[Multi] Reviews
A new bunch of reviews featuring all new scents...
Need tags for Lucy Westenra, Dr. John Seward, Samhain 06, Sugar Skull 06 and Purple Phoenix
CARFAX ABBEY: The Order of the Dragon The scent of abandoned places, of desolation and emptiness: heavy woods and thin dusty herbs touched by the wafting incense of a nearby chapel.
In Bottle: Dry woods
On Skin: This is a very woody scent, dry and powdery in feel. Just smelling it makes me feel like I need to apply lotion or something because my skin feels like sandpaper. The smoky incense is heavy but pretty. I smell sawdust and dried out flowers. The scent is also quite sour and sharp, not sweet at all. It reminds me of old things… old and forgotten. Personally it is not a scent I would wear, but it’s pretty and someone who likes dry woods and dry florals may like this. It has a light throw and short to average wearlength.
COUNT DRACULA: The Order of the Dragon The essence of nobility, brutality and true Will made flesh and propelled through the eons by an ever-burning hatred: black patchouli, neroli, tonka, cinnamon, bitter clove, leather, black musk, coffin wood and fiery ginger.
In Bottle: Dark smoky cloves
On Skin: This is a scent I instantly don’t like. Sorry Beth!! It goes all wonky on my skin… and I just can’t bare to smell it. The clove is strongest followed by the ginger. Usually I like ginger but this ginger is pungent and is not my friend. The other notes in the background are beautiful, most obviously the leather and black musk, two notes I love. I think I would love this scent if it didn’t have the ginger and clove, but it does so I can not love it. Sorry. :( It has a strong throw and I’m note sure of the wearlength because I had to wash it off.
THE CARPATHIAN MOUNTAINS: The Order of the Dragon Mountain air and the scent of crisp snow blanketing the mountain’s flora: Scottish fir, beech, cembra and mugho pine, rhododendron, currant, honeysuckle, raspberry leaf, dwarf juniper, sedge, meadow grass, snowdrop, rose bay, lily of the valley, starwort, lichen and mosses.
In Bottle: Strong menthol
On Skin: Wow! One breath of this cleared my sinuses right up! I get a major menthol with a waxy raspberry flavor that screams at me. I’ve got it: Vicks Vapor Rub meets cherry/strawberry/berry flavored chapstick. This smells very medicinal on me, I can’t imaging wearing this as a fragrance. So… I tried it in my oil burner. It smells much better as a room fragrance, not half as medicinal. It’s very minty and forest like with sweet fruity and floral undertones. It has a fairly strong throw and long wearlength.
QUINCEY MORRIS: The Order of the Dragon Rough on the edges, but possessing the true essence of valor and nobility of spirit: tobacco, vanilla, white pear, cedar, rugged musk and saddle leather.
In Bottle: Sweet and smoky leather
On Skin: I smell leather right away and it is sweetened by the vanilla and pear beautifully. I love how they meld together… it isn’t sickly sweet or fruity or pure leather, it’s all of them combined to make a gorgeous scent. I also love that the leather is not dry or dusty, it’s well oiled, well taken care of leather. It reminds me of my husbands newest leather coat that he babies. The tobacco gives a smoky rugged background while the musk and cedar offer a deep, dark base. This is super masculine, but soft and comforting. I would love to snuggle with my husband wearing this blend. It has a pretty light throw as far as the notes it has in it, but the wearlength seems to be about average.
LUCY WESTENRA: The Order of the Dragon A wanton beauty, corrupt, hypnotic, seductive, and feral: magnolia, iris, Moroccan rose, frankincense, crushed jasmine blossom, blood orange, tobacco flower and white musk.
In Bottle: Soapy floral
On Skin: I smell the rose right away, slightly sour. The white musk adds a clean soapy note. The florals are the strongest notes by far, a big beautiful bouquet. The blood orange is sour and fruity and almost not noticable around all these bold florals. The frankincense offers a soft incesne that helps cut through the extreme florals. I’m actually shocked when the scent starts to fade right away. A blend that started fo floral and strong has faded into a soft and very subtle floral blend. It’s pretty but much to subtle for me, I like stronger fragrances. Very feminine and to me it doesn’t really fit it’s description. I don’t find it corrupt or seductive, to me it’s more innocent and plainly pretty. Overall it has a light throw and very short wearlength.
DR. JOHN SEWARD: The Order of the Dragon Penetrating and gifted, vulnerable, with just a hint of opium-blurred delirium: poppy smoke, champaca flower, tonka, sandalwood, ginger, white pepper.
