Located in Birmingham, UK, Haus of Hecate is a small, woman-owned business run by Victoria. The entire collection of perfumes is inspired by her beloved cat, Hecate, and you can shop online or in person at The Goths Playground on Gibb Street.
I recently picked up the Mini Otherworldly Collection (£25). It includes seven 2.5ml mini sample vials of the signature EDPs, plus an extra bonus sample—I received Corset Lace.
The packaging is simple but effective: a small black box, each vial nestled in black tissue paper, accompanied by a thank-you card with storage instructions. Delivery was quick, and the set also includes a 20% discount code for their 50ml EDPs.
Note: You can get a 10% discount via my link here.
All perfumes are paraben-free, made in France, vegan-friendly, and bottled at a 20% dilution strength. They’re said to have generous sillage and throw, lasting around 3–4 hours.
My Review Process
For my reviews, I write first impressions on paper, then follow up after wearing each perfume for a full day. Fragrance often smells very different on skin than on paper or in the bottle, so giving it at least a day of wear feels essential for a proper review.
Over the last couple of years, I’ve discovered the notes I love—leather, suede, saffron, rose—and those I don’t, like almost all aquatic accords. I try to stay neutral, but preferences will always affect my ratings.
The Rating Scale:
1 - I hate it and want to get rid of it
2 - I dislike it and I won't wear it
3 - I'm neutral; I neither love nor hate it
4 - I like it and will wear it
5 - I love it and would buy full size
Haus of Hecate Perfume Reviews
Witches | 5/5
”Smell like the Witch of the woods”- Top Notes: soft suede fused with precious woods of sandalwood, patchouli and amber
- Heart Notes: violet, regal iris, velvet
- Base Notes: musk, jasmine and freshly crushed cinnamon.
Described as: a “beautiful earthy woody sensual chypre fragrance.”
First impressions: Sweet, fruity florals open softly, with delicate suede underneath. Within minutes, the suede emerges and deepens into a rich, leathery scent, while the florals keep it from tipping heavy. Softly sensual, more evening than daytime for me.
On the skin: Sweet suede and clean florals straight away. Velvety but light. Dries down to a suede-musk base with a faint hint of cinnamon warmth. Just enough spice to feel cosy, not overwhelming.
This is very much my kind of fragrance. I’m always drawn to suede and leather; if I didn’t already have a full bottle of another suede scent, I’d seriously consider this.
Projection and longevity: Softer than you might expect for a suede perfume. It sits closer to the skin. Longevity is a few hours, depending on how much you apply. Not a powerhouse, but not fleeting either.
Blood Moon | 4/5
“Smell like a Deity”- Top Notes: rich dark fruits leading heavy florals
- Heart Notes: precious amber and sandalwood
- Base Notes: musk and vanilla
Described as: an “a lush swollen fruity and floral delight.”
First impressions: Sweet musk with balmy florals, smooth amber, and earthy sandalwood. There’s a hint of suncream lurking. Quickly, it turns powdery, moving into a fresh-laundry vibe; florals are still present, but the perfume reads clean and comforting rather than flowery.
On the skin: Fruity florals at first, which read to me more like sweets than petals. Then a soapy sandalwood appears, settling into a classic clean-linen finish with a subtle note reminiscent of children’s scented toys. Amber keeps it from feeling too airy. Cosy, familiar, comforting—definitely a “laundry day” fragrance.
Projection and longevity: Generous; you’ll notice it around you. Lasts all day on my skin.
Ethereal | 1/5
“Smell Otherworldly”- Top Notes: bergamot, orange and lemon and fresh lavender.
- Heart Notes: olive flower, guaicwood and cedar
- Base Notes: musk, amber, tonka and vanilla.
Described as: a “citrus woody fragrance, sheer and otherworldly.”
First impressions: Light and fresh. Fragrant lavender, zingy fruit, and a hint of bergamot. The citrus combo is quite pronounced at first, then softens as musky vanilla and cedar push through. Comfortable, easy-going, a cosy everyday scent—just not my favourite.
On the skin: It has a very distinct “blue” fragrance vibe that leans masculine. Well-blended but not for me. Sample sets are great for this reason: hits and misses. This one falls firmly into the latter.
Darkling | 4/5
“Darkling I listen; and, for many a time / I have been half in love with easeful Death” Ode to a Nightingale" — John Keats
Described as: “intoxicating dark supple leather, a mere dusting of citrus, warm amber, and vetiver.”
