Scent, You Say?: Therapeutate

It was only a short time ago that I became familiar with natural perfumer Rodney Hughes of Therapeutate. Rodney is a member of the Natural Perfumers Guild and a contributing writer of natural perfumery for Ca Fleure Bon. When I saw that he was also on Facebook I sent a friend request that he graciously accepted. That's when I started to learn more about his line of perfumes and became eager to try them. Reading the descriptions of each perfume posed a problem though. They all sounded so good I didn't know which to choose. :^) So when I ordered samples I asked Rodney to make the selections for me. I was not disappointed. Here is what I received.

Chakra 2, a smooth, warm and smoky floral wood perfume with a bit of citrus. Chakra 2 opens with a lovely dance between jasmine and ginger while blood orange peeks from the background. Soon a very sensual sandalwood takes the stage with jasmine as back up. This perfume is so warm and inviting. I kept sniffing my wrists. It brought back a memory from college when I used to visit a little shop off campus that sold lots of African & Caribbean music and videos. There was always incense burning and reggae bumping. I think I've found a new love.

Vert 9 is, as its name suggests, green! Sharp, herbal, bold and fresh. Very outdoorsy. Once applied to my skin it is tamed, rounded and lightly sweet, yet still very green with its notes of myrtle and lime.

Bespoke No. 3 is warm and rich, powdery and mildly sweet. It's also a bit mysterious. An amber perfume with notes of rock rose, sweet marjoram, cardamom, coriander and sandalwood.

Vodka 5 is a sexy, ambery perfume. Warm and full from sandalwood. Rich from labdanum and vanilla. Sexy from champaca and jasmine.

2010 Printemps NYC sings spring in a sweet, herbal kind of way. This one, to me, is an herb garden in a bottle. The fresh green leaves and sweet flowers Intermingling with citrus. While the description states 2010 Primtemps NYC is a "citrus bomb of a fragrance" I get more sweet herbals than citrus notes on my skin.

Then there is 775 Reserve, for which I'll hold on to my thoughts until later. 775 Reserve intrigues me. It's mysterious and familiar at the same time. This is one perfume I need to spend a lot more time with.

Scent, You Say? The Blog

Natural perfume is such a vast subject to study so I've decided to separate all my natural perfume talk from this blog. I'll cross post key postings but I would like to have a dedicated space for all things natural perfume. If you'd like to learn more about this wonderful art please follow my blog Scent, You Say?

Scent, You Say?: Artemisia Perfumes

Warm. Sweet. Soft. Floral. Did I say warm? These are the words that come to mind when I wear Havana by Lisa Fong of Artemisia Perfumes.

"Spicy and warm. Sexy tropical flora and fine French cognac meet and fall in love. Sink into the sensual embrace."

Description from Artemisia Perfumes

I agree. Havana opens with a with a warmth that transports me to a tropical island. Swaying in a hammock while the smell of native flora and a hint of spice wafts through the air. It's a very comforting scent. As the spice, antique clove, fades the floral takes charge. The star of this perfume is coffee flower. The dry down is a bit animalic on me, which adds to that island feel.

Check back next Sunday for another of my Scent, You Say? perfume experiences!

Scent, You Say?: The Scented Djinn

I was the lucky recipient in a recent blog giveaway of two new perfumes by natural botanical perfumer Justine Crane, of The Scented Djinn. Having sampled several of Justine's perfumes I'm not surprised that I liked these two as well. Jameel Eau de Parfum is a fresh, summery, citrus perfume with notes of neroli (yum!) & petit grain, gardenia and an added richness from labdanum & oudh. Jameel is a light and fresh fragrance perfect for spring and summer. It takes me outside on a lazy day to a place that is warm and tranquil. To put it simply, Jameel is relaxing while inhaling a fresh sweet citrus-scented summer breeze.

Sahar Eau de Parfum is the other I received. This one opens warm & effervescent with a sweet/tart note that reminds me of Pixie Stix candy. But this is not a sweet candy-like fragrance. It's a nicely balanced soft woody (Australian sandalwood & Himalayan cedar) sweet (honey) floral (jasmine grandiflorum & champa) perfume. I love wood perfumes and to me this is a feel good type of scent. Sahar is the kind of fragrance that (at least on me) draws one in closer to get a good whiff.

In addition to selling perfume and body care loveliness from her shop, The Scented Djinn, on Etsy Justine is also a blogger and teacher/course developer for Natures Nexus Academy of Perfuming Arts. Follow along with Justine's perfumed adventures on her blog Oh, True Apothecary!

Make sure to look for next Sunday's Scent, You Say? perfume experience!