slave1

TIKI QUEEN

In Bottle: Candylike florals

On Skin: Wow, this is very festive and pretty. It is tropical to an extreme. I smell the Monoi de Tahiti right away, and yes, it reminds me of my honeymoon in Tahiti. So, a most delightful memory!!! The vanilla is so sweet and with the coconut provide the most creamy texture. The other florals are strong and lively, nothing delicate here. The musk is clean and soft and helps the florals from being too sharp, as strong florals can be sometimes. This scent is very feminine and very pretty. It feels like a tropical celebration. Overall this blend is very sweet and smells almost bubblegum/candylike to me. It has a strong throw and average to long wearlength.

PHOENIX STEAMWORKS

In Bottle: Clean and airy

On Skin: Wow, this is freaking GORGEOUS! It is so clean, feminine and perfumey. Mechanical Phoenix was much more dirty: oil and tarnished metal. Whereas here, Steamworks is clean, shiny and bright. The incense gives a nice seductive background, and the herbal sage gives it a slightly sharp tone. This scent is very perfumey and very much feminine in my opinion. Like elegant metal, if that’s possible. To me Mechanical Phoenix is the male’s counterpart to this female’s version. I will be wearing this a lot. And the shirt I ordered with it has to be one of the coolest shirts ever. I only wish I had the clockwork scent locket… Strong throw and long wearlength.

GREEN PHOENIX

In Bottle: Fresh and green

On Skin: There is no mistaking the tone here, this scent is green all the way! Yum, it is so refreshing and bring, a beautiful scent. I love the crisp cucumber, the sweet mint, the tart papaya… The grass and sage are herbal and alive, the lime is a nice sour twist. The tea makes it nice and clean, and even warms up the mint and herbal tone a bit. The amber and musk are soft and delicate and keep the scent from being too sharp. This scent is a perfect Spring scent. I feel like playing outside… to me it’s like packaging a little of the outdoors on a nice sunny Spring day in a bottle. It has a pretty low throw, not overwhelming in the slightest. It also wears quite long, slowly fading away after a few hours.

FREDERIC

In Bottle: Dark and masculine

On Skin: The musk in this is dominant, and very, very masculine. The patchouli is second, and sadly it’s the type of patchouli that absolutely hates me. Very dirt like and pungent. The woods are deep and very dry and a bit cedar/cherry like. The tea rose is sharp and sour while the red currant offers a shot of red through an otherwise very dark brown in tone scent. The bay rum is sweet, but I think it’s more in the background, I wouldn’t call this a boozy scent at all, it’s more feral I think, if I had to label it. It is very much Pirate-esque and very much manly. I couldn’t ever imagine a woman wearing this. Overall, not my kind scent of all, but I like the meaning behinds it and it was fun to review. Strong throw and long wearlength.

WHITE PHOENIX

In Bottle: Sugary floral

On Skin: Ok, I know I’m odd, but this scent totally reminds me of the sweet novelty erasers I had as a kid. And that’s a food thing, I thought they smelled better than anything! I would collect them and sit there smelling them all day at school. Now back to the real world… I smell the sweet sugar cane, pure yum and mixed with the lotus root the scent has a candy like quality. The crystal musk is clear yet soft, one of the best musks around. The florals are all very evenly matched and not heavy at all. The sandalwood is also kept in check, sometimes it has a tendency to go soapy on me, but here it’s just a soft woody background note. I’m most happy that the lavender doesn’t amp on me, because it usually does and it’s usually quite sour. But here it blends with the other florals just perfectly. The resinous notes are velvety and deep, taking this scent to a level I love. There is a creaminess to this scent that just melts everything together and makes it one of the calmest and most relaxing scents I’ve ever smelled. The throw is very light and the wearlength is short to average.

MECHANICAL PHOENIX

In Bottle: Dark cologne

On Skin: This is a masculine scent to an extreme. I love how it is warm and cold at the same time. Cold metal but warm from use… Metal is one of my favorite things in the world. I sew metal onto my clothing, braid it into my hair, cover everything I can in it... and this scent completely gives me that same thrill. While it is masculine, it is so intriguing that I know I’d wear it myself. It has the dark motor oil in the back ground, the smell of electricity and a bit of smoke… it smells like metal hard at work. I am so impressed Beth was able to create a scent like this that completely encases that feeling. It’s not pretty and it’s not something I’d wear on a night out on the town, but it’s a scent that is almost like aromatherapy to me since I love metal and the feelings it gives me so much. This is a scent everyone needs to at least sniff, because it is a true work of art. Strong throw to start but mellows out. Fairly long wearlength.

