Jump to content
BPAL Madness!

yeahbutnobut

Members
  • Content Count

    11,888
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by yeahbutnobut

  1. yeahbutnobut

    White Moon

    White Moon In the bottle: lilies, lilacs and wisteria. Very beautiful, mournful flowers. Wet on skin: lilac and wisteria now. they are a little sharp but seem to behave on the skin. Dry on skin: mmm, interesting. it's mainly lilac and wisteria me with hints of lily, clear moonflower, and dusty violet. I quite like this. it doesn't seem to be turning soapy or dry on me so far too and the wisteria isn't going nasty on my skin. This brings to mind pale purple and white, it is a very lunar scent indeed. Pure, clean whiteness with a hint of lilac. And yes, it does have a mournful feel to it, and it reminds me of Veil and some of the Funereal Oils. After a while: what the? Now it's gone green! And a sharp green scent as well that I have a feeling may turn to soap. It could be the lily doing this, or the wisteria note turning 'wilted'…it's a very sharp, nose piercing scent and it's taking over the other notes. The sharpness tones down a bit but after that the scent seems to have lost it's complexity. It's just one white, sharp, greenish, slightly powdery flower with a hint of dusty sandalwood/violet and wisteria. I can't make out the other flowers, or the musk. The musk, a light white/blue musk scent, only comes out at the end, but that sharp floral note is still dominant here. Verdict: this smelt really beautiful to begin with, a melancholy yet compassionate blend of soft white and purple flowers, soft and fresh and pure and luminous. It was a lovely, true floral scent with a soft, poetic sadness reminiscent of the Funereal Oils. But then one flower-not sure which-started to become aggressively green and sharp and took over the whole scent. it wasn't very nice at all-it reduced what could have been a promising white floral into something flat, without the complexity it started with. It's a shame because it's got a beautiful label and concept, but the scent doesn't work too well on my skin. I'll probably pass my bottle on to someone else. Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? Maybe I'll keep an imp's worth for scent-locket experimentation. If you like this, try: Veil, Nocturne, The Fox Woman Kuzonoha, Luna, The Moon
  2. yeahbutnobut

    Trick #2

    Trick #2 In the bottle: hmm, this reminds me of one of the Harvest Moons. It's a grainy, fruity, autumnal scent. I smell pomegranate, berries, and pale wood-probably oak, and a 'wheaty' scent. Wet on skin: now the tobacco comes out! And so do the oak, and the pepper, and the pine! Dry on skin: mmm, this is really good stuff1 the tobacco is the strongest note at first, swaggering by with it's smoky dryness, with the fruity, red scent of berries and pomegranate following it. there's the spicy bite of pepper and a lovely woodsy backing of oak with the tiniest touch of vanilla, and a bare whiff of pine needles and patchouli. This is a lovely, dark scent which really smells autumnal to me. After a while: the smoke in here is like that of a bonfire, and there's something here that reminds me of Devil's Night but darker, warmer, less sweet and fruitier, more burnt as well. There are times where I'm worried it may smell too burnt or masculine but it doesn't seem to be, so far. There's a lot more oak now, it's a greenish oaky note too, but not as much vanilla as I expected. The berries and pom are very nice here, adding a fruity touch, and the pepper note is fantastic. Eventually the scent's grainy scent it had when wet returns, along with more pomegranate (and what a lovely pomegranate, so real smelling), and the berries, tobacco and oak, and now, autumn leaves! This smells like the final harvest, the night at the end of all the reaping of fruits and crops, the fallen leaves, and the bonfires lit to bring light and warmth to the lengthening cold nights. Now I smell something almost reminiscent of Hunter Moon to this-I have no idea why but it has the same feel to it. Verdict: this is a fantastic example of a 'non-traditional' autumn scent, in that it doesn't contain the usual notes of pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, cloves etc, but it seems to fit autumn more than any other season. I think it's the combination of smoke from tobacco, with crackles of pepper bringing to mind sparks from a bonfire, with berries, pomegranate and woods and a warm patchouli earthy base binding everything together and a scent of dry leaves scattered all over. It also reminds me of Harvest Moon, but darker-like HM is daytime, and this is night time, the end of the harvest. It seems very fitting for Halloween as well, I think. There's a lovely warmth to it which is gorgeous, like being close to a roasting bonfire on a cold night, with the smells of autumn fruit, woods and foliage all around. It's not one that makes me want to scour Ebay for a second bottle, but I love the feeling this gives and the images it brings up, and the bottle will be kept and cherished. Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? Definitely. I can't wait to see how it ages too. If you like this, try: Harvest Moon, Devil's Night
  3. yeahbutnobut

    I smell a dilemma.

    Usually drama of this kind doesn't affect me so much (it depends on the intensity of course. This is nothing compared to that wank meme ) but because I'm PMSing it's gotten to me more than usual, I admit. I have seen your blog and I admit that it's made me think. I must say that I don't hate you for it, not at all! The internet is a free 'country' so to speak, and blogs are for opinions of all kinds, for getting things off your chest, and not everyone will agree with every opinion out there, that's human nature. I'm still wondering whether to agree with your analysis or not but I personally have had very good dealings with Michele and have had good luck with some of her scents (not everything from H&E is wonderful but the scents that work are fantastic) but if these claims you are true (and seemingly backed up by Beth) maybe I should stay back a bit for a while? But I can't decide. My nose thinks one way, and my brain the other. I'm especially conflicted about the H&E custom scent order-I've spent 30 bucks on it and I was hoping to get scents made for me and to make them public. Now I'm a little uneasy about it even though the concept is so promising...I don't think I can get a refund but do I even want one?
  4. yeahbutnobut

    Bitch

    Bitch In the imp: a sharp green scent reminiscent of either an evergreen note or a herbal note. Could be a sage-clary sage maybe? Wet on skin: a strange ‘herbal infusion’ scent with a hint of fermented fruit. Dry: hmm, unusual but not bad. I now think there may be some camomile here, as this smells like a herbal tea of sorts. Yeah, definitely camomile. I also get a greenish note which may be clary sage, which apparently is a good pre-menstrual herb. Someone said palmarosa…I can’t remember what it smells but I think that’s the lemon-green-rose like note I’m getting. There’s something reminiscent of Hemlock in here as well. I don’t get geranium though-if it’s in there, it’s hidden under everything else. But this smells like one of those ‘woman’s tea’ herbal infusions, a really medicinal scent in the herbal, non-chemical way. It also smells a little like fermenting fruits. After a while: there are times when this scent veers close to rotting fruits on me, but thankfully doesn’t actually smell like it’s gone off. I don’t know what causes this scent but I’ve noticed it in other BPALs. There’s now also a strong pine like scent, or fir, something reminiscent of winter forests, along with camomile and grasses and fruit and wine. It smells like that for an hour but then regains a camomile tea scent. I’m amazed at how much this smells like herbal tea, and I’m sure I also smell a hint of honey now, but this quickly fades. Then I smell rosemary. Verdict: scent wise, I’m not sure I’d wear this as perfume. It smells like herbal tea and herbal remedies, like an infusion of camomile and sage and other mystery herbs, like a traditional remedy for that time of month. It turned to fermenting fruit and pine on me though, which was odd…but then turned back into herbal tea, which is very pleasant. The overripe fruit bits I wasn’t sure about. However, I think this has caused a real personality change. Despite the monthly miseries I usually get, this stuff seemed to get me out of the normal antisocial mood I get at this time, and I was very friendly to my other flatmates when usually I would stay in my room away from others. So it seems to work with effect, I’ll have to test this stuff on cramps. I don’t need a bottle because I think the chocolate scents are better premenstrual cures but for effects, it seems to work. Emoticon rating: for scent, for effect Is it a keeper? I’ll keep the decant.
  5. yeahbutnobut

