Gateau

In the bottle--bright, slightly artificial, white cupcakes with frosting and sprinkles, the kind you bring to school parties made from a cake mix. Wet--that white cupcake scent jumps out at first, but very quickly develops the fruit cocktail/dirty hair smell others have mentioned. Drydown--there's something fruity and a little musky here that turns into the impression of scented Play-Doh on me. Dry--the vanilla cake smell comes back, but now the scent has faded so it's much more of a close to the skin scent. However, occasionally I get wafts of a lovely cupcake smell, though I'm not sure if it's coming from my skin or where the perfume touched my clothing. Bottom line -- so far this isn't doing for me what I'd hoped it would from the description, but there's something keeping me from giving up on it right now. I've tested a few times, and each time I've liked it a little more. I'm thinking it's worth aging this to see if some of that fruity note burns off and the vanilla comes forward.

I got this mostly for the good cause, but had some small scintilla of hope it might work on me, if the cocoa, tobacco and vanilla could poke through AND it was the right kind of patchouli filth, meaning the kind that smells like fresh dirt. Sadly for me it was ALL the acrid rotting cedar log kind of patchouli, and the merest drop of it on my skin from inside the lid overtook my senses for hours and hours. I never got a note of anything else. It's possible that after a long aging period I might get something I could wear, but instead I found it a good new home. Maybe someday an aged decant will find its way back to me and I can try again.

In decant -- sharp earthiness and heady magnolia Wet -- really sharp musk and earthy patchouli, coupled with a lot of magnolia, all hitting me in a bitter way Dry -- Couldn't get to a stage where vanilla or honey or wax could come out to play. The musk and patchouli, with bitter flower, was so overwhelming that nothing else could get through. It may have worn down in a pleasing way, but I had to wash it off.

In the decant -- vanilla sugary cakey confection Wet -- cinnamon perfume over marshmallow. Dry -- I can make out a touch of the marshmallow, but the rest of it is an incensy cinnamon smell that I recognize from other "fire" scents like Djinn and Fire Eater. I was hoping for more of that burnt caramelized char you get toasting marshmallows over a fire. Sigh, I was really hoping this would be good on me.

in the decant--honey and an herbal, leafy green sharpness wet--lovely blend of honey, vanilla, and something that smells citrusy like pink grapefruit dry--a honeyed vanilla, not too sweet, with a dryish undertone of herbs or leaves. I don't get anything specifically berry, but there is something tartly fruity to it. It's gorgeous -- pretty and comforting without being aggressively foodie. It's just a shame that it doesn't last long on my skin, though if it gets on my clothes that helps it stick around. But for that one flaw it would be 5 stars. Need a bottle for greater slathering.

In the imp--peach and heliotrope, and it's a nice peach, too, not a fake peach like I got from Tamora Wet--fruity, flowery, and the smoky oakmoss keeps them all in check. Very pretty. Dry--the sweetness moves more into the back, and I can't really make out specific notes. The oakmoss is more dominant, but no longer very smoky. This is a green scent with a bit of fruit and flower, but it's a muted olive green, not a bright green. After giving this a wear, though I liked it I found I wasn't reaching for it, or finding it all that appealing to wear. I realized that oakmoss is just not something that works well on me, though I like what it does to a scent in terms of adding some depth and softness. Ended up passing my imps along to good homes who would appreciate it more.

In the imp -- orange blossom, floral, herbs, grape Wet -- still getting the floral-herbal grapiness, but lemon emerges Dry -- Totally grapey, and surprisingly not much rose. Ends up pretty nondescript and fades away quickly. I was disappointed in this one, because the notes sounded like they'd add up to something pretty and complex.

