Binxcat's Purrfect Fragrance

DedCool – MILK Fragrance Enhancer + Layering Fragrance Oil New in the DedCool line-up is MILK; a fragrance enhancing layering oil.   If you follow me, you know DedCool is one of my favorite fragrance brands so, while I am not really a fragrance laying kind of person, I still wanted to try out this new release. MILK is a fragrance oil and comes in a roll on.   For the purposes of this product, I think a roll on makes sense.   I tested MILK on its own but of course you can feel free to use it to enhance any fragrance you like. MILK is very much a what you smell is what you get scent.   It is a lovely, slightly sweet, partly resinous white musk* with a hint of bergamot.   The bergamot adds a very light spicy citrusy-floral while the amber adds enough interest without being too resinous.   There is a light earthiness to the scent.   This is a fragrance oil that can easily be worn on its own merits. MILK wears on me for roughly 10 hours wi...

Kyse Perfumes: Bonbons À La Vanille Bonbons À La Vanille (“Bonbons”) is a new release from Kyse Perfumes.   On me, it wears as an oriental vanilla (gourmand) fragrance.   It is important to stop here to note that this fragrance was created for the perfumer’s friend at his request for a “grown up vanilla candy”.     I find this quite lovely.   Bonbons opens as a delectable, sweet, pure vanilla.   There is an eloquent finish on the vanilla that prevents it from becoming a mass market teen-type vanilla.   In Bonbons, Peru Balsam adds a slightly earthiness to the vanilla as I reach roughly 2 hours into wear.   Into the drydown, I get a slight spice – cinnamon possibly but not quite distinct.   There is a soft, light, white muskiness in the drydown as well which adds a comforting feel; much like a warm blanket in the Winter. Bonbons wears on me with soft projection for roughly 7 – 8 hours. Notes: Tahitian vanilla beans, Peru b...

Dreaming Tree Soapworks – Wonderland Aromatic Elixer Wonderland Aromatic Elixer (“Wonderland”) is a perfume oil created by Dreaming Tree Soapworks that will make the wearer feel like they’ve discovered Alice’s Wonderland.   A sweet fruity floral, this elixir harkens to the imagination of childhood. Wonderland opens, and wears, as a playful sweet raspberry violet.   It is clean and lighthearted.   It very much reminds me of being a young child venturing into a sweet shop with the great big apothecary jars filled with candies.   There is a slight tartness to the black raspberry which brings to mind the variety and rainbow of colors in the sweet shop.   The violet in Wonderland is reminiscent of candied violets often found on high end baked goods. Wonderland has a wear time on me of roughly 6 – 7 hours and has a soft to skin scent projection. Notes: black raspberry, spun sugar, violets Perfumer: Meghan Young Vegan, Gluten Free, Dye Free, P...

Mugler Cologne: Come Together EDT Come Together is an aromatic green and is one of the new releases in the Mugler Collection.   It is “The original unifying cult cologne by Mugler boasts the same scandalously addictive sensual trail.”   Like the original, it opens with a green petitgrain.   The initial opening is distinctly green and fresh.   Quickly, the initial strength of the green backs off a bit and is joined by a glorious clean musk.   There is a slight sweetness to the fragrance and I detect a leafy white floral accord.   Through the remainder of wear, Come Together retains its olfactory qualities.   It is fresh, clean, and enticing with its white musk.   It is an approachable fragrance which wears well alone or, for those who like to pair, would go nicely with a variety of other fragrances. Come Together wears on me for roughly 5 – 6 hours with soft projection. CRUELTY FREE Photo Credit: Nordstrom

DedCool – Madonna (Lilly) Madonna (Lilly) (“Madonna”) is one of the new releases in the DedCool Series 2.   She wears on me as a woody spicy fragrance. Madonna opens with a spicy burst of black pepper coupled with hints of citrus.   There is an interesting warmth and freshness to the opening.   About 15 minutes into wear, the black pepper recedes slightly and the fragrance takes on a creamy quality.   Roughly 2 hours into wear, I begin to get notes of a delicately resinous amber and woody notes.   Madonna is distinctly interesting at this point in wear.   She is warm without being too spicy, she is comforting while being complex. Madonna’s drydown brings further complexity.   A light white floral perhaps? A new rush of creamy citrus? A delicate spiced wood?   Yes on all accounts.   Yet even with the development of each note, the fragrance retains on course with an even balance. Madonna wears on me with moderate projectio...

