Queens & Monsters

Queens & Monsters caught me completely off guard. It opens with a blast of green floral freshness that almost feels aggressive at first, like, whoa, what is this? I think the petitgrain and violet are responsible for that sharp green sparkle. Then it transforms. The violet becomes softer and more powdery, almost like baby powder, while the freesia adds a delicate floral touch. For a perfume called Queens & Monsters, it’s surprisingly intimate and cozy. What starts as a bright green floral eventually melts into a soft amber-sandalwood cloud that feels airy, comforting, and feminine. It’s the kind of fragrance that makes a strong first impression and then settles in close. She tells you she’s here to stay. The longevity is excellent, and the drydown is absolutely lovely soft blend of powder, warmth, and sandalwood that lingers beautifully on the skin. I especially like the contrast between the name Queens & Monsters and the reality of the scent. It sounds fierce in the opening, but ends up feeling almost tender and comforting. That contrast makes the fragrance much more interesting than if it stayed loud the whole way through. I think this is what I always expected out of DIOR’s Hypnotic Poison, but then got too much Play-Doh at the end. For me, this is full bottle worthy. For right now, I will enjoy my travel spray.

Wowwwww. So beautiful I wanted her after first sniff which RARELY occurs for me. I’m surprised by some of the lackluster reviews. I find this scent quite unique and very addicting. It’s definitely signature worthy. It’s powdery and sweet (but not gourmand sweet) with a sharp sandalwood that gives it a slight edge. I don’t get the green accord as much as others seem to notice, especially after the early opening. Something about the violet and white florals in here reads nostalgic or vintage to me, but it’s a very modern fragrance. I'm also getting an aromas of the east vibe- like jasmine rice and incense. It’s both a comforting and sensual aromatic experience. I find the performance fantastic, it really sticks to the skin and gets better throughout the wear. This is not a summer-type scent, but I just tried it in 100 degrees and it wasn’t too much. I imagine it will wear beautifully year round- such a gem! As the weather cools I get a whole new vibe from this beauty! It’s way more forestry and enchanting: the green element lingers and the vanilla sandalwood is extra creamy. Sometimes it even smells like a pastry with vanilla drizzle or powdered sugar.

Don't you just love advertising? Queens and Monsters..SUCH a great name. BUT nothing dark or goth in the very refreshing, soft and pretty scent! If you want dark, try Char or Dark is Night. You won't find that here . I do love pettigrain and the opening is full stop. Rather orange blossom esque. So refreshing. Inviting..a bit sharp in the opening. Then it softens up a bit and the vanilla/patchouli vibe kicks in and ohh, it nice. The body cream is delightful. The sandalwood is very tame..it's actually, very well blended. It's best to boost it with the cream because - my only critique - it doesn't have the best performance, as many clean perfumes don't. If you don't have the money for the body cream, believe it or not, a simple and cheap jar of Pond's Dry Skin Cream- just a few dollars at the drugstore, is PHENOMENAL with this perfume..and quite affordable! This was an accidental discovery, but it really holds the scent. Soft, lovely and easy for most, to enjoy.

Normally I don't do green fragrances let alone green vanillas. They just aren't for me. There is something about this one though, that I adore. Maybe its the name, maybe its because this is the year I read the ACOTAR series and this fragrance makes me imagine it has a place in the SJM verse. The green is only in the opening and its fleeting, the dry down is a powdery, softly wooded vanilla made slightly creamy. I get sandalwood, I get vanilla, I get brightness from freesia and the jasmine. I truly think it is the violet leaf and petit grain that are so sharp and green at first but not in a terribly unpleasant way to my nose or with my chemistry. Its like a sexy vanilla rolled around in the gardens of spring, lost track of time and somehow made their way to the night court. It's a cousin to Splendida Tubereuse Mystique from Bvlgari. They are not the same, tuberose is tuberose and jasmine and freesia are there own entity but it gives that type of vibe.

