Sixteen92
sixteen92.com/ Full Bottles: Borley Rectory The Primrose Path Vials: Nereids The Grass Harp Paper Moon One scent at a time: Borley Rectory *from the Resurrection 2018 sale (Listed Notes: Italian bergamot, cocao pod, smoked black tea, decayed woods, faded parchment, shadowy musk) What I was hoping for and what called to me: Let me go down memory lane for a minute. Years ago I used to frequent a coffee and pastry shop that had an eclectic theme of baroque, classical music, funky designed furniture and I couldn't wait to take my limited lunch break and lose myself in that combined theme that ran with gold angels perched in corners to big comfy chairs that welcomed you and charmed all. It was a hidden jewel and the place to be. Needless to say, I never wanted to leave but I reluctantly made myself go back somehow to the toxic soul-draining establishment up the street that held my paycheck (it's sad the only thing I miss from that terrible job was the coffee house down the street). It was only when there was one specialty treat (available only at the cusp of spring that was presented on a silver salver) in the form of a small dark chocolate molded rabbit with granules of earl grey tea sprinkled on top (one of the owners was a talented European pastry chef) that I risked being late and a dramatic write up (it was well worth it though). It was heaven and I still remember the delectable taste and that incredible scent of tempered Belgian dark chocolate and refined tea. I have yet to find a dessert so wonderful since but hopefully, I can stumble across that magical arrangement of notes again. Borley Rectory is calling to me with not only that possibility but is also inspired by haunted history (fingers crossed for a moody morphing scent for those days I just want to enjoy my own company but with a twist of gourmand), so this will be my first Resurrection choice from a unique house of fragrance that I absolutely can't get enough of. First Impression: Oh I can see cocoa collected on the sides and at the bottom of the bottle, visually this is surprisingly delightful as the cocoa settles in spots and adds a nice dingy touch (intentional or not) that creatively plays into the whole haunted and ghost theme and I will love displaying this bottle. In the bottle: HONEY, CHOCOLATE and MUSK. It reminds me of Blood & Honey but with chocolate and heavy musk. I'm not getting any hint of tea at the moment but I'm still liking this perfume but at the same time also concerned this may not be what I was initially looking for. Applied: Borley Rectory is a first for me, never have I yelled at my wrist "be creepy, not happy!" (thankfully no one was around to question my sanity and a warning to those who are thinking they are only exploring the world of perfume oils- you will do and say some crazy sounding things as you slide more down the hole- it can be quite the ride though so hold on and learn to laugh). I was hoping for underlying sinister but right now all I keep receiving is an aged house with spilt honey on the floor that may or not be haunted on a sunny day with an empty teacup displayed on the table. It's too happy and bright smelling if that makes sense. Oddly I still like it in other ways (it somehow goes into the spring realm of my collection but still fades quickly away from my skin for some reason) and as this ages, the shadowy musk is becoming slightly more apparent on application along with a toothsome sweetness and even though I was hoping for a bottle of memory lane with chocolate and earl grey, I will keep this and continue looking for that elusive combination in other bottles and vials. The Primrose Path *from the Resurrection 2018 sale (Listed Notes: Soaked earth, lichen, ancient oak roots, grass, water lily, heavy stone, a tangled garland of faded spring blooms) What I was hoping for and what called to me: Shakespeare my longtime love let me mix Browning to count and find different ways to announce to the world I read far too much, need to get out more and will never fit into this era. A bottle inspired by a tragic character from my favourite play you say Sixteen92? Please send it my way. I could never resist a perfume dedicated to Ophelia and the more I'm reading what other beyond satisfied perfume enthusiasts think about this work of scent art, I must have a bottle. In the vial: WET STONE, IVY, EARTH and faint florals (gardenia?) Applied: The more The Primrose Path is aging the more I'm falling under its ethereal spell. When the bottle first arrived there was something unexpectedly sweet coming through that made me sad but now it's more of a murky brook with a drifting garland of floral (no rosemary sadly, nor columbine, fennel, pansies, violets or rue but perhaps the stems of daisies are present?) during a spring shower. This is a haunting fragrance that is incredibly atmospheric and I can only think of the famous painting by Sir John Everett Millais ("Ophelia" that featured the stunner Elizabeth Siddal as the gorgeous model) while wearing this scent. I do wish there was a touch more earth present (and that odd sweetness would completely blend away as it seems to resurface the more this perfume dries) but overall this bottle was well worth the wait and deserves to be loved and praised. Nereids *from the General Catalogue (Listed Notes: Surf & shoreline, driftwood, dried coconut shell, pistachio, sweet sea grasses, salt) *this was a bonus sample that appeared in my Spring Collection 2018 order (thank you so much Claire) In