    The Isles of Demons

    The Isles of Demons In the imp: juniper and pine! This smells a bit like Black Forest, actually. Wet on skin: deep green and evergreen scents with a sweet black musk. Dry: interesting. This is a mix of evergreens and traditional winter forest notes, pine and juniper and fir, with some other greenery which seems a little more damp and deep and almost jungle like but not quite. Maybe it shouldn’t surprise me that the scent isn’t as tropical as I thought it would be-these isles are in Newfoundland after all. It’s a lot cooler than I expected as well, misty and damp but cool. There’s a weird scent in the background that’s not sulphurous but it is almost burnt and smoky and weird, could be ‘volcanic gas’, and it’s unlike any smoke note I’m used to…I’m not sure I’m keen on it as it smells almost chemical/medicinal/antiseptic on me. This scent even reminds me slightly of Vinland. The black musk is barely detectable now. After a while: huh? Where have the green plants and evergreens gone? In just 10 minutes of wear, the unusual complexity fades leaving on my skin the scent of…plastic toys. Yes. Not the scented dolls that smell of strawberries or whatever, but plain plastic. It smells like something I used to play with in childhood but I can’t remember what. Possibly a doll of some kind. It’s a smell that also reminds me of some kind of glue, and also the smell of certain clean offices, possibly the type of cleaning products used to clean offices mingled with the smell of photocopier. There’s a bare hint of freshness and sweetness lingering. But it pretty much smells just of plastic toys, and I’m not keen on that. The plastic still lingers after a couple of hours but I do get a soft, light musk coming through. It’s not dark black musk, though it does remind me of Mad Hatter’s musk a bit, but it smells light and smooth. After a few hours, I’m torn…because the musk is so pretty from a distance, I’m getting a lovely white musk throw but the plastic scent lingers close to the wrist. And then who should pop up just before the scent departs? It’s our good friend vetiver! Except that doesn’t seem to improve things, it just means the scent will stick to my wrist for days. Verdict: out of the three ‘unusual, conceptual Phantom Isles’ (the other two being Jezirat and Kumari-they seem to fit into this strange little threesome, in my head), this is my least favourite. After a glorious start of fresh evergreens, damp leaves and black musk, it then turns to plastic on me-smelling just like plastic dolls. It reminds me of some kind of doll I had when I was little, and sure such a scent is a good childhood memory but plastic isn’t something I want to smell like, especially in a scent that should smell like a prehistoric island. There’s a pretty musk scent that pops up but the plastic doesn’t budge. A shame really. This could be a locket scent but for now I’m swapping it. Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? No. If you like this, try: Kumari Kandam, Jezirat Al Tennyn, Vinland, Black Forest
  6. yeahbutnobut

    Pontarlier

    Pontarlier In the imp: a green note that may be fern, lilac and herbal lavender…an almost grassy herbal scent. Wet on skin: so pretty! This is a ‘wet springtime greenery’ scent, and another one of those scents that reminds me of florist’s shops. Dry: now the roses and sugared absinthe (very pretty and definitely reminiscent of La Fee Verte) come out with a fruity tart scent of blackcurrant underneath, and the wet greenery, lavender and lilac in the middle. This is a gorgeously springy scent of flowers, herbs and leaves with a fresh clear and cool note running through it like a mountain stream. After a while: the lilac note becomes stronger now, but something about it now smells a little off on my skin, like wilted lilacs. The greenery isn’t as fresh as it was before as well. The absinthe hasn’t turned soapy yet, which is good. The odd thing about this is that the lilac and green notes don’t smell too pleasant when my wrist is far away from my nose, but close up the lilac smells very pretty, with sugared absinthe and rose. Eventually the scent becomes a dry lilac scent and wilted flowers scent, not as gorgeous as the wet stage. And it’s faint. Verdict: the wet/just dry stage of this scent is so lovely, a fresh spring scent of greenery and watery freshness with lilacs, lavender, roses, currants and even a little hint of the green fairy flitting through the scent trailing her sugared absinthe scented fairy dust…but it’s not as nice after an hour when the lilac note smells a little bit wilted and not as fresh and lively as before. I think lilac has to be well grounded by richer, deeper notes (like amber, musk, wood etc) in order for it to work in BPAL, on me, and in here the green notes turn sour and the scent fades fast after that. This could be one I might use in a scent locket for the gorgeous and evocative wet stage, but I think I might swap this. Emoticon rating: at first, then Is it a keeper? Not for my skin, but maybe a potential ‘locket scent’. If you like this, try: La Fee Verte, Absinthe, Les Fleurs Du Mal
  7. yeahbutnobut

    Where is this scent?

    It's most probably O (as in the letter O), which is in Love Potions.
  8. yeahbutnobut

    Madrid

    Madrid In the imp: sweet, almost sugared/honeyed red wine. Sweet wine, almost like grape juice. Wet on skin: sweet wine with a hint of clove…almost mulled wine! Dry on skin: mmm, I like it. the wine note here is sweeter and less boozy than other wine notes (Wanda and Lilith) but I love what the clove's doing to it, giving it an almost festive mulled feel. I smell a lovely mimosa note as well, all pollen-y and yellow, and quite dry…reminds me of another mimosa perfume (non-BPAL) I've smelt. After a while: it's mainly sweet red wine and mimosa now, with just a hint of clove. It's very sweet, deep and it's also quite dry too, thanks to the mimosa. It's a nice contrasting scent of deep red clove-wine and sunny mimosa blossoms. This does seem to fade fast though, leaving a faint trace of mimosa and wine on the skin. Verdict: this was such a pleasant surprise. I've been looking for a good mimosa scent from BPAL and this is it. The mimosa in here is like it should be-a sunny, soft, almost dusty-pollen like scent which is very springy to me (I don't get any pee reactions with mimosa-cat pee or otherwise). It contrasts nicely with a sweet, thick (but not too boozy) red wine note that is spiced with clove, almost like cinnamon-less mulled wine. It's an unusual contrast that works very well. The wine isn't as alcoholic as I'd hoped but it's very nice and not sour on me. Not a favourite but one that I like enough to keep the imp of. Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? Might be. Not a favourite but it's very pleasant and my favourite mimosa scent. If you like this, try: Blood Rose, Lilith, Athens, Tum, Succubus, Masabakes
  9. yeahbutnobut

