[Multi] Reviews
My latest round of reviews... enjoy!
DARKNESS: Bottled gloom; the essence of oblivion. Blackest opium and narcissus deepened by myrrh.
In Bottle: Dark floral
On Skin: The narcissus seems to be the dominant note. A nice elegant and unique floral. The myrrh has a nice sweet and powdery feel that wraps itself around the narcissus. The opium adds a incense note that is slightly spicy and exotic. This scent blends well and warms up on my skin very nicely. But… it’s a little soapy for my taste, the narcissus I think… I do like how it does seem “dark” and that although it is pretty it doesn’t give a happy bright feel, it’s more depressing and quiet. Gloom… yes, very nicely put. 3
BELLADONNA: The devil's herb, which he cultivates with skill and pleasure. According to lore, the spirit of this plant may take the form of a breathtaking, achingly beautiful woman, deadly to behold. This scent is a tribute to such a dark and magnificent plant: a rich green and floral blend, earthy and haunting.
In Bottle: Sharp herb
On Skin: This clears up your sinuses quickly. Very sharp and medicinal. There is also a nice rich spicy note that really deepens the scent overall. Almost a little woody or resiny. I smell pine or something that reminds me a bit of Christmas. Not strictly a “planty” scent. I like that it has more levels and really catches my attention. It is still very minty and medicinal though and not something I would wear as a scent. I do like it to use as aromatherapy though since it does give a quick jolt of energy and awakeness.
VERDANDI: Deep herbs and apple with black amber.
In Bottle: Apples!
On Skin: Juicy apple! I feel like I’ve just bitten into an apple, I even smell and taste the peel. How fresh and vibrant! The herbs seem crisp as well, a little minty and add to that beautiful fresh scent! Very invigorating. After a few minutes the scent darkens as the amber shows through. I like how it just changes slightly. This seems like a fall/autumn scent. Very pretty and gender neutral. I think this would be a perfect room scent for this Fall, I will be keeping the imp for sure.
MAGDALENE: A stirring yet gentle perfume. The scent of love and devotion mingled with an undercurrent of heart-rending sorrow. A bouquet of white roses, labdanum, and wild orchid.
In Bottle: Dirty pickles (yes, you read that right)
On Skin: It still smells like dirty pickles. There is a “dirt” note, very earthy. And then there is a sour note that reminds me of pickles. Ok, after a few minutes the sour note appears to be rose I think and it sweetens up slightly. The orchid and the rose are pretty strong florals that compete for a while but I think the rose is winning. The labdanum creates the darker, herby and earthy note. Mixed together, they create quite a unique scent. Not me really, but fun to sit and review. They do contradict and confuse me, kind of like love and sorrow… and in the end go hand in hand. A scent worth checking out for sure if you enjoy florals.
PENTHUS: The Greek God of Tears, Patron of Mourners, who dictates and accepts honors paid to the dead. He is the personification of grief and the sorrow and emptiness that comes from loss. Weeping is his hymnal, and this is his perfume. Salt tears over white roses, the fumes of thin funereal incense and the hollowness of calamus.
In Bottle: Sour soap
On Skin: The rose is by far the dominant note. It is super tart and strong. I don’t smell any incense or darker notes. This scent is bure brightness and floral. A slight ozone note which adds a clean element, but the rose drowns it out so that it’s just a faint afterthought. I am not a rose fan so this isn’t a scent for me at all. It has massive throw and is a strong scent… a little goes a long way.
HURRICANE: The Dark Side of Air: a high pitched, tangy, clear scent -- light China rain deepened by murky vetivert.
In Bottle: Rain
On Skin: Very crisp ozone scent. I get the feeling of rain right away, that beautiful clean almost laundry-like scent. And it is a bit dirty as well from the vetivert! Wow!!! That’s something like what I wanted, but I’d prefer a more clear “dirt” or earthy note than this one which is more patchouli/incense like. This scent is a bit minty which heightens the “clean” notes, but there is a lso a dark side. This isn’t a pretty rain, this is a scary storm… a hurricane! So complex yet simple. Big kudos to Beth on this! It has a pretty strong throw and lasts quite a while on my dry skin.
