Cursed Cameo
Category: Curio Shop
Quantity: sample
Description:
CURSED CAMEO
Don’t be fooled by its beauty, by its seemingly delicate nature! Well over one hundred years old, this cameo is a splendid piece of jewelry marred by a fearsome curse. Given to a scorned wife as pacification from her flagrantly cheating husband, the wife was rumored to have dispatched of each of her husband’s affairs with a chilling and cold-blooded fervor, all while wearing the cameo. Now the cameo is cursed to bring torment and discord to its wearer, keeping them forever miserable and alone. Well, yes, I don’t see why you can’t hold it. Only please refrain from putting it around your neck. We are not sure how swift-acting the curse is. Come to think of it, maybe it’s best if you didn’t hold it at all. One can never be too careful! White lily, iris, jasmine, magnolia, grapefruit, peach
Review:
In the bottle: It’s soft and feminine, in a graceful way. I can identify the notes of lily and magnolia.
Wet: Without any surprise, the flowers came out first.
Dry: As it dried, I started to notice something juicy and sweet, which I assume is the peach and grapefruit. It’s funny, because it leaves a little bit of an aftertaste, but maybe that’s the curse?
Verdict: I find it hard to write a review on this one because I’m completely addicted. If you like blends of flowers and fruits, you should try this one.
Lullaby
Category: In The Mood
Quantity: sample
Description:
LULLABY
Sleep judy. A quiet and relaxing blend to ease your tension and calm your thoughts. Peaceful sleep nourishes the spirit and soothes the soul. Lullaby does just that, without having to sing a single note. Lavender, chamomile, mandarin, jasmine, ylang ylang, rose.
Review:
In the bottle: Hmm… Chamomile, mandarin, lavender, and some other flowers float toward my nose. There’s something comforting and soothing about it right away, that I can not explain to myself, but it seems to work.
Wet: As soon as I put it on, a bitter smell came out of it, so I was quite worried; but, fortunately, it didn’t last long. It then turned into a soothing blend of flowers. The lavender is soft, which is a good thing because I usually don’t like it much, and the mandarin adds a warm touch to it.
Dry: After drydown, I smell the rose and the jasmine a little bit better. The floral scent is stronger, but the drop of mandarine is still there to complement it.
Verdict: At least this one keeps its promises, it’s very calm and peaceful. It could work, to a certain extent, as a neutral blend, even though the flowers make it a bit feminine. On a personal note, the first time I tried it, I was tired and overloaded with work, so it wasn’t a very good time to try it on, I didn’t work much that day (I guess I could have used a little bit of Jolt). But right now, I’m on vacation, and fully able to appreciate it. Would I wear that often? Probably not, but it was fun to try it and see what it does.
Maiden
Category: Ars Amatoria
Quantity: sample
Description:
MAIDEN
A gentle vision of purity, goodness and virtue: white tea, carnation and Damask Rose.
Review:
In the bottle: This certainly smells soft and feminine! So far, it’s mostly a blend of flowers, but the white tea is a sweet touch.
Wet: Carnation, carnation, and more carnation, with a little bit of rose, and a tiny little bit of white tea.
Dry: It does stabilize during dry down, but it’s still a lot of carnation! There’s still a little bit of rose, and what I believe is a trace of white tea, but it’s very subtle.
Verdict: Overall, Maiden is a nice spring/summer scent, but you really have to love carnation to fully appreciate this one; therefore, it’s just not for me. I know white tea tends to be tasteless, but I expected more of it. But still, it’s a nice floral scent.
More reviews: Ars Amatoria: Maiden
Forbidden Desire
Category: American Gothic
Quantity: sample
Description:
FORBIDDEN DESIRE
Desire is a powerful creature, shape-shifting yet solid as the imp who visits you during the night. The urge grabs a hold of you. Your every impulse demands action. Consequences be damned, as damned as the doer of the deed. Lust takes control. Your thirst must be quenched. How sweet the taste of forbidden desire on your lips. Right or wrong, desire has won. White chocolate, vanilla bean, sugared musk
Review:
In the bottle: Chocolate, and maybe a little bit of spiced vanilla.
Wet: It’s a lot of chocolate… It smells like cake, probably because of the little note of vanilla.
