artisjok

Strong sandalwood, befitting the name Little Wooden Doll. The sandalwood is lightly perfumed by rose, a gentle rose, maybe because it’s really the amber that is perfumed. I don’t get a very obvious amber note until late in the wear, as the powdery smooth wood dominates so much. The rose slowly merges more and more into the wood through the wear, until I can’t pick it out too well. It’s a very pretty, girlie sandalwood scent, true to the theme, I even get a soft sense of melancholy.

Iago, man, Iago is a masculine man. This leather is the type that I don’t really enjoy. Not sure if it’s because of the other notes, but it’s too... aquatic in a sense. Not actually aquatic, but in a way it’s a strong leather that is like the dark depths of the ocean. Very much a cologne vibe, and way too far on the masculine side for me. Nothing to warm it up, nothing to whisper in my ear, just an imposing force breathing down on my neck. This would pair well with the Strong in His Entreaty hair gloss. Now that I’m looking at that, it might be the combo of this leather & vetiver that makes such a masculine cologne scent. *shrugs*

I’ve got a bottle of Devil’s Night 2009 and a decant of 2011. ~2009 is a cinnamon-y musk, that gets boozied up and spiced down on the drydown. It’s got some sweetness, and I could imagine something like a touch of leather in it. This could be those bonfires... yes, now I’m sure it’s smoke. ~2011 begins with some dead leaves and a candy sweet booze, it dries down to more of a sugary musk with a splash of beer. None of the smokiness I get from 2009. I’m glad my bottle is of 2009, as it works better on me. Both of them give off the sexy aloof vibe to me, and I like wearing it at night when I’m feeling a bit rebellious or metal haha. Or when I want something sexy, yet subtle. It does fit cool weather and Halloween vibe more than any other season. I’m hoping to try 2016 sometime, as it sounds delicious!

Plunder is a cacophony of nose-tickling cinnamon spice! There’s a bit of complexity from the other spices, though not much. It does seem to sweeten slightly as it dries down, and it becomes kind of musky and dusty in the end. I’m assuming that’s thanks to the sandalwood. Overall, it’s just too much cinnamon for me, and the dry down isn’t very appealing to me. Maybe I can later with a stronger black tea and see what happens. For now, it’s just not a scent for me!

Galvanic Goggles is strongly metallic and cologne in the wet phase. The musk quickly takes its place, a lighter musk, akin to golden more than white though. The tobacco flower is like a light hint of tobacco, I don’t have much familiarity with the flower. The balsam comes in and the whole combo becomes a bit chewy and musky and I’m really enjoying it. The metallic notes are still present, and they serve to fancy up the smoother notes and bring a bit of brightness. It’s more of a masculine-leaning scent, and feels rich, like money rich. I might keep the imp specifically for business meeting type experiences, as a scent totem for my self worth. (I deserve money. I AM money!)

Waltzing Matilda has such a weird wet phase. It starts out really gourmand, kind of nutty, then it quickly shifts into an almost spicy note. It’s reminiscent of a bell pepper, yet not. Must be the earthy note mentioned by others... In the drydown it totally transforms into a perfumey dry vanilla with a bit of fig. I like it. Even in its wet phase, I’m compelled to keep sniffing my arm to figure out what is going on. I like a scent that keeps me interested.

I’ve been craving some good figgy scents, so I was excited to try Measurement of the Soul. I am getting primarily cedarwood and white sage, yet there’s a bit of sweet fig bringing a bit of balance to the outdoorsy feel. The ti leaf is apparent while wet, it blends into the sage quickly. The fig does gain some over the other notes with wear, yet the throw is dramatically reduced by this stage I can’t enjoy it as much as desired. I’ve been enjoying some fresh scents recently, and this is definitely one to slather when I want to surround myself in a clean aura.

A creamy salty fresh scent, an aquatic that doesn’t go straight to sharp soap... so grateful they exist! The Sea Foams Milk is delightful in its freshness. The milk does seem a bit vanilla-touched, especially in the drydown. There’s a mid-point where the aquatic takes over, and I got worried. Thankfully, the creaminess comes drifting back in with the tide and resumes it’s soothing effect. I definitely want to keep this imp for those hot sticky Summer days, where showering doesn’t seem to have any effect. This sea foam will. It will remind me of blue water and the calming tunes of the waves.

