The Magician’s Robes

[Lycanthrope]

The Red King and White Queen, sulfur and mercury, Rubedo and Albedo. The unification of opposites, putrefaction and individuation, the culmination of the Great Work.

ὁδὸς ἄνω κάτω μία καὶ ὡυτή: red and white musks alight with frankincense, white oudh, sweet labdanum, and saffron. The way up and the way down are one and the same.

Wet, this is a spicy, warm frankincense with a bit of a gummy, resinous sweetness from the labdanum. It's definitely very magical smelling, like the curl of a smoldering frankincense tear. The saffron is providing a bit of a dry pepperiness in the background. I think the oudh and red musk are making this a bit more 'warm' in tone, but strangely it's not super 'oriental,' and in fact remains very crisp and clear. None of the resins are 'gummy' per se. The musks are smooth and straightforward, and I think the white musk makes this have a bit of a chillier, bright tone.

It's very nice, very magical.

[JMorgynWhite]

I get the musks on the wet down and they are strong. Robe is the darkest oil of the lot which made me reach for it first.

The first sniffs are sweet and heady - makes me kinda of want to run away. I would say amber musk with some incense and smoke. A lot of incense - Incense is predominant. I don't get any of the nuances of the oudh or saffron.

Dry down: Robe is now all stale incense similar to cathedral and Midnight Mass. There's a trail of saffron and the dryness from maybe the frankincense. The incense is the star here on my skin.

[LizziesLuck]

Wet: The mixture of red musk and labdanum is strong, rich, syrupy sweet, almost fruity and with a touch of cola-like effervescence. I pretty much love it instantly and am wondering why I didn't get a bottle - oh right, oudh! And Frankincense. Both of which are so iffy on me, and neither of which are detectable in this yet. This is really strong, tons of throw. I really do somewhat love it. I've really been gravitating towards labdanum and opoponax lately! (They're somewhat similar on me).

 

 

Dry: The red musk gradually just inches out the labdanum for dominance as this dries, but the labdanum is still very present. I really love this. I have so many red musk blends, but I may convince myself I need more of this. It's sweet, sultry and rich. So very wearable. Decent throw, good wear length. Really great.

[zankoku_zen]

Sweet musky frankincense with a dash of oudh. Hey, frankincense lovers, get on this. It's a sweet, musky, resinous frankincense. Sort of low-key magical. Like stealthy. Good throw, medium wear length.

[Aveya]

Source: Decant Circle

Preconceptions: Literally a training moment for me. I've come across all these notes and been confused about them. I'm hoping this will help me unwind them.

 

Vial: Sweet tart woody. Frankincense I believe.

Skin: Musks just insta-bloom. Frankincense backing but these musks just engulf you like a fog machine and magic smoke billowing towards you. Prepping you for the show.

Drydown: This is shockingly beautiful. I've been on a kick with tobacco and honey blends lately? And when those blends engulf you they're extraordinarily smooth. This blend FEELS the same way - the dark mysterious engulfing feeling. But instead of cloying / smooth / smothering, it's like actual smoke. Airy, physically light, but deep and full.

 

Verdict; What every witch wishes her house smelled like 24/7. Or maybe it's just me. Flippin' beautiful, incensed musks, earthy spices, full bodied yet ethereal. Strong throw at first but tames dramatically.

Edited June 8, 2018 by Aveya