Inanna9

In the wet and initial drydown stages, I didn't enjoy this nearly as much as I'd expected to; it's quite strong and green--but not a fresh green. I don't how else to explain that, except to say that I love me some green--I could easily wear grass every day as a single note--but this is an almost spicy green, one I can feel hitting the back of my throat when I inhale. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't that green Nirvana I was expecting either. This may just be a problem of flawed expectations.

However--the final, lasts-forever (on me, anyway) drydown is be-a-u-tee-ful

That's when the tea comes out and the sharp spicy-lemony green edge fades, and the oude sticks around, giving it a depth (and what I suspect is the lasting power on me), and keeping everything soft and grounded. It's so pretty--a fresh spring/summer scent, but sophisticated instead of cute and one-dimensional, something I could wear to work or out to lunch. And I'm thinking if I use a much lighter touch when applying (or perhaps experiment with an atomizer) I could avoid some the problems with the initial stages. Regardless, it's completely worth it in the end.

I fully expected this to be so spicy it would burn, especially after a quick scan of the reviews, but skin chemistry is an interesting thing; this could not be more floral on me. My first impression was dragon's blood, which made sense because even the smallest amount will amp up on me, but now there's no trace of it at all--just a really strong, almost-but-not-quite spicy floral. I wish I knew what this was, but I'm still figuring out my single notes as I go along.

I do know that the next time I wear this, whether for ritual or not, I will be using much less. I like it, but a little of my buddy the salamander goes a very long way.

Just sniffing this gave me the strongest visual, a scent memory of when I used to go walking in the forest behind my house as a kid. The only note per se that I'm pulling out of this is patchouli and maybe eucalyptus or something cool like menthol, but beneath it all is something very deep and organic. It's such a masterful blend, and just feels charged with earth power--I'm in awe.

To me, this smells exactly of the damp, mossy earth that lies beneath the old stumps and logs I often overtuned on those walks I took as a child. Leaves and fungi and black earth under crumbling, decomposing wood. Exactly.

I'm not wearing this, so I can't say what the drydown is; my intention was to dress candles and use it for ritual work. This is strong stuff. Makes me a little wary of trying Salamander

Snake Oil was a tragedy for me--the spice and vanilla were too strong and it turned to cheap aftershave

My imp of Snake Charmer is everything I'd hoped Snake Oil would be. It's simply the perfect blend of amber, vanilla and spice with just a hint of fruity plum (good thing, 'cause too much of that would have ruined it for me as well). It's sensual, earthy, sweet, super-sexy...

Bugger.

ETA: ...but I just scored a bottle off the swap forum! I love this place!

This starts off very strong--medicinal even--upon application, with an overwhelming herbal-citrus note that I know is rosemary but my nose keeps trying to tell me is lemon. At least it "smells" yellow-green to me. *shrugs* Not very helpful, I know.

Nevertheless, after a bit, I come this close to writing it off, but I get distracted (two rowdy boys will do that once in a while )on my way to the soap and water. And I'm so glad I did, because this has such a pretty drydown. The sharp rosemary is just a nice herbal tang in the background of what is really a lovely, dusky floral. Not a cloying floral, just understated, with a soft musk.

This might literally be a 'sleeper'--I'll have to try it again before I make up my mind about a big bottle order. It's more subtle than the others, but may end up as one of my favorites.

This is sadly two-dimensional on me. It's like opening a little box made of unfinished wood and finding a stash of red-hots inside. The mandarin and gardenia are nowhere to be found. This one is not going to play nice with me, but that's okay--more $$ to spend on Dreamland when I place my DiMV order next week.

Snowblind is deceptively simple. It does smell exactly like butter mints, but it its just so beautiful and creamy, with many layers. In the bottle, I get a strong whiff of butter, and the golden color looks exactly like that liquid stuff they pour on popcorn. Once on, the mint takes the stage.

And it is the most beautiful mint I've yet encounted--not a sharp mint like Lick It, or a cold one like Nuclear Winter, but a warm soft creamy mint. The butter note is strong, but the mint helps temper it some.

Upon drydown, the mint fades a bit, and a sugary vanilla remains in place of the butter. It's so pretty/yummy. This is definitely a case where I'm tempted to 'Lick It'.

This is a gorgeous, masterful blend. I'm not a foody, but Snowblind is really nice, although about as foody as I can tolerate.

Dark musk hates me. Red musk loooves me. Looking forward to this.

In the vial: Sweet and thick. No trace of civet.

Wet on skin: There's the civet. I don't mind it so much; at this stage it combines with the musk and opium nicely. Sweet and dark--sophisticated and raunchy at the same time.

Drydown: Here's where I get mixed feelings. Every so often the civet dominates, and then I see what people who don't like it are talking about. There is a sour, animal note to this. But combined with my favorite red musk, it's hard not to like it anyway. However, I have so many red musk blends I adore already (Dragan's Heart comes immediately to mind) that I can probably live without this. But "Debauchery" is the perfect name. Bravo, Beth!

