Sacred Vow

32nd EDP: This one surprised me, as it smelled delightful(like cola, mulled fruit, spices) after the initial harsh dirty, varnish-like smell went away (I felt nauseated). Perhaps it's the bay leaf mixed with patchouli and vetiver? If only Angela could replace that opening with something a little more pleasant. I bought a few more samples to test, but I could not tolerate the nauseating opening notes. It would have been an enjoyable scent otherwise. 6/10

There is something delightfully old-fashioned feeling about Sacred Vow, and I mean that in the most beautiful way possible, not in the “ew this smells like old lady” sense that you sometimes see mentioned on perfume reviewing forums. Ahem. Warm, spicy, and resinous, Sacred Vow is an amber-focused Oriental blend with the faintest trace of floral notes. With its heart of bay rum and amber, touches of oak, vetiver, and jasmine, it reminds me very much of my late grandmother’s bottle of Youth Dew by Estée Lauder; her small, mirrored tray of compacts and lipsticks, and a velvet-lined, mother of pearl jewelry box that held all of her sparkling costume jewelry–all of these luxuries specific to her rituals of beautification smelled softly of Youth Dew’s heady glamour. A strange, witches brew of balsamic resins, amber’s golden glow, and soft, powdery vanilla.