Ahania

For not having any cinnamon in it, this smells very much like it! I guess the mix of the pepper plus the sweetness from the caramel is giving it that sort of scent? In any case, it goes from wet to drydown without getting much more complex than that- cinnamon, pepper, and sweet. It doesn't scream caramel like I'd expected, just sweetness. A nice pick for someone who wants to smell like chai, but it's not for me.

I just tested Symmakhia, and it's one of the happiest scents I've come across in a long time. I'm going to be getting several bottles.

In the bottle and wet on my skin, this is a very sophisticated pear.

As it dries, the pear continues to be a strong player, but the other notes come out as well. This scent is exquisite, beautifully balanced, and very, very happy. "Ally in Love"- perfectly captured.

This is a soft, warm floral scent- definitely purple! The amber grounds it and adds complexity. Unfortunately, something (iris?) is making the perfume go soapy and my nose go itchy.

Fresh, this smells exactly like Jean Nate after bath splash! After about an hour, the crisp floralness goes away and this shifts into a warm honeyed rose.

When I was little and afraid of monsters, my mom used to spray Jean Nate in my room at bedtime- she called it Monster Spray, and said it would keep them away. I hadn't even thought about that in years, but this brings it right back.

This actually doesn't smell too bad! If I hadn't joined a decant circle with complete sets, I would never have tried it, because plum always goes awful on me. (I can't tell you how long it took me to get over the heartbreak.) It's not particularly thrilling, but it's all right. The sandalwood in here is really pretty, if it were more dominant this would be a keeper.

A sweet, light white floral. The plumeria, I think, gives it a slight touch of fruitiness and adds some fullness to the overall scent. Unfortunately, after about five minutes wear it goes soapy. Another Ode to test in the locket.

It's fascinating to see all the different GC comparisons for this one! When I first put it on, it was really strong, sweet orange blossom. Once it dries and that calms down, it smells a lot like Siren, minus the clothes-meltingly-sexiness. For some bizarre reason, though, I'm getting a top note of harshness. Maybe the amber is too fresh for me? In any case, even without that harsh bit, I prefer Siren.

My very favorite tea is lavender Earl Grey, so I had high hopes for Pontia. It starts out super-strong, in your face pure lavender. After about half an hour, that calmed down some and the bergamot made an appearance to balance things out, and it smelled exactly like that tea! Mmmm! ...but then in another fifteen minutes it was nearly gone. I'll have to try it in a locket- if the bergamot comes out and the whole scent stays around, I'll be getting a bottle, but if the bergamot doesn't make an appearance, I won't be getting any Pontia. *fingers crossed*

In the vial, this smelled sweet and watery. On, I don't get any coconut, as the tobacco flower has assumed absolute power and is now making the other notes pay protection money just to hang on to their lives. It's also going cloyingly sweet and soapy. I had high hopes, with that note list, but it's just not meant to be.

Yup, it's a Yule scent. I was going to second War (the GC one), but since you're going for fresh scents, I'll second Szepasszony.

That list of notes screams The Salon to me. I'd suggest you start by looking through those listings, and also check out Lucifer and Dracul.

Lucifer (this is a retail-only Salon, but you can probably find a decant if you post in the wanted forum): Indonesian red patchouli, amber, oak wood, pimento berry, fig leaf, and vetiver

Dracul (Diabolus): Black musk, tobacco, fir, balsam of peru, cumin, bitter clove, crushed mint, and orange blossom

According to basenotes.com, Acqua di Gio pour Homme has:

Top Notes

Jasmine, Rosemary, Hespiradic Notes.

Middle Notes

Persimmon Fruits, Marine Notes .

Base Notes

Cedar, Patchouli, White Musk, Rock Rose.

I assume that hespiradic notes indicates hesperidin, which is a flavinoid in citrus fruits. I tend to avoid citrus, cedar and aquatic notes, so I'm no use in making suggestions for something like this, but maybe this list will help others with suggestions, or help you as you peruse the catalog. Good luck!

Who knew that having my flesh eaten would be so wonderful? This is exactly what I had hoped Gingerbread Poppet would be- if GP had about fifty years to age, I think it might turn into this. I don't really get the rum, but that's fine because it's perfect how it is! The spices are warm and cozy.

In the bottle: mmm, cherries and dirt. Like Death Cap but fruity instead of vanilla. I couldn't have asked for it to be better!

On my skin: Holy schnikes tobacco. Where's the lovely cherry? Where's the lovely dirt?

So I tried my scent locket yesterday, since that usually replicates the in-bottle smell pretty well for me.

In the locket: Cherries, dirt, and musk! MMMMMMM, I love this! I need moar! Moar!

Two hours later: tobacco rears its head, laughing evilly at me. It taunts me. Imagine Daniel Day-Lewis as tobacco, and he keeps going "I sock your nose!"* Plus it set off my allergies.

*I think DDL is hot but no one is hot enough to do this to me with impunity.

Gelt makes me think that El Dia De Reyes and Velvet got down and dirty, and had a kid that was vaguely disappointing, like if Brangelina's twins ended up needing nose jobs or something. I know that a lot of my reaction is that I had such high expectations, but it's still a bit of a letdown. I love how amber ages, though, so I'm going to stock up just in case it turns into what I wanted it to be.

Why do I not have Hetairae?!?

fairhall, try a blend of Queen of Hearts and The Red Queen. Both have cherry, but it seems to fade pretty quickly.

QoH: Lily of the Valley, Calla Lily, stephanotis and a drop of cherry.

RQ: Deep mahogany and rich, velvety woods lacquered with sweet, black-red cherries and currant.

... and I think Day of the Skulls is very similar to Kostnice. It's more floral, but close enough that if you miss Kostnice, you should definitely give it a try.

I think that The Day of the Skulls smells very similar to Kostnice, slightly more floral, but if you miss Kostnice, definnitely check it out.

From basenotes.com, the notes I found for Emeraude:

Top: Bergamot, Lemon, Orange

Middle: Jasmine, Rose, Rosewood, Ylang-ylang

Base: Opoponax, Benzene, patchouli, Sandalwood, Vanilla

This list isn't ringing any bells for me, but maybe it'll be useful for someone else, or if you feel like searching the lab's listing.

No luck on a note search for Xia Xiang.

I got some votives on ebay because this thread had me dying of curiosity. They came today, and I'm going to guess: melon as the dominant note, white musk, citrus (not orange or lemon, maybe white grapefruit), and a little mint.

Maybe try mixing Shattered with Yemaya or 51.

I like how Lampades smells, but I can't wear it because it makes me feel like something bad is going to happen any second.

In the vial I get a little bit of rose. As soon as I apply it, the beeswax and frankincense take over, with a faint hint of florals underneath. I was worried about the tobacco since it tends to bother my allergies but I didn't get it at all. It is glorious and solemn, and reminds me very much of Kostnice, which I suppose makes sense considering the subject.

Les Fleurs du Mal and Twilight are my favorite floral scents. I also really love Wings of Azrael.