Nokturne Duality: Cinnamon Kashmir

[mansku11]

Sensual Red Musk of NA Kashmir and sweet spellbinding of cinnamon and a few drops of vanilla breath from a three year old NApothecary bottle of Vanilla Beans and sugar.

(I wasn't sure if this review should go under the Nokturnes, but since it was on the exclusives list, I decided on here. If it needs to be moved, that's no problem. )

This scent conjures up a very precise sensory experience, which I will do my best to describe AND to keep PG.

The oil itself is one of those thick, viscous deals that NA does so well. When first applied, it is almost straight cinnamon, and I mean true, natural cinnamon with an almost woodsy quality. I acquired a large curl of high-quality cassia bark a while back, and this smells like it. No Big Red or Hot Tamales here. Then, well...things get a little graphic...

As it dries, the creamy aspect of the vanilla surfaces, with the red musk providing what smells to me like a blushing, clean skin scent. And sugar, sugar, SUGAR! To put it mildly, this smells like a cinnamon-sugar icing that one has whipped up for fun and applied to, well, NOT a cinnamon bun. This scent seriously makes me see a sugary-spicy icing paste MELTING, the very charming way icing has of melting, on warm, smooth skin.

That's all, folks. You can't have mine. But don't trample anyone running to the grocery to get powdered sugar and gourmet cinnamon.

[bribee]

I had to try this a few times to decide how I felt about it. The first few times it seemed like it was all red musk, but as a little time has gone by the cinammon has started to balance out on me. It is a very deep and pretty sensual scent. The cinammon spices it up but doesn't overpower it. After having it on for several hours, it still smells deep but has a nice cinammony sweetness that is lightly there to continue balancing. Very beautiful. This scent makes me think of sensual things done in the dark. I agree, it's difficult to keep the review of this one PG. Very sexy. I can't wait to see how this continues to age!!

ETA: Everytime I wear this scent I love it more and more. For anyone who tried it once and didn't love it, give it another chance!

[Hazel-rah]

My experience was the exact opposite of bribee's: on me this Nokturne is nearly all Cinnamon, at least for the first while.

Upon first application, Cinnamony Dr. Pepper
Then, here we go, alllll Cinnamon, albeit a sweetish Cinnamon
Eventually the Cinnamon fades enough for me to also smell the Kashmir, deep red, rich, sweet, with a white floral incense

[downrightspooky]

This is really a great one!! Nice cinnamon-y goodness and zero "kitcheny" weirdness! I love this one on! The Kashmir comes through more intensely after a while providing a nice little surprise!

[crazyredhead17]

In the bottle, this is a thick, spicy musky scent.

Wet, it's all cinnamon, but like others have said, it's not a redhots cinnamon, but a smooth, gourmet cinnamon.

(you know, I've never thought about other meanings of the word "wet" in my reviews until this perfume)

After five or so minutes, the red musk slinks out and I can actually smell it without being super close to my wrists. The cinnamon is still very much there as well.

Another half hour or so, and this is sexy and spicy and musky.. and I'm not sure whether it's a good thing my husband won't be home until tomorrow or a bad thing.

[Ajila]

In the bottle - NA's gorgeous red musk note, slightly sweetened by the vanilla and the sugar

Wet on me - A very dry, hot cinnamon comes through

Dry on me - The musk comes back through, with the deep dry cinnamon in the background

Overall - To me the cinnamon is a little harsh; I'm hoping this will soften with age and perhaps a little of the vanilla and sugar will come through as the red musk is really lovely