Dry: Chocolate and sugar overload!
Verdict: I’ve tried to wear this one a few times, and every time I did, I found myself with an uncontrollable need to eat a chocolate bar, or a piece of chocolate cake. This can’t be good for my health! I understand why it’s called “forbidden desire”… This foody scent is just too foody for me, but I can imagine very easily why someone else would love it.
Gosurori
Category: Anime & Manga
Quantity: sample
Description:
GOSURORI
GothLoli’s depict a demure, well-bred yet stylized blend of dark, brooding Gothic and cute, childlike Lolita…a throw-back to the genteel, prim and proper eras. Whether wearing Victorian, Rococo, or Edwardian, knee-length dresses, petticoats and crinolines, ribbons and lace, over-knee stockings, boots or Mary Janes, top hats and parasols, Gothic Lolita’s are in perfect style! Anime/Manga include Bizenghast , Rozen Maiden , and DOLL . Earl Grey, sugared rose petals, vanilla cream
Review:
In the bottle: Sweetened Earl Grey tea and rose. Or what you would get if you dropped a rose in your grand-father’s favourite tea… It smells good, actually.
Wet: It smells a bit more like rose once on skin, with a sweet creamy note (vanilla?).
Dry: Tea, rose, sugar, cream, and vanilla cupcakes… I think it’s got all the ingredients for a successful loli tea party!
Verdict: I had mixed feelings toward this one at first, because I’m not a fan of anime or manga, and yet I was curious enough to try it. It’s like an old woman’s perfume with added sugar, and it’s very elegant. I will certainly try some more from the Anime & Manga collection.
Love Potent
Category: In The Mood
Quantity: sample
Description:
LOVE POTENT
Ooh la la! Love is life! Good Judy’s Love Potent is a precursor to the ultimate experience in life. Love for life. Love for yourself. Love for another. Male, female, and everyone in between…however you love, whomever you love… let love shine from the deepest, darkest part of your soul to the infinite far-reaches of the universe. For without love, we have nothing. Rose, spiced musk, bay, violet, gardenia, jasmine, ginger
Review:
In the bottle: Spicy rose and flowers.
Wet: At first, it’s a spicy mix of rose, violet, gardenia, jasmine. Then, I get a faint scent of musk and bay.
Dry: After a while, musk and ginger take over the flowers. I’m still getting a little bit of violet, and maybe another flower, but I don’t know which one.
Verdict: This is sexy, and maybe even empowering; but unfortunately, it doesn’t last very long. The two times I’ve worn this one so far, I kept adding some more on my skin, so the sample is already half-empty. Because of that, I hesitate to buy a bottle. Otherwise, it’s lovely.
Lucy's Kiss
Category: Ars Amatoria
Quantity: sample
Description:
LUCY'S KISS
Created to represent the essence of Bram Stoker's tragic heroine, Lucy Westenra. Seductive, wanton and deadly, but underscored with a soft, wistful innocense. The gentle scent of rose and a blend of Victorian spices
Review:
In the bottle: It’s a delicate rose, with a touch of sour spices.
Wet: At first, it’s a bittersweet rose; it’s soft and vulnerable. However, don’t be fooled by it, for it quickly turns into a spicy blend. Interesting…
Dry: Still spicy, with a bitter rose underneath. Hours later, the rose is completely gone, and all that remains is the sour blend of spices. I still can’t figure out which spices are in it though.
Verdict: I have to admit this one is interesting. It respects its concept from beginning to end. However, those spices annoy me after a while, so it’s probably not for me.
More reviews: Ars Amatoria: Lucy's Kiss
Splintered Love
Category: American Gothic
Quantity: sample
Description:
SPLINTERED LOVE
Secrets grow like thorns around the hearts of lovers. Desperate to hide the truth, the spiny garden grows larger, depleting love. Love fails to germinate, to grow. The sewn fruits are bitter. The heart fractures. The splinters cut deep. Rose, pink pepper, spikenard, pomegranate
Review:
In the bottle: At first sniff, I smell rose, with pepper, and a little pomegranate. I don’t know what spikenard is (I’ve heard of its historical uses, but I’ve never smelled it), so I guess it’s the fourth ingredient I can’t quite replace.
