forspecial_plate

The Ladies of the Grindhouse have been a tricky bunch for me. I've had trouble predicting which ones I would like, and I thought I might like this scent more than I do. I have to admit I tried it while testing a few other scents, and Cytherea kind of got lost in the maelstrom. There is a dry, papery quality that I'm guessing comes from orris and/or white sandalwood. I thought that with vanilla, champaca, and kush, the scent would be more rich and substantial. Usually champaca takes off like crazy on me but I don't remember smelling it at all. Mainly this reminds me a bit of Heavenly Love And Earthly Love, with less incense and more powder/floral notes. It's also very faint on my skin (but, again, it might have been crowded out by the other scents I was wearing). Generally I don't like the scents that remind me of paper, so this would not get much wear from me, I'm afraid. More for everyone else to love and hoard. : )

I can't add much here, except I agree with pretty much all the reviews before mine. I really enjoy this scent, although I've only worn it once so far. It's deep and somewhat dark, musky and fruity at the same time, kind of like Antonino. I got the same initial burst of fig that others mentioned, which backed off and let the other notes come forward after just a few minutes. I can definitely smell the orange and myrrh, blending oh-so-beautifully with wood and light, warm spice. This is just a great, sexy scent. I can easily imagine a man or woman wearing this one. I just have a sniffie now but I am going to need more! I remember why I was wary of this.....I thought that with dark myrrh and black musk, there would be at least a little powder going on. That is not the case. Somehow, I'm not getting powder from this at all!

At first I wasn't sure about this one. I put it away for a couple months and now, I'm glad I have it! It's reminiscent of a couple other scents like Minotaur and even Tiki King, a little bit. But this scent definitely has its own personality separate from those others. It's a deep scent that I would call masculine, with spices, musk, and a little wood. The throw is really strong for me and lasts a long time. When I first wore it, there was something almost powdery but thankfully that aspect has backed off since I received my bottle. Definitely a scent I'll be wearing again.

So far this is the clear winner from the newest CD scents, in my book. Very light and smooth, golden and polished. It reminds me strongly of Aureus, without that scent's sharper wood notes. When I wear Bezoar I can barely smell it, but sometimes that's a good thing. I do think I can smell the hay note, and I really love it. Makes me wonder if perhaps I should have grabbed a bottle of Hay Moon when it was available. If I didn't already have a whole bottle of Aureus, I would definitely be getting 5ml of Bezoar. As it is, I might just get it anyway. Edit: After a couple more tries, I've decided like a few others that this is just a mite bit too faint. I love the cardamom, I really do, but today I applied heavily and could barely smell the scent unless I sniffed up close.

This turned ultra-powdery on me, in the worst way. It reminded me of one of the Dogs Playing Poker scents, His Station With 4 Aces I think? The one with lilac (which doesn't make sense, since I don't think they have any notes in common). I like some leather scents but unfortunately not this one. I tried it twice just to be sure. I really don't smell the leather, pepper, or sandalwood, as far as I can tell. All I can smell is powdery, flowery sharpness. Not a winner for me!

This is an odd little scent. When I tried it on yesterday I didn't have the description handy, but I knew I had it on my list to try. I smelled the almond, definitely, and a lot of fizzy alcohol. Ultimately, it didn't quite come together for me. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't something I'd wear again. Just a little too sweet and boozy. I think I was interested in about half the notes, and I could pick them out, but overall this wasn't a favorite for me.

I really like this, which just goes to show I don't know what I like any more. I thought I was pretty much done with the sweet scents, except for a few old favorites that I never get tired of. But this smells great. I like the simplicity of it. And mostly it reminds me of almost buttery vanilla with maybe a touch of coconut (even though there's no coconut). It's a sexy scent, and it reminds me of summer. So, out of all the Tiki scents that I tried, this one is the surprise winner so far. I still want to try the ashy one (Moai?).

