Arachne of Lydia

[grrrlennyl]

Soft brown and Tyrian purple: dusty clove and blackcurrant.

On: This is lovely.Definitely dark and soft. I'm getting the warmness of the clove with a dusty feel and the hint of something sweet behind it.
1 hour in: Warm, dusty clove. Very comforting.
5 hours in: Still warm, earthy, dusty clove.
Overall: I may have to try to get a bottle of this. It made me feel really cozy.

[imaginepageant]

In the Vial: Once again, the blend description is spot-on: the clove is very dusty. Yet, the blackcurrant makes it smell juicy at the same time. What a paradox!

 

Wet: Whoa! This is the first blend that's made my skin tingle. The strangest part is, the scent all but disappears the moment it hits my skin. I slathered even more on, but again, it just went POOF! and disappeared.

 

Dry: Okay, it seems to be peeking back out now. Mostly the clove; I only get the blackcurrent in the vague tartness that's behind the clove.

 

An Hour Later: Still surprisingly faint, and still mostly clove. But there's just something off about it. I know it's the blackcurrant, but it doesn't smell like blackcurrant, or like anything, really. It's just throwing the clove off in a strange way.

 

Overall: I may try layering this with a few of the simpler apple blends, but I suspect this may end up being rehomed. I adore clove, but the blackcurrant just didn't work for me.

[darkling]

This was devastating for me because I was so excited about this Last Unicorn scent. Sadly, from start to finish Arachne of Lydia smelled like cheap clove cigarettes on me. I didn't get even the slightest hint of blackberry. It is one of the very few scents that I disliked enough to wash off. Arachne of Lydia is quite a strong scent; I had to wash my wrists multiple times before the scent dissipated.

[wishingwell]

I was a little worried by this scent when I sniffed the bottle. I tend to amp things like clove and patchouli, and I know from experience (mainly at SCA parties ) that actual cloves can be overwhelming to me. With that in mind.. I sadly have to admit that I tested this one over the sink.

 

However! Wet, on my wrist, this smelled like Christmas. And I don't mean the cheap scented pinecone potpourri kind of Christmas, I mean just.. warm, soft cloves, and a little ashy, like a fireplace cooling down. As time went on and it dried out, the clove came out a bit more but it remained very pleasant and dry. I didn't really pick up any fruit or juiciness like others have stated, but the really nice thing is that even though I missed out on that part.. I did get to really enjoy this scent, which was a surprise. Felt very much like a "grown up" fall/winter scent; not foodie, not flowery, just spicy.

 

Lasted most of the day (about 7 hours today, 8 hours before it got too faint to smell even nose-to-wrist) and had a fairly light (though solidly clove) throw.

 

It's not a favorite, but I'll use it once in a while. And even if you're like me and the clove in this is making you nervous.. give it a try! You might be surprised.

[lohengrin]

In the vial: It smells perfumey, with just a hint of clove. (I know, "perfumey" is not helpful, but it has that smell I associate with department store perfume, where no note stands out and it's all just kind of overwhelming and headachey.)

 

On skin, wet: A little more clove, but still kind of perfumey. No currant at all.

 

On skin, dry: The perfumey scent has faded into the background, and this is mostly straight-up clove.

 

After an hour: More or less the same as the initial drydown--clove with an undercurrent of department store perfume. Very disappointing.

[Doc M]

Aged imp from unicorn horn set 2010.

 

In 2010: I get an even, consistent blend of clove and currant. Moderate throw, long durtion. I feel like I spent all day in a kitchen. Many compliments when hugging the gal pals

 

Will update with regard to aging in 2012.

[Ajila]

In the bottle - Surprisingly green and herbal with the sweet/tart of the black currant in the background

 

Wet on me - A clean, fresh, medicinal note from the clove followed by dark, dark black currant

 

Dry on me - Disappeared completely on my skin

 

Overall - Didn't last on me at all

[calivianya]

I wouldn't know there was blackcurrant in this if I hadn't read the description; this scent is CLOVE with a teensy hint of something purple in the background. It is nice, but I think it's a little too sharp for me.

[filigree_shadow]

I didn't look up the notes before I put this on, so I had no preconceived ideas. I put it on and sniffed it, and all I really smell is "dusty clove." I wouldn't have been able to place black currant. Clove is for sure there, but it's not so strong as it usually is on me. And I'm not sure what the dusty part is, but it's definitely dusty.

 

Interesting scent.

[theseagrows]

this is a soft, comforting scent. it's mostly clove with a hint of sweetness. i love both these notes, so this is quite an enjoyable scent for me. reminds me a bit of mure et musc when it dries down, after about half an hour. it's pretty and light, and perfect when you want to wear something soft and uncomplicated. good scent for work.

[DiesMali]

In the imp: Dark fruit and cloves, much sweeter than when on the skin.

 

Wet on my skin: The currant note starts to fade almost immediately, but the clove powers up into this warm, lush cloud surrounding me. This oil not only smells warm, but seems to literally have a warming effect on my skin.

 

Dry: Gorgeous. Rich, warm, and dusty/dry clove with a hint of sweet fruit under it. I'm almost getting black plum rather than black currant. It's a beautifully rich scent, and rather than being spice rack in-the-jar cloves, it smells like cloves baking in the oven as part of a holiday meal. Warm and somehow a little bit nostalgic, like a childhood home of which you only have faint memories.

[Minh Scent]

Starts out bubble gum EW but quickly turns into a lovely, spicey clove with just a back whiff of currant. Surprisingly not long lasting. Easy to wear.

[LizziesLuck]

Wet - Whoa clove! It smells almost burnt, yet soapy and powdery at the same time.

 

 

Dry: Spicy fruit. The clove layers beautifully over the currant. It took me a while to figure out what this reminds me of, but it's The Phantom Calliope. Very different notes, but something about the dark fruit and spice lends them a similarity to my nose. I like Calliope better, and I already own it, so I won't need a bottle of this, but it's beautiful in its own right, nonetheless. Glad to have tried it!

[savage_rose]

At first this smells fruity and bubblegum like, but on it deepens into a spectacular mulled fruit scent. Spiced baked fruit, very Autumnal and delicious-smelling. After a while it turns back to bubblegum (think mulled fruit and hubba bubba). Nice, but not something I'd wear often.