Khodum Eau de Parfum

Beauty in the hand of wickedness . . .

This is how natural botanical perfumer Justine Crane of The Scented Djinn describes her creation Khodum Eau de Parfum. Khodum opens with the sweet spiciness of anise that takes you right into and blends with a smooth powdery musky floral middle. Tuberose is in this composition but without the headiness. A warm floral that adds depth and a little freshness. I like tuberose but my skin seems to drown it out. It's there I can tell, just very mild. It comes through gorgeously on a scent strip though. The florals blend well together. One doesn't overpower another. Ambrette adds muskiness while there is a slight dampness to Khodum that I attribute to the oakmoss. With all the florals and citruses you'd think this was a light fresh summery type perfume. It is quite the opposite. The spice adds a heat that keeps this from being a skip-through-the-flower-garden-on-a-warm-spring-day type of scent. It's more like a walk in the shadows without being afraid. The wickedness is present but tamed by the beauty.

Khodum was inspired by a brief written by one of Justine's natural botanical perfumery students, Dimitrios, of Sorcery of Scent. Justine set out to produce a perfume that is deep and dark. The key notes of Khodum are badiane, ambrette, tuberose, spiced florals and apple blossom. This composition also includes note of petitgrain bigarade, neroli, cinnamon bark, lemon petitgrain, rose petal tincture, hyacinth evulsion, blue lotus, jasmine grandiflorum, black currant bud, vanilla, almond, cognac, and a rare, vintage oakmoss resin.

If you're a fan of spicy fragrances you'll like this. The spicy notes of Khodum hold through from top to bottom.

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Photo: from The Scented Djinn on Etsy