Love Potent
Category: In The Mood
Quantity: sample
Description:
LOVE POTENT
Ooh la la! Love is life! Good Judy’s Love Potent is a precursor to the ultimate experience in life. Love for life. Love for yourself. Love for another. Male, female, and everyone in between…however you love, whomever you love… let love shine from the deepest, darkest part of your soul to the infinite far-reaches of the universe. For without love, we have nothing. Rose, spiced musk, bay, violet, gardenia, jasmine, ginger
Review:
In the bottle: Spicy rose and flowers.
Wet: At first, it’s a spicy mix of rose, violet, gardenia, jasmine. Then, I get a faint scent of musk and bay.
Dry: After a while, musk and ginger take over the flowers. I’m still getting a little bit of violet, and maybe another flower, but I don’t know which one.
Verdict: This is sexy, and maybe even empowering; but unfortunately, it doesn’t last very long. The two times I’ve worn this one so far, I kept adding some more on my skin, so the sample is already half-empty. Because of that, I hesitate to buy a bottle. Otherwise, it’s lovely.
Voodoo Doll
Category: Curio Shop
Quantity: sample
Description:
VOODOO DOLL
Well known in the Voodoo world, this particular doll was used as an effigy to gain influence over a specific person…and, in turn, drove its user mad. Wicked little thing, ain't it? Notice where the pins are placed? Curious indeed. What will you do with such a thing? Suggestions, demands, and desires fulfilled? If it pleases our guest, so shall it be. Mugwort, sweet sage, cotton blossom, dove’s feather
Review:
In the bottle: It’s soft, I smell mostly mugwort and sage. It’s very herbal, yet delicate and feminine.
Wet: Is that rosemary? No, wait, it’s supposed to be sage. I still get some mugwort, and some faint cotton blossom.
Dry: Oops, it’s turning bitter and stronger (too bad, I liked it before, but I suppose the voodoo doll comes with a curse). It’s much more aromatic: lemony, floral, with cedar.
Verdict: It’s an interesting neutral blend, neither masculine nor feminine, and it smells clean. However, this is not a perfume I would wear.
Mond-O-Rama
Category: Starlite Oasis
Quantity: sample
Description:
MOND-O-RAMA
It’s the most…to say the least! The very end! So hot, it’s radioactive! So cool, it’s solid, baby! Citrus fruits, floral blooms, warm resins, bright herbs, and cool spices
Review:
In the bottle: It smells bright and lemony, yet floral, and cool... It may seem confusing, but it fits the description perfectly.
Wet: It’s funny, it reminds me of a perfume spray I had when I was a kid. It’s soft, sweet, floral, and delicate, with a background note of spices. Nothing is strong enough to make the blend fall into a specific category.
Dry: ...And this is when it turns from a child’s perfume to an old lady’s generic floral perfume. Honestly, I don’t know which is worse.
Verdict: Either too young, or too old, or both! I really don’t think this blend is for me.
Oblivion
Category: Sin & Salvation
Quantity: sample
Description:
OBLIVION
Salvation found in darkness beyond darkness, the blessed sleep of nothingness. Dark musk, wood spice, labdanum, patchouli, dark African woods, and saffron.
Review:
In the bottle: I know I’m not the only one who mentions the colour of this sample, but... It’s green! It’s spicy, musky; and yet, I smell a mix of wet wood and patchouli.
Wet: It’s still warm, spicy and woody, but with an herbal quality, from the patchouli and labdanum, with a note of saffron.
Dry: Suddenly, as it dried, it turned into peroxide (I’m not kidding), to come back to spicy patchouli. Of all the skin chemical reactions I’ve experienced so far, this is the most unusual...
Verdict: Well, at first, it reminded me of my father’s cologne when I was a kid; then, it turned into something medical, to finish as a spicy man’s cologne. Since it has such a strange reaction on my skin, I think I’ll leave the final verdict to men...