Edited 3/03/08 for a revisit via the Civet Evangelism sniffing circle:

Okay, so this time around the opium is dominating. I'm hardly getting any red musk. Opium is another note that can really go wonky on me, but this is quite nice so far. I'm catching the sour civet note here and there just like last time. But not much red musk. Interesting. I like this much better this time around. It's even more languid and sexual with the opium and civet playing a bigger role. It's like the "afterglow" part of a debauched evening.

I am so sad. I posted about this one in the "Heartbreak" thread, and there really isn't much else to say. The notes in the description and upon sniffing are luscious and wonderful; I get mostly honey in the imp, but could hardly wait for the red patchouli and musk.

I put it on...and they instantly combine into straight-up baby powder. Not exactly Beth's vision, I'm sure.

So this review is for all the unfortunates out there like me, who occasionally turn a gorgeous scent into Johnson & Johnson's. In my case, the culprit is dark musk, so if you're wondering what it is, that might be a good place to start investigating.

Off to someone who can wear you properly; goodbye Sed Non Satiata

I forgot to smell this in the vial before putting it on. Now I'm too lazy to back in my room and get it,so I'll just get to the application part:

Wet on my skin I'm getting the moss and carnation--a little spicy and fresh. Very nice. No lavender, but it's funny; on my wrist it smells of the previous description, but in the crook of my elbow there is an astringent lavender note--almost citrus. I love both versions.

This is too masculine for me to wear as perfume--but I'm sure my future boyfriend will like it very much when I give it to him for Christmas. </daydream>

This is the first of the DiMV scents I've tried in a mad rush to test them before they're taken down.

In the vial: I get a strong hit of tuberose, which I love.

Wet on wrist: Another spike of tuberose, until it quickly recedes and all I smell is a faint mix of white florals. Not only can I not pick out any individual notes, but I can barely smell this all of a sudden! I'm sniffing all around my wrist going, "Where'd it go?"

And then the skin musk emerges....

Dry (at least 40 minutes later): *gasps* OMFG...it's my beloved Buck Moon! It takes a while, but this has gone from pale and pretty to teh sex that is Buck Moon--only floral instead of green. This has to be the same musk that drives me wild in that blend--Buck Moon's description says that it somehow amplifies one's own natural musk. And I love it beyond words. Which I think makes me a narcissist....

*shrug* Oh well

Seriously, on me, this is Buck Moon's pretty little sister. Now I'm almost hoping I don't like any of the other DiMV blends so I can afford to stock up on Dreamland. For those of you who like florals and Buck Moon this is a must. Hurry! Before it's gone!

I've decided that Lick It is peppermint crack.

I swapped for a decant--just an imp's worth--because I have this thing about smelling like stuff I'd normally want to eat, and so I was sure I wouldn't like a candy cane perfume.

Boy was I wrong. *sniffs wrist*

In the vial, it smells exactly like a candy cane, true to it's description. Wet on my wrist it explodes with this wonderful, sinus-clearing peppermint that still manages to maintain a hint of sweet. This is nothing short of aromatherapy--and for me, better than TAL's Concentration. It's invigorating. And yummy!

After five minutes the peppermint rush is gone, leaving a soft, lovely vanilla with a trace of mint that fades and fades until it's just vanilla and my brain is screaming "More peppermint! Now!"

That's when I re-apply. And figure out how much of my budget I can allocate to stock up on Lick It, along with a roller bottle so I can carry it with me always. At this rate, my imp will last less than a week, so the Lab will be hearing from me very soon.

In the meantime, it's back to my little glass vial for another hit, and then off to whore myself out on the swap forum for more

In the bottle: Strongly herbal with a resiny citrus tang

Wet on skin: The spice and resin develop almost immediately, turning quite sweet on me.

Dry: I'm getting ginger and clove--when I close my eyes, it makes me flash back to eating that old-school Christmas ribbon candy. It's exactly like that holiday all-spice smell. There's a resiny, amber base with just a hint of citrus. The herbal smell in the bottle is completely gone. I would say this is very solar--a deeply golden, warm aroma.

As perfume, this is not my thing. But that's not really why I got it, and I will definitely keep it for ritual work. It's perfect for candle magick.

This one's easy:

In the vial: Hello, almond.

Wet on Skin, 2 seconds flat: Hellooooo...baby powder. What a fascinating chemical reaction.

It's that darn dark musk--I can't wear it, as it goes straight to powder. Skin chemistry is an amazing thing. I was hoping Hecate and I were going to get on well. *sigh*

Fruit Moon makes me happy. I know it's the middle of December, but I'm wearing it right now and it's inspiring me to write a review.

