Lycanthrope

This is gonna be a quickie. Just dabbed a bit on my upper chest, which is where most oils that I want to smell well go. Primary impressions of this is a strong, grated cinnamon stick scent mixed with a blend of fennel and some dry, aged wood such as aloeswood, perhaps a bit of darker, ambery teakwood as well. There's definitely sandalwood in this, with a touch of ylang-ylang. This is a very earthy, nutty blend. I don't know if this works, but it definitely smells different. Kind of like a burning stick of traditional Japanese joss stick incense.

In the Bottle or Imp: Whoa momma, that's some bitter almond there. And yeah, cinnamon. Wet, on Skin: This is mad crazy cinnamon with a bitter almond bite... EVIL MARZIPAN. When I sniff this as it's drying, I can feel a tingle in the back of my throat and my teeth literally sting with anticipation of the burn. Whoa. Drying/Drydown: Still a mad crazy cinnamon, the almond isn't as potent now. Black pepper? Over Time/Longterm: Cinnamon... but still that throat-tickling kind. Final Verdict? I cannot imagine wearing this. But, it really is an inferno!

In the Bottle or Imp: Very salty, brightly ozonic water scent. This is the same opener I detect in other ozonics like Lightning, Kingsport, Thunderbird and Storm Moon... It's a very strong, heady salty scent. Wet, on Skin: Sharp crackles of thunderous ozone, crisp and very, very strong. It's laid upon a very slightly sweet rain scent, which is definitely backseat to the potent ozone. Drying Down: It's sweetening, if that's possible, and just a touch too strong for me at this point. Yes, I do get the dryer sheet here, but only if dryer sheets were made of stormclouds and cracked with static electricity. Dry on Skin: I... detect... cucumber? Melon? This is as if the clouds are parting and the Tempest has resolved itself. I get a faintly cucumber melon aroma still mingled with rain and the remnants of the ozone. Over Time/Longterm: Surprisingly sweet melony drydown. I'm not sure I like this as much as Kingsport's drydown, or Lightning's... It's not bad, but a little too fruity for my tastes. Final Verdict? I'm waffling on this one. The opening clamor makes me say '10 mL!' whereas the gentle drydown makes me arch an eyebrow and think... I'll keep the imp.

I'll make this one quick. Rum. Butter Rum Lifesavers. Those Butterscotch hard candies in the yellow wrap. I smell like them now. I don't know if I like that or not.

In the Bottle or Imp: Smells pleasantly aquatic, with a hint of floral, probably rose (uh oh) and a green leafiness. Wet, on Skin: It's definitely a much more herbal aquatic than say, Kingsport, and it shares a similar feel to Sea of Glass. I can detect that the aquatic is retreating and the florals are amping up. Most likely this is because they are... Drying Down: ... rooooose. It's rose! On me, rose eats the other scents and dominates. Sigh. Dry on Skin: Still very much rose. I'm going to give it some time. Over Time/Longterm: The rose has faded some, and it's a sort of dry woodsy, still floral, lightly and misty aquatic. Not bad! It reminds me of what a cathedral or small church would smell like more than Cathedral does... woodsiness, a touch of resins and airy light, and roses in vases throughout. Final Verdict? It's pleasant. I'll hold onto the imp... just have to get past the rose phase.

In the Bottle or Imp: Roses with a slightly muddy, dirty, somewhat repulsive earthen aroma. Wet, on Skin: Definitely roses... with my skin, I expect this to go shrieking rose on me. I get a whiff of very realistic, brown, moist earth. Oh goodness... two notes that do not sit well with me. Drying Down: Rose comes up, but it's a corrupted rose, the damp earth keeps strangling down its purity and I feel... ugh, ugh. Dry on Skin: Rose with that same dark undertone. Zombi doesn't change much on me. Over Time/Longterm: The earthen smell fades away faster than the rose, but then again, on me, rose stays, and stays. There's still a touch of the dirty mossy aroma hanging around to dirty the floral. Final Verdict? I feel dead when I put this on. No, seriously, I smell like death. Props to Beth for blending that feeling in a bottle, but Zombi gives me the chills. ooooooogh.

