Diana

Wet, this goes on smelling almost like Jailbait + a plum factory. The plum notes are less sweet than Bordello, and pretty similar to the notes in Red Phoenix, without the cinnamon. Drydown: the bubblegum-sweetness evaporates, leaving more of just the plum scent. It's still sweet, but not as candy-sticky as it was when it was wet. This still reminds me a lot of Red Phoenix without the spicey cassia/cinnamon. The carnation is there, but just as a note I can recognize, and not really describe with any efficacy. It's nice, but not so utterly different than many of the other plum scents I already own. Doesn't mean I will give up my 5mL, though!

This is very aquatic. But strangely, this is one I can wear! It goes on smelling fairly cool and aquatic, with a hint of sweetness & a small hint of something that smells cologne-like in the basenote (maybe a citrus?). It lasts all day, and has descent throw to boot. I really like this, but I have but a wee imp, and tracking down more is difficult.

Wet: very light. slightly powdery & herbal Drydown: Sweet & amazing, but not much throw at all. I think I'm mostly getting the basil note, which smells so good. It's sweet, lightly green, and slightly herbal. I'm only slightly picking up any of the resins, but there is a hint of something powdery in the background, but the notes match well with the basil. I wish this was about 200% stronger; I'd bathe in it. Hell, I might get a bottle to do just that anyway.

Wet: murky, herbal, dark (mmm) Drydown: lightly spicy with a hint of softer ingredients. The rose note in this adds just the right amount of sweetness/lightness, without being super floral. The other notes maintain a deeper, almost woodsy-spiciness. I really like this a lot. It's really well balanced. It's soft without being very girly, and spicy without being uber heavy.

This is one of my most favorite houseplants. It's probably the easiest thing to take care of, and if you're nice to it, every once in a while it will do this: it's known as a "carrion flower", the scientific name is Stapelia gigantea. Description: Well known clustering succulent having deeply ribbed, fat stems 10-20 cm high, toothed along angles, silky olive green and velvety, with gigantic flowers to 20cm or more across, pale yellow with transverse crimson lines, varialbe in color, with forms more reddish, and covered with purplish or crimson hairs; exuding an offensive odor which attracts its chief pollinator - the fly. i've never noticed a stench, though.

thanks! I think I ordered mine from http://logees.com/. =)

In the bottle & Wet: spicy, murky On the skin: Ow! Cinnamon! I get a bit of contact redness in a few places. The other notes are a melange of spices, incences, resins, herbs, and probably a few flowers. I can't really pick anything out other than the cinnamon and a somewhat sharp note that might be frankincense or myrrh, or both. Drydown: This lasts a fairly long time! I love long-lasting scents with good throw. After wearing this, there's a warm, dry, spiced aura around me. I can imagine this would layer amazingly with a leather scent. Verdict: I'm glad to have this one in a bottle. It's really pretty & unusual.

Wet: Fruity... bandaids? No, wait, it's bubblegum + fruit. Drydown: I'm trying to convince myself I don't like this, but every time I take a sniff, I can't be so sure. After a little while, some of the floral notes come out, which are soft & sweet, and there is just a tiny bit of a hint of a resin basenote, that warm, spicy nose-love. There's a wee sharp note of citrus, but it's fairly faint. It keeps getting better the longer it sits on my skin. It's mostly a sweet floral at this stage, and it's really growing on me (WHO AM I??). Later still, the florals pick up a slightly artificial smell. I can't really explain what it is, or name a specific component that could be a culprit. It's an almost "green" note that is kind of throwing it off for me. However, it's mostly undetectable unless I stick my nose right up against my skin. Still, it's not a bad scent. I don't know if I'll need a 5mL right this minute, but it's one to contemplate for later.

Wet: ROSE. something plasticky in the background Drydown: The roses are pretty sharp, and the plastic note is still there, but I don't know if it's the narcissus or the roses. Usually BPAL rose blends work pretty well on me. After a bit, the plastic note dissipates, and this is a rose-rose-rose blend. It smells a lot like tea roses, and it stays a bit sharp. I don't dislike it, but I think I like some of the more complex rose blends a bit better. It is pretty, and if you're a rose lover, you should check it out.