MORT DE CESAR

In Bottle: Musky earth

On Skin: This is so dark… mostly woods and spices… so very earthy and incensey. The resins are very deep, and there is a dirt note. I almost think I smell patchouli but it must be the more planty notes. I don’t smell the blood or grapes… hmm… was looking forward to them. The clove is very strong and the balsam is more woody than pine like. There is a light sweetness to it, but on me it is mostly a very dark, resinous earth scent. Not really me, but I love the intent, description and feel to this blend. Strong throw and long wearlength.

LUPERCI 08

In Bottle: Dirt and resin

On Skin: This is much lighter than the 2006 version. I can actually handle this… The patchouli is the dominant note followed by the herbal and planty notes. Very outdoorsy, very alive. The oakmoss is quite pretty and gives a very light aquatic note. The beeswax is far in the background, just a little sweetness. The musk is dark and primal, a bit animalistic. This scent to me has a dark green feel and is very masculine. As the scent develops, the beeswax and honey come out more and are very yummy! I think I’d actually wear this version, yay! This scent is also much lighter than previous versions. Light to average throw and short wearlength.

RED LANTERN 08

In Bottle: Smoky sweetness

On Skin: First off, I didn’t really love my original bottle of 2006 Red Lantern, but as it aged… well, wow! It turned into smelling like a Mudslide! Yummy! So, I have to say that this years version of Red Lantern starts quite yummy right off. The caramel is again the leader, followed by the smoky opium and tobacco. Very dark, very swarthy, very drop dead sexy. The amber is powdery and light and doed indeed give this scent a golden feel with is tinted reddish purple by the currant. I smell velvet curtains and furniture. The coconut gives the scent a nutty feel with a slight creamy base. The spice gives it an overall exotic vibe. A beautiful scent that I can’t wait to age. Moderate throw and average wearlength.

KHAJURAHO 08

In Bottle: Smoky sweet floral

On Skin: This scent starts out quite strong. It seems more sweet than my bottle of the 06 version. The florals and honey are almost sticky and the rose isn’t as strong as it was in my 06 bottle. The woods are there, very solid and clean. There is a bit of smoky earthiness coming from them. The amber is sweet and powdery and the vanilla blends with it perfectly. I don’t get the green tone like I did in the 06 version, this time around I get a more golden feel, very warm. A seductive feminine scent, very pretty. Strong throw and long wearlength.

SMUT 2008

In Bottle: Sweet musk

On Skin: I love Smut, how could you not? It is so sexy and pretty at the same time. The sugar is so sticky sweet, the booze is heavy fruit and thick and the musk is so inviting and sensuous. Smut is one of my favorite scents to wear to the club because it just smells so damn good and everyone wants to know what it is… and I get to tell them: SMUT! I have my bottles from 2006, and a decant from 2007 and I’d have to say they’re all pretty darn similar. Pure smutty goodness! Strong throw and average to long wearlength.

A FAREWELL TO FALSE LOVE

In Bottle: Lavender

On Skin: Holy lavender BatMan!!! Very, very heavy on the lavender…. This scent is so interesting. First off, it’s not me… but it does intrigue me since it’s unlike any lavender scent I’ve smelled before. The violet does sweeten it a bit, but is pretty dwarfed… The balsam is herbal and adds to the very strong and almost medicinal feel of the scent. The narcissus is regal and proud, a floral not to be wilted… and then somewhere in the background I actually smell something smokey that really darkens the scent. That’s the odd part… but so interesting!! Anyway, a nice scent, just not one I’d wear. Medium throw and pretty long wearlength.

In Bottle: Pine and florals

On Skin: The pine in this scent is sweet and combined with the floral, a very beautiful and bright scent. It’s feminine and strong, not a light scent to me. The vanilla is thick along with the benzoin. The lily of the valley and jasmine are sticky and fully bloomed. The rose is very tart and sour and the juniper berry offers a cold and herbal tone. The scent to me isn’t woody at all, which was a shock since with a title like The Ragged Wood you’d expect a very woody scent. But still, it’s very nice and has an outdoor feel for sure. Strong throw and long wearlength.