Apothescary Scents - Mary Shelley Perfume Oil Mary Shelley (“Shelley”) was released by Apothescary Scents as part of the Literary Classics Collection.   On me, Shelley wears as an oriental spicy fragrance. In her description of the fragrance, the perfumer includes a quote from the namesake of the fragrance, “Solitude was my only consolation - deep, dark, deathlike solitude.” (Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)   The inclusion of this particular quote is telling as it accurately sets the scene for what will play out in the wear of the fragrance.   Shelley the person and the fragrance is colored with dark, mysterious vibes. As she opens, Shelley bursts with a deep, juicy, bold blood orange generous sprinkled with ginger.   The note is biting and spicy.   There is a hint of sweetness that feels just out of reach.   As Shelley wears, a vibrant and warm clove is detected.   There is a resinous underpinning courtesy of the cardamom that amplifies the...

Kensington Apothecary – Capri 1966 EDP Kensington Apothecary has been on my radar for a while now.   As a beauty blogger, I became aware of the brand some time ago through their skincare line.   I was impressed by the founder’s use of natural ingredients and their commitment to community.   When they made the decision to launch their first fragrance collection, Expatica Scent Collection, I was immediately interested.   I was fortunate enough to be able to obtain a sample of one of the three releases, Capri 1966 (“Capri”).   Capri has been described by the perfumer as a “tomboy floral”.    Of course, many of us in the fragrance community no longer consider fragrance male or female, however, there can be made some distinction in notes of scents which were traditionally identified as owning to male or female. If you’ve followed my fragrance blog, you already know that I personally love a scent that tells a story.   In the case of Capri, the...

Pinrose – Secret Genius Secret Genius (“Genius”) was released in 2015 and is the first fragrance I’ve tested from Pinrose.   Genius is an oriental vanilla. If you look below the main review, you’ll see I’ve kept the brand’s Notes as published instead of converting it to the “standard” fragrance terms for the note construction.   The way the brand describes Notes and, moreover, the way they describe the basic “vibe” of their fragrances speaks to who their target audience is.   In the case of Genius, the fragrance is described as: VIBE   Trustworthy • Comforting • Sexy PERFECT FOR Hatching plans and sneaking kisses SIPS LIKE   White Russian Genius isn’t a fragrance that has much by way of development with the exception of the initial note I get in the very opening.   Basically, it’s a “what you smell is what you get”.   And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.   What was less than spectacular was the very first opening note that I...

Mugler - Les Exceptions - Wonder Bouquet EDP In 2017, Mugler added Wonder Bouquet (“Wonder”) to the Les Exceptions Collection.   This floral fruity gourmand adds a decided twist to the fragrance family with the surprise addition of a bread/bran accord. You wouldn’t think it would work.   Sure, we’re used to fruity florals with “edible” notes.   We’re also used to the whole host of gourmands out there with doses of vanilla and chocolate and fig… but bread?   Yes.   It works; and surprisingly well. Wonder opens with a lovely fruity floral offering.   The notes are so well blended that the actual scent feels like a lovely passing breeze infused with white florals.   There is a sunniness and fresh sweetness to the florals, courtesy of the orange blossom, and the jasmine is well tempered.   In the mix is also an almost yeast-like note.   It’s just there, in the background, and yet tangible.   It’s the best of the “just preparing...

Mugler Les Exceptions - Oriental Express EDP To help celebrate the Mugler Friends and Family Event, I thought I’d give you another Mugler fragrance review.   Oriental Express (“Express”) is, not surprisingly, an oriental fragrance released by Mugler in 2014.   Express is not your Mother’s oriental.   It is also not one of those 80s-style in your face orientals.   Instead, it has a “come closer” vibe to it. Express opens with a cozy, powdery slightly spiced vanilla.   There is an evolving greenness in the background that lends a slight edge to the otherwise softness.   Into wear, I get a creamy woody note.   The woodiness is ever so slight as to not move this into a woody fragrance territory.   It simply adds depth and contrast.   There is a sense of classic minimalism to the fragrance while at the same time striking a different chord in the oriental fragrance family.   Express feels like what comfort food tastes like. Expre...

