blackfelicula

In the bottle: Bon Vivant smells like strawberry: the kind in fluoride treatments or the kind scenting toys. Wet: The strawberry has toned down somewhat, and the champagne is coming out. The mix is very fruity. Drying down: The strawberry continues a slow decrescendo, as the champagne swells. The word effervescent is appropriate for this scent. It is helpful for this overcast autumn morning. I usually use Imp to similar effect, helping me wake up and lending extra energy. Dry: This is sweet and bright, even bouncy. My husband says it smells like Pez floating in ginger ale. I agree with that scent association. Its sweetness is rather candy-like, but that only adds to its effect. Later: The happiness of Bon Vivant does not last forever. After a few hours, it has faded considerably. It was fun while it lasted!

In the bottle: Kindly Moon is sweet and bright, crisp and cool. Wet: This is a gentle floral with golden overtones. Drying down: The combination reminds me of a honeysuckle blend. So far, the scent is true to how it was in the bottle. Dry: This reminds me of the golden-orange of a moonrise. It is soft, sweet, and cool. Later: This is like a darker, gentler, more floral version of Et Lux Fuit. The scent wafted up at me all day, bringing a smile to my face each time.

In the bottle: I smell lavender in this imp, and something creamy and woody. There is a bit of soapiness too. Wet: This has a clean smell to it, but it is not as invasive as the soapiness in the imp. It is a wet scent. The lavender is just discernable over the other notes. Drying down: I get the impression of fragile flowers crying. The combination is almost evocative of the scent of apple. It is an interesting combination. Dry: The apple-like scent remains. The flowers meld together in a delicate mix. Beth has done it again: another floral frimp that proves that I can get along with flowers and wear them well. Later: This is light, but enchanting. I will be wearing this again.

In the bottle: I can smell the myrrh, and an undertone that resembles patchouli and opium. Wet: Earthy and resinous. There is something sharper in there that is making my nose tingle, probably the vetiver. Drying down: This is thick, sweet, and heavy. It is certainly evocative of its name. Dry: It is interesting how similar this is to Laudanum, and how different it is from Czernobog despite the notes. Later: Sloth lives up to its name. I just had a glorious nap in a pile of cats, the scent of Sloth wafting around me in a perfect reflection of my lazy mood!

In the bottle: Sadly, the imp of Moon Rose smells like soap to me. Wet: Much less soapy, thankfully. The rose is understated, mellowed by the other notes. I’m not generally friendly with roses other than the ones in Maiden. This one is still a little on the sharp side to my nose up close. Drying down: I had some work in the kitchen and the notes wafting up at me were much gentler. I can picture a delicate white rose that only opens in the moonlight. When it’s open it seems to glow from within. In the day, it shuts tight and has almost a violet tinge to its bud. Dry: This is still sharp if I try to stick my nose to my wrist. Its moderately thrown scent is where it shines. Later: I really should not judge an imp by its in-the-bottle scent. The cloud of gentle rose surrounding me is rather pleasant. It is not one for which I would go out of my way for more, though.

In the bottle: To me, Hetairae smells like spicy fruit in the imp. Wet: It is spicy, yet the ylang ylang cuts through that. The ylang ylang is not as loud as it usually is in a blend, but it is nonetheless vying for center stage. Drying down: This blend is golden and bright, yet grounded and earthy. The fruity scent and the ylang ylang give it a twist. It is like close harmonies that are almost dissonant yet still beautiful. Dry: This has become a spicy delight. The scent is sweet and fruity, yet glowing gold and savory. It has an earthy touch that is not root this blend too deeply. Later: It went a little soapy, but not enough to ruin the overall appeal of this scent. I’ll likely use the imp, but not buy a big bottle.

In the bottle: The imp of Black Lotus smells like a mix of fruit bubble gum and myrrh. Wet: I did not realize lotus was so sweet. It is not quite bubble gum on me, but it still bears a resemblance to it. I can catch the amber and myrrh, as background notes. Drying down: The myrrh is rising to the surface. Mmm. I am a fan of myrrh. The scent is still sweet and lush overall. Dry: The scent has taken on a dustiness that is likely the sandalwood. It is very evocative of a black river blossom in an oasis amid an arid land, twisted and corrupted. It is interesting how this one morphs. Later: It has stayed pretty true to its scent when dry, but my skin has sweetened the darker notes some. It is an interesting scent, but I am not certain it is “me.”