During the pandemic, I ordered a discovery set from Henry Rose, which really brightened those long, tedious days (y'all know what I'm talking about). I didn't love this fragrance at first sniff and ultimately ordered a full bottle of Jake's House, which my teenage son eventually stole from me. One day, I gave Q&M another sniff, and another, and then one more. I ordered a new discovery set to be sure, but undoubtedly, somewhere along the way I fell in love with the dark & monstrous Queen. Q&M is first and foremost SEXY af. She's intriguing, intoxicating, and sophisticated. Reminiscent of heady 90s perfumes, she opens with a green, woody note, followed by the sweet, creamy soliflor scent of jasmine. The drydown is bright patchouli, warm vanilla, and something musky and almost marine like. Imo, this is a femme scent through and through, but hey, you do you. Q&M will be forever in my heart (and my collection).

I love this house. I own 3 of their 7 fragrances and have bought sample kits for friends and family and they have been loved by everyone. The price point of these perfumes is wonderful because the quality you get is amazing. Queens and Monsters is my and my niece favorite in this line. This perfume is so beautifully blended, so well balanced. It opens w/ a green ivy like quality then it goes right to the florals, jasmine, violet, freesia, that last and last. The florals never completely leave in the dry down but they are softened and the woodiness of sandalwood is mixed w/ a soft vanilla chocolaty musk that is just intoxicating. This perfume makes me feel sexy, bold, and a little dangerous to be honest. The website says for that moment right before...... This is a very sexy perfume and you will get compliments out and about. It cuts through masks, people notice and want to know what you are wearing.

This is my new signature scent for daytime. It's not complex, but I just love this scent.I knew about this fragrance back in 2021 and wanted to try it, but the brand wasn't available in Canada until recently. You better bet I nabbed that discovery set. I was pleased to find that this fragrance was everything I had hope it would be and more. There are very few fragrances in my collection that don't contain sandalwood. Queens & Monsters is no exception. What sets it apart is the gorgeous fresh green top and the fresh spring-like freesia (a not you don't smell much in perfumery) and heady jasmine. The longevity is surprisingly good on me for a clean fragrance. It lasts throughout the day but lingers only lightly into the evening, blending seamlessly with my other fragrance choices. It's fresh, creamy, only slightly sweet and comforting.

Hesitant at First, but Love I didn't like this one at first. Though this is one of my first perfume purchases, it took me a year to accept this one lol. In the beginning, I liked the initial spray. You can smell the fresh balanced top notes of the violet leaf and petitgrain and it's so nice. I was not a fan of vanilla at the start of my perfume journey. I found the mid notes to be very overpowering in the beginning. Now (after smelling the entire perfume section in Sephora, Bloomingdales, Macys, Neimans, and Saks and letting my palate grow and change), I really like this one. I've grown to like green vanillas and this one is just that. Green, vanilla, woody, floral. Well balanced. Versatile. Signature scent worthy. And this one also lasts pretty - dang - long. I get 6-7 hours. This one is a goodie.

I'm calling it now-- this is going to be my signature scent of 2024. Yes, it's heavy on the sandalwood and can be a bit spicy and balsamic leaning at first but the petitgrain, jasmine, and patchouli turn this beautiful fragrance into a summer evening in the Florida Everglades. The air is soothing and cool on my skin but you get that slight stankiness from the patchouli that reminds me of the swamps in the best way possible. I am not a powdery fragrance girly whatsoever and yes it can be leaning in that direction but in a very natural sense, less baby powder more fresh flowers and pollen. After 5 hours the dry down is a beautiful woodsy vanilla. Absolutely stunning perfume. 1000/10. Go give her a sniff ASAP.

I didn't like this when i sprayed it in store but it dries down to an extremely pleasant fleshy accord. There is something like bitter or spicy when you first spray it, which i think is the violet leaf its very strong and i didn't like it at first but when it sits on your skin it becomes soooo soft and fleshy. It definitely becomes kind of erotic and is just really lovely like i almost feel like it smells like a kiss lolll. And even with the bitter cucumbery top notes they are super interesting and definitely not unpleasant and is great to offset the sweetness. The top notes don't last at all though, you will just have a very very faint sweet-flesh smell on you after a few minutes.

