cranberry

I'm thinking that it's Foundation of Fortune or another TAL blend. It's a medium, amber brown color, spicy smelling - not cinnamon or clove. It could be pepper and/or ginger. There's also a strong resiny smell here - I always get frankincense and myrrh mixed up, but I"m thinking one of those.... it is kinda fun having a mystery imp - but I was kinda at a loss once I discovered it because it's never happened to me before! Tramp - ZOMG! I love that idea - that would sooo cool!

I don't know if this is the right place to post this or not (I did a search but was too tired to get creative in my searching and this is in the right "flavor" of my question/post). What do you all do when you have a mystery imp? I have an imp here that the label where is completely gone. I think I may know what it is, but if it is what I'm thinking, I don't have any more for comparison. I've never had this happen to me before.

In the imp: wow, this is a really sweet scent. Strong, sweet florals. On the skin: Once applied the orchid and champaca are the most noticeable scents. This is so sweet and it reminds me a bit of the fizzy feeling I got from Sundew (though it doesn’t smell anything like Sundew). There’s a tropical smell here, maybe pineapple? I can’t say. Initially it reminded me of Khajuraho, but this is much lighter and much sweeter. At first I got a hint of musk but that’s gone now, and all I’m left with is tropical fruits, flowers and champaca. Overall: At first I thought this was a keeper, but the tropical note throws me off, and it’s just a bit too sweet for me and doesn’t have the balance of resins or woods that I prefer.

Aside from Svadlhinaopatika, I wanted to try this one most of the Faces of the Heroine series. At first sniff – ohhh – this is a lilac scent. I should have known as this was the first scent listed but I was concentrating more on stargazer lily and cedar. Regardless, in the imp, this is a lovely lilac scent. It reminds me of the lilac bush behind my parent’s house. Once applied, the lilac remains prominent. After it dries and as it wears, it remains strong lilac – no cedar, no lily, just lilac. This is a wonderful lilac blend and makes me think of my grandmother, who loved lilacs. I think I was imaging something light, ethereal, airy. This isn’t what I was imaging but I do like this imp.

This was one of the scents that I was most looking forward to from the Faces of Heroine series. Sniffing the imp, I’m a bit disappointed, as it smells too sweet for me, and strongly of honey, which can kill a scent for me. Once applied, it’s better. The honey remains but other scents come out. Flowers (honeysuckle of all things), amber, sandalwood and other woods. This is really beautiful. There’s a strong, sweet note that smells like sweet incense smoke. This reminds me of the 2006 Lupercalia series – Khajuraho in particular, but there was a common accord that tied all the scents together. I know this one didn’t come out with the Lupercalia 2007 series but it should have. This is a honey scent that works for someone who generally hates honey scents and I couldn’t be happier. Bottle worthy for sure.

Tombstone - Wanderlust Notes: vanilla, balsam, sassafras, cedar Wow – a tarted imp! This is the first one that I’ve come across (courtesy of the GC swap and Ancilla!) so this is rather exciting. In the imp: cedar, sassafras, sweetness On the skin: cedar & sassafras, sweetened with vanilla. I’ve only tried this scent once or twice, so it’s good to try it again. I don’t know if the age of the imp is affecting this any, but this is wonderful. I’m going to have to try a more recent imp to compare. But back to the review, initially this was most strongly cedar with an undercurrent of sassafras. The sassafras is not overwhelming but nicely supports the cedar and vanilla. Overall, I’ve really enjoyed Tombstone. It’s warm, sexy, yummy & spicy. Very nice!

Wow – a tarted imp! This is the first one that I’ve come across (courtesy of the GC swap and Ancilla!) so this is rather exciting. In the imp: cedar, sassafras, sweetness On the skin: cedar & sassafras, sweetened with vanilla. I’ve only tried this scent once or twice, so it’s good to try it again. I don’t know if the age of the imp is affecting this any, but this is wonderful. I’m going to have to try a more recent imp to compare. But back to the review, initially this was most strongly cedar with an undercurrent of sassafras. The sassafras is not overwhelming but nicely supports the cedar and vanilla. Overall, I’ve really enjoyed Tombstone. It’s warm, sexy, yummy & spicy. Very nice!

