suki

in the bottle: lily, sunflower and musk wet on skin: sunflower and musk duke it out for strongest note. dry down: a bit more cloying and floral than i like, this is a rich, heady sunflower-fueled scent. i get none of the more delicate notes, this is almost exclusively sunflower, with a hint of musk behind it. nothing more. in all: as with L'Autunno, I find that this oil, on it's own, is not something that i find all that impressive or would go out of my way to seek out. However, also as with L'Autunno, the brilliance of layering comes into play here, and i find that when L'Estate and it's counterpart bath oil are engaged together, something wonderful and compelling happens- the floral of the perfume and the sweet resinous aspects of the bath oil combine to make something softly glowing, warm, and yes- Summer-y. total keeper, in it's full set!

in the bottle: apple. apple-y apple, like mulled cider with cinnamon. usually i fear apple notes as they tend to go all Yankee Candle on me, but so far this smalls rather good. wet on skin: the apple has toned down, though not gone away, and the spice had amped just a bit. this is totally autumn at this stage. dry down: a nice mulled spice cider drunk in the pumpkin patch in all it's yummy, smoky glory. in all: a decent daytime autumn scent on it's own, but the magic IS in the layering- for when i smell this scent by itself, it's nice enough, but nothing grand. however, when i have it *along* with the L'Autunno Bath Oil, then *real* magic starts to happen, and the cider apple mixes with the molasses and forms something gorgeous, complex, and magnificent. worth having the set in tact!

wow. the fig in this is *really* strong. i'm also getting the tea note, for sure, but the fig is the boss of this show. those are the only two notes i get from this. i like it, but i sprayed it in my bedroom, and i think this feels too masculine to be a bed scent. the fig and tea mix into something that smells very men's cologne-y to me. it's not bad or anything, but i think i'll like it better for living room scenting. there's something sort of 'clean' and bracing as well, and because of that i have a feeling it will be one i'll favor more in the winter when it's freezing out and the house feels stuffy to me. in all: a good general room scent, though there's nothing about it that strikes me particularly as autumn. if i had to pick a season, i'd say it reads more as spring to me. early spring, like tulips pushing through frost covered ground.

maybe it's just the mood i'm in, but i'm finding that the summer scents are reminding me of fall, and the fall scents are like summer. continuing with this trend, we have the L'Estate Room Spray. First off, i too, share the lamentation that this cannot be used on the skin- it's fabulous. it's the warm, complex amber-mix that i've wanted for forever. that said, i feel thrilled to have this as a room spray. the room in question that i chose was the bathroom. i was really putting this spray to the test, cause i have two kitties and whew boy, you know how THAT goes but it totally came through- it didn't so much coat the bad smells present in the bath-it actually REPLACED them . the main notes i get from this is the two ambers, the vanilla, the sandalwood and the orange. altogether, it just screams "autumn afternoon!" at me. but like i said, i don't mind. in all: i have to say, i've avoided trying the room sprays because i was apprehensive with the idea of spraying perfume into the air. but i will love this bottle til it's gone gone gone and then be sad that i didn't think to get another.

as i noted in another bath oil review-i haven't yet used this in the actual bath, but i frequently go for "off label" uses of bath oil, namely straight on my skin, and also in my hair as a sort of leave-in conditioning treatment, so i feel ok about reviewing this oil from those perspectives: in the bottle: thick, sweet molasses; just a touch of deep resinous patchouli; and a sweet spice that i identify as myrrh. on my skin: the sweetgrass is peeking out now with some skin to warm it up. the molasses has taken a giant step back, which i admit disappoints me somewhat. but overall, it's warmed up to a nice, full late-summer-in-the-barn sort of scent, which is just lovely with me. in all: i'm not sure i'm interested in using this in the bath, to be honest. but i can see putting lots in my hair after a swim at the beach, letting it mix with the sticky saltwater into something glorious and beautiful smelling.