I tried it about a year ago and I liked it but it didn’t stand out to me. Now that I’m well into my fragrance journey left hype trains and am doing my own thing, I know what I actually want to smell all day living my life. This sits right there in the pleasant and happiness inducing inoffensive n crave-able scent box. Perfectly classy powdery, subtly sweet, subtly green sandalwood. I have a strong aversion to scents that trigger nausea from “wet” “pungent” notes (80% of perfumes to me) this is free of that. Its signature scent worthy imo. Does not perform in the heat but I haven’t tried over spraying. I’m adding this to my collection when my 10ml is out.

Henry Rose's Queens & Monsters is an intriguing unisex fragrance that masterfully balances fresh green notes with creamy sandalwood and vanilla. It opens with a vibrant burst of petitgrain, offering a crisp, green freshness that is both invigorating and unique. As the scent develops, the heart reveals delicate florals, including freesia and jasmine, adding a soft, elegant touch. The dry-down is where the magic happens: a warm, creamy blend of sandalwood and vanilla emerges, creating a cozy and comforting aroma. It reminds me of Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black, but in a lighter way. There's something addictive about it—I keep coming back for more!

Must love petitegrain to enjoy this scent. It’s light, but in comes the sharp petitegrain note which is green and herbal on me. It does fade down with a less sharp edge, but it’s not a safe blind buy. Even though it’s a not fav - other women tend to love it on me! So I do tend to reach for it more than I thought I would. The perfect image I can create - a stunning model walking down a runway,( male or female) with perfectly carved cheekbones, and a forward gaze that could kill. Wearing clothes that are perfectly tailored, and hit the unisex mark to a T. Its a like, not a love - but I can absolutely see this being someone’s signature scent

Notes via Henry Rose Website: TOP NOTES: Violet Leaf, Neroli & Petitgrain MIDDLE NOTES: Freesia & Jasmine BOTTOM NOTES: Vanilla, Coco Musk & Sandalwood On my skin, this is freesia and vanilla dominant. The Henry Rose website lists Coco Musk in the base notes, and I’m not sure if that is coconut or cocoa derived, but it gives the impression of chocolate. I don’t pick up any petit grain, neroli, jasmine or violet leaf, but there is a noticeable background note of sandalwood. I enjoy this scent. It’s warm and toasted (but never reaches the level of spicy), a powdery cocoa-dusted vanilla floral that smells quite sensual and date-night-ish.

I love love love this. Tested it in the store, kept thinking about it, and bought it full price. The vanilla is clearly present, but mixed with a woodsy floral base that almost reads as a soap-like clove. Certainly unique, but the warmness of the vanilla makes it pretty conventional. I don't see this radiating half as far as arms length. Makes for a nice professional or personal scent without blasting a room. Unfortunately it lasts about 1hr for me. Within 2hrs the scent is gone without a trace, which leads to me constantly reapplying. Such a beautiful scent, but I'm afraid my time with it is quite fleeting.

I love the same general base notes that carry throughout much of Henry Rose fragrances, but to the point that I went in indecisive circles (through two full discovery sets), before finally settling on Queens & Monsters as my favorite. It’s complex and non-linear, and definitely changes in different environments, but I have loved every “version” that has presented itself. My husband loves this one on me, too, and I love how transitional it is. As a recovering gourmand, I love the subtle sweet vanilla and amber, but is balanced well with zestier woods and (maybe?) a hint of floral.

I have been searching for a safe, EWG approved fragrance that is a pleasure to wear for years! I am thrilled with this brand and this particular scent is my favorite. I do feel a lot of the scents are a bit more masculine than I had hoped, but I don't mind -- because I love this one! I have read some negative reviews and wonder why people cannot admire the product and company for what it is and stands for. If you are looking for your standard, beauty counter scent,, you may need to pass. If you like a niche, unique, safe scent, give it a try! Thank you, Michelle P!

Smells a lot like Dirty Flower Factory by Kerosene, but only a much "lighter" version or maybe Fawn by Ellis Brooklyn, if you added a touch of vanilla. Floral and interesting. Nice quality ingredients..it even got a very pleasant drydown. So far, Torn remains my favourite from this house, mainly because it smells fab and nothing else that smells like it. But, this is a good one. In fact, I haven't smelled anything from Henry Rose that wasn't good. Clean ingredients are also a great selling point. Reasonable price point too.