First impressions: Soft, supple leather with a hint of sweetness and fruit. Amber and woody notes round it out, making it easy to wear. The fragrance softens, becoming almost soapy, like leather relaxing into itself. Less intense than Witches.
On the skin: Rich and dark, with a slight boozy warmth. Leather remains central, with a touch of overripe citrus adding interest. Comforting, linear, and straightforward. The fruit fades fairly quickly, leaving a soft, leathery base with just a whisper of sweetness.
Midsummer | 5/5
“Smell like the May Queen”- Top Notes: Lavender, Cinnamon
- eart Notes: Heliotrope, Myrrh, Guaicwood
- Base Notes: Benzoin, Moss, Amber and Tonka
Described as: “the warming scent of sun-drenched botanica and balmy nights.”
First impressions: Bright, almost sherbet-like fruitiness with a delicate bouquet of wildflowers. The subtle lavender note blends into a mossy base. Soft, green, and floral. The kind of perfume that feels like spring sunlight in a bottle.
On the skin: This fully blooms into a balanced bouquet, zesty and green. It really does reflect how I expect the May Queen would smell. Outdoorsy, like flowers in a sunlit meadow. It's a cheerful, easy to wear perfume that lingers on clothes, and dries down to skin-scent after a few hours.
Projection and longevity: Strong without being overwhelming; lasts all day.
Soft Goth | 4/5
“90s Goth”- Top Notes: Amber, Creamy Vanilla, White Freesia, Honey
- Heart Notes: Sandalwood.
- Base Notes: Patchouli
First impressions: Creamy vanilla and sweet honey at first. Soft, smooth, almost laconic. It has a soft laundry freshness without any sharpness. Definitely a perfume for lazy mornings, chilled evenings, or any day when you want something comforting to wear. Perhaps a little too sweet for some.
On the skin: Iit opens almost like Parma Violets—a sugary note I’m usually not a fan of, yet here it’s surprisingly pleasant. Sweet, airy florals combine with creamy sandalwood, giving a soft, almost dreamy garden-of-freesia vibe. Fading to a skin-scent after a couple of hours.
It melds with the skin quickly, becoming a light, skin-close fragrance. Within an hour it’s faint, and by a couple of hours it’s almost gone. Perfect for days when you don’t want a heavy perfume. It's incredibly pretty scent.
Projection and longevity: Moderate; lasts 3–4 hours. Perfect for low-key, light-fragrance days.
Cathedral | 2/5
“Smoke filled Cloisters”- Top Notes: Birch wood and Church Incense
- Heart Notes: Cashmere Woods, Leather, Oakmoss
- Base Notes: Cedar, Patchouli, Musk
First impressions: Sweet smoke, soft leather, and cedar up front. Cashmere emerges, softening it into a powdery scent. Less intense than the name suggests but still distinctive. I wish the incense was punchier, or at least I thought I did…
On the skin: Strong, musky incense. Like an old church: dusty pews, burnt incense, faint old-book must. The soft leather disappears; the cosy powdery notes vanish. It's certainly evocative, but it's not a perfume for me.
Projection and longevity: Moderate projection, excellent longevity; noticeable all day.
Corset Lace | 4/5
“Witchy Boudoir”- Top Notes: Oud, Tonka, Vanilla, Praline
- Heart Notes: Rose, Jasmine
- Base Notes: Amber and Musk
First impressions: Bright, sweet florals with creamy chocolate and vanilla, softened by a whisper of musk. This is a cheerful gourmand that develops into a balanced sweet floral scent. It's vanilla-forward without being sickly. It's warm, rounded, cosy.
On the skin: This is pure sweetness done well. It's sweet, creamy, and delicate. The blend of vanilla, floral notes, amber and musk stop it tipping into full-on sugary territory. It’s lovely on its own but it also works well layered over heavier fragrances to soften them.
Final Thoughts on Haus of Hecate Perfumes
This sample set exceeded my expectations. The perfumes share a clear gothic, ethereal theme, yet each one is different and beautifully blended. The collection feels cohesive, but varied enough that you never get bored.
Despite the otherworldly aesthetic, the perfumes are more delicate than you’d expect from a gothic brand. They have a dark, distinctive style, yet every fragrance is wearable. None of them are ever “too much.”
I loved the sample set so much I didn't hesitate to use the 20% discount code to purchase a full sized bottle of Midsummer, plus a new sample to try: Little Bat. That’s rare for me. With so many samples to get through, I hardly ever buy full bottles, so purchasing one straight away speaks volumes!