In the bottle: Black Phoenix in the imp smells like cherry cola. There is a resinous and slightly soap-like undertone to the scent. Wet: The cherry scent is still prominent. There is a heady note that seems familiar from walking past department store perfume counters. Something sharply herbal is rising to the surface now. Granted, I was up late last night, but my eyelids are feeling suddenly heavy. Drying down: The resinous scent is reminding me heartily of myrrh. Something in here is reminding me of Van Van, perhaps lemongrass or sweetgrass? There’s a flower in here that’s tickling my nose and soaping up the mix. It may be rose, it reminds me of the tea rose oil I have from another company. These are just guesses. My nose is not good enough to know for sure. Dry: There is an undertone that is like play-doh. The resin is still holding its own, though the scent that reminded me of Van Van has faded. The flower is quiet now, and the soapiness has quieted with it. What is left reminds me of what the result would be if someone found Schwarzer Mond beaten to unconsciousness: silent, defeated, its secrets stolen by force. Later: The play-doh scent is gone, as is what smelled like Van Van. The floral is now nonexistent, as is the soapiness. Another scent has welled up. I cannot quite place it. Ambergris perhaps? Whatever it is, it has turned it into something sexy. There is still a resemblance to Schwarzer Mond, but this time the Schwarzer Mond is primping for a date with Tombstone. I think it is worth the wait to get to this point.

Strong florals are not my friends, so I am uncertain what I will find in this imp. In the bottle: In Maiden, I smell carnation first and foremost, reminding me of Valentine’s Day in an all-girl school where the flowers exchanged were for friendship. Rose seems to be hiding behind the carnation. Wet: Wow, the rose is quiet in this blend. It is there; I can tell it is there. This is the antithesis of the cloying roses I am used to smelling. Even the carnation has settled a bit now that it is on my skin. And again, wow. The white tea really seems to be the main note so far. Drying down: Beth is making an understatement when she calls this blend gentle. It has moderate throw, but is not nose-wrenching in any way. Dry: The tea melds with the carnation and rose to produce a subtle, gentle spiciness on my skin. It is, quite frankly, beautiful. I laughed outright when I saw that the Lab had sent me Maiden: I am not pure or virtuous, nor do I get along with flowers. I was stupid. This is the most gorgeous simple floral blend I have encountered. Thank you, white tea! Thank you Lab for sending a frimp of Maiden to encourage me to try it. Later: The throw fades rather quickly on my skin. Wait! Come back! I want to sniff you some more! Edit: OK, so it faded from what it was after drydown, but now there's this sweetened, lingering, light scent that makes me happy to smell it still hanging on where I applied it. I'd need a reapplication if I wanted anyone not hugging me to notice it, but it is lovely anyway. I need to edit my wishlist; this blend has me hooked. Beth is a genius. This is such a lovely on me even though I am usually a resin, honey, earthy, incense, spice, and wood girl. Even if you detest rose, try Maiden anyway. Its youthful sophistication is worth it.

In the bottle: In Black Pearl, I smell sweet coconut and flowers. In other blends I have not gotten along well with coconut, so I am a little leary. Wet: It is nuttier now and less coconut. There is still a touch of floral scent, which must be the iris. It is a warm yet slightly damp smell. Drying down: The musk is coming out more, as is the iris. The coconut and hazelnut work together to take the brightness out of the iris. It is rich and beautiful. Dry: I find this blend interesting. The combination of notes is unexpected, yet blends well into smooth, creamy, dark beauty. The downside: my husband smells only coconut, and he is not fond of coconut. Later: This faded during a couple hours worth of errands. It was fun while it lasted, softening and sweetening a touch on me before fading.