I first tried this while searching for vanilla scents. I don't have trouble sleeping these days, but in the past I've had terrible insomnia and was hoping to find something sleep inducing to have in my arsenal. I would call this a lavender scent, and that delights me, because I haven't found much in the Lab's catalog that gives me lavender the way I like it. This smells like what I'd imagine a lavender-flavored cupcake would taste like, very sugary and warm. And lo and behold, I sleep wonderfully when I wear this, so I've been dotting it on my arms and nightgown nightly. I'f nothing else, I'm training myself to sleep well when I smell it. Last night I decided that the sweetness of it is coming from dragon's blood. I don't generally like dragon's blood, but i like this. In fact, since my decant is dwindling, I just dug into my wallet and ordered a bottle. EDITED TO ADD: I got my fresh bottle from the Lab, and it's quite different from the (I suspect) more greatly aged decant I had. The lavender in the fresh bottle is much stronger, more herbal and lavendery. It's a lovely lavender. That's over the still-sweet and lovely vanilla base, and I can still make out what I think is dragon's blood. Love this, and I may have to try to use it faster so that I can keep ordering it fresh. AND FURTHER: Now finding that by morning this turns into the most delicious creamy vanilla, and lingers for days on any fabric it touches, like my nightgowns and pillows. Absolutely divine. This is my nightly ritual now, and I'm sleeping wonderfully.

Must try Gnome and Siren! Polynesian Pop was ALL ginger ale on me, complete with bubbles. I hardly got any rum or orange. I wouldn't call it ginger ale, but Kumiho is quite gingery, though it's ginger tea.

This has the wonderful soft warm leather that I love, but the balsam and leather combination overtakes everything else, so I can't make out the herbs or the flowers. They're all wonderful notes, but they just don't wear well on me. I hung onto it, thinking that summer might just be a bad time for me to want to smell leathery, so I tried it again in the fall and it's still just not working, unfortunately.

It's taken me a while to be ready to review this, because my mind has changed so many times about it. Bottle -- Rose's lime juice Wet -- a big burst of sweetened lime, plus something sharp but also a little dusty Dry -- the lime disappears and the plum comes forward. Oddly, I don't get much balsam or clove, which are notes I usually amp, but I get a lot of the dark and dusty amber and opium. All together, it adds up to something a little dusty and oddly metallic in a way I can feel in the back of my throat. I get a strong impression of deep plummy colors. Bottom line -- This confirms that while I love limes and plums in real life, I don't especially care for them as perfumes, and opium remains troublesome. This one is pretty, but it's not something I'm totally comfortable wearing. I think I want my dark fruits and deeper notes combined with spice.

A lethal poison bundled up in a dainty, innocent little package that was oft times found in ancient witches’ flying ointments and astral projection balms. A warm, soft, ruddy scent, earthy and mild. I am really impressed by all of the Lab's dirt and dead leaves notes. They're very authentic and very subtly vary to give impressions that are more dry, warm, damp, wintery, and so on. That said, I don't necessarily find I want to wear them. Imp--soil, rich soil Wet--this is damp soil, sort of moldy. It's the dirt under a shady tree or under a rotten floorboard. This is not a warm summer dirt, but something more chilled. Dry--as it dries it gets cedary, like a forest floor I never get the creamy, vanilla, coconut notes others get. It's not one I'll keep, but I'm glad I tried it.

