forspecial_plate

No. 93 Engine is pretty interesting. It starts out very herbal with resins and a very appealing, light beeswax note. I was a little wary of any kind of honey note, but the beeswax is actually really nice. I can definitely smell the frankincense, too.

Overall, this reminds me a lot of Minotaur, with maybe less resins and more herbs, but a very similar golden and glowing feeling. After a long while, this scent does veer towards something sweet and powdery that reminds me of honey, but isn't quite the same. It is really interesting and something that I would consider wearing again. I like it much more in the first 30 minutes or so, as opposed to the long dry-down, but it's definitely worth holding onto. If I end up giving it away, it's because it's a little too close to honey for my taste, and also I already have Minotaur which I think smells like this.

Edit: I forgot to mention, when I first put this on and it's still wet, I get a little bit of 'fizzy cola' scent, kind of like Schwarzer Mond. I wonder if there is some oppoponax in this?

At first this was too odd, and it has taken quite a while for me to dig it out and try it again. Imagine that Samhainophobia has a young niece or nephew (could be either gender, really). Cute as a button, but also cheeky as hell. That is To Autumn, to me.

The subtlety of the moss, bark, mist, and leaves....all swurrled together....really make this scent for me. It's a great example of how Beth refines her skill more and more, with each new season. <3 I love her use of these odd, almost abstract notes like mist, stone, and dust to create a mood or feeling.

Dark and fruity, purple, incense. Reminds me of a few other bpal oils, all variations of a theme. After a long while, this takes on a gilded quality, or something like gold filigree. All the while, there is a slightly powdery element, but not so much that it repels me. I admire the artistry of this, but for me personally it verges on womanly (which I am not). Also, I have other fruity and/or incense scents that I prefer.

Bad Luck Woman Blues....."Keep that bad luck woman away with a blend of Spanish moss, black pepper, mullein, sweet sage, vandal root, cypress, cigar tobacco, and a puff of goofer dust cloaked by a swarthy cologne of vetiver, lime, dark musk, caramel accord, and lilac".

I might totally revise my review of this one. It's almost 2 years later now, and the moss really POPS out. It's a lot of moss and caramel, with herbs and a little lime. This scent has aged incredibly well, it's one of my favorite scents in my whole collection. Even though it's limited, I do see it in sales from time to time.

Speaking of limited editions, another one worth mentioning is Chintamani-Dhupa: "Pound well together sandal-wood, Kunku, costus, Krishnaguru, Suvasika-puspha, white vala and the bark of the Deodaru pine; and, after reducing them to fine powder, mix it with honey and thoroughly dry. It is now known as Chintamani-Dhupa, the "thought-mastering incense". It's from a couple years ago, and based on reviews it didn't seem to be hugely popular, but I really love it.

It may be more of an incense scent, but the woods are very much present when I wear it......sandalwood comes out much more than pine bark, to my nose. And it's one of my favorite sandalwood scents. Also, I usually don't like honey, but somehow it doesn't bother me in this one. Worth a try if you don't object to a more exotic scent, reminiscent of Indian incense (and if you can find it..... ).

The Forbidding Foyer is old, polished wood, right down to a whiff of ancient furniture polish. Sounds totally odd for a perfume but it really grew on me. It's great for feeling cozy on a rainy, blustery day.

I am a dork. I typed out Perilous Parlour in my post up above, but I really meant Forbidding Foyer. I am so glad, FsP that you brought me to my senses. *runs off to fix mistake*

It crossed my mind that you might have meant F.F. instead of P.P..... Then I was trying to remember if P.P. had wood in it.....? Anyway, glad to be of use! : )

The Forbidding Foyer is old, polished wood, right down to a whiff of ancient furniture polish. Sounds totally odd for a perfume but it really grew on me. It's great for feeling cozy on a rainy, blustery day.

When I first tried this, it was so odd that I put it away and sort of forgot about it for a few months. I recently tried it again and realized that I really like it.

