Tags
black currant, black orchid, BPAL, cactus, cereus, currant, cypress, diabolus, general catalog, Incense, labdanum, myrrh, myrtle, myrtle leaf, night-blooming cereus, orchid, poppy
Scent Name: Medea
Manufacturer: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Diabolus
Scent Description and Notes: “Granddaughter of Helios, Hecate’s chosen: Medea was one of the greatest sorceresses of the ancient world. She is the embodiment of ruthless power, indomitable will and furious vengeance. Night-blooming cereus, black orchid, black currant and myrtle leaf enshrouded in the incense of Hecate’s cypress and myrrh, and the dark rage of magickal labdanum and intoxicating poppy.“ -https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/shop/general-catalog-perfume-oils/diabolus/medea/
Cereus is a type of night-blooming cactus, the fragrance of such is supposed to akin to gardenias or magnolias.
Oil Color: The color of honeyed whiskey.
Bottle Design and Artwork: This is a standard vial / imp size (1/32 oz). The label wrapped around the bottle features an Art-Deco inspired phoenix with name of the company next to the phoenix. On the other side, the title of the scent written in large, clear black font outlined with red on the front. This is an imp I received directly from the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab.
Scent:
- ITI: I get green myrtle’s sweetly herbaceous, camphoraceous next to clear cypress out first, followed by orchid and a flash of incense spice over something that strikes me as florid yet oddly watery. I’m intrigued.
- Wet: Yeah, I think I’m getting the night-blooming cereus coming through as a watery, aloe-toned magnolia with an herbal myrtle kick alongside soft incense and a touch of orchid. It strikes me as river aquatic with shadows swimming underneath. The scratchy, very subtle smoked wood tone is there, but it’s far in the back, allowing the more threateningly verdant tones to shine. Fitting for the title, I think.
- Dry: It’s more perfume-y after a couple hours, but it is a pleasantly incense spiced incense kissed with labdanum over slinking green florals with a wisp of poppy and currant at the very top of the inhalation. I like it, but Tony isn’t a fan.
Other Impressions: [Wet] “It’s like a little bit of menthol on a turd. Yeah, I’m getting oudh out of that.” -Tony