CreamyJade

The scent of the throes of violent passion: entangled limbs, teeth on flesh, furiously grasping hands, the taste of blood and sweat. Golden amber, white honey, red currant, daemonorops, kush, and Arabian musk. 2010 version In the decant: Fruity red currant, dragon's blood, lingering spices in the background. Wet on skin: The tartness of the fruit is lost, I'm now getting faint honey also. Dry on skin: Very well blended scent, I get amber, faint honey, some red fruits & barely there florals (?). Final thoughts: I didn't know what to expect about this one, but I was hoping the honey would be more present than it is though. Faint on my skin, with not much throw. It's a nice perfume, but not my style.

In the decant: Smokey wine with a touch of wood. Wet on skin: All smoke and no wine (!!), plus some spicy fragrant woods. Promising! Dry on skin: I get a hint of leather & smoke, a faint rose. Final thoughts: Not thinking it through when I chose this year's Luper decants, I thought "I'd drink a wine like that" when choosing the Zadok Allen Vineyard, as most wine scents usually turn either sour or super grapey on me (which is not pleasant). I was pleasantly surprised by this one, which ended up smokey, though a bit too floral for me. Fun scent though, what a morpher! Try if you like: Desire, Montresor

In the bottle: Musky woods, a hint of spices. Smells a bit masculine, but lovely. Wet on skin: Saffron, backed up by dark musk & woods. Dry on skin: Very sexy, dark, smouldering musk, with woods & spices to back it up. Yes! Final thoughts: This has an amazing throw and lasting power. A very dark & sexy unisex scent, I have to remind myself to try it on the boyfriend! I'm happy I finally bought a bottle

In the bottle: Benzoin, the blend smells a bit medicinal. Wet on skin: Benzoin, still, but I also get the heavy fragrant wood of the black sandalwood note. Dry on skin: The sweetness of tonka comes out, accompanied by a note of spice (the nutmeg!). Final thoughts: I suspected this blend would be extra spicy & heavy, but it is instead pretty light. It doesn't have a strong throw or much lasting power, unfortunately. I find that it would be a great scent for layering for now, & perhalps some aging will help the blend develop more.

In the bottle: Dark plum & incense. Wet on skin: Plum, incense, dark musk and woods! Dry on skin: The sandalwood & smoke take over, with the lingering red scent of the plum & the earthy patchouli. Oh my. Final thoughts: When I read the notes, I knew that this one was for me. And indeed, it is beautiful! The plum is just ripe enough, the woods and incense smoke are magnificent, the musk is just quite present to support the other notes. Hellion, I'm so lucky to have found you. Try if you like: Snake Charmer, Blood Countess (because the reviewer just above me was right!).

In the bottle: Cream, sugar, spices, hint of booze. Smells egg-noggish! Wet on skin: The sugar is the first thing that emerges, with layers of vanilla, booze & spices in the background. Dry on skin: There's the sandalwood! It blends with the vanilla, the sugar, the booze & everything else to turn into something absolutely dead sexy. Final thoughts: A scent with cream that didn't go sour on me, that only is reason to celebrate! I was worried about this blend because I'm not fond of foodies (& I hate caramel with a passion), but I'm not sure Underpants completely qualifies as a foodie per se. It's vanilla, sugar & cream, but the whole doesn't smell like cake or dessert to me. It's not cloying either, it just smells really really sexy. Try if you like: Smut (booze & vanilla), Black Lace (cream & vanilla).

In the bottle: Lemon verbana, citrus, spices. Wet on skin: The citrus is slowly mixed with wood, cloves and tobacco. Dry on skin: Smoky woods, heavy cloves (their scent amps on my skin), tobacco, with a slight citrus twist. CJ's final thoughts: Well, this is not your happy sunshine citrus blend. This is a dark, smoky, beautiful blend. It would suit a man well (my man, for sure!), but leans toward the unisex. To try it with Black Lace now... Try if you like: Torture King, Knucklebones (if you also like rum).

In the imp: Leather, chardonnay, smoke. Wet on skin: The smoke is more apparent, backed up with a bit of leather, sweet booze and some coconut (?). Dry on skin: Very well-blended, good throw. I get whiffs of sweet booze, tobacco, fruits and incense smoke on my skin. Deliciously decadent! Final thoughts: I can't believe how long I've waited to try this! I'd like to believe that I wasn't ready just yet, but, honestly, it's the fear of the chardonnay that has kept me from trying it (I was afraid it would turn to grape kool-aid on my skin). The drydown is so amazing that this one is going on my bottles list. ETA: The bottle I bought smells more like rum and I almost get no leather. Aging makes a good difference!

In the bottle: Verbana! Wet on skin: Bright verbana & citrus. Think citrus Pledge. Dry on skin: The blend has mellowed, as I now get a more somber verbana and citrus scent and possibly some flowers (??). Final thoughts: This is not the sexy amber and frankincense blend I was hoping for. Gold Phoenix is a very bright, sunshine blend with depth, but it's definately too bright & too sharp for me.