I get absolutely no leather, whatsoever, which is why I was so puzzled when I first put it on. What I mostly smell is vetiver, dry and herbal, a little on the green side. It reminds me a lot of Devil's Claw. Then much later, it smells like sandalwood. I know, totally weird and not matching the description (or other reviews for that matter), but that's what my nose is telling me. And as it turns out, it's a scent I really like, so it was a happy surprise.

Deep, fruity, and sweet, not one of the fruits stands out to me individually in this scent. I had no expectations either way, so I was happy that this smells so good. For comparisons, it reminds me a little of Bloody Mary, and also one of the Possets kitties, but I can't remember which one (Maude, w/out the greenery?). I shall enjoy this scent again, and I'm glad it came along with my set of decants.

I've never been completely clear on the concept, but I always think of Wilde and Vicomte De Valmont. More recently Herbert West made me think "chypre" when I wore it. And maybe Dracul? These are all more towards the "masculine" end of the spectrum, but that's a matter of opinion I guess. : )

Sometimes I wonder why I keep trying these earth/soil blends, then I remember Jolasveinar......and Premature Burial......and sometimes even Zombi. Anyway, I do like some of them. And then there's Graveyard Dirt, and Badger, which just don't work for me. Earth Phoenix falls somewhere in the middle. It almost works for me, especially in the drying-down stage. And I do happen to like it enough to keep my decant. But I probably won't reach for it a whole lot.

The dirt note is strong in the beginning, but I could tell there is more complexity....it's not just single-note dirt. As it dries, more of the backing notes come out, and it becomes a deep, dark, slightly fruity scent, with a solid streak of soil. I usually like jasmine, depending on what's paired with it, and I also like cherry.....actually, I like all the notes, even though I'm not sure what snakeweed is. But this isn't really a scent that I could pick apart (even though I always try). The cherry does come out, and I think I can smell plum and jasmine too. But otherwise, it's just all blended together. I should add, jasmine usually does not take over every other note on my skin, like it does for some many people.

I could see myself being in the mood for this every so often, maybe on a rainy day, or when I'm just in the mood for something completely different. So I'll be happy to hold onto my decant (unless I happen to change my mind, lol).

Edit: I'm glad someone mentioned Queen Of Clubs a few posts back, because that did give me kind of a reference point.

This scent is very rich to me, very strong too. Somehow it doesn't quite work out for me and I'm not sure why, because I thought I liked all the notes here. It's just a little too powerful and kind of masculine/aftershavey (which is okay sometimes, and other times turns me off). I think I'll hold onto my decant for a while longer, because who knows what a little aging might do. Overall, it's so well blended that I can't really pick out individual notes, except maybe some of the incense and fruit/berry (although to be honest, I'm not even sure what sea buckthorn berry smells like...).

I think it has potential, and maybe it will calm down a little with some aging.

Right now I'm leaning towards Snake Oil or Carceri D'Invenzione. I wish I could find my decant of Guhlheim, it seems to have vanished. : /

Oooh, I really like this scent. Warm and slightly spicy, with some musk, and of course woods, but I can't really recognize any specific wood notes. When I first put it on, I can just pick out a little of the bamboo shoots, just a hint of aquatic in the mix. I admit I was worried about the fig, because in Lucifer it turned into banana (which isn't terrible, just not very Lucifer-like ). But in Wood Phoenix, the fig and walnut just add a nearly foody aspect to the blend, making this almost like a warm spicy nut-bread that would scent your whole kitchen in a beautiful way. But there is also that wood and the other perfumey elements, keeping this from being a totally foody scent.

Basically, it's warm, slightly musky and spicy, complex, and just a little sweet. I actually love it, between this and Fire Phoenix I'm considering bottles of both. Wood Phoenix is versatile....it's quiet and dignified, so that I can wear it to work (which I am right now), but it would also work for a weekend night out.