    Jezirat Al Tennyn

    Jezirat Al Tennyn In the imp: faint, but it smells cool and mineral, with smoke and water… Wet on skin: cool and watery but with a peppery woodsmoke scent. There's a little hint of something almost like gardenia here too, and a pale mint note. Dry on skin: what an intriguing scent! Very unusual indeed-there's something ozone-minty-watery to it which reminds me of Nuclear Winter, but there's a load of spicy smoke wafting over the top of it…it's peppery smoke, a definite scent of burning but it's actually quite pleasant. There's a eucalyptus-mint scent which, with the ozone, gives the effect of a cool wind, and a mineral note which reminds me of damp caves. There's also a sweet and floral tone to it as well, a hint of something like gardenia, the remnants of the 'primordial paradise' maybe? It's like a huge disaster is ready to ruin the paradise with fire, wind and water... After a while: the aquatic sweet floral note, which now smells less like gardenia and more like lily, is slightly reminiscent of Ulalume now…but with peppery woodsmoke. There's still dampness and wet rocks and cool breezes here. It smells like a damp autumn day with exotic flowers and bonfires. It's surprisingly subtle and pretty. This eventually fades to a very pleasant freshwater aquatic-floral with sweetness and smoke with a slight ashy-dusty undertone and a hint of something autumnal. Verdict: this is an unusual yet very wearable scent, strange and surprisingly gentle on my skin. this scent captures all the elements in one-smoky, fiery and spicy notes, that mineral note reminiscent of wet rocks, cold sweet water and chilly breezes, with a floral heart. At first it's like all the elements are blasting over the flowers and I was expecting the scent to become quite apocalyptic or disaster-like in feel. It actually softens to a lovely watery floral with tinges of smoke and wet stone and ashes, and a scent reminiscent of autumn rain falling on lilies and dry leaves and rocks. It actually reminds me of Ulalume with added smoke and with less wood and leaves. It's faint on me compared with Kumari Kandam which had tons of throw. I don't need a bottle but I do like it-very strange and wonderfully conceptual but also very nice as perfume! Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? Maybe. I do prefer Kumari Kandam but I'm surprised at how wearable this is. If you like this, try: Kumari Kandam, Ulalume (non-wintergreen version), R'lyeh, Olokun, Black Opal, Cloister Graveyard
  10. yeahbutnobut

    Vieux Carre

    Vieux Carre In the imp: mossy, dewy roses. I smell the moss note from Bayou in here. Wet on skin: mossy roses and a hint of jasmine. Dry: hmm, this is very pretty. It’s a floral garden surrounded by damp moss. the moss note is the one from Bayou (appropriate for a New Orleans themed scent), I think it’s Spanish moss, very different to oak moss, to me it smells strong and wet and green and lichen-like, but with the powdery ‘verdigris’ undertone characteristic of all moss notes. This moss cloaks fragrant blooms of rose and jasmine. After a while: the moss note strengthens and becomes more powdery-green, I can smell some jasmine, the kind that sometimes smells wilted on me, but the moss prevents that from happening. The scent gets mossier and mossier over time. Verdict: this is a floral version of Bayou on my skin. Loads of Spanish moss with hints of rose and jasmine. Wet, green, misty, muggy, but not as oppressive as Bayou. This does smell like a garden in deep swampy land, I can smell heat and humidity here. This reminds me of Zombi as well, it has the same decaying feel to it but without soil. The rose is pretty while it lasts but eventually the scent is covered with overgrown moss, this note really amps on my skin in here. I like it but there’s too much moss, not enough flowers. I’m not sure if I’ll get more if it will be released or if it will be like Val Sans, Decadence etc, a scent that probably won’t go public, but I’m glad I got to try this rare scent. Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? I’m not sure. I like it but it’s not my favourite rose/garden scent.
  11. yeahbutnobut

    The Coiled Serpent

    The Coiled Serpent A potent yogic oil that stimulates the kundalini, provokes spiritual awakening, and releases the energy seated in your root chakra. In the imp: whoa, patchouli! There’s a huge amount of patch in here, more than in any other BPAL, in fact. Wet on skin: now I can smell sandalwood, a really strong, incense like sandalwood, rising up to greet the patchouli. Dry: mmm, I like this. This definitely smells like good quality Indian incense, with it’s strong patchouli and spicy sandalwood. It smells like hippies, but in the best way possible. It reminds me very slightly of Anne Bonny but without frankincense, and the sandalwood is of a lighter, spicier, more incense like variety than the dark, woody note in AB, and I think I can smell nag champa (or champaca, as it smells quite floral in here) in here as well. After a while: the spicy champa scent tones down and the scent becomes patchouli and sandalwood, smoothing out. Oh boy, the patch in here is strong. This really does smell like hippie juice (which isn’t a bad thing, to me). Eventually this scent becomes almost all patchouli, with the lightest brush of sandalwood. possibly a hint of polished cedar. I do get a feel of headshops and wooden chests which held patchouli incense from here. Verdict: this is the most patchouli-ed scent in all of BPAL so far. Usually Beth’s patch is very understated, an earthy base note which grounds a scent without being dominant, but in here it is very strong-this isn’t for the patchouli haters! Along with this powerful patch is a gorgeous spiced sandalwood and a hint of nag champa, and the scent has a definite Indian feel to it, like incense, it seems very fitting for yoga. I do like it’s fragrance though, very mystical and deep, and indeed, quite hippy-ish. Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? Yes, but just the imp. If you like this, try: Anne Bonny, Kathmandu, Sri Lanka, Urd
  12. yeahbutnobut

    Ladon

    Ladon In the imp: crisp sweet apple and dragon’s blood. Wet on skin: green apples, hyacinth, and a lilac-like dragon’s blood note. Dry: this is very pretty! There’s a gorgeous apple note here, a crisp green apple, not too sweet but not too tart and cider-y either. The hyacinth is there as well, adding it’s springlike feel. The dragon’s blood makes the scent smell a little bit like lilacs, but it also has its telltale red resinous clarity. The dragon’s blood is surprisingly strong, actually. This scent is very springy to me. After a while: eventually the white musk comes out and starts to soften the scent. the apple now smells like apple blossom, the dragon’s blood isn’t as strong, and now I smell a gorgeous hyacinth note wrapped up in soft white musk with hints of apple and DB still hanging around. It’s a very unusual scent but I quite like it. Verdict: this is the springtime equivalent of the Hesperides (which is apt) which smelt quite autumnal to me, this one is more floral and smells like spring, but with the dark bite of dragon’s blood, adding it’s red touch to the scent. There’s a lovely apple note here, with notes of hyacinth and lilac dancing through, all reddened by the DB. This is reminiscent of the softer Dragon scents, like Dragon’s Eye and Dragon’s Tears, softly floral and not too intense, not dark at all. The drydown is an unusual mix of creamed apple and white musk, with a gorgeous hyacinth note and DB…a strange but oddly pleasant scent. I like this but it’s not my favourite dragon’s blood scents-that position still goes to Dragon’s Musk. But this is a very unique and interesting fragrance, as are most DB scents. Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? Not sure. If you like this, try: The Hesperides, Dragon’s Eye, Dragon’s Tears
  13. yeahbutnobut

