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RedRoseMaze

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Blog Entries posted by RedRoseMaze

  1. RedRoseMaze
    Sins Of The Past
    Category: American Gothic
    Quantity: sample
     
    Description:
    SINS OF THE PAST
    Innocence is lost. The Sins of the Past have yet to be absolved. Weighted and heavy on your heart, they were justified by love and carried out by greed. But, all will be made right. There’s just one more deed to carry out. Simply, one more transgression to erase all the rest. All will be made right again. The Sins of the Past will be put to rest. All fools need to believe. Red apple, aromatic bitters, spearmint, eucalyptus, benzoin.
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: Spicy apple and mint, or a minty apple pie.
     
    Wet: It’s cold from the mint. It really smells like apple, with a little bit of warm benzoin and cold eucalyptus. The mix of hot and cold is a bit weird at first, but I got used to it after a minute or two.
     
    Dry: The aromatic bitters appeared, making the apple spicy again. However, it remains foody. I still smell mint, eucalyptus and benzoin, but it's still delicate.
     
    Verdict: Another fruity scent from Good Judy and, as always, an interesting one. In fact, it smells so good, my parents’ dog followed me all-day with her nose up in the air, smelling my trail as if she expected me to get an apple turnover out of my pocket...
  2. RedRoseMaze

    Good Judy: Jolt

    By RedRoseMaze,

    Jolt
    Category: In The Mood
    Quantity: sample
     
    Description:
    JOLT
    Wake up! Get revved and ready to go go go! Cuban coffee, black tea, double shot of espresso, spices
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: It’s spicy; I identify clove and pepper.
     
    Wet: More clove! There’s some dark, maybe even black, coffee behind it.
     
    Dry: Finally, I get the black coffee and black tea, but it’s still very spicy.
     
    Verdict: Overall, it’s masculine-neutral; interesting, but just not my thing.
  3. RedRoseMaze
    Yules: Lick It Vigorously
    Category: Limited Edition
    Quantity: bottle
     
    Description:
    LICK IT VIGOROUSLY
    What else could possibly be more lickable at Yuletide? This is a candy cane perfume, minty, sweet and sugared.
    [Please don’t literally Lick It. I need no cheerful holiday lawsuits, thank you!]
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: Hmm, sweet mint... It’s very fresh, green, and maybe a little bit spicy.
     
    Wet: A lot of sugar comes out as soon as it touches my skin! It smells like mint-flavoured candy, no doubt possible; it also feels very fresh... I might even say cold...
     
    Dry: Strangely enough, it turned almost vanilla and floral on me (one day, I’d like to know what’s wrong with my skin chemistry); however, it’s still fresh, yet softer and more delicate.
     
    Verdict: It’s a funny perfume, it really smells like a candy cane, sweet and minty, even though it turned soft on me.
     
    More reviews: Limited Edition: Yules: Lick It Vigorously
  4. RedRoseMaze
    Yules: Rose Red 2010
    Category: Limited Edition
    Quantity: bottle
     
    Description:
    ROSE RED 2010
    The perfected winter rose, dew covered and freshly cut.
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: A velvety red rose, fresher than in a flower shop.
     
    Wet: It’s a bit too strong at first, it’s annoying for my nostrils; however, it gets better after 10-15 minutes.
     
    Dry: It’s much better now. It’s a delicate floral scent, feminine, romantic, and almost a sacred rose.
     
    Verdict: For those who might be turned off by its initial strong throw, my advice would be to let it dry completely before judging it. It becomes subtle and almost sweet over time.
     
    More reviews: Limited Edition: Yules: Rose Red 2010
  5. RedRoseMaze

    BPAL: Love Me

    By RedRoseMaze,

    Love Me
    Category: Bewitching Brews
    Quantity: sample
     
    Description:
    LOVE ME
    A commanding, dominant oil that increases sexual magnetism, creates an intense and irresistible air of attraction, and amplifies potency.
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: I smell patchouli, citrus, something floral (maybe jasmine); overall, it reminds me of Faustus.
     
    Wet: Spicy cinnamon and bright orange. It’s fragrant and warm.
     