Wet: sweet, sandalwoody blend Drydown: This smells a lot like blend of sweet, almost honeyed (Egyptian?) musk and sandalwood. Why have I gone this long without really trying this blend? Wow. It's a clean, light, fresh scent. The sandalwood is really light, and pretty, without the usual woodsy-spice note to it (which I do like), which just blends so wonderfully with the other mystery notes. I can't really say anything more, other than to repeat "wow" about 76576 times. It's a bit lighter than scents I usually would wear, but it's just so beautiful!

wet: lotus (bubblegum!), very sweet! drydown: The lotus picks up a spicy tang from the amber & sandalwood... an unusual scent. After a bit more time, this becomes predominately more wood/resin, but it retains some of the original sweetness from the lotus. It reminds me of a lighter version of Khajahuro (or however you spell that), without the champaca flowers. I'm really surprised by this. Somehow I've never really tried any of the lotus scents, and I didn't know what to expect. I like the sweetness and the soft floral aspect, mixed with the beautiful resin notes that I often fall for.

Wet: tropical flowers + suntan lotion Drydown: soft, exotic floral bouquet. Still reminds me of suntan lotion, but in my mind that's a good thing. This is so not really me, but I'm finding myself in love with the scent. It becomes a little less "coppertone" and more floral, but the flowers are just so wet and sweet and intoxicating, I can't stop sniffing my arm. It's so pretty! I really want to go to a beach, slather myself with this, dig my toes into the sand, and watch the waves roll in.

Omen: Wet: Earthy, powdery patchouli. It almost smells like there is amber in it. Drydown: Still earthy, but a slight resiny sweetness in the basenote. Nice slightly dirty, dark scent, with just a hint of a soft powdery edge to it. I don't know why I thought I didn't like this. I've had an imp forever, and now that I've had it on for a while, I really like it. This is dark, deep, mysterious scent love. It reminds me a bit of Odin, FWIW. Ultraviolet: Wet: Candied eucalyptus. Medicinal in that "vicks vapo'rub" kind of way, but with a sweetness to it. Drydown: Minty violets--the mint replaces the eucalyptus, and the violets come out more strongly. The neroli adds a weird quality to the scent, keeping it from being as sweet, but it doesn't very long. this smells a lot like C. Howards violet candies, with just a touch of mint. This is really nice. I love sweet violet scents, and I think this will be awesome for summer. Nocnitsa: Wet: sappy, piney fir trees and sweet wood notes Drydown: the pine notes remind me a lot of Skadi & Snow Bunny. As it dries, a really nice, sweet fragrance comes out, almost berry-like. A bit later, it smells almost like berry incense and sweet pine. Wow. I'm in love with this blend! The Raven: Wet: violets + perfumey iris notes Drydown: The violets actually manage to stay stronger than the iris. I have avoided a lot of iris blends because it tends to amp up, become insanely perfumey, and drown out all other notes. After a bit, the musk kicks in and lends a fresh-skin note to the blend, which ends up smelling like I had a recent shower & used a violet shower gel. Very soft & pretty! Pele: Wet: tropical flowers + suntan lotion Drydown: soft, exotic floral bouquet. Still reminds me of suntan lotion, but in my mind that's a good thing. This is so not really me, but I'm finding myself in love with the scent. It becomes a little less "coppertone" and more floral, but the flowers are just so wet and sweet and intoxicating, I can't stop sniffing my arm. It's so pretty! I really want to go to a beach, slather myself with this, dig my toes into the sand, and watch the waves roll in. Black Lotus: wet: lotus (bubblegum!), very sweet! drydown: The lotus picks up a spicy tang from the amber & sandalwood... an unusual scent. After a bit more time, this becomes predominately more wood/resin, but it retains some of the original sweetness from the lotus. It reminds me of a lighter version of Khajahuro (or however you spell that), without the champaca flowers. I'm really surprised by this. Somehow I've never really tried any of the lotus scents, and I didn't know what to expect. I like the sweetness and the soft floral aspect, mixed with the beautiful resin notes that I often fall for. Tushnamatay: Wet: sweet, sandalwoody blend Drydown: This smells a lot like blend of sweet, almost honeyed (Egyptian?) musk and sandalwood. Why have I gone this long without really trying this blend? Wow. It's a clean, light, fresh scent. The sandalwood is really light, and pretty, without the usual woodsy-spice note to it (which I do like), which just blends so wonderfully with the other mystery notes. I can't really say anything more, other than to repeat "wow" about 76576 times. It's a bit lighter than scents I usually would wear, but it's just so beautiful! Pride: Wet: ROSE. something plasticky in the background Drydown: The roses are pretty sharp, and the plastic note is still there, but I don't know if it's the narcissus or the roses. Usually BPAL rose blends work pretty well on me. After a bit, the plastic note dissipates, and this is a rose-rose-rose blend. It smells a lot like tea roses, and it stays a bit sharp. I don't dislike it, but I think I like some of the more complex rose blends a bit better. It is pretty, and if you're a rose lover, you should check it out. Forbidden Fruit: Wet: Fruity... bandaids? No, wait, it's bubblegum + fruit. Drydown: I'm trying to convince myself I don't like this, but every time I take a sniff, I can't be so sure. After a little while, some of the floral notes come out, which are soft & sweet, and there is just a tiny bit of a hint of a resin basenote, that warm, spicy nose-love. There's a wee sharp note of citrus, but it's fairly faint. It keeps getting better the longer it sits on my skin. It's mostly a sweet floral at this stage, and it's really growing on me (WHO AM I??). Later still, the florals pick up a slightly artificial smell. I can't really explain what it is, or name a specific component that could be a culprit. It's an almost "green" note that is kind of throwing it off for me. However, it's mostly undetectable unless I stick my nose right up against my skin. Still, it's not a bad scent. I don't know if I'll need a 5mL right this minute, but it's one to contemplate for later.

