mermaidjeans

Expectation: I was into an audio series called The Confessions of Dorian Gray at the time of my order, so this had to be on the list. Beauty and debauchery. First Impression: rich, sweet In the imp this smells slightly alcoholic. It has the faintest hint of herb flower which could be the fougère - if it is lavender then that's amazing because usually I can't stand it in anything. On the skin the sugar, vanilla and what must be tea comes out. However, what the scent really reminds me of is having lemon drizzle cake nearby. Not near enough to get a citrus sharpness, but that yummy sugar nonetheless. For a scent with three musks, these don't dominate - they just bring the other notes into a harmonious and enticing scent. Verdict: a definite keeper. I've started wearing it more. Wouldn't mind smelling it on a guy, either!

Expectation: Came for the character name, stayed for the simple, evocative description. I loved the idea of a wild scent. First Impression: alert This has a warmth that is almost spicy but never quite hits that way - I think that must be the red musk. It has an underlying strength and the amber/rosewood combo really works well. The wood is not dry at all. I don't think I have anything else with rosewood as the leading note. As it dries, more of the sandalwood comes out. It's like incense without the incense, if that makes sense. I like it on me but wouldn't mind it in my home, either. In fact, it's like wet = beast in the wild, dry = beast guarding its den. Verdict: a definite keeper. I've worn it only a few times but I find it rather appealing.

Expectation: A confidence-booster. First Impression: fresh This is light, sweet but not cloying fruit, possibly grape. It's not an air-punch of blood-pumping confidence to fight the day, but a confident hand on your shoulder that says "you can do this". It offers an aura of calm competence. I do catch enough of it that I don't feel the need to sniff my wrists. I sometimes layer it with Tamora for added sweetness and oomph as the peach works really well alongside it. I can't speak for its effects, but I reach for it every time I have a difficult work day with meetings or presentations. It brings a touch of clarity and comfort, and when things go well (which they have been doing!), it can only reinforce the association the next time it's used. Verdict: a definite keeper. The imp is almost empty as it's the one I've used the most so I'm seriously considering a bottle with my next order.

Expectation: I had another scent based on a pirate character, which I loved, so I was hoping for a similar effect. Plus I like the smell of rum and I think this was the only alcohol note in my first order. First Impression: rum The rum in this is warm (probably the spiced aspect). It has a sweetness about it in the imp which is grounded by the wood note and stops it from being foody. Once on the skin, a hint of the "sea air" finally appears but is blended really well into the other notes. It doesn't seem to have much throw but I don't mind that in this - it could have easily been one of the powerful, sexy fragrances, but sitting closer to the skin gives it a quieter touch. Verdict: a keeper. I really want to try wearing it out.

Expectation: If any scent can conjure up an image, it's this one. Heat, spices, and a mysterious talent to enthrall. First Impression (last year): warm, spice, male I'm not usually one to gender things so it must have been quite a strong feeling for me to write that. When it came to finally doing these reviews one year on, Scherezade had a big exclamation mark on my list and I left it until last. This was because whenever I open the storage box it's the one scent that overpowers everything even from the closed imp. It's like it's shouting SPICE AND RED MUSK YEAH which is a bit intimidating. However, the initial effect is misleading. Once on the skin, it does calm down a lot, and becomes more subdued than Sin, which is my "spicy" scent. So subdued, in fact, that I don't really get much from it. It's nice, but doesn't really grab me. I even wore it for writing once and wasn't really feeling it was inspiring in any way. Verdict: I was hoping that it would work its magic, but ultimately it's not a keeper. For red musk, I prefer Fenris Wolf.

Expectation: This wasn't originally on my list but O was out of stock so it made the cut. (Even though the notes are different, they have a very similar theme.) First Impression: sweat, must This wasn't the scent I was hoping for - it didn't say "sexy" just... not quite right. I'm not familiar with the individual notes, so I don't know which one is making my nose wrinkle the most. I felt like I was trying to like it, as if there could be an interesting scent there if it wasn't for that. Verdict: not a keeper. I gave it another chance for this review, but it was still the same decision.

Expectation: I wanted at least one bpal sexy scent in my first order, and due to stock issues I only ended up with two (the other being La Petite Mort). I was ready to be blown away. First Impression: candles, incense Definitely strong on the patchouli and cinnamon for starters, from the imp - but not in a nose hurty way (though I did just start sneezing! Make of that what you will...). Wet on the skin the cinnamon kicks up a bit but I think the amber and sandalwood are already in play to keep it on just the right side of spicy. For me, amber makes everything warm and appealing and here it seems to lend a vanilla-like creamy undercurrent, or like a shea lip butter. Unless that's the sandalwood. And that's the thing, I could go on and on with my nose pressed to my wrist because I want to keep figuring out its secrets like an intriguing lover - not bad for a list of four notes. I like Sin. A lot. I have yet to wear it out, but this is one that I put on at home just because I want to smell it. Verdict: a keeper. Definitely sexy.

Expectation: Deliciousness. I mean, just look at that list of notes. First Impression: sweet, fruity, foody Tamora is my second most worn scent so far (after High John, although I've ended up combining them as well). It starts off with a really appealing sweetness that is almost punchy. Wet on the skin it gains a slight hint of a candy-like quality. The fruit from the blossom is not in-your-face peach, which is good otherwise it could have overpowered the other notes. Not long afterwards I start getting the warmth of the amber and vanilla and it calms down. I just sniff my wrists for a boost of lingering loveliness. Verdict: a definite keeper. I keep going back to it because it's just a pleasant scent to wear.

I'm finally doing proper reviews for my first bpal order (from a year ago) ahead of my imminent second haul. I only have a few words down from my first impressions, plus my history of usage since then, so I'm now revisiting them all. So, Sea of Glass. Expectation: I wanted this to be a very Aquarian scent - air and light, with hints of aquatic First impression: subtle, neutral I must admit to being slightly underwhelmed at first. I couldn't smell anything in particular. Too much air, and a little ephemeral. I haven't worn it much, but since then I've learned to appreciate that a neutral, comfortable scent is not a bad thing. Blended with the soft aquatic, I pick up a hint of citrus and floral. I'm planning on getting a lemony scent such as Zephyr and I'm curious how they will work together - it could end up being the scent I expected. The imp is slightly more perfumey than on my skin, where it seems to fall even further into the background. Verdict: a keeper, although for quiet, unassuming days or for blending with other scents.