In the Bottle or Imp: It isn't quite as potently ozonic as I at first thought it would be. It's a slightly salty fresh aquatic (yay!) that is tempered by the usual herbal sweetness I've found in the Moon blends I've tried. Wet, on Skin: WHAM! Helloooooooooo ozone! This is crackling sharp! Drying Down: The lunar oil base is coming out here, gentle white florals and soft herbal notes, still being assaulted by sharp ozone bursts. Dry on Skin: Doesn't change much, if at all. Over Time/Longterm: Akin to sitting near a briar of salt mist rose, not next to the ocean but in the dunes, a storm having just rolled through and moistened everything with a torrent of rain and crisped the air with searing bolts of lightning. Not oceanic, however... just a touch salty. Final Verdict? Akin to Lightning, in that it's a sharp ozone, but it definitely steps back after rolling around a bit on my skin, unlike Lightning which continues to be sharp and fresh even after drydown. I do like this, but it's not one of my favorite aquatics, like Kingsport or Thunderbird, as those dry to a more breezy, beachy/shore aroma. Storm Moon heads towards storm-crushed blossoms.

In the Bottle or Imp: Myrrh, sweet florals and definite evil, dark streak to it. There's something sharp, biting, and just amiss about these florals. Like it's a beautiful garden but something is just not right, there's something twisted below it all. Wet, on Skin: Something very unpleasant hits my nose first, like a sour resin, but it swiftly retreats and it shifts into a distinct floral and resin note. This is quite potent. Drying Down: Narcissus is another note I amp, so this is what I think I'm smelling. Underneath it, a powdery, slightly spicy wood base is trying to rein it in but it's not doing a very good job. Darned florals and my skin... Dry on Skin: The floral is actually retreating, and I can smell that sweet, resinous wood much better now. The narcissus is still driving me nuts though, and I cannot imagine wearing this in public without bowling over some compatriots. Over Time/Longterm: This smells like one of Aveda's discontinued chakra perfumes. Really. It's like a high-end blend of sweet spicy woods touched with a blend of exotic floral overtones. I really dig this drydown. Final Verdict? I like where it goes, eventually. But it's kind of unnerving to sit through the start, at least for me... cloying florals give me the mother of headaches. Absolutely rich and beautiful after about an hour however.

In the Bottle or Imp: I smell frankincense, sweet resins, and sweet ambery florals. Wet, on Skin: It's slightly grassy, very effervescent, almost bubbly. The frankincense (note) is definitely singing now, and it's pulling up the florals behind it. I envision a sort of whirlpool fragrance being pulled up by a bright beam of frankincense (... I need sleep). Drying Down: Oh goodness, is this sweet. Florals out the wazoo. And ... is that ... rose? Dry on Skin: Uh oh. The rose is amping up, and it's all I smell. Over Time/Longterm: Agh, this went the way of Old Rome on me. It's rose. Plain and simple. Final Verdict? Another perfectly good blend that my chemistry amped to rose. Sigh.

In the Bottle or Imp: A resiny cedarwood scent with a slightly herbal kick. Wet, on Skin: Sharp herbs, must be the vetiver's contribution, with a strong, strong cedar overtone. I don't get much else. Drying Down: Suddenly turns into a creamy, lightly berry fruit aroma. Odd! Dry on Skin: The cedar returns, and the fruit has gone dark and somewhat musky. There are sharp, biting leaves in this as well. Over Time/Longterm: An astringent green blend with a hint of fleshy fruit, and a spicy base. Dries down a bit like Nemesis. Final Verdict? Very interesting. I'm probably going to hold onto the imp, but this isn't a big 'un.

In the Bottle or Imp: How intriguing. This is a sweet, leafy cool green with light orange blossoms and a tiny astringent 'sting.' Wet, on Skin: Still citrusy, but the florals are rising up, a mix of waxy, citrus blossoms. The effect is of lime, lemon, orange orchards in bloom. Drying Down: It's going a touch musky, perhaps some amber now... Dry on Skin: This is a slightly gingery, lemon and orange blossom floral. Over Time/Longterm: A sunny scent, it settles down into a sharper tea with a touch of dry woods, but mostly a sugary neroli lemon overtone. Final Verdict? Nice and light, a bright fragrance, pleasant but slightly powdery.