I got lucky and landed an unexpected decant of this. After the rave reviews, I really wanted to try it even despite the honey. This scent goes through some changes as I wear it. For the first few seconds, it's just plain odd.....kind of savory/foody like Indian food or something. But as it settles on my skin, it becomes rich, woody, and wonderful. I love the way it smells for a while......I'd say, maybe an hour. It's just deep, somewhat dark, and somewhat complex but well blended. Then, after a while, the honey note really settles into my skin and kind of takes over. It's unfortunate because it's a note I really don't often get along with, and I was so hopeful that for once it was going to work. It's just too much honey after a while. I'm definitely going to hold onto my decant and try it again from time to time, if only to get that first stage of rugged beauty.

This smelled so, so good for the first half hour or so. I really like the myrrh, and I think the carnation just adds a touch of spice. I was absolutely sure that I would need a bottle. I didn't find it foody, more like woods and resins, and a little spice, and to me the perfect example of gender neutral. After about a half hour, the scent just went flat on me. At that point I mostly smelled vanilla musk, and the other notes just kind of faded into the background. I'm glad I got to try a friend's bottle, and I might have to get a decant for myself, just because that first short while was so incredible, and I'm sad to give up on this scent.

Here's the 1 other review I found for this blend: On a whim, I bought this from ebay, and I'm quite glad I did! Not sure if it was supremegoddess that sold it to me, but if so, thanks, lady! : ) This scent is incredible. It definitely, absolutely has a component from Snake Oil and Tamora, which I guess would be amber. It reminds me strongly of the Snake Pit scents, and if this were one of them, it would be the lightest of the bunch. It's kind of plant-like, but there's also either an anise note or possibly leather....something you can only smell close-up. The throw is like a light, powdery cross between Snake Oil and Buck Moon. I've never tried Ivanushka but I imagine it might smell like this. My problem is I've gone off Snake Oil lately. I've been getting more powder than usual from the scent and it gets a little cloying after a while. Undoubtedly I will come around to loving it again, so I'm very very happy that I found this little gem. I can't wait to share it with certain local friends and hear their take on it! : ) Edit: wanted to add, this doesn't have vanilla. I get why supremegoddess called it spicy, but to me that comes off as amber. It's like a stripped-down Snake Oil with some light springy elements layered over it. YUM.

For lovers of Red Moon (the newer one, from '07), you should try The Maltese Cross of Sanctus Germanus. Compared to Red Moon it's a little stripped down, and maybe slightly more cologne-y, but definitely in the same family. In other words, yum. : )

Wow, the Blockhead surprised me a little.......I think I was expecting a quirky novelty scent but this is really quite 'wearable'. I thought the pink bubblegum would be too much, but for me it's actually subtle. This scent is reminiscent of New Year's Eve In Dogville, it has some of that masculine/feminine interplay. Kind of perfumey and cologney, at the same time, with a sugary element from the bubblegum that's almost effervescent. To be honest I forgot about the rusty metal note, when I first tried it. I knew it had leather but I couldn't smell that so much, either. Maybe just a little bit but nothing like Quincey Morris which is mostly leather for me. I'm also reminded of La Befana (which I didn't care for) and to a lesser extent, Sugar Skull (which I love). I imagine that Bulgari Black might smell something like this (I never tried it), and that's one of the reasons I wanted to try the Blockhead. But I think the Blockhead is probably better! Edit to add: I think some people will end up really liking this even though they wouldn't have expected to. I know that's how I felt! But obviously I had a hunch so I'm glad I have some.

Oooh, fun topic! I have a few thoughts...... Samhain...."Truly the scent of autumn itself -- damp woods, fir needle, and black patchouli with the gentlest touches of warm pumpkin, clove, nutmeg, allspice, sweet red apple and mullein." Samhainophobia...."The fear of Halloween. Menacing Haitian vetiver, patchouli, and clove with a shock of bourbon geranium, grim oakmoss, and dread-inspiring balsams pierce the innocuous scent of autumn leaves." I agree that Burial would be good. As for non-floral, I'd possibly recommend something like Djinn, Troll, or October. Maybe even....... The High Priest Not To Be Described....."Monastic incense, blood musk, black leather, cypress, pimento, white pepper, and Roman chamomile." Sinister and brooding, but maybe a bit refined for Michael Meyers? but at least it's available in the general catalogue. I know there are lots more, I bet others will have good rec's.

