Brand: Alkemia
Scent Description: A delightful anachronism of French lavender buds, mandarin peel, lime leaves, bergamot, bay leaves, coriander, clove, nutmeg, ginger flower, pink pepper, elegant white carnations, heirloom tree rose, opium tar accord, and woody amber resin nestled in an embrace of precious oriental incense woods.
This review is for Alkemia’s special reserve 🍒Cherries of the Night🍒
Notes: black cherries, maraschino liqueur, cherry amber, black amber, spiced rum and Peru balsam.
On my skin this smells a lot like a dupe I have from Oil Perfumery, Tom Ford’s Lost Cherry. Alkemia’s Cherries of the Night is a tad more cherry forward in the beginning but, besides that, they smell VERY similar. I’m happy that CotN doesn’t come across as that artificial almond-like cherry scent. Like Jergens lotion…I cannot take that smell. Alkemia’s CotN has better longevity versus the OP dupe. Then again, for the price point, I expected it would. I couldn’t tell you what the original TF Lost Cherry perfume smells like, as I refuse to pay the high price when I can find dupes for an eighth of the price. If you can afford the real thing, go for it. I myself, am a lady on a budget. I prefer oil to alcohol for my perfume format. Alcohol scents are supposed to pack more of a punch and longevity but, I find that the opposite rings true for me.
This review is for 🔴Lady Krampus🔴
Notes: blood red roses, worn black leather, dark figs, cold anthracite coal and a touch of demonic musk.
This was one of three bottles I purchased in Alkemia’s 2022 Holiday Gift bag. I usually amplify rose and I wouldn’t have picked this on my own because of that fact. Strangely the rose never really develops on me in Lady Krampus. This is a coal dominated scent on my skin. Immediately after the initial application this is a dead ringer for coal tar shampoo. If you’ve ever smelled coal tar, it’s a VERY particular smell and you will never forget it. Once this settles down I’m left smelling like coal tar with a slight background of black leather. I can’t pick up on the red roses or the figs. As far as a demonic musk, I’m not picking up on anything musk related. The coal note in this is pretty strong. I need to figure out what note(s) I can layer against Lady Krampus to beat back the coal. ***For anyone reading this please reply if you have any recommendations on perfume oils that I can layer. I’m stumped and could use some help.
This review is for 🔴Une Nuite de Cleopatre🔴
Notes: Kyphi incense, amber, warm caramel, tonka bean, vegan civet musk, spiced Sahlab tea, Satyrion orchid root, white honey and a boudoir strewn with intoxicating narcissus, jasmine, ylang ylang and honeysuckle.
Une Nuite de Cleopatre is another perfume oil that is so much more than the sum of it’s parts. This smells great on me for about 20 minutes before all but disappearing completely. I’m not sure why this one doesn’t want to stick around on me. Initially the florals in this had me gun shy but incense, amber and musk are the dominant notes on me. Considering that there are both caramel and white honey in this, Une Nuite de Cleopatre isn’t gourmand but it does have a sweetness to it. Too bad this doesn’t last on me. For that reason, Une Nuite de Cleopatre is a pass for me. Maybe I’d be more successful with the Ultime version.
This review is for 🟢Dia de los Muertos🟢
Notes: spiced white cacao, vanilla orchids, sugar skulls, vetiver, chrysanthemum, mandarin peel and ziricote wood
Another gem from Alkemia that has me second guessing notes I usually can’t stand. I usually amplify vetiver and chrysanthemums remind me of funeral parlors but, everything here meshes together to create something that is so much more than the sum of it’s parts. The vertiver and chrysanthemum behave on my skin and stay in the background to accompany the sweeter notes. I NEVER in a million years thought that I would find myself liking a perfume oil that had a chrysanthemum note, I stand corrected.
This review is for 🔵For Love of Winter🔵
Notes: white amber, cool snow musk, candy canes and white chocolate pearls.
The white amber in For Love of Winter is giving me vibes of Hexennacht’s Le Chat Noir and Loup Garou…it must be the amber and snow combo. This is much more atmospheric than I anticipated. That’s not a bad thing, I just expected this to be sweeter from the candy canes and white chocolate pearl notes. The mint in this smells medicinal rather than sweet like a candy cane. As this settles I’m getting a sweetness from the amber but nothing that I would consider gourmand. The mint in this gives a nice tingly sensation on my skin. It’s not irritating and it doesn’t turn my skin red, it’s just feels sort of cooling. For Love of Winter smells like an atmospheric version of Hex’s Loup Garou with the addition of mint. Sadly I never get even a hint of the white chocolate pearls. I think the mint in this one overpowered any chance that the white chocolate note would show. This one is a pass for me as I have scents in my stash that I can layer to mimic the end result of this.