I'm so annoyed! I was thinking Ghûlheim might be great for NYE, and I wanted to try it again today, but I can't find my decant anywhere! I searched for over an hour, and there aren't that many places it could be. Somehow I think my cats are behind it.

Although, to be fair, I spent a couple hours the other day re-organizing all of my imps/decants, so it could also be my own stupidity.

Well , I love Death Adder a whole lot . And I like both of the others . So I guess that'll be a bottle for me before it's gone again

Yeah, I remembered you like Death Adder....that is more dry and husky, but I can really pick out the coconut in both. When I first tried Death Adder it reminded me a lot of Snake Charmer. I think Snake Charmer is more smoke/resin, with that dark plum note as well that adds a slight fruit element. I think it's a safe bet for you. : ) Besides, I think it would be relatively easy to swap or sell....usually I cringe when people say that, but Snake Charmer is pretty popular.

Edit: Just out of curiosity, I searched for "feminine" and "masculine" in the Snake Charmer reviews. I came up with 6 that said "feminine", "like Snake Oil but more feminine", etc.....and 1 vote for "too masculine for me". Still, I think it could work for either a guy or girl, just depending on one's taste.

Just a quick question about a scent that has returned for a brief time . I see all the excitement about Snake Charmer , & can't help but wonder if it would work for a guy as well . I don't think I'll get a chance to sniff it before it goes away , so I figured I'd ask here in hopes of getting some opinions . I'd hate to miss out on something that so many feel is so special , but if it's too feminine I won't feel bad at all .

Edit: Short answer: Yes, I think it can work for a guy. I wear it, and I'm a guy. It really depends on your tastes, though. (longer answer below....)

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Do you like Snake Oil, Death Adder, or Mme. Moriarty? If you like those, I'd say there's a real good chance you may also like Snake Charmer. Opinions vary but I find it really is its own scent, so to speak, but with similarities to those other ones.

When I first tried it, I wasn't sure if I could pull it off. It's not that it's feminine.....actually, it's not really masculine either, IMO, it's pretty much gender-neutral. But on my skin, it's really strong and I can only wear little dabs of it. But I do love the smell of it! I think there's a more popular opinion that it's like a lighter cousin of Snake Oil, but for me it's stronger than Snake Oil.

Anyway, I like it enough that I've hoarded 3 decants of the older Snake Charmer, and I have a bottle of the resurrected S.C. on the way. It's a really special scent that I don't wear all the time, but there are situations where it really fits. Hope that helps a little.

New Year's Eve!

I want to wear something deep, maybe smokey, classy, 'grown-up', and sexy. In the running are On Darkness, Great Cry In Egypt, and Chrysanthemum Moon. Possibly Philosopher In Meditation or one of the classic old-school blends like the old Hunter Moon or Blood Moon. I can't decide, and it will probably come down to what mood I'm in as I'm getting ready. I might flip at the last minute and reach for something more aggressively spicy like Hellhound On My Trail.

More possibilities.......Chintimani-Dhupa, Premature Burial, Pumpkin King (why not, right?), High Priest Not To Be Described, Devil's Night, Dr. John Seward.

edit: Forgot to mention, I'll be going to a smaller local club, kind of a straight-friendly gay dance bar down the street from my apt. I'll be sort of dressing up, but in thrift store clothes in non-traditional colors, and a sports-coat, but no tie. Comfort will be more important than dressing to impress, but that's the usual for me.

To me this is incredibly similar to Great Sword Of War, except Fire Phoenix doesn't have cocoa.

I love the big burst of citrus, and I would swear this has lemongrass, or some kind of orange or mandarin note. It's a little bit like Antonino, also (in addition to Great Sword). Anyway, enough comparisons.

