doomsday_disco

I went the decant route on this one despite everyone yelling from the rooftops to get this, because there are some wool notes that don't work out on me.

I'm not upset I went the decant route, but this is definitely the best scent I have tried from this year's Dragon Con offerings, beating out the five scents I blind bottled.

Greige Dragon starts off strong on the oatmeal, which is lightly spiced. It's accompanied by a splash of creamy almond milk and a dash of lemony tea (I believe it is the Lab's white tea note -- I tested Ceaselessly By My Side the Demon Stirs on the back of my left hand and Greige Dragon on the back of my right one, and these two do not share the same tea note, and the tea in that blend is far stronger). The almond milk and tea are quick to fade once the scent is dry, and then the sandalwood emerges and lurks behind the oatmeal. The sandalwood in this is not a dry, white variety (woot!), and the oatmeal gets warmer and sweeter over time -- I swear there's some maple in here that my skin is bringing out, and I'm not mad about it -- it goes really well with the sandalwood in the way that the maple sap complements the teak and cherry in Carved Wooden Bawdy House. These end up being the dominant notes by the end of the day, with the almond milk briefly returning for a bit before retreating once more, and I think I'm getting a little wool in the background, but there's nothing laundry-aisle about the note (huzzah!).

This is such a cozy, comforting scent! I'll definitely be hanging onto my decant of this one.  

The smoked tonka bean is one of the main players on me, along with the patchouli and tea notes, and they each get their moments in the spotlight as the star of the show. This tea note is not a typical tea note from the Lab -- it actually strongly reminds me of the black tea note that Nocturne Alchemy uses, which has some spice to it in addition to a tannic quality. The tonka just has a touch of smoke to it and isn't overly smoky. Sometimes it reminds me of the Lab's bourbon vanilla note, which reads as a sheer, non-gourmand vanilla to me, but maybe that's the vanilla husk at play along with it. The vetiver in this emerges after the scent has been dry for a few hours, but it's a pretty tame variety -- no BBQ-esque vetiver here! I mainly feel like it is grassy with just a touch of smoke. It lurks behind the patchouli, content with its background role. The demon in the painting must be somewhat cuddly, as this is a pretty cozy, brown scent with no rough edges (since the patchouli and vetiver in this are not abrasive varieties of those notes). If I had to compare this to previous creations from the Lab, I would say it has some similarities to A Breton Sorceress (with the tonka, patchouli, spice, and vanilla), and Impressions of the Floating World (which features vanilla, patchouli, and a bit of smoke from its honey note).

This is a little too dry for me, without the sweetness I was hoping for from the vanilla husk, but if you're looking for a scent that's strong on the tonka, patchouli, and tea, give this one a whirl.

A blend of bat wings rustling while the bonfires blaze, the warmth of embers and woodsmoke, sticky toffee, and the crisp sweetness of roasted apples.

I didn't review this in a timely manner, lost the decant, only recently unearthed it so I could retest it and write a review.

  

I got decants of all of The Lavender Kitchen scents (from both years), just for the sake of trying them all, although I would have typically avoided this one due to the pear. I'm not familiar with prickly pear, but I don't have a great track record with pear scents in general, so this was the Lavender Kitchen scent I was looking forward to the least from last year's collection.

Not being familiar with prickly pear, I have no idea what it is supposed to smell like -- but this actually doesn't smell pear-like at all, so I'll consider that a plus. It's actually more like a cucumber melon sort of scent with some sweet lavender syrup (maybe the same one from Hazelnut Lavender Latte) and a cool, shaved ice note. The lavender doesn't last as long as the cucumber melon and ice notes, and the scent itself has pretty low throw and longevity -- I had to put my nose to my wrist to smell it, but it was barely there after a few hours of wear.

I didn't upgrade this to a bottle, and I don't plan on hanging onto the decant, but I'm considering myself fortunate to have avoided another unpleasant pear incident (go see my review for Honeyed Pear Tart if you want to know more).

