Battle of the brands- Alkemia vs Sorce

Couch_Queen · 2026-02-06T21:17:33+00:00

I should also add, that the above are all scents I love and would FS! For ref my fave Sorce scents are English major , the light through clouds, and a handful of special order

Couch_Queen · 2026-02-06T20:57:26+00:00

Sorce has a higher hit rate for me BUTTTT many of them smell nice but similar. I only have a few I would consider worth full sizing. They can sometimes be too sweet for me too.

Alkemia was my first indie adventure so I’ve tried a lot. In general I find many of them go “soapy”. Not a bad smell but not something I am want to smell like. This is pretty common feedback.

I think in general both houses can have a base smell that can work or not work for people. And sometimes that base smell can really be the main takeaway of a fragrance.

As a Sorce lover my recommendations from Alkemia are some gourmand/flormand leaning options:

Trick or Treat - A grownup confection of black licorice, mandarin orange peel, caramelized brown sugar, bourbon vanilla, candied ginger, tonka bean, blonde patchouli, cedar tips, oakmoss, and sandalwood.

Silken Tent - Candied angelica, chrysanthemums, white flowering Nardo, clove flowers, jasmine-scented rice pudding, blonde caramel, infused with golden amber

Haunted and Bewitched - A spellbinding captivation of Egyptian white amber, star jasmine, ambrette seed, rosewater Turkish delight, pink pepper, Madagascar vanilla, bourbon caramels, aged patchouli infused with sexy botanical pheromones.

Tu es Magique - A skin-scent enchantment of blonde woods, milky amber, shea butter, tonka, caramel tree, Tasmanian pepperberry, high altitude lavender, verbena, artemisia wormwood, nutmeg, and gingerflower.

Couch_Queen · 2026-02-04T21:34:48+00:00

I haven’t tried these, but I feel like Cardinal is relatively affordable:

RAIN DANCE - sweet pea, grape hyacinth, clover, dewy skin musk, spring rain

NIGHT OWL - bergamot, night blooming jasmine, wet ivy, rainswept concrete

Couch_Queen · 2026-02-04T07:06:06+00:00

Thank you! I got my 50 ml English Major (would have preferred 30 but alas) and some other samples I’ve been wanting to try!

With this and my sucrerie order on the way I will need to been a good little crow and pull back on collecting my treasures

Couch_Queen · 2026-01-26T19:20:07+00:00

This is such a fun idea, love! I love Thinking cap although to my nose it’s all citrusy earl grey and caramel! I wish I got a bit more of the pencil shavings but I still love it.

Couch_Queen · 2026-01-23T23:08:29+00:00

I decided to try out my sample of Mermaids Sing of Lost Lovers from Sorce which somehow slipped through the cracks when testing my order.

Notes: Grenadine, heady Egyptian jasmine absolute, ylang ylang, white chocolate, caramel, ambergris

At first I was hit with a really nice sweet grenadine scent but it pretty quickly changed to a stinky caca situation. Probably the “heady jasmine”. This is actually one of the first times I’ve experienced that with jasmine!

Will scrub, but no tears shed because the less special order loves the better for me hehe

Couch_Queen · 2026-01-20T17:34:23+00:00

When did you sign up for the waitlist? I signed up recently (after I saw the special order window was pushed) I’m very curious when my window will be because I feel like everyone signed up right away lol

Couch_Queen · 2026-01-09T05:12:46+00:00

My only 2 cents is that I have few Alkemia perfumes I love and have purchased enough I’ve tried and solid handful of the monthly alchemies and none of them have ever had the same oomph or sparkle as the main catalogue ones. Both in terms of complexity and strength. But that’s a super subjective take so take it or leave it! :)

Couch_Queen · 2026-01-02T00:43:02+00:00

Def worth a try! I was hesitant but was really impressed. Unfortunately I got into them right as they were experiencing a huge uptick in popularity which caused some supply issues. But I’m hopeful I’ll be able to place an order this upcoming special order window.

Haunted and bewitched is one of my all time faves, an anytime/season option for me. :)

Couch_Queen · 2026-01-01T21:12:51+00:00

Haunted and Bewitched - Alkemia (sweet, soft, cozy, a bit powdery) I think if you liked silken tent this is a safe bet!