In the bottle: Labdanum, sweet herbs, maybe a little masculine for me? Wet on skin: Labdanum, the sweetness of vanilla, patchouli (without being heavy or too earthy). Dry on skin: Sweet incense, vanilla, spicy clove, a slight herbal touch. Final thoughts: This is delicious on my skin. Definately for fans of sweeter incense & resinous blends. My boyfriend tried it on (labdanum lover), but he said it was too sweet for him. But hey, I was going to keep it anyway! Try if you like: Zenobia, Raven Moon

In the bottle: This isn't traces of, it's CARAMEL, the loud, the obnoxious. Wet on skin: Caramel, still. Dry on skin: After a while, the blend develops into heady, heavy incenses (think champaca), and sweet burnt sugar. Final thoughts: I'm biaised. I don't like caramel notes, but all of the other components are just so lovely, so I don't know what to think about this blend. It's definately not the absolute love I was hoping for, but I don't hate it completely; an imp would have sufficed. Try if you like: Red Lantern, caramel notes

In the bottle: Musk, musk, musk, but something glowing like amber also. Reminds me immediatly of Schwarzer Mond. Wet on skin: Sweet, dark musk, I can also smell spices and the chili adds a piquant that is quite interesting. Dry on skin: There's a musky warm scent that lingers and it is lovely! Final thoughts: Oh this is pretty! The red chili adds a kick that isn't present in Schwarzer Mond (at least in the original 2006, since I don't have the latest version). This will quickly become one of my favorite moons! To try if you like: Schwarzer Mond

This is a swollen, pulsating, thudding scent, heavy with dread; a steady, unceasing, throbbing harbinger of retribution and doom: blood musk, cocoa, black pepper, allspice, dragon’s blood resin and vetiver. In the bottle: This is pretty 13ish, a musky cocoa mix. Wet on skin: Dark red oil, the cocoa is there, it's not overly sweet, but oh hey, I now smell red musk! Wee! And resinous dragon's blood! Dry on skin: Red musk, dragon's blood, some sweetness. Yum! Final thoughts: I've been wanting to try this blend for a while now, and I'm really happy I ended up swapping a bottle. The cocoa isn't overwhelming, nor overly sweet. The red musk makes me think a bit about Smut, which is an excellent thing, because I love love love that blend! The tell-tale heart is a great blend and I'm happy I got hold of a bottle!

In the bottle: Frankincense, herbs. Wet on skin: Resins and bitter herbs (I'm thinking it might be the chamomile). Dry on skin: The bitterness fades and the blend becomes sweeter on my skin (this usually happens when there's frankincense in the blend). I would describe this blend as others have done, as a "bright" blend of resins and herbs. Final thoughts: I was very curious about this blend as I love resins, but I was unsure about the herbs along with it. It's a very nice blend, not as sweet as are the resins blends I usually wear, but not completely herbal and dry. I like it and will keep my bottle, but this is not a "must hoard" scent for me. Aging will also likely make it smoother and more blended, which will be interesting!

In the vial: Creamy fruits and florals. Wet on skin: Creamy fruits and florals, but I can now smell the spices and the dry woods. Dry on skin: Woah! This is beyond lovely! All the notes are well blended and give a sweet, spicy, woodsy and slightly fruity and floral scent on me. Final thoughts: I was scared of trying this blend because the lotus root usually ruins everything for me, but the scent is lovely on my skin. The spices and the woods come out and really offer a nice base to all of the fruit and floral notes. Despite it being a winter themed blend, I think it'll be great for spring and summer.

In the bottle: Boozy vanilla, sweet clove, the lightest touch of ambergris. Wet on skin: Vanilla, musk, sweet clove, petitgrain, something resinous and incensy. Dry on skin: Spicy cloves & sweet resins blended perfectly. Magnificent! Final thoughts: I was lucky enough to get a hold of an almost full bottle of this and I am grateful! This blend is just beautiful, it makes it teary. It reminds me of a spicier version of Smut right out of the bottle, or a smokier & spicier Schwarzer Mond during the drydown. Ugh! I wish I had known BPAL when this blend came out! It's a definate "will track down more", and until then, I'll cherish my bottle.

In the bottle: Citrus, patchouli, tobacco. Wet on skin: Citrus, patchouli, dark florals, a bit of red musk & plum. Dry on skin: Dark florals, light citrus, a bit of resins and plum. ETA: After a couple of hours, it's still very much a creamy floral blend, but I can smell the plum better. Final thoughts: I don't remember who mentioned it but this is definately in the Faiza the Black Mamba family, a very dark floral with a bit of citrus. The drydown reminds me of Chrysanthemum Moon because of the creaminess of the flowers in the blend. I was expecting a powerful plum/red musk/resins combo, but the flowers and citrus are pretty much all that I get. I'm unfortunately not crazy about it like I thought I'd be, I'll see what a little aging will do!

