Winter Star Michael Storer for women and men

Although I, like Kterhark, appreciate Michael Storer's perfumes for women, I must say that WINTER STAR is not a very inviting perfume. It smells quite harsh to my nose and I am assuming that this is a combination of the strong lavender and the even stronger balsam and other basenotes which here are so powerful that I get almost a tallow effect. I did not apply very much from my sample vial, yet I am at the brink of a headache.

My understanding is that this limited edition perfume was something of an experiment with new materials. On the manufacturer's card description, both Karanal and Helvetolide are mentioned--which I gather are new synthetic molecules--and Karanal is explicitly identified as "difficult to dose". I must concur in this case! This perfume is too strong and discordant. Not a pleasant wear.

For me it's a mixture of some rubber or resin with medicine syrup and also there are some animal and green notes. Very interesting, but not mine. As it is winter Star, this one will be very good for cold weather.

Starts our strong and bright and spicy, with a heaping helping of anise or tarragon, possibly some cinnamon and/or cloves and a hint of freshly-cut pine branches. The main impression is piercingly green and herbal, but in parallel with the greenery, and in counterpoint to it, is a lot of musk, especially civet, which adds a dry, musty, almost mildewed note.

Eventually the green herbs fade out, leaving a warm cinnamon-sprinkled, carmel-dipped musk, similar to the drydown of Genvieve and several other Michael Storer fragrances. Except for the odd mildew note in the beginning, this is an enjoyable perfume all the way from the big green trumpet-blast of anise in the opening, to the comfortable, slightly nutty, caramel musk drydown, although I could do without the mildew note in the beginning.

There’s plenty of sillage, and the scent lasts a full day. Another unusual offering from Michael Storer that’s definitely worth a sniff.

Winter Star is another fascinating and unique scent by Michael Storer an indie parfumeur from Los Angeles.

The wood is warm and resinous but at the same time fresh-cut and clean. This is not a burnt fireplace incensy smell but a "just brought it in from the forest" fragrance. The lavender and carnation to not make this one particularly feminine and I would agree it's pretty androgenous. I could have sworn you'd find a bit of oude in the notes but it isn't listed.

Unique and refined wood, yes. Not necessarily Christmassy.

Oops, oops, oops... i accidentally dumped the whole sample vile on myself, before seeing that it is 'caramel like.'
This is not a note that I am fond of in any form, so I'll keep that in mind (and htat I just bathed in it, which is not recommended)

To me this is more of a man's scent, with all that musk and balsam going on. I think a man's chemistry is what's needed to settle this a bit, as a woman's chemistry heightens the sweet factor too much.

This isn't working for me. That sweet little civet face you see above is smiling because it just made a stinker. If a woman is interested in this line I would suggest the female fragrances instead.