Well I would have sworn I've reviewed this but apparently not. It's an unusual scent, mostly woody with a heavy undercurrent of green-fruitiness. Not a whole lot of throw, more like teasing little wafts of wood. I think the fruitiness comes from both the olive leaf and raspberry leaf, and it's almost like a deep red wine. And of course the vetiver flirts with the cedarwood. Cedar can be too sharp sometimes but it's softened up nicely here. Overall, yet another scent I will hold an imp of and let it age. I could definitely be in the mood for this from time to time.

The Gay Pride festivities are next weekend, and I'm already thinking about what to wear. It will be hot, sticky, and sweaty, and possibly raining. So that probably eliminates anything light or ethereal as it would be just sweated off in a short time. Midnight On The Midway....this would be good because it's so strong on my skin. Would stand out in a crowd, for sure....also it reminds me of suntan oil that I used to love, so on a sunny/hot day it would be great. Stimulating Sassafras Strengthener......even though this is on the lighter side, it's quirky and unusual, and I know I wouldn't smell like anyone else! : ) Ile De La Tortue....to me this is a humid and sultry floral scent, with none of the bad things that florals can do (no soap, no powder). Scarecrow.....I wore this again recently. I had an imp a long time ago, but swapped it away. Something about the scent just stuck in my head and I bought another imp, and I'm glad I did. It's still slightly odd if I sniff up close, but the throw is amazing and unusual. Definitely the scent of a hot, dry day. This might be more of an August scent than June, but still it's good. Death Adder.....or maybe Snake Oil.....something from that family, might fit the mood. I think I'll put on Midnight On The Midway and see how I feel about it on a hot summer day. I haven't worn it much lately.

I pick up on the fir and eucalyptus mostly, when I smell this. I can tell the other notes are there. Overall the scent is very subtle and doesn't stay on me after the shower is over. But I also started smoking again so maybe my nose is just deadened. : / I didn't really smell white ginger or plum, specifically. Not much fruity about it. I love the high quality of this soap. Very nice, moisturizing with soft suds. I think it's a good soap for hot weather, as it has a slightly bracing quality. I'd like to try the oil when they come out!

I'd suggest layering Shub with Dracul. Smiling Spider is a good comparison but the clove is too loud on me, and the overall effect is sour-ness (whereas I love Count Dracula).

I've said it before, but I really like some of the heavier blends in the summer, especially red musk scents. Something about that note just goes with the sultry weather, and also those scents last and last through the heat. Corazon is the first to come to mind.....I love it in hot weather. Also Mme. Moriarty, Lust and Sin. Maybe it's a psychological thing. : )

Just for fun, I opened this w/out knowing what it was. I knew it was something from my new Imp-pack, but I didn’t look at the label, and I can’t remember the new descriptions yet anyway. The blind review: "First on: very tart and citrus, dry like a citrus peel, not juicy. Very nice and crisp. After some time: Golden resin and/or metallic notes start to rise majestically above the citrus. Beautiful transition. Something slightly soapy starts to come out, too. Not a huge throw….just strong enough. Yum. I hope the soapy doesn’t keep getting stronger, as sometimes happens. Still later: I’m thinking this is Galvanic Goggles. It sure isn’t the Antikythera Mechanism. Later: Well, this has settled comfortably into something like Satan And Death With Sin Intervening, except with metal instead of woods. It’s golden and citrus with gotta-be some resins, and probably some metallic notes. I think the metal is where the ‘soapy’ is coming from. It didn’t get more soapy, only slightly less as the dusky resins came forward. Almost dusty, but maybe you could say “time-worn”. This could be worth a bottle, I’m quite sure it will age with much grace and beauty." When I read the description again, I wondered where the heck I'm getting citrus out of this?? I was really curious about the Indian musk, and I think I was hoping for a substitute for Black Lace which turned way too soapy. Maybe Indian musk is soapy? Anyway, this is a great scent, and I'll be wearing it again for sure.

