Nui Cobalt Designs: A brief interlude with Fae Folk and Otherworldly Beings

I have a previous selection of reviews of this collection here, but here are some more! This collection isn't one that usually calls out to me, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed some of these. NCD is also a house that benefits quite a lot from aging, and some of these have been on my shelf for a good while, but I've come back with a renewed love and appreciation for some of them. 

Gremlin - The legendary trickster who harrowed pilots and sabotaged airplanes during the second World War. Lightning-struck metal, London rain, Earl Grey tea, and a leather bomber jacket. Wear to repel curses, trickery, and general misfortune.

On opening, this is a gorgeous atmospheric - a whole lot of petrichor on cold wet pavements, with the slap of shiny black leather jackets and the taste of studded spikes. It's very much a stormy, dreary scent, with just a hint of that herbal bergamot peeking through after the dry down. After it's really settled into the skin, this brings out more of this bitter blood orange rind paired with a light leather note, it's giving me unisex cologne vibes, a dash of Earl Grey and Cucumber (Jo Malone), and a touch of ambergris as well. Despite this not being a type of scent I'd usually gravitate towards, I find myself captivated by this - I don't think I'd wear it on myself but I would absolutely love it on someone else. Definitely considering upsizing this as a gift to a friend who has been trying to get into perfumes! 

Kitsune - Folklore of Japan describes a Fox Spirit who transforms into a beautiful woman in order to seduce humans. In fox form, Kitsune acquire additional tails as they grow older and wiser, until finally having sprouted a ninth tail, they ascend to the rank of Shinto deity. Peach blossom, yuzu, wisteria, sandalwood incense, and silk.

I mean, it's not quite the description here but my undying childhood nostalgia for Naruto is definitely playing a huge part in my bias for picking this scent up. I don't think you'd ever use this description for Kurama, but it's an unavoidable association in my brain. However, this scent is probably giving more helpful fox Senku san, and that's also fine. 

I initially wasn't a huge fan of this scent when I first tried it, due to its quite soapy, powdery floral and silk combination, but after bringing it out and testing it again, I'm actually quite enthralled by this. While it wasn't the sort of meditative blend I assumed it would be, there's a really lovely interplay between the biter yuzu zest here, with a well rounded floral sweetness from the wisteria and the peach blossom. I'm a huge fan of NCD's peach blossom solinote which is the most perfect peach tea scent (but has sadly been discontinued), but it features here in a very small doses, just a peek of juicy sweetness. The whole scent is anchored by the softness of this, creamy smooth sandalwood, but it remains more of a powdery, soft floral silky makeup note. This definitely gives me Gion (Fantome) vibes, with its makeup powder note. I don't get any yuzu or incense, which is definitely a shame as I absolutely love the sharp sweetness of yuzu, and the meditative richness of Japanese incense, but for what it is, this is a very pretty and delicate scent, and definitely was well worth the full size purchase. 

Bakeneko - The shapeshifter cats of Japan whose appetite for human blood belies a protective love of their guardians. When one's keeper meets a wrongful death, tales describe the Bakeneko’s sophisticated venture of intrigue and revenge. Spiced plum wine, molten caramel, blood orange marmalade, crimson musk, and warm fur accord.  

This was a bit of a toss up for me - I really love how NCD does spiced sweet scents, but it's on the record that I do not like musk. It's a bit of a death note for me, and a bit of a problem considering how many scents love using musk (casting a suspicious eye on literally 90% of mainstream scents). I'm ambivalent about fur notes at best, but musks can be very hit or miss depending on how it's done. Yet, for this blend, I was surprised by how sweet it ended up being, but how, even on first sniff, I really enjoyed it. It's just the most divine, gingersnap cookie with spiced caramel squares and maple syrup, with a touch of lemon zest and plum syrup, but it's all sort of mixed up in this blast of warmed, spiced, sweet goodness. The wear for this one is pretty linear, but the projection and throw for this one for NCD is on the better end, it's very strong, and even when I just popped open the vial on this one, you can smell it immediately. It's potent. I can imagine this being a little heavy for winter, but it's absolutely freezing right now as winter has been creeping in, and this is just the most cozy, lovely scent. I'm a little surprised by how much I love it, considering my general distrust of musks, but I'd say this is probably hands down a favorite. This reminds me of a sort of, cozier, warmer Little Brown Rabbit, perhaps a little sweeter even, but if you're looking for something akin to Crone's Cottage or Northern Cardinal but with a sweeter kick, check this one out. 

Disclaimer: Bakeneko was sent as a press sample, the other scents were purchased with my own money.