In the bottle: To me Centzon Totochtin smells like a mix of butterscotch and chocolate with the same peanut-butter-like scent I found in Blood Amber. When I set the open imp down to type, I could suddenly smell rum. Wet: The cocoa is coming out more. The blend is smelling less like peanut butter and more like tobacco. What smelled like butterscotch is now a boozy rum. Drying down: It is spicy and bitter, yet it is also foody and sweet. I am not quite sure what to make of this blend yet. I am pretty sure that if someone could make and market a “chocolate incense,” this is what it would smell like. Dry: It is a dry scent, a unique combination. This is spicy too, energetic. It is earth and fire in a combination that I am finding hard to ignore. It is not turning into a candle on me like other rum scents I have tried. It is rich. I could picture wearing this to a ritual and getting a lot of power off it. Later: It is fainter now, drier and sweeter. Spiced chocolate is the predominant scent, though it is complex and intriguing to my nose. If I had judged it based on its in-the-bottle scent, I would not have put it on. Yet this is a blend I will return to.

In the bottle: As I sniff this, I get a lot of “almosts.” It is almost spicy, almost floral, and almost fruity. It seems light to me. Wet: Interesting. The fruit seems to be taking the lead with a strong supporting role from the opium. I still smell flowers, but they seem to bolster the scent of the fruits rather than detracting from them. Drying down: Though I like the scent, it is threatening to go soapy on me. It is curious how the combination reminds me, just a little, of dragon’s blood. Dry: Like the Marquise de Merteuil that I tried yesterday, this combination of fruit and floral keeps my interest. Blood Countess is spicier, yet still sweet. Despite the soapiness I get when I stick my nose to my wrist, I heartily enjoy the complex combination wafting around me. Later: OK this faded altogether too quickly on me. I guess I get along with some of these fruity florals. Spicy fruity floral, in this case. I liked it enough to reapply before my appointment, and to keep sniffing it when I have a free moment since.

In the bottle: Marquise de Merteuil hits me with sweet, almost fruity, florals. Wet: There is an herbal undertone to it that comes out more when I put it on. I get an occasional waft of peach. Drying down: I usually do not get along well with florals, but so far this blend is behaving nicely. It is not as quiet as Zorya, but it has a darkness that is similar. The vetiver is not strong on me. Scents seem to both warm and sweeten on my skin. This one is no exception. Dry: Taking a sniff up close, this floral is just a touch on the strong side for me: my skin makes it push into the realm of soapiness. However, the scent that’s wafting up around me is sweeter and more intriguing. It feels expensive and confident. Later: I will have to try this one again. On the one hand, the soapiness and my shyness make it not for me. On the other hand, the confidence boost and sweetness bring me back to it.

In the bottle: When I sniff the imp of Dance of Death, I smell patchouli and myrrh. Mmm. Wet: The musk shines when I put it on. I also get a powdery, dry scent that is just a bit spicy. I bet that’s the orris. The orris and patchouli meld beautifully, leaving the musk and myrrh to dance in a swirl of delightfully rich darkness. Drying down: Interestingly enough, the orris takes the lead. Woody, dry, with a touch of spice. The other notes are present, but playing a supporting role. It really is quite beautiful. Dry: Dance of Death reminds me of a gorgeous incense I had at one point: woody and resiny, rich with musk. The notes do have a “dancing” quality to them, at times one or another taking the lead, the others in stately formations around it. I want a bottle already! Later: The orris and musk are going a bit powdery. I like powder, though, so that is fine with me. The myrrh and patchouli are quieter now, but it is still a delicious blend.

In the bottle: Ephemera is very floral. This smells like something my mother would wear and enjoy. Wet: The rose is amping on me. I think my nose is not well tuned to picking out floral notes. I cannot pick out any of the others. Drying down: It warmed up, pushing into the realm of soapiness. My husband thought it smelled like a lot of women’s perfumes. Dry: It is still a bit on the soapy side, but the rose faded into the background. I do not mind it as it is now. It still reminds me of my mom’s taste in perfumes. Later: Ephemera has acquired a stale-floral dusky undertone. My skin does not do well with most florals, and this is no exception.

