BRAND DISCOVERY REVIEW: House of Cosmo

I recently got the opportunity to embark on a new scent experience from House of Cosmos!  I had never tried any of these scents previously so this was an exciting experience for me where I had no idea what to expect!  I received their Discovery Set, including 7 different 2ML samples and I am incredibly appreciative for the chance to do what I love the most – smell some perfumes!  So let’s get right to it. 

New Eden Parfum

Top: Ozone, Bergamot, Nectarine, Grapefruit

Middle: Cassis, Lily of the Valley, Iso E Super

Base: Musk, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Ambroxan, Oakmoss

 When I first sprayed this, it was very strongly ozonic, fruity and heavy on the ambroxan all at once.  It was a little much for me initially.  As it dried down though, that harshness toned way way down and more of that bergamot zest mixing with nectarine sweetness shone through, and a light yet sharp floral DNA was swimming beneath the surface.  I would say this is a hit as far as an ozonic/fresh floral is concerned and was ultimately by #3 favorite of the bunch. 

Crimson Aura Parfum

Top: Black Cherry, Red Wine, Olibanum SFE

Middle: Vanilla Plantifolia, Tonka Bean, Rum SFE, Tobacco, Cedar

Base: Oakwood SFE, Guaiacwood, Labdanum, Ambrox Super, Oud, Sandalwood

 When I first sprayed this, I was VERY pleased.  Immediate tonka bean and blackcherry with a rich dryness from the wine note that is equally balanced in sweetness from the vanilla plantifolia.  As I let this dry down however, I was saddened by the strength of the labdanum note in here.  I would’ve really like for the opening to be what the wear consisted of, but I think that the labdanum and oud banded together just a bit too loyally in the base and stole the spotlight.  I really love the use of a wine note in this fragrance though, as it is a note I have trouble with at times, so any fragrance that can make me enjoy it deserves much respect. 

Nova Parfum

Top: Starburst Candy, Melon, Bergamot, Cardamom, Pink Pepper

Middle: Tahitian Monoi, Jasmine Sambac, Tuberose, Rum SFE

Base: Vanilla Plantifolia, Virginia Cedar, Ambrox Super, Oud, Sandalwood

 My first thought when spraying this was “That is STRIKINGLY strong”.  I was getting a very interesting combination that I could not put my finger on.  It had that same flashy and off-balanced feeling that solar notes give while also similarly being intriguing and enjoyable.  It was sweet, but not too sweet and it was fruity, but not too fruity and yet so very strong.  I couldn’t quite figure out what I was smelling, and I wasn’t sure I even needed to.  As it began to dry down, a cleanliness came out and kind of straightened up any loose ends from the other notes and tied it all together in a beautiful woody, fruity white floral.  This is my #2 pick of the litter for me and I would definitely recommend this fragrance to any experienced perfume lover but would give a word of caution to a niche-newb.

Lunar Minerale Parfum

Top: Wet Stone, Juniper Berry, Bergamot

Middle: Salt, Lavender, Green Cardamom, Violet Leaf, Rosewater

Base: Clearwood, Ambroxan, Atlas Cedar, Virginia Cedar

 Holy moly there are some strong purple florals in there!  Not in a bad way, but purple florals are not my thing.  Purple floral and the wet stone were beast mode from first spray on.  Although it did soften up a little in the dry down, it became much more masculine-leaning in the dry-down as well.  I would recommend for a male fragrance but do not think I would recommend this to a woman.

Polaris Parfum

Top: Stardust, Ginger, Bergamot, Grapefruit

Middle: Cardamom, Geranium, Rose, Cedar, Sage

Base: Haitian Vetiver, Tonka Bean, Suede, Ambroxan

This is freshly spicy and aromatic fragrance – and smells just like cologne.  This is the most masculine-leaning of the bunch for sure.  I never knew what stardust smelled like, and I’m not sure I know now, but the bergamot, sage, vetiver and suede take over entirely in this fragrance.  Again, I would not recommend that a woman get this particular one – if she wants to smell feminine that is.  Wonderful longevity and projection though.

Galaxia Parfum

Top: Pink Pepper, Brown Sugar, Espresso

Middle: Cacao, Coconut Milk, Toffee, Freesia

Base: Driftwood, White Musk, Marshmallow

This is the sweetie-pie of the group!  I wondered if there would be one, so I was pleasantly surprised when I got a sweet and creamy opening.  This smelled a little nutty, but definitely creamy and cozy and just plain yummy.  The brown sugar note and coconut milk combination are a dream and I like the addition of freesia to give it just a little intrigue.  If you are a gourmand lover, you will LOVE this.  As it dried down, it did become just a bit syrupy on my skin, but I have noticed that my skin tends to just do that with some fragrances so don’t worry Galaxia, it’s not you – it’s me.

Element Delta Parfum

Top: Menthol, Coconut, Bergamot, Lemon

Middle: Cacao, Lavender, Tobacco Leaf, Heliotrope, Iso E Super

Base: Cedar, Musk, Ambergris, Vanilla, Patchouli, Sandalwood

And now for the main event – Element Delta. This is one of the most unique fragrances I think I have ever smelled.  It was the kind of opening you hope for as a perfume lover.  It was complex, it was ethereal and you could tell you were not just in for perfume wear but an experience.  This had such a light and airy sweetness to it but was also able to keep a very deep core DNA throughout. I could smell the coconut mixing with the menthol and that splash of citrus made this absolutely amazing. In the dry down, some thickness from the cacao and tobacco began to round out the fragrance, but the use of heliotrope and Iso E Super held the reigns to keep it from going down a darker path.  This fragrance is woody, sweet, vanillic, creamy, lavender and tobacco all at once which before smelling this would’ve sounded so strange to me but this one is their masterpiece. 10/10 and I would recommend ANYONE to give this a try. At least once.