the vial: SALT, VANILLA, COCONUT and PISTACHIO. I have to admit, I would have never tried this alone and am extremely impressed by this vial and thankful for the opportunity to have this sample. Applied: That's it, I'm signing up for The Circle this year. Nereids is a perfect scent melded example of the exceptional talent from this house of fragrance and I need to stop being afraid to explore unfamiliar notes. This is such an approachable fragrance that would fit in with the workplace. Reading this perfume is inspired by Greek Mythology: "the fifty sea nymphs - goddesses of the sea, sand, rocks, waves and currents, and protectors of sailors and fishermen" and Sixteen92 captured and harnessed that concept and inspiration so brilliantly here. On me, Nereids turns to salt and coconut and vanilla ice cream. It's a peaceful scent that I think would garner a smile and a compliment or five. As it dries the salt actually amps and the wood comes more forward, so it is like you are sitting on a piece of driftwood as the water laps around you while enjoying the last of vanilla ice cream. I will be keeping this for summer and telling a friend who loves coconut and vanilla scents she needs to get a bottle and of course will be signing up for The Circle (the mysteries and inspirations of what may be waiting in those parcels are just too tempting to pass up). The Grass Harp *This fragrance has been discontinued and will only be available during the Resurrection sale (Listed Notes: Orange blossom, clover, hyacinth, ruby red grapefruit, sweet basil) What I was hoping for and what called to me: I saw an announcement that certain perfumes were soon to be removed from the General Catalogue and The Grass Harp has been on my list to sample for a few months now. With spring somewhere out there, the notes of hyacinth, orange blossom and sweet basil all sound so inviting and I must try this. In the vial: Freshly mowed CLOVER and a hint of GRAPEFRUIT waiting underneath. Another unexpected atmospheric that takes me right back this time to attempting cartwheels in the freshly mowed grass and looking for ladybugs in the dandelions. It's a very serene innocent fragrance. Applied: *The clover is incredibly realistic, so out of respect for my one colleague who is severely allergic to grass, I wore this when he wasn't in the building but that decision also worked out perfectly as that night fell on St. Patrick's Day and this scent was ideal for the occasion. On me, The Grass Harp opens with the clover but the basil also makes an appearance to add a slightly not quite minty or peppery mixing but it only deepens the clover making this even green smelling. You can't help but smile when wearing this perfume (I mean if you aren't sensitive to grass scents). All I can think as this dries is childish laughter as dozy bumblebees slowly buzz around and the summer sky is blue as can be overhead... Unfortunately, as time goes on though, the merriment stops because a soapy note comes forward the more The Grass Harp dries and it amps on my skin making me think of a specific dog shampoo. Let me be clear: it's NOT an unpleasant fragrance by any means and is undeniably a summer collaboration but I was really hoping for a continuation of nature with the hyacinth atleast making a cameo appearance or the orange blossom emerging eventually. Oh well, I think I would like The Grass Harp in an oil warmer or perhaps it will surprise me by summer. I will revisit this vial then but I must remember not to wear this around seasonal allergy sufferers. (**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). Paper Moon *from the General Catalogue (Listed Notes: Soft vanilla musk, benzoin, oakmoss, trailing ivy, peach blossom, rose ) What I was hoping for and what called to me: Paper Moon was another attempt to make myself believe spring was coming (or was here somewhere waiting atleast). The peach, vanilla and rose notes also called to me and I love Paper Moon was inspired by the 1920's so hopefully, this is another extravagant celebratory perfume for my collection. In the vial: PEACH, VANILLA and ROSE. Very feminine but also youthful. Perhaps a little more commercial but I can see why others recommend it as their choice picks. There is also something vintage about Paper Moon that keeps me smelling the vial so I am anxious to try this and hopefully we have another morphing wonder. Applied: Oh dear there is that odd note that keeps sticking out of The Primrose Path is it the trailing ivy that keeps attaching to my chemistry? (comparing the notes) Perhaps it is a hidden gardenia note? Ack, there's that sweetness amping again but I'm still optimistic and will keep wearing Paper Moon. In a few minutes time, this perfume thankfully settles and even warms up releasing a distinct peach and rose scent that is actually pretty. As I go about my day the sweetness returns bringing almost sickly sugariness in its wake which I was hoping would be eventually tempered by anything listed. I'm really not sure I like this vial, the roses and vanilla peek through but retreat as soon as I begin enjoying the experience leaving me sad. I think Paper Moon captures the bright young things of the 1920's with youthful frivolity and even flirtation but I'm an even older soul it seems who desires more and will have to sit this one out. (**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). sixteen92.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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