zankoku_zen

The Russian Dance reminds me to the GC Moscow. It's primarily tea and ambergris with a faint swirl of iris. It also reminds me to the scent of a Lush store, as there is something slightly powdery to me. However, it dries to a musky, patchouli powder. SAD.

For me, the Nutcracker is a mix of frankincense and fig. The frankincense is rich, slightly peppery and its balanced out by the sweetness of the fig. Definitely masculine in vibe. I am not a fan of frankincense, but this scent is pretty.

Tart, crisp, watery floral. Slightly fruity. I have to say that this does not play well with my skin and ends up smelling oddly like the fake floral scent of some nail polish remover.

After testing this SN, I've come to realize that mimosa is the dominant note in the now discontinued blend Succubus. It's a light, fresh, almost sharp, kinda pink floral. To me, it has a subtle citrus overlay to a somewhat fruity, not quite sweet floral. I echo cfrancesca's comment that it sort of reminds me to luxurious French floral soaps. I don't find it a particularly comfortable or accessible, as there is a 'sharp' quality to it in my mind. I think haughty is probably the best word to describe the vibe for this.

Bright, clean citrus. It is definitely the smell of Earl Grey tea, slightly flowery. I think it's also the predominant note in Belle Epoque. Definitely has green/herbal undertones.

ETA: Thanks to a truly and unbelievable friend to sent me a tester of this. I think I'm in love. Tomato Leaf SN is the green, planty, almost dirty note that is very prevalent in Planting Moon. This note for me was overwhelmed in Planting Moon with both the aquatic and dirt component. This is the smell when you snap a tomato off its branch. It smells like outside, a garden and greens. And yes, with a tiny hint of bitter dirt. LOVE IT.

Spicy chocolate. To me, Ein Kuss Von Krampus (EKVK) on wet, smells almost like a combination of pomegranate and chococolate. As it dries, I get a hint of pepper, mustard and other spices. It dries to a much 'spicier' chocolate. The morphing of it reminds me a little to certain 13 blends. Interesting.

OMG! Sweet Pea. It's such an aggressive and overwhelming note. On wet, I got distinct flashback to Juliet, which to me is very much like sweet pea SN - big, bold, sweet. However the SN dries off to a slightly 'fake' note, mildly plasticky and it makes me think of those scented dolls of my childhood. Yeah for a SN that I won't covet. I can't handle sweet pea - either as a SN or when in other blends. This is a nice confirmation of that. Stupid skin chemistry.

To me, Pikaki starts as a bright, exotic floral with very fruit overtones. It's tropical and creamy, while a white floral. As it dries, it acquires a slight jasmine/ylang ylang overlay to it -slightly biting, still heady and floral. I prefer it on wet - when its lush and fruity. Not so much of a fan of the jasmine overlay.

Byron v13 is definitely manly on me. It's got some sweet red musk, a hint of worn leather, and I'm guessing some vanilla and perhaps a swirl of herbs. This one is definitely roguish Byron, as opposed to v7, which was way floral and more of the romantic, hazy perception of Byron. This is the Byron that spouts poetry with a leer on his face, a swagger to his step and you definitely have to wonder about the size of his package.

PP416 is my favorite fizzy scent.

Try Planting Moon.

CLX (160) This one has a strong, buttery, salty note. Very much like in Shill. But underneath of it, I want to say I smell peanut butter. So it's a peanut buttery kind of Shill. Sadly, neither of those notes are things that play well with my skin chemistry.

Sweet metallics and deep woods. In some ways, it reminds me to Bed of Nails except its a deeper, richer blend when it comes to the woods.

Patchouli, teak and dry leaves. It sort of reminds me to Death of Autumn, and its a slightly masculine autumn blend. I have to say that the combination does appeal to me.

Autumn Grove has the same wood/twig note as Down the Rabbit Hole (none of the other components) and the leaves are very green and sweet smelling. It's definitely a nice outside scent and works perfectly in the winter. My living room smells a garden, outside. WOOHOO!

For me the gunpowder is sharp and metallic, combined with the sweetness of honey I get the same sharp, metallic smoke that I do from Gun Moll. It's like a slightly sharper, less floral and less complex version of Gun Moll. I like, but then again, I like GM. For those that missed out on GM, give this a twirl. It doesn't have the same vibe - it is much darker and sinister but it gives you an inkling of what GM is like. I am beginning to think I like gunpowder as a note.

Whiff of lilac and lettuce, and then I get soft florals, a hint of coconut and orris. Very light, soft and gentle. My skin eats this up.

Patchouli, black moss and lavender. This is like a dark, foreboding lavender. It smells of dark dreams, dirt and danger.

Tobaaco flower and sweet honey. This is more light and sweet than I expected. I was hoping for something smokier.

This smells to me like a lilac version of Host of Air, so some of the everblooming flowers are definitely lilies. Sadly, I get the lilac on most when wet, and then the lilies dominate everything on the drydown at which point, ti smells like a DEAD ringer for Host of Air on me. Which makes me happy, so when my HoA runs out, I will pick up a lilac-tinged HoA in the form of Lilac Wood. Success!

To me, this was initially a combination of cherry cough drop and pomegranate. And now, its definitely pomegranate with honey. Sadly, it never seems to lose its almost medicinal edge. PASS.

Honey and apple blossom. The apple blossom smells slightly soapy to me. So yes, light, pretty and very appropriate for a young girl.

Ozone, red musk and saffron. This smells like a summer storm in a desert city. It's clean ozone, hot sweet musk and makes me think of thunderclouds over a desert.

Amping the red musk, hint of vanilla, and chocolate peppermint. So yes, sweet red musk. That's what I get.