Wet: At first, Splintered Love is all sweet. It’s a nice blend of rose and fruity, juicy pomegranate.
Dry: After a while, it turns bittersweet and spicy; I suspect pepper to have something to do with this metamorphosis. Hours later, all that remains is bitter pomegranate leftovers.
Verdict: Oh, I love it! The concept behind it is interesting, and it smells awesome, could I ask for more? Splintered Love goes in my “to buy” list.
Fruit Judy
Category: Limited Edition
Quantity: bottle (2ml)
Description:
FRUIT JUDY
Fruit Judy is the companion blend to Flower Judy. All together, there are 21 notes, all fruit. A sweet and tangy mix of berries, citrus, and tropical delights!
This limited edition does not have a time limit, but rather a quantity limit. There are 50 2ml amber bottles (with screw-cap lids) available. These are not "shorties", but rather the tall thinner bottles for easier use. There is no formal recipe so this blend will never be recreated. Once they are gone, they're gone!
Review:
In the bottle: It’s a tutti-frutti! It’s not easy to identify the 21 fruit notes, but so far, I’m guessing apple, grape, banana, berries (strawberries, raspberries, etc.), and a few more I’m not so sure about.
Wet: Again, I’m guessing apple, berries, pear, banana, mango, pineapple… It’s sweet!
Dry: It turned a bit tangier, orange and citrus must have found their way through.
Verdict: What can I say… It’s a fruit salad! What’s interesting in this case is that those 21 fruit notes, once blended together, create something new. Everyone can tell it’s fruity, but no one can pinpoint a precise fruit note without hesitation. Personally, I can’t wait to wear this one next summer, although the bugs might fall in love with me…
Alice
Category: Mad Tea Party
Quantity: sample
Description:
ALICE
Curiouser and curiouser. Milk and honey with rose, carnation and bergamot.
Review:
In the bottle: It’s sweet and flowery. What I smell the most is a mix of milk and honey.
Wet: Initially, Alice is sweetened milk and flowers. I do smell a bit of carnation and bergamot, but not so much rose.
Dry: It’s still sweet and creamy flowers, but a tiny bit spicy (now that’s curious!). There is a little bit of rose hidden underneath the carnation, but it’s really not as strong as I thought it would be from the description.
Verdict: Alice is young and fresh, with a nice feminine touch. Because it reminds me of something edible (tea and cakes, how appropriate…), it’s tempting to describe it as the cousin of Dana O’Shee; or Katrina Van Tassel made better, thanks to carnation and bergamot. Either way, I like it, it will be perfect for spring.
More reviews: Mad Tea Party: Alice
Faustus
Category: Sin & Salvation
Quantity: sample
Description:
FAUSTUS
An infusion of incalculable power and irresistible temptation. Truly an exercise in megalomania and self-gratification: frankincense and cinnamon, darkened by violet.
Review:
In the bottle: What I smell is mostly frankincense, with a little bit of violet, and a drop of cinnamon.
Wet: My skin has just been attacked by frankincense in big quantities… And some dark violets are pushing from underneath.
Dry: It settled down to a mix of cinnamon and violet. It’s spicy, and a little bittersweet.
Verdict: I have to admit spicy cinnamon is very sensual and playful; but man, do I dislike frankincense on me… Also, it’s quite different from my usual feminine perfume oils, but it certainly is empowering and self-gratifying! It’s somewhat masculine, but I think it would fit better on a young man, filled with sexual energy; or as a neutral scent for a woman with an aura of power. When my mother smelled this on me, last December, she asked me where she could buy “a gallon of that stuff”, so I know to whom I can give my sample.
More reviews: Sin & Salvation: Faustus
The Unicorn
Category: Mad Tea Party
Quantity: sample
Description:
THE UNICORN
A misty, almost luminous perfume: wispy linden blossoms, white flowers, and a touch of sweet herbs.
Review:
In the bottle: A clean, fresh, and clear floral smell. It’s soft and light.
Wet: I get a sweet floral scent. I’m not accustomed to linden blossoms, so my first impression was something similar to lily of the valley, but I could be wrong.