In Bottle: Foody yum
On Skin: This is a very sweet scent! I smell something kind of like cakes at first… quite foody. But then I smell a light fruity floral. I can smell the sweet tonka and ginger and the poppy smoke offers great depth without being “smoky”. I get a nice resinous base with a sandalwood undertone. This is quite a unique scent! I don’t think it’s really masculine or feminine… The white pepper is kept in check as well, just a bit of spice. I do like this scent and the feeling it evokes. It has a fairly light to medium throw and a short to average wearlength.
PUNKIE NIGHT: HALLOWEEN LIMITED EDITION To this day, that night of foolishness is still celebrated! This is a light-hearted scent: apple orchards, bright cranberries, and a touch of warm cider.
In Bottle: Apple!
On Skin: This is a beautiful fall scent. I expected overwhelming pumpkin for some reason, but it’s not even listed as a note. I smell apples in all forms… fresh and crisp, then warm pie, then cider… how exciting!! The cranberries add to the festive feel and make it even brighter. The mulling spices in the cider bring wrmth and just a touch of spice. This is the perfect fall room scent. I wish I had had a bottle earlier this year. We’re moving into winter now so I want to use my winter room scents, but this would be perfect for next fall. I love the mood and feel it evokes… instantly inviting. It has a medium throw and long wearlength.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS 2006: Halloween Limited Editions This is a Mexican paean to La Huesuda: dry, crackling leaves, the incense smoke of altars honoring Death and the Dead, funeral bouquets, the candies, chocolates, foods and tobacco of the ofrenda, amaranth, sweet cactus blossom and desert cereus.
In Bottle: More sweet yum!
On Skin: This scent seems less floral than last years. I get a more sweet foody feel from this scent. Last years was very much floral and decaying leaves. This years seems like candy, smoke, and sweet honeyed florals. I can’t really smell the chocolate… I love the festiveness of it and how colorful it feels. Very fall-like and very Day of the Dead. A gorgeous blend!! Low throw and short to average wearlength.
SAMHAIN 06: Halloween Limited Edition Truly the scent of autumn itself -- damp woods, fir needle, and black patchouli with the gentlest touches of warm pumpkin, clove, nutmeg, allspice, sweet red apple and mullein.
In Bottle: Spicy outdoors
On Skin: This smells very similar to the last version of Samhain. It has the dominant spices followed by the fir. It’s like you’ve been walking in the woods and have just come inside and entered the warm kitchen full of baking. You still have the smell of ourdoors on you (the damp wood and fir) but you mostly smell the yumminess in front of you! Pumpkin pie in the oven complete with nutmeg, and a cup of hot cider with clove, allspice and apples just waiting for you. This scent is very warm and comforting, a perect fall scent, especially if you want to make people think you’ve been baking. Light to medium throw, average to long wearlength.
SUGAR SKULL 06: Halloween Limited Editions Vibrant with the joy and sweetness of life in death! A blend of five sugars, lightly dusted with candied fruits.
In Bottle: Boozy spicy candy
On Skin: I’ve been excited for this blend! I love Sugar Skull, especially the 04 version, so I was waiting to see if this years was more like 04 or 05 before I ordered a full bottle. It does seem less boozy on my skin than in the bottle whereas 05 was almost all booze on me. It has the wonderful sweetness of both past years, but seems to be much lighter sadly. I love the gooey sweetness of 04! This year it seems to have more brown sugar, it also has quite a bit of spice. Whereas the past 2 years have been more candy like, this one seems slightly more foody and bakery like. But still, it IS Sugar Skull without a doubt, I know it when I smell it! I still have one bottle from 04 and 2 bottles from 05 so I think I’m set for now but I’ll keep my imp for sure just to smell the differences. Moderate throw but short to average wearlength.
SAMHAINOPHOBIA: Halloween Limited Edition The fear of Halloween. Menacing Haitian vetiver, patchouli, and clove with a shock of bourbon geranium, grim oakmoss, and dread-inspiring balsams pierce the innocuous scent of autumn leaves.
In Bottle: Smoky darkness
On Skin: I am overwhelmed by the scent of smoke and patchouli. The vetiver is super earthy and the clove is slightly metallic but very spicy. Those 3 notes are 3 of my least favorite notes ever, so this scent doesn’t seem to be working for me so far. The balsam is in the background but really makes itself known with a sharp masculine punch. This is a very earthy, dark and feral scent. It isn’t something I’d wear but I’d like to smell it on a man. Moderate throw and short to average wearlength.