I was lucky enough to find someone to swap one bottle of the new Bats day scents for one of my swap stash bottles. This is the blend I chose out of the five. I am so grateful for my swap angel! In the bottle: Frankincense! Wet on skin: Frankincense, cedar, coconut. Dry on skin: It's soft, sweet, smoky and slightly dusty frankincense, with cedar, coconut & a blend of herbs that I can't really identify. Oh my! Final thoughts: If Midnight Mass and King Cobra (minus the Snake Oil) had a child, it would ressemble Bat of Good Death (according to my nose). It's a beautiful & well crafted blend. I wish I could get more, but since I doubt I can afford it, I'll cherish my bottle instead. It's right up there with my favorites! Try if you like: Labores Solis, King Cobra, Midnight Mass

In the imp: Sharp strong honey and spicy musk. Wet on skin: Still very strong honey, musk, and spices. Dry on skin: It softens when dry, the scents become blended. Nom nom nom. Final thoughts: I received this as a frimp with my locket and I am so happy! I never paid any attention to this blend, but now its time has come! *insert thunderclap here* It's a lovely scent and as skin musk always transforms into something delicious, carnal and dangerous on my skin, I am quite pleased with it! Big bottle? I think so Aged Bengal is going to be awesome!

This is for the original version (2007) In the decant: Sharp cologne and a hint of vanilla. Wet on skin: Softer cologne, vanilla, hint of musk. Dry on skin: Sugared vanilla, musk, incense, a bit of tobacco. Final thoughts: This is delicious and absolutely gorgeous. It's sophisticated, feminine, dark, a bit smoky at the finish. It's the scent of a woman. It's really beautiful! Must find tons of bottles. Truly a holy grail scent. This is for the 2009 version In the decant: Sharp cologne, cognac, musk. Wet on skin: Cologne, cognac, musk. It's a bit "soapy". Dry on skin: Musk, vanilla (finally!), smoky tobacco. Very good throw. Final thoughts: I really like this "ressurected" blend, but unfortunately not as much as the aged 2007 vintage. Aging has certainly helped the scent, but the vanilla is less predominant during drydown, which doesn't make the 2009 blend as creamy as the 2007 version. The 2009 version also seems (to my humble nose) more musky, which is not a bad thing, but changes the feel of the scent. Don't get me wrong, the 2009 version is beautiful, just not as amazing as the 2007 version. It's my "everyday Black Lace", when I need a fix but don't want to break out my sexy womanly special occasions 2007 Black Lace.

In the bottle: Soft incense and pine or cedar. Wet on skin: Sweet incense smoke, soft woods. Dry on skin: Less woods, more incense, more sweetness. Final thoughts: Oh this one's a beautiful blend! It's complex and dark, soft and sweet incense smoke and dry woods. A keeper!

In the bottle: Lovely red musk, little bit of citrus, some cologne. Wet on skin: Now I can smell the leather! It kind of reminds me of a sweeter Dee + red musk. Dry on skin: Red musk, leather, faint citrus & vanilla. Delicious and sexy! Final thoughts: Crowley, I love you! I was afraid at first that this blend would be too masculine for me, but no, it's just perfect! I'm truly happy that I bought a bottle without sniffing it first, he's a keeper! Now if I could just try it on my boyfriend...

In the decant: Sandalwood, resins, redwood. Wet on skin: Sandalwood, redwood, sweet resins. Dry on skin: The same woods & resins, but with added sweetness and spice (I bet that's the pepper). So complex and sophisticated! Final thoughts: If And there was a Great cry in Egypt was my first & only love from The Salon for a long while, this one is now the sexy temptress who's trying to steer me away from it. After going through two decants of the stuff, I think it's time for a big bottle! I'm really crazy about it!

In the bottle: Citrus, herbal, sweet ginger blend. Wet on skin: Fresh lemon, sweet ginger, some herbs in the background. Dry on skin: The same, but toned down. Not really a morpher. Final thoughts: Despite my legendary hatred of foody blends, I decide to seek another sweet gingery blend out after being seduced by the gingery notes I smelled in Devil's Night. I managed to get a hold on half a bottle and I think it will be sufficient for me. I like how the lemon & ginger pan out, but I like muskier & spicier blends. It'll be cool for layering with something more resinous or even an incense blend.

The intoxicating perfume of exotic incenses wafting on warm desert breezes. Arabian spices wind through a blend of warm musk, carnation, red sandalwood and cassia. In the bottle: Sweet, spicy light floral. Wet on skin: Soft spicy carnation, not overly floral nor spicy. Dry on skin: Same, but powdery. Final thoughts: I remember when I first sniffed Morocco for the first time, it was instant love! I bought a bottle right afterwards, but when I tried it again, I discovered that it unfortunately fades quickly on me. So I use it for layering, to add an extra spicy layer of sexiness on skin