Wanderlust

Ok, don't rely on my skin for this review/morphing. This has never happened with coconut, but I like what is happening. If you bake, if you have ever used 'Mexican' Vanilla, you'll understand what I mean. Let me digress. Typically, a standard vanilla has an inherent sweetness. 'Mexican' Vanilla has a gorgeous woodsy warmth that adds depth, but reads less sweet. Along the same line, this coconut is not the standard sweetened, moist, bagged coconut. This is freshly toasted, sans sugar. I am not getting maple, but rather a hint of sweetness that warms the cream..or maybe this is full fat coconut milk. I think, on my skin, that this may be Horchata, sans cinnamon. This is a 'get closer' scent that is not an overt advertisement. This would work in an office setting as easily as on a date. It has the quality that begs the question..what is that magickal intoxicant? I really could see this as a scent I'd carry in my bag as a go-to for any situation. It feels like a good layering scent as well. Think I might have a little Halloween prep party. Go with me on this: layer Coconut Custard with Hungry Souls and see if I end up with a Mounds Bar.

Oh my gosh! Velvet Chocolate Ganache! Fifteen minutes in, and if peanut is coming through it is showing up as a barely there toastiness. For all of two minutes the amber had the slightest whiff of plastic, but that is a common issue on my skin. That disappeared quickly. An hour in and this is completely Velvet Chocolate Ganache. I am loving that, but licking my arm is annoying my husband.

I like this very much. I get Punk Lady Apples, sweet, freshly plucked chamomile blossoms, and the faintest marigold sprinkled throughout. Desert flower..my folks' home was in Tucson. During the spring and during monsoon season you truly cannot take a step in the desert without stepping on the carpet of flowers. I'm not certain if Desert Flower is meant to represent one flower/flowering tree, or the overall scent of the desert in bloom. I'm getting the Yellow Sweetbush. After about 30 minutes, everything smoothes put, the marigold fades, and the sweetness of apple blossom, chamomile, and Sweetbush remains. Such a happy scent. This could easily work in a work setting. It would work anywhere. Really like this. Thanks, Mara.

First impression, on my skin, is a fresh scent geared toward males. It actually reminds me of the shower gel, Vitabath, which my boyfriend used in the early 1980s-which I loved. During the dry down, part of that scent memory fades and a citrus scent (hmmm, not sure why) comes forward, warmed by the Palo Santo and rum. This is not a saccharin sweet rum, but rather a more wood-centric and naturally sweetened rum. If you know Four Square brand rums, that is the direction this scent takes. This would be an excellent choice for those who enjoy a fresh, bright cologne.

Getting loads of luscious berries up front. Dragon's Blood is typically a sharp nose stabber on my skin. During the first few moments of application, the sharpness was there, but not overwhelmingly so. The syrupy dark berries took center stage. The sharpness of the Dragon's Blood faded within 15 minutes, leaving an underlying sweetness that sat alongside the fruits, like a dusting of sugar on top of a dessert, rather than being cooked into the fruity goodness. I don't mind that at all. At about an hour, this is all berries with just a dash of cocktail bitters, which helps this edge into the more masculine arena-on my skin. Again, I'm ok with that, but when I choose to wear this, it will be in one of Mara's perfume lockets, on the off chance that the Dragon's Blood tries to steal the stage. If you are a fan of Dragon's Blood, don't be put off by the idea of this running too feminine. At least sample this. Well worth it.

Unapologetic baker at the keyboard. This is Lemon Springerle Cookies! Lemon zest in a vanilla and anise dough, printed with designs, then baked low and slow-designed to be dipped (not dunked) in a hot beverage-builders or breakfast tea, or a toddy, or coffee. The lemon is fresh. Then, there's a bruised lemon rind, kissed with a flame, and aged in a crock of sugar (scented sugar and sweet rinds!). This is a delightful celebration!

This scent makes me ache for winter baking, and the chewy molasses spice cookie that is my pick-me-up during long afternoons. When the oven is cranking nonstop and the fireplace is glowing, I stand over the sink with a cuppa, enjoying the scent of pine and juniper drifting in through the barely-open window. Have to admit, this is such a happy surprise. I read the notes, intending to sample, then saw patchouli-which caused me to quake in my boots. It doesn't just not like me. It tries to murder me. Having said that, I trust Mara when she says she thinks it will be fine. She has told me that for three other scents over many years, and she has been spot on every time. This is far better than fine. The patchouli intermingles with warm spices and soft, freshly-dried tobacco. The smoke and sugar (Piloncillo?) combine beautifully. To use a Scotch reference, the smoke is not a heavily peated Islay whisky like Laphroaig or Lagavulin. It is a Speyside whisky sipped snuggled in beside the fire. The pepper reads as pink peppercorn, and the vanilla plays nicely with that. Is this a 'Mexican' vanilla varietal providing the distinct woody warmth and depth? This, on my skin, leans toward the sweeter side of Unisex. Having said that, the longer it lingers, the less I sense spice cookie. After a couple of hours, the predominant scents are greenery, woods and man-in-sweater-fresh-from-outdoors. Highly approve from start to finish.

