Star Cross'd

I was startled to read the comparison between Star Cross'd and Bal D'Afrique. Thinking I'd maybe somehow overlooked the similarities, I applied one on one hand and the other on the opposite side. I conclude that they may be cousins, but where Bal D'Afrique is almost yellow-beige-creamy in aspects, Star Cross'd is definitely more sprightly -- fresher, greener, more aquatic. I actually prefer the bracing freshness of Star Cross'd. As a lover of fresh, uplifting, watery scents, and especially of aquatic florals, I consider its lack of longevity the fragrance's only downfall. I'm happy to respray as necessary, because it suits my tastes perfectly. Besides, sometimes (frequently, even) I like having a fragrance that absolutely delights me as I get ready, then settles back to a barely detectable skin scent by the time I have to be in close quarters with others.

I wasn't ready, ok? I sprayed it and I just wasn't ready. At first I was worried it was a mistake. At first spray it was like someone dissolved a bunch of lemon head candies into a vat of iced tea and maced you in the face with it. An exaggeration? Not really. But after a few minutes it settles into a dewy, lemony, herbal something that really grew on me. Wonderfully unisex. Earthy, herbal, murky, and a touch of sweetness... once it softens. In my limited experience with Tokyo Milk (I have Pretty Rotten and it is an absolute treasure, even though she's not a crowd pleaser) their products always have a different kind of bend to them. Imo.

This is one of my favourite scents of all time. It's such a deeply comforting and somehow nostalgic scent to me. Literally; it opens lightly citrusy with a beautiful sparkle of frankincense, and as it dries it smells like fresh white florals and wet grass. Figuratively; it brings me to a quiet, overgrown pond in the middle of a mossy forest where a water nymph washes her hair with starlight twinkling off the water when the raindrops land.

I usually only wear very masculine and incense-y scents. I received this as a gift and it is just delightful. Very bright and citrusy and sort of a powdery aquatic from the water lily. It is still grounded with the vetiver which makes it a surprising new favourite. Perfect for springtime and in your hair. Just darling!

Another great scent by this perfumer. Star Cross'd reminds me of when I first started wearing perfume. It was my first buy, and I have bought it ever since. Not only is it bright and tangy, but it also has an earthy quality to it. It smells like a star zipping fast through the Earth's atmosphere.