Splitting up the ketchup! NEW UPDATE: I think my new favorite spicy blend is Chimera. Does anyone else like collector Barbies? I do! Though really limited space to display them. Klimt, Mad Men (especially Joan), anything with Hollywood glamour. If there were a redheaded executive/lawyer Barbie she'd have pride of place in my office. What small everyday items would you like, that you keep forgetting to get? If I could remember I wouldn't forget! Tarot I'd love to learn to read Tarot. A deck with Art Nouveau theme and a good book on the subject would be awesome. Tell me about something you like, and why you like it. Turn of the century-1920s erotica! They actually look like they're having fun, and the bodies are not so manufactured. If you're the MMU type of Witchee, what Geek Chic Cosmetics tickle your fancy? I'm not. Love cosmetics, but don't really need a lot more glittery/wild color stuff, unfortunately. Would any witchees be interested inQuinn Popcorn? I love either good quality caramel (salted!) or savory like Parmesan. Who likes silly items from Archie McPhee??? Yes, especially if they're slightly useful (such as funny pushpins) or small. Nocturne Alchemy's NAlloween Pt. 2 update is live here! (And for a few days, last month's update too.) What do you want? I think I'm Halloween-scented-out. What are you drooling over from the Sock Dreams Halloween stuff? I'm not big on novelty socks, but I do love OTK opaques, so these are adorable: http://www.sockdreams.com/products/whats-new/skulls-over-the-knee http://www.sockdreams.com/products/whats-new/heidi-over-the-knee Also these in black or red: http://www.sockdreams.com/products/whats-new/checkerboard-knee-high Luck charms? Not really Does anyone want anything from... here...? For some reason, cake in a jar doesn't appeal to me all that much. For those of you that like candles, do you like stuff from Yankee Candle? And if you had to choose, tarts or candles? Not wild about them. I find them artificial smelling. I did used to like their Clean Cotton Would you be interested in getting a custom necklace fromhere? Pretty! Is there a movie you want so badly that you don’t own now? Trying to own fewer DVDs, but one I really want, because my whole family adores it, is Singin' in the Rain Is there a song on Itunes that you haven’t downloaded yet? All of them! Right now want some Frank Turner Is there a rare book you’ve always wanted? I'd like to get my hands on the inexplicably out of print All of a Kind Family series, which I adored as a kid and sadly didn't save. Is there anything you want to buy yourself but have been too embarrassed (R rated or pg)? Haven't sprung for a good bikini wax in some time! Have you seen the Lush holiday update? Do you like the look of anything from there? Not a giant Lush fan if you were my witchee, would you want some of my hot nuts my candied nuts my nuts covered in butter and brown sugar candied walnuts? I love hot/candied/spiced nuts of all kinds! Is there anything you either didn't like or had never heard of that you're now curious to try thanks to the discussion in this thread? Villainess Smacks and Smooches! Reveal? I would love it if my Witch is up for it. But I understand if s/he prefers to remain anon. I plan to reveal. Would you be interested in the #occupywallstreet scent? Ordered it! Patchouli is iffy on me, but I like the really earthy stuff. The other notes sounded so good to me, and I support the cause. Do Paintbox Soapworks' Goat's Milk Hand and Body Creams sound like something you'd like to try? Very much Witchee, would you like anything from this particular Haunt update? I wouldn't mind you choosing something you think I'd like Who's interested in Halloween: Montreal? I wasn't running out to grab a bottle, but would be interested to sample it. You get a package in the mail containing 3 things you have really wanted more than anything else you've mentioned so far in this thread. (they are all reasonably priced of course! ~$20 or less apiece). What are they? 1. a 5 ml of Hermia 2. a blackened red glossy lipstick, I have no idea from where as I keep trying to find one and failing 3. a leather cuff bracelet like this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/78992341/braided-grey-leather-cuff-bracelet?ref=af_you_favitem how do you feel about hemp? jewelry, soap, etc? Not that into it Is there a magazine that you DON'T read because you can't find it near you, but wish you could? Hm, not that I can think of. Describe your sense of humour. Enjoy wordplay, verbal raunch (see The Aristocrats, Louis C.K.), irony, sarcasm. Also very into black comedy -- did masters work on the use of comedy to explore difficult material like The Holocaust Do you like reusable grocery bags? If so, do you like the kind that fold up (ie Chico Bags?) I always carry several Chico Bags in my purse, and like the fold up ones best. Can always stand to update my stash of these I'm about to make an order from Sephora (nothing off of my wishlist, witch, so don't worry about that). Is there anything for you that you would like to accompany my order, if you're my witchee? See blackened red lipstick, above! Also need a good black liquid felt tip liner What kind of purse do you prefer? Leather, cloth? over the shoulder or crossbody, or something that can do either? Do you like bold bright prints with fun things, or monochrome, solid colours? Leather. I like classic bags that close firmly. Probably best for me to buy these for myself julep maven monthly boxes: Took the test and even though I selected blacks, blues, and neutrals, it pegged me as American Beauty and picked pale yellows and reds. SO NOT ME. But if they got it right it would be fun. Your favorite restaurant or type of food to eat out. Would you use a restaurant.com voucher? Groupon? I really don't use Groupon but would enjoy a gift certificate to a local restaurant in my area. I most enjoy Thai, Japanese, Latin American, and also enjoy bistros. Like commercial socks? I'm not really a sock person What kind of bear is best? Big cuddly gay bears! And gummi. Is anyone interested in reading The Night Circus? YES Hershey's Pumpkin Spice kisses? No I have a not-so-secret love for The Broship of the Rings. Are there any prints from her store you'd like? No, thanks