I realized I haven't actually talked about a few of the Sonoma Scent Studio perfumes I've tried, and what with the giveaway, thought it might be prudent to do so!
Winter Woods (guaiacwood, cedar, sandalwood, birch tar, cade, oakmoss absolute, castoreum, amber, labdanum absolute, vetiver, ambergris, musk) is one of my two favorites from the entire SSS line (the other being Forest Walk, of course). I'm going to just put Laurie's description here, because I think it perfectly captures the perfume:
A cozy perfume featuring ambered woods with a touch of smoke, perfect for fall and winter. The long-lasting drydown of amber, woods, musk, and oakmoss is slightly sweet and gently smoky. (source)
I mean, really, "ambered woods"? I never stood a chance. Winter Woods smells amazing, seriously, every note I love best in perfumes mixed with a bit of sweetness and a tinge of smoke. It's crazy long-lasting, feels utterly cozy when worn, and it got me through last term's finals (the ultimate litmus test of how emotionally fulfilling a scent is!). I find it to be more of a cold weather perfume, so I don't anticipate wearing it all that much the next few months, but I will gleefully spray it on with the return of autumn.
Ambre Noir (labdanum absolute, amber, rose, olibanum, myrrh, vetiver codistilled with mitti, oakmoss absolute, aged Indian patchouli, Texas cedarwood, sandalwood, clove, castoreum) was a scent I figured I would love. I'm a nut for amber (see above) and I adore the SSS base, but unfortunately, Ambre Noir pulls very powdery on me, and powder I do not like. I'll set it aside and try it again next fall, since like Winter Woods, it's quite heavy and suited best to cold and gloom.
Incense Pure (frankincense CO2, myrrh EO, labdanum absolute, cistus oil, natural oakmoss absolute, aged Indian patchouli heartnote fraction, sandalwood, cedar, ambergris, orris, angelica root absolute, elemi EO, vanilla absolute) shares a lot of notes with the previous perfumes, but the focus on frankincense makes it smell quite different. Incense perfumes can be very austere, but this one is a bit too cuddly to be considered such, which is by no means a criticism. It's rich, intense, and complex: all the woods hover in the background, a shrine for the incense to burn in. Like all SSS perfumes, it's very long-lasting, and it's one I wear when I want to think––Winter Woods makes me happy, but Incense Pure clears my head. If you like incense perfumes (heck, even if you don't!), you must check it out. Though I still prefer Winter Woods and Forest Walk. I love my woods!
Rose Musc (rose petals, ambergris, labdanum absolute, skin musks) was ordered because of my rather deep and abiding love of L'Artisan Safran Troublant, another rose-musk scent. On my skin, it ends up smelling more like By Kilian Rose Oud, as the rose is stronger and sharper than that of Safran Troublant, but it's lacking By Kilian's oud. It's one of the closer-wearing SSS's, though no less long-lasting because of it, and if you like oriental rose perfumes but want one that's less BAM than many are (Amouage comes to mind), Rose Musc is an excellent choice.
In the process of looking for my reviews of other SSS perfumes, I've come to discover that I've apparently never reviewed Jour Ensoilellé nor Sienna Musk (?!?!?!?!), which is a terrible oversight. I only had time to rewear Sienna Musk (review below), but I had notes about Jour Ensoilellé from, um, 8 months ago (I'm not behind the times, no sirree). So here they are:
Jour Ensoilellé (orange blossom, neroli, tuberose, jasmine, beeswax absolute, labdanum absolute, myrrh, sandalwood, ambergris, vetiver, green leaves, oakmoss absolute): "I can never spell the name right. STUPID FRENCH. Smells like sunny meadow, dry dirt, waving wheat, sunshine." Other notes I remember from wearing it (though it's been a few months): I've grouped it with my other Sandalwood perfumes, because I find that to be a very prominent note, and it smells similar to Champagne de Bois on me, but more floral. My sample is almost empty, but I plan to rewear it at least once come summer again and possibly order another sample.
Sienna Musk (musk, sandalwood, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, clove, mandarin, cedar, cypress): Oh my god, I'd forgotten how delicious this is. Musk never comes to mind as a note I really love, which is stupid, because all my musk-centric perfumes are awesome (admittedly, my sample size is 2 [this and Musc Ravageur], but still!). This is just so warm and cuddly and rich and sexy and a little dirty in a good way and woody and smooth and I just want to eat myself. That's my idea of a good perfume.
Samples are available from Sonoma Scent for $3.50-$4.50, as are larger vials and bottles, and shipping for samples is super affordable (and you get a free sample when you order more than $12!). And the $20 BJB 2 year blogaversary giveaway will buy a number of samples, so you should enter!