When I pulled out the Queen from my bag of imps today, I was not feeling almond. Color me surprised when I decided to go ahead and slather, I’m enjoying her immensely! With all those fabulous attributes, how could I not.... The honey and spices kept the almond from being too... almond. Ahaha, yes. It’s almost like a gourmand Morocco, with the spices, just not as creamy/powdery on me. The almonds don’t go cherry on me, and they actually linger a long time, unusual for the note in my experience. Definitely befitting such a smart queen figure, for it totally roped me into loving an almond experience when I was feeling so adverse to it. Glad I took the plunge. I’m remembering back in my early BPAL days, this was a favorite of my imps (forgotten amongst the avalanche of scent experience), and I see why! Keeper, keep her~

Bits of Birnam Wood is yuuuuummy. Sometimes, apple can be too high-pitched, shampoo/perfumey, especially as the primary note. Here I’m getting that perfumey note, yet it pairs so well with the mashed & wood notes that make an almost caramel-esque effect. It’s like eating baked apples under an apple tree while wearing an apple perfume. Truly a combo of all the apple goods. I’m glad the reviews convinced me to get a decant, and I’ll be treasuring it this Summer when I want to smell delicious. Oh, and it lasts a good while with some throw. A total win for my scent-thirsty skin!

Okay, so I know Masquerade is patch/orange blossom, but, sniffing blind, I totally though I was smelling the perfume version of Hedonism BO (it’s ylang ylang with the patch there, + citrus & myrrh). Makes sense, and I recommend the pair to anyone who loves heady florals and rich & woodsy, not funky, patchouli. Orange blossom and patchouli takes turns leading the scent on my skin, and I never really get ambergris, yet the carnation’s spice peeks out in the later drydown. I don’t think I’ll keep this imp, yet I’m glad to know it exists, in the case I get really into sultry floral blends.

Blood Amber claws it’s way into my nostrils, a screaming dragon studded with flowers, almost soapy as dragon’s blood can be on me. It’s high pitched and fierce for the first 30 min. Then, amber shows up and winds it’s way around the dragon, petting it’s head and diluting the screaming rage with some resinous powder. There’s a transition here that is too powdery for my liking, yet the notes end up balancing. They come to terms with each other and I’m left with an enticing feminine incense. It’s surprising me how I love this final stage, comparing to loud wet stage.

I’m getting a musk (I’m thinking it’s the “vegetal” like in Inferior Vena Cava), sandalwood, a light dusting of cinnamon or cassia, and a dab of patchouli from my Server Gremlin. There must be some other resin in there, yet I’m not sure what. I could see a smooth oudh. In the very beginning, there’s a greenish feel to the scent, but it gives way quickly to the other deeper notes. I don’t get any ozone or much zing, though I would believe ginger now that I’m sniffing the late drydown. I vaguely remember frimping an imp of this at one time, and I’m glad I got another to try. It’s fabulous! Definitely in my wheelhouse of favorite note combos.

Raccoon Moon is a treat, bright citrusy snow and evergreen swirling together. I think the osmanthus this is contributing some fruity tartness, from my experience of Sanctus (it’s the only scent where I’ve been able to distinguish the note).There’s a smear of dirt/woods gently supporting, not at all strong. The drydown is more of a soft white floral cozied by the musk, though a hint of the brightness still touches the edges. I took a chance on a bottle, since I’ve been loving the snow note recently and my birthday was day after Full Moon. Totally worth it, and totally unique among my collection!

Manhattan swings in with GRAPEFRUIT and white tea, then the lemon peel steps in for grapefruit after a few minutes. The amber seeps in quietly, and I notice the leather’s subtle presence. I’m realizing the orchid has been blooming all along, too. Everything is so well blended, apart from high tea & lemon notes, that I’m having difficulty prying their characters apart. The teakwood must be present, since I think “Is there wood?,” and I swear I notice wood when I didn’t before. I just thought, “ I guess mint is the only one I don’t smell (or imagine).” Yep, now I think I smell mint. Ahaha The combo of brightness with orchid and the darker notes is compelling. The way they blend so seamlessly has my nose glued to wrist. Definitely upscale and could be totally sexy in the right outfit. Manhattan is one of my favorite GC scents, and I recently got a friend hooked on it. I’m starting to find orchid is a favorite floral.

Magus is a cedar forward scent, though sweetened by frankincense and softened by sandalwood. I’m not familiar with the scent of the other two, yet internet links galangal to ginger, and I can sense a sweet sparkle similar to ginger. It does have a certain magical feeling, like a wooden room, smooth with age and infused with all the essence of spells and secrets devised within it. I’m enjoying the sweet cedar tone a lot. If it works well on my partner, my magician, it’s bottle worthy.

Brown Jenkin is dry, sweet, and cozy, and I’m so happy to have it slathered. I’m not sure how much of the dry is sandalwood and how much is orris, yet it works really well with the coconut. The nuzzling is definitely that musk, which is probably what really makes this scent for me (love a snuggle musk). The incense only slightly peeks out later in the drydown for me, well entwined with the others. I don’t really go for coconut scents, but the Lab sure knows how to spin them to my liking. Maybe it’s only a mental construction I hold onto tightly, and in reality I love smelling like coconut... Curious, indeed. Definitely keeping imp. I’d totally bottle this furry baby.