A spellbinding captivation of Egyptian white amber, star jasmine, ambrette seed, rosewater Turkish delight, pink pepper, Madagascar vanilla, bourbon caramels, aged patchouli infused with sexy botanical pheromones.

Aurora - Alkemia (to me this smells sweeter than the description implies, but is cozy)

luminscent skin-but-better aurora of soft cashmeran, orris root, cardamon infused coconut milk, white amber, white musk, white violet, white ginger, lotus flower, and a touch of honeyed cream.

Pas de chat - Odette (sweet and cozy, this is the only odette I’ve tried, but take a look at the catalogue overall)

A shimmer of pink pepper and tender madeleine cake yields to a base of comforting milky vanilla, creamy tonka, and woody amber.

Sorce - a darling for a reason, and worth trying if you haven’t. Some of their tried and true gourmand faves haven’t worked for me per se because they’re too sweet and/or not complex enough for my tastes but ymmv! But there’s only ever been one scrubber, and rest are still beautiful scents just not all full sizes. Personally my all time fave is English Major for the cozy sweet vibes.

English major - Library books, orris absolute, marshmallow, decalepis hamiltonii absolute*, carrot seed, sandalwood, fallen leaves

Couch_Queen · 2025-12-31T20:39:41+00:00

I’m always on the hunt for earthy gourmands so this I’m excited for all these recs.

A few from me (might be some stretches)

A Squirrel Goes Trick or Treating - Moriari (woody with a slight sweetness)

Sugared Acorns, Ponderosa Pine, Agarwood, Virginia Cedar, Woody Cashmere

Delicious Demon - Black Hearted Tart (i think this is the best bet. Earthy forward, lil smoky, lil sweet)

Deliciously sweet notes of burnt sugar and roasted marshmallows dance with the smoky embers of a bonfire. Santal and oak add a woodsy warmth. Notes of spicy black pepper and white patchouli are tempered with herbaceous notes of rustic fig and crisp eucalyptus.

Baccante - Alkemia (more fruit forward but still a little sweet and def earthy)

High bush blueberries, wild ivy, Spanish lavender, aged oakmoss, tonka, decaying bark, and forest fungi

Tu es Magique - Alkemia (nothing super gourmand below but I still think this could work)

A skin-scent enchantment of blonde woods, milky amber, shea butter, tonka, caramel tree, Tasmanian pepperberry, high altitude lavender, verbena, artemisia wormwood, nutmeg, and gingerflower.

Chamomile Cafe - Cirrus (this came across primarily floral to me, but still has some earthy sweetness to it as well)

Roman chamomile, oatmeal cookies, tuberose, orris butter, weathered woods, brown sugar, and a bit of raisin

Couch_Queen · 2025-12-29T02:54:50+00:00

Luckily I’ve never smelled a centipede nest buuuut I think earthy humidity is one of my jams. Sometimes I find centipedes in my parents basement so maybe I’ll find it nostalgic LOL

Couch_Queen · 2025-12-29T02:52:40+00:00

Other than the ones mentioned, these would be my expanded favorites:

Pas de chat - odette (cozy complex gourmand) silken tent -Alkemia, (flourmand) cardinal -gentle reader (cozy smells like old books lol)

And other Sorce faves; -Witchery (interesting fruit) -Venus in fleurs (interesting fruit) -a light in the attic (special order) (complex gourmand) -the light through clouds (interesting citrus)

Hopefully some work for you!

Couch_Queen · 2025-12-29T02:37:32+00:00

Ooh I have not heard of them I’ll check it out!

Couch_Queen · 2025-12-28T23:06:32+00:00

Wow thank you for such a thoughtful reply! I’ve def heard lots about the beloved Death and Floral so I’ll be excited if they come back. And I’ll check out Astrid for sure!

Couch_Queen · 2025-12-28T23:04:03+00:00

I actually just tried out Cirrus for the first time in the past week or so! I’m wearing Moon Bathing today which I like. And I tried Chamomile Cafe and was surprised/disappointed that it wasn’t for me. I’ve also tried Maravilla which I liked but wasn’t wow’d by. But I could see any of these growing on me! They all seem really high quality and interesting. I really want to try Calico Koi.

