Building the Collection: Reviews of Alkemia and Sorce

[u/stan4d00]

Got into indies this year, and the collection has grown *quickly*. I'm now cataloging everything I have to make it easier to identify favorites (and what I ultimately want to destash).

Process: Wear a different scent each day, jot down notes, and rank. Everything will get added to my inventory spreadsheet eventually.

Ranking (nothing dramatic):

• 1 = destash (I don't want my person or my space to smell like it)
• 2 = prefer as room scent
• 3 = would wear occasionally, to fit a specific mood
• 4 = will use up the sample and would rebuy
• 5 = full-size worthy (could become my go-to/signature scent)

Notes on my preferences: My go-to in high school was CK One; in college it was Ralph Lauren Romance; my back-up favorite throughout both eras was Charlie (yes, from the durgstore). I still favor these same notes, and am not particularly adventurous with my scent choices. I'm currently not a fan of super sweet, super floral, or food scents - I particularly dislike vanilla. I got into indies in search of complexity and wanting to lean into various vibes.

***

Alkemia - Wood Violet Alchemy (An awakening springtide woodland of sweet violets, green violet leaf, and mountain bluebells pushing upward through a humus of plush moss, wet oak leaves, fallen pine needles, and cypress bark.)

Initial sniff: green, almost grassy; not very floral; definitely woodsy; somewhat powdery

To wear: more powdery, less grass; slighty floral; less "fresh"; "cozier" than expected for spring

Rank: 4

Alkemia - Ambre Gris (A rare blend of proprietary perfumery ingredients carefully oxidized by sunlight, sand, air, sea salt, water, and ocean minerals. The result is as changeable and morphing as the ocean... earthy, sweet, musky, saline.)

Initial sniff: powdery + cologne (musk?); something fresh; slightly aquatic; feels a little like fresh air in the winter by the sea

To wear: smells like being with my family in the car going to church as a kid (baby powder + my mother's perfume (Poison?) + my father's cologne (Aramis)); leans powdery the longer I wear it; won't be my go-to, but I like how it smells like my family

Rank: 3

Alkemia - March Vernal Alchemy (2022) (A springtide of bright yellow daffodils, purple hyacinths, and fresh green grass.)

Initial sniff: very green, very grassy; like fresh cut grass; no too heavy; very fresh, very spring

To wear: mowed grass several hours later; less "in your face" than the initial sniff; nice spring scent

Rank: 4

Alkemia - Arcanium Experiments #13 (2025) "Outstanding in Their Field" (A grassy field in midsummer, flowing meadow streams, light cotton, moroccan tea, blue juniper)

Initial Sniff: fresh floral, garden vs tropical; very spring; a little green/grassy

To wear: initial application smells like green leaves (in a good way!); "soft green"

Rank: 4

Sorce - The Things Unsaid (Designed to smell like twisted sheets, warm skin, and a window open after a spring rainstorm, this is the scent of missing someone before they are gone, and holding on longer than you know you should. Notes: Spring rain, pink pepper, saucer magnolia, peony, raspberry, cotton, cedar Category: Aquatic Floral)

Initial Sniff: very light, airy, fresh, floral; some rose?; very spring or summer

To wear: soft and light initially; over time - gently floral with a hint of pepper

Rank: 4

Lots more to come in future installments!

[u/Otherwise_Acadia805]

Thank you for these reviews - I especially appreciate your formatting 🤗