For Strange Women: Solid Fragrances
So, a few weeks ago I was testing some solid fragrances by For Strange Women (also on Etsy). I've used solid fragrances before, but not extensively, so I was really curious as to whether they would appeal to me. Must say, overall, I'm pretty pleased! I'm not sure I prefer solid over liquid format, but I like the portability of the solids. As for the scents themselves, they cover a wide range - there's something for everyone here. Some of them are very floral, others not. Some are very masculine, others not. There are plenty of unisex fragrances here, and a nice variety overall. In general, the solid scents were close-wearing, and lasted about five hours on average.
These are arranged in the order that I tested them. I've provided the description for each of them given at the website, and then my commentary on it. At the end, I'll put them in order by preference (or try to - that's going to be a challenge, I loved most of them). For anyone interested in trying them yourself - I recommend ordering one of FSW's sample packages, since the fragrances themselves are expensive, everything smells a little different on everyone else, and you have no way of knowing if you'll actually like it unless you give it a sniff first. The samples are sent as one application folded into ribbon. Warm the ribbon by rubbing it with your hands, then smooth the fragrance on. For me, I think I would ordinarily apply more than was provided, but this depends on the person and on the scent. The full-sized versions of the solid line are sold in compacts or lockets, which can then be refilled.
Satin Corset
Description: This blend is sweet, uplifting, and seductive. A floral bouquet in a bed of vanilla bourbon and tonka interprets the scent of a line-dried ivory satin corset worn by a classic Victorian woman. This fragrance is very similar to oriental lilies, their sweetness grounded with a luscious floral musk.
Impressions: Absolutely lovely. Gently musky, I do detect the boubon, subtly floral, and definitely seductive. You need to be close in order to smell this fragrance, so it's a very private scent. Doesn't entirely disappear at the end of the day, it does linger a little, but you need to be observant.
Violin in the Attic
Description: In this perfume a blended wood base is enhanced with frankincense and myrrh to emulate the instrument’s carved body, sealed with linseed oil and resins. A warm layer of antique amber fills the heart of this blend, evoking years of rosin dust baked to the wood while left in the attic for generations. Subtle accents of rose and cocoa fill out the sweet and resinous overtones while the dry woods stay close to the skin.
Impressions: Very, very woody. Warm resin. Amber. Smells exactly like the description. Certainly evokes the impression of aged wood. Over time, the hint of sweetness comes. It's a close-wearing scent. Through the day, it gets even more pleasant. I love this one - it's a favourite.
Antique Settee
Description: This blend reveals the past with hints of roses, violets, and everlastings lingering on velvet upholstery from perfumed guests that have come and gone. Freshly polished wood trim is woven throughout, finished with a deep base of Earl Grey tea (spilled on the cushions over the years). The essence of black tea leaves soaked in bergamot improves with age while lending a comforting character.
Impressions: Scent of upholstery and old wood. Pleasant and nostalgic. Smells like old furniture that has been taken very good care of. Hints of flowers. Scent of tea - or the impression of tea, or what tea represents. Subtle, calm, and gentle, but it is a scent with good posture. Slightly more throw than some others I have tried, but that's not saying much. Later on, it grows sweeter.
Tuberose single-note
Description: Tuberose is a seductive, luscious floral with dirty, earthy undertones.
Impressions: This is from the single-note line, so what you smell on first go is what you get. It is a soft floral, not overwhelming. Sweet and gentle. The earthy undertone does come through. Overall, it's beautiful, and wears close - an intimate scent.
Frankincense and Cedar single-note
Description: Frankincense and Cedar is a powerful combination of sacred materials long used in rituals throughout the world. This essence was produced by extracting both together, allowing the softly sweet, resinous tones of frankincense to merge seamlessly into the bed of precious cedarwood.
Impressions: Smells strongly of cedar - very sharp and fresh. I get more cedar than frankincense, though that might vary for others. It's a very masculine scent. Goes on strong. It's very commanding. It didn't seem to last long on me, but that might vary - and might just be on account of the amount of sample I used.
