doomsday_disco

In the imp: The wine is the strongest note, but I can also smell the Lab's dragon's blood note and the rose. Wet: I am getting more dragon's blood on my skin (which is like a somewhat spiced floral with a bit of cherry to my nose) and a fair amount of wine. The rose is becoming more prominent the longer this sits on my skin. The rose ends up becoming the dominant note, but the other notes are still present, and they certainly aren't faint. Dry: Boozy, fruity rose and dragon's blood resin. The wine is the dominant note. Verdict: This one is not for me. I am just not very fond of the way these notes play together.

Pumpkin whipped with milk chocolate syrup and dark chocolate shavings. Note: I am reviewing this as a moisturizer (and not as a product that I used in the bath). In the bottle: More chocolate than pumpkin. When this first arrived, I mainly smelled the dark chocolate shavings, but the milk chocolate syrup is more prominent after sitting for several hours. The pumpkin definitely has a 'fluffy' aspect to it. It's very light. Wet: Creamy milk chocolate syrup dominates at first. The pumpkin note becomes more prominent after a few minutes, and it is lightly spiced. After a while, I don't really feel like there is a dominant note. The creamy chocolate and very lightly spiced pumpkin go really well together. This smells delicious! Dry: The dark chocolate shavings seem to be more distinguishable on the drydown. It is chocolate dominant again. Verdict: It's chocolate and pumpkin! I like this, and I will be keeping my bottle to use as an after-shower moisturizer and a room scent (as I recently discovered that the BPTP bath oils have a lot of throw when used in a wax warmer). However, I don't feel the need to get a back-up of this one.

In the imp: The golden apple note stands out the most to my nose. A floral and a bit of the dragon's blood resides in the background. Wet: Golden apple, followed by the dragon's blood resin. Dry: Apple, apple blossom, and dragon's blood. The combination of the apple and the dragon's blood isn't very good on my skin. Verdict: I tend to love apple scents, but this one just isn't one of them.

In the imp: More tears than dragon's blood. Wet: The salty aquatic note dominates, but the spicy floral/cherry aspect of the dragon's blood isn't far behind. Like most aquatic notes on my skin, this salty aquatic note has a soapy quality to it. Dry: A salty aquatic with a hint of dragon's blood. Verdict: Like most aquatics, this is just not for me.

Dominant, passionate, devastating. Dragon’s blood and five deep musks. In the imp: Musky dragon's blood. The dragon's blood in this is a lot stronger than it was in Dragon's Bone or Dragon's Claw. Wet: This is sharp. I am getting more musk than dragon's blood, but that doesn't mean that the dragon's blood isn't strong, because it is. I think one of the musks is black musk. I am getting some lemon or something lemon-like from this scent. Dry: Sweeter and even muskier now. This is mostly just musk on me. I am generally not a fan of musk scents (aside from pale musks), but this is a pleasant surprise. I can tell that there are several different musks present, but I am able unable to identify them. I'm not getting much dragon's blood during this phase. Verdict: The dry phase of this one is nice, but I don't feel like I need a bottle of this one.

In the imp: Mostly sandalwood. The dragon's blood is in the background. Wet: This is sandalwood dominant, but I am getting more of the dragon's blood on my skin than I was in the imp. (In other words, it is sandalwood with some spicy floral, resinous, somewhat cherry scent.) The sandalwood notes in this aren't as dry as the sandalwood found in Dragon's Bone. Dry: Still sandalwood dominant, but with much less dragon's blood than before. The dragon's blood is still present, but it is content with a background role. Verdict: This isn't 'me,' so I will pass the scent on.

In the imp: Dry and dusty (thanks to the woods and the orris) followed by heady dragon's blood. Wet: I am getting the dry woods, along with dragon's blood, but the dragon's blood in this isn't nearly as strong as dragon's blood on its own. The orris adds a powdery quality to the scent. The wood notes dominate. Dry: The dry woods still reign, but the orris note is stronger now. The sweet dragon's blood is lingering in the background. Verdict: I do think the scent befits its name, but this is too dry for me.