Who here likes Stephanie Pui-Min Law's artwork? Very pretty, but a little pastel for my taste Do you drink wine? Yes, and lots of it. Witches, did you lament NOT getting one of the condom case/imp cases that got released with the courtesan series??? Not really. Celeste is one of my all time favorite scents, but my mental image is very different from the images used in that release. I recently saw candy corn in non-candy corn flavors like CHOCOLATE and CARAMEL APPLE. It's not a fancy brand, I just saw it in the drugstore, but who here would like something like that? CARAMEL APPLE JONES SODA CO has LE soda packs for The Guild, Buffy, D&D, So Cute, etc. Would you be interested in these, Witchee? Weird soda flavors freak me out a little. Also trying to drink less of it. But Blenheim's Hot Ginger Ale is a major favorite It'sBanned Books Week! Are there any books on the list you'd be interested in checking out? I am a fan of the banned! Though that particular list isn't that interesting to me -- I've either read it or don't care to. I have just been enlightened to THESE. Are these flavors relevant to your interests? Foodie lip balm not really my thing Is there anything you would want from NYCC, something you'd like your witch to ask me to pick up? I'm not really a Comic Con follower, so there might be stuff I'd love but I wouldn't know for sure! The best thing I ever ate...: I'm such a foodie type that I don't think I could pick just one thing, but some contenders -- bouillabaisse in St. Tropez, uni hand roll at Sushi Yasuda, Bi-Rite salted caramel ice cream, strawberries and tomatoes from my garden, my grandmother's mandelbrot, New Year's Eve dinner at La Tour d'Argent, lobster eaten with my hands at a picnic table outside at a Maine lobster pound, the skin off the turkey while my dad is carving it at Thanksgiving, BACON Do you like liquorice? If so, hard or soft? Sweet or salt? Normally salted or so salt it pulls your face into a fishy shape? And which shapes do you like? All kinds! Some of the salted starts to taste a little ammonia to me, but I've never disliked any of the firmly chewy kind. Mac using witchees, what computers do you use? What peripherals/accessories do you have and what would you LIKE to have? What do you use your computer for? I have a MacBook, one of the older white ones. I don't think I need anything for it other than a new computer, but we're not quite there yet. I use it mostly for web browsing and working on my never-to-be-finished novel. Do you like listening to audiobooks? Would you like to receive one, and if you would, what sort of audiobook would you like--or is there a particular audiobook you've been meaning to get? I don't regularly listen to them, though I have enjoyed some immensely. What tends to happen is my mind starts wandering and then I have to find my way back to the spot I went astray. I did once have a volume of Rumpole of the Bailey stories that were wonderful when read aloud, and wouldn't mind getting more of those. Are there any DIY / Crafty / Free / Budget items you'd love to get but haven't noted yet? (Or, maybe you'd just like to emphasize something you may have only noted in passing?) I'd love a witchy crafter to use some of her/his stash items to make me a starter kit for a project, especially in beading or soapmaking. Do you own a DSLR camera? Are you interested in a minky camera strap like these? What about anything from Photojojo? An ancient one I never use, so I don't think so. Is anybody else into film photography? Interested in receiving film, supplies, etc from Lomography? Not any more, sadly. Are you musically inclined? Do you play an instrument or sing? If so, what? Planning to start taking guitar and/or piano lessons again. I'd love a guitar strap! Do you like scary books? What's the best/scariest thing you've ever read? I do like scary books! I mostly like them scary in the form of hard boiled/serial killer/police procedurals. I'll never forget when I read The Silence of the Lambs. The movie had just come out, and I'd heard it was really scary, so I wanted to read it first. I started it right before I left Washington, DC, where I'd been working on a play, and basically could not put it down. I was terrified, but compelled. I remember sitting in my hotel room with my stuff all packed up, just not being able to move until I'd read it. Are you interested in anything in the latest round of Lab auctions on eBay? I restrained myself, but Giant Vulva! I don't usually do eBay because of the stress. What favorite song(s) would you think would translate into a cool or unique scent? Ziggy Stardust! Anyone interested in VApothecary's Halloween update? Not really. Interested in anything from the Beaver Moon Lunacy update? I ordered Beaver Moon. The Thai scent sounds interesting, but not enough to order. I wouldn't mind a tester. I sent you with $20 into a drugstore/Walmart (nothing too fancy/imported/expensive, just your average selection), and you are restricted only to the candy aisle. What would you blow it on? This is my fantasy. I'd get a lot of chewy Sweettarts, chewy Spree, a bag of the cherry pull-apart Twizzlers or Nibs, some Haribo gummies, especially the sour peaches and the alphabet letters, a box of Milk Duds. Now 'n' Laters if they have them. What is your favorite kind of cookie? Homemade pretty much anything, as long as no macadamia nuts. I really love the big chewy-soft molasses ginger cookies and a good old classic Tollhouse. Bought, I'm quite fond of the dark chocolate Petit Ecoliers. How many boxes are you hoping for? As many as my witch would like to send! Even little things in the mailbox are exciting. How do you feel about loose leaf tea in baggies? I mean, I have a TON of loose leaf, would it be okay if I send you samples in some zip lock baggies? Or is that something that would squick you out? I am all for it, but label it so I know what it is and can get more if I like it! How would you feel about getting a custom poster with your favorite quote on it and some cool graphics? I'm an architecture student and can print posters (provided I make them) at pretty much any size using Adobe Illustrator at a low price. Also if you would be interested in this, what quotes would you like? Sadly I am out of wall space.