This is a gorgeous sandalwood + vanilla combo. The vanilla smells so natural and warm. I am not usually a vanilla fan, but this perfume changed my mind. It doesn't smell synthetic and cheap like most vanilla scents do. This is a yummy fragrance for sure. I want to eat it! It makes me crave cookies and ice cream, haha. Also the lasting power on Henry Rose perfumes is infinite! I sprayed this on my hoodie a few days ago and I swear to God I can still smell it!

Fascinating how it is powdery and warm, but fresh also. Most green or fresh scents smell like cleaning products on me; vanilla, sandalwood, and woody scents suit me best. Yet Q&M has a grassy cleaness to it without being overly fresh-cut. Combined with the powdery aspect, this perfume would do well in warm weather. But it does carry a warm subtone that renders it appropriate for winter and fall. I have gotten many compliments on it, at work and elsewhere

SO lovely! It's soft and warm and woody, very cozy for fall and winter. Signature scent worthy. Could definitely be worn by a man as well. I'm going to pick this one up at the Sephora sale next week! Love!!! Update after a month: I love it. I crave it even. It's freezing cold here and I literally crave the sweet creaminess of this perfume in this weather. I think come warm weather I won't reach for it but right now I'm in love

The notes are: Top: Violet Leaf & Neroli (Undecavertol, Petitgrain) Mid: Freesia & Jasmine (Freesia Accord, Jasmin Abs Sambac LMR) Dry: Vanilla, Coco Musk & Sandalwood (Vanilla Bean Extract LMR, Patchouli Heart LMR, Ambroxan, Sandalwood Accord) The scent is amazingly lovely. It smells green, woody and slightly floral. Very feminine and understated. I cannot stop smelling my wrist. I may have to purchase a full bottle.

One of two full size bottles that I purchased after getting the sample box (the other being Char). What grabbed me about Q&M at first was that it reminded me of the smell of the Wynn/Encore hotel in Las Vegas. It's not some exotic scent, but it's a light, fresh, fragrant, unisex scent that I can't stop smelling on my arm. I'll be curious to see how well it lasts in the heat and humidity of South Florida.

I have this in my sample bag from Sephora. I already purchased the Commodity MIlk to get the most bang for my buck, but this scent keeps on coming up in my mind. I continue to spray the samples and its pretty good. I may end up getting another sample bag just to get a better deal on this one or at least get a travel spray. It remind me of Michael (Michael Kors). Anyone else?

There’s something so lovely about this. It has notes that I usually dislike (jasmine, neroli, violet) but this is quite pleasant. I don’t really get the floral notes. I really get the sandalwood and vanilla as it dries down, and my partner says it mixes very well with my natural scent. I’m on my second bottle. I almost never repurchase. I think I’ve found my new signature.

I received my travel spray yesterday. I wore this today, got a compliment! I do really like this. I get a touch of the pickle smell when first sprayed. But it passes fairly quickly and I smell yummy!!! I get the cocoa smell mixed with sandalwood and a lot of vanilla. All in all i think this is going to be one I reach for frequently. This will go from day to night easily.

The dry-down is heavenly on my skin! This has been my signature for the last year now. I haven’t found anything I enjoy to wear more than this one. I also love that it’s a clean fragrance with those sorts of creamy notes My only negative is I wish there was more lasting power in the creamy Vanilla and Ambroxan parts of it.

This is feminine and polished, like a really classy socialite. The dry down smells like vanilla, sandalwood, coconut, and a little bit of musk. It is better suited for cold weather but it is pretty versatile. I don't know if I want to buy a full bottle of this yet, longevity is ok and it is a very quiet scent.

Stunning perfume. This and Fog are my faves. Smells niche and is beautifully blended...and clean! Seriously impressed. Edit: I know what this reminds me of: there is something in this that reminds me a little of a new age shop...like a very light nag champa note? Or even like a cigar shop....but in a nice way.

I bought this around November of last year... reminds me of a very unsure and confusing time. None the less, a beautiful scent. One of my most complimented fragrances ever. Not a large silage, but that's not important to me. Most people would catch a whiff of it when they hug me.

