Sunday, April 9, 2017

Arcana: The Kraken and a couple others...


When I fall for a scent via sample I always have intentions of purchasing it in larger quantities, sometimes I get around to it (usually determined on cost) and sometimes I have to wait a bit. Arcana's Kraken did not wait. Not one bit. Kraken's notes include smoked vanilla, black vanilla, salt water, China musk and black musk. 

Here is my previous review of it:

Out of the amber glass, Kraken smells faintly of smoke and musk. Once it rests damply on the skin, that smoke forms a corporeal silhouette, inky with burned sugar and thrown into relief with salt encrusted fog. As it dries, a slight rawhide leather accord emerges, all the while remaining smoky sweet. The Kraken is one sexy beast.


I wore it to work the other day and garnered a compliment on how good I smelled. Then I layered it with a gardenia perfume on another occasion and an additional compliment came my way about how good I smelled... this time I mentioned it was a gardenia perfume I was wearing but the person said "oh, this smells darker than a gardenia." And bingo. It was the Kraken lurking behind that sunny floral. I love the versatility of this scent. It is dark. But it is gorgeous and goes well with many other fragrances or worn all on its own. I have a feeling this one will be drained over the summer. I can't stop reaching for it. 


There were two samples in my Kraken order, Breakfast in Hollywood and TS Goodfellow's Winter Correctives in Tranquility.

Breakfast in Hollywood contains notes of grapefruit, California citrus fruits, champagne and ripe strawberries. In the vial is wafts out tart sweet citrus with a tang of grapefruit and subtle strawberry finish. Wet on the skin the strawberries and oranges smell incredibly vibrant, tart and sweet and freshly sliced and fanned out on a platter enticingly. As it dries an oaken champagne pulls up, smelling realistically of wine and woods and still those sugared fruits floating to the top all the while. A seriously brilliant fruity fragrance.


TS Goodfellow's Winter Correctives: Tranquility houses a backstory of a mad scientist professor type from the 30's who steeps a plethora of concoctions to alleviate whatever ails you. Tranquility potion brews up using ingredients such as peach, apricot, cream, clove and herbs (which is touted to have the aroma of rich cheesecake). In the amber vial, the potion reaches out with an herbal vinegar tang to jolt one's senses awake with alacrity. Wet on the skin the vinegar sourness starts to dissipate slightly to reveal piquant peaches in cream sprinkled with peppery herbs. As Goodfellow's Tranquility Corrective dries, it becomes a dram of clove and cream, still a little sour but much more mellow than the start. A slight gourmand note of graham can be detected in the base. It is a transformative scent that awakens the senses but perhaps not for me. 

I did go back for a full bottle of Death in the Afternoon and Filthy Viking. They have arrived and I am just waiting on them to settle a spell before I review them. 

Have you made any Arcana purchases lately? What are you wearing?

8 comments:

  1. Woah, those two samples both sound so interesting! Particularly Tranquility - what a weirdo! Vinegar and peaches, you say? Odd, odd, odd. Love the little bottle of Kraken, though - very cute.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kraken and Hollywood are amazing. Tranquility was interesting for sure but it whispered to come visit you.

      Delete
    2. "I'm weeeeiiiirrrddddd...give me to somebody weeeeiiiirrrrdddeeeerrrrr." Something like that? ;) But hopefully way less creepy!

      Delete
    3. LOL!!!!! Maaaaaybe! Nah! I just want you to experience the bracing thrill ride that is Olde Mr. Goodfellows.

      Delete
  2. The Kraken sounds lovely! It's funny because I just finished reading Kraken by China Mieville (cool book, but too long) so I guess that's the theme of the week :D

    And echoing Sandra: vinegar and peaches? O_o

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kraken is really awesome. I am compiling a wee sampler for you so I will decant you some. And I actually got Tranquility again as a sampler so I am sending you that too to sniff for funsies. That book sounds like something I would love. Going to search for it on Goodreads. I would take a Kraken Week.

      Delete
  3. Yay!! Thanks :)

    I've never read anything my China Mieville before but people rave about him. The writing is excellent and there are some really cool ideas in the book. I just thought it could have used some editing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A poorly edited book can be so distracting from the tale. :-/ I barreled though this last book, The Woman in Cabin 10, so I am scouring my shelves looking for the next victim. I am thinking the "Z" book about Zelda Fitzgerald? I hope you have a nice day today!

      Delete