zankoku_zen

In the imp: Plum and sugar On Skin: Juicy plums and sugary goodness On Drydown: The plum lingers a bit, but it's more of a sugary frosting right now. I get a wee hint of florals. Verdict: Honestly, I didn't think I'd like it because I'm so not a foodie person. But I've come to realise I am a fruity person. This has some sweet sugary plum goodness going on. I'm really glad I got to try this.

This has got to have patchouli in it. Because at the beginning, that's what I can smell the most. After a while, it sort of settles into an amber/resiny scent, the patchouli is still there but not quite as overpowering. Definitely not for me.

In the imp: Buttery vanilla On Skin: Buttery vanilla. The butter backs off and this turns into a vanilla cookie dough on my skin. On Drydown: The vanilla gets this weird plastic edge to it. Not as bad as the vanilla plastic in Tokyo Stomp, but just enough. At this point it does kinda smell a little like vanilla frosting. Verdict: Erm. There has got to be a vanilla oil in TS and Sugar Cookie that just doesn't work with my skin. Sad, but true. On the other hand, I have a friend that will probably love this.

I was DREADING going back to work today, mainly because my boss is just awful to me and until I find a new job, I can't leave. I anointed some of my chakra points this morning and chanted "I will not be afraid". And oddly enough, part of my brain chimed in "Fear is the mind killer. I will let it pass through me." Erm.. Dune much? In any case, after doing this for a few minutes, I felt better. Stronger, less lethargic. I think I even held my head higher. And yes, the world seemed less bleak and unhappy. Very empowering. ETA: I've used Lionheart in 2015 and 2016, and the results have always been positive. It's got some of the same positive vibe that Anthelion does, but much more robust. It's not as directly soothing as White Light, or even Anthelion, but its much more energetic. It also endows you with some fierce courage. Hearts and flowers to this.

In the imp: Incensey On Skin: Incensey with a touch of powder On Skin on Him: Vick's! I'm beginning to wonder what smells like Vick's to him. He's given that answer a couple of times. My guess is the frankincense, although I'm not basing this on anything concrete. Just a very poorly educated guess. On Drydown: The violet is very predominant and very powdery. There is definitely a strong masculine base in the form of an incensey sandalwoody smell, slightly spicy On Skin on Him: Incensey, spicier than on me. Verdict: On me, this is the male cologne version of talcum powder. Sort of clean, sort of old fashioned, sort of perfumey. The husband also has this on and he's not so impressed with this. Although when I did apply it on him, he held out the other wrist afterwards and looked mildly disappointed when I told him I only had Faustus to try. Sadly, Faustus is for neither of us.

In the imp: Maraschino cherries. On Skin: Sweet cherries. And yes, I do think of maraschino cherries. It's the cherry in Kabuki and Queen of Hearts Verdict: This is a thick, syrupy sweet scent, foody without being overtly, not too fruity and feminine in the Jailbait sort of way. I've had the black cherry SN before... and if I recollect correctly that one was perhaps heavier and juicier... The scent is very different. It's like comparing Queen of Hearts to Hollywood Babylon. ETA: So the Cherry SN does smell like maraschino cherries, but also like some of the commercial cherry cough syrups. It's rich, thick, and has a ton of throw.

Thanks to the lovely girlindenial for a sniffie of this. In the imp: Floral, yellow and sophisticated vibe On wet: Wow. I get a honey, and the visual is the thick, viscousness of honey. On Drydown: Sophisticated, slightly aquatic floral. I can't pick out any individual notes. This is very well blended. Verdict: Not what I was expecting at all. I'm really glad I got to try it. I can see why people go rabid over exclusive 'other' event scents. Wow.

In the imp: Lavender On Skin: Soapy floral. Booo... On Drydown: I get the lavender and more of the wisteria coming through, but it has a mild soapy edge to it. Nothing like wet though. Verdict: Something goes soapy on me and I don't like it. At the beginning it smelled like some really expensive soap, lush and creamy, but still soap. Now it's a lightly soapy lavender/wisteria.

In the imp: Men's cologne On Skin: Wowza. Very pungent. I get hints of lavender and leather. The vanilla is there but only slightly. On Drydown: This scent just exploded on my skin. Very masculine cologne, between the white musk and the leather. Did I mention the leather? Verdict: I want to take my skin chemistry and give it to my husband. This is a very sexy masculine blend... on me. On him, it's not quite like this. Which is very disappointing. Wow, I'd totally hump my wrist right now... Sexy!

In the imp: Musky, amber and sandalwood. Smells slightly incensey. On Skin: Is there wine in this? I get something that smells slightly boozy and the sandalwood is very prominent On Drydown: Powdery musky sandalwood Verdict: Very older gentleman on me, but I think that's because the amber is very powdery on me in this blend. Definitely makes me think of Anthony Hopkins in Titus. Strong, old, regal.

In the imp: Snake Oil and some other spices On Skin: Very light Snake Oil, vanilla very prominent. But really close to the skin. For a couple minutes after I applied it, I could barely smell it On Drydown: I really think this is a scent that develops. Warm, vanilla Snake Oilish - muskier and spicier. Very smooth and rounded. Verdict: This is like sexed up Snake Oil. I can see why so many people are crazy about it. Neither a fan of vanilla or Snake Oil, I'm still glad I got to try this fabulous scent!

