[Multi] Reviews
A few reviews that have been sitting around waiting to be posted...
PS: Mods, a bunch of these need tags as well...
ENDYMION: Love Potions A sweet, wistful blend of d'Anjou pear, Lily of the Valley, bois du rose and white musk.
In Bottle: Tart fruits and florals
On Skin: I smell the pear right away which is a wonderful thing since D’Anjou pear is one of my favorite BPAL single notes. It is sweet but the sour rose slices through and gives the scent a tart feel. The lily of the valley adds to the white feel of this scent. I get a crisp white and light green tone from this scent. The white musk is so clean and soft. It blankets the scent in a sheer white cotton sheet. This scent is very light and spring feeling. I wish the rose was a bit more subtle, but besides that I love it. I could see this becoming a regualr spring scent for me. It has a nice close to the skin throw that makes you lean in to smell it and a short to average wearlength.
TWENTY-ONE: Bewitching Brews A tribute to New York’s 21 Club on West 52nd, formerly the speakeasy Jack & Charlie’s Puncheon Club. This is the scent of the perfect martini.
In Bottle: Gin
On Skin: Wow, yes a martini! I didn’t know it was going to be so literal! This has gin, a very junipery scent, as it’s dominant note. I prefer vodka martinis but don’t hate me for it! LOL! This scent is very sharp and very boozy. But it doesn’t make you smell like you’ve been up drinking all night, don’t worry. It’s very clean and clear, with a ripe, crystal feel. I also sense a little citrus zest, like the little curl of lemon or lime they use to garnish a martini. It’s a nice scent, not one for me really… but if you enjoy piney scents, try it for sure. Medium throw with an average wearlength.
GNOME: Limited Edition Elemental Strength :: Endurance :: The Physical Body Fertility :: Prosperity :: Money :: Solidity Commitment :: Responsibility :: Practicality Wisdom :: Patience :: Perserverance Greed :: Materialism
In Bottle: Herbal and earthy
On Skin: Most the elementals are herbal and earthy on me, two catagorys I don’t really go for. But I still like to try all the scents, so here we go… I get a very strong earthy dirt note. It smells like dusty earth though, not moist at all. It is also slightly resinous which makes me believe there is patchouli in this blend. Maybe a bit of vetiver as well. So to sum up this scent quickly, earth and a bit of a medicinal herb. Not my type of scent at all so I must swap it. Strong throw and long wearlength.
NYARLATHOTEP: Picnic in Arkham Brooding, yet electric: the scent of buried secrets, roiling nightmares, the essence of the Crawling Chaos, the Father of Knives and Locusts, the Hunter in the Dark. This is the blackest of ritual incenses charged with flashes of ozone.
In Bottle: Fruity ozone
On Skin: I get a strong citrus feel from this one right off the bat. It’s a sweet lemon, maybe even verbena. There is also a very interesting dark aquatic note… not a bright summer’s wave, no this is a scary, dark deep “what’s down there” middle of the ocean feel. I am scared to death of dark water and this scent evokes that feeling. But I like it because the lemon gives a beautiful yellow glimmer of hope that cuts right through the scent. There is also a sweet incense spice that drifts in and out of the scent, so intriguing. I’m usually not crazy about lemon or aquatic scents, but these notes mixed together really work! A beautiful scent full of contrasts. A must try for sure! Medium throw but short wearlength.
ARKHAM: Picnic in Arkham A shadowy, unapproachable forest of maple, birch, dogwood, cypress and pine softened by a garland of New England wildflowers: bergamot, columbine, rue anemone, blue violet, creeping phlox, bloodroot, toadflax, and pixie moss.
In Bottle: Dainty violets
On Skin: Dainty is the word for this scent, it feels so light and fragile. Very floral and barely even there. The violet is strongest followed by the phlox. The bergamot is slightly bitter but not overwhelming. The woods soften the scent and distract from the light sour tone of the florals. The moss brings it all together with a nice earthy base. I can’t believe how soft this scent is, I have to strain to smell it, even after only 5 minutes of wearing it. If it was stronger I might like it a bit more, but being as light as it is, I don’t really feel like I’m wearing any perfume. Plus, it’s strongly floral which isn’t very me. Very, very light throw and super short wearlength. By the way it is nothing like the Discontinued Arkham (a completely different blend), just in case anyone was wondering.
MOSCOW: Wanderlust A rich, bold blend of imperial rose, carnation, lush jasmine, lily of the valley, dark musk, amber, bergamot and gilded tangerine.
