Maiden v2

[Coldfire]

WOW! I'm first to review something! nifty!

 

 

Bottle: Rose. I'm getting rose!

Wet on Me: sweet rose

Drying Down: honey Rose! 2 things that traditionally go sour on my skin

Dry: The rose seems to disappear and now it’s honey. But not overly sweet honey.

 

 

I have to thank the Lovely TwilightEyes who traveled to the Trunk Show and obtained and shipped prototypes for so many to try and own. She is made of win and awesomesauce!

[alicia_stardust]

I don't have the GC version of maiden here to compare them side by side, but this is an intoxicating honey-dipped carnation, with just hints of rose-tea in the background. I was ambivalent about GC Maiden, but this prototype version with the honey is to die for. I really wish I had gotten more of this.

[twilighteyes]

I didn't get a bottle of Maiden for myself intially because I read the released version and went "meh, floral". But after sniffing the one I picked up for Coldie, I caved and got one for me. Because I get all HONEY!!! My favorite.

[tarotgirl99]

I was never a big Maiden fan, but when I had the chance to try Maiden v. 2 because of a generous swapper, it rocked my world. Maiden is a sweet and discreet floral (I tried it again), but Maiden v. 2 has a carnation and honey emphasis that is like The Masque, but more florally sweet and lighter, less wintry. It lasts a long time and has average throw.

 

This is now, unfortunately, my favorite scent. I'm not dissing my old favorite scents, but this is perfect because it can be worn anywhere...to a Jane Austen book club meeting or a Springsteen concert or a day in town.

Edited June 6, 2009 by tarotgirl

[ivyandpeony]

I think that Maiden v2 might be my new favorite BPAL scent. *swwon* Two of my most beloved GC scents are the GC version of Maiden and Alice, and to my nose, this beautiful scent is a cousin to both. I get mostly honey, carnation and rose from this - the sweet, delicate honey that's in Alice, a spicy and fresh carnation, and a dainty sweet rose, maybe tea rose or white rose. In contrast with the released version, this one doesn't have the prominent crisp white tea note - it's a scent with a creamy feel although I don't really detect a cream note, if you get my drift. (I don't think you can ever have too many honeyed florals in your BPAL box, so maybe Beth will pull out this old formula card one day, be struck by a bolt of inspiration and realize it's perfect for a concept that she's had on her mind - I can dream!)

[fairnymph]

Sniffed: Soft rose (not strong or fruity or old, but pink and girly), sweet, rich honey, and slightly spicy, creamy carnation. I do get a hint of almost-powder, and this is both sweet and delicate but with that edge of something intriguing, from the spice.

 

Wet: Carnation and honey, whoa! These majorly dominate the rose. It's a very intense, dripping honey, golden and syrupy, almost sticky, without being too sweet at all. The carnation is an even stronger note, spicier on my skin but not to the point where I'd confuse it for clover. Still very creamy, with a slight powderiness.

 

Dry: The rose immediately starts amping up on my skin as this dries, such that this is mostly rose-carnation, and the honey's more a background note. I find the rose a tiny bit soapy-powdery, sort of 'antique' in feel, for lack of a better term - almost a dried-floral note. More and more creamy, from the carnation in particular (which is the same carnation as in Morocco), but the rose has lent a creamy quality to this, too. Combined with the honey, it's almost foody. There may be something else at work, too - a soft cream or well-behaved amber note, or sandalwood?

 

Later: This is very warm and golden in feel. Despite the edge of powder, this never really goes TO powder, and I can handle an edge. The spicy, creamy, and sweet notes keep it in check. This is not my favourite type of rose, but I like it, and it feels appropriate - pastel pink and Victorian. It settles down to be on par with the carnation, strength-wise. I wish the honey didn't fade, but at least it doesn't entirely disappear.

 

Summary: Creamy, spicy pink carnations and slightly powdery-soft roses, with sweet golden honey and light cream, maybe some sandalwood or gentle amber too. It's almost exotic and for me, it evokes a Morocco kind of creamy-warm-spice, in addition to LIGHT PINK, very strongly. Low throw but good longevity.

