dementia_divine

In the imp: Super strong orris backed by myrrh. Wet: The orris note dominates, followed by the myrrh, and then a bit of black musk and patchouli. The black musk note seems to be getting stronger as it sits on my skin. Dry: Orris, myrrh, and black musk. It's really powdery on my skin. I'm not getting any patchouli at the moment. The myrrh is stronger during this phase, so that it's mostly orris and myrrh. Verdict: Orris just turns to powder on me, and sadly, it was the main player here. The orris and myrrh combination just make it even more powdery than orris would be on its own. This one is not for me.

Oops! I neglected to post this review when I tried it a few years ago. In the decant: Sweet pink apple is the strongest note, but the other notes are definitely present, with the cardamom being the second most prominent to my nose. Wet: Apple reigns, and it is a very realistic apple note. The other notes start emerging more over time. The cardamom is still second in prominence. The blackcurrant and honey are in the background, adding a bit more sweetness and fruitiness to the scent, which is still primarily an apple one. Dry: The blackcurrant is stronger after a few hours of wear, and so is the honey. The apple note is softer now, and the cardamom, though present, is now in the background. Verdict: I'm glad that I gave this one a chance. I like it, but I don't love it, and so I shall refrain from getting a bottle (because I have too many apple scents already)! I will definitely be keeping my decant, though!

In the imp: I'm mostly getting the white musk and mint, with a bit of warmth from the caramel note and the black musk. Wet: The white musk and mint are the dominant notes. I'm also getting the citrus-y quality of the early stage of the black musk, and as the scent begins to dry, the tobacco note emerges, adding a smoky warmth to the scent. Dry: The white musk and mint are the main players for a long time, with the tobacco slowly gaining prominence. After a few hours, it's a musky tobacco scent with a hint of sweetness from the caramel skin musk and a smattering of sage. The mint has faded by this point. Verdict: This one is a morpher! I don't dislike it, but I also can't see myself reaching for it – this particular tobacco note combined with the musk is a little too masculine for me.

In the imp: I'm mostly getting violet and orris, with a hint of mint and opoponax in the background. Wet: Violet and orris reign. The mint is present, adding a touch of coolness to the scent, but it isn't as strong as the floral notes. Dry: This is really strong on the violet and orris (which have a ton of throw!), with just a bit of mint. I didn't really get any of the opoponax, which I was hoping would help tame the violet. Verdict: Violet and orris are not notes I enjoy, but I decided to try this anyway because I'm reviewing all of the Mad Tea Party scents. If either of those notes appeal to you, you'll probably end up loving this. It's just not my cup of tea.

In the imp: I'm getting the white musk, geranium, patchouli, and some citrus. It's really strong on the white musk, though. Wet: The white musk reigns, and I'm also getting some florals (the high-pitched geranium and white lily for sure) and patchouli. The patchouli mostly just adds some warmth to the scent and isn't as strong as the musk or the bourbon geranium. Dry: The white musk and florals continue to reign for a really long time. After a few hours of wear, the musk note calms down significantly, and so do the florals. The white sandalwood has appeared, and the patchouli has gotten stronger. I'm also getting a bit of smoky vetiver now. Verdict: I was hoping to get some mint and lavender from this, but neither of those really played a role on my skin. This one isn't really my cup of tea, but I'm glad I got to try it.

In the imp: This is really strong on the bourbon, and it gives me a polished furniture sort of vibe? Wet: The bourbon is still super strong, but I do get some of the sugar and mint now that it's on my skin. Sadly, it really is just a spring of mint. I'm mainly just getting the really intense bourbon note. Dry: The bourbon remains super strong and is threatening to give me a headache. There's a bit more sugar now, but the mint has dissipated. Verdict: Definitely not for me. I don't want to smell like oak-y, smoky booze.

In the imp: Mint, ambergris, and moss. Wet: Warm ambergris and a really refreshing mint. After a few minutes, the moss emerges. This reminds me of Vicomte de Valmont, only simpler and less cologne-y. The moss increases in strength as the scent begins to dry, but this aquatic hasn't veered into soap territory yet. Dry: It's a bright ambergris and moss scent with the light mint adding some coolness. The mint has calmed down significantly and isn't nearly as strong as it was when first applied. For some reason, I keep thinking of lime when I smell this, even though that note isn't listed. I wonder if it's an unlisted note, or I'm just getting that impression from the combination of the ambergris with the moss? I swear it has some citrus, though. Verdict: I'm so glad I got to try this one. It's not one that I would have expected to enjoy, even though I am a fan of mint, because I thought the moss would take this into Soapville. Fortunately, that didn't happen at all. I'll be holding onto my imp. I can see this being really refreshing during the summer months, and I'm curious to see how this one is on my boyfriend.