    Kumari Kandam

    Kumari Kandam In the imp: a more ozone-citrus-aquatic variant of the Snow Bunny/Skadi ‘snow’ note, with something warm underneath. Wet on skin: the hothouse blooms and something akin to jungle greenery come out underneath the pine-menthol-ozone frostiness. Dry: now it starts to remind me of Ice Queen! This is really interesting…I can smell a smooth and powdery stony scent-the mineral note from Black Opal-in here as well. This reminds me of Ice Queen meets Snow Moon, with Black Opal and some jungle plants added to it…and also a hint of sweet resin and smoke. This scent is both hot and humid and also icy cold at the same time, which is really unusual. After a while: this seems to stay the same, I think it warms up though and loses it’s citrus sharpness. I smell more of the stone and clay now, and the aquatics still retain their frosty scent but that seems to have melted now-the aquatic note in here is very good on my skin, not turning soapy at all! I still smell the floral greenery and there’s a little bit of smoke wafting over the scent…and I swear that I can smell the tiniest hint of vetiver. There’s also something almost sweet and lightly musky here. Verdict: one of the most unusual, complex, and interesting scents ever. I agree that this is a conceptual scent, like a masterpiece of modern art, not traditional at all. There’s almost a feel of Chaos Theory about it, mixing together mineral notes (yes…I’m amazed at how Beth can make scents with mineral notes!) and icy aquatics with jungle greens and flowers, a dash of incense smoke on the top and vetiver at the base…it shouldn’t work, but it does. It also smells like Ice Queen has gone on holiday to an exotic island of rainforests and caves and has frozen it, a paradise now glaciated…a scent of contrasts and complexities but also a stunning perfume which will make heads turn. All in all, a fascinating fragrance. Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? Yes. I might get a bottle when I run out of Ice Queen. If you like this, try: Black Opal, Cloister Graveyard in the Snow, Death of the Gravedigger, Snow Bunny, Snow Moon, Dublin, Nuclear Winter
  14. yeahbutnobut

    Yay for y00ltide!

    Again, my paypal falls victim to the fragrant black hole that is Beth's ingenuity. Here's a little analysis of the scents offered today, what I got, what I want, what I might want in small doses etc: I bought: 13 (revisited) cocoa and vanilla beans, Mysore sandalwood, star fruit, orange rind, red amber, fig leaf, mimosa, rooibos tea, bourbon geranium, rose otto, nutmeg, and lavender. I hoped that I would avoid 13 if it was the same white choc orange scent (which I love, but I don't need more for now) but then Beth unleashes something that tops it. I love cocoa, vanilla, sandalwood, amber (red amber's a new one-I need to try H&E's version too), rose, nutmeg and bourbon geranium...and I'd love to see what Beth's starfruit and rooibos notes are like. And how all these notes mesh together in this scent! SOL INVICTUS -- A radiant blend of solar oils: golden amber, saffron, heliotrope, hibiscus, citron, frangipani, frankincense, tangerine, mock orange, and orange blossom. Oh yes! I want to smell like a pagan sun-god on December 25 (that's where the date for Xmas originates, after all). I'm also hoping this would be what I hoped Et Lux Fuit was on me. It shares some components but hopefully the tropical florals and the saffron and frankincense will make it richer, warmer and lovelier than ELF was on me. I'm also reminded of Ra, which I love. This looks ideal for anyone who may get SAD in winter, I don't suffer from it too badly but the long nights-and the cold-sometimes give me winter blues, this is the perfect cure. YULE -- It is Yule, and the Holly King has slain the Oak: blood red holly berry, mistletoe, wild thyme, verbena, cinquefoil, hemp, winter rose, evergreen, frankincense, juniper, and myrrh. I'm collecting the pagan sabbat oils (well, the ones that are easy to acquire as bottles!) and this sounds gorgeous, wonderful, evocative...I wonder if it will be the scent opposite of Litha? (They do share some notes...) Not sure what holly berry, cinquefoil and mistletoe smell like but the other ingredients are pretty awesome. This sounds like an amazing mix of evergreen forest scents, resins, herbs and rose. This looks even better than Yuletide, which smelt like a Yankee Candle on me. LILIUM INTER SPINAS --Hibiscus syriacus, white sandalwood, lily of the valley, apple blossom, and green fig. I have no idea what the hibiscus note is like but I'm curious...LotV can go soapy, apple blossom is so-so, green fig can be sharp, but this could go either way-the poem is beautiful as well...so I got an imp. HORREUR SYMPATHIQUE -- blood musk, golden honey, thick black wine, champagne grapes, tobacco flower, plum blossom, tonka bean, oakmoss, carnation, benzoin, opoponax, and sugar cane. Holy shit, this sounds magnificent! Look at all these wonderful notes-blood musk, honey, wine, champagne, tonka, carnation, resins, sugar...this looks like one of those amazing complex and fantastic BPALs, reminiscent of the Masque or Sed Non Satiata...I just had to get an imp. Should have got a bottle. LOVE-LIES-BLEEDING -- The velvet flower. A lush, thick, luxuriant bloom, bold and red. Ditto Devil's Claw, but the name is gorgeous. I used to call those plants 'monkey tails' when I was little. The real name is much more evocative. But what will it smell like-blood? Something fuzzy, perhaps? Imp. THE TEMPTATION -- attar of rose, calla lily, palmarosa, peach blossom, wisteria, rice flower, and black musk. This sounds like a fascinating floral-I'm intrigued by the rice flower. Not sure about wisteria (can go off on me) but the other ingredients are promising-love rose, peach and black musk. Imp. MANIA -- Screeching white musk collides with a howl of red musk, with sharp white grapefruit and pale strawberry leaf. Musks! I adore red and white musks. I've never smelt strawberry leaf, would be interesting to see if it smells like greenish strawberries...but the musks! I'd love to see how the grapefruit comes into it as well. Imp. HALÔA -- Wine grapes, myrrh, frankincense and olive leaf, and the warm scent of offertory cakes. CAKE!!! The description reminds me of All Souls with wine, or Cockaigne with resins, which sounds so delightful. mmm. But the olive leaf worries me-does it smell like olives? I think it did in Alecto, but I love Tzadikim Nistarim, which has olive but doesn't smell of it. I've bought a bottle because...CAKE!! Will get eventually: BLACK LILY -- Breathtaking darkness, a vision of grace in shadow. I've tried the prototype and I'm torn, because it veers from stunningly beautiful to metallic and weird on my skin. It's a 'locket scent', for me. I might try an imp of this to see if it's changed. DEVIL'S CLAW -- A yellow-bright and smoky brown-black scent, horned, pronged and strange. I have no idea what this will smell like. Brown and yellow? Smoky? I have no clue, will wait for reveiws. Maybe imp. SLOBBERING PINE -- Dewy, wet, whiplike and sticky. Hmm, the name's great and a little bit gross, but if it smells like pine resin...I love the smell of pine sap. It's messy, sticky stuff but it smells gooooood, not Xmassy or disinfectant-y at all. THE REAPER AND THE FLOWERS -- A funereal bouquet laid on cemetery grass: longiflorum lilies, white rose, chrysanthemum, and carnation. This reminds me of Santa Muerte and Sepulchre, which I quite like. Very flowery and traditional, maybe a bit mournful, but it could be beautiful. Maybe an imp. And now for y00ltide goodness!!! BLACK ICE -- Lovely, dangerous, slick, and bitterly cold: chilly white sleet-like notes with a hint of vetiver, a breath of smoky asphalt, and winter wind Asphalt? I don't really like the idea of smelling of asphalt...and vetiver can be scary at times. The icy and windy notes sound so interesting though...Beth is amazing at conjuring up weather scents, despite me not getting on with storm ozones or seaspray, they are still so evocative. Decant. THE DARKLING THRUSH -- Snow, darkness, and icy air illuminated by the thrush’s song: warm amber, soft orris, and melancholy violet. This sounds beautiful. Snowy and wintery airy notes? Yum. Amber? Oh yeah. I quite like orris and violet too. Decant for now, but it sounds promising. HERR DROSSELMEYER 2006 -- Pipe smoke, sweet leather, woods and linen. Tried it last year, think it's ok but don't need more. Too manly and smoky-in a nice way, but not on my skin. JACOB'S LADDER 2006 --The meeting of Heaven and Earth: golden amber, galbanum, benzoin, ambrette, rockrose, costus and tonka. I adore this scent, maybe I'll get more? I already have two 05 bottles, but I might want to see if this has changed. JÓLASVEINAR -- Their scent is a mishmash of snow, dirt, Icelandic moss, marsh felwort, and the smushed petals of buttercups and moorland spotted orchids, with the barest hint of the scent of pilfered Christmas pastries. I like snow, dirt and moss, have no idea what marsh felwort, moorland spotted orchids or buttercups (well, vaguely) smell like but previews say this smells like a real Xmas tree, with soil. But it's the Christmas pastries that grab me. To me, that means MINCE PIES!!! If this has even a slight mince pies scent to it, I'll need more, but for now, it's a decant. KNECHT RUPRECHT -- The snow-covered foliage of the Black Forest and the fruit and woods of apple and almond trees. I wonder if this will smell like Black Forest+snowy notes? Or maybe BF sans musk, but with snow in it's place? If so, this sounds really interesting with apples and almonds...decant. KRAMPUS -- Sinister red musk, black leather, dusty rags, and wooden switches. Oh, this sounds so fun! Like Spanked for 06! I'm not sure about the dusty rags though-but red musk and leather, like Loviatar! Decant, maybe bottle. LICK IT AGAIN -- Every holiday season should be full of lewd suggestions and filthy double entendres, right? This is a new take on last year’s Lick It – a peppermint candy cane with an extra jolt of sugar. I adore Lick It, have 2 bottles, love it's minty coolness and it's vanilla-musk drydown. But if this is a new formulation with more sugar...I might need to get this too! MIDNIGHT MASS 2006 -- see Jacob's Ladder 06. THE SNOW MAIDEN -- Ylang ylang, osmanthus, spring berries, and daffodil cloaked in hoarfrost. Not sure what hoarfrost smells like (cold, obviously) but the floral/berry/daffodil notes look gorgeous. This scent sounds beautiful and ethereal, delicate and icy, and I need to add more to my 'snow' collection, but it's a decant for now. SNOW-FLAKES -- The radiance and desolation of winter. A vague description huh? I have no idea if this snowy scent will be like the Skadi/Snow Moon/Bunny snow, Snow White snow, Cloister Graveyard/Ice Queen snow, or something completely different...I'm intrigued though, plus it's another one for my snow collection. Decant. STARDUST 2006 -- This scent reflects the futurism, self-indulgence and excess of the Glitter 70’s: champagne, hyacinth, tuberose, ylang ylang and flashing white musk with jonquil, tobacco flower, white sandalwood and a pale poppy. See Jacob's Ladder 06. THE WINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT -- Embrace your villainy: balsam, myrrh, mandarin orange, bitter clove, artemesia, rosewood, nutmeg, dark musk, smoke and cypress. This sounds very interesting. I love myrrh, orange, clove, nutmeg and smoke, have no idea about artemisia, the other notes sound good, but this may be a little masculine. Decant. This was a spectacular update of course-lots more ice and snow than expected, none of the old faves back (well, some of the 05 faves are there) but a very interesting direction for Beth to go in...I don't know if there'll be a Yule part 2, would be cool if that was the case though.
  15. yeahbutnobut

