samarablackcat

(Mods please move if there is a topic already started. Thanks) I feel rather uncomfortable starting this review, as I am not the owner of the infamous bottle of Wild Hunt. I was fortunate to receive a sniffy with a little oil in a swap. It gave me such vivid images that I am going ahead with the review. I hope the owner doesn't mind; I waited a while in case the owner wanted to post first, as I believe (s)he is entitled. No disrespect intended. There was such a small amount of this to test, I used a different method of testing. Usually, I try the oil, sniff continuously, note changes from wet to dry. For this special gift, I put what there was on my arm and laid down, keeping my arm a few inches from my nose. I am in a forest. It is daytime; there is a heavy canopy overhead with shadows of light. The air is thick with humidity. The smell of ground being churned by horsehooves, the horse wild-eyed and sweating with fear. The stag, panting. The underbrush breaking, twigs snapping, releasing their spicy fragrance into the air. The stag, finding escape and a cool stream, lapping, relaxing and transforming into a beautiful maiden, her long hair flowing in the breeze, the only indication of her non-humaness, the points of her ears. If this scent is ever released, I will be purchasing at least two bottles of this immediately. I can only imagine what aging would do to this beautiful creation. I thank all who shared this scent to at last reside with me. Well done!

I can't wear pumpkin, but so tempted just for the labels!

I am not a floral girl, but this is heavenly! My nose recognizes something as apple. I am unable to pick out any individual notes, probably because this is outside of my normal choices. Very sweet as it dries, and to me, definitely not a winter scent. Like walking through a garden in the spring with all the vines and flowers bursting out with flowers after a gentle rain shower. Very pretty and feminine, and on my skin, no hint of sage. Perfect for daytime.

Thanks to my Sunbird partner for a chance to try this The first thing I smell is ohhai! red musk with bitter clove strewn in for good measure. Something about this wet reminds me of Mme Moriarty (?). As it dries, there are some warm ingredients under the surface that never come to fruition...if I place my nose close to my arm, I get the myrrh and a tad of sharpness, which I'm guessing is the cinnamon leaf. But there is a gentle waft arising as I type which is warm and not too sweet. Reminds me of an exotic pastry, not too sweet, baking in the oven. Very evocative of a warm, sunny day. The oil color is perfect for this representation also...not-too-dark brown with a red glow! And yes, it will age beautifully!

Comparing the two versions side-by-side, I concur the Hellion v2 is deep, dark, juicy plum. Not sweet...the cinnamon and clove take care of that. The original is a little sweeter, lighter, with the champaca flower more prominent in the drydown. I don't get the scorched sandalwood in the released version, but as V2 dries, sandalwood and clove round out the scent, making this very earthy and schexy. As I step outside to do mundane chores in the high Florida humidity, V2's plumminess is very happy here in this element. The incense in the released version is more prominent. All in all, it's like trying to pick your favorite between a set of twins; how can you choose one over the other? Impossible! Very subtle nuances, but both still near and dear to the heart. So glad to have this! Thank you Cobwebby Faerie!

For me, Makhanitis. Plummy incense wafting to the gods that we call Incubus. yesh. *drools*

Yay! and thanks!

While rummaging through my imps, looking for something to add to a package I am sending out, I stumbled across Detox. Perfect timing, as I have recently taken myself off antidepressants. Citrus! Oh yes, and it's not the Pledge type. Off to a good start. Not much in the imp to test, but enough to get several drops on each wrist. Immediately calms my stomach...which in and of itself is a blessing, as nausea has been my constant companion for the last two weeks. I concur, it doesn't last long, but as it dries the lime is apparent with a little sweetness to offset the tart. Each time I feel the nausea creeping back, I huff my wrists, and my stomach is very thankful. This is the most normal ( ) I have felt in two weeks. I am also feeling very calm, almost sleepy. Oh, how I wish I would have thought about this sooner; I am very glad nonetheless to have found Detox at this time. I can imagine it being effective on hangovers and general malaise as well. The sweetness here is in the same family as TKO (sugary vanilla), but not as cloying. In the future, I will remember to reach for Detox. A bottle will accompany my next order and travel with me at all times. I can see this becoming a staple for me at work, and I can also envision enabling many people. How does she do it? All hail the goddess Beth and her miracle elixirs! I wish I would have had this for my friend while she was going through chemo; I imagine it would really help through those times.

I am ashamed that I haven't reviewed this yet... I first smelled this in the bottle at Dirty South Will Call back in February. No skin test, but the scent haunted me. Ordered as soon as I got back home. And since then, this is my go-to scent when I'm not sure what to wear. Wet, plum and deep, heady wine. Yum. The champaca, so incensey and rich melds together with the sandalwood, emitting an aura of headshoppy goodness, grounding the scent. Not too sweet and not too dry, it surrounds me with a scent of power. Its calming aroma takes me to a place where I am in charge, its quiet strength propelling me forward and upward, compelling those around me to take notice. This is my scent. I am calm, serene and ready to take on the world. Perhaps it's the lack of many ingredients that makes this so successful on my skin, or just the perfect combination. A total winner in my book, and one that I am hoping will age with grace, as a reminder to myself to do the same. Throw is strong and lasts for hours. No need to carry an imp or bottle to refresh later. Yes, Makhanitis, it appears you were made for me.

