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Showing results for tags 'Halloween 2016'.
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Her strong enchantments failing, Her towers of fear in wreck, Her limbecks dried of poisons And the knife at her neck, The Queen of air and darkness Begins to shrill and cry, "O young man, O my slayer, To-morrow you shall die." O Queen of air and darkness, I think 'tis truth you say, And I shall die tomorrow; But you will die to-day. - AE Houseman A final confrontation, alight with black fire and poisonous smoke: incense and bruise-purple toxins, a tangle of thorny blackberries, and pale rage. I'm still not great at describing scents, so bear with me on this. In the bottle: My first thought was that this smells an awful lot like Lamia to me, but chillier and lighter. I don't for the life of me know why, though. maybe the 'pale rage' is Lamia's 'pale orchid' note or something, because I do get a vaguely floral sense from this blend (but maybe that's just the way the blackberries are playing in this one). Wet: Same as in the bottle. The only thing my brain can say is "this reminds me of Lamia, but it's not as dark". Dry down: I think I'm getting a hint of the blackberries, creeping around the edges of things. Overall, it's striking me as a light incense (and I mean light--most incense notes I've run into with BPAL make me feel ill, but this one doesn't) with a shade of sweet/floral. There's...something else there, too--whatever the "bruise-purple toxins" are, maybe? It's a little like A Brilliant and Ruby Colored Fluid in that I can tell there's something, but I really can't pinpoint what it is. For anyone who's like me and is wary of this scent because of the mention of "black fire and poisonous smoke", don't worry. I don't get anything smoke or burnt-smelling out of this blend. Overall, I feel like this blend really matches its name. This is the Evil Queen at her weakest moment--there are shades of what she used to be, the danger she used to pose, but they're fading. The incense doesn't knock you down, because she's the one who's falling. And she's pissed about it, but she's past the point where she can really do anything about it. EDIT: Oh, and since I forgot to mention: there's pretty good throw with this one; I get a strong whiff of the scent every time I move my arm. And so far I've been wearing it for about 2.5 hours, and it's not showing any sign of fading. This is probably a scent that I'll have to be careful with (again, oddly similar to Lamia this way), because a drop too much might be enough to push this over the edge and into "all of my coworkers can smell me coming down the hall" territory)
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A fair witch crept to a young man's side, And he kiss'd her and took her for his bride. But a Shape came in at the dead of night, And fill'd the room with snowy light. And he saw how in his arms there lay A thing more frightful than mouth may say. And he rose in haste, and follow'd the Shape Till morning crown'd an eastern cape. And he girded himself, and follow'd still When sunset sainted the western hill. But, mocking and thwarting, clung to his side, Weary day!-the foul Witch-Bride. (Aw, c'mon, Allingham. Foul is a pretty strong choice of words, dontcha think?) Pale and lovely, with eyes belladonna-wide: hemlock blossoms and ghostly nightshade veiled by wisteria, white frankincense, black amber, and narcissus resin. I'm at a loss as to how to translate the scent experience of witch bride to words so that you, the reader, could gain some understanding of how it smells and decide if it's something you want to seek out. sorry! I blind bought my bottle based upon the label art and the theme and the notes and I adore it. I don't tend to go for straight up florals, and this isn't that. there's a sweet and warm resiny base, and some light florals (my favorite bpal narcissus experience to date!) on top, and it's just a nice beautiful blend. I only detect the herbal notes if I look for them, and I may only be sensing them because I read them in the description. they are subtle and add a nice bit of complexity (spoken by someone who loves very herby winter stars and the waters of the well of wisdom). witch bride is light to moderate in strength. very addciting.
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Brown sugar cookies with fat chunks of cinnamon-dusted apple and swirls of caramel. This feels like a very apple crumble scent. Or, rather, the brown sugar/oats/cinnamon crumble part with a huge dose of unbaked green apples. Even to the point of green apple peel. It settles into a more rounded apple note, but the apple crumble vibe is still there. My skin eats it pretty fast, but it is a perfectly pleasant little perfume.
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Bonfire smoke rising through a cloud of ceremonial incense, encircled by swirling autumn leaves and a dribble of blood red musk. Wow. Very red musky. I smell this in A LOT of bpal scents to the point that they all blend in my head. I'm not really sure what red musk IS but to me it smells like a musk mixed with cherry or some other red berry. I smell a tiny bit of bonfire smoke and something a little musky but not unpleasant. This is a sexy scent. Another win on owning a bottle.
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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. In the Bottle: Ah, my beloved vetiver! And some subtle muskiness lurking beneath. On my wrist, wet: This is lovely. Warm and woody with a little bit of spiciness. The vetiver takes a back seat and lets the other notes come out to play. After 20 minutes: This is a warm, dark green scent That starts out rather strong and fades quickly to something soft and subtle. The individual notes are all present, but they reveal themselves gently. On my skin, nothing in this blend amps or battles with other notes. It's absolutely gorgeous and I will get another bottle with my next order.