    Dry: Now, it’s just patchouli, sweetened by oranges...
     
    Verdict: It’s not bad, but it didn’t work for me. I should try it again someday over another soap, it might change my perception of it.
     
    More reviews: Bewitching Brews: Love Me
  6. RedRoseMaze
    Lava Rocket
    Category: Starlite Oasis
    Quantity: sample
     
    Description:
    LAVA ROCKET
    Turn it on. Warm it up. Watch it erupt. Get ready for blast off baby! Cassia, clove, black pepper, molten musk, orange lava
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: I smell cassia, pepper, clove, and a little bit of musk. So far, it’s alright.
     
    Wet: Hmm, spicy! I get clove and pepper first, then musk.
     
    Dry: Now it’s just old musk...
     
    Verdict: No, not my thing, it’s just too oldish, and maybe a little bit too masculine for me.
  7. RedRoseMaze

    Good Judy: Uke

    By RedRoseMaze,

    Uke
    Category: Anime & Manga
    Quantity: sample
     
    Description:
    UKE
    Whatever flavor, shy or outgoing, Ukes are the younger, more androgynous (even feminine) counterpart in the Boy Love anime genre of Yaoi. Fiercely loyal to their Seme, Ukes can be slightly annoying, but always cute in their devotion. Sexy and hot! Vanilla musk, cotton candy, cherry, cream
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: It smells like cherry cupcakes! I smell cherry, vanilla, sugar, and milk, in that order.
     
    Wet: Indeed, it smells like Betty Crocker’s cherry cupcake mix… It’s drying into a mix of candied vanilla musk and cherry cream.
     
    Dry: Now that it’s completely dry, I smell musky vanilla, and less sugar. The cherry note is also less intense.
     
    Verdict: I love this one, it’s so yummy! What? It’s for boys? Who cares! It smells delicious and sweet.
  8. RedRoseMaze

    Good Judy: B

    By RedRoseMaze,

    B
    Category: LGBT & More
    Quantity: sample
     
    Description:
    B
    N/A
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: Citrus and... bergamot?
     
    Wet: Yes, I do smell a sweet herb such as bergamot, as well as citrus or orange.
     
    Dry: Now, I’m getting something floral, possibly honeysuckle.
     
    Verdict: It’s golden, vibrant, and the citrus scent smells clean, of course. Overall, it’s a nice gender-neutral blend.
  9. RedRoseMaze

    Reviews

    By RedRoseMaze,

    My list of reviews so far, to be updated as I write them.
     
    BLACK PHOENIX ALCHEMY LAB:
     
     
    Limited Edition:
    Sleepy Hollow: Katrina Van Tassel
    Yules: Lick it Vigorously
    Yules: Rose Red 2010
    Yules: Snow White 2010
    Yules: The Nutcracker: Klara
     
     
    Ars Amatoria:
    Kabuki
    L'École Des Filles
    Lolita
    Lucy's Kiss
    Maiden
     
     
    Bewitching Brews:
    All Night Long
    Dana O'Shee
    Follow Me Boy
    Hurricane
    Jolly Roger
    Love Me
     
     
    Diabolus:
    Kumiho
    Marie
    Villain
     
     
    Excolo:
    Persephone
     
     
    Illyria:
    Rosalind
     
     
    Mad Tea Party:
    Alice
    Eat Me
    Mouses's Long And Sad Tale
    The Pool Of Tears
    Tweedledum
    The Unicorn
     
     
    Marchen:
    The Grave-Pig
     
     
    Picnic in Arkham:
    Herbert West
     
     
    Rappaccini's Garden:
    Baneberry
    Hairy Toad Lily
     
     
    Sin & Salvation:
    Faustus
    Lust
    Oblivion
     
     
    Wanderlust:
    London
     
     
     
    GOOD JUDY:
     
     
    Limited Edition:
    Diamond (April 2009)
    Fruit Judy
    Hanami (Spring 2009)
    Ostara (March 2009)
     
     
    American Gothic:
    The Corruption of Having Lived
    Forbidden Desire
    Shameful Secret
    Sins of the Past
    Spectral Evidence
    Splintered Love
     
