mandragora

In the imp: Dark, spicy and woody incense. Wet on me: Ooh suddenly floral, carnation with a bit of bitter powdery background. Drydown: A deep sexy carnation with honey and incense. Verdict: A superbly complex scent that is sweet and uber-sexy. A tad too sexy for me though. On a scale of 1-5, I'd give this a 3.5

In the imp: Lush berries and a hint of booze. Wet on me: Still mostly berry-ish, actually I think I smell black currants with some vanilla surrounding it. Drydown: Now vanilla takes center stage with mellow woody notes. The berry just peeking from behind. Verdict: Very interesting and unique. Not quite me, but I'd like to hang on to the imp and try again later. On a scale of 1-5, a 3.

I remember reading in a post here in the forum that the lab gets dinged with fees twice if you use Paypal via CCNow (from both CCNow and Paypal as well).

Oooh pretty, this oil is bright red. In the imp: Pungent smelling oil. Wet on me: Black pepper and clove. Where's the dragon's blood? Drydown: The black pepper and clove mellows, ah there's the dragon's blood peeking shyly from behind. Verdict: I love Dragon's Blood, it just wasn't showcased enough in this oil to my liking (wonky chemistry).

In the imp: Sharp, evergreen with a hint of citrus. Wearing: Sweet watery florals. Drydown: Now the spanish moss comes to fore, playing peek-a-boo with the heavy smelling florals. Verdict: Turned masculine (despite numerous mentions of florals above) on me. Not really my cup of tea. Swap bin.

Initial sniff: Tangy alcohol smelling. Wearing: This is like Sprite (as in a previous review above), with very little citrus and mostly just the sparkly fizzies. And I don't get the martini too Verdict: Nope, not for me. Off to the swaps.

This is my favorite Maelstrom! In the bottle: Wonderfully aquatic and fresh smelling. Wet on me: Faint traces of citrus blending with the green aloe. I can see why Berenice would remind people of the traditional, department store perfume. It kinda does in a way, but different enough to know it's Beth's blend, you know? Drydown: Linen takes center stage, subtly cloaked by the light florals and aloe. Verdict: This is Maelstrom's runaway winner for me. I'm glad I got a bottle (and will be getting a spare or 2) .

In the imp: Dark, creamy incense. Wet on me: Softly sweet resin with a woodsy feel. Drydown: Golden, thick and heavy smelling incense. Verdict: Beautiful and smoky. This would be perfect for incense lovers. It's not me though.

In the imp: Wet dirt, like a freshly-tilled lawn or flower bed. I also smell wood. Wet on me: Faint but dark smelling floral and slight hints of the patchouli. Drydown: Strong floral note (black orchid?) comes to fore, cradled by the smell of soil and wood. There's a sharp green smell that rises now and again. Verdict: Lovely earthy scent. I'm quite surprised that I like it.

In the imp: Pungent herbal scent. I smell sage. Wet on me: Softens to green smelling florals. Drydown: Smells very clean in an herb-y sort of way. Very well-blended. Verdict: Pretty and light. A fresh, green scent. This would be perfect for spring. I may be getting a bottle of this

In the imp: An understated and elegant scent. Clean tea and slight mint. Quite gentlemanly. Wet on me: A burst of citrus with a dark sweetness and musk. Drydown: Now fresh and aquatic, the citrus is now just a whisper with something bolder and muskier lurking beneath. As I sniff, I picture a sophisticated, proper English nobleman in the Elizabethan era. Verdict: Beth has captured refined masculinity in a bottle. I it! Now I have to try this on the hubby

In the imp: Sandalwood, patchouli and champaca flower. Wet on me: Not much different from the imp. Drydown: Musky, earthy yet floral smelling at the same time. The black plum giving it sweetness and depth. Verdict: Wow, a very complex and interesting scent. Sweet, feminine yet dirty around the edges . It's a keeper.

In the imp: Hello caramel. Wet on me: Sweet-smelling caramel with hints of coconut. Drydown: Coconut takes center stage with the caramel swirling around. Tobacco and spices try to surface every so often and fails. Caramel and coconut pounding them to oblivion. Verdict: Yummy smelling but not something I would wear.

In the imp: Patchouli and musk. Wet on me: Earthy smelling and sexy. The sweet hints of honey coming to fore. Drydown: The patchouli and honey mellows, leaving a complex musky and decidedly lupine scent. Verdict: Feral, dirty yet very sexy. I'm thinking this would be better on the hubby. On the scale of 1-5 this is a 4.

