Hetaira

In the Bottle – strong sage and raggedy moss Wet on Skin – sage with some very bold musk that nearly overwhelms my nose, moss and heather around the edges give it a hint of green growing things. First Impressions – Robin comes on strong and virile, this would be an excellent blend for a man - a deep, brooding deciduous scent. It is pure uncontested masculinity, masterful and unwavering, that makes me feel very protected. Mid-Dry – the musk is no longer roaring for conquest, and the sage, moss and heather release their scent in the gathering dusk. Drydown – Musky, dark, deep, wonderful. The Fella Says – that he would wear it! The Verdict – I had almost forgotten what a real man smells like! Robin Goodfellow is archetypally masculine to my nose, and though it doesn't really smell like Polo, it reminds me of that very cologne my father used to wear. This scent, like the memory of watching my Dad shave and put on his cologne before going to work in the morning, evokes the very best qualities of Man - protective stewardship, confidence, vigor, noble instinct, integrity, and commitment to purpose. As symphonyinsilence put it earlier, I love this scent because it reminds me so much of my Dad, and all those fatherly qualities he exemplifies. Big Bottle Purchase? - Yes, for the Fella Rating – 9

In the Bottle – very strong, sweet chamomile tea with an astringent green note that must be the hyssop Wet on Skin – golden honey, studded with chamomile blossoms, mingled with the green hyssop. It must be the tonka that rounds out the blend and gives it depth. Taken together, it reminds me a bit of honeysuckle nectar straight from the flower. First Impressions – Above all this scent encourages a feeling of wholesome rightness. It is a warm, purposeful, guileless, healing, solar-oriented blend. It inspires a confidence that comes when you know you are part of something larger than yourself, well-connected and well-supported. Mid-Dry – the honey’s sweetness becomes more subdued and I can definitely smell the pollen dust that gives the scent a hazy golden halo Drydown – as the pollen settles on the honey, this scent fades into a gentle, comforting murmur like singing bees content in their hive The Fella Says – (I didn’t get the chance to ask his opinion before I ran out the door this morning) The Verdict – Last night as I was sleeping, I dreamt—marvelous error!— that I had a beehive here inside my heart. And the golden bees were making white combs and sweet honey from my old failures. ~Antonio Machado, trans. Robert Bly “Against Idleness and Mischief” makes the same redemptive “white combs and sweet honey” as the dream-bees in Antonio Machado’s beautiful poem. The scent, like the poem and the purposeful purity of the bees themselves, assures the wounded spirit that all is well in the hive and in the world, and that work done with joy for it’s own sake is a healing act. This is a scent I will turn to when I need that reminder. With it’s low throw and steadfast endurance, this is a personal scent for a personal sentiment. I could also see using it in a diffuser as a room-scent. I'd love for my home to smell like a walled garden apiary flooded with sunshine and good grace. Big Bottle Purchase? Yes, I know I’ll go through the imp very quickly. Rating – 10.

Preparing my latest imp order brought me farther into the General Catalog than I have ever ventured before. Thankfully I wandered into Arkham and came upon Brown Jenkin . . . In the Bottle - huskily sweet and rich, with coconut husk and incense foremost Wet on Skin - the husky sweetness becomes drier and more complex when applied. The sandalwood is quiet, not sour and the coconut husk is furtive, not too sweet. Musk and orris root give depth and the incense rounds out the scent with a dry parchment feel around the edges. First Impressions - Brown Jenkin sidles up and nuzzles you with ticklish whiskers, then bites the tender underside of your arm, innocent of all but instinct and therefore terrifying. This brown, furry scent emerges from contradictions (as one previous reviewer pointed out): one half step from mamalian, commonplace and otherwordly; enticing, familiar, and perverse - like your favorite taboo. A cunning brown scent if ever there was one, and right up my alley. Mid-Dry - the scent dries further under the influence of the white sandalwood and orris root, which support and balance the coconut husk. The musk creeps along in the depths, while the incense lingering in the backround is ground down to a very fine, soft powder. Drydown - Brown Jenkin cuddles down into a breath of powdery incense and insidious musk. It nestles close to the skin for a good six hours and has an intimate throw that invites others into your compelling, unsettling aura. The Fella Says - with a quirked eyebrow: "Mm, it's subtle. I like it". He sniffs not once, but twice and draws my wrist closer. A mischevious endorsement. The Verdict - I've re-applied three times today just to renew that toothsome, peculiar bite. Brown Jenkin has burrowed his way into my heart and slain me with his toothsome, wicked, unassuming and kinkily strange allure! A Big Bottle Purchase? Definitely. Rating - an unreserved 10!