Whoa!!! In the Bottle or Imp: Sweet dark myrrh resin with a sharp blend of burnt wood scents... and I can get a whiff of burning charcoal, which is really, really freaky. Wet, on Skin: Still sharp, the burnt wood coming to me first is cedarwood, the myrrh keeps a menacing dark base under the toasted woods and rock, and I can smell a roiling mix of pepper and ginger. Drying Down: Smoke is starting to come off of my skin... at least the fragrance... this is very potent stuff. There's definitely vetiver in this, because I suddenly get a whiff of the dark, dry, biting essence. Dry on Skin: Is there some palmarosa in this? Some kind of sweeter, sharp herb? Every now and then this reminds me of that fiery kick in Lush's Flying Fox. Over Time/Longterm: It's sandalwood, vetiver, and sweet myrrh, all touched with smoldering charcoal embers. Final Verdict? So much fire! It's not bad, but I don't know if I could wear this in public, it's such a scorcher...

I wanted to like this one, I really did. In the Bottle or Imp: Sharp, slightly apple, fruity perfume with very yellow, pungent florals like carolina jasmine or something similarly potent. Wet, on Skin: Apple blossoms, wild jasmine, and a subtle aquatic note. Drying Down: Melons? Cucumbers? It's gone very sweet aquatic on me, which combining with the florals and my chemistry is not making for a very subtle fragrance... and I just used a dot! Dry on Skin: Some herbs, but mostly very strong... hair salon? Hair spray? I think this smells a lot like when I get my hair cut at the Haircuttery. It's the combination of fruit and floral notes that seems to go into most of the product available there. Over Time/Longterm: Still sweet, but has died down after about an hour. Final Verdict? Can't wear this, sorry. I was expecting a crisper, mistier scent, but this would be pleasant for someone who enjoys a high end, wet floral.

In the Bottle or Imp: Citrus tea. Definitely a strong black tea with a squeeze of bergamot. Wet, on Skin: Whoa! The tea is quite strong here, but the astringency plus a salty, darker note makes this smell very much like LUSH's Ocean Salt scrub... but just for a moment. Drying Down: It's heading more towards the smell of a fresh leather jacket squished between fingertips. Dry on Skin: Leather, mostly. Over Time/Longterm: Leather, but very, very faint. Severin left my skin quite rapidly. Final Verdict? If you like light leather scents, give Severin a shot. Not my style.

In the Bottle or Imp: Sharp, salty, crisp, all at once. Strong pine resin aroma. Wet, on Skin: Pine!!! And then the sharp crack of ozone followed by salty, fierce aquatic notes. Drying Down: The pine recedes and the aquatic notes come to the foreground, sweetening the blend and offsetting the snap of lightning ozone. Dry on Skin: Definitely has sweetened a lot, and the original ozone has faded. It's just pouring now, and there are occasional bursts of ozone that remind me that this is no regular rainshower. Over Time/Longterm: Adopts a beautiful freshwater shoreline aroma, just like Kingsport but in Thunderbird set against a backdrop of pine. Final Verdict? Not bad. I missed the Oblation series by just a bit, and I regret not having a chance to order this, but I will treasure the imp I did receive and will save it for those days when I need a little lightning storm.

Coyote to me is beige. The mood is relaxed, and the element is earth. In the Bottle or Imp: Slightly Cedary, sandy dry grassiness. Wet, on Skin: Definitely a burst of amber and very light cedar, followed by a gradual sweetening of the grasses. Definitely getting a gentle 'sweetgrass braid' scent here. Drying Down: Obtaining a hint of that sweet and tasty 'skin scent' that I get with La Petite Mort, but instead of a floral and resin backdrop, I'm getting creamy woods, and a hint of dry herbs to go along with it. Dry on Skin: Same as it's drying down, except maybe a hint more sweetgrass and musk. Over Time/Longterm: A light, Southwestern blend that goes from being somewhat sharp to settling into a calm, unobtrusive and slightly woodsy musk. Final Verdict? Glad I ordered a 5 mL!

This is the oddest fragrance I've had the opportunity to wear. And that's not an insult, by no means! Envy is light green to me. The mood is cold and cunning. Element is a blend of earth and air. In the Bottle or Imp: LAVENDER. Lavender, with a hint of citrus. But, mostly a very true Lavandula angustifolia. Wet, on Skin: Lavender, very potent. Can smell peppermint here. Drying Down: The mint is blended well with a light, tart citrus and garden herbs, like basil and parsley... I can still detect the lavender, which is lightly powdery at this point, a backdrop to the leafy and lime green. Over Time/Longterm: Very interesting... lime, mint and basil. But still carrying that balsamic kick from the lavender. Final Verdict? Intriguing! Feels very 'cold.' Not a bottle for me, but I'll savor the imp.