This review is for 🟣Afterglow🟣
Notes: a veil of golden musk, Madagascar vanilla beans, wood smoked black amber, chai tea, spiced rum and incense woods.
Ugh, the amber in this didn’t jive with my skin chemistry. On my skin Afterglow comes across as a doompowder amber with a bit of golden musk and spice in the background. No bueno! I much prefer Amber Witch (the amber works on my skin) to Afterglow. This is a capital NO shouted from the rooftop. Keep in mind ambers are tricky on me so ymmv.
This review is for 🟠Wings of Flame🟠
Notes: warm sunlight in heartwood waiting to ignite into flame, honeycomb, agarwood, golden coffee, birch syrup, Deertounge grass, Larch needles, Berlandiera, cistus, Maple and blonde woods.
Wings of Flame was quite an experience. On the initial application on my skin I’m getting something sweet that reminds me of chocolate or coffee maybe. It’s a short lived stand out note that disappears back into the mix as this settles on me. As that chocolate-like note fades (I think this is a mix of the golden coffee and the berlandiera aka chocolate daisy) something sort of lemony is making an appearance. Maybe it’s the Larch needle (I read that it’s supposed to smell like grapefruit when harvested at a certain time) but I’m really not sure. It kind of smells a bit like palo santo but it’s morphing more to a citrus chemical cleaner type of smell…bummer. Ugh, it’s vibes of floor cleaner and old school Off DEET bug spray now and it’s a struggle not to scrub this off my skin. The end result of this ends up smelling bitter and just plain wrong on me. Something in this doesn’t work with my skin chemistry. I KNOW this isn’t the intended smell of this particular perfume oil. It’s so aggravating when one damn note ruins a scent. Oh well, they can’t all be winners. Lol, I wonder if it’ll repel mosquitoes since it smells like Off!?
This review is for 🔵Bibliotheca🔵
Notes: leather bound books, vinyl records, mahogany wood, fountain pen ink, black tea, dark plum brandy, vetiver, rosewood, artemisia, white carnation, lavender water, citron, tweedy woolens and oakmoss.
Something in this reminds me of Old Books and Fresh Flowers. I think it’s the leather bound books. Bibliotheca is leaning more masculine. That fountain pen ink note really works here. It’s strange but I like it and keep coming back to sniff at my wrists. I felt that I was amping both the leather and the ink notes so I layered a violet scent (Solsctice Scents Violet Mallow) to soften things up and it worked out beautifully. I also layered my very last bit of Nui Cobalts Poppycock (it smells like lemon meringue pie) and that combo worked out as well. This scent isn’t really my thing on it’s own. It’s intriguing but it’s not something that I’d reach for very often. This is a perfume that I’d have to be in a specific mood to wear if that makes sense. I never thought I’d like an ink note in a scent but I was wrong! Then again, I’m one of those weirdo’s that loves the smell of gasoline, so there you go.
This review is for 🔴Ruby Amber🔴
Notes: crimson pomegranate, ruby amber, tolu balsam, benzoin, styrax, star anise and guiac wood.
I’m starting to think that pomegranate just doesn’t mesh well with my chemistry. I always amp it and it always smells artificial on me. I’ve tried several different perfume oils from numerous brands and they all wear exactly the same on me. In Ruby Amber I’m amping the pomegranate big time. It’s hard to pinpoint any other notes, it’s pretty much full on artificial pomegranate on my skin for the entire wear time. I have no idea what ruby amber should smell like versus black, brown or white ambers. I’m just happy the ruby amber in this doesn’t go to doompowder on my skin. Ambers are tricky on me. Ruby Amber isn’t my cup of tea but a good pick if you’re into pomegranate forward scents. The way this wears on me makes me want to rename this “Pomegranate Doll Head”. I’m still searching for a true to life tart pomegranate scent.
This review is for 🟢L’esprit des Fetes🟢
Notes: almond marzipan, amaretto hot toddies, amber musk, balsam boughs, winterberry, copper distilled patchouli and aged Sandalwood.