Vetiver single-note
Description: Vetiver is an earthy, comforting root essence with a smooth, honey-like sweetness. Depending on your skin chemistry it can turn more sweet or more smokey. Its grounding qualities make it a widely loved fixative note to layer with other natural essences as well as to wear alone.
Impressions: On me, this is mostly smoky. It's a very, very smoky and earthy and masculine scent; I don't get much of the sweetness at all. Because it wears closely, it isn't overwhelming, which is a blessing when wearing a scent like this. Might be interesting for layering.
Amber single-note
Description: Amber is a dark resin with deep tones of dry wood and leather. This fossilized pure amber from the Himalayan mountains is sweetened with hints of other botanical extracts to create a more resinous heart. A fine incense-like aura stays close to the skin for several hours.
Impressions: Very resinous, wow. Dark and deep but not overwhelming. Seemed to melt onto the skin more easily than some of the other samples, though that might just be me. The resin note is one of the things I liked most about "Violin in the Attic", and this hits the same buttons for me. Would be good for those who prefer resin over wood.
Jasmine single note
Description: Jasmine is a powerful and easily loved floral, its sweetness tempered by a rich, warm, inviting presence. This perfume combines the night and dawn blooming flower essences from two different varieties of Jasmine, creating the fullest range of scent possible.
Impressions: A very natural floral. Light, delicate, sweet, and luxurious. Not overpowering. Very recommended for anyone looking for a natural, gentle floral scent. It's an absolute treat. I liked it so much, I re-applied it halfway through the day - I haven't been doing this with most of them because I've wanted to ration the samples as much as possible (there really isn't much given in the ribbons) but with Jasmine, I just couldn't resist.
Rose single-note
Description: Rose is full-bodied, sweet, and feminine with deep layers of mystery. This beautiful floral is a classic note, and both the sweet, fruity Moroccan and dark, lush Bulgarian varieties are used in this voluptuous bouquet.
Impressions: Definitely rose. If you want rose, you have it here. Not as light and delicate as some of the others. It doesn't quite suit my tastes - I am not a rose fan in general. But for a rose lover, it would be excellent. I found that it wore off completely by the end of the day; didn't linger as long as some of the others (Amber for example).
Nightshade Garden
Description: Nightshade Garden is a perfume inspired by the scent of fresh tomato vines. The bright, uplifting head of citrus blends seamlessly with a glowing green bouquet of fruit tree leaves. Over time, the scent evolves to reveal a soothing base of bay and olive leaf.
Impressions: Scent of tomato vine with a hint of refreshing citrus. Overall, very herbal. First impression on application is very much like a tomato garden - earthy, but at the same time fresh and clean. Over time, the bay and olive scents came out more; it provided an effect which reminded me a lot of what the kitchen smells like when my mother is cooking. I found that very pleasant and cozy, but might not appeal to everyone. Though since these scents are always a bit different on everyone, others might have a different experience with how it turns out. This is one of FSW's more masculine scents in the solid line, though still very unisex.
Winter Kitty
Description: Winter Kitty is a botanical perfume inspired by felines, fireplaces, and snowflakes. This interpretive blend opens with a burst of cold winter air which quickly settles into a deep, comforting base of vetiver, woods, and frankincense. A musky accord sweetened with amber, rose and vanilla create an animalic undertone. The result is the scent of a house cat who went outside for a winter walk and came back with chimney smoke and brisk air lingering in his fur.
Impressions: On application, the main scent is a musky vetiver-wood mix, but with a side of freshness provided by peppermint and evergreen. This lends a crisp feeling to it. Under that is a hint of sweetness. This scent seems to be only available as refill format in solid form - it isn't available as its own compact, but can be bought to fill other FSW compacts. It can also be bought singular in oil form. I found this one of the more unique scents, and I really recommend it.