In the imp: A very potent white floral note (is it jasmine?) hits my nose at first, but I think it may be accompanied by a cherry note and some musk? Wet: There is definitely a floral note present, and I do think I am getting cherry. It is stronger than it was in the imp. A bit of spice emerges. As it dries down, it is predominantly a spicy floral, but the cherry is still present. The scent is quite strong. Dry: A somewhat sweet, strong spiced floral note along with a resin and some cherry? It definitely smells more resinous now. Verdict: I always thought dragon's blood was a problematic note for me, but I guess I was wrong. This is not something that I see myself wearing, but it is nice to know that I don't have to avoid a blend just because it contains it in the future.

In the imp: Fruity and floral. I think I am getting the green mandarin, honeydew, guava, a bit of the neroli, and the freesia note (which I recognize from Butterflies, Flowers, and Jewels Attending). Wet: Same, but the freesia note is stronger than the fruit notes on my skin. Then, it ends up taking an unpleasant turn. Perhaps it is the green musk combined with the freesia? I'm not sure. The neroli is also becoming more prominent, making the scent bitter. I am also getting a woody aspect to the scent now. However, the freesia remains the dominant note. Dry: Freesia still reigns, but it is softer now. I'm not sure if it is the honeydew or guava behind it. I get the floral note, followed by fruit, and then a bit of light musk and dry wood. Verdict: This one is a bit too perfume-y and dry for me. It isn't bad, it's just... not really my thing.

Olive leaf, raspberry leaf, vetiver and cedarwood. In the imp: I can detect all of the notes. My nose does not think that they smell very good together in the imp, but maybe that will change upon wear? Wet: Both leaf notes are quite prominent, but the vetiver and cedarwood aren't far behind. The vetiver is getting stronger, but the olive leaf note ends up being the dominant note (followed by the raspberry leaf). I'm not particularly fond of this thus far. Dry: Pretty much the same. Olive leaf, followed by raspberry leaf, followed by vetiver, and finally, cedarwood. The vetiver is stronger than it was during the wet phase, giving the scent a smoky quality. Verdict: This one isn't for me.

In the imp: The almond note jumps out at me first, but I also smell the jasmine (this is a stinky variety), cinnamon leaf, and patchouli. It isn't a very good combination to my nose. Wet: There is a blast of almond (which is the dominant note), and I'm also getting the cinnamon leaf and the jasmine. The almond is making the scent creamy, and it doesn't seem to be as fleeting as it is in most blends. I can smell a bit of patchouli and bergamot as well. The fig leaf is present, too. The saffron note seems to emerge more over time. Dry: Mostly jasmine, lilies, almond, and cinnamon leaf (and a bit of patchouli and fig leaf). Verdict: This was a pleasant surprise during the wet phase (due to the prominence of the almond note), but the floral notes are stronger than I would like them to be once the scent is dry. This is one is okay, but I don't need more of it.

Breezes blowing off of the waters of the Caribbean: marine accord, seaweed, and bladderwrack. In the imp: Aquaaaaaatic. It has a rather soapy quality to it, and it is quite salty. I am guessing that is the marine accord. Wet: Still salty, but not as much as it was in the vial. The soapy quality is present, but it isn't as soapy smelling as it was in the imp. Nevermind, it is getting saltier now. The marine accord dominates. I can smell seaweed, too. However, I'm not familiar with bladderwrack. I also take back what I said about it not being as soapy. It is VERY soapy now. Dry: Ugh. Horrible, generic soap with a salty quality to it. Verdict: Definitely not for me.

In the imp: Frizzy and fruity (perhaps cherry?). Wet: This is fruit dominant (and the fruit is definitely red). I'm not getting very much fizziness. Dry: A very fruity cocktail. The booze is a lot stronger in this phase, but it is still fruit dominant. Verdict: This is way too fruity for me.

