Tagetes EO

this one is a wild ride! immediately out of the bottle, it reminds me very strongly of tootsie pops--this strange sort of faux-chocolate mixed with a candied sweetness--along with a hint of marigold, with an inexplicable metallic stab on the back end. on the drydown, i am completely without context for this scent, which is something sweet and sharp and warm and metal and a little pollen-like powdery all at once. there are some smells in this world that are only circularly-defined (coconut smells like coconut, butter smells like butter) and i think tagetes has to be one of them.

Review by a m p 10/22/2015

The first waft off the bottle nearly made me gag. The second did much the same. It mellows out when intermingled with another floral, but there remains an overtone of rotting fruit. I'm sure it repels sensible insects, but it might attract fruit flies. From the oil room: Oh boy, you have met Tagetes! You clearly understand what this plant is trying to say – “Go away!!” This oil contains around 50% stinky aromatic ketones (think acetone as far as the strongly pungent aroma) which lend great benefits all around. This is not necessarily an oil that is prized in natural perfumery although it is used sparingly in interesting fragrance combinations. There is a chance of photosensitivity if used on skin exposed to the sun.

Review by Dorian 9/18/2015

I used this in a perfume and it was the secret ingredient that took the blend over the edge and into the divine. This relatively-rare oil is quite the unexpected treat.

Review by SB 8/29/2014