Wet: sappy, piney fir trees and sweet wood notes Drydown: the pine notes remind me a lot of Skadi & Snow Bunny. As it dries, a really nice, sweet fragrance comes out, almost berry-like. A bit later, it smells almost like berry incense and sweet pine. Wow. I'm in love with this blend!

Wet: violets + perfumey iris notes Drydown: The violets actually manage to stay stronger than the iris. I have avoided a lot of iris blends because it tends to amp up, become insanely perfumey, and drown out all other notes. After a bit, the musk kicks in and lends a fresh-skin note to the blend, which ends up smelling like I had a recent shower & used a violet shower gel. Very soft & pretty!

Wet: Earthy, powdery patchouli. It almost smells like there is amber in it. Drydown: Still earthy, but a slight resiny sweetness in the basenote. Nice slightly dirty, dark scent, with just a hint of a soft powdery edge to it. I don't know why I thought I didn't like this. I've had an imp forever, and now that I've had it on for a while, I really like it. This is dark, deep, mysterious scent love. It reminds me a bit of Odin, FWIW.

Wet: Candied eucalyptus. Medicinal in that "vicks vapo'rub" kind of way, but with a sweetness to it. Drydown: Minty violets--the mint replaces the eucalyptus, and the violets come out more strongly. The neroli adds a weird quality to the scent, keeping it from being as sweet, but it doesn't very long. this smells a lot like C. Howards violet candies, with just a touch of mint. This is really nice. I love sweet violet scents, and I think this will be awesome for summer.

Wet: rich, heavy, but sweet. Currants + resins = yay Dry: Smells a bit like a darker, heavier relative of Lurid. Sweet, but mysterious. The sweetness of the black currants is strong, but not too overwhelming, and is balanced nicely by the myrrh. The other notes add almost a dusty, dry base to it. For some reason, I thought I didn't or wouldn't like this blend, but this is actually very much a scent I would wear a lot!

Wet: very sharp & astringent; smells like eucalyptus. Dry: the eucaltypus-ish scent fades and becomes more herbal and also a bit medicinal. The bay is an interesting note, but not one i'd want to really smell like. It kind of makes me queasy in this instance.. Then it fades quickly into a very faint-almost-totally-gone scent. I am not a big fan of this blend. Not something I'd really ever wear.

Wet: soap & oil. Dry: This becomes more spicy as it dries; the cinnamon & frankincense start to appear. It still smells fairly soapy, which oddly enough, I think is due to the violets. I usually love violets in almost any blend, but here they are just not my cup of tea. After a while, the sharp soap note fades a bit to a warm, spicy scent, but it's a little bit too astringent-smelling for me. It's a neat scent, just not one I think I'd really get much wear out of. This probably would smell amazing on a guy, FWIW.

Wet: sweet almonds & a bit of jasmine. i really like the wet stage. Dry: The sweet almond fades quite a bit, and the jasmine becomes more prominent. Then it fades into a weak floral, but the sweetness and warmth of the musk & sandalwood remain. I think I'd like this a lot more if it had better throw; this on me is a nose-to-wrist scent. I really really really like the musk, and wish it were stronger. Overall, it's a nice, sweet, pretty blend. It reminds me a bit of Bastet, but a little softer and less "golden" smelling.