Fireside story
Description: Fireside Story opens with a flash of dark smoke that fades to allow a bouquet of woods to emerge. Traces of leaves, pine cones, and dried resins crackle in this smooth, muted incense that remains close to the body. Three varieties of vanilla create a lingering finish and the perfect setting for a ghost story.'
Impressions: Smoke, smoke, smoke and resin. The name is very apt. It's a gorgeous scent, but dark and heavy. Beneath that, there's a hint of sweetness - the vanilla in the fragrance, which calls to mind a certain hint of burning leaves in addition to the resin. In some ways, to me, this scent feels like a higher-quality version of Demeter Fragrance's "Bonfire", in solid form. They have a lot of similarities. But "Fireside Story" is a richer, more rounded and more realistic scent.
Evergreen Mountain
Description: Evergreen Mountain was created to capture the scent of a vast landscape of coniferous trees, blanketing the sides of a mountain. Fresh air mixed with woods, balsams, and evergreen needles combine to transport the wearer to the Black Forest. Try not to get lost in this dark, dense, deep green aroma.
Impressions: If you want to smell exactly like an evergreen tree, this is a scent for you. It's a very fresh, very earthy/forest-y scent, but a tad dense. I detect some cedar, even though the description doesn't mention cedar in it. It would be a good scent to wear in winter; it's a bit heavy for summer. It reminds me of Demeter Fragrance's "Douglas Fir", but of a much higher quality and more complex and realistic scent.
Now, trying to sort them in order of preference... This is going to be hard!
Jasmine
Winter kitty
Violin in the attic
Amber
Tuberose
Vetiver
Nightshade Garden
Antique settee
Fireside Story
Satin corset
Evergreen Mountain
Rose
Frankincense and Cedar
For those curious, the ones that I ended up buying full versions of were Jasmine and Winter Kitty (refill version). While Winter Kitty is more of a cold-weather scent, it's so lovely and different from most of what I have. As for Jasmine, it's such a luxurious and realistic scent, and I loved it. Again, as mentioned before, if these sound interesting then I definitely recommend trying them - shipping is pretty fast, and the service is good. But I do recommend ordering samples first, because it's best to make sure that you'll like the scent.
This entry was originally posted at http://yuuago.dreamwidth.org/3394307.html. You can comment here or at the original entry.
These are arranged in the order that I tested them. I've provided the description for each of them given at the website, and then my commentary on it. At the end, I'll put them in order by preference (or try to - that's going to be a challenge, I loved most of them). For anyone interested in trying them yourself - I recommend ordering one of FSW's sample packages, since the fragrances themselves are expensive, everything smells a little different on everyone else, and you have no way of knowing if you'll actually like it unless you give it a sniff first. The samples are sent as one application folded into ribbon. Warm the ribbon by rubbing it with your hands, then smooth the fragrance on. For me, I think I would ordinarily apply more than was provided, but this depends on the person and on the scent. The full-sized versions of the solid line are sold in compacts or lockets, which can then be refilled.
Satin Corset
Description: This blend is sweet, uplifting, and seductive. A floral bouquet in a bed of vanilla bourbon and tonka interprets the scent of a line-dried ivory satin corset worn by a classic Victorian woman. This fragrance is very similar to oriental lilies, their sweetness grounded with a luscious floral musk.
Impressions: Absolutely lovely. Gently musky, I do detect the boubon, subtly floral, and definitely seductive. You need to be close in order to smell this fragrance, so it's a very private scent. Doesn't entirely disappear at the end of the day, it does linger a little, but you need to be observant.
Violin in the Attic
Description: In this perfume a blended wood base is enhanced with frankincense and myrrh to emulate the instrument’s carved body, sealed with linseed oil and resins. A warm layer of antique amber fills the heart of this blend, evoking years of rosin dust baked to the wood while left in the attic for generations. Subtle accents of rose and cocoa fill out the sweet and resinous overtones while the dry woods stay close to the skin.