    Lucy Westenra

    Lucy Westenra In the imp: a sweet orange-white floral-rose with a hint of smoke. Smells like Three Brides, but less resinous/sweet. Wet on skin: whoa, this is gorgeous. Rich sweet flowers with white musk and sugared orange! Dry on skin: this is beautiful! A full bodied and feminine scent, this is a mix of heady but gorgeous floral notes (magnolia, rose, jasmine, powdery iris as well) with a fabulous and very true blood orange-it smells like blood orange juice. The white musk lifts the scent fantastically and binds everything together, and I can just about make out the frankincense. There's also a sweetness to it all. After a while: eventually the paler florals and white musk tone down a little, and something deeper comes through. I now smell more of the frankincense, the rose, and a smokiness which may be tobacco flower. There's still that fantastic blood orange (one of the few citrus notes that sticks around for a long time), and the sweet white musk and other flowers, but now there's an even balance of the darker and lighter notes. This is so good. There's something about this scent as well which is almost incense like, with an almost opium-like feel, or even something nag-champa-ish, but not quite. Maybe it's frankincense-wow, I love this note anyway but it's doing amazing things in here. There's also the red rose and musk and iris which have all teamed up to form a sumptuous and velvety base to the scent. And the blood orange is still there. After about 4 hours…wow, the blood orange is still sticking around! And the frankincense has got stronger. The white musk and paler florals still stick around as well, but the 'velvet' feel of this scent, made red by the rose, is even more apparent. I get just a tinge of jasmine, a very good jasmine note which isn't turning harshly green at all. There are also times when I smell something almost like Alice...this is Alice's evil sister, it seems. Verdict: this is competing with Three Brides and the Haunted Palace as the best 'opulent, feminine, rose-based complex citrus floral and resinous' scent. In fact, this may become my favourite rose scent. Though this does fall in the same category as Three Brides etc, it is completely unique-I love these very different, 'like no other' fragrances that Beth is coming up with now. Lucy is a stunning heady floral blend with a sharp, juicy bite of blood orange, the almost powdered smoothness of white musk and the slight smoke of tobacco (flower) and frankincense. This scent brings to mind crushed red velvet, deep and luxurious, with incense, oranges and flowers over it. The blood orange stays for an insane amount of time for a citrus note (no bad thing, blood orange is the best orange note of all) and the frankincense just adds the most fantastic, almost hypnotic incense scent. This just gets better and smoother with wear and I have a feeling this is going to age very well. Beautiful, beautiful stuff. Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? I'm keeping the bottle, and want more. If you like this, try: Three Brides, Haunted Palace, Love in the Asylum, Rose Cross, All Saints, Moscow, Lucy's Kiss
  16. yeahbutnobut