Something about Fire Phoenix is nearly buttery.....which is funny, because someone else said the same thing about Metal Phoenix. But there is a richness to Fire Phoenix that makes it nearly a foody scent to me. I think of orange when I wear it, the color, that is. But there is a spiciness and heat to it, as well. Overall, it's pretty complex. I think I can smell the red musk but not the Chinese musk. But that doesn't surprise me, judging from the other Phoenixes, the Chinese musk is very light and I'm not sure I can pick it out of any of them! I'm sure it's contributing, though.

What I don't smell here are the floral notes. I suppose the cactus flower could be contributing to the 'oranginess', but overall this isn't a flowery blend to me. It's mostly spicy and musky. I'd love to smell more of the sarsaparilla, but that could come out more with a little age. I do really like this, and out of the Pheonixes, this is the most likely bottle candidate.

Edit: I've decided I like Wood Phoenix a lot better than this one. I will still wear it, though.

I think that Lines Written Among the Euganean Hills smells a lot like the L'Inverno perfume oil, although I only tried L'Inverno once, briefly.

How funny, surlygurl.....before I even opened the thread I was ready to suggest Scales Of Deprivation too! : )

Scales is complex, but I agree that the sage stands out. Not to mention, it's just a fantastic scent.

That Candy Phoenix label is beautiful!! I've been wanting to buy a bottle of it, and that's just giving me another reason... lol

I agree....totally not my scent but that label is soooo pretty~

When I first tried this, I was instantly transported back in time. This smells just like something my mom used to wear in the 70's, when I was little. It was uncanny. I'll have to ask her what she wore and if she remembers, I'll report back and edit my post.*

Anyway, I agree with those who said this is perfumey or cologney.....I would add sophisticated. There is a chilly element, but otherwise I couldn't really pick out a single note. Maybe much later, I could smell the amber, but that could be my imagination. It's just all seamlessly blended to my nose. I think each note is adding something to the whole scent, but again, I can't pick them out separately.

Because it reminds me of my mom, I think of this as slightly more feminine than not, but that doesn't mean I can't wear it. It seems like a great perfume for a winter night out, slightly formal, and very classy. It makes me think of night-time, despite the name.

*Edit: she says she wore Ambush and Heaven Sent, but also Charlie which is what this made her think of. Which is kind of funny because my dad's name is Charlie! : )

Looking at the notes, I couldn't remember why I wanted a decant of this, but now that I think about it, I was going through a sort of floral phase at the time. Anywho, on to the review....

This is indeed fresh and slightly fruity, but no single fruit note stands out. It's more of a roundness that comes from the different fruit notes. I hate to say it but when I wore this, I was reminded strongly of shower gel. It is nearly aquatic. It's not a bad smell at all, and I do like some light/pretty floral scents every now and then. I also really like aquatics, in general (well, a lot of them). This one just goes slightly over the line into a soapy territory that I don't find exciting. Ah well, you win some, you lose some, right?

Out of all the Yule update, I chose this scent to order without hunting down a decant first. I really wanted a fresh rain scent, and the promise of incense sounded even better. Visiting smells pretty much exactly how I was hoping it would! It's fresh and uplifting, a little more cheerful than the title and description would suggest. I can't really pick out the incense separately, but it is present. I don't get a whole lot of dust. To me, this isn't so much a cold, wintry rain, as it is a mild March or April rain.......just as the cold of winter is lifting, but before spring has really set in. I do get a little of the effervescent quality that the other reviews are mentioning, but it stops short of being 'fizzy'. Visiting is a very light scent, and fades pretty fast, which is fine since I went straight for a whole bottle, and I can freely apply as much as I want. This is another one of those truly neutral scents as far as gender is concerned. I don't feel that it's masculine or feminine.

I imagine it must be difficult to make a scent like this, without having it smell like soap, shampoo, or shower gel. If that's true, this is a wonderful example of how it can be done. I have absolutely no clue of what the 'real' notes are in this scent, and I think it might be fascinating to find out, although it would take away the mystery, of course.