Gale

This is the first Snake Pit I tried.

 

In the bottle and on wet: As previous reviews have noted, the initial note is cocoa--pure, dark, and unsweetened.

 

On dry: The cocoa is present for awhile, then the Snake Oil and wood start sneaking forward. I didn't get the rice milk, but I'll be more attentive for it.

 

It didn't last much longer than a couple hours, but I didn't slather like I usually do, and let me tell you, this is slather-worthy!!

 

A Stunner.

I am a fool for amber, and Jacob's Ladder won the contest I had between it, Brisingamen, and The Lion.

 

Wet: Amber--warm, golden, beautiful!

 

On dry: Gorgeous. It isn't overly strong on me, but it does last all day, warm and quiet. It's been nearly eight hours, and I can smell a tiny bit of citrus mixed in with the amber. It's delightful.

 

The Lion smells nearly identical on me, but I have two bottles of Jacob's Ladder, so I'm good for now!

I got this as a frimp from the Lab--thanks!

 

It is just as others have described it--fresh, citrusy tea and ginger.

 

One peculiar thing about Kumiho that I never noticed with any fragrance before is how happy I feel whenever I smell it. I will be getting a bottle of this one (probablyin the Spring).

This is beautiful. I am a total fool for anything with amber. Amber and pomegranate? Why not?

 

Wet: Amber and deep, ripe pomegranate.

 

On dry: Amber and pomegranate. It's a gorgeous combination, warm, deep, dark, and sweet. Strong throw, as others have already noted.

 

Seven hours and counting: Still there, going strong and unchanged.

 

Love.

Wet: Spicy, sweet yum.

 

Dry: This is spice heaven! Sweet, spicy, and soft. I'm not sure there is another BPAL spice blend to compare with this one.

 

After three hours: Still there, much softer, but just as spicy and delicious.

 

This is one I bought, and because I hadn't worn it for awhile, sold. Now I have it back, and it's going in a special spot with a little sign--never to be sold. I'm serious. Never.

This review is for 2006.

 

Wet: Incense! I can smell patchouli and frankincense above all.

 

Dry: Oh beating heart be still. This is so incredible (here I go with the adjectives, again!) It's a beautiful, warm, soft, dry incense. Gorgeous. No single note predominates--it's so perfectly and seamlessly blended.

 

This joins Al-Azif as a favorite incense blend, and I think I'm going to need another bottle.....sigh.

Oh, yum!

 

Wet: I can really smell the wine grapes--almost a boozy note. I can also smell cakes, and something alittle green and herby.

 

Dry: Wow. Sweet--foody but not overwhelmingly so. I would say that warm and comforting are the words that best describe this one.

 

This is not extremely long lasting, but I have no problem with re-slathering as needed!

 

I think I'll grab another bottle of this before it goes down in February.

Dear skin,

 

For all of the times I've cursed you for ruining a beautiful scent, I forgive you.

 

The Hesperides is so incredibly, unbelievably perfect!

 

Wet: Apples! I love apples, and these are fresh and crisp.

 

Dry: Apples! Still fresh and crisp, with something underneath (the wood, maybe?) softening it and making it smell even more delicious if that's possible.

 

I'm going on four hours, and it's lasting very well. It's almost creamy now, like warm apple crisp with vanilla ice cream--I love it!

 

I got this as a frimp with my latest Lab order, and was actually hesitant to try it after reading the reviews. I'm so glad I did, though! This would definitely smell heavenly layered with spicy notes, like Bengal, for instance. But it is true perfection alone.

 

(IF you love apples....)

This is fantastic!

 

Wet: True pine and berries. Very fresh and clean.

 

Dry: It smells piney, sweet, and fresh.

 

After 4 hours: More cranberry than pine, and there's something woody in the background.

 

This one always gets compliments--it's great for any season, but is especially evocative of Christmas/Yule.

 

I'm really happy I have 5 ml of this bad boy!!

This is one of my favorites and I can't believe I didn't review it before.

 

Wet: Smoky, sweet, coconut and rum.

 

Dry: Still sweet and smoky. A rich buttery (but not foody) scent emerges and joins with the coconut. All in all it's warm, comforting, and gorgeous. AND, it lasts all day on me!

I LOVE this one!

 

Wet: It's sweet and woody--I can't pick out all of the notes, mostly cocoa, a smidgen of orange, vanilla, and sandalwood.

 

Dry: Gorgeous, and it keeps getting better! It's sweet, woodsy, and creamy, with a tiny bit of floral. I can't believe how wonderful and complex this is. I'm ticking off the days until the next Friday the 13th (April 2007), in hopes that it will be up again!!

This is incredibly beautiful!

 

In the bottle and on wet: Dark, sweet, and incensey. In this phase I can smell a slight similarity to Snake Oil, which scared me, because my skin does terrible things to Snake Oil.

 

Dry: Man, this is so gorgeous! It's incense and vanilla, and I swear I smell some cocoa. But best of all it smells wonderful on me!