More reviews: Sin & Salvation: Oblivion
Hurricane
Category: Bewitching Brews
Quantity: sample
Description:
HURRICANE
The Dark Side of Air: a high pitched, tangy, clear scent -- light China rain deepened by murky vetivert.
Review:
In the bottle: It smells delightfully fresh and herbal, with a strong note of bright vetivert.
Wet: It’s still very herbal, but it turns almost floral (that might be my skin chemistry acting funny again). It smells like rain falling on fragrant herbs.
Dry: It becomes warmer as it dries, the murky, almost smoky, aspect becomes more obvious.
Verdict: It smells very masculine, fresh and clean. I think this might be a good suggestion for men who don’t like a cologne or perfume that smells “too much”.
More reviews: Bewitching Brews: Hurricane
Yules: The Nutcracker Acts 1 & 2: KLARA
Category: Limited Edition
Quantity: bottle
Description:
The Nutcracker Acts 1 & 2: KLARA
Honey dusting powder, mandarin, iris, ylang ylang, tea rose, and carnation.
Review:
In the bottle: Sweet, powdery and clean. I smell a strong note of honey.
Wet: Honey and mandarine, with a little bit of iris and carnation.
Dry: Tea rose and ylang-ylang come out strong... maybe a little bit too strong.
Verdict: I don’t know, it’s just missing something. It smells like a Lush soap, or baby powder. I would have liked something more unique than that.
More reviews: Limited Edition: Yules: The Nutcracker Acts 1 & 2: Klara
All Night Long
Category: Bewitching Brews
Quantity: sample
Description:
ALL NIGHT LONG
As if the name didn't spell it out for you. This blend relieves all sexual
inhibitions by simultaneously relaxing and arousing.
Review:
In the bottle: Wow, this blend is thick! It's spicy, with a lot of cinnamon, and something lemony and floral behind. I also smell clove or pepper.
Wet: That definitively smells like clove to me! It's very spicy, in a hot, exotic way. I smell warm vanilla in the background. It's dark, mysterious and sweet.
Dry: Still spicy vanilla and clove. If you give it a few hours to fully blend with your skin, it really feels warm and sensual.
Verdict: Well, I have yet to test its properties at night, but it definitively smells good! Now, I have to get that song out of my head...
More reviews: Bewitching Brews: All Night Long
Yules: Snow White 2010
Category: Limited Edition
Quantity: bottle
Description:
SNOW WHITE 2010
A chilly, bright perfume: flurries of virgin snow, crisp winter wind and the faintest breath of night-blooming flowers.
Review:
In the bottle: So soft and delicate... I smell a bit of vanilla and sugar, but I’m not quite sure what else.
Wet: It smells sweet and floral, almost foody. It reminds me of Dana O’shee, only colder and crisper.
Dry: It turned into vanilla, coconut, mint, and almond, with a floral background.
Verdict: Overall, it’s lovely; however, I really got into it when I went outside. The cold winter air improves it somehow; it becomes even crisper afterwards.
More reviews: Limited Edition: Yules: Snow White 2010
Persephone
Category: Excolo
Quantity: sample
Description:
PERSEPHONE
Beautiful, radiant daughter of Demeter... her loveliness was so exquisite that even Hell itself could not resist her. Pomegranate and rose.
Review:
In the bottle: I smell mostly rose... ‘lots of it... I miss the juicy sweetness of the pomegranate.
Wet: I still get a lot of rose, but it’s already much sweeter, and fruity.
Dry: It is better, but... I still get so much rose! I don’t get that decadently juicy pomegranate other reviewers have smelled.
Verdict: Either Persephone loved the smell of roses beyond imagination, or this blend is still too fresh, and scents haven’t blended as much as they needed. Maybe I should let this one “age” for a few months, to see if it improves a little bit, it seems to work sometimes.
More reviews: Excolo: Persephone
Yules: Lick It Vigorously
Category: Limited Edition
Quantity: bottle
Description:
LICK IT VIGOROUSLY
What else could possibly be more lickable at Yuletide? This is a candy cane perfume, minty, sweet and sugared.