     
    Anime & Manga:
    Gosurori
    Shoujo
    Uke
     
     
    Curio Shop:
    Cursed Cameo
    Mephitic Vapors
    Pickled Punk
    Spirit Bottle: Lhunassi
    Voodoo Doll
     
     
    In The Mood:
    Jolt
    Love Potent
    Lullaby
    Woobie
     
     
    LGBT & More:
    B
    Femme
     
     
    Mary Jo's Bakery:
    Bread Pudding
    Cannoli
    Chocolate Chai Muffin
    Key Lime Pie
     
     
    Punk:
    Gothic
    Pop
     
     
    Resinate:
    Honey Patch
    Smooth & Neat
     
     
    Signature Scents:
    Gravy
     
     
    Starlite Oasis:
    Atomic Cheesecake
    Lava Rocket
    Mond-O-Rama
     
     
    Unreleased Blends:
    First Creation
  10. RedRoseMaze
    Herbert West
    Category: Picnic in Arkham
    Quantity: sample
     
    Description:
    HERBERT WEST
    Of Herbert West, who was my friend in college and in after life, I can speak only with extreme terror. This terror is not due altogether to the sinister manner of his recent disappearance, but was engendered by the whole nature of his life-work, and first gained its acute form more than seventeen years ago, when we were in the third year of our course at the Miskatonic University Medical School in Arkham. While he was with me, the wonder and diabolism of his experiments fascinated me utterly, and I was his closest companion. Now that he is gone and the spell is broken, the actual fear is greater. Memories and possibilities are ever more hideous than realities.
     
    Aftershave, embalming fluid, and splatterings from a panoply of reanimation reagents.
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: Indeed, aftershave and citrus (or lemon). It’s definitively for men, but I’m curious enough to try it on.
     
    Wet: Still a good dose of aftershave, lemon, as well as tea and/or something herbal and fresh.
     
    Dry: Not so much aftershave anymore, but a refreshing lemony herbal scent.
     
    Verdict: I don’t doubt this would smell different on a man (my skin chemistry tends to make everything turn sweet); however, whenever a perfume changes during drydown, a part of my brain says “make soap!” This psychological problem aside, I really liked it, the smell is clean and clear, and not as sinister as I thought it would be.
     
    More reviews: Picnic in Arkham: Herbert West
  11. RedRoseMaze
    Lullaby
    Category: In The Mood
    Quantity: sample
     
    Description:
    LULLABY
    Sleep judy. A quiet and relaxing blend to ease your tension and calm your thoughts. Peaceful sleep nourishes the spirit and soothes the soul. Lullaby does just that, without having to sing a single note. Lavender, chamomile, mandarin, jasmine, ylang ylang, rose.
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: Hmm… Chamomile, mandarin, lavender, and some other flowers float toward my nose. There’s something comforting and soothing about it right away, that I can not explain to myself, but it seems to work.
     
    Wet: As soon as I put it on, a bitter smell came out of it, so I was quite worried; but, fortunately, it didn’t last long. It then turned into a soothing blend of flowers. The lavender is soft, which is a good thing because I usually don’t like it much, and the mandarin adds a warm touch to it.
     
    Dry: After drydown, I smell the rose and the jasmine a little bit better. The floral scent is stronger, but the drop of mandarine is still there to complement it.
     
    Verdict: At least this one keeps its promises, it’s very calm and peaceful. It could work, to a certain extent, as a neutral blend, even though the flowers make it a bit feminine. On a personal note, the first time I tried it, I was tired and overloaded with work, so it wasn’t a very good time to try it on, I didn’t work much that day (I guess I could have used a little bit of Jolt). But right now, I’m on vacation, and fully able to appreciate it. Would I wear that often? Probably not, but it was fun to try it and see what it does.
  12. RedRoseMaze
    Sleepy Hollow: Katrina Van Tassel
    Category: Limited Edition
    Quantity: 5ml bottle
     
    Description:
    KATRINA VAN TASSEL
    … and though he had seen many spectres in his time, and been more than once beset by Satan in divers shapes, in his lonely perambulations, yet daylight put an end to all these evils; and he would have passed a pleasant life of it, in despite of the devil and all his works, if his path had not been crossed by a being that causes more perplexity to mortal man than ghosts, goblins, and the whole race of witches put together, and that was-a woman.
     