Lunacies - from my collection Hunter Moon - released ____________ Flower Moon - released April 23, 2005 - reviewed Milk Moon - released April 23, 2005 - reviewed Strawberry Moon - released May 23, 2005 - reviewed Honey Moon - released May 23, 2005 - reviewed Buck Moon - released June 22, 2005 - reviewed Fruit Moon - released July 21, 2005 Harvest Moon (05) - released August 19, 2005 Blood Moon - released September 18, 2005 Beaver Moon - released October 17, 2005 - reviewed Snow Moon - released November 15, 2005 Holiday Moon - released December 15, 2005 - reviewed Budding Moon - released January 14, 2006 - Notations Sleepy Moon - released February 13, 2006 Peony Moon - released March 14, 2005 - reviewed Lotus Moon - released May 13, 2006 Hungry Ghost Moon - released June 11, 2006 Black Moon: Beth's Creation - released August 22, 2006 Schwarzer Mond: Brian's Creation - released August 22, 2006 Wolf Moon (06) - released December 2, 2006 - reviewed Lycaon - released December 2, 2006 Bakeneko - released January 1, 2007 - reviewed Hunger Moon - released Jan 1, 2007 ---------------- Kindly Moon - released September ____, 2006 - reviewed Dragon Moon - released ______________, 2006 Harvest Moon (06) - released ____________, 2006 Chrysanthemum Moon: A sojourn - released __________, 2006 Bitter Moon - released ____________, 2006 White Moon - released __________, 2006

Bakeneko – A Little Lunacy Notes: Warm amber musk, Satsuma tangerine, black tea leaf, cardamom, cherry blossom and cinnamon In the bottle: warm spice and amber On the skin: Wet, I smell anise, other spices, and amber. As it dries, the anise sent disappears and it’s all spiced, warm tea. This is just beautiful and I absolutely adore this scent. I don’t get much tangerine, more musk, amber, and spice. Yum! I enjoy cats and this scent is no exception. It stays close but it does make me wish I’d gotten another bottle. Overall: Beautiful – warm, spicy, musk. This scent reminds me just how much I adore amber musk. This scent is just wonderful. Reviewed 2-19-07

In the bottle: warm spice and amber On the skin: Wet, I smell anise, other spices, and amber. As it dries, the anise sent disappears and it’s all spiced, warm tea. This is just beautiful and I absolutely adore this scent. I don’t get much tangerine, more musk, amber, and spice. Yum! I enjoy cats and this scent is no exception. It stays close but it does make me wish I’d gotten another bottle. Overall: Beautiful – warm, spicy, musk. This scent reminds me just how much I adore amber musk. This scent is just wonderful.

Tisiphone – Excolo Notes: oleander with black patchouli, ylang ylang, and neroli. This oil smells dark, slightly floral. Wet, I can smell the patchouli, but there’s the richness of flowers. It smells like incense to me, despite it not having any traditional incense notes. As it wears the patchouli melds really well with the other notes while still being present and quite prominent. I’m not sure what oleander smells like, and I’m having a hard time trying to describe this scent or link it to the listed ingredients. The best way I can describe it, once dry, is that it’s slightly sweet, heady, rich, dark, and softly floral. A fine layer of powder is present and adds an old fashioned air to this scent. The dark oils almost smell hot. This is an unusual scent and one that I’m glad to have tried.

This oil smells dark, slightly floral. Wet, I can smell the patchouli, but there’s the richness of flowers. It smells like incense to me, despite it not having any traditional incense notes. As it wears the patchouli melds really well with the other notes while still being present and quite prominent. I’m not sure what oleander smells like, and I’m having a hard time trying to describe this scent or link it to the listed ingredients. The best way I can describe it, once dry, is that it’s slightly sweet, heady, rich, dark, and softly floral. A fine layer of powder is present and adds an old fashioned air to this scent. The dark oils almost smell hot (physically). This is an unusual scent and one that I’m glad to have tried.