Disclaimer: I have only used this as a moisturizer and have not tried it in the bath. In the bottle, it's mint and cocoa powder to me. It is more reminiscent of cocoa powder than a bar of chocolate to me, and when I freshly applied it, my boyfriend even mentioned it smelling like hot cocoa in the room. But sometimes I sniff it and do get a Thin Mint vibe from it. On my skin, the mint is a lot stronger than it was in the bottle. It does remind me of a chocolate mint cookie coated in a layer of chocolate! After it has been dry for a while, it becomes creamier. Sometimes, it reminds me of a creamy mint-infused hot chocolate. Other times, I do get a minty milk chocolate bar vibe from it. I ordered this last year before the Yules disappeared, but I wasn't in the country to try it until the summer. I thought it would be more of a creamy white chocolate and mint scent (since the description mentions peppermint bark), but that's not the kind of chocolate I'm getting here. In any case, it's really nice, and I'm glad I have a bottle.

In the imp: I'm getting the coconut, flowers, citrus, and the glassy musk. Wet: A citrusy, musky light floral scent. I can pick out the lemongrass, lime, coconut, but I can't pick out which florals I'm getting. I'm smelling more of the coconut, citrus, and musk than anything else, though. Dry: The citrus has weakened significantly, and now it's mostly the glassy musk and white florals with some coconut and a bit of lemongrass. Verdict: I wasn't sure how this one would go with so many notes in it. I don't think the citrus/musk/floral combo is really my cup of tea, but I'm glad I got a chance to try it.

In the imp: Incense and spices. This one is reminiscent of Plunder to my nose, but softer. Wet: This is spice dominant on me, and it still reminds me of a softer version of Plunder. Although I have sensitive skin, the spices are so soft that they don't burn. As it begins to dry, the spices begin to take on a dry quality, like cinnamon bark or cinnamon sticks. Dry: Dry cinnamon and spices mingled with incense smoke. Verdict: I'm glad that this one didn't end up being problematic on my sensitive skin! I do think it is like a lighter version of Plunder. I like it, but I am so glad that I am not in love with it, since it's discontinued.

In the imp: I'm getting soft resins from this. I can definitely smell frankincense and what I think could be myrrh. Wet: On my skin, I'm getting more of a soft myrrh with some frankincense. Now it's morphing, and I'm getting a sweet resin that I think is the Lab's Mysore sandalwood note, because it's reminiscent of Kit. The frankincense is a lot stronger than it was initially and is right beside the sandalwood note. Dry: Sweet Mysore sandalwood and frankincense. Verdict: I really enjoy this sweet sandalwood note. I don't think I need more since I already have two bottles of Kit, but I'll keep my imp!

In the bottle: Sugared lavender and juicy, tart grapefruit (I believe the same one found in Gobo). I love sugared scents, lavender, and grapefruit, so I'm really excited about this one! Wet: Sugared lavender (the lavender variety is definitely the one found in Lilith's hair gloss) and really realistic grapefruit (tart and juicy, with some rind), backed by some light musk. The grapefruit ends up being stronger than the lavender on me, but the sugared aspect of the lavender is really prominent, and the lavender isn't too far behind. The light musk is getting stronger as the scent begins to dry. Dry: The grapefruit has calmed down significantly. Now, I'm mostly getting a wonderful sugary, light musk with some light grapefruit and a bit of soft lavender. Verdict: I'm so happy to have a bottle of this! I may even need a back-up. I can see myself reaching for this one a lot during the summer months.

In the imp: I'm getting lots of pine and chamomile. Wet: There's a blast of lavender, and then the pine and chamomile emerge. Then, a citrus-y note emerges. Maybe that's the palmarosa? Dry: It's a citrus-y pine, lavender, and chamomile scent. I can't pick out the patchouli, but I'm sure it's contributing to the general warmth of the scent. After several hours of wear, the chamomile becomes a lot stronger, but hasn't overtaken the citrus or pine notes. Verdict: I'll be keeping my imp.

In the bottle: The bright, citrus-y white tea note jumps out to me, with Dorian's lavender fougere, and a bit of pink pepper. Wet: On my skin, the white tea note is still really strong, but I'm also getting more of the pink pepper with the lavender fougere and the aged linens of Antique Lace. As the scent begins its drydown, the lavender fougere gains strength, but doesn't overtake the white tea, and Antique Lace's vanilla begins to emerge. Dry: The white tea and lavender fougere remain the most prominent notes on me, with Antique Lace's vanilla residing in the background. After several hours of wear, the white tea and lavender fougere of the Dorian are still going strong in the crooks of my elbows, while Antique Lace's vanilla is queen on my wrists, backed by the Dorian notes. Verdict: If you're a fan of Dorian or Antique Lace and aren't averse to the white tea note (it's pretty strong on me), you're going to want a bottle of this. I'm happy to have a bottle, and I am sure it will age marvelously.