Dry: It’s soft and faint. The herbs blend well together into a light, feminine scent. Unfortunately, it fades away very quickly.
Verdict: It’s lovely, but it doesn’t have much impact, which I think is really too bad because, otherwise, it would be the perfect blend for spring. On the other hand, someone who rarely ever wears perfume and wants to stay away from strong scents, would probably adore this.
More reviews: Mad Tea Party: The Unicorn
Marie
Category: Diabolus
Quantity: sample
Description:
MARIE
A blend of sinuous violet and elegant tea rose: the chosen scent of France's Demigoddess of Debauch: Marie Antoinette.
Review:
In the bottle: Mostly violet, and rose.
Wet: Apparently, my nose identifies the smell of violet very easily, and finds the rose a few minutes later. So far, it’s fresh and elegant, but a little bit soapy.
Dry: The first time I tried this one, in December, I thought it smelled like an old violet and rose potpourri (note: I had a cold and everything smelled the same). However, I can fully appreciate it today, and I have to admit Marie makes a nice transition from a sweet and fresh floral scent to a wicked violet.
Verdict: I’m growing fond of Marie, I might add it to my “maybe” list. It’s sensual, in a naughty way. On the other hand, if you don’t like violet, stay away from this one.
More reviews: Diabolus: Marie
Dana O'Shee
Category: Bewitching Brews
Quantity: sample
Description:
DANA O'SHEE
In Irish folklore the Dana O'Shee are a fae, elven people that live in a realm of beauty, their nobility akin to our that own Age of Chivalry, eternally beautiful and eternally young. They surround themselves with the pleasures of the Arts, they live for the hunt, and to this day can be seen riding in procession through the Irish countryside at twilight, led by their King and Queen. However, the Dana O'Shee are not benevolent creatures, despite what their unearthly beauty may imply. They are vengeful and treacherous and possess a streak of mischievous malice, and many have whispered that their true home lies deep in the shadowed groves of the Realm of the Dead. Hearing even a single chord of their otherworldly music leaves one stunned and lost to the mortal realms for ever, finding themselves prey to the Dana O'Shee's hunt or enslaved in their Court as servants or playthings. Offerings of milk, honey and sweet grains were made to placate these creatures, and it is that the basis of the scent created in their name.
Review:
In the bottle: At first, it’s mostly creamy honey, with a sweet cereal scent (oat?). I do smell a cherry or wild berry scent as well; but I wonder if I’m not hallucinating it, because it’s far behind.
Wet: Wow, this is sweet and delicious, with a touch of almond. It smells like it’s almost edible.
Dry: It’s still sweet, and it still smells like honey; but it’s much softer.
Verdict: I love it! I love foody scents, and Dana O’Shee seems perfect for all those occasions when a strong perfume might be overwhelming. I will probably buy a bottle of this one.
More reviews: Bewitching Brews: Dana O'Shee
Lolita
Category: Ars Amatoria
Quantity: sample
Description:
LOLITA
Bright, sweet and youthful, but swelling with a poisonous sexuality. Glittering heliotrope, honeysuckle, orange blossom and lemon verbena.
Review:
In the bottle: It smells like lemony soap. It’s quite sweet actually.
Wet: I don’t know… Flowers and herbs bathing in lemon juice? On me, it’s a bitter-sweet poison, with a soapy scent underneath.
Dry: Probably my strangest association so far: do you remember the nasty old neighbour of your childhood, who used to burst open every ball that had the unfortunate luck of falling on her yard? Well, it smells like her.
Verdict: Poor Lolita… She fell into the claws of a pedophile and must have started to hate the world afterwards, or at least that’s what her perfume suggests. Honestly, if I get another sample of this one for free, I’ll throw it down the drain. (Note: I hate to waste, so I'll try to turn the sample I have into soap, or something like that.)
More reviews: Ars Amatoria: Lolita
London
Category: Wanderlust
Quantity: sample
Description:
LONDON
Venerable Victorian Tea Rose… twisted, blackened and emboldened with wickedness.
Review:
In the bottle: Roses, yet dried, sour, bitter and intoxicated.
Wet: A sweet and elegant rose, but still dark and bitter.
Dry: Same, with subtlety. It blends well with my skin and becomes quite sweet. However, it doesn’t last very long (at least on me).
