So I got my first shipment of imps on Monday, and I've already got another order in. I sense a new addiction here....
Imps:
Miskatonic University
Havana
Bewitched
All Night Long
Black Cat
Snake Oil
Dracul
Nephilim
The High Priest Not to Be Described
Kumiho
Bordello
Whip
Chakra set (Sahasrara, Ajna, Vishudda, Anahata, Manipura, Swadhisthana, Muladhara)
5ml Bottle:
Good Omens: War
This is so much fun. I'm hooked.
All Night LongAs if the name didn't spell it out for you. This blend relieves all sexual inhibitions by simultaneously relaxing and arousing.
In the bottle, I get musk and spices, maybe a little patchouli. On my skin wet, there's less of the patchouli and more musk. Dry, it's mostly spices and muskiness, with a slight sharp scent. Maybe ginger. This gets nicer the longer it's on. I like it, but unfortunately Ben (my hubby) doesn't for some reason.
Calico JackSea air, driftwood, waterlogged kelp, and the memory of plundered spices sprayed over worn leathers, rough musk, and the salty wooden floorboards of the Revenge.
In the bottle, I get leather, tobacco and mint from this, with a hint of woodsiness. On wet, it smells a little bit soapy and maybe too masculine. As it dries, it's more tobacco-y. I can't decide if this is too masculine for me or not. Ben likes it, though; he says it smells "very natural." He hasn't tried it yet, but I think it will be really nice on him. I like it too, though.
HavanaDate palm, dried tobacco, snakeroot, and leather.
In the bottle, this is all tobacco and mojitos to me, with a hint of a very natural, herb-y smell. On my skin, it maintains this scent pretty consistently. The longer this is on, the more I like it. It's sexy and fun. Definitely a winner for me. I think it will be awesome on Ben, too. I'll probably get him to try this one tomorrow.
KumihoNine-tailed fox demon of Korean lore who transforms into the visage of an irresistible beauty in order to seduce men and lead them to their doom. A sharp, biting blend of crisp white tea and ginger.
In the bottle, this has the sharp, refreshing scent of ginger and fresh lime peel. On my skin wet, it smells pretty consistently like that too. Sadly, Kumiho completely disappears on me as soon as it dries. Bummer! Will have to look for another use on the forums.
DraculNamed in honor of Vlad III, Tepes, of the Order of the Dragon. Black musk, tobacco, fir, balsam of peru, cumin, bitter clove, crushed mint, and orange blossom.
In the bottle, I get pepper, spices, a hint of tobacco, extra dark chocolate (like 80% cacao - maybe that's the bitter clove?) and mint. On wet, the tobacco smells a bit stronger. Once dry, this is very well integrated and complex. It's difficult to pin down, although all the notes I get out of the bottle are still there, plus a hint of the musk. This one smells great on both me and Ben. We love this one!
My triple dagger yoga pants and brimstone locket came in the mail today.
This is my first BPTP order, and I am in love. The yoga pants are perfect, soft cotton with exactly the right amount of stretch. Can't wait to wear them to class on Tuesday.
And the locket! The locket! ZOMG, it's even better than I imagined. I'm so happy.
Puddin included a bunch of frimps too, including two I've been dying to try, Queen of Sheba and Dragon Tears.
Also, I bought the L'Autunno set from Maidenhell on eBay, and that came today too! Again, I am in love. I may have a new favorite scent. My hubby and I both are crazy about it. We love fall (we got married last October, the date chosen because it's our favorite season). Maidenhell also included a sample of Villainess Autumn Gala soap. I've been dying to try Villainess, and it smells wonderful, so I can't wait to take a shower.
All in all, a fabulous day. Anyway, now I'm off to the weekly wine tasting at our local wine shop.
INFERNOThe Dark Side of Fire: cinnamon, bitter almond, and neroli. Heavily spiced, torrid, and possibly conflagrant.
After reading the reviews of Inferno, I tested this one carefully. Luckily for me, I don't seem to have a problem with the cinnamon. In the bottle (and on wet), this is definitely an inferno. Like red hots. Once I give it awhile to dry, however, it mellows considerably and I get this nice cinnamon-almond-smoke scent. I like it.
After years (literally) of dragging my feet and indecision over what scents to try, I finally ordered my first imps from BPAL on June 22. They arrived on Monday, July 7, and my husband Ben and I had a fun evening trying them out. Here are our thoughts.
Bastet
Bast, Ubasti, Ailuros, Ba-en-Aset. Represented as both a domestic cat and a fierce lioness, she truly evidences traits of both. She is the Mother of All Cats, Goddess of Sensuality, Fertility, and a guardian and protector of women. She is also one of the Eyes of Ra, and in that aspect is an Avenging Goddess, seeking retribution and punishing enemies of her people. Luxuriant amber, warm Egyptian musk, fierce saffron and soft myrrh, almond, cardamom and golden lotus.
Nice. Musky and herby. Definitely smell the musk, almond and cardamom. Gonna watch this one and smell as it develops. I think I like this one a little more than Ben does, but it's probably the next one I'll try all day.
Black Lotus
Born in the shadows of a Temple to Set, this corrupted Egyptian scent evokes images of black pyramids, river demons, and bleak, deadly desert sands. Black lotus flower, amber, myrrh and sandalwood.
