tinyvulture

A medicinal/herbal blend with a vetiver base, and saltwater. Vetiver can be harsh on me, and others found it so here, but this is lovely on me. A unisex blend, I’d like my husband to wear it as well.

At first, sheer tobacco, which is a no-go for me. (It’s not work appropriate and also makes me sneeze.) After 20 seconds I get a whiff of amber with it’s rocky, salty undertones. Opoponax is in hiding.  After a full minute it’s more evenly balanced tobacco and amber. It’s unique, feels a bit sad, thoughtful, wistful to me? Glad I got to test it, just have to pass on the tobacco.

This is from 2017 and it’s pretty faded on me. I get hints of sandalwood, florals, and bergamot.  It’s very pretty, cheerful, but sooooo soft and close to the skin. Off to swaps, maybe it will amp more on someone else.

Instantly makes me think of Lush’s Butterball, creamy and cocoa buttery. Honey and vanilla, definitely present. It’s a lovely powdery honey note.  No oudh detectable.  I wish this was slightly stronger, but it’s lovely, a scent you could wear daily. Might look for a bottle.

Black amber, with its rocky, salty warmth, is the first thing I notice. The peppery tobacco is also present, which makes it a no-go for me. The nutmeg adds even more spice. I’m not picking up any sweet notes like vanilla or benzoin. This blend is strong, warrior-like, serious. Not a ton of throw but my decant is 5 years old.

Coconut milk and frankincense, and honeyed osmanthus -- what a killer combination.  So unique.  The osmanthus and coconut are made for each other.  The honey has an almost lemony twang.  The frankincense fades immediately. Now I’m left with a straight up tropical paradise vibe. Hedonistic and lush. Love it.

A cool, distant floral perfume.  It’s ethereal and ghostly.  You have to get close to even notice it  Orchid, mostly.  A little bit of faint rose, and creamy vanilla, but not sweet  It’s mysterious and alluring.  Wish it was a little stronger, but this decant is 5 years old.

I smell mostly green tea, chamomile, and honey.  It’s a waxy honey, not too sweet. It smoothes and subdues the tea notes.  I thought there was lavender as well, but I guess not  A lovely blend for calm relaxation or sleep, I adore it.

More spice than pumpkin, which I like! Smells like a spice cookie with white icing. Sweet, cinnamony.  It’s so real -- you can practically taste the cookie.  Really cheerful and cozy!

I was frimped a sniffie of Cake Smash.  On me it’s red velvet Snake Oil, whoa.  Cake, cake, cake -- sweetness overload. I’m not really picking up the cream cheese icing, and I’m not getting even a hint of Dorian.  Mostly red velvet cake and Snake Oil, with a verrry subtle leather undertone from Doc Constantine.  I love it, and I can see getting a lot of compliments when I wear it.

A golden-orange oil.  The scent is dry, warm amber with a men’s cologne vibe.  The oudh sweetens and amplifies the amber, bringing out its spiciness. Smells refined, expensive.  Not super strong, stays close to the skin.

Really weak on me, sadly! Very light amber and a whisper of frankincense.  And then it’s gone!

Sweet patchouli and cola-smelling labdanum, and then a sweet almost fruit honey note.  With just a hint of earthy vetiver.  I’m not getting “dark” or “blackened” -- to me this is flirty and sexy.  I like this soooo much. It’s nice and strong and I love smelling like sweet resins and honey!

I was afraid of the dry grass note, that is would be really strong and make me sneeze.  But, it’s barely noticeable.  This scent is both clean (in a laundry soap/baby powder way) and honey-sweet.  It’s like how a little baby would smell after a bath.  I’m not getting any berry or moss.  Just clean bebe.

I’m not sure what makes an “aldehyde” but apparently they are like “rocket fuel” that adds fizz and effervescence. Cool.  This scent is indeed fizzy.  Clean, bright, sparkly.  I mostly smell champaca blossom.  No patchouli.  A feminine floral blend, feels classic and gorgeous.

When Beth says honeyed patchouli, she really means honeyed.  The honey is the first thing that hits my nose.  The patchouli is sweet and almost delicate.  The beeswax has a way of muting the other notes for me, and that’s totally happening here.  Sweet, light, exotic -- reminds me of Morocco (could also be the saffron!).  Not super strong but this may be an old decant I’m testing so it might have faded.

Dark, spicy, spooky. Myrrh is the dominant note, but the dragon’s blood is also strong, entwining with the myrrh, what a pair! The dragon’s blood is sweet, earthy, which suits the dry, sharp myrrh.  It’s not a super bold scent, it’s close to the skin.  I’m not picking out any lemongrass at all, but that’s OK. Happy to have a bottle!

I’m not sure if there has been another mainly ylang ylang/vanilla scent? I’m sure there has but it’s not coming to mind.  I do love vanilla/sugared florals!! The buttery vanilla perfectly cuts the sharpness of the ylang ylang and lets it sweet, spicy loveliness shine. I’m not really picking out any carnation.  But I think this is my favorite ylang ylang scent now!  Also, there’s a note that sorta smells like weed -- just making note so I don't wear it work lol!

Sweet clouds of vanilla and marshmallows. Just a pinch of cardamom, really nicely offsetting the sugar overload.  Reminds me of Peeps or Rice Krispie Treats. I probably need a bottle!

An elegant, smooth patchouli.  Not the hippie kind.  Is that what aging it 11 years does?  It’s all grown up now.  I’m also getting the blood musk note, but it’s not overpowering, like it sometimes can be.  I’m not really sure what “velvet” oud is, and I’m not picking up any fig.  Also, I’m not sure what unconscious association I have with this scent, but I know I have one and it’s a positive one.

Guava, yum!  I’m not sure I can recall trying any other guava blends  It’s so real -- juicy, tangy, sweet.  The creamy strawberry milk is such a genius pairing. The guava brings out the tartness of the strawberry, but then the sweet creaminess smoothes everything out -- gorgeous, might need a bottle!

Really nails that “ice cream” scent.  Like walking into a Baskin Robbins. Minty, chocolatey -- immediately ordered a bottle after sniffing this decant!

Comfort in a bottle! Lavender blended with ink and paper.  It’s hard to describe as anything other than “inky.”  Just trust if you love lavender you need this.

Love at first sniff!!  Beautiful oakwood note, all warm and woodsy, sweetened by vanilla. I adore the lab’s oak  I wouldn’t call this blend foodie -- the wood is definitely the prominent note.  Plus, my 12-year-old thinks the name is cool.

Lavender-infused vanilla cupcakes!  I think out of all the foodie Liliths this year, I prefer Metal Twins over this one, which is a bit more “Eat Me”, that is, it has a weird Fruity Pebbles vibe on my skin.  I might try it as a sleep blend though, focusing more on the lavender than the vanilla and cake.