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Illustration for Robert Blairs The Grave Rivulets of beeswax and amber flame illuminating a pale blue midnight, eddying with phantom violets, olive blossom, and moss. I'm surprised no one has reviewed this yet, it's just lovely! If you're a beeswax fan, definitely check this out. Upon application this is sooo much sweet beeswax. The olive blossom is the next most prominent note, it has a somewhat green sweetness that blends so beautifully with the beeswax, making this so bright and alive smelling. The violet is light, adding a hint of powder. I get no moss really, although I love it and was hoping for it, it's often present as a binding type note.. As time goes by the amber begins to show itself more, adding a delightful hint of spice. The brightness fades and this is a sweet, soft powdered scent with the nuances of violet and amber. I think this will appeal to fans of beeswax for sure, and also those who enjoy "baby sweetness" type blends-- soft creamy florals, body-powder like scents, skin musk, soft, snuggly, comfy blends.
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[No additional description given.] To me it smells like pixie sticks! Basically candy powder of various flavors. Some butterscotchy note, mostly while wet. Must test more.
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Upturned grave dirt, English ivy, black moss, drooping pine, dried cypress, blackthorn, and candle wax. In the bottle this smells very similar to Graveyard Dirt. Wet: this is really heavy on the Grave Dirt; its rich and damp and oddly sweet. I can smell beeswax which I'm guessing is what is sweetening the grave dirt. Dry: Grave Dirt fades back a bit allowing the other components to come through. Dark greenery, woods, beeswax, and a bit of camphorousness from the pine with that strange sweetness playing over everything. This scent is so odd but so compelling. I love its strangeness and know I'll wear it often in the Fall. It has a lot of throw.
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A symphony of deviance, darkly beguiling: blood musk, red sandalwood, aged North African sweet patchouli, urfa pepper, yenibahar, and Turkish carnations. I guess the closest comparison to this is The Woman in Black. Sprayed, it's definitely very red-musky off the initial blast, and then it definitely gets a bit more floral and is lighter in spirit than The Woman in Black. The spices are a bit lighter, and the patchouli is not 'dirty,' it adds a nice leafy depth to the red musk. The carnations are definitely a tickling high, fainter presence so they're not front and center. All in all it's quite a nice, spicy oriental floral, with emphasis on the sweetness as opposed to the spiciness. It's like... uh, I guess part of the spicy part of Morocco but definitely more forward on the patchouli, so it's not quite as smooth as Morocco. I hope that makes sense.
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In the vein (GET IT) of Boo, Suck It, and Spooky, this is a gushing font of sweet bloody black cherry cream and crushed dried blackberries. First review for this.... I am a cherry fiend, so this was a must buy for me. In the bottle: strong cherry cream. Very similar to the cherry in Ghoulish and Gothabilly. Wet on the skin: Same as the bottle. Very strong. No blackberry detected. Dry: this quieted down very quickly on my skin, becoming a skin scent within moments. Nearly a dead ringer for Ghoulish and Gothabilly, a soft cherry cream scent. No blackberry. I'm a bit disappointed in this. I have 4 bottles of Ghoulish, and I've a decant of Gothabilly, and so far this is nearly identical to them. I'm going to let this age in the hopes the blackberry comes out, and the strength increases. I won't sell it as I can always use more soft cherry fluff, but I was hoping for something different in this.
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Henryka Weyssenhoffa Terebinth, fir needle, and smoke. Sooo... I have no impulse control and I had to test it right when I got it even though I know I should have waited. Slathered it on and instantly was sad. It became old bathroom bar soap. But! I tried it later and it was much improved. I don't get much smoke from this, instead it really reminds me of the bloc na nollaig atmo (yuletide in a bottle). It has pretty decent throw but settles close to the skin after an hour or so. I might be wearing this more for winter but it has great layering capabilities for fall I think.