Very feminine. Lavender is a little over-the-top, but will soften with wearing. Pretty. Would be better without so much lavender. Again, though, it's nice, and I think that will soften once it's been on for a little while.
Bliss
A shot of pure, self-indulgent euphoria! A scent that is very, very wicked in its own way: the serotonin-slathered scent of pure milk chocolate.
I really (really) like this scent, but Ben's not so crazy about it. Too foodie for his taste, though not objectionable (i.e., he wouldn't refuse to sit next to me or anything). Very almond-y, which is nice.
DeSade
The essence of pleasure heightened by pain: the raw scent of leather.
Smells really nice on Ben. Very leathery indeed, but there's a bit of a nuttiness too.
Fascinum
Hic habitat felicitas! The penis was a potent and popular symbol of good fortune, strength, power, and fertility in ancient Rome. Images of phalluses adorned Roman homes and shops, bringing the positive energy that the symbol represents into the lives of the inhabitants.
A freebie. Smells like cedar and something sweet. Maybe cloves? Too potpourri-like for our taste.
Florence
The pearl of the Italian Renaissance. Elegant iris, bright berries, gilded amber and velvety spices.
Romantic and fruity, with a bit of earthiness. A hint of delicious spices. We're pretty fond of this, although it actually works better on Ben. I'm actually wearing this today, and sadly, it smells too powdery on me.
Grog
Arrr! Avast ye, matey! This be the scent of pirate rum!
Freebie. Whew! Definitely smells like spiced rum. It's actually pretty nice, but I wouldn't wear this to work (unless I worked in a bar).
Hecate
Magnificent three-faced Goddess of Magic, the Dark Moon and the Crossroads. She is the Mother of Witches, and the midnight baying of hounds is her paean. Her compassion is evidenced in her role as Psychopomp for Persephone, and her wrath manifests as Medea's revenge. Deep, buttery almond layered over myrrh and dark musk.
Very almond-y, with some pine. The almond is great, although the pine is not so much. It makes it smell a little soapy. Must be the myrrh. Still, we like this one.
Hellcat
A soft, sensual, luxuriant blend with a wicked bite: hazelnut, buttercream, honey mead, rum and sweet almond.
Definitely can smell the almond and rum. It smells very much as advertised in the bottle, but on me, it's intriguingly strawberry cheesecake like. A fun scent. We like this one a lot.
Hellfire
A scent celebrating Sir Francis Dashwood's Order of the Knights of St. Francis of Wycombe, also known as the Hellfire Club. A swirl of pipe tobacco, hot leather, ambergris, dark musk and the lingering incense smoke from their Black Mass.
Men take note: this one's for you. One of the most complex scents of the first order. Awesome! Definitely can smell the tobacco (high quality, moist tobacco) and incense smoke. Love this one.
Iambe
Daughter of Pan and Echo and dear friend to Demeter. When Demeter was mourning the abduction of her daughter, Iambe was the only creature in heaven and earth that was able to lend cheer and laughter to the grieving mother. Her scent is one of comfort, beauty and joy: Sudanese amber, patchouli, rose, gardenia, gladiola and white tea.
Freebie. Don't like this one. Ben says it's too baby powder-y. I think it smells medicinal. Way too flowery for my personal taste.
Kali
Kali, the Black One, is the fearless Goddess of Destruction, Creation, Energy [in her Shakti aspect] and Dissolution. Also named Kaliratri [black Night] and Kalikamata [black Earth-Mother], she is the fiercest aspect of Devi, the supreme mother goddess. Kali is a protector Goddess, the destroyer of evil spirits and guardian of the faithful. She, along with her consort Shiva, represent the unending cycle of death and birth, sexual union, creation and destruction. Kali annihilates ignorance, maintains the natural order of the world, and blesses those who strive for spiritual awareness and knowledge of true holiness with infinite tenderness and motherly love. The constant, unending Work of Creation is called the "The Play of Kali". This perfume is a blend of the sacred blooms of cassia, hibiscus, musk rose, Himalayan wild tulip, lotus and osmanthus swirled with offertory dark chocolate, red wine, tobacco, balsam and honey.
Complex and sexy. Ben really likes this one (on me). It's got body, but also has a honeysuckle scent. A little dirty, with the chocolate, tobacco and wine scents. This one is a winner.
Kitsune-Tsuki
Kitsune-Tsuki are malevolent Japanese spirits, akin to western werebeasts: women are possessed by the spirits of foxes, who compel them to perform acts of wickedness and mischief. Asian plum, orchid, daffodil, jasmine and white musk.
A very feminine scent. Delicate, elegant and glamorous. Brings to mind high fashion. I would wear this on dress-up occasions, not everyday. We definitely like this one, though.
Rosalind
Dew-covered berries and fresh green grasses with a faint breath of spring flowers.
Freebie. Not bad. A very green scent. A little soapy, though.