Verdict: It’s very elegant and womanly, with an interesting wicked twist. Unfortunately, this perfume smells older than I am. It’s something I’ll want to try again in a few years.
More reviews: Wanderlust: London
Sleepy Hollow: Katrina Van Tassel
Category: Limited Edition
Quantity: 5ml bottle
Description:
KATRINA VAN TASSEL
… and though he had seen many spectres in his time, and been more than once beset by Satan in divers shapes, in his lonely perambulations, yet daylight put an end to all these evils; and he would have passed a pleasant life of it, in despite of the devil and all his works, if his path had not been crossed by a being that causes more perplexity to mortal man than ghosts, goblins, and the whole race of witches put together, and that was-a woman.
Among the musical disciples who assembled, one evening in each week, to receive his instructions in psalmody, was Katrina Van Tassel, the daughter and only child of a substantial Dutch farmer. She was a blooming lass of fresh eighteen; plump as a partridge; ripe and melting and rosy cheeked as one of her father's peaches, and universally famed, not merely for her beauty, but her vast expectations. She was withal a little of a coquette, as might be perceived even in her dress, which was a mixture of ancient and modern fashions, as most suited to set off her charms. She wore the ornaments of pure yellow gold, which her great-great-grandmother had brought over from Saardam, the tempting stomacher of the olden time; and withal a provokingly short petticoat, to display the prettiest foot and ankle in the country round.
White rose and honeyed cream.
Review:
In the bottle: It’s sweet, like Dana O’Shee, only with roses instead of sweet grains.
Wet: Mostly roses. Somehow, it reminds me of my grand-mother’s perfume; I want to snuggle up in my grandma’s blanket and sing lullabies.
Dry: It’s still rosy, but creamier. It’s very feminine and, without a doubt, a good girl’s perfume. The sweet cream scent lasts much longer than the rose scent though.
Verdict: I like it, but it’s missing a little something to be more than “my grand-mother’s perfume”. I’m happy with the bottle I have, but I wouldn’t buy another one.
More reviews: LE: Katrina Van Tassel
My list of reviews so far, to be updated as I write them.
BLACK PHOENIX ALCHEMY LAB:
Limited Edition:
Sleepy Hollow: Katrina Van Tassel
Yules: Lick it Vigorously
Yules: Rose Red 2010
Yules: Snow White 2010
Yules: The Nutcracker: Klara
Ars Amatoria:
Kabuki
L'École Des Filles
Lolita
Lucy's Kiss
Maiden
Bewitching Brews:
All Night Long
Dana O'Shee
Follow Me Boy
Hurricane
Jolly Roger
Love Me
Diabolus:
Kumiho
Marie
Villain
Excolo:
Persephone
Illyria:
Rosalind
Mad Tea Party:
Alice
Eat Me
Mouses's Long And Sad Tale
The Pool Of Tears
Tweedledum
The Unicorn
Marchen:
The Grave-Pig
Picnic in Arkham:
Herbert West
Rappaccini's Garden:
Baneberry
Hairy Toad Lily
Sin & Salvation:
Faustus
Lust
Oblivion
Wanderlust:
London
GOOD JUDY:
Limited Edition:
Diamond (April 2009)
Fruit Judy
Hanami (Spring 2009)
Ostara (March 2009)
American Gothic:
The Corruption of Having Lived
Forbidden Desire
Shameful Secret
Sins of the Past
Spectral Evidence
Splintered Love
Anime & Manga:
Gosurori
Shoujo
Uke
Curio Shop:
Cursed Cameo
Mephitic Vapors
Pickled Punk
Spirit Bottle: Lhunassi
Voodoo Doll
In The Mood:
Jolt
Love Potent
Lullaby
Woobie
LGBT & More:
B
Femme
Mary Jo's Bakery:
Bread Pudding
Cannoli
Chocolate Chai Muffin
Key Lime Pie
Punk:
Gothic
Pop
Resinate:
Honey Patch
Smooth & Neat
Signature Scents:
Gravy
Starlite Oasis:
Atomic Cheesecake
Lava Rocket
Mond-O-Rama
Unreleased Blends:
First Creation