In the bottle: Black Moon smells like a dark, dewy floral. It is almost aquatic, but I think that’s the cucumber and pear. Wet: Oooo. Something is warming the blend up just a touch. It is still mostly floral, but there are just enough other notes to capture my attention. Drying down: This almost smells like a very fruity dark red wine or cordial to me, like an intense-but-shy gothic girl who is just drunk enough to come out of her shell. Dry: This might be too floral for me to pull off, but its dancing-after-midnight quality has me entranced. To put a color on it, it is the garnet-but-almost-black of the aforementioned wine. The musk in it is gorgeous. Later: Over time this sweetened, bringing out the pear. On me this is a fruity floral. My husband said it is not something I would usually wear, and I agree with him. Yet there’s something compelling about this blend. I will be trying it again.

In the bottle: Cordelia smells like a mix of white florals and lemon on first sniff. Second sniff has a feel of green and something smooth. In the bottle, the mix is very well blended. Wet: The lilac and the cedar are coming to the forefront and the lemon is taking a step back. I’m not getting much of the wisteria, which is sad since the wisteria that grows on my street haunts my thoughts every summer. Drying down: The scent is warming up a bit, which on me smells like soap: generic I-just-took-a-shower soap. That is too bad. I liked what it smelled like when it was wet. Dry: It is still soapy on me. It is not a disgusting soapy, just not one that I would go out of my way to smell like. Once in a while I get wafts of some of the notes, which is nice. Oddly enough, this scent goes rather nicely with the soundtrack to the movie Kundun that I have playing at the moment. Later: It sweetened into a pleasant-enough musky floral, but the extended soapiness was off-putting to me. Ah well.

In the bottle: Chrysanthemum Moon smells dreamy and heady, thick with spice and poppy. There is some floral to it, but the floral comes across as a relative of resins. It is also husky, like the sexy purr of a contralto talking dirty to you. Wet: This is an interwoven dream of a scent. The flowers sing out a bit when wet, just enough to tickle my nose but not enough to turn me off. I catch a whiff of something herbal, but then it settles into tune with the rest of the notes. Drying down: This one is much sharper with my nose glued to my wrist than it is when I am sitting up normally. Dry: It’s a spiced and druggy, heady floral, wedded to the earth with just enough resin to make my smile spread. I feel like a jazz diva wearing this. It makes me want to sing sultry sex. To me, this is a feminine blend for a strong, confident woman who knows what she wants and how to get it groveling at her feet. Later: The scent sweetens and settles out a bit over time. It also takes on a musky, smoky character. I am glad to have a bottle of this.

In the bottle: I smell peppery patchouli with rich, resinous sweetness. It is a thick, luxurious, and slightly druggish scent. Wet: Wow, the resins come out in force when I put it on, and I love resins! It is sweet, exotic, and definitely dark. It is rich beyond belief. The patchouli, though at the forefront in the bottle, is only subtly lending its voice to the mix. Drying down: I feel that Schwarzer Mond is appropriate as keeper of secrets. I picture a robed figure quiet in a darkened room where the others are clamoring and showing their faces. Dry: The musk comes out more now, but the resins are still center stage. What a complex, esoteric scent. This keeper of secrets holds the wisdom of the ages, of death and rebirth, and the powers that come with that knowledge. I ordered two bottles of this one, and I am so glad of it. It is dark, resinous, and sweet without smelling like a headshop. I would count myself lucky if I walked into an occult shop that smelled like this. Later: My skin, as usual, has sweetened up the blend. It is still a deliciously dark and complex combination of resinous scents. It still gives me a feeling of restrained power. Love it!

In the bottle: High John the Conqueror strikes me first as a floral, perhaps sharing one or more notes with Aunt Caroline’s Joy Mojo. It smells bright and positive, perhaps a touch of aquatic damp. Wet: The brightness is almost reminiscent of citrus, lemongrass perhaps? It is greener now, more herbal than floral. It is a clean scent, which makes me hope it doesn’t go soapy on me. It is still has undertones of sweet and damp. Drying down: I’m getting an impression of greens and blues. There is an undertone that reminds me of what my pyjama shirt smells like in the morning if I had Noxema rubbed into a sunburn the night before. That undertone is rather muted and subtle. Dry: This does end up smelling like soap, but not that nose-tingling more-soapy-than-soapy scent that makes me abandon all hope of liking a scent. This is a clean soap smell. This would layer rather well. I don’t know if I’ll be able to gauge well how it works today, but we'll see. Later: It’s been a positive day wearing High John the Conqueror. I was able to be more laid back about having a house full of energetic kids. The scent faded into a lovely light floral. The flower is familiar, but I’m having trouble putting a name on the whiff. Definitely worthwhile.