DELIGHT: In ancient India it was believed that a specific combination of flower petals, when strewn across a couple's bed, would amplify desire and sexual pleasure. This blend is a blend of the same floral essences, refined into a gloriously sinful perfume blend. Frangipani, with rose, tuberose, and jasmine.
In Bottle: Incense and florals
On Skin: This scent is very Indian, it brings to mind a Indian gift shop I went to once. The rose notes are dominant (again) and the jasmine follows a close second. I like that the other florals sweeten the rose so the rose isn’t too tart or sharp. A pretty feminine scent with a sweet syrupy feel. There seems to be a dark and resinous background note that really warms the scent up and gives it a deeper feeling. I love the description and would would perfectly willing to try this out for that specific purpose… but not as an everyday fragrance.
ODE ON MELANCHOLY: Beauty, joy, pleasure and delight: devastated. This is the scent of the hopelessness, torment and despair of love. Lavender and wisteria, heart-wrenching pale rose, desolate white sandalwood and thin, tear-streaked white musk.
In Bottle: Lavender and rose
On Skin: Icy and metallic at first. This is pure angst and sorrow. I take one whiff and actually feel alone and sad. Wow, I didn’t think a scent could depress me. This is like sifting through a box of old photos and love letters from a lost love. Somehow haunting but sweet memories at the same time. This is one of those scents of Beths where I am so in awe of how complex and thought out it is. There is nothing simple about it, there are so many levels. I like that it is so interesting, if somebody smells this on you, they are going to ask you about it. It catches attention like that. After about 10 minutes, it warms up a little more and doesn’t depress me as much. It’s more like a glimmer of hope. A beautiful and clean herbal/floral everyone should at least sample. Sadly the throw is light and it fades quickly.
LUPERCI: This scent is for the Luperci, the Chosen of Faunus, the Brothers of the Wolf: raw, down and dirty patchouli, Gurjam balsam, and essence of Sampson Root sweetened with the heightened sexuality of beeswax, virile juniper, oakmoss, ambrette seed over honey and East African musk.
In Bottle: Patchouli
On Skin: I was 90% sure I wouldn’t be into this scent. I mean it says quite obviously “Raw, down and dirty patchouli” and that is completely not me. But…. That sneaky little word drew me in: HONEY. Yes, I am a sucker for honey so I had to try it. So, here we go. The patchouli is quite raw, down and dirty… no denying that. So it is not agreeing with me. There is a slight juniper note that gives a bit of piney twang. The musk is nice and soft and creates an overall “feel” to the scent. The oakmoss blends with the patchouli to make the scent quite earthy. I don’t smell the honey or beeswax yet. After about ten mintues I can sense a slight honey note that sweetens the scent but doesn’t stand out. A very masculine scent that doesn’t quite suit me so I’ll be passing it on.
PARLEMENT OF FOULES: Medieval romance and courtly love. White rose and soft resins.
In Bottle: Rose
On Skin: The rose in this is quite sweet. It doesn’t have that sour twang that rose so often has on me… well it does, but not as heavy. The musk deepens it and darkens the brightness some. It really does feel like a “soft” scent. I get a little giddy and girly when smelling this. It’s very romantic and super feminine. It’s quite strong with heavy throw. For any fans of rose, I say try this since it’s a beautiful different take on a classic rose scent.
NIGHT’S PAVILION: The coldness which makes you more beautiful. Not the desperation, desolation and anguish of unrequited love, but the distant, chill and pitiless scent of the object of that doomed desire. White musk, osmanthus, Nile lily and frankincense.
In Bottle: Hay and incense
On Skin: Hmmm… this is an odd scent on me. I smell hay. Seriously, like barnyard hay. After a few minutes the florals bloom, very strong, white and crisp. I also smell a tea note and the hay scent is still there, but lighter. I expected the frankincense to dominate the scent, but it actually lays low in the background just giving a slight incensey note. About 15 minutes later the hay has faded (thankfully) and it is mostly elegant white florals, the lily being the dominant note. It is a pretty scent and I love the description and mood it creates, but it’s not quite me.
THE PERFUMED GARDEN: The Perfumed Garden for the Soul's Recreation. This scent is based on a venerable Tunisian perfume that was used to excite the senses, inspire sensuality and inflame passion. Myrrh and Moroccan jasmine with apple peel, Indian sandalwood, myrtle, quince, citron, and thyme poured over soft musk.