TO HELEN

In Bottle: Honey floral

On Skin: The beeswax in this is freaking gorgeous. I love that note. It’s soft and sweet but so warm and like a nuzzle from my kitty. This is such a pretty scent, and it wears nice and close to the skin, a very comforting and snuggle worthy scent. The roses are there, which scared me at first, but the beeswax is so sweet it completely balances them. I don’t smell the ozone, which shocks me because ozone tends to amp on me. The moonflower blends nicely and the amber is powdery and compliments the soft fuzziness of this blend. After about 10 minutes the roses start to get stronger and more sour… darn! Why does rose do this to me? Luckily the scent doesn’t become too overwhelming, but with the amped rose I don’t love it as much anymore. But if I had to wear a rose scent, this would be it since I love the beeswax and amber in it so much. Very feminine by the way… Medium to strong throw and long wearlength.

THE FLOWER SONG

In Bottle: Soft sugared candy

On Skin: Yum! The pomegranate is just slightly tart while the lotus amps a sugary sweetness. The sweetness is not bubblegum though luckily, because lotus almost always turns into pure bubblegum on me. It’s more of a soft powdered sugar. Very pink in tone, not overwhelmingly sweet, it smells like the fine powder left in a package of Sweetarts. After a few minutes, more of a floral tone sets in, though still very sweet. This is a more innocent version of Fruit of Paradise. FoP is very sexy and grown up to me, and also quite festive. The Flower Song is like a sweet treat, very mellow and softspoken. I really love it, and have decided pomegranate is the best fruit note on me next to plum. So beautiful!!! It has a light to medium throw and average to long wearlength.

PARENTALIA

In Bottle: Incense

On Skin: That same almost clove-like incense as is in Valentine of Rome, so I’m thinking it’s the frankincense. The rose is very sour and burns my nose. The cedar is very strong and with the violet rounds out the sweet side of this scent. This scent is very woody and herbal, a natural scent. The rose really kills it for me though, since it’s so sour. Too much of a harsh overall scent here… I do love the background notes, and that there is a soft side. But when it finally warms up on my skin completely the rose is still too much. It has a medium to strong throw and a fairly long wearlength.

VALENTINE OF ROME

In Bottle: Strong incense

On Skin: At first I swear I smell clove. That super intense spice that is metallic. But I don’t see it listed… As it develops, it seems that is the incense, namely the frankincense. The myrrh and blood are dark gold and red, thick murky notes. This scent is so heavy and smoky… it feels like it just weighs me down completely. I feel tired and I feel like I’m carrying some very heavy emotions around. I love the story behind this blend, and feel it has the totally gloomy and morbid tone to it, just like this scent. It’s not a scent I’d wear as a perfume, but I’d love to smell some on my husband since it’s much more masculine. I’d also like to scent a fan with it to get catch whiffs of it here and there… Strong throw and fairly long wearlength.

THE PASSIONATE SHEPHERD TO HIS LOVE

In Bottle: The countryside

On Skin: This smells like a field… the flowers, the grains, the grasses and even the slight animalistic scent of a herd. It’s not really a scent I’d like to smell like, but I like that it’s like smelling a memory. It reminds me of being in England and playing in the fields around Stonehenge and other English country-sides. Very earthy and planty with the slightly sweet clover and spicy carnation. The rose is tart and innocent, the ivy is clean and green. The moss adds the perfect wet and earthy element to the scent. A very interesting blend. Light to medium throw and long wearlength.

HER VOICE

In Bottle: Fresh flowers

On Skin: This is very bright and slightly sour. Like the middle of a big bouquet of flowers. Some are super sweet, some a bit tart, and overall they have that fresh green alive smell. This to me is spring, and all the flowers that are opening in the beginning of the season. Very pretty, very warm and overall healthy and vibrant. I don’t smell each flower on it’s own, I smell the bouquet as a whole which is very nice. It’s feminine for sure and almost motherly. If you are a floral fan, try this scent right away.