Viola – Illyria Notes: tea rose, lilac, calla lily, somalian rose, amber, spanish moss, red sandalwood, rosewood, myrrh, mandarin In the imp: rose, flowers, but tempered and softened On the skin: mainly a soft rose mixed with some other flowers. The resins and woods soften and moderate the flowers, adding a richness and sensuality to the blend. It’s a quiet scent and it stays close to the skin. This is really pretty scent, soft and gentle. I doubt that I’d wear it much but I’ve enjoyed trying it.

In the imp: rose, flowers, but tempered and softened On the skin: mainly a soft rose mixed with some other flowers. The resins and woods soften and moderate the flowers, adding a richness and sensuality to the blend. It’s a quiet scent and it stays close to the skin. This is really pretty scent, soft and gentle. I doubt that I’d wear it much but I’ve enjoyed trying it.

Lucy’s Kiss – Love Potions Notes: rose, victorian spices In the imp: weak, watery rose On the skin: smells like a weak tea rose on me. There’s only about 3 BPAL rose blends that I can do and this is not one of them. I find this to be weak, watery, with a slight chemical tang. The spices are there but they do not compliment the rose well on my skin nor to my nose. Smelled while outside (it’s so cold here, -2*F), my hand smells good, especially from a distance. The rose was nice, sweet, pretty. I didn’t get that weak chemical smell. And after washing my hands, Lucy’s Kiss is still sticking around – now the rose is taking on a powdery aspect and the rose scent has smoothed out. I think that I prefer this scent in smaller doses. Not enough to want a bottle but maybe enough to keep an imp.

In the imp: weak, watery rose On the skin: smells like a weak tea rose on me. There’s only about 3 BPAL rose blends that I can do and this is not one of them. I find this to be weak, watery, with a slight chemical tang. The spices are there but they do not compliment the rose well on my skin nor to my nose. Smelled while outside (it’s so cold here, -2*F), my hand smells good, especially from a distance. The rose was nice, sweet, pretty. I didn’t get that weak chemical smell. And after washing my hands, Lucy’s Kiss is still sticking around – now the rose is taking on a powdery aspect and the rose scent has smoothed out. I think that I prefer this scent in smaller doses. Not enough to want a bottle but maybe enough to keep an imp.

Black Pearl – Bewitching Brews Notes: coconut, florentine iris, hazlenut, opalescent white musk In the imp: mostly iris On the skin: Iris, a touch of coconut. This is a light, beautiful scent. I really like iris and a smidge of coconut is a wonderful compliment to the iris. The white musk provides a sexy base to the iris. It reminds me of my memory of Morella – iris and musk similarities, but I think this one is a bit sweeter, but I can’t swear to that. I’m not getting any hazelnut, which is ok with me as I’m not a huge fan. As it wears, the iris remains strong and takes on that powdery note that iris often gets. This is just a wonderful scent – very soothing, refined, soft, sweet and pretty. I’m wondering how old this imp is (it’s part of the GC swap) – looking over the reviews it’s interesting how there’s a clear split, either coconut and hazelnut, or iris and musk. I really like this version so it's cool with me!

In the imp: mostly iris On the skin: Iris, a touch of coconut. This is a light, beautiful scent. I really like iris and a smidge of coconut is a wonderful compliment to the iris. The white musk provides a sexy base to the iris. It reminds me of my memory of Morella – iris and musk similarities, but I think this one is a bit sweeter, but I can’t swear to that. I’m not getting any hazelnut, which is ok with me as I’m not a huge fan. As it wears, the iris remains strong and takes on that powdery note that iris often gets. This is just a wonderful scent – very soothing, refined, soft, sweet and pretty. I’m wondering how old this imp is (it’s part of the GC swap) – looking over the reviews it’s interesting how there’s a clear split, either coconut and hazelnut, or iris and musk. I really like this version so it's cool with me!