In Bottle: Fruity musk
On Skin: A little plasticy at first… I think it’s the musk, myrrh and jasmine mixed doing this because I can almost smell those notes blending. The other notes stand out on their own. The applejack is quite crisp and sweet, the sandalwood is a beautiful woody background note and the myrtle and quine are bery light in the back as well. The citron has a beautiful tart note that only flickers through every once in a while and the thyme has a slight metallic medicinal note that eventually shows through. After a bit the plastic scent fades and the myrrh becomes dominant. Very exotic and sweet. If you like myrrh or jasmine scents, try this one for sure. It is quite sexual and enticing. Not a scent I’d wear every day, but I would like it for special occasions. It is quite strong, both in throw and how long it lasts.
SCARECROW: An agricultural gargoyle. Though he is the Guardian of the Crops and Keeper of the Fields, his visage is still the stuff of nightmares. The scent of a hot wind blowing through desolate, scorched, barren fields.
In Bottle: Clean, soapy
On Skin: This smells like a cleanser. I mean, it’s nice and obviously very clean smelling, but as a perfume? After a few minutes it mellows out some and warms up. I smell something musky and masculine, but with a golden tint... I’m not getting the green feel that others have mentioned. Maybe amber or myrrh? There is also a woody note that is quite sweet. This scent is comforting, like laying in a warm sunny field of dried out cornhusks… right before the autumn’s coolness sets in. While it does seem slightly more masculine, I like it on myself as a comfort scent. I really do feel better smelling this after the crappy day I had. The throw is very minimal though and the scent fades completely after 15 minutes.
HAS NO HANNA: Brings a rush of good luck, lifts the spirit, and helps alleviate depression.
In Bottle: Tart floral
On Skin: I smell an acidic floral, quite tart and sour. Rose or jasmine maybe? I’m leaning more towards rose. Something golden as well… maybe ginger, myrrh or amber? It seems like a warm scent but with a sharp edge. I get a little of a herbal note. Someone mentioned weeds in the forum reviews and I have to agree. It smells like dried weeds and grass! All in all, it’s not a scent that pleases me… it just doesn’t work with my chemistry. It keeps getting even more sour and pungent. Too bad because it’s intended purposes above sound wonderful. Maybe I can try it once more and see if it works like it’s supposed to.
NOCNITSA: Her scent is that of a lightless fir wood, nighttime air, wet forest mosses and upturned earth.
On Bottle: Pungent woods
On Skin: This is a scary scent! The woods are very strong and seem to haunt the scent. The fir gives off a piney brisk chill wind and the mosses and earth remind me the forest creeping up all around a small cabin in the woods. This is such an interesting scent. I remember going camping as a kid and sitting around in our tents telling ghost stories. This scent smells like those times… all it needs is a tiny touch of campfire smoke to fit that mood perfect… but that wouldn’t fit the Nocnitsa theme correctly. It kind of reminds me of Skadi… maybe the dark and evil step-sister to Skadi? It really is dark and haunting… so brooding and scary. It sends shivers up my spine. Anyway… while I wouldn’t wear this scent as a perfume, I enjoy smelling it in the imp and being transported to another place. Beth is amazing at doing that… scent is such a powerful sense.
MARQUISE DE MERTEUIL: Stately, bold, aristocratic and cruel. Opulent galbanum and amber, glistening peach, and a bouquet of French florals, with a merciless undertone of jonquil and heartless vetiver.
In Bottle: Peach
On Skin: An elegant peach! So very noble and strong! Other peach scents have turned so girly and innocent, this one holds it’s own ground and is a very strong and independent scent. The florals are a nice compliment and stay mostly in the background. The peach owns this scent, without a doubt, and while it is a fruity scent, I don’t feel like I’m eating a fruit salad which is nice. The galbanum and amber give a sweet sticky resin base which helps blend all the notes together perfectly. Vetiver usually goes haywire on me, but here it is tamed by the sweeter and deeper scents. The peach mellows out a bit as the scent dries down and we’re left with a more perfumey scent which I adore. A beautiful scent that I will keep, I love the mood it evokes. It has a nice throw and medium staying power.