I can't resist reviewing this even though I just got it today..... It starts out with a rush of sweet vanilla and sassafras, almost too sweet and rich, like a root beer float. But after just a few minutes, the notes settle down and start to interact, and it really is great. Light and effervescent, but the oak leaf comes forward to give the scent a solid backbone. I'm with Tartchef.....I thought of Glowing Vulva, but much lighter, and not powdery which that scent verges on. Nearly a "Root-beer flavored Glowing Vulva"..... ....but more than that (where else can I get away with typing that, and everyone knows what I mean??). The butter note is really not heavy to me at all.....I can smell little flashes of it, and it's more like a butter vapor to my nose, which sounds totally weird, but it makes sense in the overall composition of the scent. Bottom line......Laudanum is still my favorite sassafras scent, and I already have a big bottle of that, so I don't need more of this right now. But I am tickled pink that I have an imp! I want to always have this around for when the mood strikes me. It's a stimulating concoction, indeed.

First impressions, possibly to be edited or added to later..... At first sniff, yep, this is my beloved Djinn, but also not! I agree that there's a big presence of vetiver in the scent, and that there's more going on here, more complexity (than Djinn), something a bit sweeter lurking in the background. After reading Reaver's review, purple was the color that kept coming to mind. I couldn't decide what kind of notes were buried in there......musk? incense? Um, flowers?? Maybe not. After a long while, this stays pretty strong. It becomes something like a sooty smear of a scent, making me think of aromatic charcoal, but good, not acrid or unpleasant. I kept thinking of a beautiful high-grade charcoal making a matte black smear on pure white paper (no paper notes in the scent, just an image in my mind), with the finest coal dust at the edges. The kicker is that I already have a well-aged bottle of Djinn, and Smokestack really is close enough that I don't need bottles of both. I'll definitely enjoy exploring this scent again, though.

I can never quite figure out what fig actually does for my nose. I can't seem to pick it out in blends. Maybe some day I'll get to try a fig single note. When first applied, there is a sweetness to this scent, but also a gritty texture, just like the description reads. This is not nearly as fruity as I would expect, reading the notes. Actually the scent as a whole is very faint in the wet stage. Later as it dries, the herbs seem to pop out and it reminds me of the sage in Corazon. Overall, very herbal, slightly sweet, and mostly enjoyable. I like it enough to keep the imp and wear it again.

Tiki King is mostly wood and musk on my skin. At first I was a little worried because it's almost powdery. But I've tried it a couple times and I think I really like it, maybe not for everyday wear, but something to definitely hold onto. The wood reminds me strongly of Mort De Cesar, and I agree with the post that mentioned sandalwood....it reminds me a lot of sandalwood too. I think this combined with black musk is what makes it seem slightly powdery. But it works for the scent....I could imagine this would be great for special occasions. The lemon is a slight accent, and the coconut seems to be just barely there, a supporting note. Maybe after some aging these will come out more. Overall, I'm happy with my bottle. It's a unique and compelling scent. The power of the Tiki King compels you! : )

I love the wet-stage of this....almost tart, floral, but complex. As it dries, it starts to turn on me, sadly. I think I smell champaca, because there's a bit of faint banana in there (which that note seems to always do to me). This reminds me of Ile De La Tortue, but I like that scent a lot more. Tavern Of Hell is sweeter, almost cloying. And as it dries, it becomes more.....gritty or something. Something is just not working for me here. If I'd never smelled Ile De La Tortue, I might really like this. It's not terrible, but I prefer Ile when it comes down to it.

I tried this w/out checking notes first. I've had it on for less than 10 minutes, and I'm going to break my own rule. I'm reviewing it w/out waiting, or trying the scent again later. I already know I can't wear this again. It's a pretty scent, don't get me wrong. It's not noxious or offensive. It just smells like soap to me. 100% pure soap. On first application, I noticed jasmine right away, which I'm generally not opposed too. But I'm betting there's a lily note, too. Lily amps up into shrieking soap territory for me, not every time, but more often than not. Anyway this isn't for me. And I bet it won't wash off (because the sharp soapy notes tend to cling to my skin like nobody's business).