Anubis – Excolo Notes: myrrh, storax, balsam, and embalming herbs. In the imp: herbs, honey & slightly fruity On the skin: this smells like fruity honey. I never would have thought that based one the listed notes. Hmmm. I’m not too fond of honey so we’ll see how this goes. There could be a touch of resins back there but the honey and fruitiness completely overpower any other scents and I just can’t get past that impression. The honey scent is overwhelming this for me. After it’s been on a while, the honey scent begins to fade a small bit, and I’m liking this more, but not enough to hang onto any imps that come my way. After it’s been on about an hr, it takes on a bit of dusty tone, but the honey and herbs are still going strong. Well, I just looked at some of the reviews for this scent, a lot folks have smelled a strong honey from this scent – when I first smelled it, I was really surprised!

In the imp: herbs, honey & slightly fruity On the skin: this smells like fruity honey. I never would have thought that based one the listed notes. Hmmm. I’m not too fond of honey so we’ll see how this goes. There could be a touch of resins back there but the honey and fruitiness completely overpower any other scents and I just can’t get past that impression. The honey scent is overwhelming this for me. After it’s been on a while, the honey scent begins to fade a small bit, and I’m liking this more, but not enough to hang onto any imps that come my way. After it’s been on about an hr, it takes on a bit of dusty tone, but the honey and herbs are still going strong. Well, I just looked at some of the reviews for this scent, a lot folks have smelled a strong honey from this scent – when I first smelled it, I was really surprised!

Hellcat - Diabous Notes: hazelnut, buttercream, honey mead, rum, sweet almond In the imp: almond, honey On the skin: almond & honey while wet. Super sweet, maybe a bit too sweet for me. The almond has a cherry edge to it. As it dries, I’m liking this one better. It’s not so sweet and seems more gourmand and familiar. Oh my god, I just had a realization! It’s the burnt sugar from Sugar Skull that I smell. There’s a touch of almond, but this is so very similar to Sugar Skull, and on me, once it’s dry, an excellent replacement once my bottles run dry. I never would have thought it but I am so thrilled to discover this!

In the imp: almond, honey On the skin: almond & honey while wet. Super sweet, maybe a bit too sweet for me. The almond has a cherry edge to it. As it dries, I’m liking this one better. It’s not so sweet and seems more gourmand and familiar. Oh my god, I just had a realization! It’s the burnt sugar from Sugar Skull that I smell. There’s a touch of almond, but this is so very similar to Sugar Skull, and on me, once it’s dry, an excellent replacement once my bottles run dry. I never would have thought it but I am so thrilled to discover this!

Blood Amber - Bewitching Brews Notes: dragon's blood, golden amber I have a bottle of this but eventually sold it away, I just wasn’t using it much. But I’m looking forward to retrying this one. In the imp, most strongly, I smell dragon’s blood. On the skin, dragon’s blood with sweet amber, just as I remembered. This is a lovely scent and I see why I liked it so much to buy a bottle. It’s a great combination – and I still like it. I remember it taking on a dusty feel as I wore it, and being fairly dry. So far that hasn’t happened but I’ll test it out and see if it happens again. Now, had I come across this imp, I don’t know that I would have been compelled to buy a bottle, but I will keep any imps that come my way.

I have a bottle of this but eventually sold it away, I just wasn’t using it much. But I’m looking forward to retrying this one. In the imp, most strongly, I smell dragon’s blood. On the skin, dragon’s blood with sweet amber, just as I remembered. This is a lovely scent and I see why I liked it so much to buy a bottle. It’s a great combination – and I still like it. I remember it taking on a dusty feel as I wore it, and being fairly dry. So far that hasn’t happened but I’ll test it out and see if it happens again. Now, had I come across this imp, I don’t know that I would have been compelled to buy a bottle, but I will keep any imps that come my way.

Two Monsters is a pretty good ringer for Geek. It's a little softer but very similar. Doc Constantine has a wonderful amber - smoke thing going on. It's not exactly like Geek but it's in a similar scent family.