In the bottle, I get almond and Snake Oil. On my skin, the almond part of the almond milk is pretty strong at first, and the fresh Snake Oil is really prominent, too. Then, the Snow White emerges. It's not as strong as the sweet Snow White snow note is in Frostbitten Snake Oil, so I wouldn't say they are too similar. Once dry, I can smell the cotton blossom musk note and Snow White, sweetened by a bit of the marshmallow. It's a lovely, creamy Snake Oil scent. After several hours of wear, the almond milk has dissipated. It ends up being fresh Snake Oil in the crook of my elbows, with a layer of Snow White over it. On my wrists, the scent is sweeter, with the marshmallow note being a main player on my wrists, but the scent is really light during this stage (I can only smell it when I press my nose to my wrist.) I wish it were stronger on me, as I was really hoping for Snake Oil plus marshmallow more than anything else. Although I didn't get as much marshmallow on my skin as I was hoping for, I am really happy I have a bottle. It is a beautiful Snake Oil plus blend. I just don't feel the urge to hoard it.

In the imp: Sweet milk and honey. Wet: The sweet milk note jumps out to me first, and then the honey. There is a hint of the ginger, which adds some more warmth to the scent. As it sits on my skin, the honey note continues to sweeten the scent. I think this is reminiscent of a Lush product, but I can't recall which one. Dry: Argh, I can't pinpoint what it reminds me of! Maybe it's just reminiscent of a milk and honey soap (but not Lush's Honey I Washed the Kids). It doesn't smell like soap, but I keep associating it with one. In any case, it's a milk and honey with a mild ginger note and what I think is a light floral note thrown in. Verdict: I like this one. There are many milk and honey scents that I'd reach for before this one (Alice and My Baby and a Baby Goat come to mind), but it's nice, and I'm glad that I was able to try it. I'll be keeping my imp.

Since this has been made into a frostbitten scent, I suppose this would be the ideal time to try it after having put it off for so long because of it containing both patchouli and vetiver. In the imp: Smoky vetiver and gritty patchouli. Wet: The smoky vetiver and the red patchouli are both pretty prominent and sometimes seem to be reigning side by side, but other times, I feel like the vetiver is the stronger of the two. It's very smoky and reminiscent of a bonfire or campfire... with meats being roasted by the flames, and one of those meats fell on the ground and is covered in dirt, but nobody bothered to pick it up. Yikes. Dry: Extremely smoky vetiver and red patchouli. I feel like the bonfire or campfire isn't raging at this point, and is now dying out, with ashes drifting through the air lit by the last dying embers. Verdict: This has been a lesson in WHY OH WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO PUT THAT ON YOUR SKIN AFTER YEARS OF DREAD!?!?!? It is far too smoky and earthy for me, but I have a friend who enjoys smoky scents, so I'll pass my imp on to her.

In the imp: Nice and forest-y! I am not sure what galangal smells like, but I can detect the juniper, cypress, and eucalyptus. Wet: A cold forest featuring evergreens, juniper, and cool eucalyptus. It's refreshing. Although it's not listed, I swear there is pine in this. Dry: The juniper note reigns, followed by the cypress. I think this shares the same juniper note as Golden Priapus. The eucalyptus is still present, but it's a lot lighter than before. Verdict: This is a nice, refreshing forest scent. I think I'd prefer it as a room scent than on me, but I like it, nonetheless! I don't think I need a bottle, but I'll hang onto my imp.

In the imp: The neroli, lemon, white florals, and bergamot are jumping out at me the most. Wet: Musky white florals backed by citrus. The light musk and florals grow more prominent, and the scent smells really clean. As it begins to dry, I begin to detect the sandalwood. The scent is also becoming sweeter. Dry: After it has been dry for a while, the white sandalwood ends up as the dominant note, with the white florals and musk underneath. The citrus has dissipated, and sadly, I can't pick out the vanilla. Verdict: This one was better than I thought it would be (given it has neroli in the description), but it's still not really my cup of tea. That said, I'm glad I got to try it.