In Bottle: Fruit and rose
On Skin: The rose is the strongest note in this scent at first… but then the jasmine takes over completely. It is very sweet and the lily of the valley starts to come out, very shy, but still making an appearance. I don’t really smell the carnation, a note that usually doesn’t work on me. The musk and amber play a beautiful role as dark and velvety notes that sneak in between the florals. I can’t smell the tangerine at all though. I could in the bottle, but on my skin it gets eaten up completely. About a half hour into drydown the carnation finally makes it’s way through. It is very much a floral scent, but not a bright one. It’s more muted and soft… It has a medium throw and great wearlength.
THE SCALES OF DEPRIVATION: Sin and Salvation Thin, dark, and shadowed. A scent that offers no sustenance, comfort or satiety: lemon peel, white sage, frankincense, lavender fougere, sandalwood, vetiver and labdanum.
In Bottle: Lavender and wood
On Skin: This scent is so velvety soft, wow! The frankincense seems to be strongest with the beautiful sandalwood coming in second. The lemon peel is so light, it is just a sliver of citrus far in the background but keeps the scent from being too dark. The sage isn’t too medicinal which is nice, it’s a very subtle herbal note in this blend. The lavender is quite strong, but it’s pretty! It’s not the super herbal lavender that usually makes my eyes water. Labdanum can do no wrong in my book and here it is gorgeous. It adds to the soft feel of the scent, so comforting. And last, the vetiver is completely under control. YAY! It does offer a nice earthy note, not the pungent ick it usually turns to on my skin. Somehow all these notes, severl which I normally hate, all blend together beautifully. This is a great example of how freaking amazing Beth is. A very pretty scent, one I’d love to use to fall asleep to. Light to medium throw, and a short to average wearlength.
SHADOW WITCH ORCHID: Rappaccini’s Garden This perfume is a dusky orchid, subdued and ethereal.
In Bottle: Orchids
On Skin: A beautiful perfumey orchid… so pure. While I’m not a huge fan of florals, orchids seem to work on me. Maybe because they’re one of my favorite flowers and I associate their scent with so many happy memories. This orchid is very strong, very perfumey and quite heady. It reminds me of my honeymoon in Tahiti, very tropical and the flower markets were huge with orchids being an almost common flower. The scent is slightly sour but with a very sweet base that helps even the overall tone of the scent. If I were wanting to wear a floral scent, this would be one of the first ones I’d reach for… well after Black Lily. I also like it a bit more than Black Orchid. :) Strong throw but it fades quicker than other scents, so I’d say a short to average wearlength.
PS: Mods, a bunch of these need tags as well...
ENDYMION: Love Potions A sweet, wistful blend of d'Anjou pear, Lily of the Valley, bois du rose and white musk.
In Bottle: Tart fruits and florals
On Skin: I smell the pear right away which is a wonderful thing since D’Anjou pear is one of my favorite BPAL single notes. It is sweet but the sour rose slices through and gives the scent a tart feel. The lily of the valley adds to the white feel of this scent. I get a crisp white and light green tone from this scent. The white musk is so clean and soft. It blankets the scent in a sheer white cotton sheet. This scent is very light and spring feeling. I wish the rose was a bit more subtle, but besides that I love it. I could see this becoming a regualr spring scent for me. It has a nice close to the skin throw that makes you lean in to smell it and a short to average wearlength.
TWENTY-ONE: Bewitching Brews A tribute to New York’s 21 Club on West 52nd, formerly the speakeasy Jack & Charlie’s Puncheon Club. This is the scent of the perfect martini.
In Bottle: Gin
On Skin: Wow, yes a martini! I didn’t know it was going to be so literal! This has gin, a very junipery scent, as it’s dominant note. I prefer vodka martinis but don’t hate me for it! LOL! This scent is very sharp and very boozy. But it doesn’t make you smell like you’ve been up drinking all night, don’t worry. It’s very clean and clear, with a ripe, crystal feel. I also sense a little citrus zest, like the little curl of lemon or lime they use to garnish a martini. It’s a nice scent, not one for me really… but if you enjoy piney scents, try it for sure. Medium throw with an average wearlength.
GNOME: Limited Edition Elemental Strength :: Endurance :: The Physical Body Fertility :: Prosperity :: Money :: Solidity Commitment :: Responsibility :: Practicality Wisdom :: Patience :: Perserverance Greed :: Materialism
In Bottle: Herbal and earthy
On Skin: Most the elementals are herbal and earthy on me, two catagorys I don’t really go for. But I still like to try all the scents, so here we go… I get a very strong earthy dirt note. It smells like dusty earth though, not moist at all. It is also slightly resinous which makes me believe there is patchouli in this blend. Maybe a bit of vetiver as well. So to sum up this scent quickly, earth and a bit of a medicinal herb. Not my type of scent at all so I must swap it. Strong throw and long wearlength.