    Among the musical disciples who assembled, one evening in each week, to receive his instructions in psalmody, was Katrina Van Tassel, the daughter and only child of a substantial Dutch farmer. She was a blooming lass of fresh eighteen; plump as a partridge; ripe and melting and rosy cheeked as one of her father's peaches, and universally famed, not merely for her beauty, but her vast expectations. She was withal a little of a coquette, as might be perceived even in her dress, which was a mixture of ancient and modern fashions, as most suited to set off her charms. She wore the ornaments of pure yellow gold, which her great-great-grandmother had brought over from Saardam, the tempting stomacher of the olden time; and withal a provokingly short petticoat, to display the prettiest foot and ankle in the country round.
     
    White rose and honeyed cream.
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: It’s sweet, like Dana O’Shee, only with roses instead of sweet grains.
     
    Wet: Mostly roses. Somehow, it reminds me of my grand-mother’s perfume; I want to snuggle up in my grandma’s blanket and sing lullabies.
     
    Dry: It’s still rosy, but creamier. It’s very feminine and, without a doubt, a good girl’s perfume. The sweet cream scent lasts much longer than the rose scent though.
    Verdict: I like it, but it’s missing a little something to be more than “my grand-mother’s perfume”. I’m happy with the bottle I have, but I wouldn’t buy another one.
     
    More reviews: LE: Katrina Van Tassel
  13. RedRoseMaze

    BPAL: London

    By RedRoseMaze,

    London
    Category: Wanderlust
    Quantity: sample
    Description:
    LONDON
    Venerable Victorian Tea Rose… twisted, blackened and emboldened with wickedness.
     
    Review:
    In the bottle: Roses, yet dried, sour, bitter and intoxicated.
    Wet: A sweet and elegant rose, but still dark and bitter.
    Dry: Same, with subtlety. It blends well with my skin and becomes quite sweet. However, it doesn’t last very long (at least on me).
    Verdict: It’s very elegant and womanly, with an interesting wicked twist. Unfortunately, this perfume smells older than I am. It’s something I’ll want to try again in a few years.
     
    More reviews: Wanderlust: London
  14. RedRoseMaze

    BPAL: Lolita

    By RedRoseMaze,

    Lolita
    Category: Ars Amatoria
    Quantity: sample
     
    Description:
    LOLITA
    Bright, sweet and youthful, but swelling with a poisonous sexuality. Glittering heliotrope, honeysuckle, orange blossom and lemon verbena.
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: It smells like lemony soap. It’s quite sweet actually.
     
    Wet: I don’t know… Flowers and herbs bathing in lemon juice? On me, it’s a bitter-sweet poison, with a soapy scent underneath.
     
    Dry: Probably my strangest association so far: do you remember the nasty old neighbour of your childhood, who used to burst open every ball that had the unfortunate luck of falling on her yard? Well, it smells like her.
     
    Verdict: Poor Lolita… She fell into the claws of a pedophile and must have started to hate the world afterwards, or at least that’s what her perfume suggests. Honestly, if I get another sample of this one for free, I’ll throw it down the drain. (Note: I hate to waste, so I'll try to turn the sample I have into soap, or something like that.)
     