Think sweetened dewdrop-drenched silken webs on a humid day-SANS eight-legged, mandible-wielding, eyeball-glutted monster-in a very good way.

I'll be saving all of you from ordering this concoction. Consider it my gift to you. You can't have any. Period. End of. This is THE finest pumpkin scent you've ever created, IMHO, Mara. I thought the beloved Cauldron Cake was the bees knees, but this is stunning! The ginger, nutmeg and allspice are spicy and warm. The cream is luscious, the pumpkin is full and rich. The sugar is not a one note; it layered and nuanced. Combined, these notes are pitch perfect.

It is rare that a perfume is exactly the same in the bottle as on my skin, yet here we are, in this head swimmingly elegant space. This is a silk dressing gown in scent form. Honey and AJA comes forward and remain steady. The carnation is not the sometimes sharp incantation, but rather more sweet cinnamon coming from a vase across the room. The spices add depth and warmth. The longer it settles on the skin, the softer it becomes, but without loss of scent. This is lovely.

Good afternoon, Potion Master. 😘 Firstly, these are truly lovely, both in respectful representation, and in olfactory appeal. I absolutely am ordering a sample of Earth and Urn and Sugared Skulls. I sometimes amp amber/resin/Copal. I noticed you mentioned sweetening Earth and Urn. Any suggestions for sweetening if my skin betrays me, or, should I ask you once I have received, rested, and tried the scents?

Loving all the speculation.

@Eve, that would wonderful. I rely heavily on that scent, and the plus was that my pal, Shannon Stamey did the artwork for that release. We have his print hanging g at the top of our steps.

These are stunning!

Mara Fox, you are brilliant. Period. End of. 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 infinity... I received (from the new collection): BeeWitched; Cassia; Creme Cake; Hemwicke; Holliday; Infusion; Lantern Gorgeous, mysterious, delicious, alllll the adjectives. Btw, The Stag is beyond my expectations of a pine forest. I need a vat of this majestic scent to fill the house 24/7.

I should have ordered a sample.

One more reason to love pur Pition Master and her crew!

Thanks, Luna. Sample of Hemwicke (which keeps correcting to Heimlich 🤣), and fb of Lantern, to be sure. There are only about six bottles I am pretty certain I can't live without-Send Help!

Well, here I go asking questions. I am eyeing both Lantern and Hemwicke. Intrigued by both, no, salivating over both. I tend to amp both amber and sandalwood, to the point of those devouring everything else in the perfume. Anyone who works at LPMP have this issue? I am nearly out of all the pumpkin scents I've purchased in the past, so I could use some guidance. I will order samples, but would love full bottles of at least one of these as well-and, uh-a few others. Cassia, Holliday, and Infusion, I'm looking at you!👀👀👀

Admittedly, I sniffed every scent-and tried four of them 30 minutes after arrival. Since then, I have been a good girl and allowed the travel shock to subside. First out the gate for true testing is Bare Trap. It may be better than originally thought (which, is impossible, isn't it?). Somehow, the entire olfactory sensation is almost chewy, like a truly excellent nougat confection-NOT a cheap Milky Way-like Sees or Fannie May Candies. There's a softness, a sweetness, a smouldering spiciness, and such depth. Mara, you've created "The" self-assured woman. Brava!

Have a quick question for our Potion Master regarding Bare Trap: What spice might be giving off the slightest bit of smoke scent? I know, I know, my skin-to-scent reaction is a mystery, but hear me out, Potion Master. Is the vanilla woody, like Mexican Vanilla Beans? Might it have gotten hot and bothered with a spicy smoked Ceylon cinnamon? I get all the beautiful benefits of the listed potion ingredients with the added benefits of a distant whiff of bonfire, which, btw, is intoxicating. Oh, and this lavender is gorgeous, pillowy soft. I know guys are supposed to be incapable of resisting this combo, but seriously, I may add powdered lavender to my pumpkin cookies this year. This is good enough to eat.

The Weenies have landed and the entire parcel is PERFECTION! Goes without saying that Weenie Roast, Flying Potion, Soul Cakes and Bare Trap are exactly what the Good Witch ordered. I was completely blown away by Candied Apple (fresh, crisp-tart with just the right sweetness), Rum Woody (this defies every expectation. Gobsmacked!), and Black Aggie (my kitchen when I'm stirring up holiday cakes). The one that I will dab onto a cloth and use as a relaxing sleep scent?..The Stag. It is the memory of the cabin in the pine woods we used to take the kids to every summer. I haven't even gotten to the rest of samples, but I am so excited that I had to pop in to thank you for yet another amazing contribution to olfactory bliss. I love you oodles!

These are phenomenal! How do you do it, Marvelous Mara?!

Thanks so much, Luna.

If one of the two of you order this, please let me know whether this mostly peach, mostly melon, or balanced. Peach can go overripe to nearly sour on my skin (which makes me want to cry).