Schrödinger's Cat
One can even set up quite ridiculous cases. A cat is penned up in a steel chamber, along with the following diabolical device (which must be secured against direct interference by the cat): in a Geiger counter there is a tiny bit of radioactive substance, so small that perhaps in the course of one hour one of the atoms decays, but also, with equal probability, perhaps none; if it happens, the counter tube discharges and through a relay releases a hammer which shatters a small flask of hydrocyanic acid. If one has left this entire system to itself for an hour, one would say that the cat still lives if meanwhile no atom has decayed. The first atomic decay would have poisoned it. The Psi function for the entire system would express this by having in it the living and the dead cat (pardon the expression) mixed or smeared out in equal parts. It is typical of these cases that an indeterminacy originally restricted to the atomic domain becomes transformed into macroscopic indeterminacy, which can then be resolved by direct observation. That prevents us from so naively accepting as valid a "blurred model" for representing reality. In itself it would not embody anything unclear or contradictory. There is a difference between a shaky or out-of-focus photograph and a snapshot of clouds and fog banks.
A paradoxical scent experiment! — tangerine, sugared lime, pink grapefruit, oakmoss, lavender, zdravetz, and chocolate peppermint.
No cats were mistreated during the formulation of this paradox, or in the process of creating this perfume.
Very complex. On me, the grapefruit scent is strong (and grapefruit isn't a very good body scent, in my opinion; it smells too much like sweat). It's a really neat scent, though. This would make a great scented candle or bubble bath.
Wrath
A scent aflame with rage, swirling in the red haze of hatred: dragon's blood spiked with black pepper, clove, and cinnamon.
This is kind of neat; for one thing, it's actually a reddish color. Very complex. You can definitely smell the cinnamon and clove. There's a bit too much clove, which makes it smell a little medicinal, and a LOT of cinnamon. It actually burns my nose. This is another one that I like, but not to wear. It would make a great scented candle, especially for fall and winter.
I have the following for swap, some that don't love me and some that I've bought bottles of. These have only been tested once or twice. All are stored in a cool, dark place, in a climate-controlled, non-smoking home.
This is my wish list, but I'm open to suggestions and would be willing to swap for something non-wishlist if there's something you think I might like. Here is a link to specific notes that I like/dislike.
If you want to buy: I will sell LE/Unimpable decants for $2, GC imps for $1, or take the GC lot for $15. Chant d'Automne is $17. Sturgeon Moon is $16. Hony Mone is $18.
PM me if you're interested. Thanks!
Bottles
Chant d'Automne (Halloweenie 2008, full)
Sturgeon Moon (full to just below the top of the label)
Hony Mone (full to just below the top of the label)
Halloweenie 2008 Decants
Harvest Moon
Hellhound On My Trail
Huesos de Santo
Gunpowder
Ichabod Crane
The Hessian of the Hollow
The Witching Time of Night
Other Limited/Unimpable Decants
Blood Garden
Chaos Theory III
Chaos Theory IV
Crowley
Hony Mone
L'Autunno
Lune Noir
Luperci (2008)
Lydia
Mama-Ji (*note: this is a lab imp ordered from CBLDF, not a decant)
Midnight Kiss
Mme. Moriarty
Mr. Ibis (*note: this is a lab imp ordered from CBLDF, not a decant)
Mr. Jacquel (*note: this is a lab imp ordered from CBLDF, not a decant)
Schwarzer Mond (2008)
Sturgeon Moon
The Illustrated Woman
Vampire Tears
War
Western Diamondback
GC Imps & Decants
Full to the top of the label or just below, unless otherwise noted.
Azathoth
Bitch (decant)
Caliban
Crossroads (label is a bit oil stained)
Cthulu
Deathcap (decant)
Djinn (decant)
The Dodo
Dorian (decant)
Dragon's Eye
Eternal
Florence
Grog
Haunted
Horreur Sympathique
Hymn
Inferno (decant)
The Isles of Demons
Jezirat Al Tennyn
Kurukulla
La Bella Donna Mia Mente
Ladon
Languor
Maiden
Masabakes
Moscow
Nanshe
Nocnitsa
Nuit
The Obsidian Widow
Penitence
Queen Gertrude (x2)
Santa Eularia des Riu
Severin
Shoggoth
Swank
Tavern of Hell
Thanatos
To a Woman
Twilight
Ultraviolet
Wanton
Wrath
Xiuhtecuhtli
Y'ha-nthelei
Zephyr
I picked up a couple of new scents from eBay, Midnight Kiss and Blood Kiss. I like them both pretty well.
Midnight KissEternal desire, unquenchable passion: red musk, cocoa absolute, Nepalese amber, red sandalwood, aged patchouli, nicotiana, and blood wine.
In the bottle, smells strongly of cocoa, almost chocolate syrup, and smoke. Can definitely smell the musk and patchouli. On my skin, it's a much softer chocolate-y smell. A little smoky. A little wine-y. Kind of like body incense. A keeper.
Blood KissLush, creamy vanilla and the honey of the sweetest kiss smeared with the vital throb of husky clove, swollen red cherries, but darkened with the vampiric sensuality of vetiver, soporific poppy and blood red wine, and a skin-light pulse of feral musk.
Musk and clove. A little bit of a pot smell. It smells better on Ben than me. On my skin, it doesn't smell nice at first, but gets better after a few minutes, a little cinnamon once it dries a bit. Doesn't last long, though.
I won an auction today on eBay for a 5ml bottle of Inferno, 10% of the proceeds to benefit Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary, Inc. in St. Pauls, NC, through eBay's Giving Works program.
