I already posted this to one of my favorite subreddits, r/indiemakeupandmore, but I figured it would be appropriate here as well.
This was my first ever perfume purchase, so please excuse the inability to pick out the specific notes in each one.
As far as buying from Haus of Gloi, it was a fantastic experience, placed the order on May 6th, it shipped out on May 7th, received it on May 13th (originally it was supposed to be delivered on May 10th, but USPS was being wishy washy which is typical for them in my experience).
For the first impressions, I had my husband smell them (as did I) and give me his opinion on what it smelled like and I have noted them below alongside comments about each of the oils. Also, for the first impressions, we didn't read what it was actually supposed to smell like beforehand (except of course what I had read when I ordered it) so it was a blind test. As this was actually written before I had worn any other than Splendiferious and Cozy Sweater, I've included an updated opinion on each of them since I've now had a chance to wear them.
Depravity: A bewitching blend of clove, nutmeg and coconut, on a bed of rich golden amber, sandalwood and spilled wine.
My first impression: Spicy Winter/Autumn, not really sure
His first impression: Sandalwood
Other comments: This one is interesting, very spicy smell, definitely reminded me of cooler weather, I couldn't pick out the individual notes at all, (was very impressed with my husband as he immediately said "sandalwood!") it's not one of my favorites (also not one of my least), but I'll be interested in seeing how it wears.
Updated opinion: I don't like it. Not even a little bit. The spices verge on giving me a headache and overall remind me of an old lady and/or wet leaves. Will be gifting this to someone else or trying to trade it with someone. Feel free to contact me if interested.
Splendiferous: White cake, lemon zest glaze and sugared violets.
My first impression: Some sort of candy, reminiscent of gum drops? and baby powder
His first impression: Fruity baby powder
Other comments: I very strongly got baby powder in the beginning, and after reading the description, could pick out the cake more and the hint of lemon, it still smells very powdery. This was one of the scents I found more favorable, I'm actually wearing it today and the baby powder smell is still there but is mellowing nicely to a creamier cake smell. I'm still on the fence, I'm not a huge fan of smelling like baby powder, but it's growing on me.
Updated opinion: I just don't like it. It gave me a headache. Will trade away.
Twice is Nice: Buttery sugar cookie, with shavings of creamy coconut and topped with toasted almond slivers.
My first impression: Crisper sugar cookie
His first impression: Vanilla Cake
Other comments: This is one I found intriguing, I think it's the toasted almond mixed with the coconut that smelled sharper than I expected this one to. I want to wear this and see if morphs to a stronger sugar cookie smell.
Updated opinion: LOVE THIS. The sharpness that bothered me from a cold sniff goes away almost immediately when I put it on and it's just a fantastic smell. This will probably end up being a full size purchase.
Elvenses: Fluffy little orange cakes, sugar coated toasty almonds and a wee steaming cup of black tea.
My first impression: grassy/earthy, maybe some tea?
His first impression: smoky earthy moss/grass
At first, I definitely got the grassy smell, after reading the description and re-smelling, I could pick out the orange and the toasted almonds moreso, I think the mix of those gave me the impression of the sharper smell of grass/earth. Interesting mix, not one of my favorites so far, but I am curious to see how it wears.
Updated opinion: I hated this when I first put it on (it gave me a MASSIVE headache), but after wearing it, it mellowed out and became more pleasant and the headache went away, then came back stronger than ever a bit later... Will probably trade away.
Vice: Steam billows rolling off a vessel of fresh made Turkish coffee, marshmallow goo tainted by graham cracker crumbs, toasted hazelnuts and blanketed in black chocolate.
My first impression: chocolate and coffee
His first impression: coffee, caramel and smoke
Other comments: I love this one. It's a very rich and dark smell, definitely smell the coffee and the dark chocolate very strongly, couldn't really pick out the marshmallow and graham cracker, but that might be something that comes out more with wear. It's just so rich and luxurious it's almost a bit intimidating, but I think I shall end up wearing this one one day this week and this might end up as a full size purchase.
Updated opinion: This one wore very well, but it didn't seem to last as long as others I've tried... Will definitely wear it again, it's very lovely and dark smelling. Not sure if it's a full size purchase or not... I'll have to try it again.
Satyr: Italian blood orange drizzled with a blackened vanilla.
