Alkemia Perfume Oils | Review


Tons of perfume stores on Etsy got me interested in indie perfumes and I finally decided to try some samples. A lot of people on r/Indiemakeupandmore/ recommended me Alkemia Perfumes, so I went ahead and picked up my five vial samples (plus one free) for just $10. 

Date ordered: September 20th
Date shipped: September 25th 
Date received: September 27th

It was a bit of surprise to receive my order after seven days but I'd like to give Alkemia the benefit of the doubt that they were, somehow, despite it wasn't a holiday season, busy. After all, my perfumes were delivered intact.  

Lux Afternum, Antares, Wild Swans at Coole, Les mysteres, Mesnee d'Hellequin


Mesnée d'Hellequin (Earth, Green, Wood category)

balsam pine, cypress needles, cedar bark, teakwood, vetiver root, galbanum, lichen, moss, dried leaves, damp earth, and forest fungi


Wet/ Top note: smells like I'm walking around inside a cemetery at night. 
Middle note: insect repelling spray.
Dry down: the scent now changed into a fancy bar soap, you know the ones that come with pretty paper wraps.
Lasted: 6 hours 
Rating: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ 


Les Mysteres (Incense, Resins, Tobacco category) 

aged frankincense, black figs, labdanum, dark amber, Russian tea, swirled with a trio of sensual musks.

Wet/Top note: Figs and heavy vodka
Middle note: indistinguishable flower scented incense
Dry down: drinking smooth vanilla tea inside a lodge. 
A friend's comment: "smells like baby wipes" 
Lasted:9 hours

Rating: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ 


Lux Aeternum (Fruit, Milk, Tea category) 

Red, ripe pomegranates and dark red roses illuminated by a radiant trinity of golden ambers

Wet/Top note: Eeeks! Sour grapes that have been left out ar room temperature for weeks.  
Middle note: creepy, rotten dead animal.
Dry down: high class bathroom (aka perfume plus things going on in a bathroom).
Lasted: 10 hours
Rating: ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ 







Wild Swans at Coole (New Released category) 

sweet flag, orris root, fen violet, wild autumn orchids, blue moor-grass, blackthorn wood, drying ferns, dried sedge grasses soaked in dew, and veils of mist parting over lake water

Wet/Top note: At dawn, standing at a calm lake and there's some violets around the bank. 
Middle note: just cleaned public bathroom
Dry down: In between old Jolly Rancher (particularly watermelon flavor) and laundry detergent 
Lasted: 10 hours 
Rating: ★ ★ ★  ☆ 


Calliope (Vanillas, Cocoas, Sweets category)

piquant clementine, orange blossoms, white orchid, sugared currants, tonka, and vanilla musk whirled with flirtatious teases of billowy cotton candy floss and kisses of saltwater taffy

Wet/Top note: smells good! but what is this!? 
Middle note: Very nostalgic, something from my childhood. Perhaps it's the light candy scent from San Rio (a toy store)
Dry down: Cotton Candy.
Lasted: 7 hours 
Rating: ★ ★ ★  



Antares (Ocean, Rain, Flowers category)

Dried Wild Roses, Mandarin, Nicotania, Oakmosses, Cactus, Juniper, Acacia buds, Fir Resin, Clary Sage, Cedar Needles, Labdanum, Guaiac Wood, Germander, and White Patchouli lightly bathed in dewy Water Musk.

Wet/Top note: Gazing at cold starry night sky in upstate New York. (it matches Alkemia's description photo!) 
Middle Note: a soothing flower garden after rain shower with a hint of sweet citrus 
Dry down: expensive commercial perfume minus the alcohol base & a hint of baby powder. I can't help keep smelling my wrists! 
A friend's comment: "Axe men's deodorant, or well groomed men who goes to the art of shaving everyday or even works there. Not overpowering." 
Lasted: 10 hours 
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 


Verdict: Out of the six vial samples, I liked half and disliked the other half. I tried to select one from each category in Alkemia shop, hoping that I would like at least one scent, and I did end up really liking Antares! These perfume oils, in contrast to ordinary commercial eau de parfum, definitely smell more smooth, natural, and genuine to me. Other than its natural appeal, its lasting power is great-- all of the perfumes stayed strong for good four hours, then started to decrease in strength. The level of concentration does not necessarily equal to quality. Lux Aeternum was the strongest, most headache inducing scent and Antare was the least in-your-face scent, but they both lasted more than 10 hours. Indie perfumes are not for everyone. Not only do indie shops stay away from commercial scents, they also don't have a brick-and-mortar store for people to test out. Your only bet is through perfume samples that they offer. Nevertheless, I still recommend indie shops if you have never tried one, as they have a variety of unique fragrance selections and are gentle on skin. 


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