ALL SAINTS 06: Halloween Limited Edition Based on a venerable French pontifical incense blend: monastic frankincense and myrrh, Damascus rose, Russian gardenia, cassia, and lily of the valley wafting on a chill Autumn wind. A celebration of the glory and suffering of the saints and matryrs of the Church."
In Bottle: Smoky rose
On Skin: This seems quite similar to the last version of this scent as well. It is heavily rose with a nice incense that floats throughout the blend. The rose is actually quite sharp and begins to turn on me after about 10 minutes. It’s a sour rose I can’t stand sadly. The frankincense and myrrh offer soft resinous notes but they don’t sweeten up the rose enough for me. The other florals also seem to be drowned out by my rose nemesis. I liked this at first but the rose just kills it for me… :( It has a strong throw and long wearlength.
PURPLE PHOENIX: Limited Edition A regal, majestic, and somber blend of myrrh, plum blossom, African violet, cognac, fig, orris, lilac, wisteria, black plum, and Burgundy wine grapes.
In Bottle: Grapes and violets
On Skin: I have dying to try this scent. From the description and fact that it is PURPLE Phoenix, I figured it would become my signature scent. Purple is my favorite color… I almost always have purple hair and purple everything… I ordered 3 bottles right away. I’ve been wearing it throughout the day giving it a much more detailed review than normal. First off, the scent is the definition of purple, it screams violets and grapes… two very purple things. It’s also a very mellow scent, not sharp or strong. It smells like purple velvet feels. While it is regal, it’s the kind hearted mothering queen, not the bitter tyrant. To me this is like the sweet version of Queen of Spades… Queen of Spades is much more in your face and demanding. I think I would wear this when I was feeling happy and content and wear Queen of Spades when I’m going somewhere I want to stand out or feel confident. As for the other notes, they’re just supporting players in this court. The myrrh is soft and adds to the velvet feel. The plum blossom is innocent and compliments the violets perfectly as does the lilac and wisteria. The other notes tame them and keep them from being too floral. The plum, fig and cognac add a beautiful fruity/boozy darker purple depth and add another chapter to this scent. I love this scent, it is freaking gorgeous. I do wish the throw and wearlength were stronger and longer though. The throw is light to moderate and I do have to reapply this scent about 4 times throughout the day to keep it at the potency I like. I’m going to make a lotion and spray with one of the bottles I purchased so at least I can layer and get better throw.
Need tags for Lucy Westenra, Dr. John Seward, Samhain 06, Sugar Skull 06 and Purple Phoenix
CARFAX ABBEY: The Order of the Dragon The scent of abandoned places, of desolation and emptiness: heavy woods and thin dusty herbs touched by the wafting incense of a nearby chapel.
In Bottle: Dry woods
On Skin: This is a very woody scent, dry and powdery in feel. Just smelling it makes me feel like I need to apply lotion or something because my skin feels like sandpaper. The smoky incense is heavy but pretty. I smell sawdust and dried out flowers. The scent is also quite sour and sharp, not sweet at all. It reminds me of old things… old and forgotten. Personally it is not a scent I would wear, but it’s pretty and someone who likes dry woods and dry florals may like this. It has a light throw and short to average wearlength.
COUNT DRACULA: The Order of the Dragon The essence of nobility, brutality and true Will made flesh and propelled through the eons by an ever-burning hatred: black patchouli, neroli, tonka, cinnamon, bitter clove, leather, black musk, coffin wood and fiery ginger.
In Bottle: Dark smoky cloves
On Skin: This is a scent I instantly don’t like. Sorry Beth!! It goes all wonky on my skin… and I just can’t bare to smell it. The clove is strongest followed by the ginger. Usually I like ginger but this ginger is pungent and is not my friend. The other notes in the background are beautiful, most obviously the leather and black musk, two notes I love. I think I would love this scent if it didn’t have the ginger and clove, but it does so I can not love it. Sorry. :( It has a strong throw and I’m note sure of the wearlength because I had to wash it off.
THE CARPATHIAN MOUNTAINS: The Order of the Dragon Mountain air and the scent of crisp snow blanketing the mountain’s flora: Scottish fir, beech, cembra and mugho pine, rhododendron, currant, honeysuckle, raspberry leaf, dwarf juniper, sedge, meadow grass, snowdrop, rose bay, lily of the valley, starwort, lichen and mosses.
In Bottle: Strong menthol
On Skin: Wow! One breath of this cleared my sinuses right up! I get a major menthol with a waxy raspberry flavor that screams at me. I’ve got it: Vicks Vapor Rub meets cherry/strawberry/berry flavored chapstick. This smells very medicinal on me, I can’t imaging wearing this as a fragrance. So… I tried it in my oil burner. It smells much better as a room fragrance, not half as medicinal. It’s very minty and forest like with sweet fruity and floral undertones. It has a fairly strong throw and long wearlength.
