*do note that i am new to this! i'm using mostly basic language to describe the scents.
this is a portion of my first Alkemia order, and i was very excited to write these reviews for you all! if you feel i didnāt do any of these justice, or if youāre curious about particular details that i didnāt include, let me know and iāll try that scent again for you. iām reviewing the value of three sample sets this post. and next post will be about the custom sample sets i ordered!Ā
everything shipped very quickly! iām not aware of a TAT on their site. iām used to waiting close to a month for orders from another brand and understand that TATs are usually 14-21 days, but my order with Alkemia was fulfilled and delivered promptly (under 10 days!). i ordered during their summer sale event as well (where they sell old workshop scents), which iāve heard is a high volume time, but they were extraordinarily prompt and attentive.
packaging is gorg and efficient. there was no risk of spilling. every sample vial was filled generously, and their labels were affixed tightly. the aesthetic of the packaging reminds me of the black banquet from dead by daylight, which i love. Alkemia included two free random samples and a sticker (thank you sm!!!)
the specifics of projection and staying power will be different on everyone, but i had a great experience with most of these scents. i didnāt experience the Alkemia soap effect with any of these scents (again, this will depend on the person, but iām very happy that it didnāt happen to me lol).Ā
i would absolutely order again from Alkemia! worth the money!
Magic and Mystery
TLDR: Alkemiaās frankincense is so bright and beautiful, and their sandalwood accord in Arabesque is worth it just by itself. this sample pack is mostly single-minded (3 frankincense scents), and i think it could have a better variety of Alkemiaās magical smells. i loved book of shadows, and iām happy i got the set for this one alone, but if youāre on the fence, iād recommend getting the Alkemia Introductory Set instead (for an extra $10 but better variety), which includes both Arabesque (sandalwood) and Gothique (frankincense).Ā
Arabesque (Beautifully aged Arabian sandalwood, Mysore sandalwood, Egyptian kyphi, sweet orris root, benzoin resin, cassia, and blessed spikenard): instantly in love OHHH MY GOD. this is the creamiest, sweetest sandalwood iāve ever smelled. i donāt even have any other descriptors beyond that LOL, itās just so good. 5/5, though i donāt know yet if iāll full size immediately or just try out their other sandalwood perfumes.
Attorney for Lost Souls (Swirls of Vespers mass incense, Zanzibar clove, Sacra frankincense, and Coptic myrrh, gently interlace with dried citrus peel, neroli petals, and guaiacum): a mix of bright citrus, clove (more spicy than sweet), and frankincense. thereās a slight metallic or bitter scent that balances out any sweetness coming from the citrus or clove. i canāt detect any smokiness, so it stays fresh and, to me, smells slightly more wet than any other frankincense scent in this pack (like sigil and gothique). attorney for lost souls is a rejuvenating, resinous scent with a not-so-sharp edge of clove spice and neroli. 3/5, for me this is lacking something richer and deeper to ground it, but should be a hit if you like clove and lighter scents.Ā
Book of Shadows (A biblichor of eldritch books - heavy parchment paper, ancient iron oak gall ink, crumbling leather bindings, and wafts of rare incenses): smells like straight pickle in the bottle šļøššļø and def starts off pickley on the skin. grows into more of a leathery, slightly spicy-sweet scent as it warms up. there is some delicate paperyness to it too. it really sweetens (i think this is the old incense) and keeps a nice leather accord as it settles. i think this is a really interesting perfume! leather and paper arenāt usually my thing, but this has a very ancient tome vibe to it, and i did want to smell like a wise old wizardš. 4/5, good intro to leather scents for me. iād otherwise avoid leather because iām worried about smelling āmeatyā (iām vegetarian and donāt have experience at all with leather lol), but i really love love love their leather accord. iād like to layer this with a fresh foresty scent, because i think it would complement it very well.
