any_old_actress

FIRST SNIFF: full blooms drooping in the moonlight

WEARING IT: i find this to be a sorrowful scent, it's quite light and appealing yet the FEEL and mood of it is heavy. it reminds me of flowers drunk on moonlight or the idea behind night blooming cereus, only coming out at night. i can't tell one flower from the next, it blends so incredibly together. i thought a blend like this would surely give me a headache from the sheer number of flowers in it, but it's so light and comforting, like a dew drop on a petal.

VERDICT: love it - it's pretty, soulful, deep and light.

FIRST SNIFF: white flowers, spicey orange

WEARING IT: i can't place the top note, maybe copal? the sweet orange and plumeria are definitely in the background, but the orange isn't overpowering like it can be in some scents, it compliments everything so perfectly. this scent is really mellow and relaxing. i can see me wearing this in exotic locations under the moonlight.

VERDICT: this surprised me, i got it as a freebie and really love it. it's not for everyday - just for really special days when you feel a tad exotic and want to show it off

FIRST SNIFF: something sweet and a hint of vanilla

WEARING IT: neroli, vanilla, the faintest breath of apple. a very complicated, beautiful scent. as it dries, the vanilla becomes more apparent to me which i really like. i sense a little bit of musk in the background too. makes me think of red, sleek gowns and velvet chokers. almost has a queen mab feel to it!

VERDICT: very pretty and more than likely worth getting a bigger bottle

An interesting creation, but not one of my favourites.

FIRST SNIFF: lilac, lily of the valley

WEARING IT: briefly lilacs then lily of the valley takes over. it smells exactly like my dryer sheets! very pretty and innocent. i feel like i could wear this in the hot sun, on a plaid blanket with a picnic spread out before me...

VERDICT: again, it's very pretty - but not a scent i'd normally wear.

FIRST SNIFF: herbs wet with rain...

WEARING IT: definitely lavender and verbena. after a minute or two the rosemary peaks her head out and adds to the mix. i find it to be quite sharp when first applied but then it turns into a very unique scent, like a lemon custard or something.

FINAL VERDICT: enticing, but i think it's too lemony for me.

FIRST SNIFF: light, airy - definitely wispy

WEARING IT: lemon rind, vetiver, sandalwood. i don't find this dark, but the exact opposite - it's light and lovely...i find it burns my nose a bit with each sniff. i can't smell any of the dark woods though and after a while it turns soapy on me which is too bad 'cause it sure is pretty!

VERDICT: indeed it's lovely at first, but just not me.

totally understood. it's the exact same on the dry-down, so it makes little difference to me, i just thought i missed something like i usually do!

ok...as i wear it more it's still the same thing, but when first applied it seems a tad different.

hey gang,

maybe i'm outta the loop but was hecate changed recently? i received an imp a couple of months ago and it was very dry and heavy on the myrrh and when i received my 5ml of it, it's VERY almond/berry smelling with less of the myrrh i fell in love with. anyone know?

FIRST SNIFF: exactly honeyed almonds...

WEARING IT: very foody i want to eat it. reminds me of white cake with very thick icing...i got it as a freebie and i'm glad i did, it's very rich and dramatic. there is definitely the middle eastern spice hiding in the background which makes it extremely unique. there's something very alluring about it...

VERDICT: not sure yet, will use up my imp and go from there

FIRST SNIFF: violets!

WEARING IT: rich violets with a bit of dark greenery...this to me is a more regal and loud nocturne. a bit overpowering on me...

VERDICT: a little too regal, it gave me a headache!

FIRST SNIFF: dill pickle chips?!

WEARING IT: dill pickle chips morphing into... lily and geranium rose? i can't smell the rosewood or frankincense at all. unfortunately, it turns into a soapy floral on my skin

FINAL VERDICT: glad i tried it, but not for me.

FIRST SNIFF: harvested apples before you wash 'em.

WEARING IT: apples still and definitely oak bark...when first applied i didn't like that strong oak "kick" i was getting everytime i smelled my wrists...but after a few minutes of wear it's become less dominant and blends more with the apples. i'm becoming really fond of this scent as it reminds of family trips to "apple fest."

VERDICT: it's become a PERFECT scent on me. *sigh* a bigger bottle is in the works...

FIRST SNIFF: the darkest currant

WEARING IT: oh my, i love it already. myrrh and my skin are best friends, it gives me that root beer float smell that i love so much! it reminds me a bit of a fruitier hecate, which is one of my favourites anyhow.

VERDICT: my bank account is saying no, but my nose is saying, "yes i need a larger bottle!!!" masabakes is a keeper!

FIRST SNIFF: satsuma or something from the body shop but greener and darker!

WEARING IT: i can definitely smell the raspberry leaf & cedar. has a bit of a tang to it that makes it so delicious. it's a light scent on me, so i'd probably need to re-apply quite often, but it's really worth it in my opinion. it's beautiful, unique and upbeat.

VERDICT: a keeper! i LOVE it! will be buying a larger bottle...

kumiho & zephyr & tarot: strength

yeah, what andra said. knowing what the estimated time of waiting is makes everything a lot more bearable and it's really appreciated that, despite it being on the website already, you take the time to let everyone know here as well.

i have so much respect that everything IS hand blended and hand bottled by lovely, thinking individuals...so don't go the clone/android route ok?

i also put lotion on myself first, then slather on my oils straight from their bottles/imps.

FIRST SNIFF: apple blossoms, yay!

WEARING IT: apple blossoms still...then turning into roses, roses, roses. this ended up being a really strong floral on me, headache strong unfortunately (similar to how cordelia effected me)

FINAL VERDICT: headache inducing, so... not for me!

FIRST SNIFF: myrrh

WEARING IT: this is almost exactly like hecate on me but softer and flatter, maybe because of the amber. i can't smell any lilac at all which i'm disappointed in.

FINAL VERDICT: darkly sexual, like beth says but i'd rather wear hecate

ok. i REALLY need to win the lottery!

maiden would be fabulous as well

i should add more to the list:

hecate

zephyr

maiden

carnal

snake oil

i tried this once and it wasn't my thing...and i am SO glad i tried it again!

FIRST SNIFF: Light spices

WEARING IT: this smells exactly how beth describes it on the site. the vanilla really comes to life once it's on, but you still have the exotic scent of the indonesian oils to give it that "oomph."

FINAL VERDICT: my boyfriend liked cordelia over this, he is obviously on crack. big bottle of this? yes, please