Impressions: Very, very woody. Warm resin. Amber. Smells exactly like the description. Certainly evokes the impression of aged wood. Over time, the hint of sweetness comes. It's a close-wearing scent. Through the day, it gets even more pleasant. I love this one - it's a favourite.
Antique Settee
Description: This blend reveals the past with hints of roses, violets, and everlastings lingering on velvet upholstery from perfumed guests that have come and gone. Freshly polished wood trim is woven throughout, finished with a deep base of Earl Grey tea (spilled on the cushions over the years). The essence of black tea leaves soaked in bergamot improves with age while lending a comforting character.
Impressions: Scent of upholstery and old wood. Pleasant and nostalgic. Smells like old furniture that has been taken very good care of. Hints of flowers. Scent of tea - or the impression of tea, or what tea represents. Subtle, calm, and gentle, but it is a scent with good posture. Slightly more throw than some others I have tried, but that's not saying much. Later on, it grows sweeter.
Tuberose single-note
Description: Tuberose is a seductive, luscious floral with dirty, earthy undertones.
Impressions: This is from the single-note line, so what you smell on first go is what you get. It is a soft floral, not overwhelming. Sweet and gentle. The earthy undertone does come through. Overall, it's beautiful, and wears close - an intimate scent.
Frankincense and Cedar single-note
Description: Frankincense and Cedar is a powerful combination of sacred materials long used in rituals throughout the world. This essence was produced by extracting both together, allowing the softly sweet, resinous tones of frankincense to merge seamlessly into the bed of precious cedarwood.
Impressions: Smells strongly of cedar - very sharp and fresh. I get more cedar than frankincense, though that might vary for others. It's a very masculine scent. Goes on strong. It's very commanding. It didn't seem to last long on me, but that might vary - and might just be on account of the amount of sample I used.
Vetiver single-note
Description: Vetiver is an earthy, comforting root essence with a smooth, honey-like sweetness. Depending on your skin chemistry it can turn more sweet or more smokey. Its grounding qualities make it a widely loved fixative note to layer with other natural essences as well as to wear alone.
Impressions: On me, this is mostly smoky. It's a very, very smoky and earthy and masculine scent; I don't get much of the sweetness at all. Because it wears closely, it isn't overwhelming, which is a blessing when wearing a scent like this. Might be interesting for layering.
Amber single-note
Description: Amber is a dark resin with deep tones of dry wood and leather. This fossilized pure amber from the Himalayan mountains is sweetened with hints of other botanical extracts to create a more resinous heart. A fine incense-like aura stays close to the skin for several hours.
Impressions: Very resinous, wow. Dark and deep but not overwhelming. Seemed to melt onto the skin more easily than some of the other samples, though that might just be me. The resin note is one of the things I liked most about "Violin in the Attic", and this hits the same buttons for me. Would be good for those who prefer resin over wood.
Jasmine single note
Description: Jasmine is a powerful and easily loved floral, its sweetness tempered by a rich, warm, inviting presence. This perfume combines the night and dawn blooming flower essences from two different varieties of Jasmine, creating the fullest range of scent possible.
Impressions: A very natural floral. Light, delicate, sweet, and luxurious. Not overpowering. Very recommended for anyone looking for a natural, gentle floral scent. It's an absolute treat. I liked it so much, I re-applied it halfway through the day - I haven't been doing this with most of them because I've wanted to ration the samples as much as possible (there really isn't much given in the ribbons) but with Jasmine, I just couldn't resist.
Rose single-note
Description: Rose is full-bodied, sweet, and feminine with deep layers of mystery. This beautiful floral is a classic note, and both the sweet, fruity Moroccan and dark, lush Bulgarian varieties are used in this voluptuous bouquet.
Impressions: Definitely rose. If you want rose, you have it here. Not as light and delicate as some of the others. It doesn't quite suit my tastes - I am not a rose fan in general. But for a rose lover, it would be excellent. I found that it wore off completely by the end of the day; didn't linger as long as some of the others (Amber for example).