I visited the BCRS website, and oh my. This is a wonderful organization. If you go to their "Meet the Cats" page, there are some wonderful stories, but be prepared with a box of Kleenex close by. Some of these are sad, sad stories (although they have a happy ending). I wish 100% of the auction went to this organization, and I plan to donate to them as soon as I am able.
If you see any other auctions that benefit Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary, please consider bidding (here is a link to a list of eBay auctions that benefit BCRS). You can also just visit their website and click the "Donate" button. These seem like truly good people doing wonderful things for blind cats.
ALECTOUnceasing In Anger
Olive leaf, raspberry leaf, vetiver and cedarwood.
This is a very outdoorsy, natural scent. I can definitely smell the olive leaf and raspberry leaf, and just a hint of the cedarwood. The combination of scents is very autumnal, like apples and hay. Very nice.
Ordered: 7/9
CnS: 7/16
Arrived: 7/19
(Bless those speedy labbies!)
Imps:
Miskatonic University
Havana
Bewitched
All Night Long
Black Cat
Snake Oil
Dracul
Nephilim
The High Priest Not to Be Described
Kumiho
Bordello
Whip
Chakra set (Sahasrara, Ajna, Vishudda, Anahata, Manipura, Swadhisthana, Muladhara)
5ml Bottle:
Good Omens: War
Frimps:
Masabakes
Languor
Dorian
Calico Jack
Shoggoth
Oberon
Queen Alice
All Night Long
Iambe
The labbies were very generous with the frimps. Thanks, guys! I am currently sniffing myself into oblivion, lol.
WarShe finished the drink, hefted the sword over one shoulder, and looked around at the puzzled factions, who now encircled her completely. 'Sorry to run out on you, chaps,' she said. 'Would love to stay and get to know you better.'
The men in the room suddenly realized they didn't want to know her better. She was beautiful, but she was beautiful in the way a forest fire was beautiful: something to be admired from a distance, but not up close.
And she held her sword, and she smiled like a knife.
Red ginger, black spices, patchouli, honeysuckle, and three blood-soaked red musks.
This smells very strongly of pepper and ginger in the bottle. On, it starts to soften once it dries. Give it a few minutes, and I still smell the pepper and ginger topnotes, but there's an underlying sweetness. It's a little bit almondy, maybe. It's very nice once it chills out a bit on my skin. I actually like it quite a lot. It's very complex and interesting.
Queen AliceAt this moment the door was flung open, and a shrill voice was heard singing:
'To the Looking-Glass world it was Alice that said
"I've a sceptre in hand, I've a crown on my head.
Let the Looking-Glass creatures, whatever they be
Come and dine with the Red Queen, the White Queen, and me!"'
And hundreds of voices joined in the chorus:
'Then fill up the glasses as quick as you can,
And sprinkle the table with buttons and bran:
Put cats in the coffee, and mice in the tea —
And welcome Queen Alice with thirty-times-three!'
Then followed a confused noise of cheering, and Alice thought to herself `Thirty times three makes ninety. I wonder if any one's counting?' In a minute there was silence again, and the same shrill voice sang another verse:
'"O Looking-Glass creatures," quoth Alice, "draw near!
'Tis an honour to see me, a favour to hear:
'Tis a privilege high to have dinner and tea
Along with the Red Queen, the White Queen, and me!"'
Then came the chorus again:
'Then fill up the glasses with treacle and ink,
Or anything else that is pleasant to drink:
Mix sand with the cider, and wool with the wine —
And welcome Queen Alice with ninety-times-nine!'
Carnation, posies, and white amber with a hint of inky treacle, sandy cider, and wooly wine.
In the bottle, I get a strong (pleasant) apple scent. On, it's apples and mint. Once it dries, this very nice, musky sort of undertone develops. Very feminine and nice. I like this one.
ShoggothIt was a terrible, indescribable thing vaster than any subway train – a shapeless congerie of protoplasmic bubbles, faintly self-luminous, and with myriads of temporary eyes forming and un-forming as pustules of greenish light all over the tunnel-filling front that bore down upon us, crushing the frantic penguins and slithering over the glistening floor that it and its kind had swept so evilly free of all litter.
An amorphous, radiant, incandescent scent. Ever changing, protoplasmic and primordial: white amber, green coconut meat, iris, palmarosa, Chinese peony, lime, water lily, snowdrop, muguet, lemongrass, osmanthus, wisteria, glassy musk, and hinoki.
In the bottle, it has a licorice-y smell, but on me, it smells musky and complex, with a pleasant citrus note. Nice.
Miskatonic UniversityA venerable New England university, whose vast library holds many rare, diabolical and obscure arcane works, including one of the few surviving legitimate copies of the Necronomicon. Home to innumerable scholars of the esoteric and the occult, and the notorious Dr. Herbert West.
The scent of Irish coffee, dusty tomes and polished oakwood halls.
I was really looking forward to this one, and it didn't disappoint. In the bottle, it's complete and total Irish coffee. My hubby also got a caramel popcorn sort of scent. On my skin wet, I can also begin to smell some nice tobacco notes. Once it dries, the whiskey softens and I get this nice, tobacco-whiskey-coffee combination that sort of reminds you of a nice cigar shop. It's complex and interesting. I think the hubby and I will both be able to wear this one. I love it.