DARKNESS: Bottled gloom; the essence of oblivion. Blackest opium and narcissus deepened by myrrh.
In Bottle: Dark floral
On Skin: The narcissus seems to be the dominant note. A nice elegant and unique floral. The myrrh has a nice sweet and powdery feel that wraps itself around the narcissus. The opium adds a incense note that is slightly spicy and exotic. This scent blends well and warms up on my skin very nicely. But… it’s a little soapy for my taste, the narcissus I think… I do like how it does seem “dark” and that although it is pretty it doesn’t give a happy bright feel, it’s more depressing and quiet. Gloom… yes, very nicely put. 3
BELLADONNA: The devil's herb, which he cultivates with skill and pleasure. According to lore, the spirit of this plant may take the form of a breathtaking, achingly beautiful woman, deadly to behold. This scent is a tribute to such a dark and magnificent plant: a rich green and floral blend, earthy and haunting.
In Bottle: Sharp herb
On Skin: This clears up your sinuses quickly. Very sharp and medicinal. There is also a nice rich spicy note that really deepens the scent overall. Almost a little woody or resiny. I smell pine or something that reminds me a bit of Christmas. Not strictly a “planty” scent. I like that it has more levels and really catches my attention. It is still very minty and medicinal though and not something I would wear as a scent. I do like it to use as aromatherapy though since it does give a quick jolt of energy and awakeness.
VERDANDI: Deep herbs and apple with black amber.
In Bottle: Apples!
On Skin: Juicy apple! I feel like I’ve just bitten into an apple, I even smell and taste the peel. How fresh and vibrant! The herbs seem crisp as well, a little minty and add to that beautiful fresh scent! Very invigorating. After a few minutes the scent darkens as the amber shows through. I like how it just changes slightly. This seems like a fall/autumn scent. Very pretty and gender neutral. I think this would be a perfect room scent for this Fall, I will be keeping the imp for sure.
MAGDALENE: A stirring yet gentle perfume. The scent of love and devotion mingled with an undercurrent of heart-rending sorrow. A bouquet of white roses, labdanum, and wild orchid.
In Bottle: Dirty pickles (yes, you read that right)
On Skin: It still smells like dirty pickles. There is a “dirt” note, very earthy. And then there is a sour note that reminds me of pickles. Ok, after a few minutes the sour note appears to be rose I think and it sweetens up slightly. The orchid and the rose are pretty strong florals that compete for a while but I think the rose is winning. The labdanum creates the darker, herby and earthy note. Mixed together, they create quite a unique scent. Not me really, but fun to sit and review. They do contradict and confuse me, kind of like love and sorrow… and in the end go hand in hand. A scent worth checking out for sure if you enjoy florals.
PENTHUS: The Greek God of Tears, Patron of Mourners, who dictates and accepts honors paid to the dead. He is the personification of grief and the sorrow and emptiness that comes from loss. Weeping is his hymnal, and this is his perfume. Salt tears over white roses, the fumes of thin funereal incense and the hollowness of calamus.
In Bottle: Sour soap
On Skin: The rose is by far the dominant note. It is super tart and strong. I don’t smell any incense or darker notes. This scent is bure brightness and floral. A slight ozone note which adds a clean element, but the rose drowns it out so that it’s just a faint afterthought. I am not a rose fan so this isn’t a scent for me at all. It has massive throw and is a strong scent… a little goes a long way.
HURRICANE: The Dark Side of Air: a high pitched, tangy, clear scent -- light China rain deepened by murky vetivert.
In Bottle: Rain
On Skin: Very crisp ozone scent. I get the feeling of rain right away, that beautiful clean almost laundry-like scent. And it is a bit dirty as well from the vetivert! Wow!!! That’s something like what I wanted, but I’d prefer a more clear “dirt” or earthy note than this one which is more patchouli/incense like. This scent is a bit minty which heightens the “clean” notes, but there is a lso a dark side. This isn’t a pretty rain, this is a scary storm… a hurricane! So complex yet simple. Big kudos to Beth on this! It has a pretty strong throw and lasts quite a while on my dry skin.