I don't like chocolate scents at all; Boomslang is wonderful. It's a very rounded scent, IMO. Not too sweet nor chocolate, not too much like Snake Oil. The linden flower in Cottonmouth is sweet, but not cloying (to me); dry, it mellows into a nice incensey floral. Again, the Snake Oil tempers it so it's not in your face. King Cobra and Temple Viper were my first loves from the Snake Pit. I still love them both in all their incensey goodness. But what surprised me the most was Habu. Cannot have too many bottles of this. Scent locket, skin, slathered on pillow, makes no difference. I'm not sure if it's the teak that draws me close, but this is the underrated star of the Pit. Just beautiful. Western Diamondback for me did not amp leather; it dried nicely, but not whoa! I gotta have more for me. Coral Snake has been flirting with me lately...I have grown fond of apple. Maybe a decant before I make the final decision for bottles. I think if these had been the first of bpal's scents I tried, I never would have left the Snake Pit. Green Tree Viper is interesting...the mint isn't too prominent and it smells nothing like what I thought. I have a decant that I'll sniff periodically and it is always refreshing...good for summer when it's hot and sticky. One more Temple Viper and King Cobra, and maybe the Coral Snake, and I think I will be set!

In the imp, this smells very much like cherries (or almond, as I tend to confuse the two). Wet, the cherry/almond scent is predominant. As it dries, there is a spiciness underneath. Fresh juicy fruit is making its way to the forefront. Definitely cherries now. But lo! it is changing into plum with a tad of nag champa or champaca flower. Dry, the plum is but an afterthought, as the incense aroma wafts as from an altar. A scent that changes from sweet to sharp, much like its namesake. I can smell just a drop of pregnant skies, ready to explode with winds, rain and thunder. A grand interpretation of all her aspects. As Shango/Chango's favorite wife, I am left wondering how these two will work together. A new favorite scent for me.

I also love love love Prospero but it is mostly wine and incense on me, but if you can hunt down an imp to try, it could be worth it (Try mixing it with Blood Garden, yummy). And how could I forget Midwinter's Eve? I reread my review (those are really helpful!) of Prunella and to answer your question, Jupita, starts out tart and goes to a tad sweet.

Oh, me too! For me, the affair started with Prunella...and I have been adding plummy scents since. My current ( currant, lol!) favs are: Dionysia Oya ( omg, how did I not find this sooner?) Makhanitis (review from Pottersville, and I concur): Black plum, burgundy wine, sandalwood, and champaca. Love this. Like 4 bottles worth. On my to try list: Bathsheba Kitsune-Tsuki Horror Sympathique I do care for incensey and earthy scents, so ymmv. But try Prunella.

Ah dirt. Freshly dug dirt, to be specific. Wet on the skin, still Beth's awesome dirt, but with something fragile underneath. As it dries, this becomes more loamy, mixing with the decaying flowers of the grave. Dry, this becomes nothing like its beginning. Just a residual dustiness, as if the dirt has transformed into...something sweet. Amber? Yes, that's it, amber. Just a little powdery, as if the bones and angel's trumpet have melded into a wonderful, soft amber. Stays close to the skin. A beautiful transformation and a wonderful representation of death as a door to another realm. If you have been afraid of dirt scents, get an imp. You may be pleasantly surprised.

LXIX (69 ) Apples! Very fruity in the bottle. Wet on skin: yup, apples, like a Rome or Jonathon, good for cooking, not too sharp. As it dries, there is a little citrus (orange? lemon?) rounding out the scent. Dry, no Snake Oil to be found. Just gently spiced apples. CVI (106) Clean and fresh, not ozony. Wet, reminds me a little of Dorian, so vanilla. Something in here reminds me of cotton, not sure why. Dry, I only get the vanilla-y cotton.

Try Casanova, Tombstone, Coyote, The Lion (if you like amber), Ferris Wolf and any of the piratey scents...aquatic, but yum (Calico Jack, I'm looking at you!). Crowley is very masculine, but unimpable. YMMV. I like the more masculine scents...not too fond of florals. If you can score an imp or bottle of Schwarzer Mond, it is teh love.

Tramp, you must keep busy doin' the whole lab! Love the new labels for the GC! Thanks for posting all the pics, Tramp!

I confess...I bought this when it was released because of the story. I like the notes, too, but it was the story that drew me to this. What can I say, I'm a sucker for Russian fairy tales, and a happy ending to boot. So lovely when I first received this, but I was disappointed as the scent was so faint and close to the skin. I had been hoping for a little more throw. So soft, so snuggly. And then, a year of aging. All I can say is wow. This has blossomed into what I was hoping for. Still soft and snuggly, but with a warmth that is perfect for a cold winter's day. I am transformed to a place in the forest, an Indian summer day, leaning against a tree, watching the leaves fall from the trees, their brilliant colors transforming the ground into a regal carpet for the Lord of the Forest. A place of respite for collecting one's thought and appreciating the wonders of the natural world.