House of Matriarch – Woo Released in 2012, Woo is an oriental floral fragrance from the House of Matriarch. Woo opens with a floral-suede accord.   There is a salty marine vibe to the opening without actually being salty.   For me, it’s as if the essence of beachy skin has been captured and layered in with tropical flowers.   About an hour into wear, the initial notes settle a bit and a leafy, dried tobacco joins in.   There is a semi-sweet and smoky earthiness.   That nudges the scent into a dirty-sexy place.   A touch of vanilla bean seems to help round out and soften the tobacco and suede without coming near to being cloying. Woo wears on me with moderate projection for roughly 10 hours. Featured notes: exotic floral notes, sea notes, tobacco, leather, vanilla, ambergris Perfumer: Christi Meshell CRUELTY FREE VEGAN Photo Credit: House of Matriarch

DedCool – Ivy Blanc EDP Ivy Blanc (“Ivy”) is a new release from DedCool and is part of the Series 2 Collection.   On me, it wears like a woody spicy fragrance. When Ivy first opens, I get a brief, bright, leaf-like note.   Very soon after, I get a stunning pink pepper that is tempered by a smooth and rich sandalwood.   There is a cedar-like woodiness to the accord. At about the one hour mark, I get a warm, slightly resinous amber and a hay-like note.   The amber seems to float with a white smoky incense.   The fragrance does not turn dark but instead, remains cozy and comfortable with a note of bergamot that elevates the fragrance without transforming it into a floral. There is a warmth and depth to Ivy that takes me to the woods in the very best way.   The scent reminds me of Fall without having the traditional pumpkin or Fall-spice notes.   Ivy Blanc wears on me with soft projection for roughly 8 hours. Notes: Top: Pink Pepp...

DedCool – Red (Dakota) EDP Recently launched as part of the Series 2 Collection, DedCool’s Red (Dakota) (“Red”) is a transforming citrus floral. Red opens with a juicy orange and bold gardenia.    The citrus compliments the gardenia by elevating it from the garden.    I get a picture in my mind of an Old Master’s painting of a still life; fresh picked gardenias in a vase and a bowl of ripe fruit on the table.    While the image it conjures is old school, this is far from an old school fragrance.    The blend feels new. Shortly into wear in comes a moody wood and amber.    There is an intimate warmth in these additions.    The citrus and gardenia remain but now the fragrance becomes almost cozy.    It feels comfortable and approachable.   Into the drydown, Red retains its character.    The gardenia and citrus have softened.    The amber is now adding a gentle sweetness (not clo...

Mugler - Les Exceptions – Supra Floral EDP Supra Floral was launched in 2014.   As its name suggests, it is a floral fragrance; however, it is more than just a simple floral. The fragrance opens with a bright, crisp, fresh note that has aspects of hyacinth.   I feel as if I am standing in a garden and breathing in a freshly blossomed flower in Spring; although cannot identify the note as a “pure hyacinth”.   I get the floral of course, as elements of hyacinth, and it is accompanied by a fairly moderate greenness. The floral is soon joined by a lightly smoked incense.   This is not a “church” incense but is instead closer to a white smoke.   I want to describe this as a clean smoke.   The note adds a depth and complexity to the floral while allowing it to retain all of its best qualities.   I don’t get the typical resinous quality one would expect of an amber in a fragrance.   Here, the amber takes on more of a warm and sweet darkness...

Mugler - Aura Mugler EDP Aura Mugler (“Aura”) is an oriental green aromatic with hallmarks of a fruity floral fragrance.   Released in the United States this past Winter, the brand states it is intended to make the wearer “reconnect with (your) inner nature and to unleash all (your) femininity and (your) aura.”   Based on the description, I anticipated an assertive feminine fragrance. Aura opens with an intensely bitter and sour vegetal note.   The bitterness intertwines with a floral that reads on me as orange blossom.   This duel accord floats on my skin for about an hour before the bitterness subsides and the fragrance takes on a softer edge. As Aura wears, I get a complex smokiness and a sweetness that peeks through.   Again, the contrast of the notes is intriguing.   There is a slight medicinal quality that comes through at about the two hour mark.   Typically, a medicinal note is unpleasant to me but in this fragrance, I don’t f...