 

It's not my general sort of scent, but I VASTLY prefer it to the released GC, and it's the nicest carnation-forward scent I've tried. I do find myself wanting to sniff it repeatedly, and I love the name, so I think I will quite enjoy this.

Edited June 9, 2009 by fairnymph

[zankoku_zen]

Okay, the rose note I get in this blend on wet is almost an apple + rose, very green, a la Red Rose 2005. As it dries, it gets a mildly spicy edge to it, which I do think might be the carnation.

 

Unfortunately, the drydown is almost entirely rose soap on me, very creamy though. I however, after about two hours, detect something else and I swear it smells almost like a Lush bathbomb, but I can't place my finger on it. In fact, I know I've smelt it before. I am also beginning to think it might have some clary sage in this blend.

[Dark Alice]

Fruit/Floral Soap. It was so strong that it made me sneeze and I couldn't even put it on my skin. Not a fan of this at all!

[Little Bird]

The GC version of Maiden smells like true, fresh carnations on me, green stems & all (and no rose or tea).

 

Maiden v2 smells more dry and slightly more spicy, and I can definitely smell the rose in this version. The rose is sweet and slightly fruity smelling to me, but mostly gives off an impression of dark red, dry, crushed rose petals. The carnation adds a hint of spice and it does smell like real carnations, but it doesn't have the freshness and green stems quality that the released version does. The warm, spicy carnation is reminding me of Hod.

 

Spicy carnation and dry, sweet rose. It smells very proper and elegant to me. I'll definitely keep my decant of this one, at least, to wear when I'm in the mood for a heavy, sweet floral.

[countessmouse]

Very spicy floral in the imp and wet on my skin. Not getting any of the rose, but the scent reminds me of a line from Bath & Body Works that had cottonwood blossom in it. Definitely getting the powdery note, though. Strong throw -- I think this one is going to last all day.

[theseagrows]

i love the original maiden a lot, so i was delighted to try this one as well. i have not tried them side by side, but after trying this one, i have to say i love them both! if memory serves, this one is a bit spicier and heavier on the honey-carnation than the regular maiden, which is tea-rose/carnation with less honey. yummy scent, i would love to get a bottle someday!

[TulaMontage]

Spicy rosie rose! Not the strongest (as in heady) rose blend I have tried, but floral enough to give me a major headache and make me want to scrub myself clean with bleach. Straight to swaps methinks

[milo]

A testable sniffie from an awesome forumite!

Wet to dry, I'm getting a gentle pink rose. Not getting any carnation, but there is some spiciness here, and that may be it I suppose. I'm not much for rose blends, but this is quite pretty, soft, not sour and stays true without going powdery. I'm not sure if I've tried the released version, but this is nice, and I'm very grateful to have had the opportunity to try it.

[sprout]

Purchased Maiden V2 full 5 ml bottle from the Lab's etsy page. I cannot recall testing regular Maiden from the GC yet, but I bought this unsniffed based on reviews. (for reference there are no notes listed for this version, however the notes listed for Maiden in the GC are white tea, carnation and Damask Rose.

 

Preconceived ideas: I have held off testing GC Maiden the released version due to concern the rose note will dominate and turn the whole thing soapy. This version sounds as if the carnations and honey could keep the blend less one dimensional and perhaps temper the domination of the rose note.

 

In the bottle: Rosy spices

Wet: Spicy floral rose, edge of powder

Early Dry: Powdery rose, spicy carnation, almost creamy, reminds me of Lucy's Kiss at this point or a spicier Alice

Late Dry: And the honey appears, just a hint of skank, which is how I like it! The rose is less powdery and the carnations are still bringing the spice.

 

Final thoughts: Yes, I will be keeping my bottle. Agree with reviewers who say this is somewhat akin to Alice (more spicy than Alice) and perhaps Lucy's Kiss. Think Lucy's Kiss plus carnations and honey. This is a good floral that almost becomes powdery but perhaps aging could temper that tendency. Add one to the spicy and almost creamy florals that works for me. I will get good use of this in Spring and Summer when I need a good floral scent that is not too soapy or powdery.