Grim Fantasia

Grim Fantasia opens with strong animalic note. I hate to say this but it smells like ammonia/urine that makes me want to wash it off ASAP. But I decided to give it a chance so I waited a little to see what it become and I'm glad I did. After 5 minutes of brutal opening, the animalic note fades and becomes creamy chocolate scent with dark cherry in the background. Very Gothic and elegant. Actually, this one is my ideal of "Gothic" scent. It gives the vibe of a vampire in black coat wearing red accessories. An absolute love! The dry down pronounces more leathery note. I'm not a fan of leather in perfumery but this is quite alright. Lasting power is 7+ hours on my skin and sillage is good. I'd like to buy a back up of this dark gorgeous scent but I'm not sure if this brand is still in business. Their Facebook and IG was not active since 2019. 😢

Sample #2 from the set Another wallop of woody oakmoss. The chocolate and cherry is strong in here and I think it's nice. Unlike the last sample I tried (Ashura) I find this one a lot easier to wear. Although I have to say the composition is pretty similar. The fruit is super sharp and on the sour cherry side, and it is a bit camphorous. Also, I even get the same powdery bit, much to my chagrin. Not a big fan of powdery scents in general. I think if someone skilled smelt the two I've sampled side by side they could guess it came from the same perfumer. What is more unusual is the strong leather you get once it dries, which is nothing like Ashura. It reminds me of visiting the musty upscale liquor/cigar store standing next to my boyfriend in his leather jacket. I do like it. I got some in my hair, and I'm not sure why but that seems to smell the best. It would definitely stand out in my collection, so I would consider purchasing it. Edit: After wearing it several times (about six) I've become disenchanted by the scent. I think ultimately it's too oakmoss-y for me, and I wish it were rounder, warmer, and smoother. Too camphorous for me too I'm afraid. On the bright side a little goes a LONG way.

It's a plot twist scent that makes me feel between love it or hate it, but finally I enjoy it. Grim Fantasia opens with the nice feeling of sweet cherry syrup for a minute, but twist to be uncomfortable musty tone with something spicy green, cinnamon, iris and leather with buttery tone of whipping cream so that I feel like the stale clothes in the dark forest with dark, gourmand and sweet syrup undertone until the scent twists again. In dry down, just like the situation changes completely because the vibe of dark sensual vintage odor will show and take over to be the main character of this scent with the dark from chocolate and sweet syrup cherry undertone. It is the art of niche perfumery with the plot twist, that's all I can describe. Again, I enjoy it.

Dark cherry top, leathery base and creamy cocoa with whipped cream in between. A gothic suggestion through the sweet cherry dominance.

Grim Fantasia is a 100% replication of Rochas Femme. 15 minutes after application all of the glorious bitter chypre goodness of Rochas Femme emerges and it persists for a good 8-10 hours. If you're looking for a cherry/chocolate gourmand then please save your money and pass on Grim Fantasia. You will NOT find those notes here. But if you love Rochas Femme and cannot find it, then by all means buy a full bottle of Grim Fantasia because you will be delighted. I was one of a few lucky world-wide winners of 6 Cafe de Parfums samples and I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to explore the range. While I hoped to be delighted by a cherry/chocolate bomb, I'm surprised and pleased to find a clone of Rochas Femme.