The violet comes out strong on me and reminds me of Guerlain Insolence. My favorite part is the opening, with the green woody bitterness playing with the sweet warmth. This was the fragrance that seemed most sophisticated of the sample pack. I’ve bought a full bottle.

This is a really lovely sandalwood vanilla scent mostly, with some green touches towards the beginning of wearing it. This is a quality scent that I think is really easy to wear each season, but I think this is stunning in spring and summer especially!

This quickly became one of my favorites from Henry Rose. I haven't worn it much since I do think it is much more appropriate for fall/winter, but it is a beautiful vanilla. I think probably equally day/night appropriate.

im not usually one for vanillas but this one is so comforting and woodsy its hard to resist. more of a yeasty, freshly-baked bread kind of vanilla than sugary-sweet cupcake gourmand. nice every day scent,

Whoever said this smells like guidance mixed up their sample ...... this is a sweet feminine powdery vanilla. Imagine a softer feminine santal, dry down is a sweet musky powder

I love this, and I want it so bad! Warm, fresh and woodsy. And the name is just quirky and easily remembered, I want this so SO much

warm and cozy and soft and yet! sexy and mysterious. one of my all time favorites for sure!

I’m obsessed with this cozy, sultry fragrance. It’s an excellent bedtime scent, too!

The fragrance notes initially listed above were wrong, and it was frustrating that I couldn't find a way to report that so they could be corrected. I was surprised by how much my husband liked it, because the sandalwood is prominent, and he isn't usually a fan of woody fragrances on me. I think it's a good choice for daytime and fairly safe for the office despite the intense sounding name. I bought a full bottle and like it a lot, but I kind of get what the reviewer who said it "doesn't mesh" means. You can really pick out each note rather than them blending together in perfect harmony, and I'm not sure the freesia completely belongs with the vanilla. For the exact same reason, I don't agree at all with the reviewer who says this reminds her of cookies and cream. The florals and very noticeable sandalwood in this, in my opinion, keep it from being a gourmand even though vanilla dominates the dry down. In fact, it's kind of like Angel Muse (a current favorite) meets Bath and Body Works Sheer Freesia (which I wore in college) with a dose of woodiness. It does, however, layer well with Al Rehab Choco Musk, which enhances the edible notes. It lasts for a long time, but I think it stays fairly close to the wearer, though it's hard to say with everyone wearing masks these days. My husband compliments me every time I wear it, but no one else has said anything. Per the Henry Rose website, here are the correct notes: TOP NOTES: Violet Leaf & Neroli (Undecavertol, Petitgrain), MIDDLE NOTES: Freesia & Jasmine (Freesia Accord, Jasmin Abs Sambac LMR), BOTTOM NOTES: Vanilla, Coco Musk & Sandalwood (Vanilla Bean Extract LMR, Patchouli Heart LMR, Ambroxan, Sandalwood Accord). The description on the HR website reads, "The freshness and zest of petitgrain balances the fluid sensuality of sandalwood to create a woody aroma" (I'm surprised they don't mention the vanilla, because if they had, that would be a solid explanation of what Q&M smells like).

Queens & Monsters (great name) is a powdery sandalwood-vanilla scent, featuring creamy white florals and a sweetly balsamic base. Q&M makes great use of the same dry, powdery vanilla that features prominently in both Char and Torn, other Henry Rose scents. This is how I like vanilla personally - it feels more sophisticated than the cloying syrup of many mass market scents, as well as being unisex. Q&M is a more unusual scent than the aforementioned Char and Torn, while remaining cohesive and wearable. In the manner of other Henry Rose scents, it is muted, but not overly so. Q&M is a woody-vanilla scent at heart, with both notes featuring prominently up top. The sandalwood is smooth and powdery, but not overly dry, and the aforementioned dry, powdery vanilla complements it to perfection. The sandalwood-vanilla accord is softly spiced, with a warm, chocolate-y edge. The petitgrain is an unusual addition up top - its distinctive green woodiness coming across as slightly bitter rather than fresh, adding interest to the woody accord without taking over. I detect a hint of green violet here, perhaps adding to the powdery texture. As it develops, the white florals creep in, adding a creaminess to this scent, melding seamlessly with the woody-vanilla accord and adding body to this scent. The ambroxan is subtle, smooth and creamy, acting as a seamless fixative in the base. I don't get any patchouli. It fades to a sweet amber-vanilla skin scent, powdery and dry until final fade. Sillage is intimate and longevity is moderate. It is a unisex, transeasonal scent. A muted woody-vanilla scent made with good-quality ingredients, Q&M has some subtle points of interest. While it may be a little too soft for my preference, it is a decent scent overall. 3.5/5.

