yokaitenchi

A legendary Assyrian queen, often identified with Sammu-Ramat, the wife of Shamshi-Adad V, she was believed to be the daughter of the goddess Atargatis. Her youth was filled with mythic adventure, and her otherworldly beauty and voluptuous sexuality ensured her two advantageous marriages. When she took the reins of power of Empress of Assyria, she expanded her kingdom by conquering much of Mesopotamia and Asia. She beautified and revitalized Babylon, and implemented improvements in Nineveh that helped to moderate the flow of the Tigris. She was renowned for her military and political prowess, as well as her ferocious and merciless sexual appetite. Red musk, pomegranate, orange blossom, and melon. Lush and gorgeous--better than I remember. I only need an oz, since I don't usually reach for such scents, but A rich, juicy red musk scent, like (aged) Mme. Moriarty bathed in a pool of warm pomegranate. It has crazy throw--I can smell it in the bottle from a few feet away. If I crack open the bottle, I can smell it for miles. Okay, maybe not miles, but quite a while away. This is not a scent for sensitive noses.

"Well, I suppose I must tell you now," he replied; "two of my daughters must prepare themselves to be married, for the marriages certainly will take place. The old goblin from Norway, who lives in the ancient Dovre mountains, and who possesses many castles built of rock and freestone, besides a gold mine, which is better than all, so it is thought, is coming with his two sons, who are both seeking a wife. The old goblin is a true-hearted, honest, old Norwegian graybeard; cheerful and straightforward. I knew him formerly, when we used to drink together to our good fellowship: he came here once to fetch his wife, she is dead now. She was the daughter of the king of the chalk-hills at Moen. They say he took his wife from chalk; I shall be delighted to see him again. It is said that the boys are ill-bred, forward lads, but perhaps that is not quite correct, and they will become better as they grow older. Let me see that you know how to teach them good manners." THE OLD GOBLIN A crown of hardened ice and polished fir-cones. Initial impression: Hard, somewhat dirty ice (sort of like Black Ice); lovely touch of fir. Comes off slightly metallic on me if I huff too hard. Strong but short throw of a few inches. This is a big disappointment, as there tends to be mutual love between the Lab’s cold + fir combos and myself. Later impression (about 30 minutes into the scent): Okay, not so much of a disappointment after all. This is taking the sweet, snowy edge of Ice Queen without having that slight floral about it. Throw has receded to barely an inch though. An hour in:.....where did it go?

CICUTA The Cicuta, also called the Rictus, are least likely to be accepted by human society, and are, sadly, also the least likely to be accepted by other vampires in general. Some vampires have a peculiar adverse reaction to the transference of the vampiric pathogen whereby their physical appearance is drastically altered: They lose their hair, their features become elongated, their eyes protrude, and a permanent and irreversible inflammation of their joints causes stiff movement and a clawlike rigidity in the hands and feet. Cicuta minds function as any other vampire’s, but their appearance is so startlingly different that they find it almost impossible to find any acceptance whatsoever among humans or vampires. Usually these afflicted vampires choose to live in isolation, either on secluded estates or literally underground. Occasionally, small groups of Cicutas can be found cohabitating, finding comfort and companionship with those that share their condition. The Cicuta were parodied somewhat in F. W. Murnau’s 1922 film Nosferatu. Dry, dusty rose petals, candle smoke, frankincense, and saffron. Is it possible to have a non-mettalic, metal undertone? It's as if the rose were a flat rose-pop in the can + baby powder and...that strange thing that BPAL's candle does on me. Stays very, very close to the skin. After a few minutes, the baby powder leaves (thank goodness!) but then it's almost just like Rose Cross, with less metal and a bit of the frankincense pop. Lovely, but not bottle-lovely, since the throw is so weak (though it appears to be developing as the minutes go by). 20 minutes later, it's a lovely and mellow version of Rose Cross. ETA: Er, putting my review in context, BPAL's frankincense is not my friend, and the rose note tends to have a metallic tang that ranges from barely noticeable to eating iron.