In the bottle it's fruit on steroids, very in-your-face. Once on, it expands into this round, luscious bowl of tropical yumminess. A little citrus, maybe a tang of lime and orange that burns off quickly, leaving mostly--for me--peach and melon and a bright, indiscernible tropical aroma--Hawaiian Punch, but with more depth. This is heady--I swear I could almost get high off of this

The drydown is a little unexpected as my skin starts to turn it into something close to Blood Rose for some reason. I can't imagine there's any dragon's blood in here, but that's what I'm getting. Maybe there is, since dragon's blood loves me and I love it right back, amping it up to high heaven--so it wouldn't take much.

I love Fruit Moon; wet, dry, whatever. Need more. Maybe a lifetime supply.

In the vial: Sweet, really sweet--which would be the vanilla and sassafras I imagine. Funny, when I sniff the applicator, all the ingrediants combine to smell a little like leather to me. Hmm...maybe it's just a mental association.

Wet: Sweet and surprisingly foody. Morphs between vanilla and sassafras.

Dry: The cedar kicks in. That's nice. And mixed with the sweet, probably where I'm getting the leather from. You know that almost-sharp-but-sweet note new leather has, like the cheap craft leather? That's what the base of this reminds me of. But then I'm a little weird.

I like this, and masculine scents usually make me run for the soap and water. This is not uber-masculine though--but boy, I bet it would smell yummy on a man. I've got to get me one of those soon, if I only to have my very own guinea pig for all these great blends

In the vial: I'm getting ozone and something very fresh and citrus-like. Orange, maybe grapefruit. No, definitely orange. I peeled and ate an orange today and it smelled exactly like this.

Wet on wrist: The orange immediately begins to duke it out with this floral, ozone note. Wow--that ozone really hits the back of my throat when I sniff.

Dry: I've concluded that my skin either loves or hates ozone, because that's all I'm getting now; just amped-up hairspray, unfortunately. Flashing back to high school at the moment....

The drydown is a cheap perfume mix of dust and Aqua Net. I guess when my skin chemistry decides to go and trash a perfectly lovely scent it doesn't mess around. I'll have to try some of the other ozone scents and see what happens, but this does not bode well. Bummer.

In the imp: Dragon's Blood. No surprise there. Good thing me and DB are best buds.

Wet on skin: Dragon's blood. Almost pure Dragan's blood, but for a brief flash of something medicinal. It's gone though, and so far no trace of amber, but my skin really really likes Dragon's blood, so that might explain it.

Later: The drydown on this is gorgeous; decent throw, and a little reminsecent of Blood Moon on me for a bit, except not nearly as complex. Just a warm amber with a hint of spice and musk as the Dragon's Blood recedes to the background. Sexy and powerful. This would be great to wear for ritual work when you need the oomph of Dragon's blood and the confidence of a sex goddess

Big Bottle? Yeah, I think so

I love dirt. I love all things dirt, and so I patiently waited on this imp from the lab as part of my first order. Okay here goes:

In the imp: Dirt (yay!) and...food. Did I mention I pretty much loathe all things foody? I'm a little scared now.

Wet on skin: The food is winning. But I can smell that sharp, almost sweet, earthy undertone. Ewww...it's kind of like carrying your bran muffins to work in an empty bag of potting soil. One that you didn't bother to rinse out first. I love dirt, but this is pushing it. I will let this dry and see where it goes...

Dry: Okay, this is totally different now. Wow. The baked goods aroma has settled down to a mildly warm and spicy, perfumey blend--a little sweet and lightly cinnamon. The earthy note is just a suggestion now--it's kind of dried down to that fresh sweetness that I also get from Zombi after a bit. It's an interesting combination, oddly...comforting?, but not in an obvious, warm-cookie way. The perfume-note quality gives it some aloofness, I think.

Much later: This has morphed into something entirely unexpected, based on my initial "Eww" reaction anyhow. It has an almost floral, perfume quality, with a carmelized sugar base note. Not much throw, and just kind of pretty. If only the dirt note could have hung around, then it would have been a big bottle candidate for sure. But I guess that's one thing my stash of Graveyard Dirt is good for--boosting the fresh earth factor

I am a rose lover, and I found my way here on my quest for the perfect rose scent. I have since found many that I love, as Beth really knows how to do roses (and everything else), but I've never written a review here before. I think it is appropriate that The Peacock Queen be my first.

Because I have found my Holy Grail

When I close my eyes and inhale, it's like sticking my nose in a full blooming, velvet rose. I'm tempted to pick up a real one the next time I'm at the store and do a sniff test. There's just a tiny sharpness, a hint of green that keeps it from being too, too heavy, and gives the impression of a rose at it's peak, yet still fresh. Perfect.

I know a lot of people got something similar from Rose Red, which unfortunately turned a little sweet and plastic on me (I was crushed). It was still lovely, but thanks to my skin chemistry, not my perfect rose. But this...is it. It's amazing.

The green gets stronger on me as this dries down, which I don't mind at all. I found it! Finally! Thank you Beth.

I am practically giddy right now.

And I will need many bottles of this before it goes away.

The label alone had sold me on Midnight Mass. It's on the top of the list now, for sure.

So gorgeous...

(and who can resist having a pair of Snow White and Rose Red?)