Rome to me is the color gold. It is the image of a piazza where a fountain is sprinkling water over a vendor selling herbs and dried flowers, the sun is shining down and there are rosebushes planted in pots along the way. In the Bottle or Imp: Sweet, lightly floral but mostly chamomile, a sunny gold colored blend with herbs and dry cypress woods. If only it would stay this way, I would snorf my wrist in bliss for hours. Wet, on Skin: Lots of cypress as it's wet on me, with a touch of something sweeter, which I feel is the chamomile, but unless my nose is reaching for associations, I can catch a whiff of something sweeter and edible, a honey note perhaps. Staaaay, Rome... stay here. Drying Down: Uh oh. It begins. The cypress note is fading out, as pine, fir, and similar evergreen oils are wont to do, and I'm catching a lightly herbal floral blend with a hint of rose. Over Time/Longterm: Rose and chamomile, but... as time progresses, it goes completely rose on me. Which is sad, because I loved the start, but it became at least on me a fairly potent fragrance overly dominated by rose. Final Verdict? I like the start, but it changes into rose, rose, rose. Not my cuppa at all.

I think my skin eats frankincense, or amps cedar. Wearing Cathedral brought me to this conclusion, and I think that it's the latter, thank goodness, because I love the smell of frankincense. In the Bottle or Imp: Cedar. Uhm, yeah, that's mostly what I get. Wet, on Skin: Cedar... still. And it's very strong. I think there may be a hint of deeper resins, but they are so closely blended that I can hardly pick them apart from the cedar. Drying Down: Warm cedar, but cedar nonetheless. Over Time/Longterm: I can only pick out the myrhh because of its characteristic sweet resin bitterness, but then the only other note I get is Cedar... perhaps a gasp of frankincense, but it's like the incense in the church hasn't been burned for a day or two, because it's the memory of frankincense to me. Final Verdict? It's very well blended, and is an evocative scent, but the cedar on my skin probably threw off the intent of the oil blend. Oh well, I'll give it another shot, but it may be my CedarCurse. Gonna give Penitence a try for my frankincense and myrrh fix...

In the Bottle or Imp: Sweet resins, but mostly a very, very sweet floral that I can't quite put my finger on. It's not jasmine, or tuberose, but it has a very similar sweet potency. Wet, on Skin: Whoooaaa... this is going to be a doozy on me, I can tell. Very sweet, and that floral note? Amped up like crazy. Is this lily? It's sweet and waxy, but it lacks that soapy quality that lily brings to my mind. Drying Down: Ok... here I the resins are warming up and trying to tie down the florals, which are a-bustin' all over the place, trying to knock me out. There's also this very sweet musky aroma that I can't identify. Over Time/Longterm: Dark resins. Definitely myrrh on me. I think the florals have calmed down, into a singular, resonant note of ubersweet floral. Final Verdict? Not for me. Beautiful, but again, these florals seem to dislike me. (On reading the components of Darkness, I've found that the culprit is probably narcissus. Lily, narcissus, and lotus on me go too strong and sweet. Sigh.)

Beth's blending genius never ceases to amaze. Her men's blends are like... miles above any other men's colognes I've tried, and so rich and nuanced. Dracul makes me think of a roiling mix of earth and fire. The mood is definitely predatory, and the color that pops into mind is a rich, deep and sultry royal purple. In the Bottle or Imp: Fir and pine, definitely a sharp woods aroma comes chugging out of the imp, and I can smell that musky sweet tobacco leaf right off the bat. Those topnotes are most of what I can catch, because they are strong. Wet, on Skin: Here, there's a definite mintiness or freshness coming out to play after Dracul strikes my skin. The pine and fir of course, on me, briefly overpower everything but then step back to allow a deep, unobtrusive muskiness and warming sandalwood to come through. A very warm fragrance. Drying Down: Drying down, the minty aspect retreats and it's mostly a sweet musky amber with fir needles at this point. I get a sweet spiciness, which I believe is clove, and a what pops to mind is something akin to Lush's Skinny Dip (although by no means does Dracul smell like that, it's just the clove aspect)! Over Time/Longterm: Ah, here I get a very sweet herbal vanilla, touched off with the twist of clove, but the primary notes of fir and musk are most definitely present. This has finally settled and on my skin is maturing into this very attractive, masculine, growling scent. Final Verdict? It's good. Very good. I'm not a predatory guy, as I tend towards aquatics and the more scientific, metallic and sharp, ocean scents, but this imp is for those moments when I want to feel like I'm on the prowl.