WhipAgony and ecstasy: black leather and damp red rose.
Exactly as advertised right out of the bottle. Leather and roses. I like it. On my skin, however, you can mostly just smell the roses, and I'm not sure I really want to smell like roses. Unsure about this one. Will try again and see how it does over the course of the day.
BordelloA decadent, deep perfume, lusty and luxuriant. The scent evokes images of velvet-lined Old West cathouses, tightly laced corsets, rustling petticoats and coquettish snarls of pleasure. Bawdy plum with amaretto, burgundy wine and black currant.
Very fruity in the bottle and wet on skin. First thoughts: wow, this is a fun scent. As it dries, I start to get a bubblegum smell. Once it dries, however, there's more of an underlying musk, but it's still really fruity. This is a fun scent. I like it.
Black CatA very tricky kitty, indeed. Used most often as a key to bringing back the joy one needs to have in life in order for living to feel worthwhile. Brings back a sense of delight in simple pleasures, and creates a surge of childlike curiosity and a youthful sense of fun. This blend can also be used to reverse troublesome lesser crossings, create a playful air of catlike sexuality, and, because cats will be cats, it can also be used to throw minor, irritating or bothersome hexes, causing small amounts of chaos and disruption to your foes.
To me, this smells exactly like a local natural foods market called Harvest Moon. It has a sort of minty/menthol scent, combined with patchouli and maybe a little licorice and/or eucalytus.
Snake OilBy far, our most popular scent! Magnetic, mysterious, and exceedingly sexual in nature. A blend of exotic Indonesian oils sugared with vanilla.
Oh, wow. I think we have a new favorite here. This scent is pure sex. It's very complicated, difficult to say exactly what it smells like, but it is hot. Smells even better on than it does in the bottle. The hubby definitely approves. Excellent.
BewitchedDeep, luscious green and berry scents that evoke images of woodland witchcraft and the raw power of nature: blackberry, sage, green tea, wild berries and dark musk.
In the bottle, this smells like musk and licorice. On me, at first the licorice is a little strong. As it dries, the musk comes back, and it smells just like absinthe. Once it's been on for a few minutes, it's very nice. I like this one.
MasabakesMasabakes is a Cantabrian demoness that governs lustfulness and lechery. In order to tempt virgins to corruption she employs the aid of her lackey, the imp Tentirujo. Under the cover of magickal invisibility, the imp caresses maidens with mandrake root, instilling uncontrollable passion and wantonness in the unsuspecting girls. Thick black currant with the darkest, deepest myrrh, a drop of bitter mimosa and the slightest touch of mandrake dust.
Pepper, smoke and menthol. This smells way too much like Hall's cough drops or Vick's Vapo Rub to me. This one is definitely not for me.
DorianThe only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself. Inspired by and created for my beloved Tedwin: my eternal, beautiful, wicked Dorian Gray. Refined, elegant, and lovely, with a noble bearing and seemingly gentle air. This blend is an artful deception: a sweet gilded blossom lying over a twisted and corrupted core. A Victorian fougere with three pale musks and dark, sugared vanilla tea.
In the bottle, I get pepper, musk and something sweet (the sugared vanilla). This one is soft and feminine. On me, it's musk, pepper and spice, with that soft, underlying sweetness. I really like this one.
That's all I've tried for now. More reviews to come.
Another review from my 7/9 order.
OberonOrchid, white musk, and bergamot wafting over juniper berries, with a gentle touch of soft, earthy patchouli.
In the bottle, this smells so nice. Musky, yet fresh and green; it's pretty sexy. Unfortunately, neither I nor my hubby can wear it. On both of us, it smells too soapy and too powdery. A shame.
Last few scent reviews from my 7/9 order from the lab.
The High Priest Not To Be Described...and there... sat a lumpish figure robed in yellow silk with red and having a yellow silken mask over its face. To this being the slant-eyed man made certain signs with his hands, and the lurker in the dark replied by raising a disgustingly carven flute of ivory in silk covered paws and blowing certain loathesome sounds from beneath its flowing silken mask.
Monastic incense, blood musk, black leather, cypress, pimento, white pepper, and Roman chamomile.
In the bottle, this has a complex, musky aroma. You can definitely smell the white pepper, and a sharp herbal scent from the chamomile. On wet, it's definitely very sharp and loud. Once it's dried for a few minutes, it's MUCH softer. You definitely get more of the musk and incense, and the pepper's nowhere near as strong. The chamomile also comes through, which is interesting and light with all the heavier scents. I really like this one a lot.
NephilimDark children conceived from the union of Fallen Angels and the Daughters of Men. According to lore, the angel Shemhazai led a group of his angels to earth to instruct mankind in the ways of piety and righteousness. After a time, the angels became prey to earthly desires and began to lust after the daughters of man, and thus they fell. They instructed their mortal mates in the arts of conjuration, summoning, necromancy and other magickal arts. The fruits of their union are the Nephilim: possessed of superhuman strength, cunning, and infinite capacity, and hunger for, sin. Venerated as heroes by some, vilified by most, the Nephilim eventually annihilated one another in a cataclysmic civil war instigated by the angel Gabriel as punishment for their transgressions. Holy frankincense and hyssop in union with earthy fig, defiled by black patchouli and vetiver, with a chaotic infusion of lavender, cardamom, tamarind, rosemary, oakmoss and cypress.