In the imp: A dark aquatic, indeed. Wet: I can't pick out the notes, but this smells like an incense-y aquatic to my nose. The incense becomes somewhat sweeter, and there is a strong aquatic note that I think may be seaweed. Aquatics tend to have a somewhat soapy quality on me, and this one does have a bit of one, but not as much as the other aquatic scents that I've tried. Dry: A dark aquatic (with a distinct watery feel) with a sweet incense. Verdict: This isn't my thing, but I enjoyed this more than the other aquatics I have tried thus far.

In the imp: Almond, sassafras, rum, and a bit of clove. It smells wonderful. Almond tends to be very fleeting on me, though. I hope it sticks around this time. I am not familiar with bay, so I can't comment on that note. Wet: The almond, rum, and sassafras are the most prominent notes to my nose. The clove is present as well, and it is getting stronger as the scent sits on my skin. Dry: Sassafras, clove, and rum. There is still a bit of almond, but it isn't as strong as it was in the imp/during the wet stage. Verdict: I like this. I'm not sure that I need a bottle of it, but it is nice!

In the imp: Ginger and resins (but mostly ginger)! I like to think of it as evil gingerbread. Wet: Ginger dominant, along with cinnamon, a hint of something citrus (I think it is the herbs?) and the resins. The herbs become sharper and stronger over time, but it remains ginger and spice dominant. Dry: Mostly ginger and spices (along with a few herbs). Verdict: I prefer this scent in candle form (as the candle scent is creamier than the perfume oil), but this is a nice gingerbread-like scent.

In the imp: Mostly lavender, followed by the lotus and a bit of spice. They don't seem to go together in the imp. Wet: Lavender and lotus. The lotus note is stronger than it was in the imp. The lavender note is astringent. I am only getting a bit of spice. Dry: The lavender note isn't as sharp, and the lotus is stronger, lending an airy, almost bubblegum-like quality to the scent. I am getting a lot more of the spice now. Verdict: I like lavender, but I guess I don't enjoy it when it is paired with lotus. No bottle for me.

In the imp: Mostly verbana, ginger, green grass, and the summer rain note. Wet: Verbana, ginger, and green grass. This really does have a summer-vibe going on. The verbana and grass end up being the dominant notes. The ginger is still present, though. Then, the summer rain note emerges. Dry: The grass and verbana notes are still present, but they are not as prominent as they were before. The summer rain note, like most aquatic notes, has turned somewhat soapy on me. The amber is present now, along with a bit of sage. This stage of the scent is not for me. Verdict: This is not a scent that I would like to wear, but I think it would make a nice room scent.

In the imp: Iris, amber, and berries. I'm not really getting any spices. Wet: Iris and amber emerge at first, followed by the berry note. This particular iris note has a somewhat Dr. Pepper-esque vibe (but not as much as the iris found in the Trading Post's Erotic Images of Spring Evenings bath oil). The spices in this are indeed velvety, but they aren't very prominent. The iris and amber have the center stage. Dry: The iris still reigns. The amber is still present, but the berry note has gone. The spices are lingering in the background. Verdict: This one is okay. However, I am beginning to think that I am not a big fan of iris. I won't be getting a bottle of this one.

In the imp: Very potent cinnamon. I think it is the same cinnamon note found in Plunder. I hope this one doesn't burn! Wet: Cinnamon bark reigns at first, but I can smell the skin musk underneath it. Then, the skin musk starts to become more prominent. The cinnamon bark isn't as strong as it was in the imp (thankfully). I think the skin musk is helping to soften it. Dry: The scent is sweeter now. The spices never burned my skin (huzzah!). The skin musk (accompanied by the honey) dominates now (and I believe it is the same one that is found in Les Bijoux), followed by the cinnamon bark. I love clove, but I didn't really get much of it on my skin. It is hard to pick out the other spice notes beneath the cinnamon. Verdict: I like this. I don't think I need a bottle, but it is nice.