NYARLATHOTEP: Picnic in Arkham Brooding, yet electric: the scent of buried secrets, roiling nightmares, the essence of the Crawling Chaos, the Father of Knives and Locusts, the Hunter in the Dark. This is the blackest of ritual incenses charged with flashes of ozone.
In Bottle: Fruity ozone
On Skin: I get a strong citrus feel from this one right off the bat. It’s a sweet lemon, maybe even verbena. There is also a very interesting dark aquatic note… not a bright summer’s wave, no this is a scary, dark deep “what’s down there” middle of the ocean feel. I am scared to death of dark water and this scent evokes that feeling. But I like it because the lemon gives a beautiful yellow glimmer of hope that cuts right through the scent. There is also a sweet incense spice that drifts in and out of the scent, so intriguing. I’m usually not crazy about lemon or aquatic scents, but these notes mixed together really work! A beautiful scent full of contrasts. A must try for sure! Medium throw but short wearlength.
ARKHAM: Picnic in Arkham A shadowy, unapproachable forest of maple, birch, dogwood, cypress and pine softened by a garland of New England wildflowers: bergamot, columbine, rue anemone, blue violet, creeping phlox, bloodroot, toadflax, and pixie moss.
In Bottle: Dainty violets
On Skin: Dainty is the word for this scent, it feels so light and fragile. Very floral and barely even there. The violet is strongest followed by the phlox. The bergamot is slightly bitter but not overwhelming. The woods soften the scent and distract from the light sour tone of the florals. The moss brings it all together with a nice earthy base. I can’t believe how soft this scent is, I have to strain to smell it, even after only 5 minutes of wearing it. If it was stronger I might like it a bit more, but being as light as it is, I don’t really feel like I’m wearing any perfume. Plus, it’s strongly floral which isn’t very me. Very, very light throw and super short wearlength. By the way it is nothing like the Discontinued Arkham (a completely different blend), just in case anyone was wondering.
MOSCOW: Wanderlust A rich, bold blend of imperial rose, carnation, lush jasmine, lily of the valley, dark musk, amber, bergamot and gilded tangerine.
In Bottle: Fruit and rose
On Skin: The rose is the strongest note in this scent at first… but then the jasmine takes over completely. It is very sweet and the lily of the valley starts to come out, very shy, but still making an appearance. I don’t really smell the carnation, a note that usually doesn’t work on me. The musk and amber play a beautiful role as dark and velvety notes that sneak in between the florals. I can’t smell the tangerine at all though. I could in the bottle, but on my skin it gets eaten up completely. About a half hour into drydown the carnation finally makes it’s way through. It is very much a floral scent, but not a bright one. It’s more muted and soft… It has a medium throw and great wearlength.
THE SCALES OF DEPRIVATION: Sin and Salvation Thin, dark, and shadowed. A scent that offers no sustenance, comfort or satiety: lemon peel, white sage, frankincense, lavender fougere, sandalwood, vetiver and labdanum.
In Bottle: Lavender and wood
On Skin: This scent is so velvety soft, wow! The frankincense seems to be strongest with the beautiful sandalwood coming in second. The lemon peel is so light, it is just a sliver of citrus far in the background but keeps the scent from being too dark. The sage isn’t too medicinal which is nice, it’s a very subtle herbal note in this blend. The lavender is quite strong, but it’s pretty! It’s not the super herbal lavender that usually makes my eyes water. Labdanum can do no wrong in my book and here it is gorgeous. It adds to the soft feel of the scent, so comforting. And last, the vetiver is completely under control. YAY! It does offer a nice earthy note, not the pungent ick it usually turns to on my skin. Somehow all these notes, severl which I normally hate, all blend together beautifully. This is a great example of how freaking amazing Beth is. A very pretty scent, one I’d love to use to fall asleep to. Light to medium throw, and a short to average wearlength.
SHADOW WITCH ORCHID: Rappaccini’s Garden This perfume is a dusky orchid, subdued and ethereal.
In Bottle: Orchids
On Skin: A beautiful perfumey orchid… so pure. While I’m not a huge fan of florals, orchids seem to work on me. Maybe because they’re one of my favorite flowers and I associate their scent with so many happy memories. This orchid is very strong, very perfumey and quite heady. It reminds me of my honeymoon in Tahiti, very tropical and the flower markets were huge with orchids being an almost common flower. The scent is slightly sour but with a very sweet base that helps even the overall tone of the scent. If I were wanting to wear a floral scent, this would be one of the first ones I’d reach for… well after Black Lily. I also like it a bit more than Black Orchid. :) Strong throw but it fades quicker than other scents, so I’d say a short to average wearlength.