I didn't review this in a timely manner, lost the decant, only recently unearthed it so I could retest it and write a review.

I got decants of all of The Lavender Kitchen scents (from both years), just for the sake of trying them all, although I would have typically avoided this one due to the fig.

Surprisingly, despite this being a figgy pudding, I'm not getting a ton of fig from this. This goes on as a blast of lavender, pomegranate, and wine, but the lavender is pretty quickly shoved into the background by the pomegranate and wine, and the scent quickly becomes about those two notes. There's one point where I can smell the fig, but it is pretty fleeting, and also quickly beaten back by the pomegranate and wine. I'm not getting anything reminiscent of a baked good here -- this is predominantly a fruity scent on me. But that could be my skin running away with the wine and pomegranate notes.

I didn't feel the need to upgrade this Lavender Kitchen scent, and I won't be keeping my decant, but I am glad that I decided to try it.

Passion's mouth and death's kiss. A chiaroscuro of scent, death's chill shadow entwined with the feverish blush of life. Black narcissus coils around spectral tuberose, sighing against a heart of spiced carnation and amber. A funeral drape of myrrh and styrax folds into the sweetness of candied violet, pierced by a dry crackle of papyrus and dust. On the skin, it smolders -- half funeral incense, half intoxicated bloom -- an olfactory waltz of ruin and rapture.

I'm one of those maker people.

How would you feel about a set of nice long armwarmer mitts?  I make them from thrifted sweaters.  Wearable art.  Any preferred colors? I have a new design in my sketchbook, that I'd  love to make for you.

I love armwarmers! Black and grey, black and white, black, grey, and purple, black and orange, or black, purple, and green would be neat!

I'm waiting for October to hit in order to grab some things local to me, but everything else is either on order or waiting to be wrapped up!

I bought this due to its scent and its intent, but I'm only reviewing the scent right now.

Golden Honeycomb goes on as a blast of lavender and honey on me, but the lemongrass quickly emerges and becomes the dominant note. It remains that way for a while, with the honey and lavender lurking behind it, but eventually, the frankincense emerges and slowly overtakes the lemongrass to become the star of the show by the end of the day. I was worried about the fennel in this, but fortunately, I'm not getting anything remotely licorice-y here. I'm not familiar enough with mastic or styrax to comment on the prominence of those notes, and I don't smell anything reminiscent of celery, so that's nice.

I'll be hanging onto my bottle, and I look forward to trying it out for its intent!

I'm reviewing the scent and not the intent for now.

The sweet orange is the strongest note at first, backed by the dragon's blood resin, but that note quickly overtakes it and then dominates the scent. It doesn't smell like the spicy floral version of dragon's blood that the Lab sometimes uses, or the deeper, more resinous one that I get from scents like Third Eye Extraction and Draconic Bedtime Stories -- no, it smells like the stick incense you would find at a metaphysical store or a records shop. I'm not familiar enough with the root notes to really comment on those, although I think I can smell a bit of them whenever I put my nose close to my skin -- just not in the throw. The orange is quick to fade after the wet phase of the scent, sadly -- I really wish it had stuck around!

I just wanted to get a review up for this since I think this will be going down with the next Lunacy after the Crow Moon scents are taken down, even though this doesn't take into account the scent's intent. I'll update my review if I do have any future commentary about using the scent for its intended purpose, though!

This was one of the b-side duets that I was most looking forward to, but alas, it wasn't a win on me.

I can smell the dandelion at first, get a bit of something akin to champaca incense for a bit with it, and then it just becomes a cool, powdery sort of scent on me. It is giving off the same lotion-y vibe I got from Lavender Buttercream (a previously released b-side from a few years back). Maybe that's the butter aspect of the dandelion? I'm not familiar enough with sweetgrass to really comment on that (it doesn't smell like the sweetgrass I've smelled in perfume and wax products from other vendors).