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Lyric night of the lingering Indian Summer, Shadowy fields that are scentless but full of singing, Never a bird, but the passionless chant of insects, Ceaseless, insistent. The grasshopper's horn, and far-off, high in the maples, The wheel of a locust leisurely grinding the silence Under a moon waning and worn, broken, Tired with summer. Let me remember you, voices of little insects, Weeds in the moonlight, fields that are tangled with asters, Let me remember, soon will the winter be on us, Snow-hushed and heavy. Over my soul murmur your mute benediction, While I gaze, O fields that rest after harvest, As those who part look long in the eyes they lean to, Lest they forget them. - Sara Teasdale A myrrh-darkened amber chypre sweetened by newly-ripened black pomegranate. The first sniff of this transported me straight outside to the depths of an autumn night. Granted the air outside doesn't smell exactly like resins and pomegranate, but what I really mean is that it evokes that feeling of a September (or October or November) midnight. This is a seriously dark pomegranate note, not nearly as bright as that in Persephone or The Fruit of Paradise. I love how this pomegranate is almost dark enough to be akin to blackcurrant, but still retains that characteristic "red" quality. This is the last pomegranate of the season, whose juice is as bloodred as the edges of an autumn sunset. The resins work to add depth on the drydown, which I can best compare to that same autumn sunset purpling and darkening before it succumbs to completely to nightfall. While the pomegrante note is perfectly balanced between sweet and tart, I believe the myrrh adds just a hint more sweetness--I tend to amp a subtle vanillic sweetness in myrrh. I feel September Midnight is the counterpart to Autumn and Winter, a prequel for what's to come as the days grow shorter and the nights deeper.
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[No additional description given.] In The Bottle: A rich "brown" musk. Wet On Skin: A sifter, sweeter musk. It's 'warm' still, but it's shifted. It doesn't have the feral, animalistic quality it had in the bottle at this stage. Dry Down: A far more subtle musk, considering how intensely it started off. It's still in the brown musk family to be sure, but it's less dense. Medium throw, sweet, I could see layering this with some of the more 'cold weather' scents, like Snake Charmer or Mme Moriarty. It's a single note for sure, but with a complexity that musk fans will love and appreciate.
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Crystallized glittering shards of lightly spiced pumpkin sugar. In the wet stage, this is a very sugary, lightly spiced (not buttery) pumpkin note. To me, it smells almost exactly like the Pumpkin Candyfloss note used in all the different scents of that name. As it dries, it smelled like lightly spiced white sugar with a hint of pumpkin. Yum!
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And where should the living feel alive But here in this wan white humming hive, As the moon wastes down, and the dawn turns cold, And one by one they creep back to the fold? And where should a man hold his mate and say: "One more, one more, ere we go their way"? For the year's on the turn, and it's All Souls' night, When the living can learn by the churchyard light. White patchouli leaf, beeswax, ambergris, and pale incense. The first thing I get off this is honey! Eeeevil honey. The patchouli leaf is super light, barely noticeable. I'm not too familiar with ambergris, but the beeswax is nice and prominent. The incense is there too, slightly smoky without being smoky and just a little sweet. I accidentally ordered two bottles and while waiting for my order I was mad at myself, but this is clearly a blend I want a backup bottle of. I highly recommend this to people that love honey or incense. It really is something special. Can't wait to try the rest of my Weenie hoard!
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Green chypre and clumps of moss with cypress, an oozing, sebaceous musk, and trampled dandelions. A mingling of greeny-green moss and cypress dominate the Zombie. The chypre brings an earthy -- not dirt, more figuratively earthy -- solidness. I get the dandelions. I'd hoped the note would bring a lilt of spring to what sounded like maybe a heavy blend, but that's not how it's working in this mix. It's more like a damp, grassy smell over it all, blending into the ponderous cypress-mushy moss tones. There's no smell of zombie rot, but there is dampness, a sense of greenery trampled down, sticking together. Good for the right mood.
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Pumpkin candyfloss with lavender, violet sugar, and a dash of mint. Ah! I love this!!! Initial blast of foody pumpkin (pretty much pumpkin pie!) and strong lavender. This pumpkin is not spicy at all; as I'm very sensitive to spicy scents. Within a few minutes, the lavender is almost gone and the candy floss comes into play. Pumpkin pie still the star here; with that candy sweetness that continues to linger in the background. I didn't get much of any violet or mint in this blend. I should mention that I'm not a fan of lavender normally, but this blend is a winner!
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1.5 oz gin ½ oz dry sherry ½ oz lemon juice 1 tsp pumpkin butter 2 dashes of Averna amaro Pour the gin, sherry, lemon juice, pumpkin butter, and liqueur to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake that mofo and strain it into a rocks glass filled with ice and a strong, spicy ginger ale. Stir gently, and garnish with a cinnamon stick or human finger bone. This is lovely! It's a bright, effervescent fizzy scent, reminiscent of the fizzy note in the atomic luau blends or perhaps velvet pink kitty. There is a light autumnal note in there from the pumpkin, but pumpkin haters take heart! It is not powerful. More it just adds a buttery richness to the scent. I love this and I see it being worn frequently.
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Ambergris accord and bleached woods with white tobacco. The ambergris is definitely front and center in this one. So if that is a love note for you, grab this.Now. This is beautifully sweet, musky, and warm. It's that nice almost salty skin scent. I do not get much of the bleached woods, and just a hint of warm tobacco. It's a dry scent, but not dusty. It is absolutely gorgeous and it has some nice throw and wear length. This is the most beautiful smelling hag imaginable.