I have all three years of Jacob's Ladder. '08 is not a disappointment. I love amber and it is one resin that plays well on me. To my nose, this is almost identical to my aged '05, just a little dustier. All the components are there, and with aging, this will become a little sweeter and heavier. Jacob's Ladder always get me compliments when I wear it, even from gruff, inky pressmen. Its aura envelopes my personal space and leaves me at peace. If this is the path to Heaven, I will surely and graciously climb to meet whatever God resides at the end.

O is almost identical to the Illustrated Woman, on me (minus the screaming candied pine death). On me, Antikythera Mechanism is very similar to Illustrated Woman, sans pine pitch.

After viewing other's helpful hints, I thought perhaps this may help me have a place for wants, desires and dreams. Books. I love books, not just to read, but to collect. I currently do not own any first editions, but I do have two autographed books, both by Neil Gaiman. They were not autographed for me. Fragile Things was a total surprize; purchased this from Amazon for cheap. Imagine my fangirl squees after realizing it was signed! The Sandman is a series I lust wish for. I love reference books, be they on medieval life, vampires or language. They help guide me to whatever area I am researching. When I was a child, I wanted to be an Indian (Native American) when I grew up. The clothing, hair, skin color, lifestyle and community still appeals to me. Leather, deerskin, chamois, ooh (I try to stay away for those things now). Me, I'm a cur. A mishmash of northern European peoples. I say this as I am short, stocky, light-colored skin and hair with light eyes. So the intrigue of dark skin and hair has always been my dream. Or perhaps a rememberance of a past life. Oh yeah, and Peter Pan. To fly, to soar and to never grow up, not me! I love pottery mugs, particularly with no handles, chalice shaped. Or indentations for your fingers or thumbs. I love the way they feel, the substanance to them, sturdy, capable of holding the elixir of life ( or coffee, lol!) Did I mention I am rather clutzy? No fine china for me, although I think it's beautiful; I am the bull in a china shop! I am a pagan of no particular persuasion. I love rocks, stones minerals, gemstones. I like to keep them in a pouch and wear or carry them with me. Slowly studying properties of the aforementioned items. I love nature and do what I can for the environment. My happiest times are when the wind is softly singing in my ear, telling secrets meant only for me. The moon is my mother; she watches me and send me gentle love and light and guides me to understanding. I love the morning, when the animals are waking and scurrying off, birds singing their wake-up song, cardinals calling their young and the woodpeckers lob through the air. And oh, when the hawk comes, the birds all join together in a chorus of despair and alarm, warning all the avain community to beware. The night brings the bats, who eats all the necessary critters and the owls call to their young, teaching them how to hunt. And the stars! How I love to gaze at the constellations, my mind not grasping the immensity of it all, to think that for eons of time someone has stood where I am standing and gazed up and wondered the same things. This is my yard, where I feel safe and serene.

Thank you, persianmouse! Those labels are just what I was hoping for!

I had such high hope for this one! It sounded perfect for me; I adore mosses and sandalwood and I am learning to appreciate the lab's patchouli. But something goes terribly awry on my skin. This starts out soft on my skin, but withing minutes turns to man's cologne. A sweet, tinny fragrance . So much so that I looked up other descriptions to see if this had somehow been mislabeled. But alas, it is just my skin. Although I prefer masculine scents, this is not the one for me. Perhaps in another incarnation, this will be perfect for me. Reminds me slightly of The Torure Queen, that type of metal smell. Ah, well, they can't all be the one!

Oh wow, this has got to be one of my favorite pines. Like taking a walk through the woods,a gentle snow falling, sticking to everything giving it an ethereal feel. In the distance, someone has recently cut a pine tree, and the resinous aroma wafts through the still air. It reminds me of Stopping by a Woods on a Snowy Evening, by Robert Frost (hehe) Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. And oh, btw, I think this will pair perfectly with the rerelease of Ice Prince. I am so glad to have tried this, and it is great for me, living in the land of no snow, only having memories of this type of weather,which I sorely miss. Many thanks for awakening my mind of home and the holidays, warm memories of family and love.

I was frimped with Prunella from the fabulous Maidenhell. I would not have normally tested this, as I am not a fan of plum in any fashion. In the imp, it smells green...fresh, not-to-sweet wildflower scent wafting from a field by a gentle wind. Wet, creaminess mixes with a tart, refreshing, soft aroma. As it dries, the cream smell dissapates, leaving behind a fruity smell, not quite ripened. As it dries, the scents meld together so well it's hard to discern one from the others. A scent of early summer, with bees buzzing, flowers nodding their heads in the breeze and flowers kissed with dew in the morning, before the heat of the day sets in and the world becomes enclouded in haze. As the scent wafts around me, I feel peaceful and serene. Yep, bottle for me, the plum hater.