Nightmare

[Invidiana]

Black currant, black orchid, lavender, black dammar, myrrh, oakmoss, champaca flower, and mandrake root.

This calls to mind a Smashing Pumpkins song of the same name that is very near and dear to me (well it's actually Behold! The Nightmare! but close enough), because they both have the same dreamlike quality. I must admit that at first I didn't know what to make of it; the lavender was trying to hold its own, the other notes all seemed to be sparring for dominance and there was a an underlying sharp edge, I believe from the mandrake root. However, this changes entirely after a couple of minutes. The lavender softens, supported by the depth of blackcurrant, and the most gorgeous, slightly (but pleasantly) powdery melange of champaca flower and orchid on a soft bed of oakmoss comes through. I think the type of myrrh used here is also contributing to that dreamy powdery feel. The champaca and orchid also have that heady sensuality that makes it impossible to associate this with a childlike dream involving glitter and rainbows. It is potent, mysterious and hypnotic, almost opiate. If you took an innocent, almost "baby" scent and tinted it with shadows, that's what this is--a perfect evocation of corrupted dreams.

[Dark Alice]

Black currant, black orchid, lavender, black dammar, myrrh, oakmoss, champaca flower, and mandrake root.

 

This calls to mind a Smashing Pumpkins song of the same name that is very near and dear to me (well it's actually Behold! The Nightmare! but close enough), because they both have the same dreamlike quality. I must admit that at first I didn't know what to make of it; the lavender was trying to hold its own, the other notes all seemed to be sparring for dominance and there was a an underlying sharp edge, I believe from the mandrake root. However, this changes entirely after a couple of minutes. The lavender softens, supported by the depth of blackcurrant, and the most gorgeous, slightly (but pleasantly) powdery melange of champaca flower and orchid on a soft bed of oakmoss comes through. I think the type of myrrh used here is also contributing to that dreamy powdery feel. The champaca and orchid also have that heady sensuality that makes it impossible to associate this with a childlike dream involving glitter and rainbows. It is potent, mysterious and hypnotic, almost opiate. If you took an innocent, almost "baby" scent and tinted it with shadows, that's what this is--a perfect evocation of corrupted dreams.

 

I couldn't agree more with this review. However, I will add that the lavender comes out slashing through the scent up front and then dries down to this lightly sweet, baby soft lavender that makes you want to cuddle the cute little monster with very sharp teeth. The dry down is worth it. Totally. So glad I bought this and I foresee multiple bottles in my future.

[strahlend]

At first this scent strikes me as a smokey floral.

Later, the currant comes up in the dry down and is an interesting partner with the lavender. It keeps the scent a little lighter and brighter and keeps the lavender out of the realm of antiseptic or powder. Unfortunately it does lean toward the soapy (very fancy and expensive soap) end of the spectrum for me though.

[Larinessa]

Soap, soap, soap....... glad I resisted my initial impulse to buy two bottles of this.

[orata]

The lavender in this is really, really sharp--has a harsh, herbal aspect to it that takes over the blend for me. I can smell dark blackcurrant and smoky champaca in the background of the scent, but the lavender feels almost like it's burning my throat when I smell this. Not soapy--but not for me.

[ReallyZeb]

This is far too soapy for me - it's a posh herbal soap but sadly there's no trace of the lovely blackcurrant I wanted, and I don't even get the myrrh.

[milo]

I like lavender, and this one is chock full of it! This is an aggressive, dark lavender, however and maybe it's just the name, but I am feeling a bit uneasy. (Probably because nightmares scare the bejeezus out of me). This is Almost a dead ringer to 'On Darkness'. I'll have to report any ill effects, I don't mind the scent, but the decant will suffice.

[thekittenkat]

In the bottle: Black orchid and currant, touched with lavender and oakmoss.

 

Wet: The black orchid is more present now.

 

The dry-down: This dries down into a dark but slightly powdery lavender scent. Quite a morpher. It's as though all the dark notes combined into one scent and then darkened the lavender into a dried form. Nothing fresh here, but more like a dried herbal scent. I wouldn't refer to it as nightmarish, but it's certainly not for those who prefer their lavender fresh out of the fields.

[patina]

The blackcurrant is very evident. This is tart and somewhat powdery, close to a traditional perfume. It's in the Odd Portents and On Darkness family, though this seems more simple. I like those two better, so I will not be getting a bottle.

Edited May 8, 2012 by patina

[zankoku_zen]

OOOOOOOOOOOOH. I have to say I find this very evocative. Hint of dark lavender, black currant, orchid and some oakmoss and myrrh. It's a dark, seductive, blend.

 

This SLITHERS on your skin.

 

I quite, quite like this. I think I need a bottle.

[Blood onmy hands]

I expected this to be sweeter with the black currant and myrrh, but I can't really pick out either of those notes. Nightmare leans towards being slightly soapy and more sharply herbal on my skin, like a mix of perfumey floral and herbal lavender mixed into a bar soap. The drydown is a little softer and slightly powdery, and I think I can pick out a gentle, earthy note from the oakmoss. Not my favorite lavender scent.

[mymymai]

In the Bottle (ITB): It's somewhat green while being floral and resinous at the same time.

 

Wet:Much more earthy now. I get oakmoss, mandrake, champaca flower, impressions of currant and lavender, and perhaps the softly resinous and uplifting scent of dammar.

 

Dry: It's faint and powdery after a few hours, but I can tease out the champaca and the dammar.

[The Poison Queen]

In the bottle: An unsettling floral with just a tinge of green bitterness.

 

On my skin: Crushed nightshade and cloyingly sweet orchid.

 

Drydown: Horribly cloying orchid, in a good way? It's almost headache inducing and certainly creepy, but I like it.

 

This whole set seems to have a HUGE throw to it, this one is almost as strong as "Dream".

Edited November 30, 2013 by The Poison Queen