The Dark Lady

Crypt Queen = Posthumous Mme. Moriarty.

On application - Mme. Moriarty's funeral. Her casket is draped with blood red roses and a few gardenias. A child drops a raspberry candy which is quickly crushed underfoot by the procession. A toast is made. Someone spills wine on the coffin.

On drydown - A few days later. Mme.'s essence is beginning to fade. The close air of the tomb is permeated with the heady scent of still-fresh roses. The wine has started to sour.

After thirty minutes - Several years have passed. Mme. Moriarty has turned to dust - only her mineral-rich bones remain. However, like her spirit, the roses prevail, and, in fact, have grown more potent with time. Their cloying scent mingles with sour tang of vinegar - choking and oppressive.

Upon initial application, this oil offers up a lovely, rich cherry-almond fragrance. Within a few seconds, the almond dissipates completely, leaving a powdery, slightly musky, rose scent, reminiscent of my great-grandmother's powder room.

Evocative? Yes. Wearable? Sadly, no.