     
    More reviews: Ars Amatoria: Lolita
  15. RedRoseMaze

    BPAL: Dana O'Shee

    By RedRoseMaze,

    Dana O'Shee
    Category: Bewitching Brews
    Quantity: sample
     
    Description:
    DANA O'SHEE
    In Irish folklore the Dana O'Shee are a fae, elven people that live in a realm of beauty, their nobility akin to our that own Age of Chivalry, eternally beautiful and eternally young. They surround themselves with the pleasures of the Arts, they live for the hunt, and to this day can be seen riding in procession through the Irish countryside at twilight, led by their King and Queen. However, the Dana O'Shee are not benevolent creatures, despite what their unearthly beauty may imply. They are vengeful and treacherous and possess a streak of mischievous malice, and many have whispered that their true home lies deep in the shadowed groves of the Realm of the Dead. Hearing even a single chord of their otherworldly music leaves one stunned and lost to the mortal realms for ever, finding themselves prey to the Dana O'Shee's hunt or enslaved in their Court as servants or playthings. Offerings of milk, honey and sweet grains were made to placate these creatures, and it is that the basis of the scent created in their name.
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: At first, it’s mostly creamy honey, with a sweet cereal scent (oat?). I do smell a cherry or wild berry scent as well; but I wonder if I’m not hallucinating it, because it’s far behind.
     
    Wet: Wow, this is sweet and delicious, with a touch of almond. It smells like it’s almost edible.
     
    Dry: It’s still sweet, and it still smells like honey; but it’s much softer.
     
    Verdict: I love it! I love foody scents, and Dana O’Shee seems perfect for all those occasions when a strong perfume might be overwhelming. I will probably buy a bottle of this one.
     
    More reviews: Bewitching Brews: Dana O'Shee
  16. RedRoseMaze

    BPAL: Marie

    By RedRoseMaze,

    Marie
    Category: Diabolus
    Quantity: sample
     
    Description:
    MARIE
    A blend of sinuous violet and elegant tea rose: the chosen scent of France's Demigoddess of Debauch: Marie Antoinette.
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: Mostly violet, and rose.
     
    Wet: Apparently, my nose identifies the smell of violet very easily, and finds the rose a few minutes later. So far, it’s fresh and elegant, but a little bit soapy.
     
    Dry: The first time I tried this one, in December, I thought it smelled like an old violet and rose potpourri (note: I had a cold and everything smelled the same). However, I can fully appreciate it today, and I have to admit Marie makes a nice transition from a sweet and fresh floral scent to a wicked violet.
     
    Verdict: I’m growing fond of Marie, I might add it to my “maybe” list. It’s sensual, in a naughty way. On the other hand, if you don’t like violet, stay away from this one.
     
    More reviews: Diabolus: Marie
  17. RedRoseMaze

    Good Judy: Shoujo

    By RedRoseMaze,

    Shoujo
    Category: Anime & Manga
    Quantity: sample
     
    Description:
    SHOUJO
    Shoujo is all things girly! Images of fairy tales, summer romances, slumber parties, whispered secrets, giggles, best friends, boys, flowers, and those sugary sweet and innocent teenage years. Fushigi Yugi, Ayashi no Ceres, and anything from CLAMP offer Shoujo at its finest! Apricot, sugar cane, candy hearts, white florals.
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: It smells like apricot-flavoured candy, mixed with something floral, or a very sweet and fruity herbal tea.
     
    Wet: Hmm, it’s juicy like a fresh fruit, as if you were biting into a delicious apricot. It’s still very surgary sweet, but the flowers balance the candy a little bit.
     
    Dry: It’s so soft and lovely! I can still identify the powdery candy hearts; but overall, it’s a very peaceful blend.
     
    Verdict: It’s soft, delicate, feminine, refreshing, and absolutely perfect for summer. I like it, although I’m afraid that it might be a little bit too young for me… but I do love it, so it’s on my “maybe” list.
  18. RedRoseMaze
    Love Potent
    Category: In The Mood
    Quantity: sample
     
    Description:
    LOVE POTENT
    Ooh la la! Love is life! Good Judy’s Love Potent is a precursor to the ultimate experience in life. Love for life. Love for yourself. Love for another. Male, female, and everyone in between…however you love, whomever you love… let love shine from the deepest, darkest part of your soul to the infinite far-reaches of the universe. For without love, we have nothing. Rose, spiced musk, bay, violet, gardenia, jasmine, ginger
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: Spicy rose and flowers.
     
    Wet: At first, it’s a spicy mix of rose, violet, gardenia, jasmine. Then, I get a faint scent of musk and bay.
     
    Dry: After a while, musk and ginger take over the flowers. I’m still getting a little bit of violet, and maybe another flower, but I don’t know which one.
     