    Kindly Moon

    Kindly Moon In the imp: a beautiful fresh and fruity-floral scent. This smells gorgeous. Wet on skin: yay, the gardenia doesn't seem to be going off on my skin! instead, the peach note comes out and the fruity-floral scent deepens. Dry on skin: this is beautiful. Such a compassionate, gentle, warm floral scent. It's mainly peach and white flowers, like lily and gardenia (the good variety!), also watery osmanthus and moonflower, with just a hint of airy blue musk and possibly beeswax too. This is a wonderful bouquet and everything mingles so well here. There's a clean scent to it, almost fresh, but it doesn't smell soapy. After a while: I see where the Night's Pavilion comparisons come from-there's a similarity here thanks to the ethereal musk and osmanthus. This one's a lot more floral-complex and fruity (peach blossom smells just like the fruit on me, which is all good!). There's a clean, crisp white flower note to this that reminds me of Empyreal Mist or Sundew, as well. There's also that 'lunar/nocturnal' scent to this, puts me in mind of a springtime garden at night under the moonlight, or a dew covered wedding bouquet. There's something about the drydown after a few hours that reminds me of clean linen, that crisp white clean scent, and it also reminds me of tart apples. Now I get a definite resemblance to Sundew and Dirty. And then it starts to remind me of Bearded Lady, probably thanks to the stargazer lily-only this scent is whiter…white as moonlight. But the clean linen scent doesn't fade. There's only one disappointment…where's the vanilla and beeswax? Verdict: this is such a beautiful floral fragrance, fresh and light and delicate but also well rounded, well blended. I was scared of the gardenia, but most of the time, the gardenia in LE scents is of the good variety-and it certainly is in here. There is a similarity to Silence, but whilst that scent was distant and reserved and cold, KM is approachable, welcoming, and warm. It really is like a kindly bouquet of gentle white flowers. I adore the wet stage of this scent so much that I wish it lasted longer-the drydown, reminiscent of certain clean/springy scents and some other floral scents, is very pleasant, but not as wonderful as the first hour or two of wear. I think this scent will be a lot nicer for spring and summer, and it seems like the perfect scent to wear to a wedding. I wish I got more vanilla, but even so I'm very pleased with this scent. Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? Oh yeah. So glad I got a bottle. Will keep it for warmer weather. If you like this, try: Silence, Sundew, Empyeral Mist, Bearded Lady, Night's Pavilion
  17. yeahbutnobut

    Czernobog

    Czernobog In the imp: hmm, not bad! This is actually quite nice, a red/black musk and myrrh scent, sweet and deep, with a hint of earthiness. None of the civet I expected! Wet on skin: it gets a little bit pine-fresh, but also a bit deeper as the musks develop. Dry: this isn’t as scary as I expected. It’s actually a pleasant, dark musky forest scent, along very similar lines to Thanatopsis, and maybe Black Forest and Odin as well. This one’s a little bit muskier, with a black/red musk taking the lead, and yes there is something more animalistic about this musk than usual, but not the full on civet-fest I feared. Underneath it is a scent reminiscent of pine, and a little vetiver. It’s a forest-musk, but much darker, more shadowy and foreboding than the others. After a while: after an hour…still no blatant civet! Just a pleasant black musk and forest greens with the sinister undertone of vetiver and a sweet, dark myrrh. There’s a slight hint of something feral, but it’s not turning to poo or anything scary like that. And the vetiver doesn’t take over either. There are times when this scent reminds me a little of Typhon, which I love-it’s the same black musk and vetiver combination. Only just a little bit more animal. And then the scent develops a little bit more and sweetens, there's something almost vanilla like here now. I now agree with a few reviews saying this is like Snake Oil...there's that SO vanilla musk to it, only grittier and more animalic. Verdict: I used to think that Black Forest was my ‘Hogwarts Forbidden Forest’ scent, but actually this scent seems to fit that description better. This is a dark, beastly, spooky forest scent, the place you know you shouldn’t venture into, but you can’t help it. I admit I was a little bit apprehensive to try this after the reviews, but it’s not as bad as I expected-it does have a brush of civet, but doesn’t smell like farmyards or old man’s breath like some civet scents do-this is more sweet musk heavy, with green, earthy, evergreen notes, a hint of vetiver. In fact, I actually think Thanatopsis is more civet-y than Czernobog. I also think this scent would couple well with Nocnitsa-it has that same oppressive shadowy forest feel, only x10. I like this a lot more than expected, but I don’t know if I’d wear it much though, there’s a chance that there may be the odd day when the civet may amp, so I may swap this. But now I don’t fear the Slavic god of evil and darkness...he’s tamer than I thought he’d be. Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? Not really. If you like this, try: Black Forest, Odin, Thanatopsis, Dracul, Nocnitsa, Debauchery
  18. yeahbutnobut

    The Fox-Woman Kuzunoha Leaving Her Child

    The Fox Woman Kuzunoha Leaving her Child In the imp: gentle jasmine and wisteria, covered in dew. Also some tea. So pretty! Wet on skin: something in here (tea? Jasmine? Wisteria?) goes very sharp on my skin…and I now get cherry blossom. Dry: a very sharp jasmine-wisteria-tea scent with a hint of slightly soapy cherry blossom in the background. I love the smell of real wisteria, but it seems BPAL wisteria is one of those notes which can be either lovely (Cabaret) or ruinous (Seraphim) and I’m afraid it seems to be going funky on me here. The star jasmine and tea, notes which I usually like, seem to be too sharply green in this scent. I can smell some pale teak under it all but it’s just a sharp wisteria-tea scent which my skin can’t take. After a while: the scent eventually goes acrid-green, slightly like wilted flowers, not very pleasant at all. The tea is still too sharp, as is the wisteria which now smells like dead blossoms, and the jasmine develops that green-oily smell that I sometimes get (though usually star jasmine doesn’t do this). I think the cherry blossom may be making this scent go nasty on my skin-this smells a bit like Dragon Moon, which I didn’t like. The flowers in here smell even more wilted as time passes. Verdict: this was such a disappointment. This was very pretty in the decant, a serene Asian floral scent, but once it hit my skin it turned very bad. The notes went very sharp, acridly green, and a little bit soapy. I now know that the cherry blossom note doesn’t really like me most of the time, I didn’t like it in Dragon Moon and it doesn’t like me in here. The wisteria also goes sharp on me, the jasmine turns rotten, the tea is too tart. Even the touch of teak doesn’t redeem this scent. I think this scent would do better as room scent, or on someone who’s skin is nicer with cherry blossom or wisteria-so like she left her child, I’m afraid the fox-woman will have to leave me as well. Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? No. If you like this, try: Dragon Moon, Kyoto, Phantasm, Shanghai, Kumiho, Holiday Moon
  19. yeahbutnobut

    Death of the Grave Digger

    Death of the Gravedigger In the imp: smells like the other snow scents-Skadi, Snow Bunny, Snow Moon-and also Dublin. It’s that citrus-pine-menthol snow accord. Mmm. Wet on skin: still snowy, slushy citrus-pine, but slightly more earthy. Dry: this smells like a darker, earthier, greener variety of the winter snow scents. It smells almost like Snow Moon without the flowers, with more of a pine/fir note to it. Cold and chilly, and slightly sweet. I can’t smell the resins yet, but I can make out a tiny amount of soil, but it is covered with a lot of snow. But I love those snowy scents anyway so it’s all good. After a while: there’s something decaying to this scent. Not in a bad way, but I certainly smell decay here-like decomposing leaves, fruits and woods, that sweet, fermented scent, the scent of autumn covered with winter (the piney snow scent still going strong here). Eventually this earthy decay starts to remind me fermenting fruits in soil and snow. I just hope it doesn’t turn to rotting fruits (fermentation I can handle, but not downright rotting) I still can’t make out the resins though. The soil note here seems different to the ‘rained-on soil’ ones in Penny Dreadful, Death Cap, or Queen of Clubs-this is much more like good compost and wood chips to me. The snow note eventually thaws away to reveal more of the fruity soil scent with hints of pine. The disappointing thing is that I still can’t smell those resins! The scent thankfully never goes rotten and the drydown is actually a very pleasant wine-like scent. Like very chilled wine, with the snowy bits still lingering. Also some tart berries thrown into the mix. I also get a dark scent, almost incense like, maybe that’s the myrrh trying to show itself at last? Verdict: out of all the winter scents with that pine-citrus-menthol scent evocative of snowy forests, this is the darkest. Skadi was the ultimate snowy-spice, Snow Bunny was effervescent, fun and lively, Snow Moon was a beautifully glacial floral scent, and this is the earthy, decaying variant on the snow theme. Under this heavy layer of snow, there’s a soil note that’s much more decomposed than the usual wet soil-this is like decayed plant matter-mainly bark, leaves and fruits, and this fruitiness eventually ferments to wine in this scent, wine with a hint of pine and snow. At times I thought this decayed fruit and evergreen scent would turn rotten like it did in Hemlock, but it didn’t. It’s a very unusual scent, very evocative of death, decay, coldness, but in a very different way to Cloister Graveyard-this is much more shadowed, and CGitS is full of light. It’s a shame the resins don’t really come out as much as I hoped they would though. I like this scent but I prefer the lighter snowy scents-I’m still unsure of the decaying note I get here. Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? The imp, possibly. It bears a resemblance to many of the winter scents so I may get some once my Snow Bunny/Snow Moon runs out. If you like this, try: Snow Bunny, Snow Moon, Talvikuu, Nocnitsa, Dublin
  20. yeahbutnobut