DELIGHT: In ancient India it was believed that a specific combination of flower petals, when strewn across a couple's bed, would amplify desire and sexual pleasure. This blend is a blend of the same floral essences, refined into a gloriously sinful perfume blend. Frangipani, with rose, tuberose, and jasmine.
In Bottle: Incense and florals
On Skin: This scent is very Indian, it brings to mind a Indian gift shop I went to once. The rose notes are dominant (again) and the jasmine follows a close second. I like that the other florals sweeten the rose so the rose isn’t too tart or sharp. A pretty feminine scent with a sweet syrupy feel. There seems to be a dark and resinous background note that really warms the scent up and gives it a deeper feeling. I love the description and would would perfectly willing to try this out for that specific purpose… but not as an everyday fragrance.
ODE ON MELANCHOLY: Beauty, joy, pleasure and delight: devastated. This is the scent of the hopelessness, torment and despair of love. Lavender and wisteria, heart-wrenching pale rose, desolate white sandalwood and thin, tear-streaked white musk.
In Bottle: Lavender and rose
On Skin: Icy and metallic at first. This is pure angst and sorrow. I take one whiff and actually feel alone and sad. Wow, I didn’t think a scent could depress me. This is like sifting through a box of old photos and love letters from a lost love. Somehow haunting but sweet memories at the same time. This is one of those scents of Beths where I am so in awe of how complex and thought out it is. There is nothing simple about it, there are so many levels. I like that it is so interesting, if somebody smells this on you, they are going to ask you about it. It catches attention like that. After about 10 minutes, it warms up a little more and doesn’t depress me as much. It’s more like a glimmer of hope. A beautiful and clean herbal/floral everyone should at least sample. Sadly the throw is light and it fades quickly.
LUPERCI: This scent is for the Luperci, the Chosen of Faunus, the Brothers of the Wolf: raw, down and dirty patchouli, Gurjam balsam, and essence of Sampson Root sweetened with the heightened sexuality of beeswax, virile juniper, oakmoss, ambrette seed over honey and East African musk.
In Bottle: Patchouli
On Skin: I was 90% sure I wouldn’t be into this scent. I mean it says quite obviously “Raw, down and dirty patchouli” and that is completely not me. But…. That sneaky little word drew me in: HONEY. Yes, I am a sucker for honey so I had to try it. So, here we go. The patchouli is quite raw, down and dirty… no denying that. So it is not agreeing with me. There is a slight juniper note that gives a bit of piney twang. The musk is nice and soft and creates an overall “feel” to the scent. The oakmoss blends with the patchouli to make the scent quite earthy. I don’t smell the honey or beeswax yet. After about ten mintues I can sense a slight honey note that sweetens the scent but doesn’t stand out. A very masculine scent that doesn’t quite suit me so I’ll be passing it on.
PARLEMENT OF FOULES: Medieval romance and courtly love. White rose and soft resins.
In Bottle: Rose
On Skin: The rose in this is quite sweet. It doesn’t have that sour twang that rose so often has on me… well it does, but not as heavy. The musk deepens it and darkens the brightness some. It really does feel like a “soft” scent. I get a little giddy and girly when smelling this. It’s very romantic and super feminine. It’s quite strong with heavy throw. For any fans of rose, I say try this since it’s a beautiful different take on a classic rose scent.
NIGHT’S PAVILION: The coldness which makes you more beautiful. Not the desperation, desolation and anguish of unrequited love, but the distant, chill and pitiless scent of the object of that doomed desire. White musk, osmanthus, Nile lily and frankincense.
In Bottle: Hay and incense
On Skin: Hmmm… this is an odd scent on me. I smell hay. Seriously, like barnyard hay. After a few minutes the florals bloom, very strong, white and crisp. I also smell a tea note and the hay scent is still there, but lighter. I expected the frankincense to dominate the scent, but it actually lays low in the background just giving a slight incensey note. About 15 minutes later the hay has faded (thankfully) and it is mostly elegant white florals, the lily being the dominant note. It is a pretty scent and I love the description and mood it creates, but it’s not quite me.
THE PERFUMED GARDEN: The Perfumed Garden for the Soul's Recreation. This scent is based on a venerable Tunisian perfume that was used to excite the senses, inspire sensuality and inflame passion. Myrrh and Moroccan jasmine with apple peel, Indian sandalwood, myrtle, quince, citron, and thyme poured over soft musk.