In the bottle: Blockbuster smells spicy, almost cinnamon. There’s also something mellower and sweeter in the background. Some of the background reminds me of Van Van. Wet: This is still primarily spicy, but it doesn’t have the burn that cinnamon would. It is bright, energetic, and entrancing. Drying down: My nose still wants to say cinnamon, though it has no burn and isn’t as physically warm. The scent is warm, thrumming with energy. The sweeter scent beneath the spice reminds me of bubble gum, but it isn’t detracting from the rest. Dry: The sweetness is coming out more, but the spiciness keeps going too. The blend hums. Love it! I’m putting this on my “Want some, now!” list without further ado. Later: The scent has faded a lot (two hours later). My skin gobbles up scents. It bears a resemblance to some lightly-scented candles, but not to the point that it is cloying or artificial. There is still a trace of spice, but the softer aspects of this scent remain. So far today I’ve felt more energetic, and gotten some much-needed errands done. I feel more motivated. I’m going to reapply because I like the scent, but I hope it continues to help in other ways too.

In the bottle: Ooo, I get lime and citrus when I smell Whitechapel. Wet: Lime is definitely the dominant note in this one, though I can catch a whiff of something floral underneath. That must be the lilac. Drying down: I’m really enjoying the citrus of this. I think the musk is softening it just a touch. I think this is a wonderful scent for citrus lovers of any gender, though I can see how it would work nicely on a man. Dry: The lilac is getting louder than it was, and the musk is becoming discernable, but the blend is still primarily citrus. This really is a lovely balance. Do’h, my nose feels like it wants to sneeze if I sniff it up close. Eh, the occasional sneeze is worth smelling like this. Later: The citrus has mellowed more and my skin has amped the musk, after four hours. It’s still an enjoyable scent. I may have to put this on the list of scents I want 5mLs of.

In the bottle: Elegba smells like butter rum pushing into the scent commercial candles in butterscotch or caramel. Wet: I can catch a whiff of coconut and tobacco, but that candle-caramel / butter rum scent is dominant. Drying down: Something warmer and more herbal is rising up a bit, perhaps the tobacco. It is still on the candle-like side. Dry: Elegba has sweetened up some. My skin seems to do that to many scents. So far I can’t shake its resemblance to some foody candle scents. I don’t mind foody scents, but I’m not fond of many candle scents. Later: It is still candle-like. I’d wanted to like this one ever since I walked into the local Santeria shop and felt an affinity with Elegba. I’ll probably try it one more time, but I’m not fond of scents that are too candle-y.

In the bottle: This reminds me of an aftershave I have smelled: earthy, woody, and a little citrus. Wet: Mmmm, it hums yet it is relatively quiet overall. I’m thinking I like vetiver. This is deeper and more complex than the aforementioned aftershave (the name of which I am blanking on.) Drying down: The woods soften the other notes for me. To me this is a nice men’s scent. I shall have to convince my husband to anoint him with it. I can pull off masculine scents, but the ones that hearken to more traditional colognes are more difficult for me. There’s a difference between smelling masculine and smelling like I deliberately put on a men’s cologne. Dry: Incantation is still dry and dark. I find it comforting, like snuggling with my husband in front of a fire, buried in wool blankets. The word entrancing is fitting. It is beautifully earthy. I would love it if he smelled this earthy. It doesn’t have the floral touch of a lot of the gentlemen’s blends. Later: The woods stand out. The vetiver is still present, but muted. My skin has sweetened everything a touch in a way that’s almost tobacco-like. It smells like a very delicious men’s aftershave. I loved smelling it on my husband, but he said his wrist is getting itchy now. I hope he’ll let me try it on him again sometime.

I love the honey note in Et Lux Fuit. Yes, it has florals too, but they are so well-blended that I don't find them obtrusive even though I'm normally a spice/resin/vanilla/honey lover.