    Cloister Graveyard in the Snow

    Cloister Graveyard in the Snow In the imp: smells just like Nuclear Winter. Ozone and mint. Wet on skin: very similar to Nuclear Winter and Ice Queen. Dry: this is gorgeous. It is very, very similar to Nuclear Winter, only with the musks of Ice Queen. The white musk notes are fantastic, spreading a serene, soft white blanket over the icy ozone and mint. The mint note is greener and less sweet than the usual peppermint scents, and there’s a wetness to it, like cucumber, which I also got from NW. I can just about smell frankincense but it’s very faint. It’s all about the snow in here. After a while: this gets greener and cooler, despite the mint disappearing. The musks also get stronger, adding an almost warm feel to contrast the cool icy ozone scent. This is a beautiful scent, it’s like walking through a silent graveyard in winter wrapped in the finest fur coat. It seems to stay like this for a long time, though the white musk seems to get stronger, a little sweeter as well, before become just cool white musk with a soft, fuzzy feeling and, strangely, a little hint of warmth. Verdict: I’m so glad I’ve found a GC alternative to Nuclear Winter and Ice Queen. This smells like both of them, and yet it is different. It has IQ’s white musk but doesn’t have her floral-fruity notes, and whilst it has a similar mint and watery coolness, it doesn’t have the sterile, desolate feel of NW. It doesn’t morph much, just retains that wonderful icy musk, with a hint of slushy watery coolness to it all, and the ozone doesn’t turn to washing powder on me. This scent speaks of serenity, of silence. It’s a scent of the seasonal death symbolised by winter and the calm, icy stillness it brings. It feels contemplative and meditative, and despite its cold icy mint-ozone, there’s a smooth, slightly frankincensed white musk that covers the scent so gently, and it feels almost reassuring, or hopeful. A beautiful, evocative scent, and another olfactory work of art from the Salon. Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? Will keep the decant, and buy more once my Nuke Winter and Ice Queen run out. If you like this, try: Ice Queen, Nuclear Winter, Talvikuu, Cold Moon (all LE, this is the GC substitute)
  21. yeahbutnobut

    Silence

    Silence In the imp: a greenish-floral scent with a hint of crushed leaves, a sharpness reminiscent of a crushed plant stem. Wet on skin: the reedy, crushed stem scent gets stronger, and I smell something that reminds me of a perfume I've smelt elsewhere. Dry on skin: this is a very intriguing fragrance, very complex and cool. I can now smell the sweetness of peach creeping into the scent. This smells of a medley of green notes all crushed together with lightly scented petals of iris and plum blossom, with a hint of sweet peach and ethereal blue musk. This scent does describe the name beautifully, it is serene yet cold and withdrawn, subtle and quiet. It brings to mind the starry night of the painting, cool and dewy/frosty. After a while: the scent eventually becomes centred around the peach, which is gorgeous in here, with the clear scent of moonflower. There's a background of blue musk, almost ozone like and airy, and a greenish sandalwood note, and the soft powdery lotus root, as well as the light floral note. I was predicting that this would resemble Budding Moon but this actually reminds me more of Peony Moon with peach instead of peony, it has a similar aquatic-woody-green thing to it. It's soft, and beautiful. I definitely see a resemblance to Nuit with the blue musk, but without the florals from that scent. It seems to fade fast, I'm getting something slightly sharp on the drydown that I'm not sure about, but it could just be my nose being distracted by the smell of cooking. There's now something crystalline to the scent as well. Verdict: this is such a wonderful, evocative scent, truly fitting to the painting. A starry blue musk with crushed green tea and iris stems, soft lotus root, sandalwood and a fabulous juicy peach note-this is probably the freshest and coolest, the least sweet, of the peach scents. Beautifully constructed, very much a work of art. It doesn't have much throw, but that fits in with the scent's name and theme, I think, it smells light and cold, withdrawn, contemplative and meditative, a solitary, subtle, silent scent. One for those quiet, lonely, thoughtful moments, I think-and I have loads of these moments. I'll think about getting a bottle-it does fade quickly and might need frequent reapplication, I need to try it again. But the first couple of hours of this scent are magnificent. Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? I'll try this again, I think I need a bottle. If you like this, try: Peony Moon, Fae, Aglaea, Budding Moon, Nuit
  22. yeahbutnobut

    Shoggoth

    Shoggoth In the imp: lemongrass, lime, and a hint of coconut. A refreshing and sweet scent. Wet on skin: lemongrass, lime, coconut and something sweet.. Dry on skin: this is so gorgeous. It does remind me of TAL Milk and Honey, but also of the Carnaval Diabolique scent. This is the lighter version of CD. It has a citrus scent of lemongrass and lime (the lemongrass is prominent but isn't as aggressive as usual) with a creamy coconut base, with hints of light musk and floral notes underneath. The green coconut note, so different to the usual coconut scent (greener, creamier and fresher, with a coconut water scent to it) has a lot of throw. This scent brings to mind Thailand, I think, with its lemongrass and coconut scent. After a while: eventually the lemongrass loses it's grip on the scent (whilst still lingering), letting the other notes through. I now can smell the white, gentle flowers, I can't pick out the individual notes (I think I can smell green-tinged spring flowers though), but the sweet creamy green coconut is still there. I can't make out the amber here but then again I'm not familiar with 'white amber'. It may be that lovely sweet note I smell here, though. But then, I smell the most wonderful sweet floral scent after a few hours. It seems like the scent has settled into a gorgeous scent of soft floral notes (I think I get waterlily?), the coconut, a hint of the lemongrass, and the amber. Is this the white amber I'm smelling now? If so, then holy hot diggity damn, this white amber stuff is so good. It seems almost like delicious nougat or marshmallow, a sweet of some kind. Very well blended and balanced. White and fluffy and dusted with pink and green. Verdict: when I first saw this scent's note description, the words that popped into my head were 'iridescent pastel'. And this scent definitely is iridescent and pastel coloured. Baby pinks, pale greens, primrose yellow and pale violet in a swirl of shimmery white. This scent is the lighter, daintier version of the darker Carnaval Diabolique, but with a gentler mix of springy floral notes and gentle amber replacing the opium-musk laced flowers of CD. The lemongrass is initially very strong but it does fade away over time to let the other notes out. The coconut is the star of the scent though, a fresher coconut meat note which has a lot of throw. Then the flowers and amber mix at the end to form a delightful finale of sweet fluffiness. This also seems to have a similar feel to Hungry Ghost Moon, without smelling identical-it's a complex 'citrus and sweetness' scent. Very unique and different. I think I'll be getting more of this for spring. Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? Oh yes. I need a bottle soon, maybe for the warmer months. If you like this, try: Carnaval Diabolique, Hungry Ghost Moon, Namaste, Snow White
  23. yeahbutnobut