Have you tried any of these? What kinds of perfumes do you find yourself most drawn to?
Winter Woods (guaiacwood, cedar, sandalwood, birch tar, cade, oakmoss absolute, castoreum, amber, labdanum absolute, vetiver, ambergris, musk) is one of my two favorites from the entire SSS line (the other being Forest Walk, of course). I'm going to just put Laurie's description here, because I think it perfectly captures the perfume:
A cozy perfume featuring ambered woods with a touch of smoke, perfect for fall and winter. The long-lasting drydown of amber, woods, musk, and oakmoss is slightly sweet and gently smoky. (source)
I mean, really, "ambered woods"? I never stood a chance. Winter Woods smells amazing, seriously, every note I love best in perfumes mixed with a bit of sweetness and a tinge of smoke. It's crazy long-lasting, feels utterly cozy when worn, and it got me through last term's finals (the ultimate litmus test of how emotionally fulfilling a scent is!). I find it to be more of a cold weather perfume, so I don't anticipate wearing it all that much the next few months, but I will gleefully spray it on with the return of autumn.
Ambre Noir (labdanum absolute, amber, rose, olibanum, myrrh, vetiver codistilled with mitti, oakmoss absolute, aged Indian patchouli, Texas cedarwood, sandalwood, clove, castoreum) was a scent I figured I would love. I'm a nut for amber (see above) and I adore the SSS base, but unfortunately, Ambre Noir pulls very powdery on me, and powder I do not like. I'll set it aside and try it again next fall, since like Winter Woods, it's quite heavy and suited best to cold and gloom.
Incense Pure (frankincense CO2, myrrh EO, labdanum absolute, cistus oil, natural oakmoss absolute, aged Indian patchouli heartnote fraction, sandalwood, cedar, ambergris, orris, angelica root absolute, elemi EO, vanilla absolute) shares a lot of notes with the previous perfumes, but the focus on frankincense makes it smell quite different. Incense perfumes can be very austere, but this one is a bit too cuddly to be considered such, which is by no means a criticism. It's rich, intense, and complex: all the woods hover in the background, a shrine for the incense to burn in. Like all SSS perfumes, it's very long-lasting, and it's one I wear when I want to think––Winter Woods makes me happy, but Incense Pure clears my head. If you like incense perfumes (heck, even if you don't!), you must check it out. Though I still prefer Winter Woods and Forest Walk. I love my woods!
Rose Musc (rose petals, ambergris, labdanum absolute, skin musks) was ordered because of my rather deep and abiding love of L'Artisan Safran Troublant, another rose-musk scent. On my skin, it ends up smelling more like By Kilian Rose Oud, as the rose is stronger and sharper than that of Safran Troublant, but it's lacking By Kilian's oud. It's one of the closer-wearing SSS's, though no less long-lasting because of it, and if you like oriental rose perfumes but want one that's less BAM than many are (Amouage comes to mind), Rose Musc is an excellent choice.
In the process of looking for my reviews of other SSS perfumes, I've come to discover that I've apparently never reviewed Jour Ensoilellé nor Sienna Musk (?!?!?!?!), which is a terrible oversight. I only had time to rewear Sienna Musk (review below), but I had notes about Jour Ensoilellé from, um, 8 months ago (I'm not behind the times, no sirree). So here they are:
Jour Ensoilellé (orange blossom, neroli, tuberose, jasmine, beeswax absolute, labdanum absolute, myrrh, sandalwood, ambergris, vetiver, green leaves, oakmoss absolute): "I can never spell the name right. STUPID FRENCH. Smells like sunny meadow, dry dirt, waving wheat, sunshine." Other notes I remember from wearing it (though it's been a few months): I've grouped it with my other Sandalwood perfumes, because I find that to be a very prominent note, and it smells similar to Champagne de Bois on me, but more floral. My sample is almost empty, but I plan to rewear it at least once come summer again and possibly order another sample.
Sienna Musk (musk, sandalwood, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, clove, mandarin, cedar, cypress): Oh my god, I'd forgotten how delicious this is. Musk never comes to mind as a note I really love, which is stupid, because all my musk-centric perfumes are awesome (admittedly, my sample size is 2 [this and Musc Ravageur], but still!). This is just so warm and cuddly and rich and sexy and a little dirty in a good way and woody and smooth and I just want to eat myself. That's my idea of a good perfume.
Samples are available from Sonoma Scent for $3.50-$4.50, as are larger vials and bottles, and shipping for samples is super affordable (and you get a free sample when you order more than $12!). And the $20 BJB 2 year blogaversary giveaway will buy a number of samples, so you should enter!
Have you tried any of these? What kinds of perfumes do you find yourself most drawn to?