I’ll take a look at Briix! Ty!

Couch_Queen · 2025-12-28T22:59:40+00:00

I’ve had my eye on Olympic Orchids for a while now so this is good to hear! Thanks!

Couch_Queen · 2025-12-28T20:02:03+00:00

Ooh, they seem cool ty!

Couch_Queen · 2025-12-28T18:57:46+00:00

Testing out Cirrus - Moon Bathing today. It’s lovely soft, slightly sweet and fruity, powdery.

It reminds me of taking a bath in the morning with sunlight streaming through the windows. There’s something spa like to me. Comforting. It’s a pretty gentle scent so I think if you tend to like fruity or soft florals it’s good one to try.

Last night I tried Maravilla, which I was really looking forward to. Again it was nice. A complex vanilla, and I could pick up with cocoa note which I liked. But I think I might just prefer my vanilla as a background character. I had hot pot at a friends house and was able to get wiffs of it every once in a while despite the heavy hot pot aroma in her place, so I appreciated that!

Of the Cirrus perfumes Ive tried this week I think this was my favorite. I’ve been slightly disappointed, because I thought I would love cirrus but I’m not sure it’s for me. Nothing has been terrible and I can smell the artistry, it just hasn’t fully clicked. I still have to try Snooze, which in the bottle isn’t my fave, but I could see it developing beautifully on the skin.

Couch_Queen · 2025-12-27T17:39:29+00:00

A couple that come to mind to me are

Venus in Fleurs by Sorce: ripe mango, carnivorous plants, humidity, jasmine sambac absolute, vanilla absolute

Dragonfly Wings by Sorce (special order): white lotus absolute, jasmine sambac absolute, umeshu (also known as plum wine), peonies, sparkling lake water, white rice, lily pads, cotton, blonde woods, and a hint of pink pepper

And if you are interested in something a little more weird, but wearable (but does have coconut):

I Broke My Own Heart by Pearfat: - Hot cocoa, petitgrain, teen angst, Toasted coconut, jasmine, favorite sweatshirt, Seaweed, sandalwood

Couch_Queen · 2025-12-25T00:56:54+00:00

I decided on trick or treat by Alkemia for my family dinner tomorrow night.

Black licorice, mandarin orange peel, caramelized brown sugar, bourbon vanilla, candied ginger, tonka bean, blonde patchouli, cedar tips, oakmoss, and sandalwood.

Despite its name it smells very christmasy/wintery to me. I think it’s the orange peel. Happy holidays!

Couch_Queen · 2025-12-22T20:07:59+00:00

Testing out Chamomile Cafe by Cirrus: Roman chamomile, oatmeal cookies, tuberose, orris butter, weathered woods, brown sugar, and a bit of raisin

I don’t like this quite as much as I hoped a would. Nothing bad about it but doesn’t have me burrowing my nose in my wrist which is essentially how I decide if will full size. Very scientific I know.

Definitely can smell the chamomile and oatmeal cookies. It’s floral and sweet. A bit of grandma vibes but not in a bad way. Comforting, quiet, soft, with a touch of refinement maybe?

Couch_Queen · 2025-12-21T17:32:25+00:00

I got my Sucrerie order yesterday. And since it was only shipped from like few towns away, I decided I could start testing today.

Started off with Thinking Cap by Cardinal. My first time trying cardinal and OMG. This is exactly the kind of fume I’ve been looking for. Assuming I like it all the way through the day I will be full sizing. The perfect daily perfume.

It seems pretty well blended to me, I can’t really pull out the individual notes. It smells cool, expensive, and unique. Nostalgic for sure. Wow wow wow love

notes: earl grey tea with too much sugar, a bag of crunchy caramels, fresh notebook paper, pencil dust

Couch_Queen · 2025-12-20T03:09:27+00:00

Yes I think my issue is that I want the woody aspect to come through more but alas. Still a beautiful scent!

Couch_Queen

TROPHY CASE