Out of the bottle, I get a strong aroma of bitter chocolate, fig and a bit of cardamom. I definitely get the "earthiness" on this one. On my skin, the chocolate aroma softens (but isn't gone), and the fig is a bit stronger. I also get the cardamom and tamarind, and maybe a tiny hint of rosemary. This is one is very complex. It's interesting and I like it.
LanguorAn opiate torpor, soporific, trancelike, and sublimely languid. A poet's morphine dream, a listless journey into a gentle dream and the precipice of intoxicated madness. Paperwhite and black narcissus, three lilies, black poppy and tuberose and a hint of hypnotic opium den haze.
In the bottle, this one smells very sweet and floral. I definitely get the narcissus and lilies. On, it gets very heavy. Way too floral and perfume-y for my taste. Oh well, it was a frimp.
Tomorrow (or sometime or the next few days): reviews from an eBay order I got today. Vampire Tears, Bitch, Nocturne and Salome.
VAMPIRE TEARSRegret born from ceaseless longing: wisteria, white grapefruit, neroli, green tea, jasmine, white ginger, honeysuckle, iris, and tonka.
I love Midnight Kiss (another eBay find), so I decided to try Vampire Tears as well. This is very different, but also great. It's a very pretty scent. On me, you can definitely smell the jasmine, wisteria and honeysuckle, with just a bit of the tonka. Very nice, and it lasts pretty well for me too.
ELIXIR VIII: BITCHSnappy-quick PMS relief.
Not having PMS at the moment, I can't testify to its effects in that regard. However, it smells great, and I could see how it would work. In the bottle, I get a refreshing herbal scent -- dill and mint, mostly -- that is very relaxing. On my skin, wow! So herby-spicy. I smell like Thai food (which I love, actually, so that's not a complaint). Neat. I like this one.
NOCTURNEAn olfactory serenede. A somber, contemplative scent -- dreamy and subdued. Deepest violet touched with lilac and tuberose.
This is beautiful. Very feminine and pretty. I don't usually like too much floral, but this is very nice. Not heavy or sticky-sweet. A keeper.
I ordered the July LE's, and they arrived Saturday. In addition to Chaos Theory IV, Sturgeon Moon and Penumbra, the labbies sent frimps of The Lion, Ouija, The Bow and Crown of Conquest, Alecto, Succubus and Twilight. Here are reviews of a few of those, plus Salome, which I recently got from an eBay order.
CHAOS THEORY IV: THE EDGE OF CHAOSEach bottle of Chaos Theory is truly unique, a fragrant fractal, and exercise in the joy of chance and uncertainty! Each is a one-of-a-kind, utterly random combination of scents, the composition of which is based on whim, mood and gut instinct.
In the bottle, this one smells very strong. Clove, and maybe a bit of menthol smell. Pepper. It's very complex. On me, it's pretty harsh at first, but softens once it's dry. Again, complex and hard to describe, but it seems a bit masculine for me. Going to try it out on the hubby.
STURGEON MOONA month of bounty, when the fish are plentiful and the corn grows high. This is the scent of breezes passing over the Great Lakes, mingling gently with traditional lunar herbs.
Sandy shores and sweet fresh water, lichen, green algae, and whitestem pondweed, with benzoin, cyclamen, moonlit musk, cucumber, blue poppy, and agave.
In the bottle, I get some very interesting citrus. Starfruit? It's not quite grapefruit. Cucumber, agave and a tiny bit of light musk. On, it's very citrusy. The cucumber and agave are much more subtle, but the underlying musk does come through. This one is pretty nice. It's lighter and fresher than my usual style, but it's really nice for summer.
PENUMBRAThe observer's space within a partial eclipse.
Rich purple musk, moonflower, red sandalwood, black amber, oakmoss, copal, lavender, neroli, tobacco, and pomegranate.
In the bottle, very pretty. Definitely get the purple musk and.... maybe lilac? Must be the moonflower. On, the musk softens and it smells fruity and sweeter. I think that's the pomegranate. It reminds me of Bordello, only muskier and less boldly fruity (definitely no bubblegum here). The tobacco comes through subtly, too. Very nice. I like it.
THE LIONThe dry, glorious warmth of the Savannah. A golden, spiced amber, proud, regal and ferocious.
This was on my wish list, and I was so excited when I saw the frimp. In the bottle, it smells wonderful. Warm vanilla and exotic spices. As the lab description says, it just smells warm and golden. On wet, even spicier, with that wonderful vanilla under it. Sexy! Ten minutes later: NOOOOOOO! Baby powder. Sigh.
OUIJALush parlor rooms draped in thick velvets and gilded in gold, unearthly whispering in the distance, fleeting flashes of wraithlike figures rushing just outside your vision, the chill of a phantom presence brushing by your cheek, the inscrutable knowledge that disembodied eyes are peering at you from darkened corners… this is the essence of Victorian-era spiritualism: rosewood, oak and teak notes with wispy blue lilac, tea rose, dried white rose and ethereal osmanthus.