SANCTUS The Sanctus are considered by some pious vampires to be the saints of their kind, and from what we have gleaned, they are very likely the stuff of myth. These vampires are paragons that possess impossible, phenomenal powers that defy known physics, including the ability to shift shape, turn into a gaseous form, and command other vampires through will alone. The mythological Sanctus are venerated by some, but we have no evidence whatsoever that they truly exist. Diabolically otherworldly: golden osmanthus, lily of the valley, celestial musk, and frankincense. Most definitely a 'golden' hue to this scent. The musk keeps the scent on the ground. Surprisingly, the lily of the valley doesn't turn into powder (and the metallic reaction is barely noticeable), and the frankincense doesn't go sour or sickly. Strangely, the whole is a sort of airy flower-syrup or flower-jelly. Throw is nothing to brag about at first, then as it dries, the throw lengthens to two or three feet--it's light though, thank goodness. Shockingly feminine, for the art. Unfortunately, beginning to have wafts that are rather reminiscent of mother's air freshener

VESPILLO The Vespillo are dedicated to assisting newly infected vampires in understanding and accepting their condition and learning to live with the challenges that vampires face. Vespillo, like the Transeo, tend to become members of vampire-acceptance movements, pushing for a wider understanding of vampires among the human population. A grounded, earthy scent, evocative of the soul’s finer qualities: patchouli, clove, neroli, night-blooming jasmine, sage, and iris. O.M.G. Patchouli. The way it smells in the bottle, not on me. Lovely earthiness at the bottom (touch of clove) with a juiciness from neroli and iris floating on the top. As it says, earthy in a romantic way--I associate this with a dark, grounded nature without the dirt and bugs other scents like Graveyard Dirt conjure. It stays close to the skin in the beginning, but I find this appropriate, and it's strong within its throw, so not immediately dismissible. As it dries, the throw lengthens to about three feet, yet isn't so strong that it gives me a headache. Win? Yes.

Samhain HG is what I want Samhain to be every year, but isn't. Cidery woods, cold air, and a touch of earthiness, and a touch of coming darkness. We don't get autumn here in Houston, but when I close my eyes with this on, I can imagine it. PS: It smells strangely yummy when mixed with Lilith's hair gloss.

MISERICORDIA The Misericordia, or Tristis, are vampires that are consumed with a longing to regain their lost humanity, some to the point of being driven mad by the desire to be human once more. The shock of their transition into vampirism and the rejection they faced from friends and loved ones was devastating, and it compromises their ability to find solace and comfort. Unlike the Transeo, Misericordia cannot merge into human society, but are relegated by their own grief to the position of outsiders. Their inherent melancholy and morose temperaments make it difficult for them to cultivate relationships with either humans or vampires. Most vampires treat the Misericordia with a fair amount of derision, and they are sometimes hunted by Interfectors who see the perspective of the Misericordia as an affront to their way of thinking. Eons of grief and unending hunger: magnolia, black currant, castoreum accord, lavender, labdanum, amber, rose otto, and opoponax. First is LAVENDER, then the currant and only a faint hint of the sweet powder that amber turns into when it hints my skin. This powder disappears pretty quickly and I'm left mostly with currant. Misericordia is quite strong...I didn't even dab a full drop on my wrist, and I can smell it from my hips (my hand hanging relaxed). It's not a PUNCH at that distance, but it's definitely noticeable at typing distance. Magnolia begins to develop at 15, 20 minutes. A tad too sweet for my taste.

SILENTI The Silenti reject human society completely, and are, quite literally, the living dead. Either due to trauma, sociopathic psychological conditions they possessed while human, or through a desire to embrace this peculiar aesthetic, they adopt many of the stereotypes and trappings of the vampire-as-undead. Some act as monstrous killers, akin to the murderous ways of Interfectors, while others are more peaceable, but no less strange. Most of these vampires choose to live in crypts, haunting graveyards like proverbial ghouls. Many vampire death cults have sprung from the philosophies and writings of Silenti, including the House of Azrael, whose members venerate death itself as the supreme deity and oblivion as heaven. Grave beauty: Spanish moss, lilac, wisteria, myrrh, and olibanum. Very, very floral with a metallic undertone (from the florals) and a touch of sourness that myrrh does to me sometimes.Sourness fades as the scent dries, but SO MUCH METAL. No throw after a few inches, though this fluctuates as time goes on--the moss THROWS