In the imp: Chocolate covered cherries! On Skin: Cocoa, cherries, musk and something slightly plasticky. And a hint of olive juice? On Drydown: Musky, slight cherry smell, the slightest hint of olive juice, mild pepper and something else. Verdict: Not for me. Sad. Because in the imp it smelled SO lovely.

Unquenchable desire, seething lust, malevolent sexuality, and voracious hunger lurking beneath a shimmering veil of unearthly beauty: gleaming skin musk, honey and white amber, plum blossom, osmanthus, sandalwood, calla lily, and a light, sensual blend of Eastern spices. This one is interesting, it's like a sweet, shy floral musk. In the imp: Floral On Skin: Delicate floral, with a hint of amber and hint of honey On Drydown: Skin musk Verdict: This stays very close to the skin. Pretty but indistinct to me. I smell like I just washed with some really really nice soap. It would probably act as a good layering base for me. ETA: to add description

In the imp: Sharp citrusy flowers On Skin: Very sharp bright citrusy floral. Lemon verbena! On Drydown: I get more of the sage, the bright sharpness of the floral drifts out a little. Verdict: I like it, but not as much as the other bat scents out there. Perhaps too bright and sharp for me? It's not that I dislike it, I simply don't like it as much as Bat or Bat-Woman.

In the imp: Sharp jasmine and something else On Skin: Very musky and dark, the jasmine and other florals are at the edge of this. On Drydown: Very warm, and I can definitely smell the opium poppy. Verdict: The drydown of this is very similar to RG's Opium Poppy, and I think that note tends to dominate the blend for me. Sad, this is the first Poe scent that my skin hasn't played well with.

In the imp: Lilies On Skin: Honeyed lilies, slightly less floral than I expected On Drydown: Muted honeyed lilies Verdict: This is like Tiger Lily's shyer and sweeter sister. Definitely brought Tiger Lily to mind, but the honey is less prominent and aggressive. This is definitely a more delicate. I really enjoy it.

In the imp: Strawberries! On Skin: Sweet strawberries... it actually smells like the fake strawberries you would smell from toys, like Barbie. Very nostalgic. On Drydown: The fake plastic note fades away (or at least it isn't as noticeable). It is less sweet and more floral, but very much strawberries. Verdict: Very surprised and pleased. I thought this would be too sweet (like Bon Vivant was) but I'm pleasantly surprised and very happy. I love strawberries and while I get some of that from Hollywood Babylon, this is juicier and fresher.

In the imp: Hazelnut (or is it walnut?) and pumpkin! On Skin: Buttery pumpkin, hint of hazelnut. No cocoa in sight. On Drydown: Pumpkin and butter! Why, hello there Jack! Verdict: No cocoa. A disappointment. In any case, this is slightly different than Jack with the nuts in it. Nutty Jack! Wow... that sounds like it could be a beer name.

In the imp: Baby spit and baby formula. On Skin: Milky, creamy and with a touch of the plastic note On Drydown: Milky plastic Verdict: OOOOKAY.... this so doesn't work on my skin. I don't know what it is but something definitely smells mildly plastic on me (noticed this in Snowblind and Tokyo Stomp as well). In any case, this definitely isn't as fruity as MM2007, much more of the creamy/milky variety. *SIGH* I bet this is very lovely and comforting on someone that doesn't have my skin chemistry.

Dorian and Golden Priapus come to mind. But all boys need Dorian. Just ask Beth.

In the imp: Peachy, florals and something almost dirty On Skin: I can't describe it other than dirty florals On Drydown: Slightly powdery, dirty florals.

I don't know what it is but this was an entirely icy scent on me --- violets and something extremely limey. From wet to drydown. I think it was the delphinium.

Did I forget to post here? You like Ice Queen? I definitely get a strong similarity from Cloister Graveyard in the Snow (not really GC, but you know...) You like Jacob's Ladder? The Lion from the Mad Tea Party scent line smells very similar. As if the Lion were the previous sketch for JL.

In the imp: Musky rose, slightly sweet On Skin: Musky rose with swirls of hypnotic incense. This is a very mature, sophisticated and sexy rose. On Drydown: This has a slightly purple vibe to it. Again, musky rose and incense and something else Verdict: This is a beautiful, confident, sophisticated and maturely sexy perfume. Hot. I am not a huge rose blend fan but this on the right person would be regal and absolute dynamite.

Thanks to raspberryswirlgirl for the decant! In the imp: Incensey, sweet, florals On Skin: Otherworldly florals, sweet brush of incensey, slightly sugary On Drydown: Pretty much the same thing. Verdict: This is so well blended and yet there are distinct whiffs... as if you were walking through the Fairy Market. A total olfactory experience. Seriously considering a bottle of this. Love it. ETA: Since I now have a bottle and proceeded to wear it yesterday... For me, this is an extremely ethereal and yet wearable scent. It's whimsical in that it is constantly changing - but it's not so overwhelmingly floral, or sweet, or incensey and yet manages to be a bit of all that and more. In this one, I have to say that for me, it's like sprinkling yourself with magic dust. Another plus, is that if you're going to wear a TAL for purposes, Fairy Market works well as a perfume companion - since the herbiness of certain TALs will blend with the rest of the market smells... and if a stranger smells you, they won't be smelling just the TAL.