Wet: slightly perfumey, can detect orange blossom & patchouli right away. Dry: the scent becomes a bit spicy, possibly from the carnation. the patchouli is warm and slightly woodsy. Sweet & spicy & earthy all at the same time. The spiciness fades a bit, then it is a warm scent with just a hint of the orange blossom fruitiness. I really like this one... it might have to be an eventual 5mL.

Wet: very perfumey-floral. Dry: The floral is bright & sweet; it's almost citrus-like... I think this is magnolia maybe? There are some slightly earthy/mossy notes in the background. After a bit, some of the incense notes come out. They're soft and powdery, quite like the incense notes of Sybaris. They obscure the moss notes, but not enough of the florals, which stay fairly bright. An interesting blend, but a bit too floral for my tastes.

Bliss: This is one of my staples. Goes on smelling like hot cocoa. Really rich & chocolatey. Makes me want to lick myself. It slowly dissipates, but I generally keep a spray of this in my purse for touchups to stay as chocolatey as possible. Ravenous: Wet: Oddly enough, this smelled like leather & bandaids with lemony-citrus notes when I put it on. Drydown: As it dries, the actual patchouli note come through and it smells less like plastic. The red patchouli starts taking on a slighly herbal/slightly spicy tone to it, but it does have a bit of a musty odor to it. The orange blossom receeds quite a bit, adding a bit of a lightness to it, but it isn't sharp at all. I'm not sure if it's something I'd ever need a full 5mL of, since I'm not totally sold on the red patchouli. It's an interesting blend, though, and not too far off of something I'd wear regularly. Crossroads: Wet: very perfumey-floral. Dry: The floral is bright & sweet; it's almost citrus-like... I think this is magnolia maybe? There are some slightly earthy/mossy notes in the background. After a bit, some of the incense notes come out. They're soft and powdery, quite like the incense notes of Sybaris. They obscure the moss notes, but not enough of the florals, which stay fairly bright. An interesting blend, but a bit too floral for my tastes. Salome: Wet: sweet almonds & a bit of jasmine. i really like the wet stage. Dry: The sweet almond fades quite a bit, and the jasmine becomes more prominent. Then it fades into a weak floral, but the sweetness and warmth of the musk & sandalwood remain. I think I'd like this a lot more if it had better throw; this on me is a nose-to-wrist scent. I really really really like the musk, and wish it were stronger. Overall, it's a nice, sweet, pretty blend. It reminds me a bit of Bastet, but a little softer and less "golden" smelling. Nero: Wet: very sharp & astringent; smells like eucalyptus Dry: the eucaltypus-ish scent fades and becomes more herbal and also a bit medicinal. The bay is an interesting note, but not one i'd want to really smell like. Then it fades quickly into nothing. I am not a big fan of this blend. Masquerade: Wet: slightly perfumey, can detect orange blossom & patchouli right away. Dry: the scent becomes a bit spicy, possibly from the carnation. the patchouli is warm and slightly woodsy. Sweet & spicy & earthy all at the same time. The spiciness fades a bit, then it is a warm scent with just a hint of the orange blossom fruitiness. I really like this one... it might have to be an eventual 5mL. Faustus: Wet: soap & oil. Dry: becomes more spicy as it dries; the cinnamon & frankincense start to appear. It still smells fairly soapy, which oddly enough, I think is due to the violets. I usually love violets in almost any blend, but here they are just not my cup of tea. After a while, the sharp soap note fades a bit to a warm, spicy scent, but it's a little bit too astringent-smelling for me. It's a neat scent, just not one I think I'd really get much wear out of. This probably would smell amazing on a guy, FWIW. Masabakes: Wet: rich, heavy, but sweet. Currants + resins = yay Dry: Smells a bit like a relative of Lurid. Sweet, but mysterious. The sweetness of the black currants is strong, but not overwhelming, and is balanced nicely by the myrrh. The other notes add almost a dusty, dry base to it. For some reason, I thought I didn't or wouldn't like this blend, but this is actually very much a scent I would wear a lot!

Wet: Oddly enough, this smelled like leather & bandaids with lemony-citrus notes when I put it on. Drydown: As it dries, the actual patchouli note come through and it smells less like plastic. The red patchouli starts taking on a slighly herbal/slightly spicy tone to it, but it does have a bit of a musty odor to it during the inital drydown. The orange blossom receeds quite a bit, adding a bit of a lightness to it, and it isn't sharp at all. I'm not sure if it's something I'd ever need a full 5mL of, since I'm not totally sold on the red patchouli. It's an interesting blend, though, and not too far off of something I'd wear regularly.