I won't be needing a bottle of this one as I just can't see myself reaching for this other my other dandelion loves (Wild Dandelion SN, Honeyed Weed and Dandelions, and Venus Verticordia). But if you used up your Lavender Buttercream and would like a similar scent, give this one a try.

I enjoy the fruit notes in this (the passionfruit is the strongest of the fruits on me), but I'm not really jiving with the candyfloss note, which mingles with the fruit notes and reminds me of children's vitamins.

I wish this were just a duet of the fruits, sans candyfloss.

Do you need any storage for BPAL bottles or imps?

I'm all set for now! (I currently have two unused faux book storage boxes.)

Is there a tarot deck calling your name?

Not at the moment!

Could you please be more specific about what kinds of socks you enjoy wearing? 

I'm good with ankle, crew, and knee-highs.

Would you be interested in any Tokidoki? https://www.tokidoki.it/ My kiddo collected for awhile and we have numerous dupes of older series that might love to tag along in your package. 

Maybe one of the Sanrio collabs (especially if there's Pompompurin) or one of the Peanuts ones.

This smells good, but it doesn't really remind me of Nutella. The hazelnut in this is nutty, but it also has a bit of a cherry aspect to it, although not as much as some scents with almond or pistachio notes. The marshmallow lurks behind the hazelnut at first, but quickly becomes the main player; it's a floofy marshmallow note, and it smells delicious. I only get a faint dusting of cocoa behind these notes, so if you go into this wanting something akin to Nutella, you might be disappointed, but if you're all about nutty hazelnut (with a slight cherry edge) and floofy marshmallow, then this will be right up your alley.

I don't think I need a bottle of this one, but I think I'll hang onto the decant.  

I received a tester of this as a frimp in a decant circle.

The pineapple note here is very realistic, but the hot honey note doesn't really remind me of hot honey (I can't imagine drizzling this on a piece of pizza). I'm getting a champaca-infused honey note from this, which doesn't go with the pineapple, to my nose. Although the pineapple note is in full force at first, it is the champaca honey that reigns after a few hours of wear.

It was fun to get to try this, but this is definitely a scent for fans of heady honey notes.

Well, there is no way to even come close to sunshinedaisybliss' epic review, but I'll post mine just because I like to review whatever I try (which helps me keep track of what I've tried).

Neapolitan Goth is definitely an ice cream scent, but the strawberry is the star of the show on me. I haven't had freeze-dried ice cream before, but I've pulverized freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor to incorporate them into buttercreams and rice krispie treats (I've made strawberry ones and matcha strawberry ones), and I believe the strawberry in this has a freeze-dried quality to it. There's a creaminess along with the freeze-dried strawberry representing the ice cream. I can smell the vanilla part of the ice cream after the scent has been on the skin for a few hours, but the chocolate in this is really subdued. I get a hint of the cola-like labdanum and the clove in the background, but neither are main players on me. The strawberry is in full force throughout wear.

I don't think that this is something I need a bottle of, but I'll probably hang onto my decant to wear during the summer months.

Do you burn candles / would you like to receive one?

I do burn candles and am currently on a ban from buying any more myself, but that doesn't mean I would be against receiving one. 😆

Is there anything you'd like from Lush?

(I have a whole slew of things from recent sales, like gift boxes with Sleepy scented products.  They are good until 2026.)

No, thank you! 

Are you interested in having some of this year's homemade peach or (some kind of berry) jam?

Jams are my jam!  

Do you like plushies, like Squishables?

I do, but prefer the smaller ones, especially the ones that can be turned inside out and are two buddies in one!

Do you like caramels?   We have a local caramel maker who vends at our farmers markets.  Any of these flavors sound good?  https://jonboycaramels.com/collections/buy

I do, but would only want a small amount; the fleur de sels sound the best to me.

My son makes mead, would you like to try a sample?   Samples are in recycled nip bottles, about 50ml - OR I could do a 5 to 12oz.