In Bottle: Fruity musk
On Skin: A little plasticy at first… I think it’s the musk, myrrh and jasmine mixed doing this because I can almost smell those notes blending. The other notes stand out on their own. The applejack is quite crisp and sweet, the sandalwood is a beautiful woody background note and the myrtle and quine are bery light in the back as well. The citron has a beautiful tart note that only flickers through every once in a while and the thyme has a slight metallic medicinal note that eventually shows through. After a bit the plastic scent fades and the myrrh becomes dominant. Very exotic and sweet. If you like myrrh or jasmine scents, try this one for sure. It is quite sexual and enticing. Not a scent I’d wear every day, but I would like it for special occasions. It is quite strong, both in throw and how long it lasts.
SCARECROW: An agricultural gargoyle. Though he is the Guardian of the Crops and Keeper of the Fields, his visage is still the stuff of nightmares. The scent of a hot wind blowing through desolate, scorched, barren fields.
In Bottle: Clean, soapy
On Skin: This smells like a cleanser. I mean, it’s nice and obviously very clean smelling, but as a perfume? After a few minutes it mellows out some and warms up. I smell something musky and masculine, but with a golden tint... I’m not getting the green feel that others have mentioned. Maybe amber or myrrh? There is also a woody note that is quite sweet. This scent is comforting, like laying in a warm sunny field of dried out cornhusks… right before the autumn’s coolness sets in. While it does seem slightly more masculine, I like it on myself as a comfort scent. I really do feel better smelling this after the crappy day I had. The throw is very minimal though and the scent fades completely after 15 minutes.
HAS NO HANNA: Brings a rush of good luck, lifts the spirit, and helps alleviate depression.
In Bottle: Tart floral
On Skin: I smell an acidic floral, quite tart and sour. Rose or jasmine maybe? I’m leaning more towards rose. Something golden as well… maybe ginger, myrrh or amber? It seems like a warm scent but with a sharp edge. I get a little of a herbal note. Someone mentioned weeds in the forum reviews and I have to agree. It smells like dried weeds and grass! All in all, it’s not a scent that pleases me… it just doesn’t work with my chemistry. It keeps getting even more sour and pungent. Too bad because it’s intended purposes above sound wonderful. Maybe I can try it once more and see if it works like it’s supposed to.
NOCNITSA: Her scent is that of a lightless fir wood, nighttime air, wet forest mosses and upturned earth.
On Bottle: Pungent woods
On Skin: This is a scary scent! The woods are very strong and seem to haunt the scent. The fir gives off a piney brisk chill wind and the mosses and earth remind me the forest creeping up all around a small cabin in the woods. This is such an interesting scent. I remember going camping as a kid and sitting around in our tents telling ghost stories. This scent smells like those times… all it needs is a tiny touch of campfire smoke to fit that mood perfect… but that wouldn’t fit the Nocnitsa theme correctly. It kind of reminds me of Skadi… maybe the dark and evil step-sister to Skadi? It really is dark and haunting… so brooding and scary. It sends shivers up my spine. Anyway… while I wouldn’t wear this scent as a perfume, I enjoy smelling it in the imp and being transported to another place. Beth is amazing at doing that… scent is such a powerful sense.
MARQUISE DE MERTEUIL: Stately, bold, aristocratic and cruel. Opulent galbanum and amber, glistening peach, and a bouquet of French florals, with a merciless undertone of jonquil and heartless vetiver.
In Bottle: Peach
On Skin: An elegant peach! So very noble and strong! Other peach scents have turned so girly and innocent, this one holds it’s own ground and is a very strong and independent scent. The florals are a nice compliment and stay mostly in the background. The peach owns this scent, without a doubt, and while it is a fruity scent, I don’t feel like I’m eating a fruit salad which is nice. The galbanum and amber give a sweet sticky resin base which helps blend all the notes together perfectly. Vetiver usually goes haywire on me, but here it is tamed by the sweeter and deeper scents. The peach mellows out a bit as the scent dries down and we’re left with a more perfumey scent which I adore. A beautiful scent that I will keep, I love the mood it evokes. It has a nice throw and medium staying power.