    Verdict: This is sexy, and maybe even empowering; but unfortunately, it doesn’t last very long. The two times I’ve worn this one so far, I kept adding some more on my skin, so the sample is already half-empty. Because of that, I hesitate to buy a bottle. Otherwise, it’s lovely.
  19. RedRoseMaze

    BPAL: The Unicorn

    By RedRoseMaze,

    The Unicorn
    Category: Mad Tea Party
    Quantity: sample
     
    Description:
    THE UNICORN
    A misty, almost luminous perfume: wispy linden blossoms, white flowers, and a touch of sweet herbs.
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: A clean, fresh, and clear floral smell. It’s soft and light.
     
    Wet: I get a sweet floral scent. I’m not accustomed to linden blossoms, so my first impression was something similar to lily of the valley, but I could be wrong.
     
    Dry: It’s soft and faint. The herbs blend well together into a light, feminine scent. Unfortunately, it fades away very quickly.
     
    Verdict: It’s lovely, but it doesn’t have much impact, which I think is really too bad because, otherwise, it would be the perfect blend for spring. On the other hand, someone who rarely ever wears perfume and wants to stay away from strong scents, would probably adore this.
     
    More reviews: Mad Tea Party: The Unicorn
  20. RedRoseMaze

    BPAL: Faustus

    By RedRoseMaze,

    Faustus
    Category: Sin & Salvation
    Quantity: sample
     
    Description:
    FAUSTUS
    An infusion of incalculable power and irresistible temptation. Truly an exercise in megalomania and self-gratification: frankincense and cinnamon, darkened by violet.
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: What I smell is mostly frankincense, with a little bit of violet, and a drop of cinnamon.
     
    Wet: My skin has just been attacked by frankincense in big quantities… And some dark violets are pushing from underneath.
     
    Dry: It settled down to a mix of cinnamon and violet. It’s spicy, and a little bittersweet.
     
    Verdict: I have to admit spicy cinnamon is very sensual and playful; but man, do I dislike frankincense on me… Also, it’s quite different from my usual feminine perfume oils, but it certainly is empowering and self-gratifying! It’s somewhat masculine, but I think it would fit better on a young man, filled with sexual energy; or as a neutral scent for a woman with an aura of power. When my mother smelled this on me, last December, she asked me where she could buy “a gallon of that stuff”, so I know to whom I can give my sample.
     
    More reviews: Sin & Salvation: Faustus
  21. RedRoseMaze

    BPAL: Alice

    By RedRoseMaze,

    Alice
    Category: Mad Tea Party
    Quantity: sample
     
    Description:
    ALICE
    Curiouser and curiouser. Milk and honey with rose, carnation and bergamot.
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: It’s sweet and flowery. What I smell the most is a mix of milk and honey.
     
    Wet: Initially, Alice is sweetened milk and flowers. I do smell a bit of carnation and bergamot, but not so much rose.
     
    Dry: It’s still sweet and creamy flowers, but a tiny bit spicy (now that’s curious!). There is a little bit of rose hidden underneath the carnation, but it’s really not as strong as I thought it would be from the description.
     
    Verdict: Alice is young and fresh, with a nice feminine touch. Because it reminds me of something edible (tea and cakes, how appropriate…), it’s tempting to describe it as the cousin of Dana O’Shee; or Katrina Van Tassel made better, thanks to carnation and bergamot. Either way, I like it, it will be perfect for spring.
     
    More reviews: Mad Tea Party: Alice
  22. RedRoseMaze
    Fruit Judy
    Category: Limited Edition
    Quantity: bottle (2ml)
     
    Description:
    FRUIT JUDY
     
    Fruit Judy is the companion blend to Flower Judy. All together, there are 21 notes, all fruit. A sweet and tangy mix of berries, citrus, and tropical delights!
     
    This limited edition does not have a time limit, but rather a quantity limit. There are 50 2ml amber bottles (with screw-cap lids) available. These are not "shorties", but rather the tall thinner bottles for easier use. There is no formal recipe so this blend will never be recreated. Once they are gone, they're gone!
     
