Almond Blossom

It's funny how different people get very different impressions. What attracted me to Masquerade first was patchouli and carnation (big fan of both), but on my skin it's mostly orange blossom, with other notes balanced pretty equally. I get some lovely ambergris if I really concentrate, and the other two blend into one spicy dark whole. My bottle is now seven years old, and it only gets better with every year. It's dark, sultry and really potent. A scent that takes no prisoners.

I am surprised by how much I like Black Lily. Got a frimp, tried it, and was blown away, even though usually I like quite complex, dark and strong scents, everything containing patchouli and vetiver, and despise florals. This one, however, is a secret gem. Simple and elegant and light, and somehow dark and mysterious and certainly not boring in any way - a vision of grace in shadow is a very apt description. I wear it when I want something simple and safe - it's really pretty in a grown-up woman way.

I really love this one. It was one of my first bottles years ago, and I'm still just as much in love with it, and wear a drop for every (online) pilates and yoga class I do. Perhaps it's just the name and/or description, but I do find it very grounding and calming. Very patchouli-forward, which is perfect for a patchouli fiend like me; haters might want to stay away, although I think the patchouli in this is a very nice and woodsy one; there's sandalwood in here too, and I'm not sure what else, but all of the notes blend beautifully together. A little sweet, quite strong but not overwhelmingly so. Just right. Really lovely.

I had very high hopes for this one, as I love the lab's hay note. Lovely as it is, I found Hay Moon strangely lacking on... hay. Yes, it is very pretty and evocative and a perfect late summer scent, but on me the hay note was barely detectable, and it was mostly about wheat, oats and marshmallow - which is nice, but not what I was hoping for. It is a very gentle scent, with not much staying power. I was looking for a replacement for my beloved My Mommy In A Boat, with its knock-your-socks-off hay note, but this is not it. It's still very lovely though, and I'm glad it's now gone to a better home.

This scent is pure perfection for vetiver lovers, I'm surprised it doesn't have more reviews! Vetiver and chocolate is a match made in heaven, and they blend together so beautifully. Can't detect much sandalwood, but I guess it's adding to the overall impression. It's so well blended and smooooth, like it's already been aged for quite a few years - definitely "aged" vetiver! As the reviewer above said, the throw and staying power are serious indeed, and I too am drowning in clouds of vetiver for hours after applying it - which for me is heaven! If it's one of your hate notes I'd stay away, but if you're ok with vetiver, give it a go. It's gorgeous.

Hurricane! Smells like rain itself.

I've tried this one, and can say that it's another simple blend that is more than the sum of its parts. However, it reminded me so much of No. 93 Engine that I had to go and look up the notes. They both mostly smell like motor oil on me, with myrrh/frankincense (can't tell them apart) jazzing things up a bit. I think I still prefer No. 93 Engine, even though its components list is massive, and it is so extremely potent that it knocks my socks off! I thought it might be of interest to the op. Liisa on fb likes to layer streets of Detroit with blueberry picking, which is on my to do list. Yes, I understand the question was directed at the op. Yet, I still wanted to offer my contribution with regards to Streets of Detroit, as I had tested it and found it strangelly reminiscent of No 93 Engine, which in my opinion is superior to Streets of Detroit. Sloth is a big favourite of mine - vetiver and myrrh, very dark and long-lasting. Masquerade is also gorgeous - patchouli, ambergris, carnation and orange blossom. Robin Goodfellow lists five notes (dark musk, moss-covered wood, ragwort, heather, and sage), but it does smell very simple and clean and just lovely. And Fenris Wolf is one of my Holy Grails - rosewood, amber, red musk and a dribble of red sandalwood.

I've tried this one, and can say that it's another simple blend that is more than the sum of its parts. However, it reminded me so much of No. 93 Engine that I had to go and look up the notes. They both mostly smell like motor oil on me, with myrrh/frankincense (can't tell them apart) jazzing things up a bit. I think I still prefer No. 93 Engine, even though its components list is massive, and it is so extremely potent that it knocks my socks off!

One of my very favourites is Playful Wooden Mallets - two notes only, cinnamon and black musk. I'm rather surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet, as it is glorious.

You might want to explore the Twilight Alchemy Lab website. Oh, and by the way, I absolutely adore BPAL's Mercury - the most beautiful lavender scent I've ever had the pleasure of sniffing, and combined with mint it is truly amazing. Too bad it was discontinued a long time ago, but if you stumble across it, it's really worth trying.

I really like The Ta-Ta (Boiled leather, carnation blossom, coffee absolute, and tobacco), although that was an LE. A lot of people say they find it very similar to The Arabian Dance. I wish the lab did more chocolate-, sugar- and pie-free coffee blends. *sigh*

I'm still hoping for a black coconut SN.

I have no advice as to what to wear, but I love putting perfume in my hair. It sometimes lasts up to three days, through hair washing and all! I think that should work fine for you, unless your hair is super short. Don't forget to apply some on your wrists as well.

Yemaya is a gorgeous melon scent.

Cathedral is dark, sexy, heady and incensey. Yum.