Abel

Today I was able to test this entire line in a boutique and was very impressed: the bottles are fabulous and what's inside does not disappoint, and that's coming from someone who often feels jaded (remove cap, sniff sprayer and "swipe left" with most of them). From the paper strips, it took me almost an hour to decide which I wanted to put on - so many were intriguing. In the end I went with Abel, Horruit (these two layer very well together!) and Caelum, but the others were good as well. Abel starts out with a fabulous mix of fruits - very natural smelling and simply gorgeous - warmed by a light vanilla and an easy-to-wear musk. Many years ago I had a sample of Molinard Vanille-Fruite (?) and this brought that to mind but Abel is on a different level completely. On paper I had a harder time smelling it than the others in the line, but on skin its presence is easily felt 7 hours+ later and the drydown/scent on clothing is beautiful. Edit: After multiple wears it hit me: from close up Abel has a similarity to Roja's F & M The Perfume. Not listed, but I smell a sweet-leaning coconut-sandalwood as well. Love this perfume and Hemcael in general. They have wonderful customer service by the way!

I've purchased two bottles from house. They gave me samples of the other 2. House is well blended, and a nice mash up of natural and synthetics. Overall, a little is to be desired in terms of performance to price ratio. Wish these were more of an extrait power. The whole house is an overall win in my opinion. Caelum and horruit are my BIG winners!

Owning this and Caelum, I don't get much vanilla for the first few minutes or so. I can't stress enough, this is very fem leaning. The fruity notes are #1 star, with the individual orange leaning forward, but the jasmine is right behind that, and the marigold follows adding a slight herbal, red floral vibe, behind the fruity notes it does a GREAT job! When you smell on skin, nose to skin, it has the faintest skanky oud long behind the fruity notes. The vanilla is present, but oddly enough, only in the air, meaning the vanilla is actually synthetic musk, ethol maltol or whatever the name is. Very common in designer fragrances, and can come off faintly bugspray-ish. This is a fun, playful woman, that can get a man. Best worn in spring, fall, summer in that order! The airy playfulness will lose its charm in winter, as musks usually do.