batsy

I bought this based on reviews that it was akin to Snake Oil/Snake Charmer. I also love orange blossom and amber, so it was a done deal. In the bottle: Well, it's so faint for me I didn't get much from sniffing just the bottle. Faint amber, a little whiff of vanilla. On the skin: Where as Snake Charmer is dark, Khrysee is light. The same spice, the same exotic notes. A very feminine blend. Unfortunately it's also very faint on me so I'm going to have to slather it on. For a minute it was a bit Fruit Loop-y but I think that's just the vanilla amber. A golden, faintly orange winner of a scent. Boy am I glad I got a backup bottle.

In the vial: Violets and lilac. Very purple. On the skin: Still very purple. It's a light scent on my skin so it's hard to get a hold on the notes. It actually invokes images of a real violet ray, at least what I remember about them. Very pretty in a sci-fi, fringe science way. It's just musky/floral enough, a nice balance.

In the vial: Blood red oranges. Yum, this is promising. On the skin: Very orangey. Like orange juice splashed on your skin. The orange really stays with me, even though the red patchouli is trying to come out and play. I'm not usually a fan of patchouli (although I love Czernobog) but I think I could learn to like red patchouli. And I love orange (Hunger is one of my favorites; Ravenous is a lot lighter) so I think I've found another scent to really love. Hooray for orange!

In the vial: Cloying honey floral. On the skin: Yikes! Whatever's in the blend doesn't like me. Way over powering, way cloying, I can't even hold my wrist close enough to sniff I can't handle it. Yipes!

In the vial: Kind of a low-powered spice. Not anything to distinguish what was what. On the skin: Ow. Now it's kind of burning my skin. That's got to be some strong cinnamon. The cassia, tea leaf and tobacco are all there as well. But it just smells...wrong. All spices I like on their own but mixed together they don't work well on me. Too bad.

I'm quite excited to try this, as it was a frimp from the Lab with my order. I didn't think I'd ever try this collection. In the vial: Lemon Pledge but with a metallic tang. And a heavy dose of sage. On the skin: Yow, way too much sage for me. I barely get much else, except lemons and benzoin. On the dry down the frankincense was stronger then the sage and it had kind of a dusty smell, making the back of my throat burn. As intriguing as it sounded, and as interesting for what it triggers for mental images (I don't know why I'm thinking of the time-traveling train from the 3rd Back to the Future movie but I am) I just doesn't work for me.

In the vial: Exotic herbs and sandalwood. And berries, but I think that's the iris. On the skin: Whoa, loads of sandalwood. And heavy on the iris. It's quite overpowering on my skin. I can see the appeal for all who love Egypt and sandalwood. The iris is making my eyes water, unfortunately. Pretty, but not for me.

In the vial: Lavender. Watery. On the skin: Ozone-musky-lavender water. It's actually a pretty blend, especially if you like lavender. I could see this being something used for bed time to relax with.

In the vial: A cheap motel room scented with artificial coconut. Oh lord, that's not even one of the notes. On the skin: I'm sure the black palm is the culprit. And his accomplice fig, which never likes me. It's honestly a nice blend, with the woods and the palm plays nicely with the cocoa (I have bad luck with cocoa/chocolate blends usually) and it smells very exotic. I actually like it after the dry down, which surprises me. I think I'll keep the imp and give it another whirl.

In the vial: Yow. On the skin: I don't know what that is... I'm thinking it's the juniper. It honestly smells like hand lotion on me (which ironic, because of the name) and I'm pretty sure my skin just throws back the rosewood, lilac and the juniper. None of which are notes I like. I'm not sure I'd even like this on a guy. It is masculine, though, if you're looking for a guy scent. Bleh, juniper.

In the vial: Sugary sweet vanilla. Very simple. Kind of like a subdued Midway. On the skin: Oh I like this one. The musks are a nice blend and the hint of darkness compliments the sugary sweet nicely. This might require a bottle, for the days I want to feel girlie. And it hasn't gone wonky on the dry down, which gives it another plus in my book! Very simple beautiful blend!

In the vial: Earthy sweet, if that makes any sense. Like fresh dirt that's just been dug up but is more on the dry side. On the skin: Yargh! I have no idea how to describe my reaction to this one. It smells dirty. In a not good way. I don't get any apricot, just ugly dirt smell. Invoking weird memories of a friend of my father's farm. No, must go wash this off.

In the vial: Green, gigantic Rhododendrons in the sun. Basically my parents' yard. On the skin: Serious floral. While that's fine, I'm just not into florals. It's also definitely an aquatic floral; all flowers wet from dew or a spring rain. Can't say I'm familiar with bellflowers, so I'm guessing that's what that note is. Pretty, but too wet and flowery for my tastes.