[Please don’t literally Lick It. I need no cheerful holiday lawsuits, thank you!]
Review:
In the bottle: Hmm, sweet mint... It’s very fresh, green, and maybe a little bit spicy.
Wet: A lot of sugar comes out as soon as it touches my skin! It smells like mint-flavoured candy, no doubt possible; it also feels very fresh... I might even say cold...
Dry: Strangely enough, it turned almost vanilla and floral on me (one day, I’d like to know what’s wrong with my skin chemistry); however, it’s still fresh, yet softer and more delicate.
Verdict: It’s a funny perfume, it really smells like a candy cane, sweet and minty, even though it turned soft on me.
More reviews: Limited Edition: Yules: Lick It Vigorously
Spectral Evidence
Category: American Gothic
Quantity: sample
Description:
SPECTRAL EVIDENCE
In the Old Manse, life lingers, quiet and unassuming yet screaming to be heard. Whispered in a whiff of perfume, a lingering scent of flowers wafts where nobody stood. A shimmering shape lends a glimpse of something that once was. Remembered as visions from a dream, the pieces fit together and the story unfolds. Are you listening? Someone’s trying to tell you something. Lilac, violet, peony, shimmering air
Review:
In the bottle: How incredibly soft! It’s light and floral, mostly lilac and peony, with a little bit of sweet violet.
Wet: It smells like a spring day, or a garden of fresh, delicate lilac, violet and peony. It’s adorable!
Dry: As soon as it started to dry, it turned soapy; and then, it disappeared... Too bad.
Verdict: I’m disappointed by the limited throw of this perfume; however, it might still be a good idea for my soap-making hobby.
Jolt
Category: In The Mood
Quantity: sample
Description:
JOLT
Wake up! Get revved and ready to go go go! Cuban coffee, black tea, double shot of espresso, spices
Review:
In the bottle: It’s spicy; I identify clove and pepper.
Wet: More clove! There’s some dark, maybe even black, coffee behind it.
Dry: Finally, I get the black coffee and black tea, but it’s still very spicy.
Verdict: Overall, it’s masculine-neutral; interesting, but just not my thing.
Yules: Rose Red 2010
Category: Limited Edition
Quantity: bottle
Description:
ROSE RED 2010
The perfected winter rose, dew covered and freshly cut.
Review:
In the bottle: A velvety red rose, fresher than in a flower shop.
Wet: It’s a bit too strong at first, it’s annoying for my nostrils; however, it gets better after 10-15 minutes.
Dry: It’s much better now. It’s a delicate floral scent, feminine, romantic, and almost a sacred rose.
Verdict: For those who might be turned off by its initial strong throw, my advice would be to let it dry completely before judging it. It becomes subtle and almost sweet over time.
More reviews: Limited Edition: Yules: Rose Red 2010
The Corruption of Having Lived
Category: American Gothic
Quantity: sample
Description:
THE CORRUPTION OF HAVING LIVED
Surviving isn’t necessarily living. You fight for purpose, surrounded by the walls of the Old Manse, its endless rooms, trapped and all alone. Nobody left but the voices in your head. Talking to you. Trying to understand. Rationalizing. How did this happen? Why? You have the rest of your life to ponder. The answer is already yours. You’ve chosen your path. You must live with your choice. Fig, black currant, calla lily, vanilla sandalwood
Review:
In the bottle: It’s a moderately strong smell of fig, currant, and sandalwood.
Wet: It’s much softer on my skin, and much more floral (probably the calla lily), with a touch of vanilla, and something sweet and fruity in the background.
Dry: Not bad, it’s floral, yet fruity as soon as the fig comes back, with a little bit of bitterness and darkness.
Verdict: I love this one too! So far, except Forbidden Desire, the American Gothic collection suits me well, and I think I still have 2 samples to try... I'm impatient to see if they're as good as the ones I have tried so far!
