reynardine

Note: got this one used in a purchase. Cobalt bottle but with a colored label, so it looks like this is aged a bit. Not sure when they switched from using the cobalt bottles? In bottle, there was almost a medicinal smell that surprised me. When wet, it almost reminded me of Irish Spring soap (has to be the herbs), but then on the drydown, the berries come out. This is a dark berry, not a bright berry. It turns out quite pretty. I’d put this as a summer scent, but for evening.

Rich scent in the bottle, but wet, the Chrysanthemum is almost piercing. Starts to settle down pretty quickly, though. The sage is quite distinctive. Hoping that settles down as well, as I was looking for the fruits in this one. Ah, there they are. Quite the morpher, this scent. It was for a July moon, but this scream autumn to me—September or October (at least in the climate where I live). Finally develops into the rich scent I first caught in the bottle, reminding me of woods and fields, with very ripe fruit.

Note: Another used purchase, cobalt bottle, old label, so this one is aged. I’m finding I really like the lab’s tea notes and this fragrance is no different. (Actually, I wanted to try it because of the fox connection—I love my foxes!). Very clean and fresh scent. The tea gives it a nice base and the ginger livens it up. Reminds me a lot of Embalming Fluid. I should test the two side by side to see what differences they are. Daytime summer scent for sure. Refreshing!

Another one of the pumpkin scents and this one is another winner. The fruitiness of the lemon peel, neroli and blood orange blend so well with the slightly spicy pumpkin scent. The ginger freshens it up a bit. Really nice scent and I’ll enjoy wearing it, especially in the autumn.

This one didn’t morph much at all. It’s a wonderful spicy pumpkin and mango scent, with a touch of coconut, which sticks around for hours. Very comfy. Fantastic for any time of year, really.

In the decant and wet on my skin, there is this gorgeous rose/vanilla cream. As it dries down, the tea, mandarin and musks come into play. A lovely and complex scent, something that works on both my skin and would be delightful in a scent locket as well.

Sweet rum scent, but one of the minor notes turned this into soap on my skin. Soap that smelled like rum. Kinda reminded me of Old Spice for some reason, which was my Dad's go-to fragrance. Either almond, bay or sassafras is the culprit. Anyway, trade pile with this one. It did smell great in the imp (somewhat masculine to me, but that may be the rum talking), so I think it would be a great scent on someone who doesn't have weird skin chemistry like me.

In decant: chocolate and musk Wet: chocolate, musk and a hint of sweetness Drydown: Lighter now. The sweetness (they were right, it smells like candied fruits) is coming out more and the chocolate is almost gone, with a touch of musk. Later: Finally getting the ginger, which is always a winner on me. Going to test it a second time, but I might end up getting a bottle of this one.

In decant: strong woodsy scent Wet: still has a woodsy scent. Some amber, but the wood smell is heavier. Drydown: Moss and mint, still with a woodsy touch. Later: Light scent, very unusual. I think I might go for a bottle on this one after all.

In imp: Yeah, chocolate Wet: Yeah, chocolate Drydown: Yeah, chocolate Later: Yay, chocolate!

In bottle: Sort of a thick fruity scent Wet: Very fruity (the guava, I think?), with a touch of orange and sugar Drydown: The apple blossom is starting to come out now, giving this a lovely fruit/floral touch. All of this is really nicely blended. Later: This is really a nice scent! Light and stays close to the skin, but a lovely blend. I have a partial bottle that I got in a swap, but may have to put this on the bottle list for later when it is running low!

I was curious about this one, but wanted to try it first because eucalyptus is NOT my friend. Starts off extremely bright and lemony and kind of fizzy. Unfortunately, the dreaded eucalyptus comes into play and messes things up. Disappears quickly. I'm glad I got to try this, but will not be getting a bottle.

In bottle: very fresh citrus scent Wet: grapefruit, ginger and a touch of pepper. Really delicate and pretty. Drydown: Cute, light, bubbly scent. Smells a bit like Ginger Ale, but sweeter. Later: Light throw, lasts a few hours. Need to slather this one. Very refreshing, will be perfect come summer!

In decant: cherries in rich cream Wet: NOOOOOO!!! It’s plastic!! Drydown: Now it’s really NASTY plastic… Later: Totally nasty. Had to wash off. Monster indeed! (May try in scent locket to see if it works in there better).

In imp: Light fruity scent Wet: Barely there. I can get hints of apricot and pomegranate, but the rest evades me. Drydown: Extremely light apricot/pomegranate scent. Later: Stays around a bit, but is so insubstantial that it might as well not be there. Glad I got to try it, though.

I was tempted by Eden because of the fig and coconut notes, but that sandalwood hit my skin and BOOM!! Allergies went off. I should really know better than to try anything with sandalwood in it, even if it is listed as a last note. :-/

In imp: sharp scent Wet: It hits the notes listed exactly: bourbon, sugar and mint. Curious to see how this dries down on my skin… Drydown: I was afraid of this—my skin is amping the booze, making this turn rather nasty. Washing off.

In bottle: green tea and lemon Wet: green tea and lemon tinged with a bit of musk Drydown: Gorgeous tea and lemon scent. So very pretty! Later: It sticks around, although light. I want to test this alongside F5 and Shanghai to see if I need to get a separate bottle or if those are so similar that one isn’t needed.

In bottle: Musk and patchouli Wet: Getting mostly patchouli at first. Drydown: Patchouli, patchouli uber alles…wait, there’s some plum, I think? Maybe? A Little? Later: Ah, now THAT’S more like it. The patchouli finally backed down a bit and I’m getting the red fruity scent that everyone is raving about. With musk and patchouli to give it some depth. Still, this is a new bottle—I’d like to age it some and revisit, since that OMGPATCHOULI halflife was way too long.

In bottle: a touch of carnation? Wet: Creamy with a hint of blossoms, but also a nutty smell? Drydown: Okay, now it kinda smells like honey with orange blossoms. Later: Quite the morpher, this scent. Ends up as a soft, creamy floral (as described) but with a bit of a strange tinge to it. I’m still trying to decide if I like it, but The Man really liked it a lot on me.

In imp: almost cake-like scent. Will this be one of my beloved cake blends? Wet: Cherry, toast and a touch of citrus Drydown: Cherry is starting to blend in now. There is a dry cake-like scent to this, but not sweet like Eat Me was. Later: WOW. This has turned into a really good cake scent with a touch of citrus. I’m going to retest it later, but I might well get a bottle of this one.

I wanted to try this one because I do love the smell of strawberries. In decant: Okay, strawberry Wet: Very sugary strawberry Drydown: Now I’m getting a touch of grass in here. Later: Very candy-like scent, which just isn’t me at all. I’m glad I got a decant of this to try, though!

Tonight I'm wearing Old Moon (a great winter scent!) for the big blue moon outside and for New Year's Day, it will be Mlle. Lilith, Fortune Teller.

In bottle: a very fresh, clean scent. With limes. Wet: Limes and mint, with a touch of musk. Drydown: Very refreshing citrus with a touch of salt Later: Now I’m getting the green tea. Wonderful scent, although I’m going to set my bottle aside now and wait until summer to wear this again.

When I first tried this one on, it was HEAVY ROSE. Very heavy. Too much for me and I like rose! But upon giving this time to dry down, it morphed. The rose backed off (although still very dominant) and the other florals came into play, making this a really beautiful scent. And I was about to put it on the swaps pile! Nope, this little lady is a keeper!