SUGAR MOON

In Bottle: Berry and sugar... almost like Sugar Skulll

On Skin: Has the sugary booziness of Sugar Skull but not too fruity... there's more of a skin musk to it. It's gorgeous and sweet! I wish I bought 10 bottles!!! I was worried about the currant since sometimes it goes the way of blackberry on me and turns to cat pee. None of there here thank heavens. The sugar cane is pure yum, the musk is close to the skin and soft, the mahogany is dark yet deep and inviting. The orchid and violet are sweet florals that really give this scent another dimension and keep it from being too foody. I don’t smell the rose, which is fine by me, and the strawberry, currant and blackberry leaf give just the right tint of fruitiness. Dark, yummy sugar love! The throw is sadly light and it fades on me super quick. I must slather!! I love this lunacy!!!!

LONGING

In Bottle: Rose incense

On Skin: This is a masculine, musky, resinous blend with rose as the dominant note. The rose makes it a bit soapy in tone, while the frankincense gives it a very dark and resinous base. The bay rum is boozy yet masculine. The cinnamon is very light, offering just the slightest warm spice. The golden musk indeed brightens the scent, but also gives it a nice soft edge. I am normally not a fan of rose, but I may actually like this on a man. I’d also like to use it as a room spray, it’s quite comforting and gives a feel of security with the manliness it invokes. It has a light to moderate throw and great staying power.

SAPPHICS

In Bottle: Musky resinous sweet yum

On Skin: This scent is drop dead gorgeous. Wow. I love the muskiness of it, like a soft grey skin musk. I feel like I’m swimming in the most delicate and soft bed sheets… The amber and myrrh are so resinous but not darkly so. This scent is very flowy, not heavy or overwhelming. The tonka is sweet, but not sticky or cloying. The balsam offers a clean vibrant note that also lightens the scent. The oakmoss isn’t very dominant, just a background note that brings a little earthiness to the scent. It does have a *slight* hairspray feel to it, but that’s only if you bury your nose into your wrist. If you just smell it as it naturally wafts around you, it’s very pleasant. I’ve seen people compare it to Snake Charmer, but it doesn’t smell like that scent to me in the slightest. SC is so much darker and sticky sweet with resins. This scent is much more airy and light, and grey in feel. I could see this scent on a woman or man, very unisex, but sexy either way. I want more… at least one bottle. It really is one of the sexiest blends I can remember… Low to moderate throw and average wearlength.

LA VITA NUOVA

In Bottle: Light fruits

On Skin: This is so sweet and gentle! The most pretty of the fruity scents I have ever smelled. A very dainty apple, so soft and simple… with the champagne grape bringing a light boozey note. The rose is not overwhelming, it just adds a floral note and I’m happy to say it doesn’t go sharp or sour on me but stays bright and clean. The lemon balm is a bit tart, but again, there’s an underlying sweetness to it. So overall, I’d say this scent is sweet, but not cloying since the tart notes give it just the right contrast. A very white/yellow scent, but pale not vivid. I’m not usually huge on fruit scents, but I do like how fresh this one is. It would also make a lovely room spray. Moderate to strong throw and average to long wearlength.

NIGHT THOUGHTS

In Bottle: Heavy lilac

On Skin: Wow, the lilac here is very dominant, quite heady and sweet. Along with the blue musk I get a pale purple/blue tone from this. The cedar is also sweet and the woodiness offers a nice earthy contrast. The ozone is clean and adds to the pale almost airy feel. The herbs are light and not medicinal or minty. This has the dignified floral feel of Black Moon, so pretty and purely feminine. It is actually a pretty mellow scent, and while it starts quite perfumey it blends into a more close wearing scent. It has a light to medium throw and short to average wearlength.

THE CLOD AND THE PEBBLE

In Bottle: Cedar and patchouli

On Skin: The patchouli is very strong here, and combined with the cedar and sandalwood, this is a very woody scent. The rose is very sour but seems balanced by the deepness of the woods. The nutmeg offers a perfect little spice, and the clove rides along nicely. Clove doesn’t usually work on me, but here it finally doesn’t turn metallic which is good. This scent would make a great incense, and has a smoky warm quality to it. It is quite strong though, a bit much for me personally, but I’d love to scent things with it… like a room spray or something. Very strong throw and long wearlength.