Jo Loves – Pomelo Pomelo is a citrus fragrance from Jo Loves that is much more than simply citrus and is the perfumer’s signature scent.   The fragrance has the “Jo Malone” touch all over it and, if you’re a fan of or familiar with her scents, you’ll understand that nuance she has as a perfumer.   For those not familiar, the best way I can describe it is that she has a certain knack for taking a primary note or notes and blending them with other notes in such a way that the “star” note is front and center and then transforms into more than the sum of the parts. With Pomelo the opening is zesty, effervescent, and fresh.   I get a burst of citric pomelo at first whiff.   This is a fresh from the orchard grapefruit zing.   Within about fifteen minutes, the almost pure citrus begins its transformation.   I get hints of a full-bodied rose just behind and beginning to soften and round the opening.   It feels very similar to an old masters painting ...

Commodity – Nectar Nectar is a release from Commodity in their White Collection.   The fragrance wears on me as a fresh fruity floral/aromatic fruity. When I received my sample of Nectar, I wasn’t sure what to expect.   Nectar may be used to describe things in different contexts.   With Commodity’s Nectar, I find the name both describes the nectar of a juicy fruit as well as the nectar found in floral blossoms. Nectar opens as a bright citrus with touches of neroli.   There is a sunny brightness to the opening and I find that the pomelo and tangerine are evenly balanced.   As Nectar wears, I get a bitter neroli that adds the “flavor” of what feels like a citrus rind.     There is a light honeysuckle that adds a touch of sweetness and lends itself to brighten, almost adding a sunny disposition, to the fragrance.   At roughly 2 hours into wear, there is a background of cedarwood.   The cedar is distant and faint.   More p...

Twisted Wonderland Perfumery - Mad Tea Party Perfume Oil Mad Tea Party is a straightforward tea fragrance form Twisted Wonderland Perfumery.   The wear is linear so “what you see is what you get”.   It is, however, one of the best renditions of tea in an Indie fragrance in my opinion.   The perfumer has done a very good job at capturing that quintessential Earl Grey tea smell.   You get that classic almost citrusy – bergamot tea note.   the note is blended, as one might drink their tea, with a slightly sweet, creamy vanilla.   The effect is soft and soothing without becoming cloying.   Mad Tea party wears on me with soft projection for roughly 5 – 6 hours. Notes: “Okay..well just half a cup! Freshly brewed earl grey tea with just a splash of sugary vanilla milk” Perfumer: Rae Ganter CRUELTY FREE VEGAN

DedCool - Velvet (Monroe) Velvet (Monroe) (“Velvet”) is part of the brand new Series 2 on pre-order now from DedCool.   It is an aromatic woody fragrance that I find quickly distinguishes itself from the pack.   If you have been following me, you know that DedCool is one of my favorite fragrance brands.   Not only are all of their fragrances well-constructed, but the brand has an ethos that speaks to the modern heart. Velvet opens with a sultry, smoky, incense-tinged mimosa.   Yet instead of feeling heavy, as many smoky incense fragrances can, Velvet feels light and warm.   There is a nice, refreshing touch of eucalyptus that brightens the blend.   Velvet does not go the way of a church-like incense but instead holds the same reverence for the accord with wisps that capture the imagination. As Velvet continues to wear, I begin to get a lightly sweetened (but not cloying) black licorice.   Here I need to comment that in general, I dislike ...

Mugler - Les Exceptions: Fougere Furieuse EDP Fougere Furieuse (“Furieuse”) is an aromatic fougere that was released in 2014.   In general, it follows the formula of a fougere in that you get the fern and geranium (here in lieu of lavender) as well as the coumarin.   I would note the coumarin appears as a base note, however, as the wear of this fragrance is fairly linear on me after the first hour of wear, it somewhat defies the formulaic composition.   Furieuse also gives us the moss and wood components with the wood being fairly prominent in wear. Furieuse opens with an intensely green herbal wood.   There is a freshness to the green herbs and a deliberate depth to the woods.   The fern stands out with a crisp bite.   Soon after, these notes are joined by a spicy geranium and white floral notes.   A smooth hay-like veil envelopes the fragrance and I get what feels very much like the traditional Mugler Alien woods and amber.   Through t...