    All Souls

    All Souls In the bottle: this smells like a buttery Eat Me, or a fusion of Eat Me with MB Closet, buttered fruity cake. Surprisingly buttery but not nauseating…I hope this goes the way of Eat Me and not MB Closet. Wet on skin: the butter starts to fade as it hits the skin, and resins, woods and dry cake are apparent. Dry on skin: oh yes, this is good. I'm no longer getting butter but what I am getting is wonderful. A fantastic resin-incense, very similar to Midnight Mass or Cathedral (frankincense and myrrh etc) softened by crumbly sweet sugared cake and a hint of raisins. The cake and incense go together surprisingly well, it's an unusual mix of foody and resinous that really works. I also get a hint of dry polished wood, either cedar or sandalwood. After a while: this sweetens a little, and the woody aspect of the incense starts to come through more, along with a gorgeous currant and the sweet, sugary cake. The frank n' myrrh are still hanging around at the back. The throw is impressive. Then I get a scent of squashed currants, or currant jam, with the dry, woody incense. I see why some people say that there may be rose here, but I think it is actually rosewood. It smells quite woody, like there's sandalwood and rosewood polished with resins, and lying on top are currant cakes dusted with sugar. It also smells more myrrh-y now, and I get a slight Parlement of Foules resemblance as well. The drydown I get is a soft, dry, sweet, well rounded incense. It's much drier, slightly smoky, definitely woodsy, but still with that element of sugar, which is now part of the incense. But then something really unexpected happens at the very end of the scent, after many hours. It smells like amber and nag champa! I'm not kidding, I definitely get nag champa and something sweet and deep, like amber, in here. Verdict: I love cake scents. I love incense scents. I wasn't sure what both foody and incensey scents would be like blended as one, but this scent works. This is the perfect mix of sugary cake, fruity currant, resins and incense. they all come together in here without clashing, they just work harmoniously, especially upon drydown. The scent is very similar to Midnight Mass meets Eat Me, but more complex…the incense is a mix of resinous frankincense and myrrh (with emphasis on myrrh) and with woody incenses, almost like good quality Indian incense, like sandalwood and nag champa. There's a rosy note here that may be rosewood. These woods lend a dry, smoky, almost dusty aspect to the scent, the resins add depth and structure, and the cake sits nicely in the middle, it's moist currant-raisin scent perfectly mixed with generous helpings of sugar. But of course, the incense prevents this scent from becoming too foody. This gets better and better over time and I really need to get more of this wonderful, unique and innovative scent! It's the perfect addition to my incense/resins collection and also to my cake scents. Yum. Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? Oh yeah. I'll need to buy more bottles. If you like this, try: Eat Me, Cathedral, Penitence, Midnight Mass, Al Azif
  24. yeahbutnobut

    The Penitent Magdalen

    The Penitent Magdalene In the bottle: so faint…but what I'm getting is a sweet, golden flower scent, with a hint of musk. I think that's immortelle, with lily of the valley. Wet on skin: a honeyed almond scent, reminiscent of Dana O'Shee and Queen of Sheba, begins to surface. Dry on skin: this is such a gorgeous scent! This is like a floral, lighter Queen of Sheba. There's a gentle, golden honey-almond, but backed up by greenish-white, springtime scent of lily of the valley and smoothed by the musk, with the sandalwood at the back. I think the immortelle gives the scent a dry-golden-hay scent, but I'm not sure. There's a little hint of soap to it, which I sometimes get from LotV, but it's not a bad soap, this is good quality soap. I just hope the soap scent doesn't take over… After a while: it gets whiter and a little bit soapier but still very nice. Now the scent is a soft white floral with something pollen-like to it, clean and pure, with a hint of golden musk/amber. I now get a slight resemblance to Et Lux Fuit. Eventually I get a soft, powdery white scent with honey and amber dusted on top with woods and flowers. It is very pretty, and reminds me very slightly of La Fee Verte but not as honeyed and not as lemony. Normally I don't like white powdery soapy scents but strangely, I like this. The scent develops a clean and slightly airy scent after a few hours. I get an impression of white cloth in the breeze, but without a strong detergent scent, this has the scents of spring flowers and leaves and a hint of clean skin (the musk) clinging to it. The woodsy notes add an impression of dryness. The amber comes out now and again, adding a hint of sunlit gold to the scent. Verdict: despite this being a little soapier than I expected, I really like it. I don't usually like scents which have that soapy feel to it but I really like this-it's light and fresh and golden and clean, very pretty. It's like a springtime version of Et Lux Fuit, that same golden-white feel, only slightly greener and with lily of the valley. The honey, amber and almond are very subtle, every now and then they can be detected (amber in particular comes out a lot), and this scent morphs gracefully whilst always keeping that innocent and pure clean scent. This is a beautifully crafted scent and one of the better LotV scents, but I think I will appreciate it more when spring comes. Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? Bought a bottle and will keep it. If you like this, try: La Fee Verte, Queen of Sheba, Dana O'Shee, Lyonesse, Et Lux Fuit, Pele
  25. yeahbutnobut

    Lilith

    Lilith In the imp: dark, sweet red wine. Wet on skin: wine and roses, with a hint of musk. Dry: wine and roses and musky myrrh! I like this. The first note to hit me is a rich red wine, boozy and sweet with a hint of tartness, with fragrant rose, and a resinous and very dark musky base. But mainly wine and roses. This reminds me of Blood Rose, only darkened, or leather-less Wanda. This scent is powerful, commanding, it’s got a load of throw. After a while: this stays very constant, not morphing much. Just dark wine and roses (with the emphasis on the wine) with that depth of musk and myrrh. The wine note has a real bite to it, a slight acidity which adds character but doesn’t smell like vinegar. And the throw is still very strong. Eventually the strong wine tones down and out comes a soft, deep, yet slightly powdery musk-myrrh-rose drydown. This actually reminds me of Phantom now, but with a drier, slightly smouldering myrrh note. This gets better after many hours-it develops a lovely powdered amber aspect. It's long lasting and improves over time. Verdict: this is what I was hoping I’d get from Blood Rose. This is wine and roses with oomph. This scent packs a big punch and for a couple of hours it wafts like crazy. The wine note is very, very strong (in other words, don't drive when wearing this scent!) but it’s a very nice wine note, which mixes nicely with the rose. The myrrh and musk just help to deepen and enhance the wine and roses, and they come out more after a few hours. I really like this scent-so far it’s my favourite of the rose-myrrh-dark musk scents (along with Arabian Nights). This is a very powerful feminine scent, confident, dominating, also dark and enigmatic, and intoxicating. Emoticon rating: Is it a keeper? I’ll keep the imp. Maybe a bottle some day. If you like this, try: Blood Rose, Phantom, Wicked, Wanda
×