PHILOLOGUS The Philologi are scholars and philosophers that have dedicated themselves to the pursuit of knowledge, utilizing their extended lifespan to further their research. They are usually reclusive, and some were once Transeo that have rejected the bustle of human society in favor of solitude. Ancient books, crackled parchment, faded incense, and candle wax. The softness of old books without the musky smell--I'd imagine soft, clean skin that barely remembers incense. The wax is sweet, as BPAL's wax tends to go on me. Soft and lovely scent that mostly sticks to the skin, yet has random wafts. This vampire spends much of his time in the library, but he took all of today off for me ^_~ so the scent is more of a memory than being IN the bookstacks. Mmmm~

GC version Bright and sparkly--almost as sparkly as Blooddrop's Etoile de Mer. Tangerine give sthis a citrus touch, yet it's not immediately identifiable as itself--I can just tell that there's citrus in there. Bright adn a fruity in a floral way. Guava has been cracked open and is sitting nearby. About 20 minutes in, citrus is gone and it's mostly guava and tonic. Not bad, but meh. Sits on the skin

GC version Getting mostly the first three; it's candied pineapple on me, though the kick of alcohol is more of a fizz here. As it dries, the mandarin comes out with the rum and most of the fizz is gone--it's just sweet liquid (thanks, mandarin >> it's a little too much). Throw starts off strong, but as is dries, throw shrinks back and wafts. more drying and the fruit it like a crushed mixture--less sweetness. Didn't get much passion fruit

Bright ginger ale with orange zest. As it dries, turns into Perrier with a glass of rum next to it

BANANA soaked in grenadine--a lot like the dessert we made. As it dries, switches over to coconut rum entirely. Oh dear, something just turned into crap--need to wash off. This is a really strange, random occurrence.

What is that weird...almond? Googled and yeah, orgeat is "a sweet syrup made from almonds, sugar and rose water or orange-flower water. It was, however, originally made with a barley-almond blend." Well, that makes sense. Almond and orange vitamin water while wet--an inch of throw. AS it dries, I get a sort of floral peach. More of the gel soap I used to have, sadly

Smells very B&BW to me, or like that jelly raspberry soap I once had. It's not bad, but it's impossible to separate it from that image. Throw of about two inches derp speliing

GC edition Immediately: BUBBLEGUM. That backs off and it's very juicy--pomegranate and apricot liquor without its kick. Very light and happy feel though, a ginger nibbling around the edges. Over all not bad, but nothing to go crying home about

7/14/10: Predominantly warm vanilla frosting. I know when I first got it Doc was right up there with the frosting and I loved it, but with age he's receded to the background Boooo

Cough medicine >_>...then wood sort of comes out. Then mosquito repellent. By the way, it *did* repel mosquitoes.

Magazine perfume + touch of dove soap. Good throw though

Incense--the stone stays close to the skin (as the scent does in general)

Note: Aged (cobalt bottle, year u/k) Essentially the same as un-aged on me: DB resin goes sweet and powdery; vanilla is beautiful and just as imagine, but the powder from the resin sort of ruins the lot of it. Gentle throw of the honeyed vanilla

Non-creamy rootbeer (sarsaparilla) is a touch masculine. Strong but short throw of an inch, and it quickly shrinks to the skin

The scent calls me back to my first days of testing BPAL--I'm not sure what it is, but it definitely reminds me of that. This scent is juicy like crushed vine, berry, and florals, yet there's a mysterious, somewhat sinister haze hanging around the edges. It kill me that the rose goes metallic on me, because the rest of the scent is gorgeous and, frankly, just like a wild reverie, but only once it hits my skin, so I can't use a burner or a locket to capture the same fill. Wafting throw of about a foot and a half. As it dries, the throw increases to about two feet, but it's light, like a memory Damn, damn, damn that metal note It's not even the subtle metal that I sometimes get--it's like a mouthful of blood.

Wet: Snow White vibe, without being cloying in its powder. A sweet, white, and meaty in a coconut way As it dries, this princess turns a bit sweeter in a 'pink' way, but overall a nice scent. She keeps her secrets to herself and sits right on the skin. She lasted through the night. Applied about 10 pm, and she was just as strong at 11 a.m. the next day.

Vanilla CT: 653 Vanilla and some sort of sugared flower and berry. A lot like Faith without the metal. would be beautiful, except the vanilla is doing its cloying-powder thing on me