Sigh. Two years ago I started on my fragrance journey, because I ran out of my signature scent. I LOVE the scent of Shea Moisture frankincense and myrrh oil, but that has become almost impossible to find. So, the start of my journey was me looking for a scent with frankincense and myrrh. And in my head, I recalled Queens & Monsters being mentioned. And yet, I see nothing of that in these notes, so perhaps my memory is off. Anyway, the point is I finally got a sniff of this stuff that I'd held in the back of my head for 2 years as "must try". And...meh? It's weird. I get very little vanilla, much more green/grassy. And there IS something in here that smells a tad bit like my Shea Moisture. So I do think at least one of those two might be in there. But overall, I'm finding this fragrance a bit jarring. It's not pretty. It's not quite masculine, and it doesn't even feel unisex. My best description of it might be "genderless". To me it feels incomplete. Like it needs a flower to round it out. 6/10 for creativity and uniqueness, lack of wearability on my skin. Edit: Actually, now that it's really into the drydown, I'm going to up my opinion a bit. That "genderless" that I mentioned above? It's like what I'd imagine from a nonhuman, like a forest nymph. And this scent does make you feel like you're strolling through a mystical forest, but you ARE the nymph. And so I think this is actually an impressive piece of art, and named appropriately, because it does evoke ancient Greek stories or Shakespeare's sylvan comedies. I'm still not sure I ever want to wear it, but it's certainly not something I'd hate on another person either.

The Henry Rose discovery set is one of the first I bought as I was just getting into fragrance. I gave each of them a perfunctory sniff (without taking notes) and bought a FB of Sheep’s Clothing (a lovely somewhat soapy, yet fresh, rose). I remember disliking Queens & Monsters and being surprised that it was one of their most popular scents. Fast forward to over a year (and hundreds of samples) later: I’m on a mission to take notes for every sample I own, so am revisiting my rejects. Surprisingly, I very much enjoyed Q&M on this go-round! It has a bit of a sharp green opening from the petitgrain, which is my least favorite part of the fragrance, but it settles quickly. It has an addictive creamy quality to it that to me smells like unsweetened coconut and sandalwood (somewhat reminiscent of the divine, ultra creamy sandalwood musk drydown from Initio Musk Therapy, though the scents aren’t very similar otherwise). The drydown is sweet but not cloying. Side note: I don’t find this to be very similar to Nirvana Black, which I own. NB doesn’t have any green notes and is much more powdery than creamy. I also don’t find it similar to Santal 33, which I also own—Q&M has none of that fresh cucumber smell that some people get pickles from.

For me, Queens & Monsters bypassed altogether the listed floral and petitgrain top and middle notes and settled straight down into its main base notes for a long-lasting, sweet and simple vanilla-sandalwood scent. I was actually expecting this to be a complete no-go and a throwaway from the Henry Rose full line sampler I bought, but much to my surprise, it turned out to be one of my favorites. I’m not sure where the patchouli and Ambrox went in the sample I tried since neither left any trace of their allergy-triggering presence in the air or on my skin, but I’m not complaining since those are scents I can’t tolerate. Maybe they’re in this perfume in such minute quantities that they’re overshadowed by the vanilla and sandalwood? I don’t know, and it doesn’t matter since this scent was too sweet and heavy for it to ever be something I’d invest in, but I will keep the remainder of my sample on the shelf and use it for the occasional alternative culture outings I take to goth clubs and such. There’s something gleefully cheeky about this fragrance in its over-the-top headiness, and I see it pairing well with leather, buckles and straps, sexy boots, and fishnets.