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– from Acme Magazine, 1906 Rose dusting powder, night cream, and upturned, scattered irises. The Rose is very--I initially said heavy, but that's not the case-- on this one, but that's definitely not a complaint from me. A very powdery, dusky rose with a hint of very high-end moisturizer-- reminds me of my Shesheido night cream. This is in no way a complaint, it's a clean (can't over emphasize the clean) rose scent that is a little bit powdery. The iris shows up a little but in the drydown, but this is, overall, a nice new rose scent. Very different than the ones I have now, so I'm thrilled. a breath of fresh air from my most recent favorite, Elizabeth of Bohemia. Would recommend this to any rose fans!! Strong throw, lovely scent.
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A Kneeling Child Watching a Ghost, Devil, and Puppet Making Mayhem in a Room
VioletChaos posted a topic in Halloweenie
After: George Du Maurier A chaotic, clanging scent – shadowy, sweet, and discordant: black licorice and teakwood. Full disclosure: I got this for my partner, who adores black licorice scents. But while I'm not the 'target audience' in this scenario, why not test it anyway? In The Bottle: All black licorice, all the time. It's not overpowering, though, which surprised me. Wet On Skin: The teak is mellowing the licorice a little- smoothing out the edges, as it were. The black licorice is becoming more 'earthy' as a result. For me, this is a blessing, as BL generally sells like NyQuil to me, and this, blissfully, does not. Dry Down: A rich, smooth, decidedly "masculine" scent, the teak balances the licorice and makes it rich, earthy and even a bit sexy. In All: Possibly a black licorice scent for those of us that despise the note! At the very least, I will enjoy smelling this on my beloved without fear -
Slices of apple dipped in golden honey. Oh my gosh, could I be first, please. In the bottle its like a bright crisp apple just picked off the tree. Warm and juicy, the honey adds the perfect amount of delicious sweetness. Oddly enough, I don't consider this scent at all foody, but actually quite light, bright and delightful. On my skin, it remains true to the bottle. YUM! so good.
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[No additional description given.] In the bottle: Mainly the leather accord and bourbon vanilla; the dead leaf note and clove are barely noticeable. Right after applying: CLOOOOOOOOOOVES. All of the cloves. They're overwhelming everything else. On drydown: The clove note stays really strong, but the scent balances out more, with the leather and dead leaf notes becoming more prominent. The bourbon vanilla note ends up really subtle compared to how the oil smells in the bottle. Overall: It's like a sexy, spicy pile of leaves. (It reminds me of Leather Phoenix, except clovier. Seeing as I dread the day that I run out of Leather Phoenix, I welcome anything similar.) For me, this is definitely a keeper, but you should probably bypass this one if you're at all on the fence about clove.
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The owl is abroad, the bat, and the toad, And so is the cat-a-mountain, The ant and the mole sit both in a hole, And the frog peeps out o’ the fountain; The dogs they do bay, and the timbrels play, The spindle is now a turning; The moon it is red, and the stars are fled, But all the sky is a-burning: The ditch is made, and our nails the spade, With pictures full, of wax and of wool; Their livers I stick, with needles quick; There lacks but the blood, to make up the flood. Quickly, Dame, then bring your part in, Spur, spur upon little Martin, Merrily, merrily, make him fail, A worm in his mouth, and a thorn in his tail, Fire above, and fire below, With a whip in your hand, to make him go. There’s magic afoot: fiery red musk, luminous elemi, East Indian patchouli, champaca flower, cedar incense, ho wood, and hemlock accord sweetened with a peculiar sweet honey. Out of all the gorgeous Halloweenies, Third Charm stood out to me as a must-have. I made a bee-line for it at Dragon*Con, and I wasn't disappointed! In the bottle, Third Charm is similar to Scherezade (one of my all-time favorite scents), with an autumnal quality that makes me think of leaves changing colors and cool, crisp nights. A little of the peculiar honey creeps in to smooth and sweeten the scent. On my wrist, more of the musk and patchouli creeps out, until it's a warm, glowing, scent that balances all the fuzzy, earthy elements beautifully. I can't wait for the weather to start changing so I can wear this and feel appropriately seasonal.
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A widows orchard: black, wilted roses, sagging oak, skeletal yew bushes, threads of saffron, and pads of black moss. The moss is strong in this one, combined with a spicy rose. I don't really get the oak, yew or saffron but they're probably contributing to what I'm noting as spice. It feels more like a Victorian parlour than a haunted garden/orchard to me but I do really like it. If you're a fan of moss & rose together, you definitely should try it! I suspect that this combo of notes may have potpourri associations for some people but for others (like me) it will suit just fine.