In the Bottle or Imp: Um, wow, quite potent. I can smell a very, very sweet floral and a strong, rich vanilla straight out of the imp. There's also a slightly antiseptic aroma to it, which I'm associating with that... er, antiseptic wash my mom used to use on small cuts and such. Came in a white squeezy bottle. Anyway. Wet, on Skin: POOOOM! Whoa! My skin amps up that antiseptic smell like ten thousand times. It's not that Hunger smells like that spray, but something about the main floral note, the narcissus perhaps, cannot be separated from my memory of using that stuff. Otherwise, I can see how this would be a great blend. Achingly sweet at this point. Drying Down: Doesn't change much - I can detect the vanilla more and more as it dries. The topnote is still not working with me. Perhaps it's the combination of orange blossom and narcissus that's giving me issues. Over Time/Longterm: Very light, unfortunately that first disquieting note I associated with Hunger is the most persistent. Overnight, my little dot of oil vanished. Final Verdict? I can't wear this, just because of my associations with it. It's not bad, but even if I didn't think of taking care of minor scrapes as a child when I wear Hunger, it's far too sweet for me to wear. I'm not a strong, sweet floral kinda guy .

In the Bottle or Imp: It's chaotic, boiling, unsure of what to be, green herbs, cypress, fruit, and sweetness all bursting out of the imp. It smells dry and somewhat... alcoholic, if that makes sense. Wet, on Skin: Pine, cypress, green resinous woods! That plus a similar cacophony of fruit and light floral notes. I think I smell a touch of leafy herbs, like basil or parsley, but not in a foody sense. A sharp kick. Drying Down: Ah, now I smell the fruit. It's definitely an earthy, juicy fruit, definitely some figs but also perhaps a hint of pumpkin or other fleshy, full-bodied fruit. This is all resting on a dry, herbal woodsy base. The cypress and pine, like usual on me, has lightened severely. Over Time/Longterm: Dries down like Hunter Moon on me, a very surprising unsweetened apple has joined the fig! This layered on the dry herbs brings much to mind that Lunacy blend. In the end, this is a slightly spicy, peppery and herbal fig and apple blend on me. Not what I was expecting at all! Final Verdict? Unique, and definitely a surprise at the end. This is more of an autumn scent for me, then, but not bad, and definitely wearable on me as it is not overtly floral or too sweet. Keeping the imp... don't know if this is a bottle for me.

My first order, 5.28, I did this, and cancelled via CCNow before the 'harvesting' (when CCNow says 'Order Shipped'), then placed the same order via Paypal.com. I was fretting that I had duplicate orders, but in a separate inquiry to the lab, they confirmed I didn't have double orders. So I think if you cancel the CCNow order (via CCNow!) prior to the lab receiving the order itself, you shouldn't have any issues. But, I'd still e-mail the lab to make sure that's correct... CCNow refunded my balance without much issue. Of course, that went straight back to the Lab ...and no moronity there! I didn't see the disclaimer note until well after I'd put my order through CCNow, so... no worries. I should have read more closely, but now I know.

In the Bottle or Imp: Smells slightly spicy, with a hint of the same sweet florals that are present in the other moon blends I've tried. Unfortunately, what whomps my nose is kind of a cheese pizza type of scent that thankfully vanishes and is a crushed leaf type of scent. A touch of rot and decay but a brittle herbal. I think that 'pizza scent' I'm getting is a strong whiff of fennel. Wet, on Skin: Fennel at first, but it recedes into a dry, warm plant aroma. Definitely get some sort of crisp, tart fruit... I think apple, but it's not like a strong green or red, it's more like pulverized apple. I think there may be a touch of cypress in here. Drying Down: The fennel and woods merge into a backdrop for a tart, unsweetened cinnamon apple beverage. It feels warm and smoky, without much sugar. I can imagine myself out in the forest with mug of bitter spiced cider as September's winds rustle through the dry leaves. Wow. Over Time/Longterm: Remains a spicy, tart and subdued apple. Dirt and twig scents rumble underneath. Final Verdict? This is such a seasonal scent, and I think Fall at night when I wear it. Keeping the imp for special nights come next autumn.