caitilarkin

In the imp: Tart grapefruit and rich currant with lavender in the background, not smelling the musk or chamomile yet.

Wet on skin: Grapefruit and currant are blending beautifully, staying sweet but not overly sugary.

Dry on skin: Morphs from fruity to fruit and florals, then the musk appears and is softened by chamomile. Unfortunately, this oil only lasted about two hours on me in three separate tests, and I slathered the last two times.

Even with the short last, this blend of fruity, floral and musk notes is too gorgeous to pass up. Cheshire Cat is a definite bottle purchase.

Frimp from the lab--I've avoided rose scents for my entire life, since rose-based perfumes were worn daily and generously by my dad's bossy, controlling aunts. Maybe it's time to overcome some negative childhood associations.

In the imp: Just like the description: rose, rose, rose...sweet and flowery but not cloying

Wet on skin: The rose is multi-layered and complex, but I'm not familiar enough with different rose notes to discern them individually. Moreoever, the rose garden has been invaded by something that smells like rotten vegetation.

Dry on skin: GAH. The rotting vegetation has challenged the roses to a death match.

The rotting/sour/rancid smell lasted as long as the roses did--about three hours. For me, this scent evoked both month-old cabbage and my great aunt Lida. Not a keeper.

A frimp from the lab...after reading the description and the reviews, I am terrified of this scent. I never wear florals; jasmine and orchid in particular are Sicky Sweet Plastic Notes of Death on me. Gulp...

In the imp: HOLY FREAKIN' JASMINE

Wet on skin: Incredibly complex--the jasmine, orchid and lily are interacting beautifully with my skin chemistry and with each other. I'm not getting any ylang ylang (which sometimes works for me) or any plum, but the three notes I can pick out are absolutely beautiful. There's no plastic or sicky sweetness, just floral goodness the way nature intended.

Dry on skin: Obviously I'm going to have to rethink my aversion to florals. This has dried down to a rich, creamy, well-balanced bouquet. It's marvelously feminine and sophisticated without being overly sweet or girlish.

Sadly, Susprio only lasts a couple of hours on me. But it loves me and I am returning its affection by toting my imp to work to reapply.

So take it from a former floral hater: this scent is worth trying!

This was a frimp from the lab. Since aquatics smell like aftershave on me and florals and fruit are both very hit or miss, I never would have picked this out based on the description or reviews.

In the imp: Love at first sniff! Olokun evokes a light breeze blowing off the ocean into a seaside flower garden on a perfect summer day.

Wet on skin: Very similar to the bottle...the floral note takes the lead but is kept soft and dewy by the water and salt elements.

Dry on skin: The floral and aquatic are well-balanced, with a bit of salt adding a tang. It lasted a good 12 hours at the first wearing and didn't morph much on me.

Olokun definitely evokes the seaside to me, rather than the ocean itself. I love this one and will buy a bottle at the end of the spring; it will be so refreshing during the dog days of summer.

In the bottle: Light, warm, lovely peach...hmmmm...hint of a light musk

Wet on skin: Peach, where are you? All I'm getting is heliotrope and it's being overtaken by something that smells like burnt plastic.

Dry on skin: Oh noes! Where did my lovely notes go? Burnt plastic has taken over!

This went from lovely to bleeeeeeeeech in five seconds flat, then disappeared altogether within about two hours. Stupid skin chemistry. I'm going to re-test this one in a few weeks because I want it to work on me so bad.

In the bottle: Amber and sandalwood, with a tiny hint of peach, but I'm not getting any vanilla.

Wet on skin: The amber and sandalwood make their presence known, mellowed by a hint of what must be heliotrope. No sign of peach blossom or vanilla, which surprises because my skin normally amps both of those notes.

Dry on skin: Mellow, luscious amber takes the lead, with sandalwood singing backup and heliotrope chiming in from time to time. Not even a hint of peach. Am I wearing the same scent everyone else has been talking about? Still, I love this one.

After wearing for a day: Lasted about six hours on me with a light throw. A fantastic everyday scent. Lovelovelove the amber and sandalwood combo with the heliotrope, so will wear Tamora for that. But I'll have to look for another peach scent!