i haven't yet used this in the actual bath, but i frequently go for "off label" uses of bath oil, namely straight on my skin, and also in my hair as a sort of leave-in conditioning treatment, so i feel ok about reviewing this oil from those perspectives: in the bottle: sweet, heavy beeswax absolute. i actually *have* a small bottle of straight beeswax absolute that i got years ago at an herbal apothecary and yes, this smells just like it. it's richer and deeper than a honey smell. more complex, more adult. on my skin: once rubbed into my skin, the beeswax stays solid, but the spicy carnation has bloomed fully. oh, i get passing touches of the peach, but nothing like the way it bloomed on me in Jack- just subtle, passing fancies. The beeswax, the carnation, and some small gobs of honey are the real stars of this show. in all: i will gladly use this in the bath, as a body oil mixed with some sort of base, or straight up in my hair for the full rest of the summer, and likely well into fall. it's just that lovely.

in the imp: yup. golden, resinous amber. wet on skin: more of the same. dry down: a strong, sweet dark amber. in all: perfect for wearing whilst crunching Autumnal leaves underfoot in late-wash afternoon sunshine, crackling log-cabin evening whilst mulling cider, and hot summer nights when you won't wear much more than this.

in the imp: totally delicious, super yummy, buttery pumpkin pie. like, holy smokes. wet on skin: the peach is peeking out, but it's just making the mix sweeter, smelling even more like a yummy Autumnal concoction. dry down: a brief pseudo Yankee Candle phase, but i find that i'm not bothered by it the way i was with, say, Fruitcake. it winds up smelling like a mild, delicious autumn potpourri blend that i'd wear on my body. in all: my first foray into the world of BPAL pumpkin scents- it will NOT be my last.

in the bottle: Snake Oil and yummy, tart berries wet on skin: the Snake Oil tones down to almost nothing at this stage, with the Acai berry really picking up steam. it's totally delicious. dry down: the Snake Oil re-emerges, mixing in a tangy way with the berry. i get no other notes from this. in all: the tart Acai only sticks around for about 25 minutes, then this oil reverts to pure Snake Oil goodness. however, that 25 minutes is so fantastic- and i adore good ol' SO anyway, that this is totally worth getting not just one bottle, but a back up as well- i just know this will get even better with age.

in the bottle: sweet grass and lemon. wet on skin: the lemon has morphed slightly. now it's more like lemon ice! dry down: like eating lemon pie sneakily in your ma and pa's barn. in all: a fabulous summer scent- thank goodness Beth had delusional pregnancy vapors this month and we got *two* wonderful moons!

in the bottle: fermented honey with a kick of sarsparilla. wet on skin: more of the same. and the same? is DELICIOUS dry down: wow. honey-vanilla ferment goodness. in all: TOTAL keeper. *so* glad i got a bottle!

in the imp: yep. rose and pomegranate. wet on skin: pretty equal parts of the above. dry down: the rose has won out. in all: another one for the rose fans among you. i personally feel sad that the pomm has mostly gone, but it's a rather lovely rose.

in the imp: the only way to describe it, is to say, steamed artichokes. with a tiny plate of chocolate on the side. wet on skin: wow. this is just so well blended. it's hard to pick out separate notes. the earthy artichoke scent persists, but is joined by some deep, lush scent that makes it both edible and sacred- this is clearly not for *you* but for a Goddess. dry down: the incense aspect has become much more obvious. i'm also getting touches of tobacco. unfortunately, the deliciousness of the wet stages has mostly faded in all: too bad it faded entirely after 3 minutes. i love Goddess Kali, and sadly, i don't feel this lives up to her name sake.

i thought i might have done a review of this already, but couldn't find myself in this thread. if it turns up, mods, my aopogies. now then: in the imp: sweet peach juice, summer flowers. wet on skin: all peach juice, all the time dry down: peach body wash. in all: this reminds me a lot of the Body Shop's 'fuzzy peach' oil. it's a bit stronger than i would like, but this would be a good one to enable those friends that adore bath-and-bodyworks kind of products. ADDED Jan. 12: in the imp: lavender and something that smell, unfortunately, like cough syrup. wet on skin: cough syrup gaining the upper hand. dry down: it has changed into cough DROPS in all: this doesn't strike me as faery-like in the least. a lemony finish, it's not terrible, but not really etheric, either.