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: It’s a tutti-frutti! It’s not easy to identify the 21 fruit notes, but so far, I’m guessing apple, grape, banana, berries (strawberries, raspberries, etc.), and a few more I’m not so sure about.
     
    Wet: Again, I’m guessing apple, berries, pear, banana, mango, pineapple… It’s sweet!
     
    Dry: It turned a bit tangier, orange and citrus must have found their way through.
     
    Verdict: What can I say… It’s a fruit salad! What’s interesting in this case is that those 21 fruit notes, once blended together, create something new. Everyone can tell it’s fruity, but no one can pinpoint a precise fruit note without hesitation. Personally, I can’t wait to wear this one next summer, although the bugs might fall in love with me…
  23. RedRoseMaze
    Splintered Love
    Category: American Gothic
    Quantity: sample
     
    Description:
    SPLINTERED LOVE
    Secrets grow like thorns around the hearts of lovers. Desperate to hide the truth, the spiny garden grows larger, depleting love. Love fails to germinate, to grow. The sewn fruits are bitter. The heart fractures. The splinters cut deep. Rose, pink pepper, spikenard, pomegranate
     
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: At first sniff, I smell rose, with pepper, and a little pomegranate. I don’t know what spikenard is (I’ve heard of its historical uses, but I’ve never smelled it), so I guess it’s the fourth ingredient I can’t quite replace.
     
    Wet: At first, Splintered Love is all sweet. It’s a nice blend of rose and fruity, juicy pomegranate.
     
    Dry: After a while, it turns bittersweet and spicy; I suspect pepper to have something to do with this metamorphosis. Hours later, all that remains is bitter pomegranate leftovers.
     
    Verdict: Oh, I love it! The concept behind it is interesting, and it smells awesome, could I ask for more? Splintered Love goes in my “to buy” list.
  24. RedRoseMaze

    BPAL: Lucy's Kiss

    By RedRoseMaze,

    Lucy's Kiss
    Category: Ars Amatoria
    Quantity: sample
     
    Description:
    LUCY'S KISS
    Created to represent the essence of Bram Stoker's tragic heroine, Lucy Westenra. Seductive, wanton and deadly, but underscored with a soft, wistful innocense. The gentle scent of rose and a blend of Victorian spices
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: It’s a delicate rose, with a touch of sour spices.
     
    Wet: At first, it’s a bittersweet rose; it’s soft and vulnerable. However, don’t be fooled by it, for it quickly turns into a spicy blend. Interesting…
     
    Dry: Still spicy, with a bitter rose underneath. Hours later, the rose is completely gone, and all that remains is the sour blend of spices. I still can’t figure out which spices are in it though.
     
    Verdict: I have to admit this one is interesting. It respects its concept from beginning to end. However, those spices annoy me after a while, so it’s probably not for me.
     
    More reviews: Ars Amatoria: Lucy's Kiss
  25. RedRoseMaze
    Gosurori
    Category: Anime & Manga
    Quantity: sample
     
    Description:
    GOSURORI
    GothLoli’s depict a demure, well-bred yet stylized blend of dark, brooding Gothic and cute, childlike Lolita…a throw-back to the genteel, prim and proper eras. Whether wearing Victorian, Rococo, or Edwardian, knee-length dresses, petticoats and crinolines, ribbons and lace, over-knee stockings, boots or Mary Janes, top hats and parasols, Gothic Lolita’s are in perfect style! Anime/Manga include Bizenghast , Rozen Maiden , and DOLL . Earl Grey, sugared rose petals, vanilla cream
     
    Review:
     
    In the bottle: Sweetened Earl Grey tea and rose. Or what you would get if you dropped a rose in your grand-father’s favourite tea… It smells good, actually.
     
    Wet: It smells a bit more like rose once on skin, with a sweet creamy note (vanilla?).
     
    Dry: Tea, rose, sugar, cream, and vanilla cupcakes… I think it’s got all the ingredients for a successful loli tea party!
     
    Verdict: I had mixed feelings toward this one at first, because I’m not a fan of anime or manga, and yet I was curious enough to try it. It’s like an old woman’s perfume with added sugar, and it’s very elegant. I will certainly try some more from the Anime & Manga collection.
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