands, fading memories Yule Alchemy 2017 (Listed Notes: Rich Butterscotch Toffee, slightly burnt Sugar Cookies, and Fresh Honeycake) *this is an exclusive thank you gift from Alkemia (you're the best Alkemia!) if you spend over $45 on one order, while supplies last if there ever was a time to get some gifts for others (or yourself) it is now. In the bottle: Delectable BUTTERSCOTCH with HONEY it doesn't even smell like "perfume" it smells like something you could drink or bake with (please don't try that). This reminds me of Bonfire Toffees and Woodsmoked Oud but is sweeter without the smoke note (that can be remedied with a little Smoke & Mirrors depending on my mood) or sharpness (which may work great for me as the Bonfire Toffees and Woodsmoked Oud sadly didn't play well with my chemistry when solely applied and had to be tampered with another fall classic). In my hair: *I'm finding more and more this time of year I love to wear sweet fragrances in my hair and I'm familiar what "honey" does on my skin so I carefully dampened my curls and ran some Yule Alchemy through before going out the door for the night. A halo of butterscotch follows me and the warm vanilla comes out with the creamy toffee, this is a wonderful winter treat and would blend delightfully well with so many different gourmand scents or quiet florals combinations I have waiting to experiment with. Words that come to mind: buttery delight, sweet halo, fall to winter dulcet delight, so many possibilities Winter Torchsong (Listed Notes: Rose de Noel, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Cinnamon Aldehyde, Plum Wine, Honeycomb, Balsam Pine, Amber) What I'm hoping: Once again I waited too long and missed out on a fragrance that has intrigued me that being this time Yule Rose (sometimes too much research can go against me, I should have just jumped at the bottle and ignored the poor amount reviews I found) hopefully Winter Torchsong along with its gorgeous name is a remake of what "could have been" with Yule Rose for me, as I love delicate rose fragrances with amber and pine is a must in my book for this time of year. In the vial: ROSE and CINNAMON SOAP, I wasn't expecting that but that was my fault as I missed the "aldehyde" note listed. I know others love "clean or soap notes" but my chemistry usually amps those to almost headache inducing levels but still I'm willing to try this as this reminds me of Amour Conjure which makes me feel a vintage femme fatale whenever I wear it. Winter Torchsong seems (and is hopefully) a slightly aquatic reverse just missing the earthy patchouli and polish of copper. Applied: This is pretty and smells upscale but on me, the soap note overwhelms all the underlying florals and this starts very strong (even with a tiny dab). The beautiful soft rose with pine and a little tartness from I'm guessing the Plum Wine makes this tolerable and I'm glad I kept this on as after a few hours the aldehydes loosened their talons on me (happy to jot down surprisingly not one headache to report though) and gave way to rose, amber and a touch of evergreen that is just timeless and welcoming. If I could have those last few hours experience from the first application this would be a certain full bottle purchase but as the aldehydes takes over for far too long, I think this will be a "test now and maybe once more" before seeing if someone I know who loves "clean florals" would like this. This perfume just may not be for me but it has convinced me I need to hunt down a bottle of Yule Rose as I have a strong feeling that it is the magical floral winter collaboration I have been searching for. (**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). Gifts of the Magi (Listed Notes: Aged Golden Amber, Ethiopian Frankincense, Kenyan Opopanax cured with aromatic herbs - Salam Bay Leaves, Pink Peppercorns, Spicebush, Thyme, Coriander, Tonka Beans, and Deerstongue Fern. Assam Oud, Andalusian Labdanum, Cedar of Lebanon infused with Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla; Dokha Tobacco infused with rare Criollo Cacao Beans, and Tolu Balsam.) What I'm hoping for: Just looking at the extensive note list, this is one perfume I need to try as this sounds like something I would love with the amber, frankincense and herbs with vanilla and pine. In the vial: Like opening an ancient wooden box, it's not one note but a dazzling collage of precious resins and curious herbs. Absolutely magnificent. Applied: On this vial I have attached a clear message to "use sparingly" as this was a costly sample but I don't think Gifts of the Magi is going to last long and I may end up spending the most I ever have for a full bottle of perfume. Again it's not one note but a patchwork that makes this oil a classic and a must-have as it brings together reminders of the reason for the season and future promises for the new year. The longer Gifts of the Magi sits and dries the ancient box