In the bottle, this one seems interesting. Exotic and a little dark, although a bit floral for my taste. On, it smells exactly like Mrs. Meyers Clean Day geranium-scented cleaning products. These are great for cleaning my bathroom and kitchen, but I don't want to smell like them.
SALOMÉAnd when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist. And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother. And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
A scent that is both coquettish and sinister. Exotic and lush, brimming with grace and viciousness: almond with star jasmine, oakmoss, red sandalwood and Egyptian musk.
In the bottle, this smells very true to the description. I get plenty of almond, layered with lovely jasmine and musk. It smells wonderful. Unfortunately, on me, it smells just awful. The almond disappears, and the jasmine becomes overpowering and harsh, with a sort of herbal scent like sage. Definitely not for me. Off to the swap list.
ALL NIGHT LONGAs if the name didn't spell it out for you. This blend relieves all sexual inhibitions by simultaneously relaxing and arousing.
I really wanted to like this one, so I gave it a couple of tries. In the bottle, I get a lot of cinnamon, and maybe a little cedar. The combination is nice. On me, however, it's not very nice. While I still get the cinnamon, it's underlaid by this powderiness that's just not cool.
TWILIGHTAn enigmatic, otherworldly scent, brimming with power and mystery. Lavender and jasmine, with a touch of glowing honeysuckle.
In the bottle, you definitely get lavendar and jasmine. It's very pretty. On me, however, it just smells like Pine Sol.
Anyone want to trade for either of these?
Asked my husband to try Chaos Theory IV (CLII) today, and as I suspected, it totally works for him. My bottle is quite masculine, with quite a bit of leather and tobacco, as well as cinnamon and other spices. Very nice.
LUPERCIPiss off, Saint Valentine! Lupercalia is an ancient Roman celebration, held on February 15th, that kicked in the advent of Spring with a very, very festive purification, fertility and sexuality ritual. The ritual began near the cave of Lupercal on the Palatine, an area sacred to Faunus, as well as Ruminia, Romulus and Remus. During Lupercalia, Vestal Virgins first made offerings of sacred cakes to the fig tree under which the she-wolf suckled the Sacred Twins. A dog and two goats were then offered in sacrifice to Faunus. The blood of the sacrifice was smeared onto two naked patrician youths, who were assisted by the Virgins, and the blood was wiped clean with sacred wool dipped in milk. The youths donned the skins of the sacrificial goats, wielding whips made from the goat skins, and then led the priests and the Virgins around the pomarium, and around the base hills of Rome. This was a ceremony of great happiness and merriment, and was of particular interest to young women: being touched by the goat-whips young men that led the procession ensured their fertility in the coming year. It is believed that, after the initial rite, male participants would draw the name of an available maiden, with whom he spent the rest of the night. This scent is for the Luperci, the Chosen of Faunus, the Brothers of the Wolf: raw, down and dirty patchouli, Gurjam balsam, and essence of Sampson Root sweetened with the heightened sexuality of beeswax, virile juniper, oakmoss, ambrette seed over honey and East African musk.
In the bottle, this is a very green scent. Sort of pine-y, but not Pine Sol. Must be the juniper. I get a tiny bit of the beeswax, a little musk. It's earthy and complex. A little hard to describe.
On wet, the musk is more apparent. The earthiness remains, and the juniper is more subtle. As it dries, this becomes quite subtle. Ben says it's very complementary/similar to my natural scent. It doesn't disappear, though. This is a good one. Subtle and natural.
PHANTASMThis delicate, spectral perfume gives rise to an eerie distortion of of the senses. It bestows an ephemeral, ghostly, and truly haunting quality to your presence. Green tea, lemon verbena, jasmine and neroli.
This is very true to the Lab's description. Green tea, lemon verbena and jasmine all the way. It's quite pretty. It also stays quite true on, but wet and dry. When dry, the lemon verbena is definitely the top note. I like it.
THE BOW AND CROWN OF CONQUESTAnd I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Nobility and haughtiness befitting the Antichrist: sage, carnation and cedar with lavender, vanilla, white musk and leather.
You definitely get the cedar and vanilla from this, with a touch of leather. A little cinnamon too; there's some spiciness. On Ben, this is a bit too generic-men's-cologne. Like, "Oh, it's men's cologne. That's nice." On me, it's spicy and interesting at first, but then it kind of disappears.
PENNY DREADFULAlso called Gallows Literature. A dime novel rife with melodrama, horror, madness and cruelty; a ten cent analogy of vice and virtue in conflict. Soft perfume evocative of noir heroines over rich red grave loam.
Caramel corn and tobacco. Earthy, with a very subtle floral note of the kind I like — not too sweet. On, the tobacco is stronger at first, but balances out after a couple minutes. The floral is even more subtle, but still present. Stays pretty true to bottle scent. I like this one a lot.