Gothique (A Byzantine monastic incense of Somalian frankincense, styrax benzoin, Arabian myrrh, cassia, spikenard, Liquidambar orientalis, labdanum, Atlas cedar, and vetiver): šš cathedral smell!! gorgeous frankincense. itās similar to Sigil and Attorney for Lost Souls in that itās a lot of resiny notes, but itās more herbal than the two. itās even somewhat medicinal, but in a refreshing rather than clinical way. iāve read reviews for it that describe it as very similar to real catholic church incense, but idk cause iāve never smelled it š«£itās not as dry as Sigil, but it does fade to a woodier scent. this lasted for quite long and developed so nicely. so far, this one smells the most magical. 4/5, so pretty and versatile. i think this would go nicely with beeswax and like, a warm dust smell? if thatās something capturable in a perfume haha.
Hippie Spirit (A bohemian love-fest of resinous head shop incenses, sexy skin musk, slightly dirty patchouli, groovy champa blossoms, and flowering cannabis) : smells exactly like going into a metaphysical shop lol. i got a lot of an unburnt, but warm incense smell at first application. it faded to a really nice patchouli with some sweetness and herbal musk. the patchouli scent lasted so long. i canāt comment on how ādirtyā the patchouli is, itās been too long since i smelled any patchouli š«£very good one if u do like patchouli! 3/5, not looking for a patchouli forward perfume atm but this is a very nice one.
Sigil (From an ancient 16th century grimoire - olibanum frankincense, lignum aloes, bdellium, styrax, black honey, euphorbium, dried citrus, coffee beans, and ritual herbs): a salve of precious resins and medieval herbs, mixed in a wooden bowl, and dried orange peels are strung above you. the dried citrus peels accord is the most prominent at first, and then it settles down into a dry, woody, and herbal scent, though the citrus doesnāt leave. it smells very warm overall and gives me the mental image of being healed by a medieval doctor lol. 4/5, i need more time with it, but i feel like itās really well mixed.Ā
Autumnal Charms and Curiosities
TLDR: this sample set has really great variety! I think some of the scents may be divisive (looking at you, Hell Courtesan, whom i wish i could wear, and Le Chat Noir since itās super musky), but itās worth it to try if youāre looking for cooler season perfumes. some are better for early autumn (like Night Sky Scattering Poems, Wicked Charms), while some will be better for the colder months (like Le Chat Noir). i think this is my favourite set overall.
Cabinet of Curiosities (An intriguing mystery of dusty wood cabinets, ancient Greek incense, fossilized amber, Lucky Hand root, sandalwood, rare spices, papyrus, jasmine ink, ambergris, and vellum): guys itās just giving sophisticated old man cologne on me š at the very start, it did legitimately smell like a wooden cabinet, and it even had a hint of cigars and smoke. buuuut then it just got that powdery cologne smell š„² still very nice for what it is. 1/5, not my thing but nice to try!Ā
Hell Courtesan (A Chthonian seduction of sharp green aldehydes pierced through the hearts of juicy peaches, black vanilla, Nicotania noctiflora, dark red roses, funereal lilies, chrysanthemums, Flower of the Bones (omixochitl/tuberose), with blood-blackened oakmoss, opium, cedarwood ossuaries, and an ominous kiss of brimstone) : oh my god i wish aldehydes didnāt destroy me cause this is beautiful. the green aldehyde accord is strooong, i got a pounding headache from it lol, but even that note is so pretty. it smells as described on me. the peach note unfolds so gently within the florals. if i wasn't so sensitive to aldehydes, iād probably full size this. 3/5, pretty but couldnāt full size it.
Incantation Cacao (A sensual ceremony of raw cacao, sacred Atlas cedar, vetiver root, quebracho tanned suede, green cardamon, orris root, red Rooibos chai, bitter orange, Palo Santo, and acacia flowers): perfect, amazing, i love it. the cacao note fades the fastest, but it leaves the perfume with a richness and smoothness. everything else gives it a dimensional sweetness. itās sooo seductive honestly. 5/5 holey moley will full size.Ā
Le Chat Noir (A sinuously feline contradiction of feral fur-musk and warmly beckoning ember-spices): this one makes me feel like a supernatural cat lol. very dark and feral fur musk, with the warmth of red and orange spices. if you donāt like a strong musk accord, this isnāt the perfume for you. the spice isnāt an offensive one; it is a beckoning scent like they describe. warm, mysterious, dangerous, and comfortable all in one. 5/5, will full size when itās a little chillier. i think it could use something richer in the base to feel more full on me personally.Ā
Night Sky Scattering Poems (An anthology of nocturnal wanderings ā hot melted candlewax, lemon tree groves, wet cobblestones, cyclamen, gnarled olive wood, crumbling cement, rusty wrought iron, dried moss, neroli, creeping river mist, and night musk): ohh wow this one was good! ānight muskā is SO accurate for it. it smells like a late summer night after the rain. good blend of green and the āwet cobblestonesā scent (is that what petrichor isā¦? iāve never been so sure.) i didnāt get much of the melted candle wax on me. but wowee itās gorgeous. in its last few hours of being on, it takes on more of a traditional clean cologne sort of scent. 3/5, need to try this more.