QUINCEY MORRIS: The Order of the Dragon Rough on the edges, but possessing the true essence of valor and nobility of spirit: tobacco, vanilla, white pear, cedar, rugged musk and saddle leather.
In Bottle: Sweet and smoky leather
On Skin: I smell leather right away and it is sweetened by the vanilla and pear beautifully. I love how they meld together… it isn’t sickly sweet or fruity or pure leather, it’s all of them combined to make a gorgeous scent. I also love that the leather is not dry or dusty, it’s well oiled, well taken care of leather. It reminds me of my husbands newest leather coat that he babies. The tobacco gives a smoky rugged background while the musk and cedar offer a deep, dark base. This is super masculine, but soft and comforting. I would love to snuggle with my husband wearing this blend. It has a pretty light throw as far as the notes it has in it, but the wearlength seems to be about average.
LUCY WESTENRA: The Order of the Dragon A wanton beauty, corrupt, hypnotic, seductive, and feral: magnolia, iris, Moroccan rose, frankincense, crushed jasmine blossom, blood orange, tobacco flower and white musk.
In Bottle: Soapy floral
On Skin: I smell the rose right away, slightly sour. The white musk adds a clean soapy note. The florals are the strongest notes by far, a big beautiful bouquet. The blood orange is sour and fruity and almost not noticable around all these bold florals. The frankincense offers a soft incesne that helps cut through the extreme florals. I’m actually shocked when the scent starts to fade right away. A blend that started fo floral and strong has faded into a soft and very subtle floral blend. It’s pretty but much to subtle for me, I like stronger fragrances. Very feminine and to me it doesn’t really fit it’s description. I don’t find it corrupt or seductive, to me it’s more innocent and plainly pretty. Overall it has a light throw and very short wearlength.
DR. JOHN SEWARD: The Order of the Dragon Penetrating and gifted, vulnerable, with just a hint of opium-blurred delirium: poppy smoke, champaca flower, tonka, sandalwood, ginger, white pepper.
In Bottle: Foody yum
On Skin: This is a very sweet scent! I smell something kind of like cakes at first… quite foody. But then I smell a light fruity floral. I can smell the sweet tonka and ginger and the poppy smoke offers great depth without being “smoky”. I get a nice resinous base with a sandalwood undertone. This is quite a unique scent! I don’t think it’s really masculine or feminine… The white pepper is kept in check as well, just a bit of spice. I do like this scent and the feeling it evokes. It has a fairly light to medium throw and a short to average wearlength.
PUNKIE NIGHT: HALLOWEEN LIMITED EDITION To this day, that night of foolishness is still celebrated! This is a light-hearted scent: apple orchards, bright cranberries, and a touch of warm cider.
In Bottle: Apple!
On Skin: This is a beautiful fall scent. I expected overwhelming pumpkin for some reason, but it’s not even listed as a note. I smell apples in all forms… fresh and crisp, then warm pie, then cider… how exciting!! The cranberries add to the festive feel and make it even brighter. The mulling spices in the cider bring wrmth and just a touch of spice. This is the perfect fall room scent. I wish I had had a bottle earlier this year. We’re moving into winter now so I want to use my winter room scents, but this would be perfect for next fall. I love the mood and feel it evokes… instantly inviting. It has a medium throw and long wearlength.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS 2006: Halloween Limited Editions This is a Mexican paean to La Huesuda: dry, crackling leaves, the incense smoke of altars honoring Death and the Dead, funeral bouquets, the candies, chocolates, foods and tobacco of the ofrenda, amaranth, sweet cactus blossom and desert cereus.
In Bottle: More sweet yum!
On Skin: This scent seems less floral than last years. I get a more sweet foody feel from this scent. Last years was very much floral and decaying leaves. This years seems like candy, smoke, and sweet honeyed florals. I can’t really smell the chocolate… I love the festiveness of it and how colorful it feels. Very fall-like and very Day of the Dead. A gorgeous blend!! Low throw and short to average wearlength.
SAMHAIN 06: Halloween Limited Edition Truly the scent of autumn itself -- damp woods, fir needle, and black patchouli with the gentlest touches of warm pumpkin, clove, nutmeg, allspice, sweet red apple and mullein.