Decant--strong citrus with soapy orange blossom note Wet--citrus-scented industrial soap Dry--it mellows some, but the overall impression is of citrus cleanser

Decant--fruity woodiness Wet--strong sour jasmine. This pikake is going all wrong on me, as is the tuberose. Dry--the sour flowers combine with too-strong clove and rum. No vanilla. It's all just very strong and bitingly harsh and sour. Frownie.

I see I'm not the only person who picked up earthy patchouli. As soon as I applied it I got the exact same patchouli note I get in Depraved, which is a wonderful approximation of freshly turned earth. While I was hoping to find other blends with that particular patchouli (I don't care for most other patchouli), there the apricot softens and plays interestingly with it. Here, there is a bitter herbiness that emerges when it dries, that makes it sort of caustic. I don't get any of the white sandalwood, which I generally love, beeswax, or white tea leaf. Good helps it soften a bit, but not enough.

Decant--lovely berries and pine, touch of moss and flowers Wet--the pine comes out. Not a surprise, really, as I amp all pine scents Dry--pine continues to dominate, and it turns into the bad cat pee kind of pine that unfortunately often plagues me. There's enough hint of lovelier things along with it to make me even sadder that this didn't work on me. Combining with Good helps a little, but not enough, and soon they both make me smell like a Yankee Candle.

This is a very sheer sweet floral with light musks and honey. There is something in the honey-musk combination that goes a little off to my nose, so it's not the sort of cake-covered-with-honeyed-flowers I was hoping for. Certainly appropriate for the layering as intended, and it's pretty, but it rather quickly turns into something smelling more like a candle to me.

Decant--Chamomile and smoky vanilla Wet--Chamomile, chamomile, and more chamomile. If I try very hard, I can make out the tiniest hint of vanilla. I don't really like the smell of chamomile, and this one is somewhat medicinal. Dry--It's nearly gone entirely by the time it's dry, 30 minutes later. I'm left with faint chamomile, even fainter vanilla, and the same sort of sour smell that the lighter musks leave on my skin. I had high hopes for this one to be a very wearable non-foodie vanilla, but it's nearly a single-note chamomile to me, and with very little staying power.

I had a lot of trepidation about this one, because red musk and I do not get along. But the reviews here convinced me that the red musk is subdued enough to at least warrant a try. Also, I love fruits and herbs. Bottle -- mango! Lots and lots of juicy mango. Wet -- mango with a touch of red musk. It's detectable, and it does the slightly off dough thing it always does, but there's just so much lovely mango that I don't mind too much. Dry -- Remains a mango-red musk blend. I don't get any identifiable berries, pomegranate, or herbs. While it lasts there is lots of nice fruity throw and subtle red musk, but it doesn't quite add up to enough for me. I wanted that greater, obviously intended, summer fruit-herb complexity. Gone in about 4 hours, too. One for the swaps. Might keep a small decant I have.