Fae is the lightest peach scent I’ve tried. It’s Slightly sweet, a bit powdery cozy from the musk/oakmoss combo, not high-pitched at all for me. I’m pretty sure the heliotrope is coming through a bit, yet not really getting bergamot. The musk is the most prevailing note, though the peach lingers longer than I expected. I can see this being the scent of a fairy princess figure, yet I would hope for a wilder, more sparkling yet deeper scent for the Fae. An enjoyable though, pretty and feminine. I’ll probably send it to a new home, as it’s not my personal style.

This crocodile is woody! At first, it’s a pretty balanced chocolate mint & cedar. Then, the cedar AMPS and is a bit funky for some reason (on its own? because of oak moss?). The mint stays present, and the cedar tones down a bit and loses the funk (phew!). There’s a creaminess from the vanilla and chocolate and/or pistachio, yet neither are revealing themselves completely. I’m quite enjoying this gloating reptile. Indeed, he’s a cheerful one, and I’m feeling content to smell like him on this warm sunny day~ *wanders off to spritz some Tombstone HG and play outside* update: I’ve been thinking of the “chocolate mint” and realized I have some planted in my garden. It’s not too much different from peppermint, maybe a little smoother.

El Dorado brings to mind an old-fashioned Catholic Spaniard. I recognize the copal resinous and slightly lemony. The gold (?) is bringing a cologne vibe. So, I’m getting the resinous church incense entwined with a masculine cologne. It feels dusty with age and maybe too much condemnation, or just a general wearing away at belief with time and monotonous ritual. I always think I’m going to love copal, as I do love burning the resin, yet it doesn’t seem to like my skin chemistry too much. It fairs better on my partner. El Dorado doesn’t like me much either.... although I do like the romance of a search and promise of adventure, I’m not so excited about the gold itself.

The Scales of Deprivation is an upright scent. I feel like a calm, strict, yet compassionate teacher would wear this. It’s a fougere for sure, very refined. I pick out the sage easily, and a bit of the lemon peel in the early stages. The vetiver starts to peek out as it dries. I don’t get a whole lot of resin, maybe a touch of frankincense, yet it’s difficult to discern from the touch of lemon brightness. The sandalwood becomes more apparent with wear, and I agree with the fuzziness. I start to notice the lavender more, and the sage is still prominent. The longer it wears, the more “me” it feels. I would totally use this in meditation or to keep myself composed through some tedious task. It does defy the description, as starbrow says. Definitely keeping my imp, and would consider more!

Cairo is thick lemon sweet on me, and I’m thinking lemongrass or something, because it’s powerfully long-lasting. Honey would fit the sweetness, especially as it conjures the throat lozenge comparison for some. I tested blind, and didn’t think wine or grape at all. It reminds me of a lemon-heavy Arcana, so I know there’s frankincense, and others have mentioned rose, and I could see that, or rosemary like Arcana. It starts to become quite powdery after a while. It’s interesting and I like the strength. I have a bottle of Arcana, though, and I am more connected to it’s theme, so I doubt I will reach for this in the future. Potentially good for oil burner on cleansing days....

Mary Shelley is a classy gal. I don’t get much ozone or lightning, I get absinthe and flowers, maybe a touch resinous, that dries down to something like black tea and a sweet floral touch. I like it! Not sure how much I will wear it, as I have other loved black tea scents I only occasionally grab.

If O Love and Time and Sin is the aftermath of sex (sweaty, gritty, dark, and delicious), Spellbound is the phase before the act. It’s got the heavy red musk attraction, yet there’s a lighter tone with the ambers compared to the opoponax. The roses are more present and in form, rather than crushed and strewn about the bed sheets. I adore both scents. They’re both heavy and sensual. I really have to feel like I’m in my body and power to fully appreciate wearing them. Funnily, I accidentally slathered OL&T&S last night before bed, when I thought I was putting another scent on. Then, this morning I grabbed a random GC imp & Spellbound was the first. Talk about serendipity...

With the heavier notes in Queen Alice, I was surprised to find carnation came through the strongest on me. Wet, the cider is entwines with the carnation’s spice. The cider burns off quickly, and it’s fresh carnation petals back by posie and a light touch of the wine. I totally thought the wine was going to drown everything, so this is a treat. It’s mainly the sweet floral and after a while the whole scent winds down to a soft cozy wool. I do wish the treacle came through, as I like those chewy thick sweet scents, yet I’m more pleased with the scent than expected. A lovely experience!