In the imp: Smells like heavy, night-blooming florals. Wet on me: Sweetens on my skin, reminds me of Annabel Lee only older, more mature. Drydown: These flowers are beyond full-bloom and are on their way to rotting and decay. The musk mutes the sweetness and rounds out the scent. Verdict: Lovely scent. On the scale of 1-5, this one's a 3.

In the imp: Hmm, lemony tea. Curious, as there's no citrus listed on the description. Wet on me: Still clean and fresh smelling citrus. Lemon-y but not Pledge-lemon. Drydown: Reminds me of Shangai but with a softer, lovelier citrus and a hint of greens and florals. Verdict: Very nice and soft. I wonder if I can still find a bottle in the swaps.

In the imp: Honey-sweet florals Wet on me: Not much change from the imp but now with a hint of something sour (almost fruity sourness). Drydown: Sourness gone, the fresh smelling sweet florals remain but is muted. Later: Honey makes an appearance and gives depth to the scent. Verdict: This scent is lovely in it's simplicity. On a scale of 1-5, it's a 3.5.

In the bottle: Thick, strong smelling musk with a slight bitter note. Wet on me: Ever so slightly sweetens and the musk softens on my skin. Reminds me of Smut without the booze. Drydown: Slightly floral, slightly green, slightly incense-y, all around beautiful musk. Later: Went a bit powdery but still gorgeous smelling. Verdict: A definite keeper. I'm happy to have this bottle. On a scale of 1-5, a 4.

In the imps: Sweet, warm floral. Wet on me: Predominantly jasmine with traces of the sweet honeysuckle. Lemon and spices rounding out the scent. Drydown: I hardly detect the lemon and spice anymore but I suppose they're there just very well blended. Scent is more humid than warm. Verdict: Lovely blend. Very good throw, can smell it from my wrist even as I type. I'm keeping the imp.

In the imp: Smells like chocolate, no wait more like cocoa. Wet on me: Turns sweeter like a sweetened hot chocolate drink. Drydown: Err, turned musty, still chocolate but now musty. Verdict: Smells yummy for sure, but I'm half-afraid that ants would starting crawling up my wrist because of it's sweetness . Not for me.

In the imp: Leather and cigars. Wet on me: Musky sweetness envelopes the smell of leather. :Inhales deeply: Drydown: Very comforting, like curling on a leather chair in a library filled with books. Said library is owned by a distinguished gentleman who smokes sweet smelling cigars. Verdict: This scent is spot-on with the lab description. :Plots to get hubby to try this scent:

In the imp: Uumpphh, that's some strong Bourdeaux note. Cleared out my sinuses . Kidding aside, strong wine note plus hint of berries. Wet on me: Ooh, sweetness. Blood red curant and wild berries. Very intoxicating scent. Drydown: Okay, it's settling down. Boozy and tart berries. Again yummy smelling enough to want to lick my wrist. Verdict: Boy, the Illyria category is 3 for 3 so far on the keeper list. My next-to-buy big bottles list is growing longer :fears for my wallet's sake:.

In the imp: Smells like cutting up an apricot. Strong, sharp and juicy Wet on me: The orange blossom comes out and blends well with the sharp smelling apricot. Ummm, very yummy smelling. I want to lick my wrist . Drydown: Still very fruity smelling, the light musk rounding out the scent. Prevents it from becoming cloying. This is a happy smelling, perfect for picnic in the orchard summer/fall scent. Verdict: Yummy, fruity goodness. Another keeper.

In the imp: Sweet pea. Clean smelling floral. Wet on me: Reminds me of Annabel Lee, only more sweet and creamy. Drydown: I think the fruity sweetness of the pear makes this a happier scent than melancholy-filled Annabel Lee. Very feminine. Verdict: I love Annabel Lee and I'm loving Juliet too. I'm so glad to find a possible replacement for AL in case I run out (before BPAL decides to revive AL :hint, hint: ).

In the imp: At first sniff, eww it smells like ... piss . I don't get stale coffee, I get piss (weird nose). Quite afraid to swipe this across my wrist. Wet on me: Jasmine. Drydown: Still jasmine. Headache-inducing jasmine. Verdict: Migraine starting, I need to wash this off before it gets worst. Weird nose, weird body chemistry. Sorry Mata Hari, on to the swap bin for you.