Kunoichi

[absinthetics]

Black leather, white sandalwood, jasmine sambac, bourbon vanilla, narcissus, tonka absolute, and ylang ylang.

 

A beautiful, sweet white/amber scent. The leather mixes with the jasmine in such a way that the jasmine is almost non-existent while wet. I am not a jasmine fan, though I learned to like it in Miss Ida. If I had to say which jasmine is in here, it is more like the one found in Miss Ida. But I still can't really smell it, even as it dries. The tonka also mixes with the leather note in a way that smoothes out the scent. Though there is a little bit of that leather-whip like in De Sade, it is a whip smoothed in subtle tonka/sandalwood. In a way, these almost turn into an amber note, with a sandalwood undertone.

As this continues to dry, jasmine is really nowhere to be seen. This is a creamy tonka over a little bit of leather, wrapped around a core sandalwood heart. The vanilla makes the tonka pretty and almost foodie, but the ylang ylang and narcissus add something beautifully, maybe dangerously feminine in such a way that the scent is not really foodie. I would identify myself as a foodie, but I also love those creamy faux-foodie scents like Black Lace. I'd say that the sweetness in here is kind of that perfect tobacco sweetness type. Not saying it smells like tobacco, but rather that it goes "foodie" like tonka and tobacco can feel foodie to me.

Honestly, the scent is damn gorgeous, and I am bummed that I put it on at 7am before I go take a shower. I'm going to have to wear it through the day. For now, the scent stays close to the skin but it is still going rather strong. (Ugh, and as I edit this post, the vanilla is starting to slink out. <3) I'll update this post with just how long it goes strong later today.

If you close your eyes and think of a pretty, lethal, ninja-girl, this probably smells like the crook of her neck or her hair after completing her mission.

... As I finished this .. I realized something. In early 2011, I was asked to dream up signature scents for myself. When I finished this review, I went to look them up in the email I sent to a friend. This is what I sent:
"Those are some ideas. ...Though, I have always wanted to do a scent that would work for a (now bare with me) a pretty, seductive, Elven ninja assassin girl. I was a bit disappointed with the how much super-leather and pine were in the RPG scents. That's just not my thing. I realize this girl would wear leather..but I didn't want to smell it much! This would be dark, incensy but with something underneath that was warm, infused with heat and old books (dust, church incense, oak, tonka), but something effervescent and timeless and glowing (vanilla, white sandalwood, white ginger, amber). A skin musk, with maybe some teak, something bright and etheral (no citrus though) but also herbal and rich, but this has to have something sharp in it, maybe a dark chocolate note or dirt. Maybe some fig and/or apricot here." Other than the last part... Beth made my dream scent. Damnit.

[zankoku_zen]

Thanks to a generous forumite for the tester of this. You know who you are.

Okay, you have to be able to wear the black leather note.

Which I can't.

I amp the black leather note. This is a sister scent to De Sade. This is the same inky black leather note in in De Sade, but feminine - which means LESS chemical noxiousness. Instead I get hints of jasmine, tonka and amber which soften the leather.

But yes, feminine black leather.

[Yes, its heartbreaking in how much this does NOT work for me, and yet part of me is utterly deliriously happy that I actually don't like something THIS rare].

 

ETA: So I am re-testing this again and aging has done a real number on this. It's much more cologney, I get a hint of the jasmine and the leather has receded to the background. I get more of the white sandalwood. It still screams ninja girl assassin but instead of being introduced to her in her all black leather outfit, its more like you got the kimono version and then you realize that this girl also happens to be hiding an untold number of knives under her skirt.

Edited June 15, 2015 by zankoku_zen

[Ina Garten Davita]

Thanks to my favorite Vulcan for a generous tester of this beauty.

 

I tried it on before looking at the notes, my impression was smooth, soft leather, warm cedar, and a plethora of spicy flowers. I can't wear a lot of the heavier leather but the way this leather is blended, it suits me.

 

Sniffing after reviewing the notes, I'm surprised to see jasmine listed, because I can't detect it. The tonka and vanilla add warmth and depth, the flowers masquerading as oriental spices.

 

Gorgeously blended, soft throw. I may have to start retesting Beth's feminine leather blends because I'm loving this!