All perfume samples are authentic fragrances that Surrender to Chance, Topeka, KS, has rebottled into smaller sample and decant sizes, repackaged and distributed. Surrender to Chance has no affiliation, connection or association with the manufacturers or brand owners of the perfumes.
Fragrantica: “Wonderfully complex, while remaining pleasing. I haven’t smelled something quite like this. There’s a certain dry, musky brightness, which I can only assume to be the creosote. The woods and especially the cloves give it a mature and slightly sweet edge. This seems like the perfect year-round fragrance, as there is both an airy cooling effect and an intimate spicy, almost medicinal quality. I strongly suggest this one for lovers of woody or spicy fragrances.”
Fragrantica: “It's a really interesting scent. Very novel. One other perfume I remember that's tried to capture this exact same kind of American desert setting was El Cosmico by D.S. & Durga. That felt much different...where that was sharp, bitter, extremely woody and dry, this is actually damp, earthy, and somewhat sweet. Creosote by Fzotic has a clear rubbery-chemical undertone to it...it feels a bit waxy, with the galbanum and smoky facets coming together in a heady, plastic-like industrial aroma. A closer similarity would possibly be Ink by Akro. I get some of the same pungent smoky-woody aromas. Where this gets unusual is the petrichor angle....it's not exacty a sharp scent, and it's not really assembling a set of dessicated dessert shrubs to put on display. It's very rounded and smooth, with a lingering sweet muskiness that could be coming from the sage. For how cool it smells I honestly don't know if I like it as a perfume. I think the damp earthy petrichor parts actually weakens the desire to wear it, personally. It almost smells like an experiment gone wrong, or a novelty of abstraction. I feel like there's something missing here that typically provides a sense of contrast to the weirdness- florals, or maybe something to just pull it in a more familiar direction like tobacco, more present herbs, etc. I'm really torn though, I'm still very intrigued by the smell, but it feels a bit one-dimensional as well. I would actually categorize it as a leather scent into the drydown. Sometimes I think it would make a good hand soap.”
Fragrantica: “Incredible realistic creosote scent! I grew up in Phoenix and have always been obsessed with the smell of rain in the desert. This is so realistic but is still somehow wearable and cozy. Definitely unisex, I'm obsessed with this.”
Fragrantica: “Firstly, I am a huge fan of this brand. Bruno’s artistry is apparent in all of his works. That being said, this fragrance took me a couple wears to understand. My first impression was an almost Gucci Guilty type fougere, which really disappointed me. However, as it dried, it started to gain this mineralic sandstone quality that stays with you for a long time. The accord is a little similar to Native honey and white oak deodorant. My second wear, the top notes really opened up. It becomes a photorealistic scent of an impending desert monsoon: the ozone from the lightning, the bitter and medicinal plants preparing for the torrential downpour, and the far-off scent of rain rushing over the dunes. This opening lasts for about 30-45 minutes before settling into that woody-amber-mineral smell again. For me, it’s an absolute love. I wouldn’t say it’s exactly blind buy safe, but if you’re into the idea of desert rain I think you’ll love this. 8/10”
Fzotic: “My boyfriend introduced me to FZOTIC, his favorite perfumer, with this scent. As a Tucson native, the smell of creosote after the rain is my all-time favorite smell, so I was thrilled to discover something so special made in my home city that also reminded me of childhood summers spent wandering through washes and running in the rain. I recently moved away from the desert and every time I smell this scent (whether on me or him) I feel at home.”
Fzotic: “Although I always enjoy the smell of rain (especially on cement), I would normally avoid scents with Petrichor. They would normally come out too earthy-smelling or overpower the other notes. Creosote by FZOTIC has found a lovely balance of the Petrichor within this fragrance. In the first spritz, one can smell the rain hitting the desert ground, then, magically, the scent blends into a soft woody floral finish.”
Fzotic: “I'm really loving this perfume! It's been hot and unusually muggy in Southern California this summer, and this scent has been perfect for keeping me smelling fresh in this oppressive weather. My husband rarely comments on perfumes that I wear but tells me how good I smell each time I spritz this one on. Another fantastic blind buy from Fzotic.”
Fzotic: “I ordered Creosote solely on the strength of the description on Fzotic’s website, and I love it. It’s dry and desert-y and herbal on first spritz, the petrichor note is spot on, and it gets slightly sweeter as it develops (maybe the creosote bush?). It’s perfect for summer weather. I think that fans of Lampblack would enjoy Creosote as well.”