TAVERN OF HELLSometimes I would venture from my sepulchre to the jazz of night Paris, where having gathered the colours, I would think them over in front of the fire. I could be seen walking through a funeral corridor of my house and descending down a black spiral of steep stairs; rushing underground to Montmartre, all impatience to see the fiery rubies of the Moulin Rouge cross. I wondered thereabouts, then bought a ticket to watch frenzied delirium of feathers, vulgar painted lips and eyelashes of black and blue. Naked feet, and thighs, and arms, and breasts were being flung on me from bloody-red foam of translucent clothes. The tuxedoed goatees and crooked noses in white vests and toppers would line the hall, with their hands posed on canes. Then I found myself in a pub, where the liqueurs were served on a coffin (not a table) by the nickering devil: "Drink it, you wretched!" Having drunk, I returned under the black sky split by the flaming vanes, which the radiant needles of my eyelashes cross-hatched. In front of my nose a stream of bowler hats and black veils was still pulsing, foamy with bluish green and warm orange of feathers worn by the night beauties: to me they were all one, as I had to narrow my eyes for insupportable radiance of electric lamps, whose hectic fires would be dancing beneath my nervous eyelids for many a night to come. White gardenia, ambergris bouquet, lavender fougere, orange blossom, melissa, tobacco flower, coriander, ebony wood, ylang ylang, absinthe and aged whiskey.
In the bottle, flowers, smoke, and maybe a hint of the absinthe. It's complex and interesting. On wet, it's immediately over-the-top floral (and not in a good way). This does not improve when dry. Sadly, just doesn't work on me.
CTHULUIf I say that my somewhat extravagant imagination yielded simultaneous pictures of an octopus, a dragon, and a human caricature, I shall not be unfaithful to the spirit of the thing. A pulpy, tentacled head surmounted a grotesque and scaly body with rudimentary wings... It represented a monster of vaguely anthropoid outline, but with an octopus-like head whose face was a mass of feelers, a scaly, rubbery-looking body, prodigious claws on hind and fore feet, and long, narrow wings behind. This thing, which seemed instinct with a fearsome and unnatural malignancy, was of a somewhat bloated corpulence... A creeping, wet, slithering scent, dripping with seaweed, oceanic plants and dark, unfathomable waters.
This scent is really hard to describe. It's definitely a "wet" scent, and I get the water plants. Maybe a hint of citrus. It's kind of seaweedy, but not in a beachy way. On, it's pretty much the same. Not really for me.
Looking over reviews, trying to make a little sense of the notes we like/don't like, for future ordering reference.
Likes
Apple (especially apple cider-type notes)
Musk
Tobacco
Vanilla/Tonka
Amber
Leather
Chocolate
Almond/Buttercream
Rum
Spices
Fig
Pepper
Honeysuckle
Vetiver
Sandalwood
Ginger
Clove
Dislikes
Gardenia
Violet
Lavender (if strong)
Rose (if strong; my skin tends to amp rose so it kills every other note)
Almost anything super floral
Sometimes Work, Sometimes Don't
Myrrh
Jasmine
CROSSROADSThe forks of the road: an in-between place, sacred and tangibly magickal in innumerable cultures and faiths. This scent is dark with mystery, taut with power. A chill twilit garden of blooms over dry earth and mosses, heavily laden with incense and offertory herbs.
In the bottle, this smells so lovely. Florals, but not in the super-sweet way that I don't like, herbs and incense. Yay! Unfortunately, on me it just turns to soap and a perfume-y smell that's not very nice. Oh, well.
FRUITCAKEUnreleased gift-with-purchase, December 2007.
Received this as a frimp with a swap. In the imp and on wet, it smells exactly like fruitcake. On wet, the alcoholic note of fruitcake is particularly strong. As it dries, that softens up a bit and it's this lovely, boozey-fruity scent. I like it.
I ordered a bottle each of SGA, Schwarzer Mond & Lune Noir on 7/28, a few minutes after they went live.
So why are people getting C'n'S for orders they placed on 7/31, and I still don't have mine? It's not fair!
Okay, /whine.
It seems like PayPal orders are processed more slowly than CCNow orders. At least, the orders I've placed through PayPal so far have not been shipped nearly as quickly as my CCNow orders (particularly this one).
Just got the CnS for my first order from Black Phoenix Trading Post:
Triple Dagger Yoga Pants
Brimstone Locket
Eeek!
Got the CnS last night, so it should be here by Friday or Saturday I think.
ZOMG! My first BPAL Halloween, and everything is so awesome! I'm so happy about the Sleepy Hollow scents. It's always been a favorite story of mine. I've already placed an order....
Ok, I went a little crazy here, but managed to hold off a *tiny* bit.
Harvest Moon
Hellhound on My Trail
Chant d'Automne
Huesos de Santo
Samhain 2008
Sugar Skull 2008
Brom Bones
Fearful Pleasure
Gunpowder
Ichabod Crane
The Hessian of the Hollow
The Witching Time of Night
I really want the Pumpkin Patch, and a few others too, but I'm hoping I can pick those up sometime between now and November. My wallet's already crying here.
I can't wait to try these!
Also, looks like I should be getting the CnS for an order I placed on 8/4 soon too, to wit:
5mls
Mme. Moriarty
Dracul
Crowley
Imps
Queen of Sheba
O
Perversion
Dee
Sudha Segara
No. 93 Engine
The Antikythera Mechanism
Severin
Black Phoenix
Loviatar
Cockaigne
Cthulu
*Cough* So um, yeah. Bad Cam. Think I'll be holding off on the Pumpkin Patch, etc. (or anything else) until October or so... unless the Gaiman lockets go live between now and then...