In the imp: Lots of flowers, dirt, and herbs. Wet: The floral notes dominate. I think that jasmine is one of the floral notes. I am also getting the moss, incense, herbs, and some dirt, but it is predominantly floral on me, with the other notes lingering in the background. Dry: This is still very floral on me, followed by the moss, incense, and herbs. The dirt is still present, but it is even lighter than it was before, so it fits the 'dry earth' note of the description. Verdict: I guess I like my dirt scents with more dirt! The floral notes used in this aren't really 'me.' I prefer scents like Deep in Earth and Zombi.

Sugared vanilla rose, pink carnation, pink peppercorn, cistus, Oman frankincense, white peony, white moss, and lemon peel. In the bottle, the pink carnation is the dominant note. It pretty much dominates all of the other notes in this blend. After much sniffing, I can get a bit of the rose, moss, and frankincense out of this. This scent does seem like it would be appropriate for spring, and I'm hoping that I get more of the sugared vanilla rose and pink peppercorn out of this once I spray the scent all over the room. Once sprayed, the frankincense note is one of the prominent notes, and it smells like a frankincense and floral blend at first. I also sprayed this on a blanket, and I can smell the lemon peel note when I sniff the blanket, mingled with the floral notes (especially the strong pink carnation), moss, and frankincense. The scent on the blanket is sweeter (thanks to the lemon peel giving it a candy-like quality), and I prefer it to the scent of it in the room (which has mellowed out into frankincense, moss, and florals). The pink carnation is the strongest of the florals in this blend. I like this, but I'm not in love with it. I will keep my bottle, but I won't need a back-up of this one.

In the decant: For a moment, this reminded me of red Jello or Kool-Aid. Maybe it's the combination of the grapefruit and/or tangerine rind, rose water, and almond blossom. I'm not sure, but it is rather fruity. Wet: I get that impression when it hits my skin, too. This is citrus dominant, followed by a floral aspect, which I think must be the almond blossom mixed with the rose water note. The neroli makes its presence known as the scent is starting to dry, adding a bitterness to the scent. Dry: I am mostly getting the mugwort-infused musk now. The rose water is still present. The fruitiness of the wet stage is gone, save for a bit of lingering tangerine peel or neroli. Verdict: I was curious about this one, but I refrained from getting a bottle of it since I am generally not fond of Lunacy scents. I am glad I went with a decant instead, as it isn't really 'me.'

In the decant: White tea and lilac! I'm not really getting any of the candle wax. Wet: The white tea note is the first to make an appearance, but the lilac note quickly makes itself known, and it is starting to get stronger. The white tea note (which has a citrusy quality to it) remains the dominant note, but the lilac isn't far behind. As it starts drying down, I'm starting to get the candle wax note. Dry: More lilac than white tea now (though the tea note is still present), along with some of the candle wax note (but not the sweet beeswax candle note from scents like The Lights of Men's Lives and (Not So) Penitent (Mini) Magdalene). Verdict: I like this one (but not enough to grab a bottle before it goes away).

In the bottle: I'm getting a lot of rose from this, as well as some of the apple peel and mahogany wood. I'm not smelling any vanilla in the bottle. Wet: The rose geranium dominates, followed by the apple peel. The mahogany wood is present, but isn't as strong as the other notes. Dry: More rose geranium than tea rose. The apple peel is still present, but the mahogany note is rather faint now. I can only smell a hint of the bourbon vanilla if I press my nose against my wrist, but it is very faint. Verdict: I ended up going for a decant of this (in the original bottle) instead of springing for a blind bottle, and I am glad that I did, because I was hoping for more vanilla with the rose notes. It isn't bad, but there are other rose scents that I enjoy more, so I won't be needing more of this one.