It was interesting to compile this list direct from the Stash Manager, to see which collections overall worked for me and which didn't. * indicates bottles I have ** indicates for my gentlemenfolk LIKED ENOUGH TO BUY/KEEP THE IMP Black Moon 2011 Schwarzer Mond 2011 *Weeping Branches Moon *Hungry Ghost Moon 2011 Long Night Moon *Peony Moon Brown Jenkin **Casanova Depraved Endymion La Belle au Bois Dormant Lilium Inter Spinas Lorelei Perversion Sed Non Satiata The Lady of Shalott * **Embalming Fluid Polynesian Pop Black Opal Bliss **Calico Jack Delirium Ulalume *Celeste * **Mr. Quibit Theodosius, The Ledermain Kitsune-Tsuki The Wild Swans at Coole Hermia Rosalind The Apothecary Titania *Poisson d'Avril Picture Book and Pleasure Toys *Vasakasajja *All in the Golden Afternoon *Bread and Butter-Fly *Croquet *The Dormouse *Two, Five & Seven Belle Vinu **The White Rider Aelopile **The Antikythera Mechanism Love-in-Idleness Les Infortunes de la Vertu Flora Josie *51 *Amsterdam Bengal Machu Picchu Mag Mell *Manhattan Shanghai *Hochelaga *Blue Morpho *Purple Spotted Swallowtail *Io *Pussy Pallas Athene **Tree of Life Donna con Ventaglio DIDN'T LIKE ENOUGH TO KEEP Dreamland Berry Moon 2009 Berry Moon 2011 Snow Moon Luna Negra 2011 Y'ha Nthlei Ave Maria Gratia Plena Delight Forbidden Fruit Lolita Muse Siren Vixen Wanda Whip Dragon's Reverie Darkness Eternal Les Fleurs du Mal The Reaper and the Flowers Twilight Belle Epoque Bess Fae Highwayman Kill-Devil La Bella Donna Della Mia Mente Masquerade Namaste Phantasm Shattered The Hesperides The Jersey Devil Water of Notre Dame Wilde Zephyr High John the Conqueror Kitty Gennivre, L'Artiste du Diable The Illustrated Woman Fire Eater Akuma Baobhan Sith Djinn Hell's Belle Hellcat Incubus Kumiho Loup Garou Al-Shairan Bastet Coyote Euphrosyne Grandmother of Ghosts Kali Kurukulla Osun Shango Verdandi Boo 2010 Pomegranate II Lysander Tamora Viola Anne Beany Luna Couple Engaged in Lovemaking Cheshire Cat Eat Me Mouse's Long and Sad Tale Rocking-Horse-Fly Snap-Dragon-Fly The Lion The Pool of Tears The Red Queen Tweedledum White Rabbit Prunella Black Hellebore Squirting Cucumber Anathema Death on a Pale Horse Fallen Lust Paramatman The Great Sword of War Crib Girls Mommy Fortuna Danube Florence Glasgow Havana Moscow Pontarlier Santo Domingo Sri Lanka

I got the sweet grape, wet greens, and floral in the wet stage, but dry a very bitter hard white flower comes out and turns the whole thing into rest stop disinfectant hand soap. I could not go into any important meeting wearing this, I'd be totally distracted by the pungent smell.

I wasn't going to try this because woods are hard for me to wear without amping and throwing off the whole balance of a scent, but I received a tester from a kind forumite, so checked it out and I'm glad I did. Imp--tonka! And sage. Wet--the tonka and sage meet with a sharp, citrusy, strong cologne scent. I might have stopped here, but held on for the drydown. Dry--the woods come out, the tonka warms up, the mandarin smooths out, and the moss, sage, and galangal meld together to add a rich smokiness. Like the other klimts, this is a complex and sophisticated fragrance. I find this appealingly masculine, so I swabbed it on my husband and he's just delicious. Going to grab him a bottle and set it aside for Christmas, but I'll probably borrow it from time to time when I'm feeling woodsy.

Nice light leather and warm, sharp sandalwood. Sandalwood overtakes the leather, as I always amp woods, but it's a lovely sandalwood. I can see this as a unisex scent, but it leans more masculine to me, and I'm sort of dying for my husband to walk in so I can slather him up and huff him. I don't get floral, hay, horse, or barn notes.

In the imp -- sweet and surprisingly chocolatey. Wet -- I get that grapey sweetness and a chocolate sort of note, not a bad combination, but not what I really expected. No leather or much floral. Dry -- this turns to mostly musk on me, and I don't like what the heavier musks do on my skin. I get that sour play-doh sensation. Overall, the blend is not as interesting as expected.