Nightshade Garden
Description: Nightshade Garden is a perfume inspired by the scent of fresh tomato vines. The bright, uplifting head of citrus blends seamlessly with a glowing green bouquet of fruit tree leaves. Over time, the scent evolves to reveal a soothing base of bay and olive leaf.
Impressions: Scent of tomato vine with a hint of refreshing citrus. Overall, very herbal. First impression on application is very much like a tomato garden - earthy, but at the same time fresh and clean. Over time, the bay and olive scents came out more; it provided an effect which reminded me a lot of what the kitchen smells like when my mother is cooking. I found that very pleasant and cozy, but might not appeal to everyone. Though since these scents are always a bit different on everyone, others might have a different experience with how it turns out. This is one of FSW's more masculine scents in the solid line, though still very unisex.
Winter Kitty
Description: Winter Kitty is a botanical perfume inspired by felines, fireplaces, and snowflakes. This interpretive blend opens with a burst of cold winter air which quickly settles into a deep, comforting base of vetiver, woods, and frankincense. A musky accord sweetened with amber, rose and vanilla create an animalic undertone. The result is the scent of a house cat who went outside for a winter walk and came back with chimney smoke and brisk air lingering in his fur.
Impressions: On application, the main scent is a musky vetiver-wood mix, but with a side of freshness provided by peppermint and evergreen. This lends a crisp feeling to it. Under that is a hint of sweetness. This scent seems to be only available as refill format in solid form - it isn't available as its own compact, but can be bought to fill other FSW compacts. It can also be bought singular in oil form. I found this one of the more unique scents, and I really recommend it.
Fireside story
Description: Fireside Story opens with a flash of dark smoke that fades to allow a bouquet of woods to emerge. Traces of leaves, pine cones, and dried resins crackle in this smooth, muted incense that remains close to the body. Three varieties of vanilla create a lingering finish and the perfect setting for a ghost story.'
Impressions: Smoke, smoke, smoke and resin. The name is very apt. It's a gorgeous scent, but dark and heavy. Beneath that, there's a hint of sweetness - the vanilla in the fragrance, which calls to mind a certain hint of burning leaves in addition to the resin. In some ways, to me, this scent feels like a higher-quality version of Demeter Fragrance's "Bonfire", in solid form. They have a lot of similarities. But "Fireside Story" is a richer, more rounded and more realistic scent.
Evergreen Mountain
Description: Evergreen Mountain was created to capture the scent of a vast landscape of coniferous trees, blanketing the sides of a mountain. Fresh air mixed with woods, balsams, and evergreen needles combine to transport the wearer to the Black Forest. Try not to get lost in this dark, dense, deep green aroma.
Impressions: If you want to smell exactly like an evergreen tree, this is a scent for you. It's a very fresh, very earthy/forest-y scent, but a tad dense. I detect some cedar, even though the description doesn't mention cedar in it. It would be a good scent to wear in winter; it's a bit heavy for summer. It reminds me of Demeter Fragrance's "Douglas Fir", but of a much higher quality and more complex and realistic scent.
Now, trying to sort them in order of preference... This is going to be hard!
Jasmine
Winter kitty
Violin in the attic
Amber
Tuberose
Vetiver
Nightshade Garden
Antique settee
Fireside Story
Satin corset
Evergreen Mountain
Rose
Frankincense and Cedar
For those curious, the ones that I ended up buying full versions of were Jasmine and Winter Kitty (refill version). While Winter Kitty is more of a cold-weather scent, it's so lovely and different from most of what I have. As for Jasmine, it's such a luxurious and realistic scent, and I loved it. Again, as mentioned before, if these sound interesting then I definitely recommend trying them - shipping is pretty fast, and the service is good. But I do recommend ordering samples first, because it's best to make sure that you'll like the scent.
This entry was originally posted at http://yuuago.dreamwidth.org/3394307.html. You can comment here or at the original entry.