Arcanum

Two phrases that I hadn't imagined being combined in the same sentence, but here we are: this is an easy / dumb reach straight incense scent. Usually I think of incense as being semi-challenging, or needing certain colder weather, or it's often mixed with other notes that make a fragrance difficult to pull off in multiple situations. Not Arcanum--it's a little swiss army knife incense bebe. Solid 3 season scent, could probably even wear it in the summer if you really wanted to. Not too heavy, not too light, just right. I debated between "like" and "love" on this scent for a few days, but the more I wore it, the more I realize that it deserves the "love". It's not as head-turning or immediately swoon-worthy to my nose like some other Alkemias are, but I can't think about anything to nitpick about this scent. Solid longevity, went for about 5-6 hours, which is pretty impressive for an oil-based scent. I'll probably end up with a full bottle next fall or (heaven forbid) if it ever ends up on the Last Chance page--whichever comes first.

I find this one an excellent, witchy headshop scent. There's a gorgeous frankincense note that mellows as it dries down to become more of a smoky/powdery incense scent. There is also something of a vintage perfume vibe here that makes this a bit more elegant than the usual headshop scents.

Mmm the perfect witchy headshop scent! The dragons blood incense is in the forefront. It’s sophisticated and classic if you love incense and hippie scents.

Very nice, I don't get any offensive notes out of this. I got the rollerball and when I was testing this out I initially just put some on my wrist, which I don't normally do because I feel like anything I put on my wrist gets rubbed away immediately, but Arcanum held up surprisingly well. This fragrance makes me feel like I'm walking through the downtown area of a small town and have been lured into a cramped, hidey-hole of a shop by the scent of the incense being burned inside. Projection is good enough that my sister, who was sitting across the table from me while we ate, smelled it and complimented it. I've also gotten compliments from other people. I actually initially liked the fragrance but wasn't really "wowed" by it, but it quickly grew on me.

If you like incensy fragrances, this one is for you! Earthy, woody, and smoky with sweet dragon's blood, frankincense, and patchouli. A soothing and relaxing scent for me. A great offering from Alkemia!

This is my first and probably only perfume from Alkemia and it's the straight up original, not one of the flankers. I don't understand all the excitement and buzz about the brand. This one smells too generic, nothing special, not even as good as some of the old ones from Auric Blends. I've been wearing perfume oils for decades so perhaps that gives me more perspective on the new oils in comparison with the old ones. I'm sure that the latest versions of my old favorites don't wear or smell as good these days. Reformulation is the name of the game with perfumes.

This is a pretty "meh" fragrance to me. It's a lot of warm spice and resiny dragon's blood, maybe the slightest hint of sweetness. Nothing about this jumps out at me as particularly novel or enticing. I know a lot of people think it has that coveted head shop smell, but my body chemistry doesn't bring out that quality. (Hippie Spirit, on the other hand.... <3 <3 <3) My boyfriend likes this, which isn't surprising. It's an unassuming, autumn-wintery, softly masculine scent that Dudes Who Aren't Into Fragrance tend to like, in my experience. Scent stays very close to the skin, lasts a long time. Good to wear to work, if you work in an office. I don't hate this, but it's not for me. I received as a free sample in a larger Alkemia order, and would not purchase in any size.

This does not disappoint. It's powerful, a little goes a long way. Nag Champa, Dragons Blood, Frankincense, Sandalwood. Smells like record stores, when we used to have them, before digital music, mystical crystal shops, and old school Hot Topic, when they were actually goth. This smells like the good old days, in a bottle. Was packaged well, sent 1st class priority USPS. Excellent sillage & longevity. My 1st time with Alchemia, have 5 more to review in my self created sample set. So far, love, and will continue to order from them. Quite impressive.

Many reviewers say “smells like a head/hippie shop” when describing certain fragrances. Many of those descriptions are wrong. THIS is the most realistic hippie shop scent I’ve ever encountered and it’s AMAZING. Perfect blend of sweet/spicy Nag Champa, dirty patchouli, earthy frankincense and sandalwood. Love it.

This really does smell like Youth Dew to me, and as with Youth Dew, I think it initially smells beautiful, but it never works on my skin and turns into a weird, milky, almost sour mess. If you love Youth Dew and it works for you, definitely try this because they are so so similar.

A total headshop/incense shop smell. If you know what Majmua smells like, this is it, plus some warm deep amber. It's an incense shop you can wear on your skin. Nice!