My first impression: citrus with hint of mint?
His first impression: citrus-y mint
Other comments: After reading the description, I could better pick out the vanilla, I will definitely be giving this one a wear although I'm not usually a fan of citrus.
Updated opinion: This one mellowed out pretty nice and the vanilla came out more. I enjoyed it, will wear again, but I don't think it merits a full size purchase.
Honeysuckle Lemon Curd: Rich lemon curd with a touch of fresh honeysuckle.
My first impression: Definitely strong lemon, hint of sweet
His first impression: lemon
Other comments: Very strong lemon smell, with a hint of sweetness. Not much more to say about it, not one of my favorites, but not a least favorite either, will be interested to see if the honeysuckle comes out more with wear.
Updated opinion: The strong lemon mellowed out very nicely after about an hour of wear and the honeysuckle came out a lot more. I really like it and will consider full size.
Troika: A trinity of soft milks, almond, oat and coconut, lashed with sweet agave nectar and the ethereal scent of clean white.
My first impression: toasted almonds?
His first impression: Licorice with hint of cherry
Other comments: This one is interesting... I think the clean white smell contributes a... well, not quite soap smell, but a unnatural almost hotel type smell? I can't really put my finger on it, but whatever it is brings down an otherwise beautiful scent.
Updated opinion: The clean white note goes away pretty nicely shortly after putting it on. I like this one, it's pleasant, just not in love with it.
Litchi Milk Tea: Tart lychee fruit and black tea met with a splash of coconut milk.
My first impression: spicy/sharp, not sure
His first impression: warm and soap
Other comments: I think I just don't know what lychee fruit smells like so I couldn't really put my finger on it during the first impression smell. Not an unpleasant smell, will be curious if the sharpness tones done throughout the day.
Updated opinion: This one is just alright. Won't be purchasing full size. Might try to layer it with other scents.
Apothecary: Lemongrass, rosemary, blood cedar, sweet basil, lavender and the tiniest drop of vetiver.
My first impression: almost like pinesol... lemony?
His first impression: peppermint
Other comments: Was really hoping this one would blow me away, but during the first smell, I really did get a distinct pine-sol smell. Will definitely be giving it a test wear, but not sure how fond I am. Don't hate it, just on the fence I think.
Updated opinion: This one isn't terrible, I still don't like how it smells on first smell, but it morphs into something much nicer with wear. I will wear it again, but not a full size purchase.
Cozy Sweater: Pale skin musk, faded perfume, Egyptian amber, softly burning nag champa incense and a fine aged vanilla.
My first impression: a headshop/incense
His first impression: incense
Other comments: Ok, I freaking love this one. I had heard a lot about this here and on other blogs/websites and had heard it was being added to the general inventory after so many people liked it. So when I opened up my package and saw that was my free sample, I was ecstatic! First impression, definitely a headshop/incense, when opening the little vial I accidentally got some on my finger and couldn't stop smelling my hand afterwards. I ended up wearing it yesterday evening and loved it, it mellowed down from the straight up incense smell to something more subtle, the vanilla definitely came to the surface more as well as the amber (I think). I could still smell it when I woke up and even a bit after I had taken my morning shower. I'm not too sure how appropriate it would be for work, but I think I'm in love with it, will probably be buying a full size bottle when it's available.
Updated opinion: I actually think I like this one layered better. I can't remember which one I accidentally layered it over, but I think it was either Twice is Nice, Troika or Satyr, but it was just an amazing combination. More experimentation is necessary.
Final statements: Overall, very happy with my first foray into the world of perfume and very satisfied with the TAT of Haus of Gloi and will be picking up some full size bottles after finishing with my test wears.
I'm excited to try other scents. I've got two orders place (one of which is supposed to be arriving today, squeeeeee).
The one arriving today should be from Solstice Scents (placed order on May 20th and it shipped on the 21st [dat TAT] and should include samples of the following:
Snowmint Mallow
Sugarvale
The Foxcroft Collection
I placed an order with Darling Clandestine on May 14th and it hasn't shipped yet, but she's within her TAT for a few more days, so that one should be shipping soon. I should be receiving the following from her:
Bitsies of Falchion, Carny Wedding and Circassian
Samples of Small Saga, Inked, Morderteile Kelah
I can't wait to get them and try them out!
If you made it down this far, thanks for reading!