Technically he makes a lot of "melomel" which is mead with fruit (blackberry, huckleberry, blueberry, raspberry) and sometimes "cyser" which is a melomel made specifically from apples.  Also sometimes he does "metheglin" which is mead made with spices and/or herbs -- like chocolate orange peel (made with cacao nibs from Theo Chocolates.)  I keep trying to get him to make a rose or lavender vanilla bean one for me.

The Irish Cream mead your son made that you once sent me was divine. I'd be down to try more mead!

We made rose petal liqueur and lavender vanilla liqueur; are you interested in having a sample of either?  Samples are in recycled nip bottles, about 50ml - OR I could do a 5 to 12oz.

Roses and lavender are both from our organic garden, no spray.

I've already been blessed to have both, but I wouldn't say no to more.  

Is there anything specifically Pacific Northwest or Seattle themed that you would like?  Local coffee, smoked salmon (vacuum sealed and shelf stable),  local tea (Friday Afternoon Tea, Market Spice, etc.),  local chocolate (Theo Chocolates, Maeve Chocolates, Boehm's Chocolates, Frans (also salted caramels), etc.), Huckleberry scented or flavored things, lavender scented or flavored things (there are SO MANY lavender farms here), honey, Seattle mug/shot glass/postcard/keychain, blown glass ornament or pike place pig, spice from spiceology, Bigfoot / sasquatch related items, Dick's Drive In kitsch, grocery bag that has PNW on it, something from Pike Place Market or the Space Needle, Liberty Orchards items (like aplets and cotlets), etc.   

I enjoy Friday Afternoon's teas, chocolate, huckleberry things, ALL THE LAVENDER, and would be down for some local honey.

Maeve Chocolate (formerly Seattle Chocolates) has "seconds" bags; are you interested in some imperfect chocolates?  Which flavors?  https://maevechocolate.com/collections/truffle-chocolate-bars? 

Pumpkin Spice Chai, Apple Cider Donut, and Rainier Cherry sound good.

Do you have a favorite kind of truffle or "candy counter" piece that you like?   (Turtles, seafoam, orange jelles, peanut butter cups, butter creams, clusters, chews, chocolate covered fruit or nuts, espresso beans, fudge, malt balls, english toffee, marzipan, rocky road, etc.)

I don't think I have a favorite... maybe fudge?

If you're sugar-free, do you want chocolate sweetened with maltitol or other alcohol type sweeteners?  How about stevia?  Boehm's has a selection of https://boehmscandies.com/product-category/sugar-free/.

I'm not sugar-free and prefer things made with actual sugar. I dislike the taste of stevia.

How many food items would be too many for your package?   If it's all different brands of chocolates from Seattle, honey, mead, liqueur, caramels, jam, etc.  is this a bad thing?   

I have a Taurus sun and a Taurus moon, so there is no such thing as too many food items.  

Well, I'm glad I snacked on some chocolate before answering Twi's questions.  

An oil of prosperity poured under the auspices of Venus in Taurus, this blend draws in abundance to nurture joy, ease, and pleasure. It attracts and multiplies the funds for creature comforts: soft sheets, warm blankets, exquisite meals, sparkling trinkets, and playful delights — the things that make life sweeter, softer, and brighter.

Pillow Fort and Petit Fours was crafted to invite comforts that delight the senses, a talisman for life’s little luxuries. An oil of indulgence and ease–but not of indolence or waste — it invites and sustains pleasure, encouraging abundance that enriches rather than clutters. Utilize it to draw in the resources that make life sweeter, cozier, and brighter, not merely to accumulate, but to savor. Pillow Fort and Petit Fours celebrates life’s delights, reminding the wearer that ease, joy, and comfort are worthy pursuits. This is Venus smiling upon the joy of living well.

