gothteacup

This has a few of my “oh no” notes in it. But I have been drawn to it still, and am pleasantly surprised. When first applied it's oude, and not much else. Maybe a touch of leather. Those are two notes I can’t usually hang with. Then on the dry down everything pops out: soft, smooth patchouli, smoke, a whisper of rose, woods, beeswax. They all seem to be balanced well, the oude backs down a lot, as does the leather. It becomes one of those oddball mixes that just works. For me. I can see this being off putting for some people, but if you like weird scents that you get whiffs of and it’s kinda puzzling yet pretty in a creepy way, The Witch/Strega is one to try.

I love apple scents, but I am finding I’m particular about them. how this starts: In your face apple, bright, crisp and tart. starting to dry: something herbal and green slowly comes forward, and now it’s becoming interesting once it’s settled: soft apple, with mysterious herbal and floral nuances. Personally, I absolutely love this. It’s light and airy, but with a somewhat dark edge.

I’ve been eyeing this many times since Yules have gone up, but I am hesitant to get a bottle in case this happens to go “generic Xmas greenery candle.” It almost went that way in the vial. Once it warms on the skin, it’s as if a slice of forest comes to quiet life: the fir resin isn’t overbearing, touches of mistletoe and bayberry and the lovely oak note are just fine alone, but with the soft myrrh in the background it adds a little depth, like a thread of incense coming through the trees. Overall, it’s a gentle, realist forest scent with a whisper of incense wear this if: you need to be reminded that trees still exist.

this note-less perfume evokes images of some kind of fairytale flower. ...the aquatic Sea Glass Flower, blooms only during the winter month’s full moons. Located on hidden seaside cliffs and rocks, the blooms are scented with salty sea spray. The shimmery blue flower itself brings to mind lush citrus and heady white florals. I could see how this could turn to the Soap Side very easily, but it doesn’t. my take: white florals with citrus, with a light sparkling crust of sea salt. Fancy, old-fashioned.

With the “fiery” patchouli and clove notes listed, I was expecting something dark and spicy. I was pleasantly surprised to find this to be warm (not spicy) and, if Hetairae represented a color, it would be in the golden/marigold/saffron range. Lots of rich honey and sweet fig. Patchouli is warm and mellow, and there is just a little touch of clove. The ylang ylang is so pretty, and as this dries it becomes more prominent. my take: a sweet, warm honey scent that gives a perfect stage for ylang ylang to demurely expose themselves.