With a heavy handed dose of petit grain, Queen and Monsters smells like a somewhat distant cousin to Sintra by Memo Paris. Sintra has a caramel dimension that Q&M doesn’t have but that petit grain note makes them smell pretty similar. But that’s just the opening. While Sintra smells strong and heavy, Q&M smells light and more airy. In the end they don’t smell the same but that opening is very similar. Queen & Monsters smells beautiful and quite tropical, very floral, of course, fresh and aromatic. It is a very joyful perfume and I am not sure where the “monsters” are in it? Monsters evoke something dark and ominous but Q&M smells luminous and bright and happy...Definitely something I’d like to wear in the Spring/Summer months! Longevity: 7 hours Projection/Sillage: Nice arm’s length scent bubble Price: it could be worse...it’s all natural ingredients that are ethically sourced and Michelle Pfeiffer is at the helm of all of this (Henry Rose). I’d say it is definitely worth getting a sample of all of her creations, they are quite good!

The top notes are a bit strident, but they dry down to a lovely combination of fragrances. I detect the violet and neroli (and maybe the Petitgrain--not sure if I can distinguish it from the neroli). Definitely pick up on the jasmine sambac--I grew one in my backyard last summer, and the scent was intoxicating. (In fact, I think that's why I chose this for a fall/winter scent, because that's when I feel most nostalgic for the summer bloomers.) The vanilla notes toward the end aren't too strong, and the sandalwood is beautiful. The patchouli doesn't bother me, even though I'm not really a fan of patchouli as a dominant note. The scent has a slight retro quality, maybe an early-to-mid '80s fragrance profile. I see why some people compare it to Poison, although it has a much stronger vanilla vibe.

Right now this seems to be the most popular fragrance from Henry Rose, and it's indeed quite pleasant. The dominant note is sandalwood, and it opens a little sourly (which is always a danger with that note), since its backed up with petitgrain. However, very quickly the vanilla kicks in, and and vanilla seems to be the common note in Henry Rose's best fragrances--its perfumers have a good sense of how to work with it. The vanilla quickly cuts against the acridness of the sandalwood-petitgrain combination and so makes it more palatable. As the fragrance drys down, the entire thing settles into a nice, easy sandalwood accord. It's not as opulent as other sandalwoods, perhaps, but its very wearable and enjoyable, and would be great for the office.

I'm not normally into vanilla but the hit of earthy yet sharp greenness at the beginning from the petitgrain that melts into those sweet middle & base notes was just so interesting to me that I kept thinking about it for months after testing! I know that petitgrain is divisive but the bitterness quickly fades away to the warm and sweet woodiness in my experience and offers a nice juxtaposition. I bought just a travel size because a little goes a long way. The longevity is crazy for me - to the point where I was shocked to read some other reviews that say it didn't last long on them. Well over 12 hours and I could still distinctly smell the vanilla and sandalwood notes.

Queens & Monsters starts off with a sharp petitgrain and a base of sandalwood. I don't get any rose from this whatsoever (and don't see it listed on the site either but henry rose is a bit odd with how they list notes). After the initial spritz the petitgrain mellows out to a fresh greenness on top of the sandalwood (but the sandalwood dominates). It reminds me immensely of my youthful beachy grandmother who was always cooler than anyone else in the room. If you love the beach, or the Sun & Sand candles from Yankee Candle... you will love this scent!

The first spritz is a mess of notes that I confess I don't love, but post-drydown, Queens & Monsters turns into something like ByRedo's Mojave Ghost, except with a creamier, mysterious depth that is so sexy. Compared to Mojave Ghost, Queens & Monsters is less brightly floral, less powdery, and more creamy (which I actually prefer). As mentioned, the opening is quite strong in a musky, slightly BO-y, almost smoky way, but the drydown is a beautiful creamy vanilla with that floral Mojave Ghost DNA. Full bottle worthy.

First let me say it took me a while to fully appreciate this beauty. I didn't read the notes at the begining my delicate nose smelled a fresh open coconut maybe surrounded by a few fresh flowers on a bed of the most exquisite pile of sandalwood. It's mysterious not loud and bold but, seductive with a hint of mysteries notes. I'm a beast mode girl but, love the intimate vibe this is giving. I have an idea due to this having freesia and a bit touch of vanilla layering it Wedding Silk Santal .To be continued...