in the imp: leather, smoke, oakmoss. nice! wet on skin: the leather has receded a bit, making this purely smoky oakmoss. dry down: the leather returns, but more subtly. the smoke retains it's smoky glory and the oakmoss lends a slight sweetness to temper the other notes. in all: usually smoke notes just smell like vetiver on me. this retains the smoke without the heavy earth-tone of vetiver. i'd personally layer this oil with something sweet, like Love's Philosophy, for contrast. but either way, it's a keeper, and not just for the BDSM crowd, either ADDED Aug. 31: in the imp: a nice green oakmoss. wet on skin: the leather is coming into the mix- the oakmoss is balancing it nicely, which surprises me a little. dry down: leather dominates (how appropriate! ) and i get only a hint of any floral. the oakmoss has mostly flown the coop. in all: if you like leather as a note, check this out.

in the imp: sweet floral with a brandy under current. wet on skin: heavy jasmine, and a touch of gardenia. dry down: yep. jasmine. in all: i'm not a huge floral fan personally, but this is a lovely jasmine and if you are a fan of this flower, you will likely swoon from this representation of it.

delicious spice, without being over powering or making me worry i'll get a rash. and yes, there *is* a feeling of not wanting to spend money freely, which is SO important for me. i feel good about this purchase, both for it's scent and also for it's intent and purpose.

in the bottle, there is a definite sexy-response, like smelling pheromones of someone you're hot for. it's not like Smut, though. there's something more subtle, and yes, magickal about it. on me, the oil morphed into a baby powder sort of scent, which i'm not really into. the feeling is there, though, so i figure i'll either mix it with something that it'll layer well with, like Love's Philosophy or O and try that out or i'll put it in a burner for ahem...'romantic' interludes. either way, i'm glad this is part of my cabinet of seduction!

in the bottle: pure cocoa, but not absolute. wet on skin: chocolate and apple blossom- but not the yankee-candle-type apple usually turns on me. dry down: chocolate and lavender. in all: this is likely a good one for those who are normally hesitant about foodie scents. light, little throw, a good one for the heat of summer, but not sexy. a 'day' scent.

in the imp: dark chocolate and cherry brandy wet on skin: thick cherry syrup and a hint of coconut suntan lotion dry down: cherry bark cough syrup in all: it's a sweet, slightly spicy formula that lends itself well to those whose skin like the cherry note. on me, it's not so great. :shrug:

in the imp: sweet candy flowers mmmmmm wet on skin: pink magnolias! wow! dry down: sweet lemon drops and...dish soap in all: damn skin chemistry! if only it had retained that beginning part...

in the bottle: sweet hot cinnamon rolls slathered in cream cheese frosting wet on skin: pretty much all cinnamon, like red hots style. dry down: a very mild cinnamon scent, i get nothing else from this, except a strange faint after scent of wet cardboard in all: sadly, my chemistry just ate this up and spit it out into a recycling yard. but i'm glad i got to try it.

in the bottle: the sweet smokiness of Antikytheria Mechanism, all by itself. wet on skin: more of the same, with a dash of leather tossed in. dry down: it has stayed true. in all: if you like Mechanism, check this out, it'll likely make you swoon.

in the bottle: sweet caramel yumminess wet on skin: caramel apple bake with cream on top dry down: a sweet, smoky burnt-sugar and fruit combo. in all: apple usually becomes horrid on me, but this might just be the apple blend for those of us that can't do them!

in the bottle: pine resin and a hint of patchouli wet on skin: the same, with a touch of honey dry down: a smoky leather aspect has taken over. it's the smoke of Fire Eater, tempered with honeyed fruit. the result? sweet without being innocent- and sexy as hell. in all: oh YESSSSS!!!