Gothic II - Perfume Oil

I was put off initially by the syrupy vanilla top note, but as it warms and mellows, it frames the beautiful patchouli and spice notes. This is much more sophisticated than others' descriptions of a head shop. Decades ago, I had a boyfriend who wore patchouli oil and this is a more layered, heavily spiced, honey-coated scent that sweetens slightly over time. My body chemistry blends well with this for more than eight hours without a hint of cat pee, as others have reported. Under the covers, it smells slightly smoky and sweet without being too patchouli-forward. It's on my wrist the next morning. My non-hippy males in the house love its winter spice scent. This is my first "real" perfume and I am smitten.

Smells like magic. Love it. Old enchanted cathedral sort of way. But I'm sad at my girlfriend's words, "old Indian guy trying to sell me bad curry" and she also called it "nasty." It lingers beautifully until the next morning, but she commented it was still too strong. Even handed me a baby wipe to use on my neck. Want to commit to a full bottle and maybe use when she's not around, like at work (Wow.. Gothic II, my seductive mistress. lol) I get her lack of fondness, I'm just saddened at her harsh words. Said stick to your Versace and Cobalt, but that mass-appealing crap is boring to me. I like to be adventurous, wander into the dark woods, encounter a wise gnome, sit and have coffee with him. Si, soy eccentrico. Comprende muchacho?

This smells the way I imagine Florence Welch does... Gothic and Pre Raphaelite at the same time.

Of all the samples I've picked up over the years from this site, this is the first that tempts me to purchase a full bottle. It's extremely strong, complicated and long lasting. The first time I tried it on, I kept sniffing my wrists every five minutes and sighing loudly. Other reviewers noted an "off" note or "cat pee" smell - and though I don't get those impressions, I'll admit there is a strange under scent to this that is puzzling and delicious. It seems this scent varies according to body chemistry so try a sample first. For me, this scent is sexy and addicting and I want to smear it all over my body, my bed sheets and anyone who wants to get in my bed sheets. A masterpiece!

like a nice candle or incense but not a body type smell, it actually smells a bit waxy

At first it smelled like a vanilla scent you might find in a head shop; then it become a warm incensy smell which was was nice; in the last phase however I began to be reminded of LYSOL....not for me. Way too pricey; try the sample first.

I love Gothic 1 but there is something sharp and unpleasant in Gothic 2.

the price of this is forbidding but for those of you guys who do own this, is there anything sort of similar or any mix of anyhting that could compare? incense and vanilla are my first loves.

The tiniest amount of this makes mega sillage and it lasts forever. This is an excellent fragrance!

Not a particularly sophisticated composition, but pleasant enough. Alison's black cat is probably "fascinated" with this scent because of the civet note! If you like incense-y head shop smells, this could be your holy grail. BEWARE though, and do not apply immediately before going out, lest you bowl your companions over with the overwhelmingly sour "cat musk odor" in the opening of this perfume! It takes about 20-30 minutes to calm down that note, and then you'll have a warm and luscious "essence of head shop" for about 4 hours.

I agree with all of the positive comments below. I was thrilled to receive my sample of this, but kinda hoped it would be awful or feeble so I wouldn't feel tempted to spend an OUTRAGEOUS amount of money on a full-size. Sadly, it may be worth it. You get a lot of bang for your buck with both of the Gothics. They are both incredibly unique- not for wallflowers, though. On me, they last a long time (impressive on a cold, dry-skinned pale blonde), and both seem to end up in the same place via different routes: a warm, sweet incense underlined with viscous amber. Gothic I takes the vanilla high road with, yes, a weird moldiness- but a GOOD moldiness. C'mon, ladies, it's called "Gothic" for God's sake. Gothic II is the evil twin who prefers the take-no-prisoners path of dark patchouli, and is not to be fooled with. So good. Male sales assistants will treat you with a thrilling obsequiousness. My black cat is also fascinated by it, so God knows what's in there. I or II? Aah, the agony of choice. My only beef is that for $140, the roll-on bottles could look a bit less generic. Cheap black plastic lid- feh.

when i first smelled this, i thought "wow, an oil that smells like beautiful incense!" so i put on a bit...this stuff lasts a long time. although i could not stop smelling my wrists, i don't think i would want to smell like this...although it would be wonderful as a candle. reminded me too much of incense. a bit too moody and heady for me but a pretty and brooding scent if you adore incense.

I am pleasantly surprised. Patchouli is almost undetectable, which I prefer. It does take a VERY small drop to last all day, but as long as you limit it to a drop or two it won't smother those around you; just leaves a pretty trail. Sexy, warm and comforting, but also a good daytime scent. Not a sweet vanilla, and not like you're in an incense shop. Deep feminine scent that seems to emanate from within. I hate that it's so pricey, but a bottle should last a LONG time.

MY SIGNATURE SCENT AT LAST!!!.....I LOVE THE INCENSEY, 70'S, SMALL OUT OF THE WAY SHOP VIBE IT GIVES ME. MYSTERIOUS; LIKE I LIVE IN A CASTLE AS THE ROMANCE NOVELS DEPICT. I SAMPLED FIRST, THEN SPENT THE MONEY....WELL WORTH IT!!! THIS IS ROMANTIC AND MYSTICAL. A PAST LIVES GENERATING KIND OF SMELL. PERFECT, AN ABSOLUTE FIND OF A LIFETIME.

Wonderful smelling in the samples vial - vanila and chocolate deeped with sweet incence. If you're looking for perfume only to smell in the bottle, this one is fabulous. However, applying this is at best an olfactory peccadillo..

I liked this. You do have to apply it well in advance so you don't knock people out with it, but the drydown is lovely. A sweet inscence smell as opposed to smokey. However, the price is ridiculous. I'll enjoy my sample, but will not purchase.

this DOES smell very incense-y. i thought i'd like it more, but it's not a very rich and deep scent. sort of strong, heavy and then dull after all that.

Given the choice between this and Geisha Noire? I choose Geisha. This seems to have an unfriendly finish after a few hours. At first it's amazing, then it just bottoms out. Very incense smelling in a great way.. like that amazing smell all the incense blending in a store - that uncapturable scent, then it just fades out. The vanilla seems uninteresting after the heady incense.

i bought it unsniffed. i am not sure, but i may like it, as it wears on. i was hoping for less incense and more vanilla

This is the scent I was searchung for! I compared regina harris and geisha noire and gothic II- searching for a deep resinous scent with a touch of sweetness and an incense bottom note that was not like burnt wood. This is beautiful, creamy and down right sexy!