



Alkemia Perfumes operates out of Etsy, selling a large variety of indie perfumes of which they claim to be a combination of promise science, passion, and magic. They offer a 5 for $10 sampler pack (with free shipping) so I couldn't resist compulsively reading up on all the ones they offer and pick a couple I thought I would like.





Sea Goddess

Saline Aquatics, Seaweed, Saltwater Roses, Myrtle

"An oceanic hymn. Warm skin caressed by iodine and seawater swirled with seaweed and a whisper of seaspray roses and beach plums on a summery breeze of honeysuckle, nardo, and champaca blossom."





First sniff... oh my god I love it. It smells like faint flowers, roses that have been floating out in the sea, with a hint of ocean. To me, the flowers are more apparent than the ocean smell. But it smells so wonderful. It's light and feminine, dreamy and soft. Absolutely getting a full size with my next order.





La Sirena (the Mermaid)

"A mesmerizing spell of oceanic aquatics, saline seaweeds, and garlands of fresh Tiare flowers offered to the sea. Hauntingly elusive."





This one is a more traditional aquatic/ocean scent. The first sniff, there is a slightly sour note, but it quickly goes away and melts into a more slightly salty, cool blue ocean scent. Aquatics are my favorite type of scents. This one is very lovely, with just a hint of flower.





Sandscape

"Sun warmed beach sand, Atlantic ocean breezes, the saline-aquatic scent of drying sea water on skin, and the faintest hints of tanning oil and seaweed."





Now this one smells like the ocean. You can literally smell the salt and the seaweed. This one is different than the other two in that there are no flower notes in here. It leans a bit more soapy, but not in a bad way. It's very crisp and clean smell. A bright sunny day at the beach.





Carmen 7

Spiced Pear, Lychee Fruit, Praline, Vanilla, Magnolia, and Amber

"An indecent proposal of succulently spiced pear, exotic lychees, decadent french pralines, bourbon vanilla, and crushed almond blossoms leads to a ménage à trois of gardenia, star jasmine, and magnolia illuminated by the afterglow of a sensuously musky amber."





To be very honest, I got this one because it is my namesake and I figured I had to, just for the sake of it. By no means do I think my personality matches my name though. When you think of "Carmen" you probably have imagery of the opera by George Bizet, of gypsies and passion, lust and dancing. Unfortunately that doesn't match me at all, but I was hoping I would like something with my name in it. And I do! This one is a bit more gourmand. Sweet vanilla and spiced fruits; mixed with musky amber, which is a strong note in this one, and quick flower notes. It doesn't smell like me, but it does smell good.





Lux Aeternum

Pomegranate, Dark Roses, Amber "An homage to the return of the light and the unity of life and death. Red, ripe pomegranates and roses warmed on a bed of solar amber."



This scent seemed highly favorable among reviews, so I wanted to see what it was about. It smells like roses, but not overtly so. And definitely not the same kind of roses in Sea Goddess. These roses are different... darker. And I think they are not overpowering because of the pomegranate note. The pomegranate isn't overt, but it mixes in with the roses really well. It smells like a hauntingly beautiful poem.





Elixir of Aphrodite (a sample for me, yay!)

Honeyed Apricots, Guiac Wood, and Vanilla Musk

"Luxurious love spell of Persian apricots dipped in orange blossom honey swirling with a sensual enchantment of peach and plum blossoms, mimosa, white star jasmine, ambrette, guiac wood, and vanilla musk."





Mmm this one smells like perfumed candy. It has this youthful fruit note that hits you right as you smell it. And as it calms down, you can smell the vanilla musk taking over.



