Salem Gothic

The initial hit is my favorite part. There is no direct reference where it states that the opening is representative of the new England Open ocean etc. That's just my interpretation of it. Later on in the development, the spices come in, warmer than what you might expect after smelling the top notes. If this fragrance were anything other than a holiday interpretation of Salem Massachusetts during the month of October, I would say this is a flaw. But, now we have to decide if it is actually appropriate to include ideas such as witch ceremonies, séances, candymaking, and many other things that I’m unaware of to make this combination OK after all. I try to be honest during my reviews, so I want to be honest here. The fragrance feels rushed. I like it. I really do. But it does feel like it had to get out there before they can actually say yes this is perfect. That's my ongoing issue with DS and Durga. Instead of refining their products until they have something exceptional, they rather pump out four or five fragrances every year that are just okay and then maybe the scarcity of the product drives up the price on the market. I don't like this. There is a lack of integrity that keeps popping up with this company. This is my first real purchase from them and I genuinely do like the product for the holiday. I do not think it's something I will put on after the holiday however.

Surprisingly wearable scent. Super violet forward, a little sweeter than I expected. Main attraction in the mid is that juxtaposition of cement-like, cold air vibe and a bouquet of white florals like you'd expect on a gravestone. I won't lie though, it only half meets the "goth" vibe, for the main reason that the violet-sweetness comes across very close to Creme de Violette (the liqueur that goes in an Aviation cocktail). It's a fantastic scent, but the pre-existing scent-memory threw the aesthetic for a loop for me. Moderate performance (doesn't wow, doesn't disappoint), low sillage.

I've had this fragrance for a month and every time I wear it I can't help but think of a crushed up candy necklace or vaporized pixie sticks. It's so wispy it really does remind me of being a child, coming home from trick-or-treating, the cold air still on me and a bag of candy in front of me. Powdery and sweet and purple, I imagine it would be a fragrance Prince would wear. I very much like it.

I love this, but it isn't a safe blind buy. To me, it smells like an old, abandoned victorian house with dried flowers, that's near a cold sea. It's floral, a little earthy, powdery and cold. I know "cold" isn't a scent per se, but this smells cold to me. The scent stays close to you, you aren't going to fill a room, but it does last well on my skin.

This is seriously beautiful. It’s fresh, a little sweet and cold feeling. Feels like you’re standing at the edge of a cliff looking out to the ocean on an overcast day. Definitely feminine leaning.