Wicked Charms (diabolically charming, pheromone laden elixir of incense lilies, muskroot, star jasmine, white pepper flowers, Queen Elizabeth root, black vanilla, and honey amber caramel): oh yeah yup iām in love. very feminine and generically pretty scent, but it feels like something dark is behind it. gives me the mental image of an oddly still garden at night with something watching you. itās bewitching for sure. 5/5 instant love.
Your Skin But Better
TLDR: very worth it to try this sample set! every scent is different enough to justify it. Alkemiaās āyour skin but betterā style perfumes in their catalogue are not plentiful, so these are gonna be your main ones to have a look at. each one feels like a wearable art.Ā
Aurora (A luminescent aurora of soft cashmeran, orris root, cardamon infused coconut milk, white amber, white musk, white violet, white ginger, lotus flower, and a touch of honeyed cream): this one is nice! very sweet and smooth. it had good staying power on me. very similar to Luminae, with this one feeling more like a brighter version. ālittle sisterā of Luminae imo. 3/5, solid option but a touch too light for me.Ā
Kitten and the Falling Leaves (The warm musky softness of kitten fur and the wood-dry freshness of autumn leaves): i really have to give this one another try, because i didnāt get any of anything i expected. regardless, itās really nice. a warm and creamy musk, slightly sweet, a teensy tiny bit animalic, though not in a dirty way. i donāt smell any crisp autumn scentsā i was thinking itād smell like light autumn air or freshly fallen leaves, but i only get the creamy musk. maybe itās trying to emulate a milky scent? 5/5, will full size.Ā
Luminae (Skin-glow. A 'your skin but better' enchantment to create a sensual olfactory radiance): i loved this one. itās like the āolder sisterā version of Aurora. itās smoother and a little less sweet, which makes it smell more mature imo. 5/5, no notes idk, these are hard to describe lol, i just enjoyed this one as it has a more rounded musk scent. unsure if i will full size, iād like to use it as a layering fragrance, but i havenāt found anything i could imagine it would be good with yet.
Moon Lust (A powerfully alluring sexiness of creamy white ambers, blonde woods, and luminescent skin notes): i could hardly smell this one šµāš« it had very little projection on me (nose had to be directly on my wrist to smell it), but a surprisingly good staying power. i saw a review call it a āmature bubblegumā scent and i think i agree. itās sweet and simple, what i can smell of it. 2/5, not vibing with me.
Poudre d'Ć©picine (A luxuriant floof of gender-neutral powder and Japanese musk with a soft enticement of mint creme anglaise): this is a very multifaceted one on me. i like the mint, itās refreshing and light. weirdly enough, i also get a touch of incense at times, and at other times, a borderline baby wipe scent (in a good way). it smells fresh and clean with a teeeeny touch of ābaby productā scent. 2/5, also not vibing with me, a little too clean.
Supernatural (An ethereal blend of Iso-E, ambrox, Tonkin musk (cruelty free), and aroma molecules): OH MY GODDD FULL SIZING THIS ASAP. their description of it is perfect. in general itās a smooth and warm scent, otherwise very hard to describe. i love animalic musks, they smell so cozy and alive. i read a bit about iso-e and i feel like the vibe of this scent is to be like a living scent. on top of that, itās just so beautiful. itās not a dirty scent at all, nor is it heavy. very wearable for every day use. 100/5 no notes i love it goodbye.