Key Lime Pie
Category: Mary Jo's Bakery
Quantity: sample
Description:
KEY LIME PIE
A southern Florida treat loved by all. Fresh, tart key limes blended with sugar, egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk, all poured into a lightly baked graham cracker crust. This one will make your teeth ache!
Review:
In the bottle: An intense smell of sugary graham crust.
Wet: Sugar, cream (or milk), egg, and graham. The lime is very subtle.
Dry: Overall, it doesn’t have much throw, and the lime note quickly fades away.
Verdict: It’s sweet and creamy, but not for me. Another one in the “future soap” box...
My list of reviews so far, to be updated as I write them.
BLACK PHOENIX ALCHEMY LAB:
Limited Edition:
Sleepy Hollow: Katrina Van Tassel
Yules: Lick it Vigorously
Yules: Rose Red 2010
Yules: Snow White 2010
Yules: The Nutcracker: Klara
Ars Amatoria:
Kabuki
L'École Des Filles
Lolita
Lucy's Kiss
Maiden
Bewitching Brews:
All Night Long
Dana O'Shee
Follow Me Boy
Hurricane
Jolly Roger
Love Me
Diabolus:
Kumiho
Marie
Villain
Excolo:
Persephone
Illyria:
Rosalind
Mad Tea Party:
Alice
Eat Me
Mouses's Long And Sad Tale
The Pool Of Tears
Tweedledum
The Unicorn
Marchen:
The Grave-Pig
Picnic in Arkham:
Herbert West
Rappaccini's Garden:
Baneberry
Hairy Toad Lily
Sin & Salvation:
Faustus
Lust
Oblivion
Wanderlust:
London
GOOD JUDY:
Limited Edition:
Diamond (April 2009)
Fruit Judy
Hanami (Spring 2009)
Ostara (March 2009)
American Gothic:
The Corruption of Having Lived
Forbidden Desire
Shameful Secret
Sins of the Past
Spectral Evidence
Splintered Love
Anime & Manga:
Gosurori
Shoujo
Uke
Curio Shop:
Cursed Cameo
Mephitic Vapors
Pickled Punk
Spirit Bottle: Lhunassi
Voodoo Doll
In The Mood:
Jolt
Love Potent
Lullaby
Woobie
LGBT & More:
B
Femme
Mary Jo's Bakery:
Bread Pudding
Cannoli
Chocolate Chai Muffin
Key Lime Pie
Punk:
Gothic
Pop
Resinate:
Honey Patch
Smooth & Neat
Signature Scents:
Gravy
Starlite Oasis:
Atomic Cheesecake
Lava Rocket
Mond-O-Rama
Unreleased Blends:
First Creation
Smooth & Neat
Category: Resinate
Quantity: sample
Description:
SMOOTH & NEAT
The aromatic flavoring of a fine liqueur, extremely sensual and smooth with a wonderful warming finish. Served neat. Patchouli leaves, bright orange citrus, smooth vanilla, and a splash of hazelnut liqueur.
Review:
In the bottle: Patchouli, orange and hazelnut liqueur.
Wet: Warm orange and sweet vanilla, for the most part; everything else is in the background.
Dry: The patchouli and liqueur come back, but it’s still smooth. It’s not the aggressive patchouli some old ladies are so fond of…
Verdict: It’s well balanced, smooth and clean, with a sweet dose of vanilla and orange. However, patchouli smells old on me, so the sample will probably become lovely soap material.
First Creation
Category: Unreleased Blends
Quantity: sample
Description:
FIRST CREATION
N/A
Review:
In the bottle: It’s very soft, a little bit floral, with something sweet, such as vanilla or honey.
Wet: It’s already more herbal, lemony, maybe even with a spicy background note, but I can’t find what it is.
Dry: Still soft, creamy, lemony, and floral. It’s a bit old-lady-ish, but it smells clean and soft.
Verdict: Yes, it’s a bit old-fashioned, but it smells good; and the ingredients are very mysterious!