In the imp: I'm getting a lot of the black copal note with a bit of cacao (although I know there's a lot in there, as I had to stir it around in my imp). The oil is very dark. Wet: This is really earthy. Lycanthrope's description of the scent being gritty is spot-on. I'm getting cacao-covered resins. The chapapote and copal seem to be the dominant notes on me. I think I'm smelling the maize and cotton blossom beneath them, but they are nowhere near as strong as the other notes. It seems to be getting smokier as it begins to dry. Dry: A few hours later, it's still resinous and smoky, but not nearly as dark and heavy as it was before. The cotton blossom is a main player now, along with the chapapote, with the copal lurking underneath. The cocoa note is rather faint now, and the scent is sweeter now, thanks to the arrival of the black honey note. I prefer this phase of the scent. Verdict: This one isn't for me, but fans of smoky scents would probably enjoy this one.

I can tell this is a very old imp. The label is no longer white, it says 'perfume oil blend' next to the name of the scent as opposed to listing the Lab's website, and the back of the label possesses a witch on the back with the website instead of the phoenix with a large version of the Lab's logo. In the imp: Cocoa, followed by the leather armor, patchouli, and some incense. I cannot smell the flowers in the imp. Wet: Cocoa-dusted leather and patchouli, along with some incense. After a little bit, those notes calm down, save for the incense, and the flowers begin to emerge. Dry: After a few hours, it's a much lighter scent. The cacao note is still present, along with the leather armor, patchouli, and incense, but they're all a lot smoother now, and the touch of flowers is stronger during this phase (but not extremely prominent by any means – this is not a floral scent). Verdict: The combination of cocoa and these notes isn't really my cup of tea, but if you like the idea of a cocoa and patchouli scent, this will be right up your alley.

In the imp: While I can identify all of the notes, none of them seem to be jumping out at more more than the others. Sometimes the leather, sage, and carnation seem to leap out to me more, but overall, it's a really well-blended leather scent with some sweetness. Wet: The leather and carnation stand out to me the most, but I'm not surprised, since I tend to amp those notes. I am also getting the sage and cedar, but neither are making this too herbal or wood-y. They just add to the warmth of the scent. Then the lavender pops up, but it's like the dry lavender from a sachet. As the scent sits on my skin and begins to dry, it starts to get muskier and sweeter. Dry: UNF. Cozy, warm leather, sweetened by the vanilla and warmed by the spiced carnation, sage, and cedar, with that white musk and lavender taking this into cologne territory (although the scent is unisex). It's in the same family as Jareth and Knight in Shiny Armor, but it's sweeter than either of those. Verdict: I had tried this a few years ago, really enjoyed it, and yet somehow neglected to review it. So this is my proper review. I love this, and I think a bottle may be in my future. This will pair wonderfully with my beloved Mikado Saloon HG.

In the imp: Tobacco leaf like whoa, followed by the black tea, cocoa, some mandarin, and something sour (perhaps the herbs?). Wet: Tobacco, black tea, cocoa, and some mandarin. I'm getting more mandarin on my skin than I did in the imp. The tobacco and mandarin combo sort of remind me of Eastern Comma, only this is a different tobacco, and Eastern Comma has sweet orange instead of mandarin. These notes remain as the main players until the scent begins to dry down. I'm surprised the sanguine red musk hasn't reared its head at me yet, although the smattering of herbs mingling with the mandarin create an unfortunate sour quality on my skin. Dry: Argh, there's the red musk. This ends up being mostly red musk and mandarin on me, with some smoky tobacco, dusty cacao, and some herbs. The combination isn't exactly pleasant smelling on me. Verdict: This one is not my cup of tea.

In the imp: Moss and a smoky leather note that I have not encountered before! Wet: The leather note dominates, and I'm also getting some of the balsam, which I recognize from Tombstone. Then, the moss note emerges. Others have compared this to walking into a leather store, and I do get that from this scent. The leather note seems to be getting stronger over time. Dry: The red leather note continues to reign, accompanied by a bit of balsam. It reads as a brown leather to my nose. The moss note has calmed down significantly. It's predominantly a super realistic leather scent. Verdict: This is really realistic! While this particular leather note is too masculine (and strong) for me, I'm glad I got to try it!

In the imp: Lots of oppoponax and black amber, with the tobacco and a bit of well-worn leather. Wet: The oppoponax is the strongest note on my skin, with the black amber following closely behind. I thought this would be really dark because of its description, but it's actually not. I keep thinking this might be the leather note from Mikado Saloon HG, but with some resins and tobacco instead of ambergris and vanilla. In any case, it's not a chemical-y, black leather. Dry: The resins continue to dominate, with the black amber taking the lead. The scent actually stays rather close to the skin, and the well-worn leather note is lovely. I'd say this one is unisex. Verdict: I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. I'm not sure I need a bottle, but I'll definitely be holding onto my imp!