I was hoping the amaretto would have turned out the same way it did on my skin as Enchantress. Sadly the almond marzipan is giving me flashbacks of Jergens lotion. It smells a bit like almond extract in baking but more like fake cherry than almond in my opinion. That smell amps in the beginning of wear. It’s strong but also the first note to wear off. This settles into mostly balsam on my skin with some patchouli and Sandalwood grounding it out. The amber isn’t going to doompowder thankfully. A gourmand that morphs into something atmospheric once the sweet notes disappear. I’m still holding out for my dream amaretto note that I got in Enchantress minus the cinnamon.
This review is for 🟣An Autumn Wandering🟣
Notes: black currant, Damson plum, maple wood, charred rosemary, verbena, Japanese pumpkin, Madagascar vanilla and tonka.
I wanted to try this for the rosemary note honestly. I never can identify rosemary in this but it was an unexpected like all the same. Right off the bat this reminds me of Koi No Yokan. I hope this one lasts longer on me. On my skin this is primarily a beautiful black currant scent with a touch of verbena. I own quite a few black currant scents so I think I’ll pass on An Autumn Wandering until I get through some of my stash. Something in this gives me vibes of Cristian Dior’s Rouge Trafalgar. If you like black currant then An Autumn Wandering is a good one to try.
This review is for 🍑The Dangerous Peach🍑
Notes: freshly picked ripe peaches, pear blossoms, peach wood, orris root and musk mallow.
The Dangerous Peach reminds me a bit of Hexennacht’s Mossy Peach…with floral overtones and no moss. Alkemia is about the only brand that puts out floral perfumes that I enjoy. Most floral scents seem to kick up my allergies, make my nose run and my eyes water. That never happens with The Dangerous Peach. Hex’s MP has fresh and green aspects while Alkemia’s TDP is a sweet fruity floral. In TDP, sometimes I swear I get a whiff of peach gummy rings but then it’s gone before I can be certain. I really enjoy the balance of the fruit and the floral in this perfume oil.
This review is for 🟣Amber Witch🟣
Notes: aged dark Arabian amber, honey musk, creamy bourbon caramels, spiced rum.
I was worried about having a reaction to the spices in this but it’s all good. The spices make Amber Witch for me. And I’m happy that the aged dark Arabian amber works on my skin. Ambers and my skin chemistry have a rocky history at best. Luckily Amber Witch never goes to “doom powder” on my skin. Something in this (I believe the amber) has a sweet almost cola tinged edge to it that really works in this blend. I’m not getting anything boozy from the spiced rum or bourbon caramels. On me, Amber Witch is all dark sweet cola tinged amber accompanied by spices and an undercurrent of honey.
This review is for 🟠Kitten and the Falling Leaves🟠
Notes: soft sleek fur romping through dried oak, beech and maple leaves on a crisp Autumn day.
Immediately on my skin I’m getting the impression of honey. It reminds me of a creamed honey body wash I used years ago. The name escapes me but the smell is dead on. I’m not sure what notes are mixing in KatFL to give off this impression but that’s what I get. 5 hours later and the smell is unchanged on my skin.
So I’ve read that depending where a woman is in her monthly cycle, hormones and such can potentially change the way a scent smells on the skin. I don’t know if that’s true. I do know that hormones can be a real bitch and I wouldn’t be surprised. I’ve never payed attention to this but maybe that’s what is behind this smelling like creamed honey on my skin. For myself I believe that a scent either works with my chemistry or it does not. Out of curiosity I’m going to test this theory when my curse has passed and see if anything changes. From the description of KatFL I thought that this scent would be more on the atmospheric side. I don’t know why I get honey. This perfume oil lasted awhile on me, around 8 hours. I feel like this isn’t a perfume oil that you should slather on (which I normally do) as it would be too cloying. The only reason I took it easy upon application was fear of an allergic reaction. The description doesn’t give you all of the notes. I’m a sensitive soul and had to proceed with caution. I hope others review Kitten and the Falling Leaves. I’m super interested to read how this smells to others. ***If I don’t add on to this review, then nothing has changed***
▪️▪️▪️So the notes listed above are correct for 🟠Kitten and the Falling Leaves but I reviewed the wrong scent!▪️▪️▪️
I was actually wearing 🦌Ghosts of Dear Temptations🦌 which is the scent that smells like creamed honey on my skin. I guess this is how the night blooming rajanigandha jives with my chemistry? It’s strange, nothing floral just that mysterious honey note.
🟠 Kitten and the Falling Leaves smells very atmospheric and I do indeed get the impression of dedicating leaves in the Fall. It sort of reminds me of Solstice Scents Foxcroft minus the soil/dirt and chimney smoke notes. KatFL seems to have a fuzzy body musk or some kind of white/silver amber note in it. This mystery note reminds me of something in Hexennacht’s Loup Garou or Le Chat Noir. Again, there are similarities but they are not the same.