Ground allspice and allspice essential oil (Pimenta dioica), cacao nibs, shells, and absolute (Theobroma cacao), cardamom essential oil and pods (Amomum subulatum), red clover from the TAL garden (Trifolium incarantum), wildharvested benzoin gum and essential oil (Styrax benzoin), marshmallow leaf, flower and root from the TAL garden (Althaea officinalis), French jasmine absolute (Jasminum grandiflorum), motherwort from the TAL garden (Leonurus cardiaca), orris root and absolute (Iris germanica), ground nutmeg and essential oil (Myristica fragrans), patchouli root and essential oil (Pogostemon cablin), red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus), tonka bean (Dipteryx odorata), vanilla bean and absolute (Vanilla planifolia), wildharvested blue vervain (Verbena hastata), yarrow herb and essential oil from the TAL garden (Achillea millefolium), reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), honey absolute (Apis mellifera), CO2 extract of butter, and ylang ylang essential oil (Cananga odorata).

This oil contains honey and CO2 extract of butter and is not vegan.

Crafted to cultivate loving warmth when the world grows bitter and cold, this oil offers stability where chaos reigns, a steady center in tumultuous times. It is the scent of sanctuary, the gentle embrace of soft light and velveted comfort when sorrow weighs upon the chest.

Born for these dark, challenging days, it brings solace, relief, and a grounding presence amid uncertainty. Deeply nurturing and tender, it is an oil of safety and succor, a refuge from the storms of the world. Hearth and heart in perfect alignment, Dulcedo summons love that nourishes, support that steadies, and kindness that soothes.

Wildharvested benzoin gum and essential oil (Styrax benzoin), cardamom essential oil and pods (Amomum subulatum), chamomile essential oil and flowers from the TAL garden (Matricaria chamomilla), red clover from the TAL garden (Trifolium incarantum), hops flowers and essential oil (Humulus lupulus), jasmine buds absolute (Jasminum grandiflorum), angelica root and essential oil (Angelica archangelica), orris root and absolute (Iris germanica), motherwort from the TAL garden (Leonurus cardiaca), passion flower (Passiflora incarnata), vanilla bean and absolute (Vanilla planifolia), yarrow herb and essential oil from the TAL garden (Achillea millefolium), Bulgarian rose absolute (Rosa damascena), honey absolute(Apis mellifera), CO2 extract of butter, and ylang ylang essential oil (Cananga odorata).

This oil contains honey and CO2 extract of butter and is not vegan.

A ritual perfume enlivened under the auspices of Venus exalted in Taurus, her throne of verdant abundance. This perfume oil is both adornment and offering, ensuring that your vessel shall remain replenished, that beauty and sustenance may move toward you with effortless grace. A spell of nourishment and provision, crafted so that the needs of your spirit, body, heart, and bank account alike are fulfilled and sustained. Wear to magnetize support —financial, emotional, mental, material, and sensual — so that your needs are not only met, but met abundantly. An ally for those seeking stability, comfort, and a steady inflow of resources without strain.

Angelica root and essential oil (Angelica archangelica), wildharvested benzoin gum and essential oil (Styrax benzoin), cardamom essential oil and pods (Amomum subulatum), red clover from the TAL garden (Trifolium incarantum), feverfew from the TAL garden (Tanacetum parthenium), French jasmine absolute (Jasminum grandiflorum), lemon balm flowers and essential oil from the TAL garden (Melissa officinalis), meadowsweet flowers front he TAL garden (Filipendula ulmaria), marshmallow leaf, flower and root from the TAL garden (Althaea officinalis), Moroccan orris root and absolute (Iris germanica), patchouli root and essential oil (Pogostemon cablin), passion flower (Passiflora incarnata), rosehips from the TAL garden (Rosa rubiginosa), red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus), vanilla bean and absolute (Vanilla planifolia), wildharvested blue vervain (Verbena hastata), yarrow herb and essential oil from the TAL garden (Achillea millefolium), lemon verbena from the TAL garden (Aloysia citriodora), honey absolute(Apis mellifera), CO2 extract of butter, and ylang ylang essential oil (Cananga odorata).

This oil contains honey and CO2 extract of butter and is not vegan.