opens further to reveal so much that is exotic but somehow familiar. Perhaps this is not your typical everyday perfume but something to bring out for those special occasions or to fall asleep with. If I had to find one negative it is again with my chemistry that unexpectedly amps the tobacco and turns this slightly masculine which keeps me from taking this mysterious perfume out for the night (I love it but others I work with I don't think would appreciate it). I will try to be good (as I have spent so much this year alone on oils) and make this sample last until next year and then maybe buy a full bottle to keep at home. Words that come to mind: exotic box of resins, gifts from afar, winter dreams A Darkness Shining in Brightness (Listed Notes: Golden Amber, Dark Aged Labdanum, Spiced Black Tea) What I'm hoping for and what called to me: For some unknown reason I've been skipping overly caffeinated drinks and instead partaking in a small cup of hot tea at night to keep myself awake and in the early hours of one recent past-midnight shift I thought- I want to smell like refined tea. Just like that I was on the hunt for another curious idea of what I wanted to smell on myself. Luckily Alkemia just released a tea fragrance (with an another catchy name inspired by a famous book) for their Yuletide Collection and the amber with labdanum sounded like something that would fit my wishes. In the vial: TEA, AMBER and RESIN. Alkemia never disappoints with what they promise on their listed notes, they mean what they say and never try to hide a single note. That's what I have come to love about this house of fragrance and of course the way the fragrances tell their own stories to the wearer and I have a feeling this perfume has quite the story to share. Applied: Absolutely this one has a story waiting for me. A Darkness Shining in Brightness opens with a promised spiced tea note that has a minor creaminess behind it and blame it on the literature I'm reading at the moment but I can't help but imagine a genteel lady of leisure in the Edwardian era who is tipping her cup slowly and glancing across the rim to her handsome visitor who sits a respectful and proper distance away. Everything in this scene is proper and a pleasant afternoon of cultivated conversation follows but then the creaminess detected turns sensuous and powdery as this perfume dries and the wintery-evening shadows lengthen and those exchanged glances turn hot and urgent with that the same upright lady excuses herself and her gentleman caller follows her away from the parlor to a partially open door and woah this perfume is naughty. It goes from tea gown to boudoir trimmed lacy fittings and the first night I was just innocently testing this I caught myself all of sudden the night before Christmas Eve driving into work thinking: this is not a Christmas perfume! No it certainly is not and I believe I am falling in love with this scent all the more because of that. On me I could swear there is a hint of lemon but then star anise making up the "spice" in this and when the completely unexpected powder (with a drop of vanilla) hits (ah that powder note from Alkemia I can't get enough of) I am bewitched in the best way and I do believe this will be a full bottle purchase once I use every last drop from the vial. Just like the quote this perfume is named from: there is something obscure about it that is hard to forget. Words that come to mind: Not another word, king's mistress, refined seduction, tea gown to lacy underthings Vixen (Listed Notes: White Amber, luminous late summer night blooming florals, autumnal spice, Golden Musk, Apple Peel, Sugar Pumpkin, Jasmine Tea, Moss) What I'm hoping for: I don't know how but this fragrance keeps falling off my lists of "I need to try this" when I can choose a generous free sample. Not this time, the autumn spice, amber and sugar pumpkin are coming home to me. The name and use of pumpkin are very clever. Plus how could I resist a perfume based on a legend about forest shapeshifting fox spirits? In the vial: This was well worth the wait as this is graceful with APPLE, AMBER and hints of FLORAL, SPICE along with PUMPKIN hovering just out of reach. Ultimately unique and something I can't wait to try on. Applied: Just like the shapeshifting legends of old this perfume is based on, Vixen morphs to reveal unexpected powder with apple, spice and sweet pumpkin. Absolutely inspiring, Alkemia you've done it again! It's perfectly ethereal but elusive and like an old ballad or scent from a love story. That powder note is my passage to another time and this is sure to be a full bottle purchase soon (perhaps in spring so it can age properly for its late summer to fall debut). Words that come to mind: Masquerade Soirée, haunting scent ballad, late summer into fall, powdery vision 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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