🦌Notes for Ghosts of Dear Temptations🦌: creamy white musks, whispers of tonka and night blooming rajanigandha (aka tuberose).
This review is for 🔴Venym🔴
Notes: black roses, saffron infused oud, neroli, bergamot, star jasmine, black vanilla, limoo amani, Darjeeling tea, dark aged patchouli, ebony wood, opium and black amber.
Venym was one of the vials included in the Autumn Sampler that I purchased at Alkemia. Once again, Sharra is an absolute genius when it comes to the blending of fragrance notes. I saw rose in this and figured right away that I wouldn’t like this but I was so wrong. I usually amp anything rose but that didn’t happen with Venym. Maybe black roses are more subdued? And if anybody else besides me wondered what in the world linoo amani is, it’s dried limes that are used in Persian cuisine. This is such an exceptionally blended scent. The sum is so much more than it’s parts in this gem. I actually expected this to be a much darker scent than it turned out to be on my skin. In the beginning of wear time there was a note that reminded me of a classy laundry detergent or dryer sheet. No idea where that’s coming from. This is another scent from Alkemia that’s hard for me to put into words. All I can say is the longer this wears on my skin, the more I like Venym. Now I’m curious to try more Alkemia scents that contain black rose.
This is super citrus-y on me, although I do get a slight whiff of lavender in the dry-down. I get very little incense and florals, but the woods provide a subtle and nice base. I really enjoy this perfume, it’s really bright and citrus-y like I said, the main citrus I can detect is the mandarin.
This review is for the 🔵2022 July Tidal Alchemy.🔵
Notes: saltwater splashed linen, summer Sun, ozone clouds, blue skies, fresh green coconut water and the zest of lemongrass
This is in the same wheelhouse as 2021 July Ocean Alchemy but minus the floral note. 2022 is a clean aquatic scent that reminds me of freshly laundered sheets that hung up outside to dry in the sun and the breeze of the nearby sea. This isn’t the type of scent that I usually gravitate towards but I do like it.
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This review is for 🟣2021 July Ocean Alchemy🟣
Notes: gentle oceanic breezes, clean sun bleached cotton, dry seaweed, wet sand, flowering freesia and a touch of Kaizuka juniper.
2021 is another clean yet aquatic scent. Compared to this year’s 2022 July alchemy, this version is more of a perfumed floral on my skin. I’d call it a fancy feminine kind of laundry soap/dryer sheet type of scent. I enjoy both perfume oils but I prefer the 2022 alchemy as I’m not getting anything floral but, that’s just my personal preference.
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This review is for 🟢2021 February Love and Luck Alchemy🟢
Notes: candied lotus root, sweet ginger, dried apricots, jackfruit, Madagascar vanilla beans, sugarcane, jasmine tea and good fortune cookies.
Yum, this is one of those scents where the sun is so much better than it’s parts. It’s blended quite seamlessly and it’s very difficult to pick out the individual notes. I’m getting a lovely almond note that I think is supposed to be part of the fortune cookie aspect. It’s a delicious gourmand leaning scent.
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This review is for 🔴2021 April Cherry Blossom Alchemy🔴
Notes: cherry blossoms, Sakura tea, delicate floral musk and warm cherry wood.
This smells like B&BW’s Japanese Cherry Blossom except it’s a thousand times better. If you were ever on the JCB bandwagon then you will most definitely dig this scent. Usually I’m not big into florals but Sharra has won me (and my nose) over time and time again. It’s strong enough to hold up for several hours on my scent eating skin yet it’s in no way cloying. And most importantly, it doesn’t kick up my allergies or send me into a sneezing jag the way so many florals usually do. Brava!
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This review is for 🟠2021 May Spring Alchemy🟠
Notes: white freesia, delicate lily, spicy dianthus, blue wisteria, breezy musks and fae floral aldehydes.
This is a gorgeous spring floral perfume oil. Unfortunately there’s something in this blend that makes me sneeze nonstop and my eyes tear up. I ended up using this around my house and vehicle on some cotton balls. I can tolerate smelling it throughout my home but I can’t get away with wearing it on my body without kicking up my allergies. Eh, I’m not too upset. While this is a nice floral it’s not my usual jam anyway.
I get a pretty strong combo of incense and citrus. It’s wearable in an office with a light hand but definitely leans a little hippy dippy/Earth Mother.