This goes on as a blast of lavender and citrus. I think the citrus note that I'm getting most prominently is the tangerine. As these two notes calm down, I end up with a metallic musk that actually isn't super sharp or cologne-like like most metal notes tend to be, and during this phase of the scent, the throw is much closer to the skin than the lavender and citrus heavy one (which is weird, as I've never known metallic notes to be subdued). I think I may get a bit of the white frankincense beneath the metallic musk, but I fortunately can't pick out the lilac.

I really enjoyed the lavender and citrus phase of this scent, but I didn't like this as much once those two aspects faded away, so I don't think I'll need more than my decant, but I'll retest it after letting it rest for a few weeks just to be sure.

I've tested this a few times and have also deathmatched it with a few scents.

I was hoping to be able to definitely say, "oh, this is a match up of this and this!", but alas, I cannot make any such claims.

Bloody Apple Tart is primarily a spiced, baked apple scent. The cinnamon coating the apples fortunately did not burn my skin, and I believe the apple note is something akin to the roasted apple in Lambs-Wool. The blood note in this definitely has some cherry, and may have a bit of red musk (although I'm not positive on that, because I usually amp the stuff, and the spiced apples were the dominant aspect of this scent on me throughout wear, although there were times when I felt there may be a bit of that in there). I deathmatched this with Blood, and I don't think this is a spiced apple holiday scent mixed with that, as this definitely lacks the dragon's blood and sour myrrh from that blend. I also deathmatched this with The Tell-Tale Tart, thinking maybe this could be a mash-up of the spiced apple with that scent, but while they both have cherry, The Tell-Tale Tart definitely has a lot of red musk, the crust of the tart is more noticeable in that one than this one, and I'm not getting any strawberry or currant here.

This isn't something that I need more than a decant of, but I do think the apple note is really nice, and I'm curious to read other reviews speculating about the bloody part of this tart.  

As many of you know, one of my baking specialties is eclectic varieties of shortbread. I think I made pumpkin lavender shortbread for someone last year, I've done spiced orange, chocolate orange, lavender peppermint (a surprising hit that I now make annually). I could do something with rose, a wide assortment of spices, citrus rinds, etc. Anything sound interesting (as an early reveal day zero gift most likely)?  

All of those sound great, but especially the lavender ones! 👀 I actually haven't had pumpkin and lavender in a treat, as much as I love the combo for scents, so that would be pretty exciting.  

You talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts;

And when you can no longer dwell in the solitude of your heart you live in your lips, and sound is a diversion and a pastime.

And in much of your talking, thinking is half murdered.

For thought is a bird of space, that in a cage of words may indeed unfold its wings but cannot fly.

There are those among you who seek the talkative through fear of being alone.

The silence of aloneness reveals to their eyes their naked selves and they would escape.

And there are those who talk, and without knowledge or forethought reveal a truth which they themselves do not understand.

And there are those who have the truth within them, but they tell it not in words.

In the bosom of such as these the spirit dwells in rhythmic silence.

When you meet your friend on the roadside or in the market place, let the spirit in you move your lips and direct your tongue.

Let the voice within your voice speak to the ear of his ear;

For his soul will keep the truth of your heart as the taste of the wine is remembered

When the colour is forgotten and the vessel is no more.

Rhythmic silence: black tea and myrrh, frankincense and parchment.

Your friend is your needs answered.

He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.

And he is your board and your fireside.

For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.

When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the “nay” in your own mind, nor do you withhold the “ay.”

And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;

For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.

When you part from your friend, you grieve not;

For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain. And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.

For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.

And let your best be for your friend.

If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.

For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?

Seek him always with hours to live.

For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.

And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.

For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

The warmth of shared meals, the pleasure of shared laughter, and the hidden language of sweet, comfortable silences: warm bread, roasted chestnut, oakwood smoke, sparkling bergamot, lentisk resin, and honeyed labdanum.

Violets and wild lavender, tender and crushed with longing, spun sugar dissolving into memory, a fleeting exhale of soft musk, and a trace of myrrh.