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.

This would be what a sexy vampire would wear when she’s sauntering in her cave. It smells like Smarties and actually smells cold—cold to the bone. It’s brilliant. I really enjoy this and would’ve gotten a full bottle if chilling, cold-to-the-bone sexy vampire was my vibe. Definitely feminine, longevity was about 3-4 hours and stayed close to the skin. Update: January 13, 2024 I've been tempted to purchase this a few times from other peoples' declutters but ultimately decided against it since I see this as a novelty scent. I'd only wear it for basically one occasion (Halloween) and can't see myself wearing this otherwise. Update: January 15, 2024 Tested this again today and can see what other reviewers mean when they say there is a foggy vibe to this. It's like cobwebs or a veil across the scent itself. I have to give it to David in creating this scent. I find it really nice and wearable, though I more so see this as an art piece. How was he able to bottle the October / Halloween experience, in all of these facets into one scent? While I have immense appreciation for this, I still believe that this is not practical to have in my collection and is more so a novelty scent for Halloween-type of occasions or moods. Brilliant.

Witchy floral scent with slight woody and aquatic touches. The perfume opens with a violet surrounded by ozonic notes and proceeds to heart of lily, yarrow and slight spices. The perfume settles on a powdery mossy bed of lichen and synthetic musk with slight accents of amber and sandalwood. Overall this is a well conceptualized and executed fragrance that does deliver a gothic effect like Chypre Mousse or Habanita. The slightly female leaning scent has moderate projection and good longevity. Enjoy!

Decants available on etsy, haven't found any on ebay or decantx yet. Haven't found any good dupes yet. As far as violets go, I think I'm liking this one better than Santal 33. Also, it lasts longer on me than I expected. Edit: just saw Halloween listed as being similar. Interesting! I had Halloween years ago and really liked it. I can definitely understand why one would think it's got similarities. Now I want to buy another bottle- especially since it's usually reasonably priced!

WOW I wish they sold this in a smaller bottle because it's CRAZY in a very good way. If you’ve ever wanted to smell like a cold day in a historic house, it’s EXACTLY that. The Snow-On-Violet mixed with the Witch Hazel and Amber really captures the old New England vibe

Sprays on fresh and mossy, then dries down into a powdery floral scent with an edge of amber. Beautiful, haunting, like a cemetery returned to nature. Really happy with this risky blind buy.

i really wanted to LOVE this but unfortunately it's just too sugary sweet for me. i don't get any of the supposed cold, powdery, gothic vibes at all. as other reviews have said, this is the perfume for you if you're looking for a photo realistic smarties candy scent. EDIT: it's really nice and more of what i thought it would smell like when layered with serge lutens' l'orpheline

Not sure if I got a bad decant on etsy, but I'm not getting sweet at all. A number of prior reviews mentions smarties candy, which is exactly why I blew $50 on a decant on etsy...but I'm not seeing it. It's all musty basement and patchouli to me. Like if you lit a Witches' Brew candle from Yankee Candle and then brought it to a 90's new age shop in the mall. That's what I get.

If you told me this came from a can of Raid I wouldn't question it. Scrubber for me. I have and appreciate some cold fragrances but none as harsh as this. Not a safe blind buy.

Fog machine juice and artificial cobwebs in a cold and damp room - the opening is artificial and astringent, but with an earthy undercurrent. Think haunted house attraction filled with props that are beginning to smell of age. Not unpleasant at all, interesting. Opening quickly transitions into mid and base - creamy sandalwood glazed with sweet dustiness, mild spices, a gentle floral touch. The sterile opening hangs in the background like mist. Quite atmospheric and fitting of the name. Brings to mind the color purple and white light filtered through smoke. Moderate longevity and sillage. Perfectly unisex in my opinion. Delicate and lovely.

I used to own this but sold it because I wasnt happy with the performance on my skin. It started as a lovely sweet, powdery violet but then turned quite green and sour on me. I was pleasantly surprised though this weekend when I came across Lush's V perfume... Didnt have any thoughts whatsoever about it being close to Salem Gothic but wow, it is VERY close!! Very close yet doesnt have that weird sour green scent that I don't like. If you only liked some aspects of Salem Gothic, I recommend trying V by Lush to see if that is more up your alley.

This is different. Initial spray was very heavy floral. It smelled like a funeral parlor (Complete with that odd decay smell you get in the background. ) The overpowering sweetness relaxes and I get the violet and a dry amber. It is almost papery/old house smelling, though not in a bad way. I do not get any marine notes at all. Dry down I get the violet, paper and a bit of the sandalwood. It is not very long lasting (4 hours tops..), but I do like it and do not mind respraying. Definitely a different type of floral. Colder than a lot of them.

This shares the same DNA as Steamed Rainbow—like they recycled an accord here. They are not the same but first cousins definitely. I don’t get the “sea notes.” I get more of a fresh water vibe like rain on stone and damp earth. The opening is beautiful and I wish it hung around a bit longer. I found the dry down a little lacking. Its nice enough but fairly generic and sweet. Glad I got a small decant instead of blind buying.

BVLGARI Black and Silver Mountain Water combined 60/40 with a nice lichen note that is cool to pick out. In the air , this smells like mens prada from the early 2000s. If youre wanting that you found it!

If anyone wants to sell me a sample/decant of this, I’d be super grateful. (I can’t keep dishing out the big bucks for every studio juice release)

Hopefully they bring this back and give us a little bit of warning to prepare our pockets if it's a limited run.

Me too! please ! anyone whos willing to sell me a sample I would love it!! cant find it anywhere at all CRIES

If someone is willing to sell a decant or a sample please let me know!

Desperately searching for a decant of this if anyone is selling !!

Someone sell me a sample please 😭 msg me