In Bottle: Spicy outdoors
On Skin: This smells very similar to the last version of Samhain. It has the dominant spices followed by the fir. It’s like you’ve been walking in the woods and have just come inside and entered the warm kitchen full of baking. You still have the smell of ourdoors on you (the damp wood and fir) but you mostly smell the yumminess in front of you! Pumpkin pie in the oven complete with nutmeg, and a cup of hot cider with clove, allspice and apples just waiting for you. This scent is very warm and comforting, a perect fall scent, especially if you want to make people think you’ve been baking. Light to medium throw, average to long wearlength.
SUGAR SKULL 06: Halloween Limited Editions Vibrant with the joy and sweetness of life in death! A blend of five sugars, lightly dusted with candied fruits.
In Bottle: Boozy spicy candy
On Skin: I’ve been excited for this blend! I love Sugar Skull, especially the 04 version, so I was waiting to see if this years was more like 04 or 05 before I ordered a full bottle. It does seem less boozy on my skin than in the bottle whereas 05 was almost all booze on me. It has the wonderful sweetness of both past years, but seems to be much lighter sadly. I love the gooey sweetness of 04! This year it seems to have more brown sugar, it also has quite a bit of spice. Whereas the past 2 years have been more candy like, this one seems slightly more foody and bakery like. But still, it IS Sugar Skull without a doubt, I know it when I smell it! I still have one bottle from 04 and 2 bottles from 05 so I think I’m set for now but I’ll keep my imp for sure just to smell the differences. Moderate throw but short to average wearlength.
SAMHAINOPHOBIA: Halloween Limited Edition The fear of Halloween. Menacing Haitian vetiver, patchouli, and clove with a shock of bourbon geranium, grim oakmoss, and dread-inspiring balsams pierce the innocuous scent of autumn leaves.
In Bottle: Smoky darkness
On Skin: I am overwhelmed by the scent of smoke and patchouli. The vetiver is super earthy and the clove is slightly metallic but very spicy. Those 3 notes are 3 of my least favorite notes ever, so this scent doesn’t seem to be working for me so far. The balsam is in the background but really makes itself known with a sharp masculine punch. This is a very earthy, dark and feral scent. It isn’t something I’d wear but I’d like to smell it on a man. Moderate throw and short to average wearlength.
ALL SAINTS 06: Halloween Limited Edition Based on a venerable French pontifical incense blend: monastic frankincense and myrrh, Damascus rose, Russian gardenia, cassia, and lily of the valley wafting on a chill Autumn wind. A celebration of the glory and suffering of the saints and matryrs of the Church."
In Bottle: Smoky rose
On Skin: This seems quite similar to the last version of this scent as well. It is heavily rose with a nice incense that floats throughout the blend. The rose is actually quite sharp and begins to turn on me after about 10 minutes. It’s a sour rose I can’t stand sadly. The frankincense and myrrh offer soft resinous notes but they don’t sweeten up the rose enough for me. The other florals also seem to be drowned out by my rose nemesis. I liked this at first but the rose just kills it for me… :( It has a strong throw and long wearlength.
PURPLE PHOENIX: Limited Edition A regal, majestic, and somber blend of myrrh, plum blossom, African violet, cognac, fig, orris, lilac, wisteria, black plum, and Burgundy wine grapes.
In Bottle: Grapes and violets
On Skin: I have dying to try this scent. From the description and fact that it is PURPLE Phoenix, I figured it would become my signature scent. Purple is my favorite color… I almost always have purple hair and purple everything… I ordered 3 bottles right away. I’ve been wearing it throughout the day giving it a much more detailed review than normal. First off, the scent is the definition of purple, it screams violets and grapes… two very purple things. It’s also a very mellow scent, not sharp or strong. It smells like purple velvet feels. While it is regal, it’s the kind hearted mothering queen, not the bitter tyrant. To me this is like the sweet version of Queen of Spades… Queen of Spades is much more in your face and demanding. I think I would wear this when I was feeling happy and content and wear Queen of Spades when I’m going somewhere I want to stand out or feel confident. As for the other notes, they’re just supporting players in this court. The myrrh is soft and adds to the velvet feel. The plum blossom is innocent and compliments the violets perfectly as does the lilac and wisteria. The other notes tame them and keep them from being too floral. The plum, fig and cognac add a beautiful fruity/boozy darker purple depth and add another chapter to this scent. I love this scent, it is freaking gorgeous. I do wish the throw and wearlength were stronger and longer though. The throw is light to moderate and I do have to reapply this scent about 4 times throughout the day to keep it at the potency I like. I’m going to make a lotion and spray with one of the bottles I purchased so at least I can layer and get better throw.