 

Final verdict: This is warm, sweet, and sexy--I am SO happy I have a bottle!!

I really liked DDLM 05, never tried 04, but always wanted to.

 

In the bottle: The florals are the main note, and it reminds me very much of DDLM 05.

 

On wet: Still floral, still reminds me of 05.

 

Dry: No longer reminds me of 05! Now the cocoa and tobacco have come out, and the florals, though still present, no longer dominate. It remains that way for hours, and is absolutely delightful!!

This is another Halloweenie keeper!

 

In the bottle: Sweet and buttery.

 

On wet: Still sweet, but the butteriness slips way back. Very nice.

 

Dry: The incense comes forward, the currants appear, and the background is soft and cakey. As a whole, it's gorgeous.

 

It doesn't last super-long, but I have no qualms about re-applying!!

Centzon Totochtin smelled like coffee on me, black no sugar--but not everyone gets the coffee note so it would be a gamble.

In the bottle: This has the same buttery, sugary note that I get in Cockaigne. Now, I'm aging Cockiagne with the hopes that in a few months I'll be able to wear it.

 

On wet: Oh, yum! Butter, rich caramel, and apples!!

 

Dry: A bit softer, but deliciously rich and sweet. It stays that way throughout, and is everything I hoped it would be. Perfect for a chilly day--I am officially in love (again)!

My son is 9, and loves Candy Butcher, Aunt Caroline's Joy Mojo, Antique Lace. and all of the Monster Baits, the Great Sword of War, and Mme. Moriarty. Do I deserve a Trick because I enabled a 9-year-old, or do I deserve a Treat?

 

Has anyone found that scents that hate you love your kids? I put some Queen of Sheba on my son the other day, and at first it smelled like saffron (which is ALL it smells like on me) and then it turned gorgeous. Same thing happened with others that I can't wear--they all behave on him. Now if only I could get my husband to participate in the testing...

Vechernyaya is a gorgeous not too heavy musk!

This so interesting!

 

Wet: Dark, bitter, and fruity--if that makes sense.

 

Dry: There's still the darkness, bitterness, and frutiness, but rounded out--almost creamy, foody but not so--and there was a scent that, after reading the previous reviews I realized was indeed saffron. Now saffron usually hijacks anything I'm wearing, but here it behaves. I really like it! A mix of bitter and sweet, dark and light. I can't describe it except in contradictions.

 

I could definitely see getting a bottle in the future!

 

ETA: The future being today...

This was a real morpher!

 

Wet: Grape juice-- strong, straight up grape juice.

 

Dry: The grape juice went away, and it turned gorgeous! I don't know how to describe it precisely-- sweet and spicy. Someone said "comforting," and I totally agree.

 

I'm really liking this--it was a frimp from the Lab, and I may get a bottle. What a nice surprise!

This is so nice!

 

Wet: Rich, sweet, sugar--I was a bit wary at first, because I was afraid it would be too heavy.

 

Dry: Wow, as soon as it hit my skin, it turned into a beautiful, sweet, sugary scent, not too deep, just perfect! At little later, the fruits come out in the background.

 

This is pretty much how I hoped Cockaigne would smell. This is sweet without smokiness or heaviness. REALLY nice--no aging required for this baby!

This is such a beautiful scent--like most of the Salons I've tried.

 

I'm not differentiating between wet and dry, because it doesn't change that much.

 

It's soft, warm, dry sandalwood with peach and something a little chilly but not harsh--Silence is so well-blended it's hard to pick out single notes.

 

Like others have said, this is quiet, close, and unobtrusive. It's also incredibly beautfiul (I need more adjectives!)--I'm so glad I have a bottle!

When I opened my bottle of Black Moon and sniffed, I almost melted--it is that beautiful.

 

Wet, it is a heady floral, gorgeous and deep. I can't pick out any one note.

 

Dry. it softens and a tiny, tiny bit of jasmine peeks out. In the background, I swear I smell something like coconut, even though it's not listed in the notes.

 

This is every bit as beautiful as Schwarzer Mond, but in a glowing, warm way vs spicy and dark. I have to try the two together!

Oh wow.

 

Wet: Strong--earthy in a take-no-prisoners kind of way.

 

Dry: Gorgeous, beautiful! Warm, dry, resiny, earthy, woody, and spicy. Did I say gorgeous and beautiful? It is. Not overpowering, all of the components blend seamlessly. I too, will wear this alot in the coming cooler weather.

 

Yet another bravo for Brian!!! Encore!!!

I was very excited about Cockaigne when it was released, and bought 5ml right away. Here's what it does on me.

Wet: Rich, heavy, buttery, honey--with a little smokiness. I love honey scents, but it's SO strong.

Never mind the other phases, because this doesn't change at all. It lasts for a long time, though.

I am putting this away for a few months and will check on it again around Thanksgiving. I have a year-old bottle of Jack that is absolutely gorgeous on me now, so I remain optimistic that Cockaigne might do the same.

For now, it's off to the aging cubby...