I just missed the original Snake Charmer, so here's my chance. Snake Charmer Resurrected 2008: In the bottle: Dark, reminds me of one of my favorites, Czernobog. A whiff of amber and spice. On the skin: Very exotic! All dark spice, makes me wanna go watch belly dancers charming snakes. On the dry down it's all dark. I believe that's the benzoin, all smokey. I can see what the fuss is all about!

In the bottle: Orange glazed yellow cake. Oh yum! On the skin: Just the same, actually. It's a true orange scent, with the rich orange-y goodness that is orange frosting. A hint of vanilla, with a touch of anise that deepens it. I am in love. It's like an orange version of Beaver Moon, minus the cheesecake. Boy am I glad I bought two bottles of this! My favorite of the 2008 Hallowe'enies! *tries to eat arm*

In the bottle: Dry cocoa powder, with something I can't find a word to describe. Kinda musty and sharp. On the skin: Very much chocolate. Very warm, too. Kind of like a cup of hot cocoa but with a warm furry note. I'm guessing that's the amber, although it more reminds me of a dog's fur then amber. Strange. Yes, smells like my cousin's German Shepherd. I really love it, don't get me wrong. It's just interesting to see what the scent triggers. (Kind of like how Cerberus reminded me of a dog dunked in rum. And I love Cerberus!)

Having been a fan of the original 2005 Beaver Moon (and owning a precious bottle of it) as well as being a life-long member of the Beaver State, this was a given. (note: I never tried the version of Beaver Moon that came between these.) Review of 2008 Beaver'versay: In the bottle: This is it! This is the original raised from the grave! The delicious, mouth-watering cheesecake with a hint of naughty! On the skin: There is nothing bad one can say about this blend. The red velvet and cheesecake make this the quintessential foodie scent. It can be over-powering, depending on the amount you slather on yourself. But there is none to match Beaver Moon! Now excuse me, must go buy another bottle...

On the skin: Lime. Freshly cut. Delicious. In the vial: It's quite curious, Shoggoth. I can smell the Chinese peony and the lime, but the curiously sweet part must be the coconut? I must say I'm pleasantly surprised by this scent. I haven't had much luck in the Arkham department but I really like Shoggoth. It's a foodie/fruity/floral. It's a pity my skin ate it so quickly but I'll definitely give it another try!

In the vial: Ah, carnation, my old enemy. We meet again! On the skin: Yeah, that's lily. You can't mistake that note if you've ever spent any time around Easter lilies. It's all lily drowning out everything, until the dry down begins and carnation returns to assault me yet again. Why must you ruin things, carnation? Slowly but surely, the drier it gets, the white rose makes things play nicer but still... florals and I just do not mix.

In the vial: lemon-scented dish washing liquid. Eep? On the skin: Whoa, I swear there's licorice in this. But I know there's not, so I'm not sure what's causing that. Maybe it's the teakwood? As it's begun to dry, the white tea/grapefruit/mint are really taking over. It's not something I could associate with Manhattan -- I've never been there; only seen it on TV and in movies -- but maybe someone who has would. It's certainly different and a complex blend of interesting notes.

In the vial: The first word that came to mind was "frothy". I assuming that was the grave loam. There's also frankincense. On the skin: I don't do so well with florals; they're really hit-or-miss for me. It reminds me very much of sprays of flowers at a funeral, I'll give it that. The ylang ylang is screaming at me the more it dries down, with a not-so-subtle dollop of violet. The more it dries, the more it reminds me of old ladies' perfume. My great aunt's perfume, actually. May keep it for nostalgia purposes but I can't wear it.

In the vial: Expensive mens' cologne... okay. It's got spice. And is definitely an aquatic. On the skin: Whoa, um, that's leather. Almost too much leather. Burns my nose a little. And there's the salt. Hrm, well, it's everything it's described to be, that's for sure. I would need a guy to slather this on to test this properly. Not bad, just not for me.

In the vial: sparkly grapefruit. Dare I say it smells like a freshly-opened can of Squirt? On the skin: Very bright, still sparkly. Very much grapefruit on me, with a back note of apple. The tang of tea comes out as it dries down. Quite a blend. I like it!

In the vial: Very sweet and light. I'm pretty sure that's the sweet pea. On the skin: Musky yet with a hint of a watery note. I get the sage the more it dries down. It's a very summery light scent. Quite beautiful.

In the vial: Dirty leather...? It took a minute before the rose kicked in. Actually smells like a horse's saddle. This is weird. On the skin: Oh my god it's horses and leather. All heated skin and oats and hay. I'm so completely confused. On the dry down the jasmine kicked in. Jasmine is my number one note enemy. Blargh. Oh well.